Page 53 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

Atty and Beau nod in agreement, and we make our way out of the house. As we walk, I feel Jove’s hand on my back, supporting me as I steady myself.

“Let’s get you home.”

“I thought you were going to France,” I say.

“That was for Marco’s benefit,” Jove replies, his grip on me tightening slightly. “Your father suspected him in the beginning, which was why we knew you were safe in New Orleans. We had to keep you safe and out of harm’s way while your father made sure the Mafia weren’t involved and dealt with the threat.”

“My father,” I say, watching the black car getting closer to where we stand. “I thought he was going to Australia.”

“Regardless of what you think of him. He couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.” Jove pushes his hand through his hair. “We set this entire thing up to prove Marco was the only threat.”

“You all set me up?” My voice cracks. “You let me get into a car with a killer.”

Jove shakes his head. “He would never hurt you.”

“How the fuck do you know that?” I yell.

“Erin...” he warns.

“Don’t Erin me. I’m sick and tired of everyone treating me like my opinion doesn’t matter. Like I’m just... I’m just something to be discarded.” The words come out as a sob.

“Erin, darling. There’s no need to shout.” I spin around as my mother grabs hold of me, pulling me to her body and hugging me tightly. “Let’s get you home.”

I stare at my father as he stands outside his car and waits for me. Then I turn to Jove, Atty and Beau and say, “I thought you liked me, but today proved how much I was only your client.”

I quickly turn away and rush to the car, sliding along the back seat so they don’t see the tears sliding down my cheeks.

I can’t look at the three men as the car moves away.

What’s the point?

For two weeks, I’ve worked for my father in his accountancy firm. Two weeks of trying to forget about three men who changed my outlook on life.

I’ve seen Atty. He occasionally follows me from work to the Tube station, but I hide behind my sunglasses and pretend I don’t see him.

And I’m sure I saw Beau when I took my dog for a walk on our usual Sunday afternoon stroll in the local park. Again, I pretended to not notice.

If they can’t come to me, then I’ll leave it the way it’s meant to be.

My cell rings. I glance at the screen before smiling and answering, “Where the hell have you been?”

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” Lia says.

“I’ll believe you.” How could I not believe her when my life is as much of a soap opera as hers is?

“Have you done anything crazy yet?” she asks.

I burst into laughter. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you what I’ve done.”

“Tell me, and I’ll tell you what I did.” There’s a click on a door as she shuffles and whispers, “Okay, I’m ready to listen.”

“What did you do?”

“You first.”

I don’t tell her, instead I blurt, “I’m going to move back to Australia. I can’t stay here.” Tears coat my eyes as I try to stop them from falling. “I’m so unhappy.”

“Why?”

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