Chapter 36: Chapter 36

“No, you’re not. You’re not capable of that unless provoked beyond reason.” Etienne hugged him.

“How do you know that?” Julio mumbled from Etienne’s shoulder.

“I know you, and you wouldn’t do something like that on purpose,” Etienne reassured him. “And if you did it, you were defending yourself.”

“But you didn’t know Peter Ames,” Julio said sadly.

“You’re right, I didn’t, but I do know you. So, come over here on the bed, lay down in my arms, and tell me what happened to you.”

“I don’t know where to begin.” Julio sighed. Etienne took Julio’s hand and pulled him toward the bed. He sat Julio down took both hands in his own and kissed each finger.

“I find that if you start at the beginning of a story, it’s easier to tell. Donal told me your parents died and things fell apart after that, but that’s all he would say.”