The Woman in the Back Room (Costa Family)

"Yo, Santi. Fucking Coney Island," he said when he called back.

"Coney Island?" I asked, confused.

"He's a kid. She likes rides. Figure maybe it's loud there."

"Right. Okay. I'll go see. Thanks, Gio."

"Lemme know," he demanded.

"Will do," I agreed, already rushing out of my apartment.

I texted Lorenzo on the way.

It was probably nothing.

I was almost certain Gio was right.

I hadn't been to Coney Island since I was a kid. But it was loud there. And it would have explained the big grin on his face. Avi loved to do shit that scared him. Anytime we took him to an amusement park, he always picked the fastest, highest, and most dangerous-looking ride to go on. Then went on it until it no longer scared him anymore. Much to his mother's dismay.

I had to admit, I liked his spirit. I was fine with him playing piano or even fencing, but I liked to see him just be a kid, a bit of a reckless one at that. It reminded me of my own childhood. Missing mom and shitty dad aside, we'd all had fun back in those days. Did a bunch of illegal shit we shouldn't have, but had fun.

There was nothing to worry about.

I mean, if someone wanted to kidnap or murder my kid, the last place they would do it was a heavily populated area like Coney Island. No one would miss my kid kicking and screaming or Alessa fighting someone.

Still, the knots in my stomach refused to budge even as I walked into the Park.

The sun was down, making the lights flash in a way I used to think was magical as a kid.

The sounds were exactly how I remembered them—loud music from the speakers, screaming from people on said rides, and the relentless sounds of people talking and babies crying and phones ringing.

It wasn't surprising that Alessa hadn't heard her phone ringing.

But she still should have left a note. Or sent a text. Something.

I walked around aimlessly for ten minutes, knowing I should have just gone to a worker and had them call Alessa over the speakers.

But I didn't want to cause any sort of scene if I didn't have to.

It was fate, really.

I was rounding a bend near the swings when I saw Alessa's figure speed walking.

Her hair had fallen out of its ponytail.

It was a ridiculous thing to notice. Especially before my gaze even looked for my son. But her hair was always up and away from her face. I'd never seen it down, the way it fell in gleaming loose waves around her delicate face. It made her look softer, more delicate. Words that didn't suit her, sure, but the look had an impact.

It had an impact on me.

It shouldn't have.

It was inappropriate in so many ways.

But I was a man with eyes.

And she was a feast for them.

"Come on, dude. Get your little ass into gear. Your dad is going to—" she was saying, suddenly breaking off when I stepped into her path, making her jerk to a stop, her head whipping up.

Her golden eyes went wide.

"His dad is going to what?" I prompted as her mouth fell open.

"Kill her," Avi supplied, smirking.

"I'm considering it," I agreed, giving him a smirk back. "Since she knows she's supposed to leave a note or text me."

"She lost her phone," Avi explained. "We have been walking around looking for it, so she could text you."

"I think Avi should get a phone," Alessa declared. "Since I am clearly not responsible enough to hold onto my own," she added, reaching up to pull all her hair to one shoulder.

"She lost her hair tie on the Aviator," Avi declared.

"How'd you find us?" Alessa asked.

"Gio. I had him track your phone."

"It's a shame he can't track it to the exact location," she grumbled.

"How long have you been looking?" I asked.

"Like fifteen minutes," Alessa said. "We're doing the whole retrace your footsteps method."

"Alright. Let's work on that," I said, reaching down to ruffle Avi's hair that was in desperate need of a trim, but I decided to let it go until he told me he wanted it cut.

Another fifteen minutes later, we were walking up to the front of the Slingshot, and Alessa broke away, rushing forward, grabbing her phone off the side of the stairs, hugging it to her chest.

"Oh, thank you, God," she said, her whole body losing its tension in a wave. "My whole life is on here," she added when she caught me smirking at her. "Don't be like me, Avi. I'm a mess," she declared, shaking her head.

"Did you guys eat yet?" I asked.

"No. Less said that we can't eat until we do all the crazy-as—"

"Ass," Alessa supplied, looking only partially guilty for cursing in front of Avi. "Crazy-ass rides. We're buds and all," she added, looking at my son. "But we are not vomit friends," she added.