Page 36 of Silent Night with Massimo

Empty. It’s an office, abandoned.

My eyes dart to the second room, a storeroom filled withcrates.

There’s a crowbar on the ground, and without thinking, I grab it, holding it tight, feeling a small surge of strength return.

Then I hear it—a soft, weak cry.

I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. “Hello?” I whisper again, a little louder this time. The cry—it was a child. My heart pounds harder, urging me forward.

Gunshots explode outside, ripping through the night, and I feel the child scream in response. The sound is terrifying—full of fear.

The battle outside between Adrian, Massimo, and the guards has begun. I pray they can hold them off long enough.

I need time—I need to get my son out of here before anyone else realizes I’m inside.

I push through the storeroom, kicking open the door to another cubicle. Empty again.

My breath catches in my throat as panic swells.

But I can’t stop.

I won’t stop.

I have to find him.

Suddenly, a man steps out of the shadows, blocking my path. His sneer is wide and malicious.

"Hello, pretty," he snarls, his voice dripping with menace. "What are you doing here, dressed like that? Did Santa Claus send me a little gift?"

My grip tightens around the crowbar. I have no time to think, no time to second-guess myself. He steps closer, his grin widening, and without hesitation, I swing the crowbarwith all my strength. It connects with his head, and the sound of bone cracking fills the air. His eyes widen in shock before rolling back, and he collapses to the floor, blood pooling beneath him.

I’m trembling. I’ve never killed anyone before. The weight of what I’ve done presses down on me, but I don’t have time for guilt. Not now.

I step over his body and move toward the next cubicle, my heart pounding in my chest. The sounds of gunfire outside grow louder, but I force myself to focus. I have to find him.

I run towards the last cubicle, hoping—praying—that this is where my son is being held.

Chapter 16

Massimo

Adrian is dragging Elio along with us as we run around the outside of the building. Elio is not making it easy to move fast. He is purposefully stumbling and falling, and Adrian is being forced to half-carry the asshole.

We've already attracted the attention of the guards, and now we are on the move to try and keep them away from the hideout. We have to create enough of a distraction to give Vera time to get in and out safely.

I hate the fact that she went in there alone. I hate the fact that I am not at her side to protect her and help her find our son.

But I can't think about that now.

I have to buy her time.

I don't know how long we are going to last though.

It is two of us against all of them.

Adrian ducks behind a container, his Glock gripped tightly in his hands.

I duck down next to him with Elio trapped between us.

---