He's Fire and She's Playing with It - Mafia Version

Chapter 34: Reflections

Ally opened the door and wasn't surprised to see Benjamin standing outside.

"I need you to teach me self-defence."

She moved from the door opening to let him in.

"How did you know it was me?" He shot her a flashing smile before abruptly stopping. "You have a chain."

Her eyes darted to the golden chain waiting to secure the door. "Yes."

"You shouldn't have a chain!"

He shot out with his arms.

"What about me is making you and Adryan think it's okay to make my decisions for me?"

He pointed a finger at her in a playful warning.

"I'm suggesting that you'll take it down." He smirked, a childish glee behind it. "Or I'll do it for you."

She cocked her head and gave him a defiant look. "The chain stays. End of discussion."

She turned her back to him, which she knew he would find annoying, and crossed the room to once again take a seat on the carpet. Another day, another activity to keep her mind occupied.

"You want me to teach you self-defence?" he said and sat down on the sofa in a relaxed position.

She realised that he felt at home in her place. For some reason, that surprised even her, she didn't mind. She felt comfortable in his presence. She didn't know when it had happened or if the feeling had existed before the event, which she had decided not to name. She didn't back away from the comfort, on the contrary, she embraced it with everything she had. She needed something - and someone - to rely on, and she could always count on Benjamin annoying her, ignoring social boundaries in conversations, and to help her when she needed it. Somewhere along the line, they had become friends.

"Yes", she said and shuffled the deck of cards that she had just used to play solitaire.

He raised an eyebrow at the activity but didn't comment on it. "What makes you think that I can defend myself?"

She gave him an annoyed look that turned into an eyeroll.

"Fair enough", he said and leaned forward, positioning his lower arms on his thighs. "I don't know if I can teach though. Maybe you should attend a class taught by a professional."

She dealt the cards. "I will."

When, and if, my energy returns

She could feel his eyes on her, as she sorted the cards into the pattern of solitaire.

"But I need to know the basics before tomorrow."

She met his gaze.

"Why tomorrow? Don't you have an event to attend?"

She sighed. "You're going too, aren't you?"

He smiled. "Of course."

"Are all of Adryan's friends going?"

"Just me." He snapped his fingers a few times. "I'll teach you if you get rid of the chain."

She turned her attention back to the game. "I won't, but you'll teach me anyway."

He sighed. "Why the rush? Both me and Adryan will be there, and there will be plenty of security monitoring the event. There will be far too many important people there for the party planners to not hire the top security company."

"I don't care." She bit her lip and released it. "I need to know that I can protect myself."

He leaned even more forward, grabbed her chin, and turned her head toward him. "I won't leave your side."