Destined For The Mafia (18+) (3 of 3)

Chapter 19 - Lost

[Enzo's POV]

"Daddy?"

I look up from my shoes. Stefano sits across from me on his bedroom floor, staring at me.

"Mama be home soon?" He asks me.

I just blink at him.

"Daddy?"

I shake myself and nod. "Soon."

"Today?" He presses.

"Not today. Soon."

"You stay?" He asks and I sigh. I take his small hands in mine.

"Yes, I'm staying."

He is the only reason I am staying.

"Mama be home soon," he says again, but this time it isn't a question. It's a statement. Like he is reassuring himself... and me.

I clear the lump in my throat and point toward his toys. "What car is that?"

He smiles, easily distracted the way I wish I could be. "Black like yours," he says.

"And Mommy's," I remind him. A tiny smile appears. He puts the car right beside him, tucked away under his leg.

"Acey too," he says, looking up to me.

It takes me a second to reply. "Yes, Ace too."

"Can he come play?" Stef asks, his face perking up with misplaced hope. I wish to everything that he didn't like Ace like he does. It was bad enough having him around Caterina.

I shake my head. "Not right now. He is working," I say and I'm not sure if it is a lie. I have no idea what Ace is doing these days. If I had to guess, hiding from my wrath.

"He is with Mama now?" Stef asks, frowning.

Instantly, guilt slams into me. Ace brought Stef home. That counts for something... although, it would count for more if my wife had come home with them.

But he saved my son. That I will find a way to reward. 

Part of me thinks him still breathing is reward enough... but I know Anthony would disagree. And if Anthony disagrees with something, usually I regret not listening to him.

"No, somewhere else," I answer Stefano.

"You ask him?" He pushes again and I fight the urge to snap. I'm tired of thinking and talking about Ace.

I take a deep breath. "Not today, son."

"Soon," he mumbles under his breath, almost sarcastically - if an almost four year old even knows how to be sarcastic.

"Daria?" He asks and I sit up straighter.

"Resting. Don't go in her room unless Anthony says you can." I stare into his eyes. "I'm serious, Stef."

His face slowly changes... deflating as he looks down at his lap. "Daria hurt," he whispers. "Men hurt her."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I pull him in my arms on my lap and hold him close to my chest. 

"She is okay now. She is healing. Don't worry."

"Men come back?" He says, looking up to me.

"No. Never."

He seems to accept my answer, but then...

"Mama come back never?"

I stare down at the little boy that looks more her than me. Beyond my own regret and grief, I can see his own in his eyes now. His fear. He doesn't fear the men returning... he fears they won't return with his mom. I don't know how he can understand that feeling at such a young age... the same exact fear I have.