You’re a dick, Demitri.

Wanting to gain some ground with the girl so she’ll relax around me, and because she can’t protect herself to save her life, I say, “Seeing as we have nothing to do, want me to show you a couple of ways to defend yourself?”

Ariana turns her face to me with a what-the-hell expression. “You’re willing to show me how to kick your butt?”

I let out a chuckle. “Trust me, no matter how much I teach you, that will never happen.”

“Why? Because you’re this big bad man, and I’m a woman?”

“No,” I reply, moving closer to her. “Because I’m the best.”

“Ugh, turn down the arrogance a notch,” she mutters, but then she adds, “Fine, it’s not like I have anything better to do.”

Heading toward the gym, I grumble, “You make it impossible to be nice to you.”

“Yeah, kidnap me and then expect me to thank you for it.”

I walk over to an open space with a mat for sparring and turn to face Ariana.

She gives me a barely tolerant look. “So, what do we do?”

“I assume you’ve never been in a fight?”

She lets out a chuckle and shakes her head. “Normal person, remember?”

“Okay,” I take a deep breath and let it out. Moving closer to Ariana, she keeps her eyes on me. “I’m going to show you how to get out of a chokehold.”

She pulls a disgruntled face. “I kind of have PTSD from the last time your arm was around my neck. Let’s skip that one. Rather show me how to hit someone.”

I stare at Ariana, wondering just how much I traumatized her.

Probably a fuck ton.

“We’re doing the chokehold. It will help you deal with shit knowing you can get out of it in the future.”

“Will I get to choke you?” she asks, giving me a glare.

I let out a soft chuckle. “You can try.” As I move behind her, Ariana tenses and watches me from over her shoulder. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Forgive me for not believing a word you say,” she scoffs.

I move in closer and slowly bring my arm around her front. Her hands instantly dart up, and she grabs hold of my forearm. Spinning around, her breaths come fast, and her features tighten with panic.

“No.” She shakes her head hard. “Whatever you’re trying to do, it’s not going to work.”

“I’m not trying anything, Ariana.”

She takes a couple of steps backward and glances at the doorway. “This act… a friendly training session,” her eyes come back to me, “I won’t fall for it. You’re the kidnapper, and I’m the hostage. So don’t make this something it’s not.”

I let out a deep sigh. “You’re overreacting, and it’s really starting to annoy me. If I left you in Seattle, you’d be dead by now.”

“Says you!” Ariana begins to walk away from me, but then she stops and swings back. “Do you actually expect me to believe the shit coming out of your mouth? Do I look that gullible?”