Luca's eyes hold mine.
"The children come first," I say softly. "Not family politics, not old grudges, not even what we might want. Just them."
Both men take a breath and a step back, and I let out a breath in relief.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Adalina and Elio come running back to us, their faces flushed with excitement.
Immediately, I’m looking for Rocco.
“Santa's taking Rocco to see his real sleigh!" Elio announces, bouncing on his toes.
"What?" I ask.
"Santa." Adalina points toward the festival's North Pole display. "He said Rocco was extra good this year and could see the secret sleigh, but we had to wait our turn."
I look toward where Santa should be taking toy orders from children, but the seat is empty.
Cold dread floods my veins as I lock eyes with Luca.
I see my own terror reflected in his face.
"Where?" Luca demands, his voice sharp enough to make Elio flinch and Adelina to step back.
“Over there.” She points to the parking lot. "Santa said just Rocco first because he's the oldest."
Luca scans the perimeter and then runs into the direction of the parking lot
I grab both children's hands, my fingers trembling. "Did you know this Santa?”
Their brows pull together and I know I’m scaring them.
“It’s Santa.” Elio says, reminding me they don’t realize it’s an actor playing Santa.
Dom barks orders into his phone. "Lock down the exits. No one leaves with a child."
I pull Adalina and Elio close.
How could this happen?
They were right there.
Luca runs back. “No Santa.” He looks at Dom. "North side?"
Dom nods sharply. "I'll take south. My men are covering east and west."
If the situation weren’t so dire, I’d appreciate how these men who were moments ago adversaries are now united.
I want to go with them, but instead I gather Elio and Adalina close, hoping that they’ll find Rocco.
I clutch Adalina and Elio's hands so tightly they squirm, but I can't bring myself to loosen my grip.
Not when one of my babies has been taken.
Luca’s broad shoulders part the festival crowd.
I have to wonder about someone so brazen as to take a child in a venue full of deadly Mafia men, unless Santa is one of them.
Didn’t Roman fear there were more traitors in our midst?
