Page 30 of Lani

That’s when I spot a Victoria’s Secret. They need bras and underwear. Trey gives me a heated look, and I decide I’m going to buy something sexy.

The guys stay out in front of the store, and there’s a little play area for Michaela so she won’t be cooped up in the stroller.

We’re greeted by a staff member on the way in. “They both need to be sized,” I inform her, gesturing to the girls, and they’re taken back to the changing area.

When they come out, Etta has a look of wonder on her pretty face. “Everything is so pretty!” she gasps, touching the material. “You can choose whatever you want, the both of you,” I tell them. Lynn looks unsure, but Etta is more than thrilled she starts getting sets and throwing them in the bag. Soon Lynn lets loose and joins in.

“I can’t wait to cut my hair tomorrow.” Lynn pushes her very long hair out of the way. “I agree, I’m so over it,” Etta concurs.

From the corner of my eye, I notice a man slipping inside of Victoria’s Secret. He is wearing clothes that are similar to what Charles was wearing. This must be one of their husbands.

His eyes snap to Lynn and he hurries over. Before I can react, he has his arms around her and is pulling her away from me and Etta.

“Let her go!” I drop everything and run after them. I grab Lynn’s arms and fall to the ground, holding her.

He drags both of us, and I grab a bottle of perfume, hitting him in the face with it. “Let her go!” I scream again, pulling at Lynn, and hit him with another bottle. He loosens his grips, so I can pull her free.

I pull her up and clutch her to my chest. He grabs me by my hair, trying to pry me off of her, but I would rather die than let him take her

“TREY!” I scream at the top of my lungs, and then I hear the thunder of footsteps. Lynn’s husband panics and pulls the both of us again towards the back of the store.

Etta is screaming. She grabs my legs, trying to stop the both of us from getting dragged off.

I turn around just as Trey comes into view. His face changes with so many emotions as he takes in the scene.

“Stupid bitch, let go!” Lynn’s husband screams, trying to kick me, but I just pull harder on Lynn.

Trey grabs his foot before it can make contact with me. Vinny runs in, carrying Michaela, and hands her to Etta.

But the stupid fucker doesn’t let go of my hair, nor Lynn. She’s sobbing hard and my stomach clenches at the heart-breaking sound.

Trey punches him hard in the face, yanking him away from us, but that just causes him to grip tighter, and I’m pulling right along with them, but he lets go of Lynn.

I push Lynn away from me, and Vinny grabs the hand holding my hair, trying to pry his fingers open.

Trey punches him over and over, but he just won’t let go.

“Stupid motherfucker!” Trey growls. He takes out his gun. “Cover her ears!” he yells, and Vinny covers my ears.

Trey shoots and he lets go of my hair, Trey yanks him away from me by his hair, giving him some payback.

Vinny picks me up off the ground, holding me tightly and pulling Lynn closer to him. “Are you okay?” Vinny asks the both of us, and I just can’t talk. I’m in shock that this just happened.

Lynn is hysterical, clutching Michaela, and Vinny is on the phone, yelling at someone to hurry.

I look behind Vinny just as I see another man come in looking like the other guy but older. “Vinny!” I scream and reach for Etta before he can grab her.

Vinny runs over, grabbing the man by the throat and lifting him off the ground, then he slams him back down. He makes his god-awful sound as the air leaves his lungs.

“Who the fuck are you?” Vinny roars in his face, and I can’t help but flinch because I haven’t seen this side of him before.

“I’m here for my wife, get off of me!” he screams and tries to push Vinny off. I take both of the girls and walk farther away.

People are watching, shocked this is happening. Michaela is crying and scared, and I don’t know what to do.

The screams of Lynn’s husband stop suddenly. I glance over to see Trey stuffing underwear in his mouth and tying him up with a bra.

If I wasn’t so freaked out I would laugh at the hilarity of the situation. Lynn dries her eyes and I hug her tighter.

---