Page 41 of Silent Night with Massimo

"Over my dead body."

"Fine."

Elio flies towards me. I push Mateo out of the way and try to grab the crowbar at the same time. But I'm too slow. Elio's shoulder slams into my stomach and knocks the air from my lungs. I collapse to the floor, choking, grasping for the crowbar sothat I can fight for my son.

Elio kicks me in the ribs, and I can't even scream because I have no air.

He laughs, grabbing Mateo around his tiny, scrawly upper arm.

"You're hurting me," Mateo complains. Elio shakes him harshly. "Shut up, brat. Do as you're told." He starts dragging my son towards the doorway and I push myself up to my feet, the crowbar in my hand, but the world is spinning wildly around me. I lean on the wall for a second, trying hard to catch my breath.

Elio is too close to the door. He's too close to getting away with my son. I need to get my shit together and fight him.

"Elio," I say, but it comes out as a whisper. "Give me back my son."

He turns to look at me and laughs. "What are you going to do about it?"

I stand, unsteady, wavering, but determined not to let him leave.

I look down at my son. He looks terrified. I think he understands that Elio does not mean him well.

"It's ok, Mateo. It's going to be ok."

"Mommy?" his little voice calls out and my heart rips from my chest.

"Don't call her that. She gave you away. She doesn't want you." Elio snarls.

"It's not true, baby. Don't listen to him."

"I'm done with this. You're wasting my time. I'm leaving and this kid is coming with me."

I grip the crowbar tighter.

"This is your last chance, Elio. Let my son go."

"I said it already - what the fuck are you going to do to me, Vera?"

Chapter 18

Massimo

My leg is starting to throb in pain, but I have to ignore it. The hideout is dark and oddly quiet.

I wait for my eyes to adjust.

Looking around I see five cubicles. Five possible rooms for my son and Vera to be in. I don't even know if she is still alive anymore.

I limp forward, feeling the urgency of needing to find her as soon as possible.

She's been in here too long. Anything could have happened. One of the other guards might have found her.

I peek into one of the cubicles. It's an office.

The next one - a storage room.

An empty room that smells of death.

I gag, stepping out of it. What the fuck have they been doing here?

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