Safe With Me

Chap. 20: Teach Me

• Happy above •

              As Brody drives Elle back to the Snake Kings headquarters, they're both silent. Questions form at the tip of her tongue. After a while, the blonde cannot hold her tongue any longer.

                 "Teach me." Elle blurts out.

                  Brody arches a brow, looking to her in confusion. "Teach you? What? Driving?"

                  Elle rolls her eyes. "No! Teach me how to be a Snake King."

                Brody nods his head as he shifts in the drivers seat. "How can I teach you how to be a Snake King?"

                    "Clue me in on what I should look for and what I should avoid. Things that I need to know. How to pass!" Tee blonde wipes her face with her hand, "Listen, my life is on the damn line here. I have to pass or Ira will have me killed."

                 Brody shakes his head. "I don't know about that."

                  Elle looks to the blue eyed man in confusion. "You don't know about that? What does that mean? So Ira won't kill me?"

                     "If you were some punk off the street, yeah you'd have to make it or get your neck broke." Elle thinks back to what Jake said about Brody strangling Dominique, "But Ira has never not put a bullet in the gun before."

                   "So what does that mean?" Elle says softly.

                    "Ira is either testing you or trying to put you in your place." Brody shrugs, "Or he is trying to make you a Snake King."

                    "Well, how do I know which it is?" The blonde says with a frown on her face.

                     "You don't." The blue eyed man sighs casually, "That's why you have to prove to Ira that you are capable. That way you will be secure."

                      "Then teach me to be capable." Elle says with hope in her eyes, "Please! I don't want to be killed."

                    Brody heavily sighs, rolling his blue eyes. "Honestly, is rather have a bullet in my head than be in the damn gang...but that's just me, so whatever."

                    Brody stops at a stop light.

                  Elle grits her teeth. "Teach me!"

                  The older man heavily sighs once again. He shakes his head as he looks to the red light. Elle stares at him with crosses arms.

                     "First of all, never yell at me like that again. That's a good way to get your pretty little chops busted." Brody gives her a dark look, looking back at the light. "Second of all, the key to your success all depends on your loyalty and respect for Ira."

                       "Okay, how do I do that—" Elle gets cut off.

                      "I wasn't done talking." Brody states in annoyance, "Everyone is different. Ira will be looking for your strengths and your loyalty to him over your weaknesses."

                    Elle nods. She doesn't speak, knowing she will get cut off again. The light turns green. Brody drives forward.

                     "I guess the best place to start is initiation itself." Brody nods, processing what he needs to inform Elle on. "Its long, hard, and it hits you like a bitch."