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His throat moves. His jaw works. It looks like he’s trying to say something.
Fury sparks in me again.
If he did this, then he’s dead to me. Beyond dead. And I’d absolutely never want Luna to know that her own father tried to kill her.
“Luna,” I say calmly, setting her down on the ground. I crouch down to her level and tuck her hair behind her ears, wiping away some of the tears that streak down her face. “This is someone who is going to help us find Nonna Mia.”
“Really?” her ears perk up, and my heart feels crushed like a soda can.
“Yes. Since you did such a good job running like Mommy and Uncle Sal taught you, you can help us find out that she’s okay. Mr. Rossi is just very good at finding people. He helped me find you!”
She frowns. “Does he know Zio Nico?”
God damn Nico for calling himself her uncle. “Yes. He works with Zio Nico.”
It has to be killing Elio to diminish his role in her life, but to his credit, he doesn’t say anything.
Good.
She squints at him, then nods, like she’s trying to approve of him. “Okay. I’m hungry.”
“Zia Gia has some food on the plane,” I say, pointing her toward Gia. I see Gia’s eyes flash with surprise, then get a little teary at the edges.
I can offer olive branches too, Gia.
“Zia Gia?” Luna giggles. “That’s silly.”
Her voice seems to spark Gia out of her stasis. She blinks once, wipes away the tears that were right inside her eyes, and nods. “I know. Zia Gia is kind of silly.”
“I like silly,” Luna beams.
“I like being silly too,” Gia grins back. She offers her hand, and Luna takes it. “Come on little one. What kind of snacks do you like?”
“Oreos,” Luna declares proudly.
I hear Gia laugh as she walks to the plane with Luna. They start chatting, both as animated as can be, and my heart eases slightly looking at them.
Children are so resilient. We don’t deserve them. They’re willing to give us so much grace when we’ve ruined everything around us, and truly, the fact that Luna was sobbing into my shoulder ten seconds ago and is now chatting about Oreos to Gia is just… a blessing.
With any luck she’ll be totally fine.
They get on the plane and I move to follow, but a big hand wraps around my wrist.
I pull back like his touch burns me. “Do not touch me,” I hiss.
Elio puts himself in between me and the plane. “Caterina. Stop.”
“No.”
“I didn’t do this.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I wouldn’t put a hit on my own child,” he says quietly. “I would never.”
“You didn’t know. You didn’t know she was your kid until about three hours ago.”
“I don’t kill children.”
