"It's okay, baby." I force my voice to stay calm even though my heart is hammering. "These men are..." Think, Isabella. Say something that won't terrify her. "These are Daddy's friends. From his work."
The first man smiles slightly. Approving. "Yes. Your daddy's friends. He asked us to come get you."
"Daddy did?" Elena's face lights up. "Is he here? Is he coming?"
"He's waiting for you," the man says smoothly. "Would you like to go see him?"
"Yes!" She reaches for my hand. "Mama, can we go see Daddy?"
I look at the men. At the crowds of people shopping, completely unaware. At the gun hidden under the jacket. At Elena's trusting face.
"What do you want?" I ask quietly.
"Just to talk. You and the child come with us quietly, no one gets hurt." The first man's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "You make a scene, you try to run, you try to call someone..." He glances meaningfully at Elena. "Well. That would be unfortunate."
The threat is clear.
"Where are you taking us?"
"Somewhere safe. Where we can all have a conversation." He extends his hand toward Elena. "Come on, little one. Let's go see your daddy."
Elena reaches for him and I grab her hand first, pulling her against me. "She stays with me."
"Of course." The man straightens. "We have a car. Just outside the market. You'll walk calmly. You'll smile. You'll act like nothing is wrong. Understand?"
I nod, my throat too tight to speak.
“Let's go." The second man positions himself on my other side. To anyone watching, we just look like a family. Two men, a woman, a child. Leaving the market together.
No one notices. No one sees. No one helps.
Elena is chattering happily, thinking we're going to see Lupo. "Is Daddy done with his work trip? Is he coming home now? Did he miss me?"
"Yes, baby," I manage. "He missed you very much."
The phone is still in my pocket. But I can't reach for it. Can't make a call. Can't do anything but walk calmly toward whatever trap these men are leading us into.
We reach their black car parked on the street. The second man opens the back door.
"Get in," the first man says quietly.
I look around desperately. Looking for help. For witnesses. For anyone who might realize something is wrong.
But people are just going about their day. Shopping. Talking. Living normal lives.
No one is watching.
No one can help us.
"Mama?" Elena tugs at my hand. "Are we going in the car?"
"Yes, baby." I lift her into the back seat, then climb in after her. The first man gets in beside me. The second man takes the front passenger seat. A third man I didn't see before is driving.
Three of them. One of me. And Elena.
The doors close and lock.
Before the engine even starts, the man beside me holds out his hand. "Phone."
