of alarm. “Meaning what, exactly?”
“If you’re recording the video feeds, I highly suggest you run them past a professional trained in kinesthetics.”
“Body language?” she exclaimed. “I’m not sure what good that would do, considering my ward’s bizarre behavior in the absence of a clear-cut medical diagnosis.”
“Body language is a very complex, very specific form of communication that can reveal an enormous amount of information about a person’s emotions and motivations, ma’am. All I am saying is that you might find it to be useful in Mr. Corbett’s case.”
“Well, alright.” She shook her head, clearly puzzled. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to figure out the puzzle that is Maximus Corbett,” she sighed.
Rhys Calcagni’s gaze narrowed on Titus’s, and he gave him an almost imperceptible nod. “We certainly are willing to do whatever it takes. If you have any other suggestions or need any other resources to do what we’ve asked you to do, just say the word.”
Titus preferred to wait until the two men were alone, so as not to worry Alora any more than necessary, but he intended to request that Jolene be guarded at all times in Maximus’s presence. He didn’t trust the man one bit.
“Now it’s our turn to share with you.” Rhys Calcagni leaned over to retrieve a file from one of his desk drawers. “There’s been a pretty shocking development in our investigation of Real Sons.” He walked across the room to hold out the folder. “I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news, where you’re concerned, or a mixture of both. You’ll have to decide that for yourself.”
Where I’m concerned? Titus snorted, wondering how anything about the corrupt Real Sons adoption agency would ever concern him, personally. He didn’t have to wonder for long.
Opening the folder, his chest started to pound sickeningly as he read his name typed out in letters smudged with age at the top of the first page. It was a legal file stamped CONFIDENTIAL. They were adoption papers for a newborn son. His adoption papers.
I’m adopted? He stared hard at Rhys Calcagni for a moment, his thoughts a tangle of disbelief.
“You’re going to have questions.” Alora Calcagni slipped from behind her husband’s desk and glided in Titus’s direction. “I know I did when I first found out I was adopted. That’s why we researched it so carefully before approaching you. We promise that every detail ever recorded about your birth is in that file.” Then, in a gesture that made his brain swim with dizziness, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I’m so sorry that you’ve been pulled into this mess, but please know that Rhys and I are right here if you need anything. Anything at all, Titus, no matter the cost. We’re in this together.”
“What about my family? My real family?” He was reeling on the inside at the knowledge that the only parents he’d ever known weren’t really his parents, after all. At least, not biologically. He was burning to know if his newly discovered ones were dead or alive. And why they’d put him up for adoption. A dozen more disjointed questions crowded inside his brain, making him dizzy.
“Your mother passed from cancer shortly after you were born, but your father and twin sister are alive and well.”
I have a sister? A twin sister, no less? His breath left him in a huff. If he hadn’t still been wrapped in Alora’s embrace, he would’ve taken a knee.
Rhys Calcagni reached out to grip his shoulder. “I took the liberty of briefing Jolene Shore on the highlights of our findings earlier today. If you want to sock me in the nose for being so bold, feel free.” His expression swam before Titus, infused with a pained brand of empathy. “Like my wife said, we’re in this together. It’s beginning to look as if our families’ lives were intertwined long before we ever met, and we have every intention of finding out why. In the meantime, Jolene is a highly trained nurse — the best there is — and, well, she’s your friend and ours.”
Jolene’s words from earlier came crashing back. Talking goes both ways between friends, Titus. That means I’m here for you, too, okay?
She’d known he was adopted when she said that. She’d known everything.
“I need a little time to process this,” he mumbled, gently disengaging himself from Alora’s embrace.
“Understood.” Rhys Calcagni clapped Titus on the shoulder again as he turned toward the door. “I can have Major cover for