Page 47 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

I smirk.

Do they want me?

It’s quite nice seeing the men wanting to carry me. But I’m more than capable of walking, but for just a little while longer I can revel in their attention.

“She’s safe in my arms,” Atty says, looking at me. I’m sure I see adoration in his eyes.

Atty deposits me on the sofa as Jove sits opposite, and Beau stands glancing out of the window.

“It’s time to get you home, Erin,” Jove says.

I take in a deep breath and cross my fingers as I blurt, “My father called me. It’s over.” My eyes dart between the three of them and I wait for someone to say something.

It’s deathly quiet.

My chest heaves, and I lick my bottom lip before I finally whisper, “Which means I’m not your client anymore.”

“We know. Your father called to say the risk is over.”

“And you still don’t want me?” My words are barely a whisper.

“Sorry Erin...” Jove clears his throat. “Once we’ve tied up our work here, we’ll take you back to England.”

“Oh.” I’m sure my heart stops for a moment. “I thought we were going to France next.”

“We are.”

I nod. My head drops to stare at the floor. He really doesn’t like me.

I have nothing to lose anymore and when I raise my face, I stare from Atty to Beau and finally to Jove, and state, “After everything. This is the end.”

Jove pushes his large hand through his silver streaked hair, shuffling his tresses in what looks like frustration. “We’re not right for you. And once we’ve tied up our work here, we’re taking you home.”

“What about the missing girls? Aren’t we going to New York and Chicago?” My heart hammers in my chest. I don’t want to leave them yet.

“We have people who work in the States. We’ll organize for both girls to continue to be protected. Both ran away from their homes for different but valid reasons,” he replies. He hesitates as he stares at my sad face and sighs. “We never came here to force them back into a situation they’re scared of. We came here to stop Club Sin from being blamed for their kidnappings.”

“So that’s it. I’m going home,” I state.

Jove nods.

“Jove...” Atty hisses beside me. “Tell her.”

Jove twists to Atty and glares at him before he rises from his chair and strides to the window. His eyes don’t look anywhere but outside as he says, “We’re taking you home.”

Is that it now?

I’m no longer a client.

Tell them how you feel.

What’s the point?Jove is making it clear it’s the end, regardless of me no longer being a client—I’m obviously too young.

I shouldn’t have expected more. It was one night, not forever.

Jove was honest about his intentions all along. And as much as I wished for Beau and Atty to fight for me—Jove is the leader of the pack.

I force a smile, my eyes meeting Atty’s teary ones, before I turn away and whimper, “Then take me home.”

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