"Yeah, especially when compared to the riff raff that Dante was involved with most of his life," Seven sneers.
Dante shoots him a look that has Seven’s jaw snapping shut.
"Besides, forgive me for saying it, you know what my father liked best about the others' behavior and appearance. We need her to conduct herself in ways that are the least likely to anger him, if she’s going to survive."
My jaw works for a moment as I think this through.
"Fine, but she'll need new clothes, among other things."
"Consider it done." Dante reaches into his pocket and pulls out a leather wallet, taking out a gold card he hands it to me. "Buy her whatever you think she needs."
"So, when do we begin this new training?" Seven says, his fingers twitching at his sides.
"Tomorrow."
"You meanLuci and Ibegin tomorrow."
"Of course," Dante says, a slow grin spreading across his face. "I will begin tonight."
"Any other rules?" Seven sneers.
"Now that you mention it, yes," he says. "You, Seven, are not to be left alone with her during these training sessions."
"The f--"
"For the girl's safety," Dante says, cutting Seven off. "I can’t be too sure that you won’t go feral without someone around to defend the girl. We can't be too careful when it comes to protecting her from ourselves."
"And yet I have a feeling you won't have anyone supervisingyourtraining sessions."
"No, but I suppose that's one of the perks of being the boss."
“What about Luci?” Seven argues.
“Luci has shown remarkable restraint around the girl, unlike you,” Dante retorts. Seven glares at him but doesn’t say anything in response to this. "We have a week to get her ready. I suggest you start preparing. You’ll start training at eight tomorrow morning."
“Eight?” Seven scoffs. “You can’t be serious.”
“Let’s make it seven then.”
Seven scowls at the change, but has the sense not to make it worse by saying anything else.
Sitting down, Dante leans back in his chair as Seven and I turn to exit through the door that leads upstairs.
“I don’t like it,” Seven says as soon as we are out of earshot. “There’s too much that can go wrong.”
“I know, but the plan is already in motion.”
“I still think we should leave Valentine out of all of this. If Dante would just let us—”
“It’s too late,” I snap before recomposing myself. “You know how Dante gets when he has his mind set on something. Besides, he’s right. It has to be done this way if we’re ever going to be successful.”
Seven shoots me a look, but doesn’t say anything.
“Fine, I just hope a week is enough time to prepare.”
“It will be.”
“It has to be,” Seven says, giving me yet another strange look.
“I’ll be back by morning,” I say, turning toward the front door.
“Where are you going?”
I wave the gold credit card in the air.
“The city. I’ll back for training.”