Page 129 of Corrado

And that was something else he realized, then.

His father knew.

His mother probably did, too.

All his brothers.

Of course, he knew that. And yet, a part of him had still thought, after all this time, that his family were fine and comfortable in their place of not asking. Because if they didn’t ask him, then he would never have to tell.

Not because they didn’t love or accept him exactly as he was, but because this was how he chose to live his life. Not offering his personal life out like it was meant for their consumption.

“Corrado?”

He blinked, coming out of his thoughts with a bang. “I have not told Alessio about her, no.”

Gian let out a slow exhale. “I know you two … have a different kind of agreement about your relationship and other people, specifically women. I’m not sure if she falls under that, and guessing by your behavior right now, I don’t think—”

“How do you know that at all?”

“I asked.”

Corrado’s jaw ached from clenching so hard. “Asked who?”

“Alessio.”

Huh.

“And not me?”

And why hadn’t Alessio told him that?

When had that even happened?

In the corner of the room, pouring himself a glass of scotch, Marcus cleared his throat, but otherwise, paid the conversation no mind. His oldest brother was good for that—more like their father than the rest of them combined, honestly.

Marcus was fit for his position as the Guzzi heir.

Undoubtedly.

“Corrado,” Gian said, drawing his attention back in, “I just want to make sure you’re happy, son, and that everything is okay. Don’t think this was me trying to cause a problem, or … something like that. It wasn’t. I just worry about you. More than I do the others, sometimes.”

“I know I need to tell him,” Corrado managed to say. “I just don’t know how. It’s not just her … it’s more than what’s on the surface of it, Papa.”

Gian frowned. “All right. I’m sorry.”

Corrado wished his throat wasn’t so tight when he asked, “How long did you know?”

“About what—that you liked boys, too, or that you and Alessio were living and sleeping together?”

Well …

“Both.”

Gian nodded. “From the time you were fifteen for when I knew you liked boys, too. As for Alessio … I was told about the kiss in The League’s gym shortly after it happened. Otherwise, I assumed on that based on the obvious fact you were clearly in a relationship with him.”

Huh.

“How did you know since I was fifteen?”