But she wasn't Emilio.
Emilio would have eviscerated them. Would have found the perfect question to make them admit they were lying. Would have turned their testimony into a weapon against the prosecution instead of just creating doubt.
I missed having him at the defense table with a physical ache.
He attended every day. Sat in the same seat. Took notes in a leather notebook that he probably gave to Diana each evening. Supporting me the only way he could now.
Wednesday afternoon, Diana called me into a conference room during recess.
"The prosecution's filing their witness list for tomorrow," she said. "They're calling Emilio."
My blood went cold. "When did they notify you?"
"Ten minutes ago. Minimum notice. They're trying to rattle us." She pulled out her laptop. "I've already started preparing objections. His relationship with you isn't relevant to the assault charges. I'll argue the testimony should be excluded."
"Will the judge agree?"
"Fifty-fifty. Morrison's been letting the prosecution cast a wide net. She might allow limited questioning about the relationship as long as it doesn't become character assassination."
I thought about Emilio on the stand. Being questioned by Roberto Green. Being used as a weapon against me.
"What will they ask him?"
"When the relationship started. Whether you paid him anything. Whether it affected his professional judgment." Diana met my eyes. "I've prepped witnesses before. But Emilio knows the law better than most attorneys I work with. He'll handle it. The question is whether you can handle watching it."
"I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice. You could take a plea deal. Matteo pleads to simple assault, gets probation, this ends."
"No." I stood. "We don't plead. We fight. Even if it means watching Emilio get cross-examined."
That night I went to Emilio's apartment instead of asking him to come to me. He opened the door looking exhausted. We'd barely seen each other outside the courtroom for the past week.
"They're calling you tomorrow," I said.
"I know. Diana called me an hour ago." He stepped aside to let me in. "She's filing objections but she thinks Morrison will allow limited questioning."
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I can be." He walked to the kitchen and poured us both wine. "Roberto's going to try to make me look corrupted. Like you bought me. I just have to stay calm and tell the truth."
"The truth about when we got together could destroy both of us."
"I know." He handed me a glass. "But I won't lie under oath. Not even for you."
"I'm not asking you to lie. I'm asking if you're prepared for what Roberto's going to imply. That you were compromised from the beginning. That everything you did as my attorney was tainted."
"Let him imply it. I know the truth. I made my own choices. No one forced me into anything." He took a drink. "Though he's not entirely wrong that you manipulated the situation."
"Emilio—"
"I'm not angry about it anymore. I'm just stating facts. You identified me as vulnerable and you used that. You paid off my debts without asking. You bought me expensive things. You made yourself necessary." He looked at me directly. "But I still chose you. Knowing what you are. Knowing what it would cost. That was my choice."
I set down my wine and pulled him close. "I'm sorry. For putting you in this position. For making you a target."
"Don't apologize. I knew what I was signing up for." He rested his forehead against mine. "Just promise me something."
"Anything."
