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I cut him off with a wave of my hand. "I've always been this way, Primo," I say. "I don't think people are going to think anything of it."
"I disagree," he says, "but all that aside, you still brought a stranger into the mansion. At a time when loyalties are already precarious."
"She's not a stranger," I say immediately. "I've known her since high school."
"Not according to Carmine."
"Oh, so now you take his side," I scoff lightheartedly.
"I'm just saying, you know the Old Ways. You should have called Council. She should have been approved before being brought here. Even Giovanni had to do that with Lulu."
"Well," I say, pushing myself back from the table. "I don't know what you would have me do now. Because, there's really no other option."
"Why is she here, Teddy?" Primo asks.
I've never been one to try and hide the truth. "Because, she witnessed Father Murphy's murder. Or, at least, she witnessed me and . . . fuck, I still cannot remember his name." I snap my fingers. "Doesn't matter. She witnessed me cleaning it up."
Primo gives me a terse stare.
"You know the rules for that."
"No one's to touch her," I immediately say, matching his tone.
"Teddy, are you seriously trying to-"
I cut him off.
"Yes."
"You know you only get to claim one person as untouchable. One person for your entire life. Most use it for a wife or a child. You're going to use it on this girl?"
"Yes," I say to him.
"Why?"
It's a valid question. I understand why he's asking it. Decades ago a former boss's wife was murdered after she'd witnessed something she shouldn't have seen. People always thought that the family members of those who were high up were safe, but that just isn't the case.
In fact, it's usually the loved ones who are the most at risk. They are the easiest targets and the best sources of blackmail.
Ever since then, a new rule was voted in.
Every person in the family, no matter what rank, gets to designate one person as "Untouchable." The designation lasts for that person's natural life, and it doesn't matter what they've seen; within the family, they cannot be killed for it.
Primo is right. Most people use it for their spouses or their children.
I have neither.
I just have Raven, and I'm not going to lose her so quickly after getting her back. Witnessing the murder of a rival mob's gun-running operation would certainly be grounds for a hit. Especially right now, because tensions are already high as the families in the city test the limits of their positions. A lot of loyalties are being called into question.
"Okay," Primo says. "But, she'll need to take the oath. Seems like it might conflict with another oath she's already taken."
He stands and makes his way towards the door to the kitchen.
"Tomorrow," he says over his shoulder. "And, I hope you know what you're doing."
"I do."
ChapterThirteen
