Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 49: He always deserved better.. The middle of October meant that it was not only gloomy and overcast outside, but also cold and windy. For Gianna, who had a defective heart thatl rarely pumped blood effectively enough to fight off a constant feeling of coldness, the winter months were her least favorite.But stepping into the flower shop, the heat and humidity hitting her in the face all at once, Gianna could breathe deeply and enjoy clinging to a little artificial summer.“Hi,” the girl at the front registered called out when she saw her, bowing and welcoming her to the shop.“Are you serious?” Rio snorted from behind Gianna. “I can’t believe I’m spending my Saturday at a flower shop.”Gianna ignored him and made her way directly to the girl’s side, taking in the explosion of color around her and the fragrant smells. Gianna was especially fond of flower shops. And she certainly visited them enough over the years.“You have a very beautiful shop,”

Helping Mr Gang Leader .Chapter 51: Once was a fluke. Twice was trouble..“No matter what happens with our father, we will pay our respects like we do every year. We’ll go through the traditions, we’ll fulfill our requirements, and nothing will stop that. Don’t you believe me?”Giovanni hefted the hand basket up a little higher and gave a nod. “I believe you.”“Then let’s go pay for this,” Gianna said, steering him towards the cash register. She asked curiously, “Will this hamburger place also offer salads? I’ll nag you less if I know you’re getting a salad on the side.”Giovanni made a face. “I don’t think you understand the concept of what good tasting food is supposed to be.” He looked so serious that it was almost hysterical. “I think there’s a rule somewhere about good tasting food not being allowed to be green.”Gianna was laughing as she stated, “You’re capable of eating a five-pound watermelon by yourself, and I promise you, that’s not only healthy but green.”Stopping shor

Helping Mr Gang Leader .Chapter 53: mind floating and all sensation. In the moment between life and death, with her mind floating and all sensation drifting away, there were many memories floating around in Gianna’s mind.But there was one memory that mattered.And there were a series of events leading up to it that went like this:Gianna had always been exceptionally observant. She had been a watcher, more than a doer, probably too quiet for her mother’s tastes, and too reserved for her father’s. She had been, by all accounts, the toddler who was sat in one place, usually on a soft blanket in her mother’s line of sight, and remained in place.So, to say that she’d been too aware of her medical needs from a young age, would have been an understatement. Because kindergarten had come around soon enough for Gianna. It had come along earlier for her than for others, in fairness, because at three Gianna knew her numbers, her letters, her colors, and had better sentence structure than

Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 55: family is everything . Gianna could hardly focus on the sound of her shoes across the floor as Giovanni leaned in close and said, “I’m so sorry, Gia. I’m so sorry got you involved with Mariposa. I’m sorry you came anywhere near them and got hurt because of it. This is my fault and I’ll never forgive myself for this.”Sleepily Gianna squeezed deliberately at Giovanni’s hand. She was scared of what she’d seen her brother do, scared at how easily it had been for him to do it. But she would never be scared of her brother. And she wouldn’t let her brother blame himself for the choices that Gianna had made.“I’m so sorry, but I’m going to find who did this. Mariposa and I will find the bastards who hurt you, Gia. We won’t let them get away with this.”Giovanni’s fingers rubbed across Gianna’s hand, careful of the IV, and all Gianna could think of was the tiny little boy who’d begged to be carried around everywhere, and who Gia had barely been able to

Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 57: what IS the look of love? .Gianna just wanted to go home. She wanted to go back to her apartment, back to the clinic, and back to her normal routine. Or as close as she could get with tapped ribs and an inability to bend down.“Soon,” She told Ezekiel. Then she frowned and said, “You both realize nothing is going to happen to me here, right? You don’t have to stand guard. And you can tell the twenty guys you’ve got eating up space in the waiting room the same thing.”Jovani, who almost always had a smile on his face to match his bubbly personality, said seriously, “Someone tried to kill you.”Ezekiel said sharply to Jovani, “Don’t say stuff like that!”“It’s true,” Jovani argued back. “Someone tried. But they’re not going to get a second chance at it.” Jovani told Gianna, “We’re here to keep you company. We’re here to make you less sad to be in the hospital. But we’re also here to make sure no one gets any ideas. Mariposa is looking out for y