There were only two things Alison Rose knew she could count on: her best friend and cousin, Kelly, and the fact that everyone else in her family would stop at nothing to destroy one another.

Like now. Alison was in the middle of a battle with her made-of-steel mother. And this time she was not going to lose. Digging her orange-painted nails into her palms, she lobbed a verbal grenade.

“It’s not like I expect you to come to anything I do,” Alison said. After fifteen years she knew better than that. She took a breath and did her best to keep her voice steady. If she lost her temper, her mother would refuse to discuss it any further. Period. “But I can’t miss this game,” she said evenly. “It’s the championship.

The last game of the season. Besides, people are relying on me-I’m part of a team.”

Halfway across the living room, Helen Rose sat in the wingback chair wearing her sky-blue cashmere bathrobe-the one that matched her eyes. Her short auburn hair was perfectly styled after a long day of work. It always was. After all, her illustrious career as a domestic trendsetter was based on being perfectly styled.

“Teams are for people who don’t have the ability to get anywhere on their own,” Helen replied. She did not bother to look up from her laptop. It was a tactic Alison knew she used on her employees when she wanted them to feel insignificant. But Helen underestimated her daughter: Alison was tougher than your usual CEO’s assistant-and better trained.

“Or for people who know how to cooperate,” Alison shot back smoothly.

Helen’s eyes remained fixed on the computer screen, but Alison saw her face tighten. “I don’t see why I should let you use the driver o Saturday when you’re too busy to make an appearance with me on Sunday,” she stated calmly. “After all, the book signing is a good opportunity for both of us.” She checked her manicure and waited for Alison to comply like she usually did.