We cleaned up and went to bed early, both too drained for anything else. I curled against Luca's side and tried to let the tension go.
"Valentino?" His voice was quiet in the darkness.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For choosing me. For staying despite all this."
"Thank you for being worth it."
"Am I? Worth all this destruction?"
"Yes." I didn't hesitate. "You are."
He held me tighter. "We're going to get through this."
"I know." And maybe I was starting to believe it.
We'd survived day two. Tomorrow we'd survive day three. And the day after that. However many days it took to get to trial, to verdict, to whatever future waited on the other side.
CHAPTER 12: LUCA
TWO WEEKS.
TWOweeks since our arrest, and we were finally meeting with the full legal team to discuss trial strategy.
I sat at Emilio's conference table with Valentino beside me, both of us wearing business casual despite the ankle monitors hidden beneath our pants. Emilio and two junior attorneys spread documents across the table—surveillance photos, witness statements, article timelines.
"Let's start with what they have," Emilio said. He was all business today, the charming husband completely gone. This was Emilio the lawyer, sharp and focused. "The surveillance is extensive. Photos of you together dating back four months. Entering and leaving each other's residences. Public displays of affection."
He laid out photo after photo. Me and Valentino at restaurants. Walking along the Hudson. Getting into my car. The intimacy captured in each image was undeniable.
"These prove a relationship," Emilio continued. "But not coercion. Not conspiracy. The prosecution will argue the timeline—relationship started, then favorable articles followed. We counter that the articles are factually accurate and that Valentino maintained journalistic standards throughout."
"What about the initial coercion?" I asked. "If they prove I threatened him at the beginning—"
"Then we argue it evolved. Coercion that transforms into genuine choice is not ongoing conspiracy." Emilio pulledout another document. "Valentino's independent school board investigation is crucial here. Done entirely without your involvement, published during your relationship. Proves he maintained integrity."
Valentino had been quiet, studying the photos. "They're going to call me compromised. Say I was manipulated."
"Yes. Stockholm syndrome will be their narrative." Emilio met his eyes. "You'll need to testify. Tell your story honestly. The judge and jury need to see that you made conscious choices."
"Even if those choices look bad?"
"Especially then. Honesty is our strongest defense."
We spent two hours going through evidence. Witness lists—Alex Park's name made Valentino flinch. Financial records showing my legitimate business dealings. The timeline of our relationship mapped against my organization's activities.
"Trial's set for six months from now," Emilio said finally. "Between now and then, we prepare. Depositions, discovery, witness prep. This will consume your lives."
"It already has," Valentino said quietly.
After the meeting, I went to Inferno for a partners meeting. First time back since the arrest. Walking in felt different—I was under indictment now, facing RICO charges. Federal scrutiny on everything we did.
Sandro, Matteo, and Elio were already there. All three looked up as I entered.
"How'd the legal meeting go?" Sandro asked.
"About as expected. Trial in six months. They have a lot of evidence but Emilio thinks we can counter it." I sat down. "How are things here?"
