She savored his embrace for a moment.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” she finally asked, then answered herself, “I get killed.” An uneasy laugh accompanied the statement.
“Don’t even joke like that. And I’ll never let anything happen to you. I don’t care if I have to take out Edward Marlot and a room full of a hundred guards. No one lays a finger on my babygirl. Absolutely no one. Not if they want to keep all their limbs attached.”
Annika nearly laughed again. But then she realized it wasn’t a dark joke.
Matteo would do whatever it took to protect her.
She just prayed it wouldn’t come down to anything like that.
“Harrison and Stryker are going to come back later tonight to go over the finer points of the plan. They’re calling in help, too, flying in some friends. I think everyone should be here by this evening, so we’ll have a full house.”
Annika wondered who all was in on this scheme. She supposed she’d find out later.
“Until then, how about that shopping excursion?" he asked as he pulled away and smiled down at her. “You know I love spoiling you. It’s quickly becoming my favorite hobby.”
She giggled. “And I love it. Don’t get me wrong. But there’s something else I’d love even more than shopping. But it would cost some money.”
He was still grinning as he said, “Let’s hear it.”
Annika laid out her idea. And Daddy loved it.
Three hours later, Annika, Iris, Lana, and Cami were with their Daddies in the Daddy Guard’s van, driving the streets of Hollywood.
Funny, Annika thought, as she watched the TV monitors that showed the scene around the vehicle thanks to the hidden mounted cameras. Those streets were home just a few days ago. But it already felt like a different world. As if it had happened years before. Or perhaps never at all. Like a dream.
She didn’t want to forget, though. And she planned to work hard to ensure she wouldn’t.
“Ooh! I know them!” she said.
Behind the wheel, Jack pulled the van to a spot alongside the curb.
“Remember the rules, little lady,” Matteo told Annika. “Don’t wander off. I want eyes on you the entire time. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.”
Isaiah chimed in. “That goes for you, too, Cami.”
Jack and Ace spoke up, as well, warning their Littles.
Annika threw the van’s back doors open. She was so excited for this excursion. She’d loved the all-day shopping trip. But she couldn’t just take, take, take. It didn’t feel right.
With that in mind, she grabbed a few of the insulated lunch bags they’d purchased earlier and hopped onto the street. The other ladies followed her. A moment later, they approached the group of six people who were talking on the sidewalk.
Some were standing. Two were sitting with their backs against the old Pacific Theater.
“Hey, guys! It’s me.” Annika realized she didn’t even know their names and they most likely didn’t know hers. They hadn’t talked much besides passing on information as to where hot meals or decent clothes could be found.
“Hello, young lady,” one of the older men said.
His skin was sun-withered. He didn’t have many teeth. But his eyes still sparkled a brilliant blue, not dulled by life’s harsh circumstances. They matched the smile he wore.
“It looks like you’re doing a mite better for yourself these days,” he said, still wearing that warm, genuine smile. “I’m glad.”
Annika smiled back.
