Page 96 of Merciless Monster

I slam on the brakes and switch off the engine. I leap out of the car before I have a chance to engage the handbrake. The car rolls slowly until it comes to a stop against a hedge. I don’t care because I’m running at full speed to get to my son.

“Angelo!” I yell before I get to him.

My child isn’t moving.

“Oh, no, Oh, no,” I keep saying over and over, cradling him and rocking back and forth.

“Is he okay?” Dad calls as he comes running.

“I’m not sure.”

Now I’m balling.

“He’s breathing,” I say.

I move Angelo around so I can check his body. There are no signs of physical trauma. He simply appears to be fast asleep.

Dad takes him from me and carries him into the house. I follow after.

“Put him over there on the couch, Dad. I’ll get some water.”

Dad and I hover over Angelo for about half an hour before my son opens his eyes.

“Baby!” I say, hugging him tightly.

“Mom? Grandpa? When did we get home?”

“Are you alright, my love?” I ask.

“Sure.”

“What happened champ?” Dad asks.

“A nice man at the zoo gave me ice cream. When did I get home?”

“Oh, uhm, not too long ago,” I say, trying to stay calm. I don’t want to freak Angelo out.

“You must have been really tired from all the fun, champ,” Dad smiles. “You fell asleep.”

My cell phone rings again.

“Hello.”

“Cute kid. Very talkative.”

“Okay,” I acquiesce. “I’ll do what you ask.”

“That’s better. I’ll call you tomorrow with the details. Have a good night, Mia.”

I want to tell the man to go fuck himself, but think better of it. He may not be open to such a suggestion. Instead, I end the call and turn my focus back to my son.

“Are you hungry, sweetheart?”

“No. I’m sleepy. I think I’ll go to bed.”

Wow. This is one for the books. Usually it takes a lot of negotiating and plenty of convincing to get Angelo to agree to go to bed. Whatever those bastards gave him must have been strong. I hope the substance doesn;t cause any permanent damage. But I cannot worry about that now. I have my son back and that’s all that matters.

The next hurdle looms large on the horizon. I’m going to have to call Dante and tell him everything. But how can I betray the man I love? The father of my child.

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