Binding the Shadows (Arcadia Bell #3)(39)

Someone her own family had given up on years ago.

But now that she was standing in front of me, looking less like a monster and more like someone who’d f*cked up their life beyond repair, I didn’t know what to say to her. She didn’t have my sympathy, exactly, but I felt sorry for her, nonetheless.

She cleared her throat and spoke to me. “I’m Jupe’s mother.”

It took me a few moments to recognize the remark as laying claim. Some weird feral part of me bristled. For a brief moment, I had visions of jumping on Yvonne and scratching her eyes out. Maybe calling up the moon power and binding the shit out of her until she begged me to release her.

Then Jupe’s hand slipped into mine under the table. He was shaking. And that melted my heart a little. I folded my fingers around his. This was about him—not about me or my insecurities. He was looking up to me. I had to be the bigger person. So I simply replied, “I’m here now.”

He squeezed my fingers. I squeezed back.

Gold bracelets clinked on her wrist as she lifted her hand to flip her hair away from her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ve heard stories,” she said to me. “Remember, not everything you read in tabloids is true. I’ve had to sue over some of those articles.”

Did she think I really sat around looking up old stories about her online? I hated to break it to her, but beyond a couple of browsing sessions when I first met Lon, her name wasn’t in my search history. I didn’t need to torture myself viewing photos of her perfect body posed in exotic locales, wondering if Lon took those photos, or what they’d done together when the shoot was finished.

“What are you really here for, Yvonne?” Lon asked. “You’re not getting any more money out of me. I don’t care if they’ve foreclosed on your house again.”

“Why do you have to embarrass me in front of our son? My house is fine. And I’ll have you know that I’m working. I have a new modeling contract. I’ve also been sober for six months, going to recovery meetings. You would know these things if you’d answer the phone.” She glanced around the table. “If any of you besides Jupiter would answer the damn phone!”

The table fell into silence, then Adella shot Yvonne a dark, wilting look. “I’ll answer the phone when it’s the coroner’s office calling, asking me to identify your body.”

Dear God.

“Adella!” Rose snapped.

Adella glanced at Jupe and mumbled an apology.

“Addy—” Yvonne pleaded.

“Don’t ‘Addy’ me. Don’t waltz in here like you deserve pity. The things you’ve done to this family are unforgivable.”

“That’s enough,” Rose said in a sharp voice. “Jupe, why don’t you and Cady and your Auntie go outside while your dad and I talk to your mother.”

But Adella was fired up, and didn’t pay any attention to this request. “Mama might forgive you one day. Lon and Jupe might forgive you. But I will never forgive you for what you did to me.”

What in the world had she done to Adella? Jupe seemed just as surprised by the outburst, so whatever it was, he didn’t know either.

Yvonne’s nostrils flared. Arms went rigid at her sides as her eyes brimmed with tears. “I can’t change the past. I can’t keep saying I’m sorry. But I’m trying to get my life together now. It would be easier if you’d all be supportive. I’m staying at the Landmark Hotel in the Village if you want to contact me. Otherwise, I’ll see you at noon on Christmas Day—this is me officially notifying you, Lon.” She glanced at Jupe. “I’ve got presents for you. I want this to be a nice holiday. I hope at least you’ll give me a chance, baby. I want to be part of your life again.”

As his face contorted with warring emotions, Yvonne brushed a tear away, straightened her shoulders, and strode out of the restaurant.

The ride back to Lon’s house was pretty damn awkward. Everyone seemed to be lost in their own worlds, processing what had just happened. I know I certainly was. My chest felt like it was weighted down by a bowling ball.

Yvonne was sober. Yvonne wanted to be a part of Jupe’s life. Everything inside me said no no no. Not now. Anything but this. I’d only just gained a small amount of acceptance from the Giovannis—now I had to deal with her, too?

And if I’d felt jealous of Adella and Rose’s relationship with Jupe, I felt downright threatened by Yvonne. And it wasn’t just because of Jupe. My thoughts were sliding into dark places, wondering if seeing her ignited any feelings in Lon. It was easy enough to hate someone who’d wronged you when they were still doing all the things that made you hate them in the first place. But what if she really was making an honest effort to change? Lon didn’t want the old Evil Yvonne, but did he want new Humble Yvonne? They had a shared history. A child together. Could I compete with that?

Logically, I knew I was jumping the gun, but the bowling ball on my chest just got heavier and heavier.

Silence and brooding ruled inside the SUV until the restaurant was a few miles out of sight. Then Jupe broke the ice. “I’m really sorry, you guys. I didn’t call her. She called me. And I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I just wanted Christmas to be normal and good. She said she wanted to visit, but you’ve got to believe me—I told her not to come. Listen to my feelings, Dad. You know I’m telling the truth!”