“Mr. Ferrucci, you have been charged with one count of racketeering and one count of extortion. Do you understand these charges?”
Standing, Salvatore does the same next to me. “Yes, Your Honor, I do.” I don’t want to be charged with shit, but I understand what I’ve been charged with.
“Your Honor, if I may,” the federal prosecutor says, speaking loudly. The judge drops his chin slightly to give her the go ahead. “We are requesting that the defendant be remanded without bail until his arraignment.”
“Your Honor, my client has no criminal record. He would gladly hand over his passport until the arraignment, but he isn’t a flight risk. He’s a newlywed and wishes to go home to his bride.”
There is a moment of silence, and the judge lifts his head from his papers, looking up to me. “Is that true, Mr. Ferrucci? Are you a newlywed?”
Shifting my gaze to Salvatore, he nods his head once encouraging me to speak. Looking back at the judge, I give him a small smile. “Yes, Your Honor, my wife is right behind me, sir. We were married last Friday.”
The judge’s eyes shift from my face to Pippa behind me. He lifts his hand, motioning for her to stand and come forward. I can feel her walk up behind me, her presence is so welcome, and I wish that it wasn’t.
I wish that I wasn’t as drawn to her as I am, that I didn’t want her so bad all of the damn time, that I wasn’t falling for my wife.
“You’re married to Mr. Ferrucci?” the judge asks.
Pippa clears her throat, her sweet voice washes over me and I wonder how I would be able to survive being separated from her for thirty fucking years? I wouldn’t, and there’s no way I would ask her to wait for me that long. But how would I even give her permission to go elsewhere? I’d have any fucker who touched her taken out.
“Yes, Your Honor, I am.”
The judge shakes his head once as if he’s disappointed in her. “You’re too young to have your life ruined by a man like this. I suggest you file for divorce, cut your losses, and run. If you need help, there are plenty of people who will help you with the necessary paperwork.”
I hear a couple of people gasp behind us, but I ignore them. My eyes narrow into slits as I stare at this overreaching fucking judge. He’s done. He’s just signing his fucking death wish. I’m not going to stand for this shit.
A man does not tell another man’s wife, in front of him or ever, to file for a goddamn divorce. I bite my tongue, but swear to fuck it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.
The judge’s head shifts to face the federal prosecutor. “I will grant your request for remand. Though, I do realize that it’s a bit unprecedented as Mr. Ferrucci doesn’t have a criminal record. I feel as though this time apart will give his wife the freedom she needs to save herself and keep her safe all at the same time.”
“Your Honor, that is highly prejudice. My client is happily married, his wife is happily married as well. What you’re inferring is gross defamation.”
The judge smirks before he shakes his head a couple of times. “Honestly, I don’t care what you think.”
Without another word, he stands, turns and walks away. The sheriff’s deputies immediately make their way toward me. Turning my head, I look back at Pippa. She’s just inches from me. My wrists are still bound in the cuffs so I can’t reach out for her.
Lowering my face, I touch my mouth to hers with a brush of my lips. “Massimo,” she exhales.
“Be good. I won’t be here long, dolcezza.”
“C’mon lover boy,” the bailiff grunts as he wraps his hand around my elbow.
“Salvatore, we meet soon?”
Salvatore dips his chin, and I nod my head once before I turn back to Pippa. “Be good,” I say, repeating my words.
“I will, Massimo,” she says, her voice soft and sweet.
Without another word, I follow behind the deputy and make my way back to goddamn jail.
PIPPA
“He was angry,” I whisper to Salvatore as he walks me into the house.
Salvatore grunts as he follows me inside. “Gavino and Arlo are on their way, I’ll wait here with you.”
“He was angry, wasn’t he?” I ask, pushing the subject.
There is a moment of silence, then Salvatore finally speaks. “He was, but in the end, I don’t think he was upset. He just didn’t want you to see him like that. He was more embarrassed than anything.”
“But I’m his wife,” I say.
Salvatore snorts. “You don’t know many Made Men, do you, cara?”
Licking my lips, I press them together and shake my head. It’s true. I knew my father, but otherwise, I’ve only ever known of Made Men. I’ve only ever seen them from afar or observed them. I haven’t been close with any of them, not like I am now.
“Seriously?” he asks.
“My father was Made, but died when I was young. I don’t think he was very high up on the totem pole, if you know what I mean.”
Salvatore nods his head, his eyes searching mine. “Massimo is lucky to have you, Pippa,” he rasps.
“Is he?” I breathe.
He nods his head, then jumps when there is a knock at the front door. I watch as he stands and practically runs over to the door. He yanks it open, Gavino and Arlo waltz in as though they live here, as if they were made to walk through that front door.
“Pippa,” Gavino murmurs, dipping his chin.
I give him a small smile, but I don’t say anything. I just want to know what the hell happens next. Sitting on the edge of the sofa, I watch them,
