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“What the fuck?! You were supposed to be my friend. Mybestfriend, Davis. What happened between us?”
With fury filling his face, Davis said, “Isawyou together, you fucking prick. I saw you fucking herin our own bed.”
“Fuck.” Casting my eyes down, I remembered us there in his bed. Kara had wanted it there, like it was a game, and being high, a stupid teenager, I went along with it.
“Yeah, asshole. I confronted her and made her swear to leave you, blame you for Pete’s death, and she did. She was supposed to distract Pete’s girlfriend upstairs, but after the shot, Leticia came downstairs, and Kara had to hold her back. Kara and I had to take off because I was hurt. Otherwise, I was going to put the knife in your hands and make Leticia believe you’d done it. But Leticia knew–she saw what happened.”
Trying to piece together any of it from my choppy memories, I could vaguely hear Kara’s voice yelling about Leticia coming down the stairs, warning Davis about her approach. The carpet scratched the side of my face, and the blood was oozing toward me again.
Davis continued, “You were asleep in front of the couch. Kara and I left you there. Dixson picked us up. I told him to pick you up later. When I gave the report to Bruno, he was mad you slipped out and didn’t take the fall for it. He was furious Leticia saw it. So, in exchange for her life, she had to do some films for him.”
I wanted to hurt him more than I had the night I beat him up in Essa’s den. “You drugged me. You tried toframeme, you piece of shit. Kara deserved better.”
He slapped the glass with an open palm. “Fuck you.”
“Guess childhood friendship means nothing. Loyalty means nothing.” My lips curled up with disgust.
“You’re one to talk, Griff. You’re the one who fuckedmywoman.”
If I could feel any remorse for it, I would, but that was all done, given everything I knew about him. About Kara plotting everything. I let the comment slide. We could argue all day, but I was here for details. “You left the knife there? How did it get into the window seat?”
“Window seat? Is that where she put it?”
“Who?”
“Before she died, Leticia called Bruno and told him she had the murder weapon and was going to tell the police where it was. She was going to tell them Bruno put me up to it, bring Bruno and his boss down. She had cancer, was dying anyway and didn’t give a shit anymore. Bruno had a nurse speed up the process that very night. I didn’t think it would matter anymore, the murder weapon. No one would care or find it. But then Essa moved in. Bruno told me who she was. We got worried she would find the weapon and realize what it was.”
Finally, I was able to put the pieces together. Some tension eased from my neck, knowing there would be no more intrusions at the house. “So, you were the one who broke in…”
“Yep. First, I tried to bust in the side, but that nosy neighbor of hers was always around. Figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and seduce her, fuck her, piss you off,andlook for the murder weapon. Thought it would be even sweeter justice if I convinced her what a monster you are and she helped me get you behind bars.” He smiled as if his plan was genius.
“It didn’t work. She loves me.”
Davis’s smile dropped. “Yeah, yeah. All the women love you. Essa… Kara. Kara felt guilty about what we planned to do to you. It’s why she overdosed. She missedyou. I’m fucking done with you. Don’t come here. I never want to see you again.” He slammed the phone down and walked toward the guard.
Driving home, I stopped by a specialty store and made my purchase. The glove box of the car held a piece of paper and an envelope. I wrote my letter, then headed to Essa’s house. Slipping it into her mailbox, I knocked lightly on the door. It was closer to dinnertime, and she should have been done with her classes.
She greeted me at the door, looking bright and fresh, with her blonde hair glimmering in the spring light. “Hey! I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
We had been spending every night together, either at her place or mine. “Yeah. Oh, hey! Looks like you got some mail.” Lifting the latch to her box, I handed her the pile of papers.
She glanced through the stack, letting me in the front door as we strolled to the kitchen. “Huh. This one doesn’t have a return address.” Her brow furrowed when she glanced at me. “But it looks like familiar handwriting.” Holding my breath, I waited with hope filling my heart.
Opening the letter, she read aloud, “Sunshine, you have made my days brighter and my life have meaning. I can’t be without you. I love you and want to make you my family.”
Two steps, and I was in front of her, pulling out the box from my pocket. It was a small ring, but I could always upgrade in the future. My hands were shaking as I held it up for her. When I dropped to one knee, her jaw fell open, and she gasped.
Swallowing back some of my nerves, I asked the love of my life with a clear voice, “Essa, will you marry me?”
Tears filled her blue eyes. “Yes, of course!” It was the happiest moment of my life. Never did I think I could feel as much joy as I did hearing her speak those words. She was mine. My baby girl was all mine.
When I slid the ring on her finger, I opened my mouth to apologize for its size, but she shook her head, clutching it to her chest. “This is absolutely perfect.”
Gathering her into my arms, my lips caressed hers gently as our bodies rocked in sync.
Pressing her cheek to my chest, she said, “I love you, Eli.”
“I love you, baby girl. Everything I ever wanted is right here. Daddy will take good care of you.” I squeezed her, stroking her hair with my fingers.
