Raven then focused on Charlotte, losing the amused smile she’d had for Jonah. “You don’t deserve that girl. How dare you come here and try to put her in the middle? What kind of person are you?”

“Oh please. You think you’re just going to walk into my life?”

Raven snorted. “As if I’d want it? I have my own life. You have your life and it sucks. My life on the other hand includes Jonah. I should feel sorry for you that you only see Jonah’s worth in his wallet. Frankly the other side of his pants has a lot more appeal.”

Jonah guffawed a moment and tried to be serious again. It made Raven feel even stronger about her point. “Now, you need to go before Carrie hears you’re here and you upset her.”

“Don’t you tell me how to be a mother.”

“I’m telling you how to be a human being. You already failed at mothering.”

“Charlotte, I really don’t know what you thought you’d gain here. I’m not interested. You’re not interested. This is insulting to both of us. You need to go now. You weren’t invited. Carrie tells me you informed her you were in Gstaad for the rest of the year anyway.”

“I’m staying with my parents for a few days. You can’t stop me from seeing my daughter.”

“Jonah, Raven, people are asking for you.” Liesl came into the room and Charlotte took a step back.

Jonah turned, holding an arm out for Raven. She patted him.

“Just a moment. Charlotte, I’d like a word. Outside.”

Liesl gave him a glare when he began to argue.

He looked nervous, but he sighed and clearly gave in. “I’ll be here waiting. Don’t get the police called out on such a cold night.” He kissed her cheek and then put his suit jacket on her shoulders.

“I’ll try not to ruin your clothes.” Raven opened the front door and turned her attention to Charlotte. “It’s me or her.” She jerked her head in Liesl’s direction.

Charlotte paled further and scurried out. “I can’t believe you’d just give up on us, Jonah.”

Raven shut the door in their wake. “Yeah, yeah. Of course you can. Now, you and I need to have a chat.”

Charlotte rounded, her tiny little fists balled up around ridiculous nails. Raven found it hard to imagine her and Jonah together.

“I know who you are. I know what you are. White trash. Mother in an institution. Tattoo parlor? You had several relationships with women.” She sneered. “You’re a whore, a lesbian, and a temporary fling. Once he hears what you are he’ll dump you so fast your head will spin.”

Raven rolled her eyes. “Honey, I’m going to be totally honest with you. Mainly because I don’t have the energy to blunt the truth and I don’t like you. I’m totally white trash. I lived in more than one shitty little trailer growing up. My mother is schizophrenic and living in an institution, and Jonah has met her. I can’t imagine why I should be ashamed of her mental illness, but you’re f**ked up, so there you go.”

Charlotte began to speak again and Raven made a quick movement with her hand. “No. Not your turn. I’m many things. Since you’re name-calling and all, you should get your terminology straight. I’m not actually a lesbian because I like men too. They call that bisexual. I call it not your business. I work in a tattoo parlor. Which means two things. First, unlike you, I have an actual job. Second, it’s not a secret. In fact I just finished a full back piece on Jonah. It’s amazing. He’s got a great body, as I’m sure you remember. As to temporary?” She shrugged. “Time will tell. One thing that isn’t temporary is your divorce.” Raven bared her teeth in a feral smile.

“However, I am not a whore. You see, I have more dignity and class than to ever sell my pu**y. Not to a biker, and not to a rich guy who I plan to cheat on and divorce and hit up for money when my latest loser boyfriend strands me in whatever country I’m in instead of raising my kid.”

She took a step closer, seeing all the women she’d met before and since Jonah who projected their own misdeeds onto her. “There’s a whore out here, but I’m not it. You’re not even a good whore! Instead of finding yourself a new rich guy you keep hooking up with losers. Oh? You thought you were the only one capable of doing a background check? I didn’t even need to waste money. I just looked up your stupid ass online.”

Raven let that settle in. This bitch and her little private investigator. So scandalized over a bunch of crap Jonah already knew. And she was there with him and his family at Christmas. It had taken her a long time to admit she was worth it, that she should open up and let Jonah in and let him love her. But she had and she would fight until she was bloody to keep what she had. Take that, Charlotte.

“So here’s how it goes. You aren’t getting Jonah back. Not ever.”

“I could if I wanted.”

“Really?” Raven looked all around. “Where is he? Hm? Please, you’re embarrassing yourself. See, your mistake, one of many, was to assume I was a stupid useless twat like you. I have a job. I pay my own bills. I’d never use a man like that. I can see Jonah’s value and you can’t. He’s a smart man. He knows what you are. He’s only tossed cash your way to protect Carrie. But that’s over too.

“You can’t have him back. He hasn’t been yours in a long time. You blew it. I’d urge you to put some effort into your relationship with Carrie. She’s an amazing girl. You have so much to be proud of. But we both know you’re a shitty mother. A failure. A heartless, conniving bitch. The best thing you ever did was to give birth to her and you can’t even see that. But he can. She’s got a wonderful father and a family who adores her. A great education and lots of opportunities will ensure she’s nothing like you. Be proud of that and back off.”