Julian's jaw tightened so hard the muscle ticked visibly beneath his skin. He bit his tongue.
Luca watched the exchange with a lazy composure. And then, without meaning to, he allowed the faintest smirk to curve his mouth. Even Luca did not fully understand why their father withheld recognition from Julian the way he did. Julian handled operations. Smoothed disputes. Oversaw shipments. He was competent.
But Don Genovese never handed him the reins to anything substantial.
"Any update on the Bastione ambush?" Luca asked, calmly redirecting the energy at the table.
Don Genovese leaned back slightly. "No. Their Don isn't in the country. We wait. When he returns, we move. We get them all."
"Except Renato," Luca added.
Don's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is he giving you problems in New York?"
"He wouldn't dare."
Don Genovese's chest expanded slightly with pride. "See?" He turned to Julian, gesturing toward Luca with his wine glass. "That's why he gets to manage the famiglia!"
