"Julian?" he asked.
The guard shook his head immediately. "No. He doesn't know. Not yet."
Luca took another step forward, swaying slightly as his body threatened to give out.
"You need to sit down, Luciano," he said cautiously. "You're losing too much blood."
"Is Julian at the wharf?"
"He is inside," the man said. "Everyone is loyal to the Don, Luca. Julian said you were the traitor, so… we just went along with his orders."
"Great," he muttered. "That's just fucking great." His hand pressed instinctively against his side, coming away slick with blood. "I need to get out of here."
"Don said keep you safe and alive. That's what I have to do."
"Fuck!" Luca snapped. "I don't have time for this. Give me your gun."
The man started to move. A shot rang out. His body jerked violently before collapsing forward, landing at Luca's feet. Blood spread quickly beneath him, dark against the pale gravel.
Luca lifted his gaze to find Julian, his gun still raised.
