Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
“Yes, sir.” Hunter’s smile was genuine now as she eagerly eyed the array of weapons for her choosing.
“Okay, then. I’ll leave you to it. Range is hot.”
Stoll shuffled out, leaving us alone.
Well, mostly alone.
Abel had taken up guard by the door, and I knew more were posted at every exit in the building to keep anyone from coming or going without my express permission.
Hunter and I secured our eyes and ears with safety goggles and earplugs, but when she reached for one of the handguns, she stopped, and I tracked her nervous gaze toward the door where Abel was openly watching her every move.
“No one will hurt you,” I assured her.
Hunter forced her gaze away from Abel to regard me. “I think he’s more afraid I will hurt you.”
“We’re all afraid of that, Hunter. Even you.”
Her expression was thoughtful now. “Then why did you bring me here?”
I leaned against the divider separating this booth from the next one. “Because I’m choosing to trust you anyway.”
Hunter inhaled sharply and then turned away from me to snatch up one of the magazines and a box of ammunition. “Well, don’t expect me to return the favor.”
I didn’t respond as I pressed the button to call the backboard from the end of the firing range, and then I grabbed a paper target to hang. Once that was set up, I sent the target back while Hunter grabbed a handgun, locked the magazine in place, and chambered a round.
The target stopped ten yards away.
Hunter looked over her shoulder at me with her brow raised, and I grinned as I pressed the button again and sent it to fifteen yards.
She rolled her eyes but took aim as soon as the target stopped. I watched her shoot maybe five rounds before I was willing my dick to behave. I brought her here to see her shoot for myself, but I did not count on what it would do to me.
Remembering why I needed to see her shoot, I opened my eyes just as she emptied the clip. I pressed the button to retrieve the target, and even before it stopped in front of us, I could see the tight grouping at the center.
One look at Abel had him walking over to see for himself.
Hunter was silent but tense as she silently filled another clip.
Abel inspected the paper and tried not to look impressed. “Can you do that again?” he asked skeptically.
Hunter shrugged while avoiding our gazes. “Sure.”
I hung another target and pressed the button. This time, I sent it to twenty-five yards. The maximum distance for the pistol range.
Hunter took aim and emptied the clip.
I called the target back and sent Abel a smug look when I saw the tight grouping. All fifteen rounds were dead center.
Abel’s brows were damn-near touching his hairline as he studied the paper and Hunter with new eyes.
“Well?” I urged while bouncing on my toes. Vengeance was the fucking truth.
Abel rolled his eyes and sighed. “Are you any good with a rifle?” he asked her in a bored tone.
Hunter turned to face us, her wary gaze moving back and forth between us. I could see the curiosity in her eyes, but she didn’t allow herself to ask what we were up to. “I’m okay.” She gave a dainty shrug as if we hadn’t just watched her shoot better than any mercenary. “I prefer handguns.”
Abel and I looked at each other.
Ten minutes later, we were outside at the rifle range located behind the building. Hunter was clutching a semi-automatic and listening intently to Abel’s instructions on how to operate it.
“You already know how to control your breathing and how to aim, so the key here is keeping the butt of the rifle firmly against your shoulder to brace against the recoil. It takes some getting used to, so don’t feel bad if you need practice. Everyone does. We can adjust your sights once we see where your grouping is.”
Hunter nodded, but I could tell under her excitement she was nervous—not just of the weapon, but of me. It was evident by now that I hadn’t simply brought her here for a good time.
She glanced at me before quickly looking away and taking aim once Stoll confirmed the range was hot.
Hunter’s grouping was all over the place this time, but that was to be expected. Her second attempt wasn’t much better, but instead of becoming discouraged, it only made her more determined as she grew comfortable with the rifle. Her third attempt was less scattered, but on her fourth try, she went back to shooting like she was aiming with her eyes closed.
Now I see why she went for the automatic when she raided my cache. She didn’t need as much control over her aim in order to kill.
“May I?” I asked after she took aim again, but immediately began fussing with her adjustment. She licked her dried lips due to the wind and then nodded, so I stood behind her—probably closer than necessary—and brought my fingers to her chin. “This lovely face has uses beyond dazzling unsuspecting admirers, Hunter.” I gently pushed her face toward the rifle until her right cheek rested against the stock and her dominant eye was properly aligned with the sight. “Better?” She nodded, so I smiled and kissed her soft but cold cheek, making her lips part on an exhale. “You’ve been forgetting your cheek weld,” I instructed. “You won’t get consistent shooting without it.”