"Then you're both going to trial. Both facing serious charges. Both risking years in prison." Emilio closed his briefcase. "I'll defend you both to the best of my ability. But I need you to be realistic about the risks."
"I'm realistic. And I'm not changing my mind." I met his eyes. "We face this together."
"Then that's what we'll do." He stood. "Arraignment is in an hour. The judge will set bail. I've already arranged for bond. You'll be released this afternoon."
"And Valentino?"
"Jessica has his bail arranged too. You'll both be released today." He paused at the door. "Luca, one more thing. The media is outside. Cameras everywhere. When you leave the courthouse, they're going to shout questions. Don't answer. Don't react. Just keep walking."
"Understood."
He left and the guard came to return me to the holding cell. I sat on the bench and tried to process everything.
Ten to fifteen years.
Valentino facing five to seven.
Months of trial.
Media scrutiny.
Every choice questioned.
But we'd face it together. That's what mattered. Not the charges or the risks or the potential sentences. We'd face it together.
An hour later, they came to get me for arraignment.
The courtroom was smaller than I'd expected. Formal, intimidating, full of people I didn't know. Press in the back. Federal prosecutors at their table. Emilio beside me at the defense table.
And then they brought in Valentino.
He was in handcuffs, being led by two marshals, with a woman in a suit beside him—Jessica, presumably. He looked exhausted and scared but composed. Our eyes met across the courtroom and something in my chest eased slightly.
He was okay. Shaken but okay.
They brought him to the defense table next to me. Close enough to touch if we weren't both handcuffed.
"Are you okay?" I asked quietly.
"I'm okay. You?"
"I'm okay."
"Mr. Romano, Mr. Russo, please refrain from speaking," one of the marshals said.
Then the judge entered and everyone stood. Judge Katherine Morrison, according to the nameplate. Older, stern-looking, no-nonsense.
"Be seated." She looked over her glasses at us. "We're here for the arraignment of Luca Romano and Valentino Russo on multiple federal charges. Let's proceed."
The prosecutor stood and read the charges. RICO conspiracy. Obstruction of justice. Multiple counts. Each one hitting like a hammer. I forced myself to stay calm, to not react.
Beside me, Valentino was doing the same. Both of us just trying to get through this.
"How do the defendants plead?" Judge Morrison asked.
"Not guilty, Your Honor," Emilio said firmly.
"Not guilty, Your Honor," Jessica echoed.
