Page 35 of Silent Night with Massimo

I glance at Vera, knowing she’s desperate to act. "We can try to sneak around them," I suggest, though I’m already dreading what might happen if we don’t act soon.

"No," Vera says, her voice trembling with determination. "Let me go in first. Alone."

I snap my head toward her, my heart dropping into my stomach. "It’s too dangerous. They’ll shoot you on sight."

"I can do this," she insists, her eyes locking onto mine. "If I get inside, I can at least keep our son safe. He might know me… somehow. I’m his mother. Please, Massimo, let me go. I need to do this."

I take a deep breath, battling between logic and thefierce protective instinct I feel for her. I want to shield her from every danger, but I also know this is what she needs. This is for our son.

"Fine," I finally say, my voice rough with emotion. "You go in. Adrian and I will create a distraction outside." I glance at my brother, his face set in grim determination.

"Keep that asshole close," I add, nodding toward Elio.

Adrian nods, gripping Elio’s arm tightly. "I’ve messaged for backup. It’ll take about fifteen minutes for them to get here. Should we wait?" he asks, his voice laced with caution.

"No," Vera replies firmly, already pushing the limo door open. She’s beyond waiting. Her desperation to find our son outweighs any sense of caution.

"Vera," I hiss, reaching out as if to stop her, but she’s already slipped away, her figure disappearing into the night.

I sigh heavily, knowing there’s no stopping her now. She’s been waiting too long for this moment. Another minute will feel like an eternity to her.

"Let’s go," I mutter, following her into the night, the bitter cold biting into my skin.

Chapter 15

Vera

Ican't wait another second. I can’t let them hold me back. I have to get inside that hideout—my son is waiting. Every fiber of my being is screaming to move, urging me forward.

Adrian confirms that backup is on the way, suggesting we wait, but I can’t. My heart races, adrenaline thrumming through my veins, and before I can second-guess myself, I grab the door handle of the car and push it open.

I hear Massimo call my name, his voice low and commanding, but I ignore him. I’m already running—my feet moving fast across the snowy ground, towards the shadows of the docks.

The snow beneath my feet crunches softly, blending into the white winter landscape.

My heart pounds in my chest, but it’s not fear for myself.

It’s fear for him.

My son.

The thought of him locked up inside this place—possibly scared, confused, or worse—twists my stomach into knots. My eyes water against the cold wind, but I push forward.

The yelling behind me becomes more distant—Adrian and Massimo must have started the distraction.

I silently thank them as I focus on the task ahead.

I’m close now, close to the small building nestled between the warehouses. It’s barely visible, tucked into the shadows, but I know—this is it. This is where they’ve been keeping my son.

I slip through the darkness, my breath heavy with anticipation, my white coat blending perfectly into the snow-covered ground. The guards have moved, drawn away by the commotion Adrian and Massimo have caused.

I kick off my heels, the stone floor freezing under my bare feet, but I barely register the cold. The silence inside the building is eerie, amplifying the echo of my heartbeat.

“Hello?” I whisper, the word shaky and low. Nothing moves.

My pulse quickens as I step further into the building. It’s small, compact—there are only a few places he could be.

Cubicles line the edges of the room, and I hurry toward the first one.

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