Sloane tried to secure herself an invitation for our next activity, but Maddox was quick to shoot down her endeavors. He said the rest of the day was solely about us, so you can imagine my confusion when he lowers the revs of Saint’s car so he doesn’t miss the turn-off for a shooting range in a country community many miles from Hopeton.
The chill of my hands weakens when Maddox curls his hand over mine before giving them a little squeeze. “The best protection a woman can have is the courage to protect herself.”
His words sting my eyes with moisture. They were beautiful and so very much on par with his personality. He wants to save me from the world, but he also recognizes he can’t do it alone.
“So, what do you say, birthday girl? Want to blow some guy’s nuts off?”
Laughing, I nod my head. “Does he have to be a paper silhouette, though? I know a few guys who need dismembering, starting with your brother, Saint.”
“Deserving, but still… ouch!” Maddox groans with a chuckle before he jogs around to open my door for me.
He’s seen me naked more times than I can count, brought me to ecstasy with his brilliant tongue only hours ago, and whispers dirty, wicked thoughts into my ear every single time we fuck, but today I blush.
What can I say? His old-school gentleman ways turn me on.
“This place isn’t free carry, Demi, so unless you want me frisk-searched, keep that grin on the down-low.” He grabs at his crotch in case his teasing tone didn’t get the point across. “Or I could strap you to my front and tell them you’re napalm.”
He kisses me before I can answer him. I don’t mind. I’m always up for being kissed, especially when it’s by him.
Maddox waits for the tingles in my pussy to extend to my toes before pulling away, then he drags his index finger down my nose, curls his hand around mine, then guides me inside.
We’re greeted by a lady with a thick accent and super cute pigtails. “Hey, y’all. Welcome to Allabee’s.” She bounces between rows of guns like she’s a murderous Barbie doll. “Are you here to purchase or fire?”
I’m about to say fire when Maddox shocks me for the second time today. “Both.”
I don’t want a gun. I don’t know why. I’ve just never had a good vibe about them.
“All righty, then. Well, come on over and take a look. Perhaps you can test a few models in the range until you find your fit.” After gesturing for us to follow her to a counter with guns more suitable for novices, the clerk says, “I’ll need to see ID, though. Protocol and all. We can’t hand guns to any ol’ fool.”
The hits keep coming when the slip of my hand into my purse is halted by Maddox producing two identification cards. They’re driver’s licenses for New York State. One for me and one for him.
What the hell?
“Perfect,” the gun stockiest breathes out with a purr. “Now let’s get you weaponed up, Mr. and Mrs. Noble.”
“Please, call me Richard,” Maddox suggests, stoked our fake IDs passed the test.
“Or Dick,” I add on, ensuring Maddox knows I’m not comfortable with this. “He much prefers when people call him Dick.”
“Fake IDs, gun purchasing. Jeez, Maddox, were you at any time planning to update me on your ‘supposed’ plans?” He follows me into the firing range before guiding us to the booth Brittney assigned to us. My gun is pink and lightweight, but it still looks wrong being gripped by my hand, so I won’t mention the beast of a gun Maddox chose to test. “I understand where you’re coming from, and I get we joked about leaving this life behind many times the past six weeks, but we’re supposed to be a team.”
“Wearea team, Demi. The licenses and guns are to ensure westaya team.” After placing our guns onto a table behind our booth, he tugs down the earmuffs meant to protect my hearing from the gunfire booming around us until they circle my neck, then he secures my hand in his. “The licenses are new. I figured it would be best to test their authenticity somewhere less obvious.”
“Gun purchasing isn’t less obvious.”
He continues talking as if I never spoke, but the tugging of his lips gives away that he heard me. He likes when I’m sassy, which sees it occurring more times than not. “What’s the one thing you want more than anything in the world?” I’m about to say my dad, but he beats me to the punchline. “Excluding your dad.” When the hope in my eyes answers his question on my behalf, he whispers, “I can’t give you that if we stay here.”
“But your family.” I want to say more. I should say more. I just can’t. If I talk, my voice will crack, and then I will cry. I cried on my last seven birthdays. I don’t want to cry today.
Maddox brushes my dry cheek, expressing that he understands my struggle before he pulls me into his chest. “My family will understand, Demi.”
The way he says ‘will’ exposes his family is unaware of his plans. If they were, I doubt they would help him as much as they have. They’re close because no one has intruded on their dynamic as I have. Caidyn will never say anything, he’s too polite, but I’ve noticed the more times he ‘babysits’ me, the shorter our chats are becoming. Even Saint was a little reserved today. I could blame the conflict between him and Sloane for that, but that would be the cheat’s way of explaining the knot in my stomach.
When silence reigns supreme for several long seconds, Maddox says, “Will you at least think about it?”
I take a moment to contemplate a reply. When several seconds of deliberating get me nowhere fast, I take the coward’s way out. “We will talk about this more when we’re not paying ninety dollars an hour for a booth at a firing range.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.” Maddox kills me when he drags his index finger down my nose for the tenth time the past two hours. “It’s your birthday. We can do whatever you want on your birthday.”
