On training. Not her.
“Okay. First things first. Never point a gun at someone you don’t intend to kill. Unless you’re a sharpshooter with years of experience, it’s only in the movies where you shoot to wound someone. And firing a warning shot is also Hollywood in action—in the real world, there’s no such thing. Always keep the gun pointed at the ground unless you’re aiming at a target. Be aware of who and what is near your target. It’ll help keep you from accidentally shooting anyone else, but there are no guarantees.”
He put his right foot between hers and tapped her sneakers. “Move your feet so they’re shoulder-width apart, and put your right foot a little behind your left.”
She followed his instructions. “Like that?”
After assessing her positioning, he nodded. “Good, just like that. Now, pick up the gun and extend your arms straight out with your right hand around the grip. Your left hand goes around and under your right, supporting it. You want your finger to be out of the trigger guard until you’ve decided to shoot, so you don’t fire the weapon by mistake.Got it?”
“I think so.”
The weapon felt as heavy and foreign in Moriah’s hand as it had the night before. It had come with the duffel bag full of money, and she’d never fired it—or any gun, for that matter. Hell, last night was the first time she’d ever pulled it out and pointed it at someone when KC had come through the door unexpectedly. She’d been so relieved it hadn’t gone off accidentally.
She wasn’t sure she could ever pull the trigger on another person and silently prayed she’d never have to find out. But learning how to use it properly? That was smart. Necessary.
A few cubicles down, the two men who’d been talking when Moriah and KC arrived packed up and left, their voices fading as the door shut behind them.
Up to ten people could shoot at once in the underground, windowless range—but now, they were alone. The enclosed space seemed to close in around them as KC stood behind her inside the narrow cubicle. A shiver slid down her spine, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the gun in her hand… or him.
His presence was solid and steady ashe guided her stance and adjusted her aim. The faint scent of spice and salt air clung to him—clean and unmistakably male—and it made her head feel a little too light.
His voice was calm and even as he gave instructions. When his breath brushed the back of her neck, another shudder worked its way through her.
“Are you okay? You’re shivering.”
Moriah didn’t trust herself to speak, so she nodded instead. She tried to concentrate on his directives, but her mind wandered again. She wondered if her finger had been in the trigger guard when she aimed the gun at KC’s chest the night before.
As if he’d read her mind, he reached out and tapped her right hand. “Last night, your finger was along the side of the gun, as it should have been, but your grip was a little off.”
He pointed to the two small raised pieces with red dots at the top of the gun. “These are your rear sights. You want to line up the small space between them with the front sight and then line that up with where you want to shoot. Okay?”
“I think so.”
“Good. Now, set the gun down on the shelf soyou can put your ear and eye protection on, then we'll see what you can do.”
Once they both had their gear on, she picked up the weapon and settled back into position, trying to remember everything he’d said.
He stepped to the side, studying her stance, then moved back in behind her. “Okay, line everything up, slowly squeeze the trigger, and try to hit the bad guy on the target.”
Holding her breath, Moriah did exactly that—until the last second, when she squeezed her eyes shut.
The gun fired with a sharp crack and kicked in her hand, pulling a startled yelp from her. The recoil jolted up her arm, and she nearly dropped the weapon, but recovered quickly, tightening her grip.
Behind her, KC set a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Okay, not bad.”
She searched the target at the far end of the range and then groaned. “But I didn’t even hit the guy, and I closed my eyes.”
His unexpected laugh was low and easy, and it distracted her more than it should have.
Concentrate, you idiot.
“No, you didn’t hit him, but you did hit the paper target within two inches of him. Not bad foryour first time… considering you shut your eyes. The shot going off is supposed to surprise you, but try not to let the muzzle come up too high. Don’t jerk the trigger. Take a deep breath, then slowly pull the trigger as you let the air out. And don’t close your eyes this time.”
She lined up the target with the sights again, inhaled deeply, and gradually let the air out of her lungs as she squeezed the trigger. This time, she kept her eyes open, and when the gun discharged, a small hole appeared in the black area at the lower left side of the target.
“I did it!” She bounced on the balls of her feet, still mindful to keep the gun pointed downrange.
He let out a hearty chuckle at her excitement. “You sure did, but you just winged him. Try again. Aim at his chest to stop him. If you have to shoot someone, you want to make sure he’s not getting back up.”
