Savage Crown II

4. Four

Natalia Present Day

"Mama! Are uncle Sainty and the rest of my uncles coming to see my show tonight?" Zoey asked as she ran up to hug me in her baby blue leotard and tutu.

"I'm afraid not, Zo your uncles are busy and the plane ride here is too far"

"But Uncle Sainty promised and so did Uncle Gio" she pouted as she crossed her little arms across her chest. I reached down to her level, "if your Uncles promised you they'd try and be here then. You know they will do everything in their power to be here, mi hija (my daughter) , but if they can't make it on time, I'll tell you what...we can go get you some ice cream afterwards deal?" I asked.

"Deal!" She smiled as she jumped into my arms lifting her off to my white Range Rover. Nora rode in the passengers side and mama hoped in the back with Zoey so that they could facetime papa together."Abuelito (grandpa) Teo!" Zoey giggled as she made funny faces with him over the phone.

When we arrived to the auditorium families were already loading into the audience section through the main front doors. I unbuckled Zoey and carried her to the side of the building where the little dancers were going in through to get backstage while Mama and Nora went through the front of the building to grab us seats.

The side of the building was very dimly lit and it appeared as though everyone had already gone inside. My black heels clicking on the concrete floor as my grasp on Zoey tightened. My heart began to race as Zoey whispered in my ear," Mama theres a man in all black behind us."

"Okay sweetheart mama's going to put you down and I need you run towards the door and get inside okay? Can you do that for mama?"I asked as my voice began to quiver. Zoeys arms tightened around me as she began to cry. "no mama!" I picked up the pace as the steps behind me grew closer.

The stranger managed to catch up and put their hands on my shoulders and flung me around slamming my back against the bricked wall. Zoey was crying with her arms around my neck and her face buried deep in my shoulder.

The masked man pulled out a gun, "give me all the valuables you got on you and I let you both live" he yelled.

I couldn't put my baby's life in danger. "I dont have anything on me, just my phone and car keys, take them!" I cried. Holding my phone and keys out of my pockets with one hand.

"Don't lie bitch! This place is for people of money! He was about to lift his gun and aim it at Zoey, when I crouched down and shielded her with my back to him, Zoey sobbing uncontrollably. My mind conflicted between letting Zoey go and killing this man in front of her or protecting her with my own life, the hesitation in me made my body freeze and all I could do was grasp onto Zoey tighter. During those moments I heard a loud yell followed by the loud thump of someone hitting the concrete floor. I turned me head only to see out of the corner of my eyes Gio in black gloves dragging our assailant away by his feet. Saint ran up behind him with rope and tape, "get Zoey home... Don't call the police"

I quickly grabbed onto Zoey and lifted her back up sprinting towards my car as fast as I could in high heels. Nora and Mama walked up right behind me,"Get in the back with Zo, Nat I'll drive." Nora said.

I carried Zoey in my arms the entire drive home as she cried most of the way there. When we pulled into into the underground parking, she was already tuckered out fast asleep with her little hands balled into little fists and her nose scrunched up tired from the traumatic event. I carried her straight to her room where I gently tucked her into bed and stayed with her as she slept soundly.

Around midnight Gio lightly knocked on the door as he let himself into her room. He smiled as he looked around her bedroom. Decorated in pastel pinks, blues and purples that matched her white bed frame and bedding. He sat next to her and gave her a kiss on her forehead as she slept.

"Wanna have a chat outside?" He asked as he looked up at me. His eyes glistening in the dark illuminated by the pink carousel night light spun around.

As we walked downstairs to the kitchen mama was brewing coffee and the tea kettle boiling water for tea. Nora sat at the table still in her outfit from earlier tonight texting the rest of the family about the incident. Saint got up from the white rounded table kitchen and gave me a long hug. "How's Zo?" He asked worriedly.

"She was shaken up but is fast asleep now"

"Good " he smiled relieved. " we need to make it up to her tomorrow then" he said as he finally let go of me.

"Who was that guy?" I asked as I sat down at the table.

"No one, a lowlife with a huge illegal gambling debt looking to score some quick money" Gio said as he cracked his knuckles.

I let out a sigh of relief that it wasn't someone connected to anything from a criminal family. But still the danger he posed was still there and I couldn't do anything to protect Zoey.

"I couldn't defend her " I sighed.

"You're a mom now Nat, I think it'd be more traumatizing if Zo saw you hurting someone right in front of her." Saint said. Lately after all these years Saint had become more responsible and mature. His presence held some weight it that made me respect him more now, and he had wormed his way into Zoey's heart that he was now her uncle too. As I stared off taking in his words, He ran his hand through his wavy hair and gave me a smile.

Gio's lip curled at the top with a small smirk as he observed Saint and I.

I gave him a death stare as my cheeks violently blushed. Gio raised his hands up in defeat as he got up to go pour himself a cup of coffee, as he walked passed me he let out a low chuckle so that only I could hear it.

I smacked him on the back of the head as he walked by and I ran up the stairs before he could react. I knew what he was thinking without saying it. But for me my world was only my daughter now.