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Damien cleared his throat, sharp and deliberate, cutting through the banter. His eyes flicked
between Harper and Ashcroft.
Maya shifted, her curiosity piqued despite the tension. “So… what’s next? What should I do?”
Lee spoke up, voice steady. “I think Ms. Lin’s suggestion makes sense.”
James nodded in agreement, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I think so too. Ms. Maya learning self-defense isn’t a bad idea.”
Harper threw her arms up triumphantly. “Thank you! See? I’m right!” She rolled her eyes at Ashcroft again, clearly enjoying the jab.
Ashcroft let out a resigned huff, muttering something under his breath that only Harper could have caught.
James held up his hands, though, a note of caution in his voice. “But… it’s best if we leave it to the professionals.” He quickly averted his gaze, avoiding Harper’s sharp, challenging eyes.
Lee offered, a hint of humor in his tone, “How about me? Or Monroe-we could teach her the basics.”
Maya’s eyes lit up, her excitement barely contained. “Yes! I want to learn too, even just the basics.” She turned to Damien, seeking his approval. “What do you think? Is that okay with you?”
Damien hesitated, his eyes flicking to Maya as if weighing the thought. A tight line formed across his jaw.
Ashcroft’s grin widened, catching Damien’s hesitation. “Hey, D! Why don’t you teach her yourself? I mean… I can’t imagine you’d be too comfortable watching other men wrap their hands around my sister-in-law, right?” He leaned back, smirk sharp, eyes glinting with mischief. “I can teach her with guns. You know I’m damn good at it.”
Damien’s jaw tightened slightly, eyes narrowing. “I don’t think so.”
Harper huffed, clearly unimpressed. “Ha! I’m probably a better shot than you are.”
Ashcroft’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, pride pricked. With a fluid motion, he reached for his gun at his waist, placing it on the table.
“The heck?” Harper exclaimed, eyebrows shooting up. “Who brings a gun to the beach?”
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< Chapter 105: The Company We Keep-1
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“Better to be safe than sorry,” Ashcroft said smoothly. “Now watch and learn, woman!” Within three minutes, he had dismantled the weapon, each piece laid out neatly on the table. In under five minutes, he reassembled it flawlessly, every movement precise and effortless.
He looked up at Harper, a smug glint in his eyes. “Think you can do that?”
Harper stared at him for a split second before bursting into laughter. “That’s it?! Took you what… five minutes? Your family’s supposed to be experts in weapons, right? I expected
better.”
Damien shook his head slightly, a reluctant smirk tugging at his lips. He couldn’t help but find it entertaining-watching his best friend’s ego get shredded by a woman was oddly satisfying, while Maya and the two men in the room watched the back-and-forth with a mix
of amusement and awe.
Offended, Ashcroft shot back, “You!” His eyes narrowed, a challenge flashing in them. “You
bark a lot, but I bet you can’t bite!”
Harper’s grin widened, unfazed. “Oh, trust me, I can bite-and scratch, and kick, and shoot… you name it.”
Ashcroft leaned forward, a daring gleam in his eyes. “Show me then-I dare you!” He jabbed a finger toward the gun on the table.
Harper’s eyes flicked to the gun, then back at him, a mischievous smirk curling her lips. “Oh, you want me to play with that?” she shot back, crossing her arms. “Fine… but don’t cry when I beat you at your own game.”
Harper’s eyes narrowed in determination as she picked up the gun. Her hands moved with astonishing fluidity, dismantling it in under a minute. She didn’t pause, sliding each piece back together seamlessly in less than two.
Everyone in the room froze, mouths slightly agape, eyes wide with disbelief. Maya blinked, unable to hide her awe. Damien’s smirk faltered into genuine surprise, and even Ashcroft’s cocky confidence wavered, his jaw tightening as he stared at her handiwork.
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< Chapter 105: The Company We Keep-2
Chapter 105: The Company We Keep-2
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Harper set the gun down, a triumphant glint in her eyes, clearly enjoying the stunned silence. “Not bad, huh?” she said, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
Maya’s voice trembled slightly, awe lacing every word. “Harper… how… how did you…?”
Harper smirked, shrugging casually. “Oh, that? Being the only girl in my family, my parents were… extra careful. They made sure I could handle myself-so every summer I went to this intensive self-defense program. Weapons, tactics, the works. They didn’t want me relying on anyone else to protect me.”
Maya’s eyes lit up as she turned to Damien, hope and excitement bubbling over. “Damien… Harper can teach me!”
Damien’s eyes flickered with hesitation, a shadow crossing his features. He opened his mouth, then closed it, the conflict clear-he didn’t want Maya to get hurt, not even a scratch.
Damien’s gaze softened, a protective edge in his voice. “Maya… I can protect you. You don’t
need to-”
Maya cut him off, voice firm despite the tremor in her chest. “Please… I want to. I need to
learn too.”
Damien’s jaw tightened, hesitation flickering across his features. After a long pause, he finally exhaled, his voice low but conceding. “I’ll think about it.”
Maya’s face lit up with a genuine smile. “Okay, thank you!”
Harper clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. “Alright, that’s settled. Now… can we eat? I’m starving!”
Maya, feeling more relaxed, shook her head and chuckled. She glanced at Damien and said, ” Let’s feed her before she eats us.”
Damien let out a low chuckle, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Agreed,” he said, glancing at James. “Make the arrangements. Have them set up lunch here.”
James nodded. “On it.”
He walked away, pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.
Ashcroft, still tongue-tied and simmering with embarrassment, retreated to the bar, pouring himself a glass of amber liquid to burn away his mortification. Meanwhile, Harper animatedly chatted with Lee, laughter punctuating their conversation.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.