Chapter 4 #2
The irony is that I have people like Mariella who want to help me, and sometimes, it’s so tempting to just confess everything. But deep down, I know it could only end one of two ways. It would either start a war, or I’d lose them forever.
“I know you have a hard time opening up,” Mariella says. “And I’m not trying to pressure you. But I want you to know I’m here, and I’ll never tell a soul anything you share with me. I just need to know you’re safe.”
“I am.” I give her a watery smile. “Thanks to you, I have a whole arsenal of weapons at my disposal.”
Mariella laughs, shrugging as if she can’t help herself.
She’s always been concerned about my safety as a performer, and every year, she adds more self-defense tools to my collection.
In my bag alone, I have an emergency alarm, pepper spray, a stun gun, and a switchblade.
I also have rings and other discreet jewelry that can be used in a pinch, and that’s nothing compared to what I have at home.
“I could arrange for a guard to drive you to and from the club,” she offers.
“I have some time before I go back to work. Can I think about it?”
She reluctantly agrees, but when my phone alerts me to a message from Viktor, I can see I’ve made a liar of myself. I texted him this morning to let him know I’d injured my ankle, asking if I could take some time off. In typical fashion, he’s being an asshole about it.
You’ve got until Monday. If you don’t come back by then, don’t come back at all.
“Everything okay?” Mariella asks.
“Yep.” I stand and plaster on a happy face. “Let’s go join this class.”
“Okay, Shakira.” Val elbows me. “Where’d you learn to move your hips like that?”
“Seriously.” Abella laughs. “I think you caught the instructor off guard.”
“And on a stability ball, no less,” Lucia adds.
“I just got caught up in the moment.”
“Can you show me that figure eight thing again?” Serafina asks.
“Sure.” I stand and show them again, a little slower this time.
“Yeah, no. That defies the laws of human anatomy.” Mariella shakes her head. “I give up.”
“It’s so…hypnotic.” Lucia sighs. “I might need to take more classes so I can do that.”
“You aren’t the only one who’s hypnotized.” Gabi points out. “We have an audience.”
We glance over to find the men have gathered in the backyard gym now that our class is out of the way.
But there isn’t much working out happening at the moment.
Angelo and Romeo are staring at their wives while Cristian scowls in our general direction.
Rafe and Michele grin like idiots as I use my hands to guide Serafina’s hips, breaking down the move for her.
“That’s it, ladies,” Rafe encourages. “A little more hands-on action.”
Cristian smacks his brother in the back of the head as he walks by, and Michele laughs.
“God, they are such children.” Mariella rolls her eyes.
We resume our practice, and the girls follow along, asking me questions as they try to perfect the moves we learned today. It feels like a breath of fresh air dancing without the pressures of the club. Sometimes, I forget how much fun it can be to do something simply because I want to.
“You’re really good at this,” Val notes. “I’m bummed I’ve never even been to one of your shows.”
“You should go to one,” Mariella says. “She’s a total smoke show.”
“You could all come if you want,” I tell them. “You’re more than welcome.”
“I doubt our chaperones would have a problem with that,” Abella muses.
“We should make a night of it,” Lucia suggests. “I want to learn how to do that thing with the feather fans.”
“I could teach you. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.”
After a brief discussion, I find myself booked for a future lesson with all of them.
With that settled, we migrate to the al fresco dining area and take our seats around the table.
“Who knew belly dancing could be so exhausting?” Abella sighs, leaning back as she cradles her bump.
“I’m sure part of that has to do with the fact you’re growing an entire human,” Mariella remarks dryly.
“Tell me about it,” Abella groans. “I’m officially at the part of the pregnancy where everything is either swollen or painful.”
“Yeah, but it’s so worth it.” Lucia eyes the men dreamily. “You and Angelo make the cutest babies.”
All our gazes land on Angelo, who’s currently using Antonella as an overhead press while she giggles hysterically.
“We really do, don’t we?” Abella smiles.
My eyes inadvertently drift to Cristian, who’s bench pressing enough weight to equal at least two of me.
It’s a little disorienting, though I refuse to examine why.
The men use the gym on the island frequently, so it’s not like I haven’t seen it before.
But maybe it was easier not to notice the sheer amount of muscle and strength he possessed before he carted me around last night.
“I have to say I’m a little disappointed that one of them is holding out on us.” Lucia gives Cristian a sidelong glance. “Why is he always wearing a shirt now?”