"I'm not charging you with anything. Yet. I'm trying to understand if you're a victim or a participant."
"Victim of what?"
"Coercion. Intimidation. Mr. Romano has a history of using leverage to get what he wants. If he's pressured you, threatened you, forced you into compliance—we can help."
The offer was almost laughable. Reeves wanted to paint me as a victim to build his case against Luca. Wanted me to flip, testify, become their star witness.
"No one has coerced me," I said firmly. "My journalism is legitimate. My sources are protected. And my personal life is none of your business."
"So you're saying your relationship with Romano is entirely voluntary?"
"I'm saying this interview is over." I stood. "If you have actual evidence of wrongdoing, present it. Otherwise, stop wasting both our time."
Reeves stood too. "Mr. Russo, you're making a mistake. Romano is dangerous. When we bring charges—and we will—anyone associated with him will be implicated. I'm offering you a way out."
"I don't need a way out. I haven't done anything wrong."
"You've accepted information from a criminal organization. You've failed to report knowledge of illegal activity. That's conspiracy, at minimum."
The threat was clear. Cooperate or face charges myself.
"Then charge me," I said. "But I'm done talking without counsel present."
I walked out before he could respond. Took the elevator down with shaking hands. Made it outside into the October afternoon and finally let myself breathe.
My phone buzzed immediately. Text from Luca:Are you okay? Security says you left. What happened?
I typed back:I'm fine. On my way to you now. We need to talk.
The car that had brought me was still waiting. I got in and gave the driver Inferno's address. Spent the drive trying to process what had just happened.
Reeves wasn't fishing anymore. He had evidence. Photos. A case he was building. And he'd made it clear—I was either with him or against him. Either I flipped on Luca or I went down too.
The thought should have terrified me. Should have sent me running.
Instead, I just felt resolve harden in my chest.
I wasn't flipping. Wasn't testifying against Luca. Wasn't becoming Reeves's star witness in whatever case he was building.
I'd made my choice. For better or worse, I was choosing Luca.
Luca was waiting in his office when I arrived at Inferno. He stood the second I walked in, crossing the room in three strides and pulling me into his arms.
"Are you okay?" His voice was tight with barely controlled fear. "Security said you left after forty minutes. What happened?"
"He has photos. Of me at your penthouse. Multiple times." I pulled back to look at him. "He's been surveilling us, Luca. Building a case. He knows about our relationship."
Luca's expression went cold. "What did you tell him?"
"Nothing. Said you were a professional source. That my personal life wasn't relevant. Walked out when he tried to push." I moved to sit on his couch, legs suddenly shaky. "He offered me a deal. Testify against you and they'd protect me. Immunity, probably. Said I was either a victim of coercion or a participant in conspiracy."
"Fuck." Luca paced across the office. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. He's trying to flip you."
"He can try all he wants. I'm not flipping."
Luca stopped. Turned to look at me. "You should."
"What?"
