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“We are here because according to your statement, Signor Banetti,” the judge focused his attention on me, “you were coerced into marriage and fear for your life.”
I glanced at the lawyer, who none too subtly inclined his head, and I nodded.
Nolan turned his attention to Dario. “And of course, you dispute this?”
“Sì,Judge,” he answered levelly.
The judge sighed and went back to the documents, then raised his eyes to me again. “I can easily interview you without the other Signor Banetti present.”
I felt my heart thump. “Interview?” What interview?
He eyed the documents again. “Of course,” he responded, and my heart sank. The guard had just told me I had to turn up and answer yes or no, but then, they hadn’t expected the judgewho had married us the week before to be here. If he wanted specifics, I had no idea what to say.
The judge peered at me over his glasses. “I am not satisfied without any sort of explanation that the grounds for such an immediate divorce have been met. I cannot rubberstamp this without you explaining your reasoning.”
No. Tomasso. I couldn’t let this… I tried to take a breath, but my lungs refused to cooperate. Dark spots stole my vision and of everyone it was Dario who noticed my panic, and in a moment had me sitting on a chair, and he squatted down in front of me. “Breathe,tesoro mio. Look at me and breathe.” I gazed into those deep brown eyes, suddenly so gentle, and took another breath, and another. Then I realized I was clutching his hand like my life depended on it, not like I was terrified of him. But he let go to save me the embarrassment and stood, turning to the judge.
“May I have five minutes alone with my husband?” Dario looked at Nolan. The judge was eyeing us both very carefully.
“Absolutely not,” Alessandro’s lawyer spat out. “Your honor, one of the grounds for this divorce is the fear my client has of Signor Banetti. I hardly think—”
But Judge Nolan put his hand up. “I agree that it isn’t appropriate for either party to be unsupervised. But I would like to speak to Signor Alessandro Banetti alone for a few moments.”
“I object,” my lawyer all but shouted. I didn’t seem to have words at all. The judge gazed at my lawyer.
“You have two choices. I speak to Signor Banetti, or I deny the petition in its entirety.”
My lawyer practically gnashed his teeth but stormed out of the room, followed by Dario and his lawyer, which left me with the judge.
He sat down in the chair next to me. Then he smiled. “Did your husband ever tell you how I met his father?”
My eyes widened, and I shook my head. Of all the questions I had never expected that.
“Corruption, unfortunately, is rife in every city in varying degrees. I used to work in Atlanta and was responsible for prosecuting members of a cartel for methamphetamine distribution. Despite the threats and the bribes I was offered, I refused to look the other way or allow certain documents to disappear. Once it was done, I was offered another job here and, glad of the distraction, I took it.”
He shook his head. “Just as I was leaving after my first day in Atlantic City, I got a visit from Dario’s father. He had found out I was marked for assassination by the cartel, and it was on his turf, so however he felt about me, he couldn’t allow it. I wasn’t surprised, but I thanked him. I also made him aware that his information in no way gained any favors with me. That I believed in fairness. We shook hands, and he told me his wife had just given birth to twin sons, and he hoped they would grow up in a better world. I told him I envied him since because of my position in Atlanta, I hadn’t even dared to date a girl for fear they would become a target. We walked out together still talking about families and I heard a shout, just as a car screeched around a corner.”
I gazed at Nolan, forgetting my problems for an instant, as I was enthralled by his story.
“I wasn’t quick enough. Dario’s father and his bodyguard both tackled me to the ground. I got shot in the arm, and the bodyguard took one in the gut. I remember being in a great deal of pain and still telling him I wasn’t about to do him any favors. He laughed as I was put in the ambulance.” He huffed out his own laugh. “And I never did. I never looked the other way, and I always treated every case the same, but more importantly he never asked me to do anything differently. His son, Dario, is exactly the same. As you are probably aware, the only thing I willdo is ensure fairness, and that’s why when I found out the judge scheduled for your divorce hearing had unfortunate car trouble this morning, I stepped in immediately.”
I was sure we both knew Dario had been responsible for the car trouble.
Nolan patted my hand. “I know you can’t tell me what is going on, and I won’t waste my time asking, but tell me, do you really believe you are in danger from Dario?”
I didn’t reply.
He cocked his head assessingly. “Do you believe someone else is in danger?”
I hesitated, but he qualified. “From someone other than your husband?”
I nodded and tried my best not to let the tears shimmering in my eyes fall.
He looked at me for a long moment, then stood and went to the door, opening it. “Signor Banetti, I need to speak to you.”
I could hear my lawyer protesting, but Nolan just replied. “I will be present. This is what I require.”
And in barely a second, as it seemed, Dario was crouching down next to me, gently taking my shaking hands in his.
