Page 10 of Tito
“This is important, Valen. You need to know the truth. How can you and I move on together if this huge secret is hanging over us?”
“Us?” I asked as I stared at him.
“Hell yeah.” He nodded at me. “Anything that affects you…affects me.” He turned to gently smooth his fingertips along my cheek. “It isusnow. I never had a steady girl. But I do know I want you with me and if something is a problem for you…it’s a problem for me too.”
I had no words. Tears filled my eyes as I don’t think anyone ever like…pledged their loyalty to me like this…or at all.
“Baby, don’t cry.” He swiped a fallen tear from my cheek with his thumb.
“I-I’m trying not to,” I whined.
Tito chuckled. “You are too cute.” He tugged on my hand.
I felt like my world had righted somehow and the anxiety I experienced this morning was just a bad memory now. As he led me down the stairs, I felt giddy. Had I ever felt like this? No, I don’t think so. Like even my earlier worries seemed to fade away. Everything around me suddenly looked brighter. I never experienced this sensation before. My body had somehow become lighter. A laugh was just inside my throat, waiting to burst out. The feelings I experienced were foreign to me. Completely unknown. Happiness. Hope, joy. Was this love?
Oh, my God! I am in love with Tito Bruno!
Now the words of a few love songs I always liked finally made sense! Most never did before. An old one I remembered played in my head and suddenly I was humming it.
Tito looked over at me and raised his brows.
I laughed and said, “A song is playing in my head.”
He grinned at me and asked, “What song?”
I shrugged and replied, “It’s an old song now, but it’s beautiful…” I cleared my throat and sang,“Don't ask me…Whatyou know is true…Don't have to tell you…I love your precious heart.”
Halting in his tracks, Tito stared at me. “You can sing?”
I stared at him then laughed. “Yes, Tito. Anyone can sing.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Not like that they can’t! Your voice is beautiful.” He rubbed his arms. “I got goosebumps!”
I shook my head. “Thank you but—”
“No buts,” he said. “Your voice was made for singing.” He again took my hand in his.
I walked on air now… he loved my singing voice too? Yes, I always loved to sing, but I only did it when I was alone. I never felt brave enough to share it with anyone before. I really believed he meant it too.
Wearing huge smiles, we walked into the kitchen.
My twin Julianna stood there with her boyfriend, Romeo. She turned to me and said, “Did you know about Deacon?” she asked as she stared at me.
It felt like I had just dropped through the clouds beneath my feet, falling like one does in a bad dream, all the way down to the hard cement of reality. The jolt of it made the music in my head halt with a screeching sound. Then my colorful world swirled up into the ether as it literally melted away. And just like a beautiful technicolor dream fading when you finally wake up, everything left behind simply turned to black and white.
Chapter Five:Call Me Valen
Tito
“What do you mean?” Valencia asked as she stared at Julianna.
“He is after you, right?” Julianna asked.
Valencia sighed and said, “Tito told me he sent Petrov to find me at the Metairie of all places.”
Julianna stared at her twin and asked, “I know and it almost cost Della her life. Do you know what he wants?”
Valencia let out a long sigh and admitted it, “Yes, I do.”
