“Try again,” he said, stepping back and nodding at me.
I inhaled a deep, fortifying breath and got into position.
Feet apart. Weight balanced with a bent knee. Back straight. Arms up. Hands secure.
I closed one eye and homed in on where I wanted to aim this next bullet.
Firing once, I rode through the kickback. And as I noticed the clean hole on the target, right above the heart, I relished the success and accomplishment of being a quick learner.
I needed this.
Not to shoot, but to take charge of defending myself in the most critical way possible. It wasn’t as though I thought the Dubinin men would fail me, nor that Alexsei would fail me. More than anything, it was probably a part of becoming a mother, ofwanting to make sure I would always be able to fight and kick ass on my own, should I ever have to.
I’ve needed all of this.
As I looked around the others down here in the shooting range, I couldn’t wipe this smile off my face.
I’d been desperate for this freedom. For this strength and confidence.
Not just Alexsei’s and Misha’s love. That made me whole again, but this power to know I could do hard things and make my happily-ever-after a reality, that instilled me with pure joy and triumph.
I set the handgun down on the counter smiling in thanks to the others’ praise.
Eying the target, I couldn’t help but entertain a dirty, secret wish. That it wasn’t a paper or cardboard drawing I was aiming at.
But my brother.
His friend.
Any man who ever tried to kidnap and take me from my home and family I was finding here.
I dare you.
I fucking dare any of you assholes to ever stand in my way again.
I knew the threats were out there. They were all plotting to kill the Riveras. Alexsei flat-out swore he wouldn’t stand for Erik or Yusef to be out there at large and able to harm me or our child.
But now, I could rest easier and breathe calmer with the start of having the power, practice, and guts to fend for myself, too.
29
ALEXSEI
Spring approached with every passing day. The weather turned around with rain and storms, gray, windy afternoons that should’ve been gloomy.
Nothing could drag me down. My mood was high and everything was bright.
“You’re right on track.” The doctor wiped off the gel from Kalina’s stomach and smiled.
“The baby is healthy?” she asked, proving how new and nervous she was about all of this.
“Very,” the doctor answered. She was also here at the mansion to check on Raisa, since she was getting so close to her due date. “Healthy mom and healthy baby. Everything looks good, so keep up what you’re doing.”
What Kalina was doing was growing and becoming the woman her brother never wanted her to be.
Brave to speak up for her wishes.
Wise to learn how to defend herself and make a personal stance on her safety.
