The holiday was coming up. Some of the shelters would have meals for people like her. It would be good, too. But she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to celebrate with friends or family.
She could picture a crackling fireplace. A table set perfectly with pretty decorations and fine China. There would be turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, and of course, lots of desserts to choose from.
It was so real in her mind. Almost as if she could smell the aroma as steam rose off the juicy, perfectly cooked bird in the center of it all.
Annika’s stomach growled. Okay, that fantasy had done more harm than good. She’d been hungry before, but now she was starving.
She’d have to leave her makeshift shelter and see if she could find some food. There were several restaurants around that put out leftovers at the end of the night. It was first come, first served, but more than likely she’d be able to score something to eat. It was worth a shot, at least.
Of course, leaving ran a risk. Someone might come along and take her spot, claiming her shelter as their own. That had happened to her more than once in the past few weeks. It was a risk she was willing to take, though. She needed food and fast!
With that in mind, Annika scampered out of her “home”, taking Ollie with her.
Of course. He went everywhere. The two were inseparable. He was her only friend, in fact.
As the tattered shoes on her feet slapped atop the dirty pavement on her way out of the alley, she thought of Auntie Athena’s again. Too bad she didn’t have friends there. They all seemed so fun.
And too bad she couldn’t meet that hot guy again!
That’s what she really wanted tonight.
Even more than the Thanksgiving dinner she’d been dreaming of.
Chapter Five
Matteo was sitting in the front passenger seat of the large, luxury van that had been outfitted to serve as the Daddy Guard’s mobile command center.
Next to him, driving the vehicle, was Kendrick.
The rest of the crew was in the back. Although they were missing two Guard members—Ryan Cross and Jordan Whitaker. They were on vacation in San Francisco, enjoying some much-needed downtime.
“I think she’d be along the Boulevard,” Iris told the group.
Matteo shifted in his seat and looked back. “Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s where all the action is. You can always find something—lots of food and some places even have free water. Like they’ll set out stuff for people who need it.”
Matteo thought about it. He hated that sweet Little Iris knew firsthand how tough things could be. Poor girl had really fought for survival.
And now, somewhere out there, the yet-to-be-named woman he’d held for only a few moments was doing the same.
He just prayed he could get to her soon. The thought of her hungry and desperate was almost more than he could stand.
What’s going on with you, man? You don’t know this woman. Her story could be anything. Why are you so hung up on her?
But he knew the answer to his own question.
When he’d looked into her eyes, he’d known instantly that he was looking into the eyes of his babygirl.
You should have chased after her, Matteo.
He didn’t and it was something he’d have to live with. But he couldn’t wallow in guilt. Now was the time to pound the streets, find her, and make it right.
“You last saw her running away from the nursery,” Kendrick pointed out. “And West Hollywood is a few miles away from the Boulevard. Do you think we should start somewhere closer to Auntie Athena’s and work our way out?”
Matteo considered it for a moment. His buddy was thinking like a cop. That’s what they all were, after all.
Or, rather, former cops.
