Page 192 of Titus

I was somewhat surprised to hear that Amelia had reached out to our mother about the pregnancy, but I was happy she did. Now, I didn’t need to worry about slipping up and letting the cat out of the bag.

“She’s doing very well,” I said. “She had a little scare in the beginning. Titus helped her while I was overseas, which was the reason I started opening up to him.”

“That’s good,” she said, and I could sense her shutting down.

It was always like this. The moment my mother softened or showed even the slightest warmth, the moment I started to think we might actually be making progress, she pulled away again.

I knew she was the reason I was the way I was. I trusted no one because she’d taught me not to. She conditioned me to expect people to do exactly what she did to Amelia and me— show interest, draw us in, let us believe they cared, and then shut us out again.

That was why I never called her about anything personal. Those conversations brought out the mother I’d spent my whole life wishing for, and for reasons I would never understand, she seemed determined to make sure that wasn’t the kind of mother she was going to be.

“Will you contact Señor Valdéz and let him know I would like to arrange a time to meet with him?” I said, returning to a conversation she could actually have.

“I will,” she replied. “I’ll ask him to call you to set up the meeting. Should I mention that it’s about Titus Hawk?”

“No,” I said. “But do tell him it is an important matter, and I will reveal the details as I’m comfortable.”

“Absolutely. It was nice talking with you, dear. Give Amelia my love, and I hope you get the answers you’re after,” she said.

“Thank you.”

“Bye, Catalina.”

“Bye, mamá,” I responded before hanging up.

I shook my head and curled my feet beneath me on the sofa. I wouldn’t dare go into my feelings about that call. I knew how my mother was. I knew I had to call her, and I got what I needed from the call. That’s it. Case closed.

I already knew this night was going to be a struggle to sleep. I let my head relax back against the sofa I sat on outside and looked up at the stars, appearing like glitter in the sky.

It looked so peaceful and still up there. I couldn’t even imagine what Titus was going through right now. The man owned homes larger than some luxury resorts. Hell, he owned most of the luxury resorts, too.

He slept on custom mattresses, flew in private jets, and had staff anticipating his needs before he voiced them. But tonight? I had no idea if he was staring at a concrete wall or lying awake, wondering how the hell his life had turned upside down in a single morning.

I rubbed my forehead again and could only hope that Jim and I could reach this family and that somehow, they could help prove Titus’s innocence.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

My phone rang just after six in the morning. I hardly slept all night, but I also knew I wouldn’t be able to rest until I addressed the chaos that had been unraveling in my life since before breakfast yesterday.

I answered the phone, not at all surprised it was Sienna.

“Hey,” I answered, sitting up in bed.

“Catalina.” The concern in her voice immediately softened something inside me. “I just saw the news.”

I closed my eyes. “You and the rest of the world,” I answered, dropping my feet over the side of the bed and forcing myself to the kitchen to make an espresso.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I was with him in Montecito when the FBI arrested him.”

“I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like.”

“I think I’m still in shock,” I responded. “I’m just confused that it happened.”

“I wish I had something brilliant to say,” Sienna admitted. “Unfortunately, I’m not on the case, I don’t know the facts, and I’ve only met Titus a handful of times, so I can’t even give you my professional opinion. I wish I could.”

“I know,” I replied.