Ruthless Games

One night with Nero can’t fix all my problems. Even if we’re in some kind of truce, everything fucked up about my situation is still here. The Feds are circling, and meanwhile, the ring on my finger binds me to Nero’s crimes.

I need some objective advice.

When I arriveat the lawyer’s office, I’m greeted by a perky receptionist. She picks up her phone to tell the lawyer I’ve arrived while I head for a chair in the waiting area, but the door to the lawyer’s office opens before I’m even halfway there.

“Mrs. Barretti, please come right in.”

This is the first time I’ve met Mr. Heely in person, and he’s older than I imagined, probably in his sixties. Short with silver hair and a kind smile, he’s dressed in an expensive suit and as I go into his office, I can see that he does well for himself. It shows in the priceless artwork on the walls and the leather-bound first editions on the wall.

“Marissa says you’re the best,” I say in greeting, and he chuckles, friendly.

“High praise, I’m sure. I whipped her pre-nup into shape,” he says with a wink. “Ryan better not think about cheating, is all I’m going to say.”

I smile, relaxing a little. He shows me to the couch and takes a seat opposite.

“So… about this divorce of yours…”

“I’m just exploring my options,” I say quickly.

“Always wise,” he agrees. “Especially in your position, based on the information you sent.”

He says it so delicately, I sigh. “You can be blunt,” I tell him directly. “If anyone’s going to give it to me straight, I need that from you.”

“Very well.” He nods, and I can tell by the serious look in his eyes that this isn’t going to be a smooth, easy process. “Your options are, I’m afraid, limited.”

“What do you mean?”

He gives a wry smile. “Let’s start with this mess involving the FBI. It’s a tricky situation now that you’re married to Nero. The good news is that they can’t punish you for not testifying against your husband if they arrest him and find something to charge him with. No obstruction of justice or impeding an investigation…Nothing like that. Spousal privilege protects you—and Nero, too.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“But it’s a double-edged sword,” he says, before I can feel too relieved. “There’s a chance that they can include you as a coconspirator, depending on what they charge him with.”

I gulp. Agent Greggs warned me about this. “And if I divorced him… That would protect me?”

Mr. Heely nods. “Your best bet is to separate yourself from him completely to protect your future. They can’t arrest you or make you become an informant if you’re not connected to him anymore. The wedding was so recent, I would suggest an annulment. If you can prove you married under duress, and haven’t consummated the marriage…”

I blush. “That… Won’t be possible.”

Andy must see my cheeks turning pink because he clears his throat, straightening papers to avoid eye contact.

“Alright. That’s not an option then. We’ll have to go with divorce. That’s trickier. New York state requires a separation, to prove the breakdown of the marriage before you file.”

“Separation?” My heart sinks. “For how long?”

“At least six months. So, I would advise you to move out as soon as possible, and start establishing your independent residence.”

I shake my head. “That’s not possible. Not right now.”

Nero will never let me just live separately like that. And if he knows I’m thinking of leaving him…

Our tenuous peace will be blown apart.

“I’m sorry it’s not better news,” Mr Heely says.

“No,” I say, regretful. “At least I know where I stand now. I’ll have to think about all this.”

“How about I start preparing the filing?” he suggests. “So it’s ready to go, should you need it.”