Page 34 of Little Fury

“Ava!”I hear, and I groan, rubbing a hand down my face.“That is not how you have been taught to behave. Or the type of language you are to be using.”

“Seriously? How do you sneak up on people in those shoes.” She’s wearing a stunning pair of stilettos in a gorgeous shade of navy.

“If you would practice more like I have instructed you, you would also be able to sneak up on people.” She tells me using air quotes to show her distaste for the word“sneak,”as it is used to describe any movement she has made.

“Miss Bennett, you know what Harry does here, right?Like you know, he is truly teaching me, Marcus, and everyone who comes here how to kill people?”

“Yes, dear, I am aware,”she says sweetly.“Let’s go,”she says, her words dripping in venom.

Her tone surprises everyone, and I look over at Parker and watch as he stares at her like she hung the moon. That man has it so bad for her.

“Yes, ma’am,”I say as I stand up. I hear the chuckles from behind me.“It's ok; you guys can laugh all you want. But tomorrow in the ring, remember this laughter is the reason I knock you on your ass. Have a good rest of your day, gentlemen.”

I make my way to Miss Bennett’s office. Her office is stunning; it's white and crisp. It has windows from floor to ceiling in the back, showing off a fantastic view of the mountains. Everything about her office is perfection. To be honest, everything about her, is also perfection. That is what she teaches, after all. Perfection. She teaches women like me how to be impeccable. To be the most exquisite and beautiful creature ever created. Here, I’m taught how to ensnare. How to use my face and body to get me close to whoever my target is. I’m taught how to dress, how to speak, how to carry myself, how to do my hair and makeup. Here, I learn multiple languages: German, Russian, Mandarin, French, and Japanese.

If I’m being honest, what I’ve learned from Miss Bennett over the last five years will serve me better in the future than a fair amount of what Harry and the guys have taught me. Sure, I need to be able to handle a gun and knife, and I need to know how to fight and defend myself, but as a woman in this world, I must use what I have. My looks and body are my biggest advantage.

There are two facets to this world; there is the mafia side that Marcus is from. Families like the Rossi’s and the Sokolov’s are not quiet. They make a lot of noise in the world.They let everyday people know they’re there, and they handle the law and order the regular folks enforce. They also have very little use for women. A woman’s worth is determined by what she can secure through an advantageous marriage or by what she possesses between her legs.

Then there's the side Harry is from and teaches. It’s made up of people like Miss Bennett , Theo and Sebastian. They do what they do quietly. This side, my side, strives to remain unnoticed by regular folks. They are trained and work arduously to make as little noise as possible. They don't want anyone to know they were there when they kill , steal, or kidnap your grandfather.

So, while I may resent this part of my training and be pissed off that Marcus doesn't have to do any of it, I know that 75% of the time, this training will save me and make me more effective at what I do. Even today, with Sebastian, he knows me. He has been training me for years. He knows my skills and style. I was still able to bring him down because men will always underestimate me. I am, for all intents and purposes,“a small, weak woman.” And Miss Bennett has taught me how to weaponize that miscalculation.

“Ava?”

“Yes, Miss Bennett?”

“Where is your head today?”

“Why do you hate me?”For the first time in five years, Miss Bennett’s composure slips. For the briefest of moments, I see her shock at my question.

“I do not hate you. You are easily one of the most talented and spectacular women I’ve ever met. You are the most remarkable student I have ever taught.” She pauses for a moment, looking me up and down.“Because of that, I’m hard on you. You pick up languages like no one I've ever taught before. You can emulate me or whatever persona I’ve given you in any situation I've put you in.”

I stare at her. In five years, I don’t think she has ever even cracked a smile at me. Maybe a few nods here or there to signal I didn't wholly disappoint her. But nothing, would have told me she liked me, or thought I was anything other than mediocre at best and inferior at worst.

Miss Bennett chuckles, and I have to sit down.“Can I have some water, please?”She nods, pours me a glass of lemon water, making sure to add four strawberry sections. She brings the crystal tumbler to me and places it on the coaster on the table in front of me.

It doesn't matter how often I see her, or watch Miss Bennett do anything, even fetching a glass of water; she is mesmerizing. Every movement is a practiced art piece, a study in beauty and grace. I sip my water and place it back on the coaster. Miss Bennett has taken the seat across from me, sitting like sculptured perfection, hands in her lap, legs crossed at the ankles, posture straight.

“Ready now?” She asks.

“Yes,” I say.

I leave Miss Bennett’s and head toward the house. I can see Beth and Harry through the windows. At some point, you would think they’d stop pretending that they aren't together, but for whatever reason, they seem to think Marcus and I, or the entire ranch for that matter, don't know they’re together and have been for a while. They’ve gotten sloppy over the years. I can't even tell you how often Marcus and I have seen them through a window or around a corner. Honestly, it is easily my favourite thing about the ranch. The secret we all know, but no one will openly acknowledge.

Marcus catches up to me.“Pond? Let them have a bit more secret love time?”He asks me, eyebrow raised.

I nod and smile at him. I drop my head to his shoulder, and he wraps his arms around me.“How was your day?”I ask him.

“It was good. I finally cracked that firewall Parker created. He was happy it took me less time than he predicted.”

“Well done,”I tell him.

We sit on the dock, and I take off my shoes and put my feet in the water. My phone dings, and I look at the message. I smile.

“Who’s that?”Marcus asks me.

“Tommy. He’s picking me up in a couple of hours.”

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