“Can I take a nap?”
“Will you tell Mommy what you heard?”
“Lay down with me.”
“Okay honey.”
My son was scaring me, and my worst fears were coming to light.
Was it possible Romeo was telling the truth?
I settled my son down in bed for a nap and climbed in beside him. I held him close and tried to keep my tears at bay. I clenched my fist to keep my arm from trembling as he nuzzled into me, and I held him as tightly as I could.
“What happened, my sweet boy?” I asked. Not sure if I was ready to hear his answer.
“Does Uncle Stefano kill people?” Matteo asked.
My eyes widened as I looked down at my son.
“Why would you ask that?”
“He had a friend come over.”
“When?” I asked.
“This weekend.”
“While Mommy was out?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“What did this friend look like?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Like him, I guess.”
“Okay. What did they do?” I asked.
“They talked.”
“About what?”
Matteo fell silent, and I saw tears brewing in his eyes.
“Matteo, what did they say?” I asked. “This is important, honey.”
“If I tell you, can we go home?” he asked.
“Yes. We can. Immediately if that’s what you want.”
He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt his body trembling.
“Please talk to me,” I said in a whisper. “You can be really quiet.”
“Uncle said it was time to kill him.”
“Who?” I asked. “Who, sweetheart?”
“I don’t know.”