03 - Miss Behave

Lia's POV

"Training? What kind of training?" I closed my eyes, sighed, ran my fingers through my hair, and muttered to myself, "What the hell did you get yourself into this time, Lia?"

Dante stood there, looking down at me, that spark in his eyes never leaving. "You'll get what's rightfully yours—fortune, prestige, men at your beck and call, no matter how many you fancy."

Then he leaned in, his face close enough that I could feel his cold, fresh breath as he spoke. "But first, you help me. Then I help you claim everything that's yours."

I froze in place, caught in his stare, mesmerized by those fiery eyes. Heat rushed up my cheeks.

Dante smirked, amused. But before I could evade it, he grabbed my neck and kissed me—hard. Torrid.

Phlak! I slapped him. Hard. I gasped for air like a fish gasping out of the water.

He wiped the red mark on his cheek with the back of his palm, his forearm flexing under the rolled-up sleeves of his pullover. "That's what this training is also for. You need to be on guard, vigilant. Always."

I glared at him, my brows furrowed. "You're just taking advantage of me, aren't you?"

For a second, after clearing his throat, he almost looked caught off guard. Then, for the first time, I heard him chuckle. "We're dealing with Rogin here, remember? Why the hell would I fancy kissing a stray from the slums?"

His words hit harder than my slap. Reality check—he was out of my league. But I swallowed it down and focused my mind on the job. "If I need to be alert, then I need to know how to fight. And I do know how to fight."

Dante gave a slight nod. "Then I'll cross that one off the list."

I raised an eyebrow. He caught on immediately.

"Ah. The list—stuff you need to do. Walk and talk rich. But also, someone who can kill people. Literally."

I tilted my head. "So you're turning me into a noble assassin? That's what this training is about?"

"Somewhere along those lines." His watch suddenly buzzed. He checked it out, sighed and looked annoyed. "Lia, change of plans. Dining area. Now."

***

"Why don't I just take all my money and bribe the authorities to turn against him?" I bounced my idea off Dante for the fifth time.

Luckily, Dante didn't get tired of listening. "You think it's just about money? Rogin's been keeping tabs on them for a long time. He knows all their dirt, so nobody messes with him."

My eyebrows drew tighter.

He continued, "But I'll use this against him since they all want him dead. If he's gone, everyone will be ecstatic. Nobody would dare side with Rogin."

I gave a slow nod. Dante hit me on the hand with the crop again.

"Ow!"

"Your posture, Lia. Don't even think about slouching around him—not even the slightest. Now, is everything clear about dining etiquette?" Dante crossed his arms.

I pouted. "I can't believe it. This is hard."

"And this is just the basics," he said matter-of-factly, stretching his upper limbs on the table.

I looked at my hands; they were already covered with lash marks, though the skin hadn't broken... yet. "Can you be a little less unforgiving with the crop? My hands are getting sore and raw."

He looked at me like it was completely normal. "This was how our governess taught me. And it sticks in the mind."

I was taken aback. If he was trained like this as a child, then he was traumatized. I started to pity him, but he caught it on my face. He didn't like it.

He squinted. "What's with that look?"

I pursed my lips, trying to find the right words, inhaling deeply before I opened my mouth… but instead, I reached for his forearm resting on the table, offering a touch of comfort.

He jerked back, hitting my hand out of surprise. I quickly withdrew it, but in the process, he accidentally struck his bare forearm instead.

"Fuck!" He dropped the crop and clutched his arm. Blood trickled onto the tablecloth.

I rushed to his side. "Here, let me check."

Dante commanded me, "there's a kit beside the fridge. Get it."

I obliged.

***

"That was a hard one," I muttered while tending to his wound on the sofa.

"Don't do that again," Dante hissed, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

I sealed the cut with a large bandage. "Then I guess we should go on without any hitting involved."

Dante exhaled—exaggeratedly as a stoic could. He slowly pulled out his phone and called someone. "Where you at?… I need you… Come here, and come in secret." He hung up.

Who did he call? Why? "What's that about, Dante? Who was it?"

He leaned his head against the backrest and stared at me coldly. "Wish granted, Ms. Myers."

I paused, my eyes darting as I tried to piece together what he was planning.

"It's simple, really. I asked somebody else to train you—the way you want." He widened his eyes at the mention of "way."

Should I be thanking him for that? I wondered.

"We have three hours to spare. Go shower, Lia."

I realized I had nothing with me—not even my sling bag. I'd have to borrow his clothes.

"Uhm, mind if I wear one of your shirts? … And I need a toothbrush."

***

Dante and I were inside the bathroom.

"Just ask Ottera AI. Everything's on voice command."

His bathroom was high-tech, everything was automatic. "Wow, this looks like a spaceship, not a bathroom. Are you this geeky?"

He took it as a compliment. "Obviously. I'm an Omega."

"I thought you were an Alpha. Rogin Kannes is your brother, right?"

"Half-brother. Dad demoted me many times." He cleared his throat. "Enough chitchat, Lia."

I stretched my lips. "Okay... I guess I can take it from here. Thanks for the help." I smiled at Dante. He looked like he spaced out, staring at me blankly.

I waved a hand in front of his face. "Dante?"

He said coldly, "it's nothing," then closed the door and left.

I guess he must be tired.

I hit the shower, and the usual round of shower thoughts kicked in.

Dante looked so hot, but I couldn't tell him that. He can also be cold, stoic, and unpredictable …

He didn't respect my personal space and just kissed me like that, hmp! …

I touched my lips. I had never been kissed.

He was my first—Dante was my first. Grr, I hated him for that! …

But he accidentally hit his own arm so I guess it was his karma hahaha! …

How am I supposed to pull off killing Rogin Kannes? What if I fail? Would Dante kill me? I know Rogin would if he found out …

Can I even seduce the guy? What if we get busted on day one …?

My hands hurt like hell …

My thigh still hurt, too …

Where is this place, anyway? Can I escape?

My eyes widened at the thought. I looked around and murmured...

"I think I can... Ottera AI, do you hear me?

"Hi, how may I help you?" A robotic voice answered back.