Chapter 22

“Then why keep it?”

Joe shook his head. “You’re so young,” he muttered.

“So explain it to me.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“Because I thought you’d get it then,” he snapped. “I thought you’d understand how I could want him here, when he was the one who made the world make sense.”

It felt like a confession, something not meant for everyone’s ears, bare with emotion, fraught with unspoken need. Carlo didn’t understand, not when he’d never experienced it firsthand, but he could appreciate it, yearn for it, wish it for himself, as easily as taking a breath.

He also knew he couldn’t sit back any longer and watch Joe tear himself down.

But when his hand stole out, Joe came to life. He bolted straight and grabbed Carlo’s wrist before he could make contact.

“Don’t,” Joe growled.