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When Saturday morning rolls around,we all busy ourselves with getting ready to go over to Mav’s house for a barbeque. Lee said she felt terrible about Melanie having to prepare all the food by herself since there were so many of us, so she made a massive tray of potato salad, and she and King went over early to help Melanie cook. Surprisingly, Olivia went along with them to meet Maverick’s son, Riot.
Now, it’s time for Eli, Ace, and I to join the rest of our family at Mav and Mel’s house.
It takes forty minutes to reach the hillside home, and just as I expected, the house is fucking huge. Maverick is our highest-paid employee, and Melanie comes from old money. I remember Mav telling me that she inherited a fuck ton of money when her grandparents died several years ago. Apparently, her great-great-someone invented something which provided a crazy amount of money for her family.
We park in the driveway of their newly renovated hillside home, and the moment we step out of our vehicle, Maverick is out the door to greet us. We’ve all met his family several times, and we’ve had a lot of meals together, but this is the first time we’ve gone to their home and the first time I’ve seen my head of security dressed so casually.
Maverick wears a white shirt, a pair of swim shorts, and has flip-flops on his feet.
“There they are!” he greets, giving the three of us quick hugs with a slap on the back. Such a dad thing to do. “Our beautiful ladies are inside. Stop and say hello, then meet me out back so you can all help me grill.” He chuckles, walking away from us.
One by one, Eli, Ace, and I follow him inside the modern-styled home.
The smell of barbeque fills the air, and as I walk further into the foyer, my angel’s voice becomes clearer. Her sweet, throaty laugh flows down the hall, the sound making my cock twitch in my shorts.
Without waiting for Eli and Ace, I follow the sound, my face breaking into a smile when I see my woman in the kitchen. Her back is to me as she stands beside Melanie and cuts up a watermelon.
With a grin, I walk behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and press a kiss to the side of her neck.
“Hi, Ro.” She smiles, looking over her shoulder at me.
“Hi, angel.” I press my lips against hers.
“Hi, Rowen. Good to see you again,” Melanie greets, carrying a salad bowl around the kitchen island.
“Hey, Melanie. The house looks great.”
“Right? I love it. I expect an invite when you guys move into your new house, too.” She winks, giving me a playful grin. “So, how’s life with a kid? You all went from being childless to having a ten-year-old overnight.”
“It’s…an adjustment,” I tell her honestly. “We all love Olivia so much already. She’s going through a difficult time, but I’m hoping that going to school and making friends will help her through it.” Lee picks up a piece of watermelon and feeds it to me. I chew it, sucking the sweet juice off her fingers.
“I’m sure making friends will be good for her. My best friend is a children’s psychologist, and if you’d like, I can give you her number. Maybe it’ll be good for Olivia to talk to someone?” she offers, looking between Lee and me. “Of course, I don’t want to overstep at all.”
“I think that would be great. Thanks, Mel,” Lee answers with a smile.
Olivia chooses that moment to walk into the kitchen, her blue eyes dull and her face sad.
I know it’s hard for Lee seeing Olivia this way, and I don’t blame her. I’m sure Olivia was perfectly happy and bubbly before she witnessed what happened to Rachel.
“Hey, little warrior.” I let go of my angel and walk toward the little girl. Her eyes meet mine, and a forced smile spreads across her pink lips.
“Hi, Rowen,” she mumbles. I take her hands and squat down in front of her.
“Are you having fun with Riot?” she nods, looking around.
“He has ice cream, and I was wondering if I could get some, too.”
“Of course, you can!” Mel chimes in, walking toward the freezer. “Come here, sweetie. Let’s pick out your favorite. I have lots of flavors.” That causes Olivia’s frown to turn upside down.
With a broad smile, she skips off toward Melanie.
“She’ll be okay, angel. It’ll take some time, but she’ll be okay,” I say when I notice the way Lee stands staring at her.
Until today, Olivia hadn’t left Lee’s side since Rachel’s murder. I know Rachel’s death is recent, but I’m hoping that she can start healing and get back to herself soon.
She’s too young and sweet to end up jaded by this event, and I know that’s Lee’s biggest fear for her.
Only time will tell.
