Page 40 of Silent Night with Massimo

"You are my son. I would do anything to keep you safe. Whatever they told you isn't true." I sigh, rocking him, back and forth, trying to soothe him.

I am still so aware that we are in danger here. I can hear the mayhem outside. I can hear gunshots and the screams of dying men. But none of that matters.

My son.

My son is in my arms.

I take a deep breath.

"We need to go, sweetheart. It's not safe here. Please - come with me."

I let go of his little wrists, giving him freedom, trying to earn his trust.

His eyes are locked onto me, full of curiosity and distrust.

"Are you really my mom?" His voice is so small, fragile, barely holding together under the weight of everything he's been told.

"I'm your mom. And your dad—he's here too. We both came to save you because we love you more than you canimagine. We both want you home, safe and warm, with your whole family." I swallow hard, trying to steady my voice as I reach out to him, praying my words will somehow reach the hurt that's etched into his young face.

Tears stream down his cheeks.

"They told me my family was dead. That I had no family. That no one wanted me," he sobs, each word like a knife to my heart.

My soul feels like it's being crushed under the weight of his pain. How do I take this away from him? How do I show him the love I feel, the overwhelming need to protect him, so he knows—truly knows—that none of it was true?

"Will you give me a chance to show you they were wrong?" I ask softly, holding back my own tears.

He stares at me, his little eyes searching mine, watching every movement, every word. He's trying to read me, trying to find the truth in my face.

Finally, he nods, but I can see he's still unsure. But all I need is for him to try.

I stand up slowly, pulling him to his feet. He is shivering from the cold, so I take my coat off and wrap it around his shoulders. He grabs at the edges and pulls it tighter against his body. It's so long it drags on the floor at his feet.

I keep fighting this overwhelming hatred for the people who did this to him.

"Hello, kiddo."

I look up and see Elio standing in the doorway.

I step between him and my son, shielding my little boywith my own body. "Stay away from him, Elio. I will kill you." I snarl like a lioness.

"Oh please, Mateo and I are good friends - aren't we Mateo?"

"Mateo?" I stammer.

"You don't even know his name. What a joke. Hey, Mateo - are you going to trust this lady, or would you rather come with me?"

I hear my son step out from behind me. "Uncle Elio." He stammers.

"That's right kiddo. It's me. Remember I brought you a chocolate last time."

"I never had chocolate before." He whispers.

Elio smiles, a sinister smile that boils my blood. "Yes, that's why I brought you one. So, you could try it. But remember what you promised. You promised you would owe me a favor."

"Leave him alone, Elio. He's just a child. You are a monster for what you did to him."

"Lady, you have no idea what I am capable of - so I suggest you step away from the kid and let me take him."

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