“How was school today?” Carter asked as he rubbed her hair.

“It was okay, I guess.”

“Breeze, you know I know when you’re lying. Tell Poppa what’s going on.”

“I just miss my friends. The people at my school are so funny-acting. I wish we could move back home.” Breeze dropped her head.

Carter placed his finger under her chin and slowly raised her head. He looked into his daughter’s green eyes and smiled. “Baby girl, don’t worry about that. Everything takes time. They will come around eventually. I tell you what”-Carter stood up and smoothly put his hands in his $400 Armani slacks-“Why don’t you call up some of your friends and tell them you’re having a sleepover. You can invite as many of them as you want. I’ll have a limo pick up each girl. Would you like that?”

Breeze eyes lit up, and she gave him the biggest smile ever. “Yes! Thank you, Poppa,” she said as she leapt into her arms.

Carter had promised himself that he wouldn’t let outsiders enter his new home, but he had a weak spot for Breeze. She was his only daughter, and he spoiled her more than he did his twin boys.

“What about boys?” Breeze looked at her father. “Can I invite them too?”

His smile quickly turned into a frown as he looked at Breeze like she was insane.

“Gotcha!” she said as she broke out into laughter.

“Baby, don’t do that,” he said, joining her in laughter. “You almost gave this old man a heart attack.” Although Breeze was joking around, he knew that the day when she would be serious was soon to come. A day that he would dread.

Chapter Two

“There is strength in numbers, and we will get through this as a family.”

– Polo

Polo took a deep breath as he pulled into the South Beach, one of the many suburbs of Miami.