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“In the meantime, we just lost track of where he is right now, and we are spreading ourselves thin by sending Demon out of town, watching the women, and continuing to run the businesses. This makes us weak,” I tell them, though I know they already know.
Guard bellows, “We are not weak. We have allies and we will call them in if need be.” He’s standing in his power stance, arms crossed, and legs solid, “Nothing touches this club without a fight. Nothing.”
I can’t shake this feeling. My gut is knotted like a twisted pretzel. “Something is going down, I can feel it.”
“War…” Guard warns.
“No, you know me, Guard. My instincts are dead on. Something doesn’t feel right. I know his plan is in motion. We know he was an amateur chemist. He’s inventive, volatile, and crazy as a loon.”
“We are getting the pieces together. In the meantime, we need a plan,” Guard states. “Ava is covered. She is either with me or Moses.”
Moses has the name of a leader, but his heart belongs to the Pride. He’s a longstanding brother with brooding anger that simmers inside of him. His past is secret to everyone but Guard. I know Guard trusts him with Ava’s life which means he is as solid as they come.
“Vi is with Orion or Priest,” Guard continues. Orion nods his assent. Priest is our underground guy. Everyone talks to Priest. He is calm, calculated and resourceful. “That leaves Maddie. She is with you or Risk.”
I nod.
“One last thing, our business does not suffer, the rest of you in this room do what you need to do to keep us standing strong,” Guard finishes.
The brothers all agree.
I know they won’t let me down, yet I needed to make sure I’ve covered my bases. I’m taking her to the shooting range.
“You want me to do what?” she asks later when we’re at the counter at Sam’s Shooting Range. I have several guns that I’ve collected and registered throughout the years. I have one with me at all times when I am out and have two hidden in the house.
I hold out my 38. It’s small and light weight. It will be easier for her to handle. She is staring down at it, eyes wide open and mouth hanging to her chin in surprise.
“Kitten, take the gun,” I tell her gently.
She is so cute, she looks up at me and then back down to the gun in my hands.
“I have never held a gun. This is not a good idea.” She shakes her head, still staring at my hand.
I place the gun on the counter. Her eyes follow my hand. I tilt her chin up to me. “Kitten, I want to assure you that we have you covered in every way. This right here is for me. I want to make sure that if there was even the slightest opportunity that you should ever be found on your own, you will be protected. And, babe, this doesn’t stop here. We are going to be spending an hour a day in my gym. I am going to teach you self-defence. This is about you having control of your own future and giving me peace of mind.”
She sighs and turns her head to the gun sitting on the protruding shelf. Picking it up, she looks towards the target and points. She cocks her hip to one side, aims the gun straight out and gives a stern look, then she haphazardly flips her hair and turns back to me. “Always wanted to be Sabrina from Charlie’s Angels. How do I look?” she asks.
I hug her from behind. “You’re a natural, babe, but don’t be anyone but you. I love you just as you are. Now let me show you how to hold the gun properly and get you practicing.”
We spend the next two hours teaching her how to load, unload and shoot at the target. Maddie is a quick learner. She takes direction well. I am still holding her steady until she gets used to the kick back from the trigger.
“I want to try it by myself,” she says.
I let go and step back. “Go for it, Kitten.”
She points and shoots, hitting the edge of the paper, barley grazing the arm on the figure outlined on the sheet. I sense her frustration. “That’s good,” I tell her.
“No, it isn’t. Don’t patronize me, War,” Maddie replied. Her head hangs low.
“Hey, listen. That was a great first try. Now you need to readjust your aim and try again.”
She tried again, inching closer to the middle of the sheet.
“Again,” I say.
She shoots once more. Closer still.
“One more time, Baby. Deep breath, focus. Aim, shoot!” I instruct in a firm voice.
