Page 126 of Vile Boys

“I’m impressed.”

“Thank you,” he responds, giving me a smug smile. “Regardless, I can’t really hurt him as you can tell,” he says, glancing my way with those devilishly handsome eyes of his. “But that doesn’t meanyoucan’t.”

The glimmer in his eyes makes a fire in me burn brighter than ever before.

Maybe, just maybe … I should give this a chance.

“All right,” I say, sitting up too. “If your offer is still on the table, teach me.”

A wicked smile makes his face light up in the dark like a ghost come back to haunt the living. “I thought you’d never ask.”

BLAINE

Days later

“So what do we do?”she asks as she stands in the open grassy area, looking all fine and fancy.

God, it almost makes me pity her.

She’s got a long road ahead of her.

But I will be there every step of the way.

I chuck a wooden stick her way, and it lands in front of her feet.

“Pick it up.”

She does what I say and holds it like it’s filthy, but if you ask me, it’s the finest wood around. The trees here in Priory Forest are old and provide the best sticks one could ask for while training.

“What am I supposed to do with this?” she asks.

“Hold it. Tightly, but not too tight.”

“Like this?” She holds it in front of her.

I nod and tilt my head to look at her stance. We’ll have to work on that.

“Now what?” she asks.

I straighten my back, positioning myself sideways while I pull offmy belt buckle and toss it aside so she won’t hurt herself. Then I raise my hand and beckon her. “Come at me.”

“What? With this?” She looks at the stick like it’s a piece of rubber.

“Mm-hmm.”

She laughs. “You want me to hit you with a stick?”

“Did I not make myself clear, darling?”

“Oh no, you did. I’m just wondering what this will teach me,” she murmurs.

“It’ll teach you the basics of fighting with a weapon,” I say, still beckoning her. “Now come. See if you can hit me.”

“If?” Her eyes narrow.

I grin at her. “Give it your best shot.”

The shimmer in her eyes as she bolsters herself is nothing short of magnificent.

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