Luca
My son is gone. After six days of fatherhood, I’ve lost my child.
"I want every man we have searching," I bark into my phone, pacing the festival grounds while Elena clutches our other two children to her sides. Her face is ashen, eyes wide with terror. "Check every camera, every exit. Someone saw something."
I hang up and turn to Dom. "How the hell did this happen? We have men everywhere."
"I've got people checking the security footage now."
The festival continues around us, families laughing and shopping, completely unaware that my world is collapsing.
Christmas music blares from speakers, making it hard to think. I scan the crowd, looking for any sign of a Santa suit.
"Did you see what car he took Rocco to?" I ask Elio, kneeling to his level.
Adalina shakes her head. "He said it was his sleigh."
I pull Marco aside when he arrives. "Get someone to track every vehicle that left the parking lot in the last twenty minutes."
"Already on it," he says. "Roman's checking the traffic cameras and Leo is contacting the head of the event to see who Santa is."
I move through the crowd, scanning faces, checking behind booths, even looking in trash cans.
My hands shake with a mixture of rage and fear. The very thing Elena feared has come true.
And it’s likely my fault.
After all, those kids have been coming to this event all their lives. Only now, only when it’s known I’m their father, does something happen.
My phone buzzes. It's Nic. “I’ve got a civilian witness who thinks they saw Santa taking a boy through the east exit. Cameras don't cover the parking lot there."
"Any distinguishing features? Height? Build?" I demand.
"Santa… red suit. White beard. Average height. Moved quickly."
I look at Elena, at the tears streaming down her face. I’m fucking breaking inside. I will find our son. And whoever took him will pay with their life.
We regroup near the hat stand. Isabella has her arm around Elena, whose body shakes with silent sobs.
Gabriella sits opposite, holding Elena's hands in hers, speaking softly.
My remaining children huddle against their mother, their eyes wide with fear.
"We'll find him," Isabella promises. "Roman is already coordinating with our security teams."
Gabriella nods. "Marco has called in every favor we have with local law enforcement."
I pace at the edge of the group, my mind racing through scenarios, each worse than the last.
"Elena," Dom says, stepping forward. "You and the kids should come to my house. I've already doubled security. You'll be safe there until we find Rocco."
Something primal and possessive rises in me. "No. They go to my house.”
Dom's expression hardens. "My security is—"
"They're my family," I cut him off, stepping closer to Elena and the children. "My responsibility. They'll stay at my house where I can protect them."
“You can't even keep track of one kid at a public event. She’s safer with me.”
“Dom,” Marco chastises.
My hands curl into fists at my sides. Dom dares to mock my failure? "You think this is the time?" I step toward him, voice dangerously low. "My son is missing, and you're scoring points?"
Dom doesn't back down. "I kept them safe for six years. You couldn't manage six days."
I lunge forward, but Marco's suddenly between us, his hand firm against my chest.
"Enough," Marco says, his voice commanding enough to cut through my fury. "This helps no one, especially not Rocco."
Roman appears at Dom's side, murmuring something in his ear. Dom's jaw clenches, but he takes a step back.
"We need to focus," Roman says to all of us.
I'm still seething, but Marco's right. Every second wasted on this bullshit is a second my son remains in danger.
I turn my attention to Elena. "I promise you," I tell her, hoping she’ll believe me, "I will find our son. Go to my house. The kids have rooms there. The staff will take care of you." I wonder how my father will react, but I can’t worry about that know. At least he knows them.
Elena looks up, her tear-stained face searching mine. For a moment, I think she'll refuse, choose Dom's protection over mine. I can’t blame her.
But then she nods slowly. "Okay.”
I gather Elio and Adalina close. "We'll bring your brother home." I pray to God that I can keep that promise.
Then I turn to Marco. “I need every resource you have. Every man, every contact. Whoever took my son needs to understand they've made the worst mistake of their life."
"We work together," Marco says firmly. "All of us. La Corona united against whoever did this."
I nod, meeting Dom's eyes. We may never be friends, but we both want Rocco safe.
"Let's get Elena and the twins secured," I say. "Then we hunt these bastards down."
Marco places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "I'll handle getting Elena and the kids to your place. My men are already securing the perimeter."
"I'm coming too," Gabriella announces, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Isabella steps forward, Angelica at her side. "We're joining them. The children shouldn't be separated right now." Her eyes meet mine, determination clear in her gaze. "Roman and I have been through something similar. We know what they need."
A part of me wants to refuse, to handle this myself, to be the only one Elena and my children rely on, but I recognize the stupidity of pride in this moment.
Every additional layer of protection means my family is safer.
"Thank you," I manage.
"We need to move," Marco says quietly.
I nod, then pull Elena aside. "I know you're scared," I tell her. "But I swear to you, I will find our son."
"I know you will.” She reaches for my hand. Her fingers intertwine with mine, and it’s telling me that she trusts me. Despite everything between us, she trusts me with this.
“Let me walk you to the car.” As we reach the SUV, I kneel down to Elio and Adalina's height. "Can you tell me one more time exactly what Santa said to Rocco?”
Elio fidgets with the zipper of his coat. "He asked if we wanted to see his sleigh.”
“And reindeer," Adalina adds. "And Rocco said yes really loud and then Santa whispered something just to him."
"Do you remember what he whispered?" I brush a strand of hair from Adalina's face.
Adalina shakes her head. "But Rocco looked really excited."
"Then Santa said only one kid could come," Elio continues. "He picked Rocco 'cause he was the oldest."
After getting them safely buckled in with Elena, I scan the area again. I see Dom talking to his men, except for one.
Where the fuck is Gio?
I know then that it had to be him.
I stride over to Dom. "It was Gio. This has his stink all over it."
Dom's expression hardens. "You're jumping to conclusions."
"Am I? Umberto kept a list of men he didn't trust. Gio was at the top. I've seen how he looks at me. He wanted me dead seven years ago, and he wants me dead now."
"If you're accusing one of my captains—"
"I'm not accusing. I'm telling you." I step closer, lowering my voice further. "Gio knew about my kids. Elana heard him offer to 'get rid of me' for you."
Dom's eyes narrow. "Elena told you that?"
"Gio worked for your father. He was loyal to Aldo, not you. What if he's still carrying out Aldo's vendetta?"
Dom's jaw tightens as he shakes his head. "Gio wouldn't dare touch Elena or the children. He knows they're under my protection." But I catch a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
He's not as confident about Gio's loyalty as he pretends to be.
"Gio served your father, not you. He's carrying out unfinished business to get rid of me."
"You have no proof—"
"My son is missing!" My voice echoes across the parking lot, drawing glances from nearby men. I lower my volume but not my intensity. "While you sit here defending a man who openly offered to kill me, my six-year-old son is in the hands of God knows who."
Dom's nostrils flare. "I'm doing everything I can—"
"No, you're not." I jab a finger into his chest. "You're a chickenshit Don, Dominic. Too afraid to look at the rot in your own family. Too scared to admit your father murdered his brother and framed me for it, because you knew, didn’t you?"
His eyes flash with anger, but I don't stop.
"If my son dies because you're too weak to confront the betrayal in your own ranks, I swear to God I'll burn your entire family to the ground."
Marco appears at my side, hand on my shoulder. "Luca—"
I shrug him off. "No, he needs to hear this. If anyone has put Rocco in danger, it's him. His silence. His willingness to let sleeping dogs lie while traitors walk among us."
Dom's face has gone red with fury. "You're crossing a line."
"My son is missing," I growl. "There are no more lines."