Elena Torrino stared at Lucky for a long moment, her calculating expression shifting to something that might have been respect.
"Marcello Caruso's nephew," she said slowly. "I should have investigated your background more thoroughly."
"The blood protection is sacred law," Vincenzo added, but his voice carried uncertainty. "Even we cannot ignore it."
"Cannot, or will not?" Lucky asked, still standing in the center of the street like a human shield between me and an army.
I stepped up beside him, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Lucky, you do not have to do this alone."
He glanced at me, his dark eyes fierce with protective love. "Yes, I do. This is the only way to keep you and your Queens safe."
"The blood protection only covers the woman," Raphael called out, his voice carrying a
