Chapter 3

"Papi, I can't find Sissy!" Mackenzie cried when she burst into the locker room the next day.

"Mac, how many times have I told you not to barge in here without knocking? You're lucky there isn't anyone else in here that isn't dressed. And what do you mean you can't find your sister? She was supposed to be with you and I told both of you not to wander off unless I knew where you were," Paul said.

"We were just outside and I turned around and Sissy was gone."

"Oh God, Mac, you know how fast Kira is when she takes off. Where did you see her last?"

"Just right outside. We found some sand and were playing in it. Sissy said she had to pee and when I got up to turn around to take her to the bathroom, she was gone."

Great, Paul thought. It wasn't bad enough he would probably be jobbing again in yet another dark match that night, now one of his young daughters was missing.

Thoughts raced through his mind; though Kira was a bit shy, she was also a sweet and trusting little girl who could easily be persuaded by anyone she thought was even being remotely nice to her.

What if some psychotic predator had been observing her and Mac while the girls had been outside, snatching Kira once Mac's back was turned?

Mac would have been old enough to fight and scream had someone tried to take her, but Kira would have gone along willingly despite Paul warning her several times not to go with strangers.

Trying to stay calm, he told Mac to stay right where she was with a couple of the other guys while he went to look for Kira, reassuring his older daughter that her sister couldn't have wandered too far.

"Maybe she's in the bathroom, Papi," Mac offered. "Try there first, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded, though not exactly thrilled about the prospect of going into the ladies' room, even if it was to hunt for Kira.

Meanwhile:

Montana had just come out of one of the break rooms where she was actually able to do some paperwork in total quiet, taking the work to its respective departments before heading back for some much-needed coffee.

It had been about a few feet away from the coffee service that she had spotted a child that looked to be no more than three or four years old. Montana figured the girl had to belong to one of the talent, but what was this child doing wandering around alone backstage?

As she approached the little girl cautiously, Montana noticed that the child appeared to had been crying.

She must be lost, Montana pondered. Poor kid.

Sqautting down to the child's level, Montana could see that the dark girl was pretty, if a little frightened.

"Hi," she said softly. "Are you lost?"

"Can't find my papi or my sissy," the girl replied, about ready to cry again. "They left me!"

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sure no one left you. What's your dad's name?"

"Paul."

Fantastic, that will sure narrow it down, Montana thought. There were how many guys in the company with that name? This was going to be a challenge.

"And my sissy is Mac," the girl added, her hazel eyes widening.

"Well, what about you? Do you have a name?"

"Kira." She held up three fingers. "I'm this old."

Montana nodded, giving Kira a reassuring smile and getting an idea.

"Well, Kira, I'm Montana. Could you tell me what your dad looks like? Maybe that will help us find him."

Kira nodded, describing her father as best as any three year old could. Still, Montana nodded in recognition, knowing now it was the young widowed cruiserweight that fathered two little girls.

I should have known to begin with, she smiled to herself. This child is a perfect image of him.

"Kira," she said confidently. "I think I may have seen your dad just a little bit ago." She scooped Kira in her arms. "Come on, sweetie, let's go find him. He's probably worried silly about you."

As Montana walked a short distance down the hall while carrying Kira, they spotted Paul headed their way.

"Papi!" Kira cried happily.

"Kira Buena! Oquela. Where have you been?" Both relief and annoyance were in his voice as he came up to them, immediately taking Kira.

"I had to pee," Kira explained. "I come out, nobody come get me."

Paul gently scolded her in Spanish before adding, "I was worried somebody bad may have come along and taken you, baby."

"Nobody take me. This lady found me," Kira nodded, her arms tight around Paul's neck.

"And you should be lucky that happened, joven hija. Don't ever take off like that again unless either I am or Mac is with you. Okay? No more."

"Okay, Papi," Kira nodded again.

Paul then turned his attention to Montana, hazel eyes meeting her green ones. "Thanks for finding her before God knows what would have happened."

Montana smiled. "I think she was more concerned about losing you and her sister than anything else. By the way, I'm Montana Hayes, one of the executive secretaries. I sit in on a lot of Creative meetings, mostly to take notes. I've seen you around, though I haven't had the opportunity to formally meet you until now."

"Montana?" he asked. "That's your real name? Sorry if I sound like a dick, but that's pretty….unusual."

"My father was an amateur boxer and won his first big championship in Helena, Montana the day I was born," she explained, smiling wider.

Paul smiled back. "Be thankful your dad didn't win his first big one in Saskatchewan," he joked.

Montana had to laugh; this guy certainly had a sense of humor considering the circumstances he'd endured the last few years.

"Or some other place with a crazy name, for that matter," she added. "Look, if you need anyone to look after your girls while you have a match tonight, I'll be happy to help."

He brightened. "Yeah? You sure it won't be a problem? Mac can get a little inquisitive at times and drive people nuts, and Kira here….well, I think she needs a leash…."

She stopped him, nodding. "It would be my pleasure."

"Thanks." He then turned back to Kira. "All right, missy, let's get back to your sister before she wonders if we abandoned her. At least now Papi here has problem about who's going to watch you guys if and when I have a match solved, thanks to this pretty lady." He smiled back at Montana. "Thanks again."