Page 92 of Play for Power (Central Sparks #3)

home is where you are

Rosie

I feel like our spell from last night and this morning broke far too soon.

I hate that we’re now standing on the street opposite my father’s penthouse and that I’m about to light the final match on my life as I knew it.

Granted, I’ve wanted to be free of the Garcia prison for as long as I can remember, I guess I just never actually saw this moment happening.

And least of all, with who I have standing next to me.

“I hate this.” Caleb grumbles, tucking me under his arm and pulling me closer.

“I know you do. I do too.” I press up on my toes and leave a soft kiss on his cheek. “Just remember, no matter what happens up there, I love you. I think.” Another thing I never saw happening was me spilling all these grossly romantic words…but here we are.

“You think?” Caleb chuckles, rearing back to look down at me.

“Well, I’ve never done this before,” I mumble under my breath, not really sure how to navigate all of this.

“But I know that the entire time I’m up there with them, I’ll be thinking about you and counting down the seconds until I can be next to you again.

” The moment the last word leaves my mouth I gasp, brushing Caleb’s arm from my shoulders.

Of course, he throws his head back in a howling laugh as I stand there frozen and in complete horror at the trash that just spewed from my mouth.

“That was disgusting. I can’t believe I just said that.

” I whisper. And I don’t care that the words were all true, that I meant them…

it’s the principle of the fact…that I said them.

He laughs harder.

Groaning, I bury my mortification along with my face in my hands as Caleb pulls me back into his embrace. “All these emotions…they’re turning me into Casey! That was so hideous.”

“But true, obviously,” He teases, and I can’t help rolling my eyes over a reluctant smile.

“Whatever. But don’t get used to that shit.

Because that was making me gag. Anyway, I should get up there.

” I shake out my arms, readying myself for the war that is to come, but a final glance at Caleb shows his raised chin of impatience.

Ugh, when did he get so needy? I close the distance between us, stepping up to press a kiss to his cheek.

“I love you, carino. I’ll be right back.” I wink at him and land a smack to his ass before skipping toward the building entrance with every last bit of playfulness I had left.

When I’m almost at the doors, I take one last look behind me at the man I know will have my back when this is all over. I wish I didn’t have to continue. That I could run away and pretend like none of this needed to happen, that I could just live a pretend happy-ever-after.

Instead, I take a deep breath, trying to pull my shit together, remembering all the encouraging words Caleb has told me over the last year, and focusing only on what I need to do.

Cut off the final ties to my life.

Facing forward, I push through the door, find my way to the elevator, and press the button to the penthouse apartment. It feels almost like a millennium passes before the doors open, and when they do, the air completely rushes from my lungs.

“Mellow?” I sob without meaning to as I watch her brows pucker in concern, and then she’s reaching for me before I’m even out of the elevator.

“Oh, mija .” She wraps her arms around me, walking me out of the way of the elevator so the doors can close.

“What are you doing here?” My words are muffled from where she has my face firmly pressed into her shoulder as she rubs a comforting hand down my back.

“I heard. About Mr. Castillo, what your parents are doing. Oh Dios, mija, por favor , don’t do this, don’t sign your life away.

You’re so young and accomplished. I’ll help you, lo juro, don’t do this.

” Her panicked words and the firm grip she keeps on my shoulders as she implores me with her eyes, bring a bright bit of warmth to my soul.

Here I was thinking everyone from my old life was tainted.

But Carmela, this angel will always be my real family.

“Mellow, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“ No manches! ” She steps back with an angry slam of her hands on her hips.

“I’m serious.” Tilting my head, I let my smile through, despite the turmoil curling around inside me. “That’s why I’m here. To put an end to everything.”

“You’re going to say no? To your father?”

“I am.” She narrows her eyes skeptically, “Come here.” I wave her over to the window of the foyer that overlooks the street, and she hastily follows after me.

“See that tall dream boat down there? Dressed all fine, his perfect hair and perfect face and, well heck, that body built for a range of naughty things?—”

“ Mija !” She scolds me with a gentle slap on my arm, but when I look down at her, she has a cheeky smile plastered on her face.

“Am I wrong?” I chuckle.

“ Ay. He is something.”

“He is the reason.” She shoots her eyes back to me, confusion morphing slowly into what I can only describe as complete joy. “I love him, Mellow. I’m doing what is necessary, so I can be with him, and to also live my life the way I want to. So I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself.”

“ Ay, estoy tan orgullosa de ti, Rosie. I knew you were better than them.” She pulls me into her arms for an embrace again as I chuckle and choke on the emotion her words bring up.

But the hug doesn’t last long before she’s pulling at me and staring right into my soul.

“When do I get to meet that hunk of a man?”

“Mellow!” Stunned I sputter a chuckle at her cheeky expression. “He wants to meet you too, actually. He can cook you know.” I cross my arms giving her a look filled with meaning. It was, after all, Mellow that prayed I’d meet a man who could cook, given I hadn’t a clue how to myself.

She lights up like Christmas morning before looking down again at the street, to a nervously pacing Caleb who keeps looking from his phone to the entrance of the building and back again.

“I don’t want to keep him waiting, I should really?—”

“ Si! Of course. You go, tell them where to stick it. I’m going home to find my old recipe book and then you’re going to bring over that handsome man tomorrow to make some empanadas.

” She pats my arm affectionately and if I wasn’t mistaken, I’d say there was a little tear in her eye.

I know if I try to speak I’ll be the one crying so instead, I give her my brightest smile, a kiss on each cheek and watch as the elevator doors close with her behind them.

The hole in my stomach is feeling a little fuller, as it usually does after seeing Carmela…or it did. Until I turn and stare at the door to my parents’ apartment. It’s almost like being sucked into a black hole with the way every step feels like there is less and less oxygen around me.

But I pull my big girl pants on, straightening my shoulders and repeat the mantra that has gotten me through some seriously shitty family situations.

I am a boss bitch and I take shit from no one.

I’m a boss, I take shit from no one.

I’m the baddest bitch. I’ve got this.

I don’t waste time with pleasantries, instead I let myself in, walking through the main foyer and feeling weirdly like I’m floating on air as I navigate my way through the gaudy building in the direction of my father’s office.

I note the utter quiet of the apartment, and the complete lack of mess.

Every surface basically sparkles under the overhead lighting with how polished they are.

Each couch cushion is spaced evenly with the perfect amount of fluffing, and there isn’t a word spoken from the staff, just as they were trained to be.

A cold shiver runs down my spine as I continue in the direction of the office, feeling like everything is moving in slow motion, and feeling almost completely at ease with the decision I’ve made. Knowing that this choice is one I should have made a long time ago.

Reaching the threshold of the office, I knock once before letting myself in. Pausing only a millisecond to take a breath, steady my nerves and remind myself to keep my chin high.

“Rosita?” My father’s confused and annoyed voice hits me the moment I’m visible from the door.

Of course, he is nothing but bothered by my unannounced arrival.

“I don’t have the time today you’ll need to come back.

I’ll have my assistant make a time.” He dismisses me and I don’t waste an ounce of energy on trying to hold back the very loud humorless laugh that I let out. Is this mother fucker for real?

“How mature.” My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. The devil’s spawn. Mickey.

“Oh good, you’re both here.” I sigh with a brightly spreading smile as I look from where Mickey stands off to the side of the office and then back to my fiercely frowning father.

“This will save me another trip, two birds and one stone.” I close the distance between me and the desk my father stands behind, being sure to hold steady to my confidence. “We have things to discuss.

“There is nothing to discuss right now, Rosita. We can talk more after the party.” He looks back down at the papers strewn across his desk, and it nearly rips at the cord holding tight to my patience.

Hold on to your power.

They can’t take it from you.

I am not a cowering little girl. And it was about time my father learned that.

With some barely restrained rage, I land two hands on the stack of papers my father is busy perusing and swipe them from the table. I watch in delight as my father’s face slowly turns red, his eyes finding mine and locking in with enough intensity, I’d usually cower. But not anymore.