Page 54 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

I fill her in on everything that happened with Lydia, and my father needing to have me protected. But I don’t tell her who I was protected by. My father warned me I needed to keep the men’s identities a secret.

“And I did something stupid. I stupidly thought I could go into a sex club with three men and come out unscathed.”

“Three... Erin.”

“Yep.”

Lia blows a breath out that I hear. “And somewhere along the lines, you caught real feelings. But why is it bad to fall in love?”

Am I in love?

I blink hard and gulp. “Because they warned me not to fall for them. They aren’t the kind of men who want a relationship.”

“But you did?”

“I did.” I don’t tell her about Marco, about being saved... or set up by them. Their ultimate betrayal.

Lia sighs. “I know how it feels. I fell for someone too. I thought he wanted me for me. But he used me.” Her voice stutters as she whispers. “But I’m going to get him back for what he did.”

“What did he do?” I ask.

“I married him for money... one hundred thousand dollars... Australian dollars.”

I laugh at her for clarifying. But... “You got married... for money?”

“Yeah,” she gasps.

“And you’re going to get him back for what, exactly?” I ask. “Did he not pay you?”

“He paid. But it’s best that you don’t know.”

“Lia, you can’t leave it like that,” I push, hoping she’ll divulge some extra special gossip.

“I’ll say two words, and you’ll realize why I can’t tell you anything. Mafia heir.”

“Oh fuck! I guess you won our bet.”

Lia giggles. “I’m one hundred thousand dollars richer. You keep it.”

“I’ll buy you a coffee next time you’re in England or when I come to Australia.”

“I’m in England. Same place I was the last time,” she says. Her voice suddenly sounded upset. “I want to tell you so much, but I can’t.”

I suck back a breath, realizing Lia is with Jove, Atty and Beau. Why does my heart sink knowing she sees them every day while I cry myself to sleep at night? Then I realize I’m being selfish. “You’re in danger again?”

“Yes, but this time I’m not scared.”

Chapter 21

Erin

It’sbeenafewweeks since I had that conversation with Lia, and I’ve had a few discussions with her since that day. Each time she lets me know something extra, but I have to swear on my life I’ll keep everything to myself.

She asked me to stay in England for longer. She’s scared I’ll become a target in order to get to her. I agreed, and I’ve let her and my father know about my plans. That I am quitting accountancy, not to go to Australia but to run my own business—a dance school.

I cried when my father told me he was proud of me for making this big decision in my life, and he’s going to pay my bills for the first year to make sure I’m a success.

He’s changed so much since my life was on the line.

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