Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I’m such a sleepy head!” Annika said as she hopped out of bed the next morning.
The sun was already shining brightly through the window. The mansion was alive with morning sounds. Pleasant aromas drifted all the way upstairs from the kitchen.
“Smells like pancakes!” she said excitedly as she hurried from the room.
In the hallway, she nearly bumped into Matteo as he was coming the opposite way.
“There you are. I was just coming up to check on you.”
She blushed. “Sorry. I normally don’t sleep this late. I’m not lazy. I promise.”
The truth was she was often awake before the morning sun, but that was because the hard pavement wasn’t very comfortable. Plus, sometimes, it was best to get moving.
She was too embarrassed to elaborate on all that, though.
“No need to apologize. Honey, you need to sleep as much as your body tells you to. Lots of rest for you to catch up on.”
She nodded. Daddy understood. It had been so long since she’d truly rested.
For some reason, she still felt a bit embarrassed about it all. Perhaps one day she wouldn’t be so ashamed of her past.
Her not-so-distant past. Annika still couldn’t believe that less than a week earlier she’d been sleeping in alleys around Hollywood.
“Breakfast is ready. Then, I thought I could take you shopping again.” The eager look on his face told her that Daddy loved spoiling his princess.
That made the embarrassment turn into guilt. She didn’t like such a fuss being made over her. And she didn’t need so many things. A few outfits was perfect.
“But first, can we talk? In the bedroom,” Matteo said.
She followed him inside.
He closed the door and began. “I know you haven’t really had time to think about the plan the guys laid out last night.
But I want you to know that there is no pressure on you to do this.
” He gave her a half-smile. “Honestly, I’m not sure I’d even allow you to.
But…” A pained look shaded his handsome face as he continued.
“…I also know this is your life. Edward Marlot stole something from you. And as much as I want to protect you, I wouldn’t be a very good Daddy if I didn’t give you the chance to make it all right.
” He paused thoughtfully. “Or as right as it can be, given all the took from you.”
She contemplated his words for a moment. “So, you’re saying it’s my choice?”
He didn’t seem thrilled about it, but he nodded and added, “Within reason.”
Having a Daddy would take some getting used to. But she sure loved it.
“I want to do it,” she said.
“You’re sure?”
“If there’s even a slight chance this will work, then I have to take it, because I don’t see another way.
I need to do this for me. For you all. And for everyone.
He’s stolen lots of personal data from nearly every American alive.
And people who are gone. Who knows what he’s going to use it for?
But it can’t be good.” She shrugged. “Anyway, it’s wrong on principle. ”
Matteo looked proud as he wrapped his arms around her. “I respect that. We’ll do this. Together.”
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.
She wasn’t in fancy clothes. Nor was she in a Little outfit now. But the jeans and hoodie she wore fit good and they weren’t dirty and tattered. Part of her felt guilty. Perhaps she could round up some clothes for the bunch she stood before.
But first things first. Tonight was about getting them a meal.
“We made you all some stuff.” She thrust out her right arm to offer him one of the insulated bags. “Ham and cheese sandwiches, granola bars, some beef jerky, and fruit.”
“And bags of chips,” Iris added.
“Oh yeah! Chips, too,” Annika said.
“God bless you!” The older man cheered loudly as he accepted the food. “Thank you kindly, ma’am.”
The others accepted the food, too, everyone thanking Annika and her friends.
“Oh yeah. I almost forgot. If you unzip the bottom compartment, there are a few things down there, separated from the food. Just toothbrushes and toothpaste and stuff like that.” Annika looked beyond the group and down Hollywood Boulevard.
Turning back, she said, “We’re going to go pass out some more meals. It was nice seeing you all again.”
The people thanked the girls again as they started unzipping the reusable sacks and looking at the treasures they held.
As the girls started walking, Annika looked over her left shoulder to see the van pull away from the curb and trail behind them, keeping pace.
It wasn’t holding any vehicles behind it up.
The traffic was pretty thick tonight, so the van was going to move at a snail’s pace whether it was following the girls or not.
Down the street aways, they passed the tall Harlan Residence. It was one of the Boulevard’s oldest buildings.
“That thing was built in 1917,” Annika told Iris, Cami, And Lana. “I read all about it before I even moved here.”
“That’s cool,” Lana said. “I used to live not far from here. My apartment was just right up the street, actually.” She looked at the tall pink and white Harlan again. “Did you know Charlie Chaplin used to own this place?”
“Yep! And I read that Rudolph Valantino turned the basement into a speakeasy,” Annika replied. After a sigh, she added, “I sure wish I could have met them all.”
“Uh, so… we kinda met Rudolph Valantino on Halloween. We think,” Cami chimed in.
Iris laughed.
“Huh?” Annika said.
“It’s a long story,” Cami continued. “Sometimes I think I dreamed it all. But… well… either way, our Halloween was really eventful.”
Annika made a mental note to ask more about that later. Was this connected to the ghosts she’d been told haunted the Guard’s mansion? Now, that was fascinating!
Right now, though, she had more meals to distribute.
Seeing another group of people ahead, she walked to the van. Once it parked at the curb, the back opened and Matteo handed her some more bags. The other ladies took some, too.
“Remember to stay right where we can see you,” Matteo told them. A second later, he added, “In fact, maybe I should just come with you.”
“But remember, Daddy. You look like a cop.” She giggled. “No offense.”
Annika was relieved when he smiled, letting her know he wasn’t upset by what she’d said. “And what’s wrong with that?”
“Some of the people out here are afraid of the police,” she reminded him. “We haven’t all had good experiences with law enforcement.”
She hated telling him that. It wasn’t her goal to make him feel guilty. But it was the truth. Matteo approaching unhoused individuals might do more harm than good, as they’d simply run.
He nodded. “I’m sorry that’s the case. But I understand. Okay, little one. Just stay close.”
She took another two bags of food from him. “Yes, Sir. We won’t go far.”
The women hurried back to the sidewalk and distributed more food. Everyone who received it seemed more than grateful. Annika was thankful, too, that Daddy and the other Guard members funded this. And thankful that her friends were helping.
There was enough food in each bag to make several meals out of, and she knew the difference just two meals could make in a person’s life. She’d been the recipient of such. Sometimes, it could feel like you’d been given the whole world.
But she couldn’t help but wonder what a better solution was. This was good in the moment. Better than nothing. Could she do something systemically to help, though?
Maybe that was what she was supposed to do in life. Perhaps she’d found her calling.
It was something to ponder later. Right now, there was an immediate need she could meet, and she was happy to do so.
She was still holding three bags of food when they finished distributing them on the sidewalk.
“There were a few folks down there,” one lady told her after thanking Annika again for the food.
“Thanks! I’ll go see if they want some,” Annika said as she trotted off down the alleyway.
“Uh, Annika,” Iris called out, “remember what Matteo said.”
“I’m not going that far,” she replied over her shoulder. “Just going to drop these meals off—”
She stopped short after rounding a corner where one of the buildings jutted out, blocking the path. On the other side were three people who appeared as if they needed the meals. But talking to them were two men dressed too nicely to be hanging out in a back alley.
Annika froze in terror. It was them! The men from the other night! The ones who worked for Edward Marlot!
One of them had his arm extended, showing the three his cell phone. The three people shook their heads.
That’s when it hit her: they were showing pictures of her! They were out there hunting for her.
She was suddenly acutely aware that she’d disobeyed Daddy. Was she still close enough for him to hear her scream?
Should she even do that? Or was it better to turn around and try to creep away as silently as possible?
That’s what she decided to do. But as she was backing up, she bumped a metal trashcan. The bottom scraped loudly against the concrete beneath it.
Everyone looked her way.
“That’s her!” one of Marlot’s men yelled.
There was no point in being stealthy now. She spun around on her heels and pumped her legs furiously. “Help me!” she screamed as she ran.
She didn’t have to yell because Daddy was already there. Annika almost collided with him but he side-stepped her and kept charging forward.
She couldn’t leave Daddy behind. This was all her fault! So, she turned back around to see Daddy barreling toward the men with a raised fist. The two guys must have recognized him from the night before and didn’t want a rematch.
With the fierce look she’d seen in Matteo’s eyes as he’d run past her, she didn’t blame those two henchmen.
Daddy looked as if he wanted to rip them to shreds!
It probably didn’t give the guys any extra resolve that Jack, Ace, and Isaiah were running toward them now, too. She didn’t see Kendrick, but it made sense that he stayed behind in the van to offer support and be ready in case they all needed to make a fast getaway.
The two guys hurried the opposite way. Annika had been in that alley and knew it opened up in the rear, leading to a parking lot that rested behind the buildings of Hollywood Boulevard.
The Guard didn’t pursue. Instead they had Annika drop her meal bags for the people and then they surrounded her like Secret Service agents around a protectee, moving her toward the van.
Annika knew she’d messed up.
And she knew she was in big trouble.