Page 18 of Bringing Home the Bad Boy

“We’re having Christmas dinner at the house,” he says suddenly, eyes darting between Noel and me. “Nothing fancy, just family. You should—all of you should come.”

Before I can respond, Noel cuts in. “No.” The word falls like ice between them.

I watch James’s face crumple, years of regret etching deeper lines around his eyes. Part of me wants to step in, to soften the blow. But this isn’t my battle to fight.

“Come on, baby,” Noel says to Jelena. “Let’s go find some sparkly shoes to match your dress.”

As we walk away, Jelena chattering excitedly about her new outfit, I catch one last glimpse of Jim Barkley. He stands alone in the aisle, looking older and smaller than I’ve ever seen.

Sometimes revenge doesn’t taste as sweet as you thought it would.

***

“No, Prez. I mean it. I’m done.” I add, “I’m happily part of the ninety-nine percent now.” We end the call, and I sigh. Shit was not easy.

“Are you really?” Rosa’s voice startles me. I turn to find her in the doorway of my study, her expression unreadable. “Are you done with the life?”

“Yes.” The answer comes easily, naturally. “I love Noel. I’m not leaving her again. In fact…” I smile, thinking about the ring I’ve already picked out. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

The sharp intake of breath makes me look up. Rosa’s face has gone pale, her hands clutching the doorframe like she needs the support.

“You can’t,” she whispers.

“What?”

“I thought… I always thought…” She steps into the room, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “We’ve been raising Jelena together. Living together. Being a family. I thought maybe, in time…”

My heart drops as understanding dawns. “Rosa—”

“I know I’m not in love with you,” she rushes on. “But we could be a real family. For Jelena. We already are, aren’t we?”

“Stop.” The word comes out sharper than I mean it to. “Rosa, you’re family. You always will be. But not like that. Never like that.”

“Because of her?” There’s a bitter edge to her voice I’ve never heard before.

“Because my heart has belonged to her for ten years. You know this.”

She turns away, wrapping her arms around herself. “I need to go.”

“What? Rosa—”

“I can’t stay here anymore.” She faces me, tears falling freely now. “I can’t watch you build a life with her. Can’t pretend I’m okay being the help when I thought… when I hoped…”

“You’re not the help. You’re family.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not. Not the way I want to be.” She straightens her shoulders. “I’ll pack my things tonight.”

“Wait until after Christmas,” I plead. “For Jelena—”

She hesitates in the doorway. “Are you sure about this, Trace?”

“Of course I am. You’re family, Rosa. You’ll always have a home with us. I’m not putting you out—hell, I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”

“But Noel—”

“Will understand. I’m starting a business, and she basically works two jobs. We’ll need help—”

“Help?” She turns, her eyes flashing. “Exactly, that’s what I am now. It's not fair. I've been her mother since she was two and now I'm just the help.”

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