“I-I mean training me how to seduce Valentine … that is what you’ve tasked me to do, right? I just don’t understand how all this other training has anything to do with that.”
“My you’re a thirsty one, aren’t you?” he says, arching a brow as he leans back to get a better look at me. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think you’d rather be with Valentine.”
“I just want to make sure I’m prepared, that’s all,” I answer, not quite meeting his eyes.
Dante lets out a soft snort at this.
“Do you think you’re ready to add more training to your day.”
“I am,” I say, perhaps a bit too eagerly.
“Very well then, “Dante says, his voice dropping to a low hum. “Then we’ll start tonight. Now, shower and get ready for bed. I’ll be back shortly.”
He rises and I watch him leave, wondering what the heck I’ve just gotten myself into as my mind suddenly whirs back to life at the sound of the door locking behind him.
I exhale deeply as if I’d been holding my breath in for the past several minutes, only now that I’ve noticed my breathing, I start to hyperventilate.
Seriously,whatdid I just agree to do? Andhowexactly does Dante intend to train me?
I mean, I suppose I can make a few solid guesses.
Dante is the only one who’s taken a back seat when it’s come to my training the past few days, allowing Seven and Luci to take the lead while he watches on.
I scratch my head.
A million and one questions race through my mind as the gravity of the situation finally starts to weigh down on me.
Dante’s father. He wants me to seduce that terrifying man I met in the penthouse. He wants me to seduceValentine.
Me.
How am I supposed to seduce a man who’s most likely spent his whole life fine tuning what he likes in a woman when I’ve never even had sex before?
My eyes widen as I realize what Dante’s training may actually entail later tonight.
Am I ready for that?
Do I really have any choice but to be ready for it after what I’ve agreed to do?
What about Luci and Seven? Will they be ‘training’ me in new ways, too?
I can’t help but think that training doesn’t even begin to cover what they actually expect me to learn and, eventually, do … and to Dante’sfathernonetheless.
Oh my god.
What was I thinking?
Why did I push Dante to start training me too?
My breaths come quick and sharp as I start to spiral.
I can’t seduce Valentine.
I’ve never seduced anyone in all my eighteen years of life, especially if Carter’s last conversation with me is to be believed.
Calm down. You’re just over thinking. This is all a game, remember? You’re just pretending to live this life until you can escape. They haven’t taken advantage of you yet, why would they start now?
I take a deep steading breath as I try to force myself to accept my own words of reassurance.