“Well, my job is done.” She smiles, proud of herself.

“Yeah, as of last night, when you used me to your advantage.”

“I didn’t—”

“Save it, Mother. I’m here, I’m all dolled up, as intended. You can go now.”

“You better shape up, Jameson Jole, or we all lose.”

“Lose what, Mother?”

She stands tall. “There is nothing for you to worry about.”

Yeah, nothing. Only the shredding of the thing I swore I never needed but now beats for someone else completely.

Shaking my head, I reach past her, taking the glass of champagne Nana offered. I finish it off in one drink before trading it for another and then lean forward, inspecting my red lips in the mirror.

“Hey, Nana?” I step around my mom.

Nana steps from the corner. “Yes, dear?”

My eyes flick over my mom and while I ache on the inside, I remember all my years of training at her hand and manage to hide every facet of it, pulling out a sunny, socialite smile, as she so adores.

“Show my mother out the back door. Mr. Blanca has guests arriving soon, and I’m afraid she didn’t make the list.”

I step from the room as quickly as possible as the false bravado is slipping and slipping fast.

My palm flattens on the wall and I close my eyes, fighting for a deep breath. When I open them, I find Anthony standing there, staring right at me.

He watches me closely as he approaches, nodding his head in approval when he finally does allow his gaze to travel over me.

He takes my hand and I let him, my thumb twitching when his lips fall to my knuckles.

His eyes come up, and I don’t mean to, but I pull back when his fingers reach for my hair.

Something flashes over him, but he smiles. “I hope you’re ready for your birthday dinner, Jameson. I’m going to do everything in my power to make it a memorable one.” His grip on my hand tightens, my knuckles grinding together slightly to the point of pain, but I bite into my cheek to hide it. When he finally releases me, I’m given his back.

The moment he’s out of sight, I turn, lifting my hand to inspect the area. It’s red and throbbing, but the shading will fade and all I’ll have to do is avoid the use of it. People will be none the wiser.

I just have to get through tonight, and tomorrow I’ll have a clearer mind to figure out what the hell I’m going to do next.

Opening and closing my palm once just to be sure nothing is broken, I hiss, and a slight shuffle catches my attention. My head snaps as my arms fly to my sides.

My mother stands there, tucked into the corner, but her eyes don’t meet mine.