Page 44 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
“Holy fucking hell.” I swallow hard. “Does she know this?”
Both men blink at me like it’s an odd question. It tells me they don’t fully see her as human, either. Not that she’s just a commodity, as Giovanni saw her, but her feelings aren’t something they’re considering.
“I don’t know,” Niko says. “Elena hasn’t said anything, but I’m certain there’s plenty Lucia didn’t tell her.”
“She probably does,” I say. Her hardened, guarded personality starts to make more sense.
“Has she said something?” Niko asks, his brows narrowing as if he thinks I know something I haven’t told him.
“No. It’s more about how she acts. She doesn’t trust anyone. She’ll die for Elena, but that’s about it for people in her life.”
“Giuseppe was good to her, at least that’s what Elena said.”
“Giuseppe is dead,” I point out.
Niko nods and turns his attention back to Liam.
“What do you need me to do?” I’m ready to arm up and walk into whatever shithole Giovanni is hiding in and take him out. She doesn’t want me. Doesn’t need me. But heaven help the person who tries to hurt her.
“We could put her in Witness Protection if she’s willing to testify against Giovanni,” Liam offers.
Niko shakes his head. “Even if she’ll do that… I want her in Elena’s life, if possible.”
“You’re getting soft,” Liam murmurs, but Niko ignores him.
“We could bid on her,” Niko offers. "Smoke him out with a bid to stall or dupe him. It could draw Giovanni into the open."
“Risky,” Liam says.
I agree. If we failed, Lucy would… well, I can’t think about what would happen to her. My mind races, analyzing angles, anticipating moves.
“Luca Conti says he’ll take her back to Italy.” Liam watches me closely, and I know he’s curious about my reaction. I suspect he’s on to me. “She’d be safer there.”
He’s probably right, except I don’t think anyone can protect Lucy as well as I can. No one is more motivated to keep her safe than me, that I know.
“Do you trust him?” Liam asks. “I know you’ve done business with him, but clearly, so has Fiori. For all we know, he’s a part of this auction plan.”
“She’s Luca’s Family.” Niko goes to his bar and pours two fingers of whisky.
“So’s Giovanni,” I snap. “What’s the point?”
Niko arches a brow at me over the rim of his drink. “Giovanni sold her to the Contis?—”
“To Giuseppe,” I argue. “Not Luca.”
“They married. That makes her part of the Conti Family.”
“Do we know that’s how Luca sees it? Or that he doesn’t see Lucia like Giovanni does?” Liam glances at me, and I suspect he knows my turmoil, and in an unusual act of empathy, he’s siding with me.
“No. We could ask her. She has talked about going back to Italy,” Niko states.
“She’s still here, though, isn’t she? Elena is pregnant. Surely, Lucy would rather be here with her than in Italy.”
"Then what do you suggest?" Niko watches me, calculating.
"She stays here, with us. Anything else is non-negotiable."
"Even if it means war?" Niko asks.