I truly humbly apologize to the readers for such a delay in posting chapters to this story. Here is the latest chapter to Alyssa Lies. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 8

Mark and Chris along with the cops and Michelle with Kaia, watching from the truck, were out in the parking lot.

"Mark are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Positive, Michelle. I'll make him wish he never put his hands on a woman or a child. Kaia, you might not like what you're gonna witness. I'm doing this for Alyssa. If anytime you feel uncomfortable watching this, close your eyes. Your mom will be right here with you."

"Be careful, Daddy."

"I will, sweetheart," Mark said cupping his daughter's cheek.

Michelle kissed Mark on the cheek. "Hurt him."

"I plan on it," Mark answered with a wink.

"Come on, family man!" Chris taunted. "Leave the bimbo and the brat alone! Let's get it on!"

Bimbo? Brat? Really?

Mark turned to face Chris. "You can say whatever you want about me. But shut your mouth about my daughter and my wife."

"Make me. Come over here and make me!"

Mark sighed. "Get in the truck, Michelle." Michelle turned to do so. "Wait. I'm sorry. Excuse me. Forgive me for being rude. Please get in the truck."

Michelle gave Mark a smile before sliding into the passengers' side seat. Mark cracked his knuckles and walked to the middle of the parking lot. Chris didn't move.

"What are you waiting on? I'm right here. Show me what you're made of."

"With pleasure."

"It's gonna be okay, Kaia," Michelle reassured her little girl.

Mark cracked his knuckles. Chris screamed as he charged at Mark. When Chris got close, Mark clotheslined Chris flat on his back. Chris groaned. Mark looked down at his opponent.

"Hmm. Looks like that hurt."

Chris groaned. "Not…fair."

"Why? Cause I'm not a woman? Or a child?"

Chris started rising to his feet.

"However, I'm a reasonable man. How about I give you a free shot? Show me what you're made of. Right here on the jaw."

Chris balled up his right fist and took a swing. Mark's head snapped back from the blow.

"How's that for tough?"

Mark chuckled as he turned his eyes towards Chris. "Really? That's all you've got?"

Mark wiped the blood from his lower lip. "I thought you were a real man."

Chris punched Mark in the gut doubling him over, then connected with a right-left combo.

"Is that what you wanted, Mark? A Challenge?"

Mark spun around with a backhand to Chris' face. He added a right hook knocking Chris to the ground. "Not challenging enough."

Chris growled as he rose to his feet. He charged Mark and tackled him to the ground. He landed a few punches to Mark's body and face. Mark rolled Chris onto his back and landed punches of his own. Chris rolled Mark back onto his back and landed one more punch before wrapping his hands around Mark's neck.

"DADDY!"

Michelle covered Kaia's eyes. "Don't look, sweetheart."

Chris's grip around Mark's throat grew tighter.

"How's this for ya, Marky? How's this for a challenge?"

Mark gagged and coughed.

"Still…not…challenging…enough."

Mark brought his legs up and over Chris' head. Using his legs, he pushed Chris over and locked an armbar on him. Chris cried out in pain.

"OW OW OW! LET GO OF ME! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

"I'm sure Jamie said the exact same thing. Alyssa too."

Mark released the armbar, then stood to his feet. Mark looked through the windshield and saw Michelle had her hands over Kaia's eyes. Mark chuckled.

"That's not necessary, Michelle. I'm almost done with this maniac."

Michelle uncovered Kaia's eyes. Mark looked down at Chris who was trying to crawl away.

"And where exactly do you think you're going?"

Mark delivered a hard kick to Chris' ribs rolling him across the parking lot. Chris coughed.

"Hey, Kaia. Watch this."

Mark bent down and grabbed Chris by the throat. Chris stood to his feet.

"Not so tough now, are you?"

Mark turned with Chris towards the hood of the truck, lifted him up, and chokeslammed him on the hood. Chris' body slowly slunk to the ground. Mark looked at the man laying at his feet.

"Done now?" Chris groaned. "Hmm. Yeah. You're done. He's all yours, gentlemen."

Mark stepped away from Chris and walked over to the passengers' side door. He opened it and Michelle stepped out of the truck. She gently touched his face. Blood came from Mark's lower lip, nose and a gash above his left eyebrow. A bruise had started to form on his right cheek.

"Oh, honey."

"I'm fine, babe. Honest."

"Promise?"

"Yeah. Hey. Sorry for earlier."

"It had to be convincing."

"Did I hurt you when I grabbed your face?"

"No, Mark. You didn't?"

"Honestly? I tried to be a gentle as possible."

"You did fine. Your grip was loose."

"You know I'd never intentionally put my hands on you or tell you to shut your mouth."

"I'd tell you to shut up." Mark cocked an eyebrow. " I mean in a playful manor. So, I could kiss you. It's hard to speak when I kiss you."

"Oh. Right."

Mark and Michelle shared a kiss right there in the parking lot as Kaia quietly exited the truck

Chris started seething and became enraged. Chris fought his way out of the cop's grasp. Chris grabbed a gun out of a holster and cocked the hammer back. Mark saw this and forced Michelle to the ground.

"DOWN!" Mark demanded.

*BANG*

The cops took Chris down from behind after the gun went off.

"Are you hit?" Mark asked.

"No. You?"

"No."

One of the cops looked towards the truck. "Oh, no."

Mark looked behind him.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

Mark rapidly made his way to his daughter. "KAIA! KAIA!"

"KAIA!" Michelle cried out. "CALL AN AMBULANCE!"

The young cop was quick on his phone calling for an ambulance. Mark pressed a hand to the wound on Kaia's stomach.

"Wake up, Kaia!" Michelle demanded. "Wake up!"

Mark began seething through gritted teeth. His eyes filled with rage and he rose to his feet. He glanced at the man that shot his daughter.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

MarK screamed as he charged and tackled Chris to the ground. He balled his fists and threw punch after punch to Chris' body and face, screaming at Chris.

"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"

The cops pulled Mark away from Chris.

"MARK! STOP! MARK!" Michelle hollered.

"MARK! Stop this now or we'll have to arrest you too.

-Mark and Michelle sat in the waiting room of the hospital as Kaia was in emergency surgery. As many times as they looked at the clock, it didn't make time go by faster. Soon, the female surgeon walked into the waiting room. Mark touched Michelle's hand and they stood.

"Well?" Mark asked.

"How is she?"

"The surgery was a success. She's lost some blood. Luckily, the hospital has plenty on supply for emergencies."

"When can we see her?"

"They will move her to a room shortly, ma'am. After she's settled in, you can see her."

"Thank you," Mark said as the nurse walked away.

Tears filled Michelle's eyes. Mark pulled her close and just let her cry. Mark began to cry tears of his own.