Your mother’s spell has worn off.
I replayed that over and over, still unsure what it meant. Who had my mother really been?
“Mami, when is Papa coming back?” One of the twins asked between mouthfuls of bread.
Her mother frowned at her. “Swallow first. He will be back soon, but I couldn’t keep you all waiting with empty bellies.”
Try as she might, my tía couldn’t get more than one-word responses out of me and finally gave up midway through. There were way more important things to worry about than sports or school. Truth was, I had never found my ‘thing.’ Though I liked physical activity, I didn’t do the whole ‘team’ thing, and I never stuck with a hobby long enough to be skilled at… anything.
When the front door opened and slammed shut, everyone fell silent. Javi visibly tensed, his carefree manner vanishing immediately. Even my little cousins straightened.
Tía Teresa stood and rushed to the kitchen to retrieve another bowl. I folded my arms across my chest and stared as my tío entered. His eyebrows were pinched together as he met my gaze.
Who pissed in your coffee?
“Any news?” Javi broke the awkward silence.
Tío Javier glanced at him. “We will discuss it in a moment.”
Cristina and Juliana exchanged serious looks. I frowned. I couldn’t blame my father for not wanting anything to do with the man. Family or not, he was an ass.
“Rosita, come with me. Now.”
I bristled, clenching my fist around my spoon. Oh. Hell. No.
Tía Teresa chose that moment to walk back in with the bowl, saving me from doing something I shouldn’t—like launching my spoon at him.
“Javier, no vas a comer?”
He held a hand up to her. “That can wait.”
Her face fell, but she gave him a firm nod and set the bowl on the table. I wasn’t the only one to notice her disappointment. When I met Javi’s eyes, I saw the anger flashing behind them.
“Let’s go,” Tío commanded me.
My eyebrows shot up. Who the hell did this man think he was? I was acutely aware of my cousins’ stunned gazes as I remained unmoving in my seat.
“Yeah. When I’m done eating.” My words spilled out with more attitude than I’d meant.
The twins gasped in unison and Javi shot me a warning look. Tío Javier’s eyes widened. Clearly the man hadn’t been told no enough.
“Surely, this can wait until after dinner, yes?” Tía Teresa stood behind me, laying a hand on the back of my chair.
I stared at my Tío. Maybe his bullying turned his family into his personal mats he could walk all over, but I was no doormat.
“You are just like your mama.” His words were harsh. Not the way you’d expect an older brother to talk about his sister. He said it as if it was an insult.
“Javier, por favor. It’s been a long day. Rosa has been through so much.”
He glanced at his wife and back to me. “Rosa?”
I lifted my chin. “Rose. Don’t call me Rosita anymore.”
A scowl lit his face. “I don’t care what your name is. I have news to tell you, and I will not be kept waiting. You will come with me and then you can return to your dinner.” His eyes drilled into me.
My hackles rose. If this was a challenge, the man had no idea—no idea—who he was dealing with.
“Rose, we should listen to him. Find out what is happening,” Javi pleaded with me.
I slammed down my spoon and stood. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I glared at my tío.
He said nothing, but his stony face spoke volumes. My disrespect wouldn’t be tolerated. I smirked. Rebelling and sarcasm were what I did best. That was my ‘thing.’
Javi rose and followed, placing himself between me and his father. Tío Javier led us into the living room and motioned for us to sit down. We could hear the twins concerned, muffled voices and my tía’s soothing tone.
“As you know, your father’s murderer is still at large. The agents assigned to this case have been replaced with more adept ones. I assure you, they will not let this creature get away, and they will keep us informed of the case every step of the way.”
Javi sat forward. “Wait. We’re not helping on this?”
His father frowned at him. “It’s a shifter, Javier. Only a rookie would let a shifter slip away.”
Javi flinched, fists tightening at the insult. My lip curled at my tío’s coldness.
“But he was family. We should be handling this case ourselves, Papa.”
I blinked in surprise at him. I appreciated his genuine concern.
Tío Javier scoffed. “Juan Pablo never wanted anything to do with us. And now look what’s happened. Stubborn idiot.” He spread his hand in a careless wave.
Anger rushed through me. I shot to my feet. “Don’t you dare. You will not insult my father in his own house.”
“Hot headed like both your parents, I see.” He clucked his tongue. “Mouthy too; I will not allow that talk in my home.”
I stood with my hands on my hips. “I’m not in your home. This is my home.”
He blinked. A small smirk spread on his face. “Oh, you didn’t think you could stay here, did you? You’re still a minor. You are under my guardianship now.”
The air was ripped from my lungs. No. My eyes darted to Javi. He stared at his folded hands in his lap, refusing to make eye contact. Coward. The room spun around me. I sank back down into the couch.
No. No. No. This is not happening.
“You will pack your essential things tonight. We leave first thing in the morning. Whatever else you need can be shipped later.”
His words echoed around me. My throat went dry. I couldn’t leave. It was my freaking senior year! I’d lived my whole life here. Hot, burning anger replaced the icy fear. He couldn’t make me.
I met his gaze. “No.”
Javi sucked in a breath.
I lifted my chin. “This is my home. I’m not leaving.”
Tío’s face darkened. “Pack. Your. Bags.”
Anger surged through me.
