Logging into the penthouse’s CCTV, I rewind the feed. I see the girls leave, Antonia carrying Jazzy. She has to step over fucking pools of blood to do it. Rewinding further, I see the moment three men enter the foyer and open fire. My heart skips a beat in my chest. My daughter and wife were in that apartment.
One of the men falls. The other two step forward. Another falls, and then Lailani comes into view. A gun aimed in their direction. She fires a bullet straight into the head of the third guy before he has time to react.
“Who the fuck is she?” This time, I ask it aloud.
Sammie is now leaning over the seat, watching the scene unfold on my phone screen. Antonia comes out. She points a gun at Lailani. They talk about something before Antonia disappears. Returning a few moments later carrying Jazzy.
Why the fuck did Antonia walk out to an unknown situation? I’m going to have words with her about putting herself in danger.
Sammie is quiet. He doesn’t say a word, and I don’t mention Lailani again. I figure that’s something he needs to work out for himself. I will be discussing it with E, though. No doubt this girl is one of his plants.
I also need to figure out how the fuck I’m gonna do it. Gain access to the man who caused all of this. But either way,Antonia’s father is dead. I can’t fucking wait to see the life drain from his eyes.
The moment we arrive at Emmanuel’s compound, I throw the car door open and rush inside. “Antonia, Jazzy?” I yell out.
“They’re in the conservatory, Mr. Bianchi,” Maria tells me. She’s been working for E for years.
“Thanks, Maria.” I give her a small smile before I’m storming towards the conservatory.
The sound of little feet pattering against the tiled floor greets me right before my daughter comes into view. “Daddy, I got pancakes. I saved you some,” she says, jumping into my arms.
“You did? Thanks.” I kiss the top of her head, holding her tight against my chest and breathing in the strawberry scent of her shampoo. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. But I looked after Antonia. She’s much better now,” Jazzy says.
“I bet you were the best nurse,” I tell her.
“The bestest. Antonia says I can be a doctor when I grow up,” Jazzy declares.
“You can be anything you want to be,” I say.
Louie and Sammie brush right past me. Emmanuel is at the front door, talking to some of his men when I turn around and watch Evie breeze by. She heads straight upstairs. Emmanuel doesn’t take his eyes off her as he continues giving instructions to his men.
“Where is Antonia?” I ask my daughter.
“In there with Aunt Charlotte.” Jazzy gestures over a shoulder, in the direction she came from.
“Well, let’s go find her and these pancakes you saved me.”
“I only saved you some,” Jazzy replies. “They were too delicious.”
When I reach the table, I set Jazzy down on her seat and see exactly what she means bysome. There is what looks to bea quarter of a pancake left on her plate. Leaning over, I kiss Antonia. “You okay?”
“I am. Are you?” she asks.
“Better now,” I tell her honestly.
Louie and Charlotte disappear, no doubt sneaking into one of the many guest rooms.
“Is this for me?” I look to Jazzy while poking at the sliver of pancake with a fork.
“Mhmm.” She smiles up at me.
Swallowing the now-cold pancake, I moan as if it’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten. “You’re right. It is delicious.”
“Hey, Jazz, did you know Tío E has a bowling alley in the basement?” Sammie asks from across the room.
“A real one?” Jazzy’s eyes widen.
