Enzo's hands freeze mid-play, his little shoulders tensing. He looks up at Luca with wary eyes.
Luca drops down to sit cross-legged on the floor, making himself smaller, less intimidating. "I don’t remember seeing some of these cars," he says, nodding at Enzo's toys. "Mind if I see?"
The tension in Enzo's face eases slightly as he hands Luca a red car. "This one's the fastest."
"Ferrari," Luca says, examining it with exaggerated seriousness. "You’ve got good taste in cars."
It sometimes surprises me how gentle Luca is, especially knowing how ruthless he can be.
I see a few cars tossed on the floor. “What about those?”
Enzo’s face contorts. “I don’t want them anymore.” He turns and buries his head in my shoulder.
It takes me a moment, but then I realize Pyotr gave him those cars. “We’ll get rid of them.”
Luca looks confused but doesn’t press. Instead, he grabs the cars and puts them in his pocket. “I’ll deal with them.”
“I don’t like Uncle Pyotr.”
I rub Enzo’s back. “He scared you.”
Enzo’s face turns toward Luca. “You killed him.”
Luca’s eyes are clear and steady as he nods. “I did. Do you know why?”
“Because he was going to hurt me.” Enzo’s lower lip quivers, but I can see how he’s struggling not to cry.
“That’s right. And now you’re safe with your mom and me. And I want to make sure you stay safe. But I need your help. Do you think you can help me?”
Enzo shrugs. "I guess."
"Did you notice anything strange? People coming to talk to him, maybe?"
“There were guards.”
“Did Pyotr report to anyone? Or anyone to him?” Luca asks.
“I don’t know.”
“What did Uncle Pyotr tell you?” I ask.
“He said you asked him to get me at school but he had errands to run before bringing me home. It was fun at first, but then I wanted to go home. He wouldn’t bring me home. Why was he so mean?”
Enzo breaks, tears filling his eyes. I pull him close. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.”
I look over at Luca, hoping he sees my wish for him to stop his questioning.
“You were very brave,” Luca says, his large hand rubbing Enzo’s back. “How about we play cars?”
Enzo sniffles. “Okay.” He turns back to the coffee table.
I watch as he and Luca play with the cars.
Soon, Enzo is in his lap and laughing as Luca’s car flies off the table.
My heart fills with so much love. In this moment, I have everything I’d always wanted.
I'm falling for him again. I didn’t want to. I’m still not sure it’s wise. But it’s not something I can stop.
