VOLKO

Chapter Seventeen

Having still not replied to Chase's masses of text messages, I wandered down the many hallways, determined to find Dean. The events of last night playing over in my mind, giving me no rest from myself. Mainly, they worried about the routine Dean would have me doing, there was no way I'd be able to keep up with him. The guy went running twice a day and then hit the gym. Is that what it would take to be undefeatable? Being honest with myself, I don't think I'd have it in me.

Of course I wanted to be able to defend myself, it's just Dean's fitness level was like an obsession to him.

Muffled shouting pulled me out of my thoughts. As the hallway opened up to overlook the foyer below. The voices were coming from Roberts office. I leaned over the banister, trying to get closer to make out the words.

Instantly, I recognised Dean and Robert's voices. This was the first time I'd ever heard the pair of them at odds. It seems strange to hear their raised voices. Especially Dean's, he always spoke in such a calm manner. He never needed to shout, his voice just carried.

"There's a vent in the library." Not expecting to see Jake standing there I jumped, placing my hand over my racing heart as if it would slow it down.

"What are you going on about?" I said, instantly irritated by his presence. The first words he says to me after Dimitri trying to rape me where about a vent. Not an apology for ignoring me for a day.

"If you want to know what they're saying there's a vent in the Library. It's behind a couple of books, I can tell you which ones if you like." Jake playfully wiggled his eyebrows at me as he explained.

"I don't want anything from you." I pulled away from him. Hurt flashed in Jake's eyes. Good I thought childishly to myself. After his treatment of me, it felt good to know Jake could be hurt as well.

"You sure? It's you they're arguing over."

"I wouldn't think myself important enough to argue about." I lifted my chin defiantly, whilst still listening to the arguing nonetheless.

Below staff members exchanged worried looks as they passed by the office. Some stopped walking altogether after hearing loud bangs. If Jake was telling the truth, and they were arguing about me, shouldn't I go down?

On the other hand, part of me knew it was better I stayed far away. Robert would only listen to Dean, my presence would only make it worse.

"You're more important than you know." Jake inclined his head towards the rowing, opening eavesdropping. "Father doesn't like the idea of you learning self-defence. Especially if Dean's the one teaching it. He doesn't like anyone getting close to Dean, Dean's his."

I knew Robert and Dean were close, it had never occurred to me Robert would be ... what was the word, jealous? Of Dean teaching me self-defence. This household was getting crazier by the second.

At least this argument with Dean might bring Jake closer with our father. Even if it was at the expense of my safety.

"Why would Robert have a problem with me learning self-defence?" I quizzed him.

Moving closer to me, Jake explained.

"Father is old school, believes women are delicate little flowers who should be dutiful. Kicking a guy in the balls wouldn't be very dutiful now would it. But I suspected it's more the person who would be teaching you that's the problem here." Dean, Dean was the problem. I would have suspected Jake was interfering only to have a companion against Dean if I couldn't hear the voice echoing the hall.

Plus Robert's old fashioned views hadn't gone unnoticed, I just hadn't considered he'd stop me learning how to protect myself. Like Jake had said, it wouldn't be very good if I kicked Dimitri in the balls the next time he tried to attack me, I thought bitterly.