Page 67 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

Annabelle holds her head high as she does as I ask, and smiles. I give her a nod in return.

I now have my dance school. My men spent our time apart planning my business, and another three months making me the dance studio of my dreams. Allowing me one of the small homes on the grounds of their mansion. Doing everything they could in order to give my business a chance.

During my work hours. I’m far enough away from them to not have anyone pry into their business, but close enough for them to know I’m safe.

I lived in the cottage, but I only managed it for six months. At first, I liked the thought of being independent for once in my life. I also wanted my men to date me. Which they did.

I love that they wanted me to continue with my ambition to dance, because after seeing the dance school full of future ballerinas in New Orleans, I realized which direction I wanted my life to go. And now I’m the proud owner of The Vines Ballet School. And I couldn’t be happier or prouder.

Ballet is my passion, and I love nothing more than sharing it with others. Teaching young students is especially rewarding. Seeing the joy and excitement on their faces as they learn new skills, and knowing that I’m helping to shape their love of dance. It’s the most rewarding job and I love it.

Around me, the dancers follow my movements, their faces concentrated with effort. “Good job, everyone,” I call out, as we move on to the next exercise. “Now let’s try it with some music.”

A moment later, Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Little Swans plays in the background. I’m in awe of my eleven students, aged between six and nine years olds. Watching as they dance the little piece I’ve been teaching them for the past six weeks. Soon they’ll be ready to show their parents as we near the end of the term. I also booked my dancers into a local show. I was in a flood of tears the day I received the email to ask if my little troop could take part.

“Beautiful,” I whisper. My eyes tear up as the smiles from my dancers widen. For this is the second time now, they have not made one mistake.

My heart pounds in my rib cage with the love I have for these children. This is my life now. My life has changed so much and now I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

I pinch myself every day that I found three men who adore me, and have my happily ever after.

I love them in return.

Though, I remind them they let me get in the car with the man who ordered my cousin’s death. They knew Marco would never hurt me. He wanted to kidnap me and for me to be his—not kill me.

I suppose that’s the warped world of the Mafia. Thinking they can get away with killing those you love and for you to still fall in love with them. Maybe in romance novels, not in real life.

The music mellows in the background as my dancers get ready to bow to their pretend audience.

“Well done!” I shout as the music dies down.

It’s the end of class, and the girls gather around me, their faces flushed with exertion. “Thank you, Miss Erin. That was so much fun.”

I smile. The sense of satisfaction is hard to describe. Being a ballet teacher is more than just a job—it’s a calling. And I know this is where I’m meant to be.

“No, thank you. You’re all amazing,” I say as loud clapping comes from behind me.

I spin to see Atty, Jove and Beau strolling toward me.

“Not so fast,” Atty growls. “I don’t want you falling over.”

I smile as I hold my belly. The baby we all want. The baby that has three fathers because we don’t know which one of my men got me pregnant.

“I’m fine. Let me see the girls out to their parents.”

They stand against the wall, while waiting for me to lead the dancers out.

After saying goodbye, I stroll back into the room. Atty, Beau, and Jove quickly surround me. I raise up onto the tips of my toes and give each man a kiss.

Jove drops to his knees and kisses my swollen belly. Their daughter will be born in a little less than two months. My gaze goes to him as he smiles at me before he looks at Atty and Beau. And before I have the chance to ask what is going on, the two men join Jove on the floor on their knees.

“We love you, Erin,” Beau says.

“And we want you as our wife before she comes along,” Atty says.

“Before we have lots of babies,” Jove says, placing his hand on my stomach.

“Is that even legal?” I ask, knowing it isn’t.

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