So where—where had he gone wrong? What had he missed? His hands tightened slightly on Julian's shoulders in grief.
Where had he lost his son? What had twisted him into this? Where did he go wrong with Julian?
"Father…" Julian's voice dropped to a whisper, the bravado draining out of him in an instant. He already knew. Somewhere deep inside, beneath the arrogance and the desperation, he knew exactly what was coming. "Father, no… please…" His words stumbled over themselves now, frantic, grasping. "I didn't do anything. Luca's—Luca's mistress, she was having an affair with a Bastione. She gave him information. I only wanted justice for you, Dad. Nothing else. But Luca wouldn't let me."
The excuses poured out of him, thin and brittle, cracking under the weight of the moment.
Massimo said nothing. He simply inhaled, gathering what little strength remained in him.
Then he stepped closer. Julian froze as his father's hands came up, cupping his face.
"Dad…" he whispered again.
