We held each other for a long time, both trying to find comfort in the chaos.
"I'm scared," I admitted.
"So am I. But we're facing it together."
"Together."
We ordered takeout because neither of us had the energy to cook. Ate mostly in silence, both exhausted from the emotional weight of the day. After dinner, we went to bed even though it was early. Just needed to be horizontal, to stop thinking about testimony and juries and verdicts.
In bed, Valentino curled against my side. "Tomorrow will be better."
"Will it?"
"It has to be. Eventually we get to tell our side."
"And if they don't believe us?"
"Then we appeal. And if that fails, we survive the sentence. But we don't give up. We keep fighting." He held me tighter. "Because what we have is real. And real things are worth fighting for."
I kissed his forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too. No matter what happens."
We fell asleep like that, both terrified of what tomorrow would bring but also certain of one thing: we had each other. And as long as we had that, we could survive anything.
Even this.
CHAPTER 17: VALENTINO
DAY THREE OFthe trial, and finally—finally—it was our turn.
"The defense calls Stefan DeLuca to the stand."
I watched Stefan walk to the witness box with his usual confidence. He looked professional in his suit, composed. He'd done this before. He knew how to handle himself.
Emilio approached. "Mr. DeLuca, what is your relationship to Mr. Russo?"
"He works with me in public relations. He's also a friend."
"How long have you known him?"
"About eight months. Since he began dating Luca Romano."
"Can you describe Mr. Russo's work ethic?"
"Exceptional. He's thorough, detail-oriented, ethical. When we brought him on for PR work, he insisted on complete transparency. Refused to spin anything that wasn't factually accurate." Stefan looked at the jury. "In my experience, people with compromised ethics don't have those boundaries."
"Objection," the prosecutor said. "Speculation about ethics."
"Sustained. The jury will disregard."
But the jury had heard it. Stefan had planted the seed.
Emilio continued. "During your professional interactions with Mr. Russo, did you observe any signs of coercion?"
"No. He was confident in his work, made his own decisions, pushed back when he disagreed with us. That's not how someone under duress behaves."
The prosecutor's cross-examination tried to paint Stefan as biased—of course he'd defend his employee, his friend. But Stefan held firm.
