"Mommy, when is Rocco coming back?" Adalina's voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts.
I force my lips into what I hope resembles a smile. "Soon, baby. Your daddy and Uncle Dom are going to find him.”
Elio sits cross-legged on the floor, methodically lining up toy cars in perfect rows.
The front door opens, and Gabriella sweeps in, Isabella following with Angelica in tow.
Isabella kneels beside me, squeezing my hand. "Marco says they have leads already. Roman's with them too."
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
"Angelica, why don't you show Adalina and Elio that new game on your tablet?" Isabella suggests.
“There’s a playroom,” I say, wanting the kids to have a semblance of normalcy.
I also don’t want them to see me if I completely fall apart.
"Come on, guys. Show me your playroom,” Angelica says to Elio and Adalina.
The children follow her down the hall, Elio looking back once with worried eyes before disappearing around the corner.
"They'll be okay," Gabriella says, settling beside me. "Children are resilient."
"I can't lose him." I finally allow the façade to crack. "I can't."
"You won't," Isabella says with such conviction that I almost believe her. "There’s an army of men looking for him."
I look at both of them. “I feel like I should call the police or?—”
“I won’t tell you not to,” Gabriella says, “But you need to remember that we have law enforcement and other resources already at our disposal. Calling the police could hamper their efforts.”
I understand her statement to tell me that Luca and the others can work outside the law, and while it’s wrong, I have to admit I don’t want any limits on how my child can be found.
From down the hall comes the sound of laughter. Angelica has managed to distract my children.
“I’m going to check in with my father real quick,” Gabriella says. “I’ll come back with some sustenance.”
“I’ll help.” Isabella follows her out of the room.
I’m not hungry, but I’m too emotional to tell her that. Instead, my mind is spiraling, thinking about Rocco. Is he cold? Scared? Calling for me? The thought of his little voice crying out for his mother while I sit here, helpless, tears through my heart.
I press my palms against my eyes, willing the tears back.
Gabriella and Isabella return with a tray of snacks. Gabriella holds out a crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid.
"Antonio's asking questions," she says quietly. "I told him what I could."
I accept the drink, not bothering to ask what it is. The first sip burns down my throat, spreading warmth through my chest. By the third sip, a welcome numbness begins to settle over my ragged nerves.
"Thank you," I manage.
Gabriella sits beside me. "Elena," she begins carefully, "we need to consider who might have taken Rocco specifically. This wasn't random."
I don’t think so either. But who would want to take my child?
"I don't know. All I can think of is someone not happy with Luca?—”
“You’re going to blame my brother?” Gabriella doesn’t hide her offense.
