"Think about it before you—"
"No." Firmer this time. "I'm not testifying against my client. I'm not cooperating with an investigation built on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony you bought with immunity deals. And I'm sure as hell not letting you use me to build a case because you can't do it legitimately."
"Emilio—"
"We're done here. If you want to charge me with something, do it. Otherwise stop calling me with offers I'm never going to accept." I ended the call before he could respond.
My hands were shaking. I set the phone down carefully and stared at it like it might explode.
The FBI knew about the debt payments. Which meant they'd been watching Sandro long before I took his case. Which meant every interaction we'd had was probably documented somewhere. Which meant I was already in far deeper than I'd realized.
I should be terrified. Should be calling Richard and withdrawing immediately. Should be taking Roberto's offer and saving myself.
Instead I opened my case files and kept working.
Because fuck Roberto Green and his warnings. Fuck the FBI and their fishing expedition. Fuck everyone who thought I was just some naive attorney who'd accidentally stumbled into dangerous territory.
I knew exactly what I was doing. I'd known from the first moment I took Sandro's case. I'd made my choice consciously, deliberately, with full awareness of the consequences.
And I was choosing to stay.
Three hours later I'd outlined our entire trial strategy. Twenty-seven pages of arguments, witness cross-examination plans, evidence challenges, and reasonable doubt construction. It was thorough. Aggressive. Exactly the kind of defense that would make a prosecutor nervous.
I was reviewing my notes when I heard the elevator. The private one that opened directly into the apartment. Only Sandro and his security had access.
He walked in looking exactly as he had when he left—composed, controlled, not a hair out of place. But there was something in his eyes. Something dark and satisfied that told me he'd done exactly what he said he would.
"How'd it go?" I asked, even though I wasn't sure I wanted details.
"Handled." He set his keys on the counter. Shrugged out of his jacket. "Angelo Moretti won't be delivering any more threats. And Costello received a very clear message about what happens when you target people under my protection."
"Did you kill him? Angelo, I mean."
"No. I let him go." Sandro poured himself a drink from the bar. "Gave him a choice—leave the city and never come back, or stay and face consequences. He chose wisely."
"That's uncharacteristically merciful."
"Mercy has its place. Angelo was just following orders. Killing him wouldn't accomplish anything except making the Costellos more desperate." He sipped his whiskey. "Costello, on the other hand, is going to spend the next few weeks very uncomfortable. Matteo's handling that personally."
I didn't ask what "handling that personally" meant. Didn't want confirmation of what I already suspected.
"Roberto Green called," I said instead. "Warned me about RICO charges. Said the FBI's building a case. Said I should withdraw and cooperate before I'm buried with you."
Sandro's expression didn't change. "What did you tell him?"
"No."
"Just no? Nothing else?"
"What else was there to say? He wanted me to testify against you. I told him to go fuck himself." I stood and walked to wherehe was standing. "He also said the FBI knows you've been paying my debts. That they're planning to use me as evidence of your pattern of corrupting officials."
"They've known about the payments since I made them. I'm not subtle when I don't need to be." He set down his drink and cupped my face. "Are you worried?"
"I should be. I'm probably going to be called before a grand jury. My career might be over. I could face charges for accepting financial benefits from a client under investigation." I met his eyes. "But no. I'm not worried. I'm choosing this. Choosing you. Consequences and all."
He kissed me. Hard and claiming and tasting like expensive whiskey and dangerous decisions.
When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.
