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Olivia will be devastated when she finds out her mom and Eli aren’t here, so instead of rushing home to find out what the fuck is keeping them, I stay put because I know Olivia will be searching the audience for us, and if she doesn’t see us, she’ll be upset. She’s worked so hard to get this part.
We claimed the seats in the front row, so she’ll notice if we’re not here.
“No answer,” Ace says.Fuck.
"Eli probably got back early, and they’re fucking,” King says, wiggling his eyebrows. Eli and Lee have been sneaking off to steal five minutes to fuck every chance they can get. You’d think one of them would be tired, but nope, they’re always ready to go.
Rolling my eyes, I settle into my seat, realizing he’s probably right. This wouldn’t be the first time they were late to something because they were too busy fucking and lost track of time.
I’m positive that’s what happened, and I will claim both of their asses when I get home and discover they were late because they were fucking.
An hour later, the recital is over, and my bright-eyed daughter is running toward us. “Did you guys see me?” She smiles, looking around us.
“Where’s my mom and Daddy Eli?" She started adding “daddy” to our names when she asked if we’d be her dads. There are four of us, so she calls us daddy and our name to make it easy.
“You did amazing, my girl,” Ace jumps in, scooping her up in his arms and letting her climb onto his back. “They had something they had to do at home, but they are so proud of you.”
“Can we get ice cream?” she asks, her voice full of hope, quickly forgetting about the absence of her mom and Eli.
“Of course, anything for you. We’ll stop at home to pick up your mom and Eli, and then we’ll go,” King assures her as we walk toward the parking lot.
* * *
When we get home,the first thing I notice is the open gate leading toward our driveway. Then, I realize Eli’s car in the driveway is still turned on with the driver's door wide open.
Ace must notice the eerie setting because instead of stopping in the driveway, he speeds up, and exits. He drove with Olivia while King and I took my car. Better safe than sorry.
We never leave the gates open, and if something is happening inside, we can’t risk our daughter by having her involved, so thankfully, he removes her by driving away.
I stop the car quickly, and King is at my side, our guns drawn.
We’re running toward the house when we hear it.
Blood-curdling screams.
We run inside our house, guns pointed in front of us, and the second we enter, we pause in our tracks.
Lee is on her knees, holding Eli against her chest, his blood covering her hands and chest. She’s rocking back and forth, screaming so fucking loudly I’m surprised she hasn’t ripped her vocal cords.
It takes me a moment to register what the fuck is happening in front of my eyes.
King processes the scene first and jumps into action, running to Lee’s side.
In shock, I look away from Eli’s bloody corpse and rush through the house, checking it to make sure it’s clear.
It doesn’t hit me until I’m coming down the stairs and see the back of Eli’s head with the visible hole—his hair matted with blood and chunks of his brain.
King tries to get Lee’s attention, but she won't stop rocking Eli and screaming and crying. Her grip isn’t loosening.
I walk toward them, but my knees give out, and I collapse. I have to drag my body by my hands to reach their side.
“Lee, butterfly, please, talk to us.” King is trying to soothe her, tears already falling down his face as he refuses to look at our fallen brother.
Carefully, Lee lays Eli down, and his dull, cloudy, lifeless eyes stare at the ceiling. With her shaking, blood-covered hands, she presses on his chest and begins CPR, placing her mouth against his parted lips.
“Come on, Eli, baby, wake up. Come back to me!” she screams, pushing on his chest, heaving as she repeats the motions. “Wake up, baby. Wake up!” She doesn’t stop. She’s in a trance. Even as King and I try and stop her, she doesn’t budge.
We’re not much help to her right now. We’re both crying beside her, refusing to accept what’s happening in front of our own eyes.
