The android must be listening, anticipating their needs based on conversations or body language. Could Rami also see everything they were doing?
Gemma shuddered.
Christian led her to one of the lanes in the gun range and reminded her how to load the magazine and set a round in the chamber.
“Put this part against your shoulder like this”—he maneuvered the butt of the gun into place against her shoulder—“and put your left hand here.” He kept his hand over hers as he wrapped her fingers around the hand guard.
Christian reached around her to place her right hand on the grip, the muscles of his chest taut against Gemma’s back.
Her heartbeat quickened. This was the closest she’d ever been to a man, let alone one that looked like him. Who’d made her feel so safe in their last test, and had complimented her, and had held her hands so firmly that she didn’t falter...
She changed her mind—this wasn’t a good idea after all. Training with him was going to be torturous.
“Good,” he said. “Now, lift it until the sight is lined up with your target. Let’s pick its head. It’s all right if you need to tip yours a bit to see better.”
She followed his instruction, her breath tight in her chest. From him or the anticipation of the gunshot, she didn’t know.
His arms were still around her, and his deep voice rumbled against her spine. “Now, squeeze the trigger. Don’t push too hard, or your gun will kick more. Be gentle. Breathe in—good. Fire as you breathe out.”
Gemma slowly released the air from her lungs and pressed the firing mechanism.
The bullet went straight between the target’s eyes.
“Nice.” She could almost hear Christian smile. “Now, try without me.”
When he stepped away, she didn’t know if she was happy he’d let go of her or not.
The target shimmered, and the bullet hole disappeared. The android again was anticipating her needs.
Gemma swallowed and lined up her shot, aiming for the target’s forehead. She breathed in deeply and squeezed the trigger.
Her bullet shot off to the right as the gun kicked, missing the target completely.
Her nostrils flared. If she’d wanted to look like an inept fool, she’d definitely succeeded. She bit her bottom lip, avoiding Christian’s stare, her cheeks warm.
“Not bad but be gentler with the trigger. And remember to breathe out when you shoot. Try again,” he encouraged.
She ground her teeth. “How did you get to be so good at this? We don’t even have a range in Perileos.”
“We do, actually. You just need to know where to look.” He spoke so quietly against her ear that chills ran down her spine. He too must’ve realized the android was listening.
Gemma turned her head, and Christian’s expression told her everything she needed to know.
She’d heard rumors of a Falaichte district, far away from the prying eyes of the Systems’ clunky police robots. But it had always been, to her, a rumor. Was he saying it was real? Is that where he’d gotten all his “tutoring?”
Christian nodded toward the target. “Try again.”
Gemma’s pulse pounded wildly, but she obeyed, lining up her shot. This time, when she pulled the trigger, the bullet went through the target’s chest.
Christian smiled out of the corner of her eye. “Not bad, Proctor. Keep practicing until you don’t have to think about what you’re doing, and you might get better than me.”
She grinned softly, her cheeks burning.
“Gather ‘round, everyone!” Hawk shouted from near the boxing ring. “It’s time for a showdown between the members of Team Gallowood.”
“Team Gallowood?” Imara laughed. “You must have a really big knob to think we’d go along with that.”
He glared at Imara. “Come on. Let’s have some fun.” He waved them over.
