As she spoke, a sarcastic chuckle slipped out.

"What's so funny?" Bennett snapped, his grip getting tighter. "You think you're too good for me? Do you know how many women are begging to be with me, doing whatever it takes to sleep with me? Being with me comes with power and money. What's your problem with that?"

Ariana rolled her eyes, her smirk not fading. "I don't care, not even a little," she shot back. "I'm not into your creepy little world. And if it's so amazing, why won't you tell me what you actually do? Men always brag about how cool they are but never say what they really do."

As she talked, Ariana kept her focus on Bennett, studying his expression. "And another thing, I've been around long enough, and I still don't know anything real about you. All I know is you're into some shady underworld business. What kind of future is that? How much money can you actually make from extortion? Always watching your back, dodging cops, and hiding in the shadows-it doesn't seem like a lLong-term plan to me."

Bennett smirked, almost entertained by her rant. "Oh yeah? So what do you think is a long-term plan?"