Page 14 of Tito
“I understand sir. I do,” I replied. “But I can’t be the kind of person that just suddenly turns on someone that was with me for almost twenty-one years. He never tried to hurt me. In fact, when he was around, he treated me like his baby sister. I would be lacking in loyalty if I could just agree to you killing him or setting a trap where I am the bait.” I released a long breath and went on, “I know I need to be loyal to the Descalias, but this is like…” I shook my head. The whole situation was impossible.
“She’s right, Uncle,” Tito spoke up. “We can’t ask her to meet him while helping you to kill the guy who was her brother for all those years.”
“No, no. I will not kill him,” Stephano retorted.
We all stared at him.
“I wish to capture him,” he explained. “Then hand him over to the Walkers. He will then go to prison.”
I paused and asked, “You won’t kill him?”
“Not unless he gives us no choice,” Stephano replied. “Besides, I think he knows we wouldn’t let you meet him alone.”
“This doesn’t sound so good,” Zia interjected.
“No, it sounds horrible,” I told her. “I’m not sure my need to know the truth is worth anyone’s safety.” I pushed my plate away.
“You didn’t eat much,” Zia said.
“I’m sorry.” I felt my throat swelling up with tears.
“I am sorry, bambina.” Stephano came over to pat my arm. “You are caught in the middle of this. I can see that. But this is reality. We cannot allow you to see this man without protection.”
“But that is more than protection, Uncle Stephano,” Tito said. “You intend to capture him.”
“I do,” Stephano admitted. “And what’s more, he will expect me to do exactly that. So back to my original point. Why would he set this meeting up at all? And yes, I am aware of the brother connection, but you have to see this man is not stupid. In fact, according to Glory and the others, he is above genius level. Extremely clever and that makes him entirely dangerous. He would not do something stupid, Valen.” He looked at me. “And asking to meet with you for any reason after you have stayed with us for a few weeks would be stupid. And deep down, you know that.”
I stared at him as tears filled my eyes. “Yes, I do.” What he said made sense and followed along with what I knew about Deacon. No one ever beat him at his own game. Or at any game I ever saw him play. I never knew the things he did illegally. But I was aware of his achievements at the FBI. He rose to a top position for his genius acumen. He created programs that infiltrated enemy realms, like Middle Eastern terrorists. He had commendations and awards from the Bureau. Our mom…His mom always bragged about these accomplishments. I swiped at my tears and raised my cell phone. Tapping the messages and the little microphone on the box with shaky fingers, I spoke into the phone so it would type what I said, “Deacon. I love you andcannot endanger your life by meeting you. I hope that you will show that you still love me too and send me whatever it is that you wanted to show me.” I then hitsend.
Everyone in the room stared at me.
“Wow,” Julianna murmured.
Tito wrapped his arm around my shoulder again and tugged me to him. “Damn baby, I have never felt so proud.” He kissed my forehead.
“Me either,” my twin said. “That was a great solution, sis.” She gave me an encouraging smile.
Stephano glared at me.
Tito stared up at him as his body tensed.
“I see that he wasn’t the only genius,” was all that Stephano said.
“I agree,” Zia exclaimed. “That was the only real solution, mia cara.” She patted me on the shoulder.
Stephano turned and left the kitchen.
We all stared at the doorway after he passed through it.
Again, Zia patted my arm. “He will not hold it against you, tesora. I know I tease him and talk a lot of what they call smack about him, but he tries to be fair. Most of the time...He could see how hard this was for you. He is all about family and no matter what happened in the end here, Deacon was family to you for a long time.”
I slowly nodded my head. “Now, we will see if he really feels the same—” The buzz from my cell told me I had a message. My hands shook all over again as I raised the phone up to read it. I found myself blinking my eyes at an old photo. I felt confused. It was of what looked like a young Ophelia or Olivia Claire as she was originally named and in each arm she held… With a gasp,I realized what this was. Dropping the phone like it had burned my hand, I bolted from the chair and almost fell.
Tito reacted swiftly and caught me as the chair clattered to the floor. “What the hell?”
Julianna reached forward and grabbed the cell phone.
“No!” I shouted at her. For some reason, I wanted to protect her from what Deacon had sent.
