Assessing her positioning, he nodded his head.“Good, just like that.Now, 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.”
The gun felt as hefty and repulsive in Moriah’s hand as it had the night before.It’d come with the duffel bag full of money, and she’d never fired it ...or any other gun for that matter.Hell, last night, when KC had come through the door unexpectedly, was the first time she’d ever pulled the firearm out and pointed it at someone.She’d been so relieved when it hadn’t gone off accidentally.She wasn’t sure if she could ever actually fire the gun at someone and quietly prayed she would never have to find out, but it was a good idea to learn how to use it properly, just in case.
Up to ten people could shoot simultaneously in the underground, windowless range.She felt a little shiver go down her spine as KC stepped closer to her back within the small cubicle that separated them from the three other shooters.She wasn’t sure if the tremor was because of his close proximity or the ugly weapon in her hand.His warmth and strength surrounded her as he instructed her how to stand and aim at the target.He smelled of spices and salt air, but the scent was very definitely male and made her a little lightheaded.Even though it was muffled by the ear protection she wore, his deep voice was calm and soothing as he gave her directions.Feeling his breath on the nape of her neck, her body let go of another involuntary shudder.
“Are you okay?You’re shivering.”
Moriah didn’t trust herself to speak, so she just nodded.She tried to concentrate on his instructions, but her mind wandered again.She wondered if her finger was in the trigger guard when she’d been aiming 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.”
KC stepped to the side to eye her stance again and then moved back behind her.Pointing at two small raised pieces with red dots on them at the top of the gun, he explained, “These are your rear sights.You want to line up the small space between them to the front sight and then linethatup with where you want to shoot.Okay?Now, line everything up, slowly squeeze the trigger, and try to hit the bad guy on the target.”
Holding her breath, Moriah did what he told her, except at the last second, she shut her eyes.The gun discharged with a loud explosion and bucked in her hand, causing her to let out a startled yelp.“Shit!”
Behind her, KC put a steadying hand on her shoulder.“Okay, not bad.”
Staring at the target, she cried out in dismay.“But I didn’t even hit the guy, and I closed my eyes.”
He laughed, and she felt the rumbling sound all the way down to her toes, but not until after it swirled around in between her legs a few times.
Concentrate, you idiot.
“No, you didn’t hit him, but you did hit the paper target within two inches of him.Not bad for your 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 far.Don’t jerk the trigger.Take a deep breath and start to slowly pull the trigger as you let the air out.And don’t close your eyes this time.”
Moriah 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 up and down on the balls of her feet, yet carefully keeping the gun pointed down range.
KC let out a hearty chuckle at her excitement.“You sure did, but you just winged him.Try it 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.”
Moriah tried it repeatedly, and after a box of fifty rounds, she’d made more bullet holes in the black part of the target than not.She was so proud of herself that she briefly forgot why she was learning to shoot in the first place.
After making sure the gun’s safety was on, and the magazine was empty of bullets, KC directed her to a small work area outside of the range, next to the steps leading back upstairs to the store.
He gathered their eye and ear protection and placed them in the appropriate storage bins.As he showed her how to break down the weapon before cleaning and oiling it properly, he praised her.“See, I knew you were a natural.”
She glanced up at him and was about to answer when his smile turned into a frown.“What’s wrong?”
KC was holding two pieces of the dismantled gun and staring at her.His expression was accusing and intimidating.“Where’d you get this?The serial number’s been filed off.”
Fear overcame Moriah, and she tried to swallow, but her suddenly parched mouth wouldn’t allow it.She said the first thing that came to her mind.“I sort of stole it from my ex-boyfriend.I swear, I don’t know where he got it, but I took it for protection.”
She licked her dry lips as he continued to stare at her.Did he know she was lying?
Nerve-racking seconds ticked by, but then his expression eased, and he nodded his head.“Okay, I’m not thrilled about that, but I can understand it.Just do me one favor and keep it hidden.And do not, I repeat,do notpoint it at anyone you don’t intend to shoot.”
Moriah’s shoulders relaxed a little as she tried to smile and push the tension out of the room.“Like you?”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, KC gave her a small smile.“Yeah, like me.”
Chapter7
KC stood on the patio, grilling the two rib-eye steaks he’d picked up on their way home from the shooting range along with a bottle of merlot and a few other groceries.Two baked potatoes and fresh corn on the cob were cooking on the upper rack of the gas grill.He’d offered to cook dinner for Maura in honor of her being such an excellent student.
Ever since they left the range, he’d wanted to talk to her about her ex-boyfriend, maybe help ensure the jackass would leave her alone, but decided to wait until after they had eaten to broach the subject.Her ex must have really done a number on her because she was obviously frightened, and it killed him to see any woman in that condition.Men who hurt women, physically or emotionally, were the scum of the earth and needed a dose of their own medicine.KC just wished he could be the one to administer it to the bastard who’d harmed Maura and put fear into her beautiful baby blues.
He dropped his head back and stared at the sky.Where the hell did that idea come from?He barely knew the woman and already he was prepared to fight her battles for her?
