Chapter6
Ahuge, black and white sign stating, “Big Al’s Gun Shop and Firing Range,” hung above the brick building KC parked in front of.The place was nestled between a tattoo parlor and a seedy strip joint.The surrounding, run-down area wasn’t much to look at, but it was, ironically, one of the safest parts of town since most of the local cops and residents in the military were members of the range.
Big Al’s was twenty minutes and two towns west of Whisper, but it was the only place with an indoor shooting range within a fifty-mile radius.You had to be a registered member to use the range.However, you were allowed to bring one adult guest at a time.Uncle Dan and his three nephews had remained members even though KC and Sean had moved from the area.The membership came in handy when they were in town visiting.They’d had many target-shooting matches over the years, and although his nephews were all expert marksmen and a lot younger than he was, Dan Malone prevailed as the winner more often than not.It was a skill he had perfected long ago in the Army and maintained as he aged.
Glancing at Maura, KC took in her apparent nervousness.“Are you ready for this?”
She met his eyes and shrugged her shoulders.“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”
“I guess we will.Don’t worry.With a little practice, you’ll be shooting like a professional in no time.”
Her dubious expression said she didn’t believe him, but she didn’t argue with him.“I’m not worried about that, but is this place safe?”
Climbing out, KC skirted the vehicle to help her up from the low seat.“Trust me, it’s safe.”
As he escorted her into the shop, he became very aware of her, and it felt natural to be walking beside her.Her hair smelled like lilacs or some other flower, and the scent went straight from his nose to his groin.Maybe if he played his cards right ...
What in the hell am I thinking?Asshole, you’re thinking with your dick and not your brain!
This woman was running from an abusive ex and carried a gun.He didn’t need to become any more involved with her than he already was.He would teach her how to defend herself during the four weeks he was here, relax the rest of the time, and then he would be gone.He could keep his raging libido in check for a month.End of story.
Yeah, right, jackass.Keep dreaming.
The inside of Big Al’s was quiet, except for the muffled sound of gunfire coming from the range located in the shop’s basement.The odor of gunpowder and oil hung in the air, but it wasn’t overpowering, and KC breathed in the all too familiar scent.
Al stood behind one of the locked display cases, which were filled with every type of legal weapon you could possibly buy.Stacks of ammunition and gun cleaning supplies were piled on the shelves behind him.He was about six foot even, 300 pounds—hence his nickname—and appeared to have a permanent scowl on his face.Beside him, KC felt Maura stiffen.He understood her reaction since the man gave the impression of someone you never wanted to meet in a dark alley ...or anywhere else for that matter.But then Al smiled when he spotted them, and his facial features softened dramatically.
“Hey, KC, my man!I didn’t know you were in town.How’s it hanging?”
Al extended his mitt of a hand to KC, who gave it a hearty shake.“Great, Al.I’m on leave for four weeks.Just got back last night.How’ve you been?”
“I’m doing better now that you brought this beautiful little lady in to see me.”He waggled his eyebrows toward Maura, who visibly relaxed and smiled at his intentional teasing.
KC leaned down until his mouth was near her ear and lowered his voice to a false whisper, which was meant to be overheard by the big man.“Gotta be careful around Al.He’s the world’s biggest flirt, and the ladies can’t seem to resist his charm.It’s a surprise his wife, Theresa, hasn’t kicked him out yet.”
Maura laughed at his playfulness.“I’ll have to remember that.”
Bringing his voice back to normal, he gestured with his hand toward the two of them.“Maura, this is Al.Al, this is Maura.She’s renting my uncle’s cottage.”
Al glanced at KC, then back at Maura with a stunned expression.“Really?You must have made an impression on the old man.I’ve never heard of Dan renting the cottage to anyone but family.”
Maura gave him a sassy grin.“So, I’ve heard.It’s nice to meet you, Al.”
“Nice to meet you, too, pretty lady.”He winked at her.“And for what it’s worth, my Theresa knows I’m a bit of a flirt, but I’ve never strayed.I’m too sharp to screw up a good thing.Now, what can I do for you today?”
KC answered for her.“She needs to get in some practice, so I figured I’d bring her in as a guest.”
“No problem there.”Opening a drawer beneath the counter, he pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.“Just need you to sign a waiver, and then you can head on down to the range.”
Ten minutes later, Maura stood in a cubicle, holding her Smith & Wesson 9mm down range, with her eye and ear protection on, staring at a target.It was in the shape of the head and upper torso of a man and was hanging at a distance of fifteen feet.As he adjusted his own protection gear, KC stepped behind her with his head over her right shoulder.He spoke loud enough for her to hear him over her earmuffs.“We’ll start at this distance, and as you improve, we’ll increase it, okay?”
“Okay.You’re the boss.”
KC nearly groaned out loud as his body responded to her nearness.If he took half a step forward, his stiff cock would be nestled against her lower back.And if he bent his knees ...fuck!He shifted to give his hard-on some relief, then forced his mind to concentrate on her training.
“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?”
