Page 79 of Tito
“Something you did?” Tito asked him.
Stephano got up from his chair and turned to look out through the window. “A lot of bad things were happening at the time.”
“Which things?” Tito asked. “My dad’s murder? Or his hitter being offed? Or maybe when you and Rocky were busy burying my dad’s killer? Who happened to be my Uncle Marco by the way.”
Stephano slowly turned around to look at him. “Seems they filled you in on a lot.”
Tito shook his head. “No, I only learned about it being a killing from Tommy. Not the rest but they sure looked scared when we mentioned you.”
Stephano looked him right in the eye and said, “No, I’m afraid it was a different circumstance they were witness to.”
“There’s more than that?” Tito asked.
I got the feeling that we had more shocks coming for sure.
Stephano clasped his hands behind his back.” It’s too painful for me to talk about. So, if we could just—”
I stood from my chair. I don’t know if it was theespresso of courageor if I was just being stupid, but I was about to call bullshit on his avoidance of the truth. “This involves me and Julie’s parents, Mr. Descalia. As you are aware. So if they are frightened enough of you to go into hiding, then they cannot come to visit us, here at your estate, now can they?”
He stared at me then he said, “The bravery, mia cara. You truly are Italiana, si?” He shook his head and let out a breath. “Very well, but you will see it is… a bad subject.”
“None of this has been good, Uncle,” Tito commented.
I slowly sat back down in the chair. Maybe we shouldn’t have come and asked Stephano about this. Then again, it was correct. If they were afraid of Stephano then that would make weddings and holidays impossible at best.
“First of all, I am breaking my rule by sharing any of this.” Stephano again turned to look out the window. “It could get me a life or even a death sentence.”
Tito and I both seemed to stiffen up as we got nervous. Instinctively, I reached over and took his hand in mine. I had to wonder if this secret would make or break us this time.
The study door opened.
We all looked over.
Max came into the room. “Sir, Tony says that Amadeo has landed his copter and Luca is with him.”
Stephano stared at him then he turned to his desk and tapped his keyboard while staring at his PC screen. “Damn, they did it! Luca has brought me the prize.”
Tito and I stood from our chairs and came around the desk.
I leaned in to stare at the screen, then I gasped. “Is that…”
Epilogue
Tito
It had been a week and still, the prognosis was the same. He hadn’t woken up. The lady doctor who had come off the copter with him had told us they had no way of knowing when or if he would wake up.
The day that copter landed behind the Descalia Estate had changed everything and yet, it changed nothing. I didn’t like how pale Valencia had looked once she realized the truth of it.
They had captured Deacon Walker.
However, it had only happened because when he tried to leave the airstrip, his plane had been shot down by Luca and his men. Then not wanting to involve the authorities, Luca took him to our own private hospital. The one run by the Famiglia. They did an MRI and all the other tests that were needed before they released him into Luca’s care. Well, the doctor they assigned to him, was caring for him here at the estate, along with a nurse.
Valencia had been with Deacon for a couple of hours every day. Julianna had seen him once. She just couldn't be there, she said. We all understood, even Valencia. So now it had been a week and he seemed the same.
To me, it had been a blessing in disguise. He was out for the count. They couldn’t outright kill him and they couldn’t really hand him over to the Walkers either.
All of this affected me very personally though. I wanted what would hurt Valencia the least. And that meant for Deacon to not be capped as we called it. I had no say in it though. I did feel that killing him would hurt Valencia so much that it truly mightruin our happiness. After all, how could she stay here after Uncle Stephano put him away, so to speak.
