Page 49 of Tito
I blinked and now recognized the man as I whispered, “Max?”
Dressed as always in his formal suit with tails, the butler then did something that was perhaps more frightening than coming from fire—he smiled.
“Oh, fuck no!” Tito exclaimed as he literally gawked at Max and his grin. “I’m having a nightmare, right?”
I couldn’t speak, all I could do was shake my head over and over. If so, we were sharing the same nightmare.
“I knew if I were ever to be discovered that it would probably be you, who discovered me.” Max continued to smile as he gazed at Tito. “You have always been great at mysteries and knowing when something is off. It is what makes you the best at your job.”
“Oh, my God,” I finally found my voice.
Max looked over at me. “Do not be afraid, Ms. Walker.”
I shivered and grasped Tito’s sleeve in a tight-white-knuckled grip. “Sorry but I am scared to death!”
“Explain this, Max,” Tito demanded.
“You discovered the door in the pantry, then somehow figured the switch out. Disturbing my rest, you broke in here.” He gave us a firm nod as if that covered it.
Tito kept shaking his head. “You know that is not what I meant.” He waved his hands at the monitors behind us. “What the hell is all that?”
“Security, Sir. You should know that.”
“We have security,” Tito replied.
“In part you do, but who is watching when you and your brother are not? Your other security men, Sal and Tony?” He shook his head. “No, they do not watch the inside of the house either.”
“Because that is an invasion of privacy!” Tito retorted.
“Wait!” I yelled as I felt more panic. “You aren’t like…You don’t watch…” I couldn’t finish as all I could think of was this man seeing me naked.
Cocking his head at me, Max then seemed to realize what I was thinking and he actually grimaced. “Madam Walker, I would never put cameras in the rooms.” Reaching up, he straightened his collar even though it didn't need to be straightened. “That would never do.” He looked entirely insulted.
“Do?” Tito asked. “Max, you just walked up to us out of fire. You are obviously living in our basement and…You are spying on us!”
Max stared at him. “I can explain. However, you may not believe what I tell you.”
Tito raised his free arm since I had my nails dug into his other arm. “I already can’t believe what…” He then looked around. “You live here in the basement?”
“Most of the time, yes,” Max replied.
Tito again looked at him then around at the mostly empty basement. “I don’t see a bed, or any furniture here, Max.”
“I have a bed in the back area, Sir.” He motioned to the dark area of the very large room.
“Would you quit calling me sir!” Tito snapped. “You raised me from diapers, Max. The sir thing really annoys me. I am not your boss.” Then he sucked in a breath as if something else just occurred to him. “Does my uncle know about…” His voice faded a bit as he went on, “Whatever this is!”
“Yes and no,” Max answered.
Tito sighed heavily then said, “Ok, I can't believe … just please explain all this Max.”
“I am the protector of the Dark Moon.”
Tito stared at him and paused. “Ok…go on,” he urged.
“I was your grandfather’s protector for many years.”
“Yes, I know that, he sent you here from Italy.” Tito nodded.
