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Ignoring her, I said nothing as we finished eating. Seeing Gianna scarf down her food had my heart clenching. I hated how my baby felt like she had to hurry and eat her food so no one would take it away or so she wouldn’t miss out on anything. I wanted to ask her so badly about what she went through with her mother, but I didn’t want to make her sad. Not only that, I don’t think I can handle the answer if it were something I didn’t want to hear.

With one hand wrapped around Gianna and the other holding onto Mi, I felt like the man as we entered The Galleria. Mi wasn’t a big shopper, but she didn’t mind making my pockets hurt when the opportunity came. With school starting in a few weeks and Gianna entering a new school setting, I wanted to make sure my baby was dressed and ready for the occasion. Shetold me that kids would often pick on her because of her clothes and shoes being dirty at her old school, and that shit was not happening on my watch. I would fuck all their little asses up about my baby.

“Let’s go in here,” Mimi said as she pulled us into Gap Kids. “The clothes in here aren’t bad at all for her age.”

“Gap…” I frowned as we walked into the store. “I got money to splurge on my kid’s clothes, Noemi.”

She giggled as she grabbed my daughter’s hand and led us through the store. “I don’t doubt that baby. She’s only six, though… almost seven. She doesn’t need Louie, Prada, and Gucci, Jordan.”

“Yeah, Daddy!” Gianna chimed in like she knew Noemi was right. Her eyes lit up like a candle when she saw the furry animal purses. “Mimi said pretty girls never have to do too much. She said good hygiene, a fresh hairstyle, and some gloss is all I need!”

Stopping in my tracks, my eyes widened at what she said. Mi was right with what she told her, but I was stuck at the fact that she called me “daddy.” Since day one, it’s been Jordie. I couldn’t lie if I tried to; I wanted to drop a tear in the semi-crowded store, but I didn’t want to shoot these motherfuckers for witnessing a gangsta cry.

“Come on, big girl!” Noemi giggled as they browsed the racks. “Daddy’s gonna go cry in the car.”

Walking up behind her, I pulled her into me. Instantly, my dick began to harden at the feel of her soft, round ass. “You keep playing with me, andDaddyis going to put something on you that’s going to make you cry too.”

Shuddering when I kissed her neck, I let her go as we began shopping. The clothes she picked up for Gianna were fly as hell and very age-appropriate. The various colored graphic shirts and blouses matched Gi Baby’s personality to the T. Noemi also suggested we get some plain T-shirts in every color so she couldaccessorize more simple outfits. The shopping cart was full of shorts, leggings, and jeans, too, and on top lay a lot of colorful jackets, girly purses, and hair accessories. As long as my baby was happy, I was good. I was also thankful that Noemi had volunteered to help us get this part of school shopping done.

As I followed them around, I began to feel uneasy. I scanned the store we were in, hoping to see someone or something out of place, but there was nothing. I always trusted my gut, so when I couldn’t locate what was causing the feeling, I knew it was time to bounce.

“Hey, ladies…” I interrupted them as they browsed the kid sandals in Macy’s. In a split second, they had a buggy full of shit as if they didn’t just buy everything Gi Baby needed in Gap Kids. “How about we go to the house and watch movies while we finish shopping online? We can make ice cream like we did the other night.”

“But, Daddyyy…” Gianna began to whine and pout. “I wanted to go get another teddy bear for my Uncle Wild. He said I give Uncle Uno the good ones, and he was jealous. Please, Daddy. Just one more store.”

As much as I hated to see my baby sad, I felt the need to get them out of here. I was about to speak, but Noemi beat me to it. “How about we go home, have a tea party, and then go online to buy some really nice gifts for Uncle Wild? He likes shoes, so what if we go make him some custom ones thatonly he has? He will love that so much!”

“You’re right!” Gianna practically bounced up and down. “I could make him some with his favorite Disney princesses on it!” Her expression got serious as she stepped to Noemi and whispered, “Don’t tell him I told you, but he likes Cinderella the most. He said her stepmother is an old wench. What’s a wench, Mi?”

Standing to her full height with wide eyes, Noemi glimpsed at me, and it took everything in me not to burst into laughter. Grabbing Gi Baby’s hand, she led us to the counter. After paying for the shoes Noemi had grabbed for her and Gianna, I grabbed their hands and led them back through the mall the same way we came.

“Is everything okay?” Mi asked in a hushed tone. It was a little after noon, and the crowd was piling in. I hate that I had to end my baby’s day so early, but I couldn’t shake the sensation that something was brewing close by.

“I just want to get y’all out of here in case it’s not.” I kissed her cheek as I led them to the valet. This is one of those times I’m glad I opted to come to this particular location. “Let me get y’all home.”

After putting the bags into the trunk and making sure my girls were secure, we headed back to my condo for the evening. Cutting down the music, I eyed Gianna in the back as we approached the red light. She was back there kicking her feet and playing with her iPad without a care in the world.

“Hey, little mama…” I called out, getting her attention instantly. “You want some candy before we head in?”

“Oh my gosh! Yes!” she squealed. “You’re the best daddy ever!”

Smiling, I winked as the light turned green. Before we could pull off, a red Tahoe rammed into the passenger side of my Escalade. The glass shattered as the vehicle began to spin, and I was sure the airbags were next to shatter through their compartments. My heart thudded because, at that moment, all I could think about was my girls. Groaning, I started to call out to them before the sound of a machine gun filled the air.

Tat! Tat! Tat!

Bullets began to hit the bulletproof panels and windows as Gianna screamed in the backseat. My head was thumping fromthe impact of the airbags. The blood streaming down my face spilled into my eyes, making it hard to see, but that didn’t stop me from reaching into my secret door compartment for my Glock. Fumbling with the seat belt, pure adrenaline aided me in hopping from my truck in hopes of killing whoever thought it was a good day to fuck with me and mine.

Pow! Pow! Pow!

“Argh!” I heard one of the gunmen say as I shot through his torso. From what I could see, it was two of them in ski masks. Once he was down, I aimed my gun at the next masked gunman right as the screams of my daughter sounded into the air.

“Daddy! Help me!” Spinning on my heels, I felt the dizziness as I ran to where my daughter was taken. Passing Noemi’s door, I noticed her slumped over her seat onto the driver’s side. As I sprinted across the road, I wasn’t fast enough as I watched her being thrown into the back of a white van with heavily tinted windows. Letting my Glock loose, I shot in its direction, not caring who was hit in the process.

“Gianna!” I dropped to my knees and let out a gut-wrenching scream. My breathing was ragged as I heard sirens in the distance. People were walking over, asking me if I was okay, while others mentioned the need for an ambulance. I didn’t give a fuck about any of that. I needed my daughter.

How the fuck did a nice day with my girls turn into my worst nightmare in an instant?

Standing to my feet, I needed to check on Noemi. I was able to stand for two seconds before the spinning came back in full force, knocking me to my knees. As a uniformed officer stood over me, I collapsed and succumbed to the darkness that took over me.