I try to focus on the target, but all I can think about is him.The cold of his body against mine.The strength in his hands.The way his voice wraps around me like silk.
“Squeeze.”
I squeeze the trigger.
The bullet hits dead center.
“Holy shit,” Hollywood says from somewhere to my left.“Did you see that?”
But I’m not looking at the target.I’m looking at Vex, whose eyes have gone white, pupils blown wide with something that’s definitely not just pride in my shooting.
“Good,” he says, his voice rough.“Again.”
He stays behind me for the next five shots, his hands guiding my aim, his body pressed against mine in ways that are absolutely not necessary for proper shooting form.And every single bullet hits the target.
Because apparently, all I needed to focus was Vex’s hands on me and his voice in my ear telling me I can do this.
When we finally break, my hands are shaking, not from fear or exhaustion, but from the adrenaline and arousal coursing through my veins.Vex steps back, putting space between us, but his eyes stay locked on mine.
“You’re a fast learner,” Scout says, oblivious to the tension crackling between Vex and me.“Seriously.Most people take weeks to get where you got in an hour.”
“Motivated student,” I manage, my voice only slightly breathless.
Hollywood laughs.“I’ll say.Alright, let’s move on to hand-to-hand.Because guns are great, but sometimes things get up close and personal.”
He demonstrates a few basic self-defense moves, how to break a grip, how to use someone’s momentum against them, how to go for vulnerable spots if someone grabs you.I practice with Scout, who’s patient and doesn’t pull his punches but also doesn’t actually hurt me.
And the whole time, I feel Vex watching.
Not just watching.Observing.Like he’s cataloging every move I make, every breath I take, every moment my guard drops.
“Okay,” Hollywood says after I successfully flip Scout onto his ass for the third time.“I think that’s enough for today.You did good, Tessa.Real good.”
Pride swells in my chest.“Thanks.”
“One more thing, though.”He exchanges a look with Scout.“Vex, you want to show her the real shit?”
Vex’s jaw tightens.“She’s not ready for that.”
“The hell I’m not,” I snap before I can stop myself.
His eyes find mine, and there’s conflict there.Concern.Fear.But underneath it all is something darker.Something hungry.
“Fine,” he says.“But we do this my way.”
Hollywood and Scout back off, giving us space.The other brothers who were watching drift away, leaving just Vex and me on the mat.
“Come at me,” Vex says.
I blink.“What?”
“You heard me.Attack me.However you want.Use everything Scout just taught you.”
This feels like a terrible idea.
But I’m also too angry and wired to back down.
So, I lunge.
