Page 43 of Silent Night with Massimo

I lift the gun, raising it up to Elio's head.

"Massimo." Elio stammers, looking around the room to try and find another way out. But I am in the only doorway.

Elio lifts Mateo higher and in a shocking twist of events, he tosses him into the air. Vera rushes forward, diving onto the ground, she catches Mateo, letting him land softly on her body.

And I fire two shots.

One hits Elio in the chest, and he clutches at the wound, gasping for air. The other hits him in the side.

His body goes rigid, then slumps backward, falling to the ground with a thud.

Vera covers our son's ears, holding his little head against her chest. "It's ok, you're safe now." She whispers over and over again.

I rush over to them, wrapping my arms around both of them, I lift them up, pulling Vera to her feet.

"Your leg." She warns me.

"I'm fine," I assure her, pulling her into my arms again, holding her and my son, never wanting to let go.

"Let's get out of this place," Vera whispers.

I pull them both towards the door guiding them out - not even sparing a glance over my shoulder to look at Elio.

Outside the hideout, my men have taken control of the grounds. There are bodies littered everywhere.

Vera walks with our son's face pressed against her chest, not letting him see any of it.

He isn't saying anything, or even trying to look around. I think he has been through too much. All of this is far too much for a little boy of six to understand or know how to handle.

I climb into the back of the limo with my family. Adrian is waiting inside.

He nods, smiling broadly. "Shall we all go home?" he says, looking at my son. I can see how his heart is overflowing, knowing that we found him and how we must feel.

"Yes, let's go home."

The driver starts the engine and pulls away from the devastation.

None of us speaks because there is very little to say.

Mateo's little fingers are gripping tightly onto Vera's arms. Her white coat is wrapped around him like a blanket.

I have my family.

I have my son.

I have Vera.

Outside the lodge, we all take a deep breath. Adrian has messaged ahead to inform Uncle Marzio of what happened—they are expecting us—and my son.

Vera climbs out first,and just as I am about to follow her, Adrian calls me back.

"Massimo," he says sternly. "I know we won tonight. And having your son back with us—nothing compares to that. But you need to be aware: Dante Vitale won’t let this slide. I’ve seen signs that he’s already preparing to strikeback. We took down his forces tonight, but he will rebuild. And if not him, then someone else will."

I narrow my eyes at him. "How long do you think you’ll be gone?"

Adrian’s jaw clenches. "Could be days. I need to see this plan through. The storm complicates things, but I’ll make it work."

I nod, trust in my brother’s abilities settling in my chest. "Stick to the plan. We’re strong. We always will be."

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