Chapter 30

“What’s this, Julio? What were you planning on doing? You have to tell me.” A deep furrow filled Donal’s brow.

“I searched for you the night Alexei found you. I was going to take you away from Apuso. I planned to see you through detox and then take you somewhere where Apuso couldn’t find us.” Julio hung his head.

Donal gaped at him. “You had plenty of opportunities to tell me, why didn’t you?”

“Because Alexei had already taken care of you much better than I could have. Donal, you were the little brother I never had. I couldn’t let him kill you. I should have done it before that night. I was scheming, trying to find a way to get you away from him without giving up my dream. But I was too late.” Julio’s throat tightened and he couldn’t stop the tears. “If Alexei hadn’t found you, you would be dead, and it would have been my fault because I didn’t act soon enough. I was selfish.” 7

Etienne’s master suite, 3 A.M.