"Feet shoulder-width apart," I continue, using my leg to nudge hers into position. "Knees slightly bent. You want to be grounded, stable."
I guide her arms up, my hands covering hers, and feel the tremor in her muscles.
"Breathe," I whisper. "You're safe. I've got you."
She exhales slowly, and I feel her body relax infinitesimally into mine.
"Now, when you're ready, squeeze the trigger. Don't pull. Squeeze."
The gun fires, the recoil minimal with my hands steadying hers. The target down range shows a hole just left of center.
"Again," I say. "This time on your own."
I step back, giving her space, and watch as she adjusts her stance, takes aim, and fires. The hole appears closer to the center.
"Good," I murmur. "Very good."
We spend an hour there, and I watch her transform. The nervous woman who entered becomes focused, powerful, and dangerous. By the time we leave, she's hit the bullseye five times in a row.
I'm so fucking proud of her I can barely speak.
In the car, she's quiet, staring at her hands.
"I never thought I'd be the kind of person who could do that," she says finally.
"You're the kind of person who can do anything," I tell her. "You just needed someone to show you."
She looks at me then, really looks at me, and I see something in her eyes I haven't seen before. Not just acceptance. Not just resignation.
Respect. Maybe even admiration.
"Where are we going now?" she asks as I don't turn toward the penthouse.
"The airport," I say simply.
Her eyes widen. "Why?"
"Because it's time for you to see the rest of your new world."
***
The jet is waiting on the tarmac, sleek and private, my name on the side in discreet lettering. Eve stares at it as we cross the concrete, the wind whipping her hair around her face.
"I've never been on a private plane," she admits.
"You'll never fly commercial again," I promise, guiding her up the stairs.
Inside, it's all leather and luxury. She runs her fingers over the seats, the polished wood, the crystal decanters secured in custom holders.
"Nathan, where are we going?"
I settle into the seat across from her, watching as the pilot closes the cabin door.
"Somewhere I've built just for us," I say. "Somewhere no one can find us. Somewhere you can finally stop running."
The engines whir to life, and I see the moment she understands. We're leaving the city. Leaving everything familiar.
Leaving her old life completely behind.
