“If you fucking hurt him Preston, I swear to God I’ll make sure I finish the fucking job this time!” She growls at me.
How cute.
“Oh, Butterfly. That’s not going to happen. Because I’m going to put you right back where I had you, before you ruined everything. Before you went and got a fucking backbone. I will break you all over again.”
Chapter thirty-eight
Age Twelve
I’m putting my balletslippers in my dance bag when I hear Uncle Nick walk inside the studio. He’s clapping with a big smile on his face.
“Excellent job today, Princess. You’re going to do so well at your recital.” He says as he pulls me into a hug.
“Thanks, Uncle Nick. I’m really nervous. I’ve never had a solo before.” I respond, slinging my bag over my shoulder. My eyes scan the room before coming back to his. “Where’s Mom? I thought she was picking me up?”
“She called me and asked if I could come and get you. Her and your dad got caught up taking care of something.” He smiles and I nod. It isn’t all that strange that he’s here to get me instead of my parents. They sometimes have a business dinner to go to for my dad, and either Nick or Marie will come and get me.
“Oh, okay.” I say, and we leave the dance studio.
Climbing into the back seat of Uncle Nick’s car, I say hello to his driver, George, who just smiles and gives me a nod. He’s always so quiet, I only ever hear him say hi to my uncle.
“Hey, kiddo. What do you say we stop by the beach on the way and get some ice cream before I take you home?” Uncle Nick asks with a mischievous wink.
“Mom will be so mad at you.” I smile and shake my head. He shrugs, then pulls out his phone. His fingers fly across the screen then he places it back inside his suit jacket.
“You let me worry about your mom, what do you say?” His eyes twinkle with excitement and I nod.
“Okay, just a little one. With cherry dip.” He winks again, and we head to my favorite restaurant. It’s a small place with a few tables inside, and some picnic tables on the sand right in front of the water. We walk to the window, order our frozen treats, and find a picnic table to sit at. We talk and eat our desert. Uncle Nick asks about school, and my upcoming recital–as if I don’t see him every day. The thought makes me smile, he and my parents are so involved in everything I do, I know some kids aren’t that lucky. When we finish, we stand and throw out our trash as we walk back over to his car, where George stands by my door, licking a chocolate ice cream cone.
“Alright, let’s get you back to the house.” Uncle Nick says as I get in. He walks over to the back door on the other side, and slides in next to me. The ride home is short, maybe ten minutes. The car pulls down the long, asphalt driveway that’s lined with pine trees, and parks in front of the attached garage of our two-story Victorian home. They bought this home when Mom was pregnant with me. Dad wanted to give her a bigger, newer house, but she fell in love with this one, and they have made it an amazing home to grow up in.
Getting out of the car, Uncle Nick comes to my side and we walk up the front steps together. Suddenly his arm flies out in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking up to see his eyes widen and his jaw tighten. My eyes follow his to the door, and I see that it’s cracked open. Pinching my eyebrows together confused, I look back up at him.
“Uncle Nick?” I whisper. He turns to face me and grabs my shoulders.
“Stay right here, Lizzy. Don’t move.” He commands then looks behind us. “George! Keep an eye on her.” George quickly walks up to the porch and nods.
He looks back down at me and tries to give me a smile, but I know my uncle–he’s faking it. My heart starts beating faster, and my palms start to sweat. I swallow and nod, then he opens the front door, pulling a gun off of his hip. My eyes widen and my heart beat gets louder.
What’s wrong? Why does he need his gun?
George comes up onto the porch and gives me a soft grin.
“Don’t worry, Lizzy. Everything’s okay.” He says.
Why would he tell me not to worry? Adults tell you not to worry when they are, but don’t want you to know about it. What’s wrong?
“No!” My Uncle’s voice booms from inside the house, forcing me to jump and I drop my bag on the porch. Before I can think, I bolt inside the house and start searching for him. “No no no!” He shouts again and tears build in my eyes.
“Uncle Nick!” I scream, and when I can’t find him on the first floor, I run up the stairs with George hot on my heels, trying to get me back outside.
I’m not going back out there, I need to find…
My feet come to a halt outside of my dad’s office at the top of the stairs. I can hear Uncle Nick just behind the door, crying. My heart beats so hard and so loud in my throat. My hand shakes as I reach out and shove the door open. Running into theroom, I freeze.
“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. Wake up! God dammit, wake up!” Uncle Nick shouts, hugging my dad who’s laying on the floor. The air leaves my lungs.
