Page 36 of Tito

I tugged on Valencia’s hand then looked up at Romeo. “Ready?”

He nodded.

Julianna and Romeo led the way out of the dining room.

We all saw Max pass by the stairway as he carried a tray.

“See?” Romeo said. “He had a doily right under that glass.”

“Doily, my ass,” I griped.

“What?” Romeo asked. “Damn, you aren’t giving it up, are you?”

“I have something to check on. If it leads nowhere, then I will not go any further. No more questions about him. Not that I would get any answers anyway.”

“You always had good instincts, Tito,” Romeo admitted. “I have to admit that. It’s what makes you such an excellent guard. You rely on your gut. I mean I know Max practically raised us if you think about it. But you did have some good points.”

I scoffed. “My mom didn’t think so. I never thought she would laugh like that.”

“It's just the way you said it all, I think?” Valencia said as we all went up the stairs now. “Like him not aging, and the pantry thing?”

“What do you think is up with him?” Julianna asked. “I ask because I wondered those same things about him when I got here.”

“That’s a good question…What do I really think?” I replied as we went down the hallway. “I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling. Like how could someone look the same for almost forty years? Is it possible?”

“Well, there is Cher,” Julianna suggested.

Valencia laughed. “Yes! Wow. The way she looks and dresses? It even makes me feel old.”

“Dolly Parton?” Romeo suggested. “Now that is atotalmystery.”

“Yes, totally,” Valencia agreed. “I mean I don’t care what anyone says. She looks forty and has to be 80.”

“Maybe if you’re worth millions, you can afford some unknown youth drug?” Julianna asked.

“You mean that only us poor people don’t know about?” I asked.

“Poor?” Valencia asked. “Look at where you are.” She waved her hands around at the luxurious surroundings.

“But if there is a serum, Sis. You and I will be looking into that in about twenty years,” Valencia said.

“Nahhh,” both Romeo and I said in unison.

The girls paused their steps to stare at us.

“You are both angelic to look at,” Romeo said.

I agreed with him, “You won’t need any of that serum for at least fifty years.”

“Good, that gives us enough time to save up the money for it,” Valencia teased.

When we got to the door, Romeo opened it.

We all stepped in and then he shut it.

Julianna stopped in her tracks.

Romeo paused and looked over at her. “What is it?”