“Yes.”
“Hunting rifle?” he asked. I wasn’t sure whether his tone was condescending or not. I nodded. “It’s not the same thing.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “You want to feel real power rattle every bone in your body then try it.” He gestured to the gun with his chin.
I was tempted to say yes before my father’s stern features flashed through my mind. He wouldn’t mind, but I knew he’d prefer to be the one teaching me how to use a weapon, not the mafia dude standing in front of me.
“You’ve got two choices.” Lorenzo took the gun and stepped back. At my questioning frown, he added, “Embrace the cock in your pants that defines you as a man or let your emotions guide your decisions. Either way, you should be doing what you want, not what others dictate you should—repercussions be damned. You’ll enjoy life better.” I must’ve looked stupid because his lips twitched. So slight, I almost missed it. “You want to see what’s through there?” As though mistaking my hesitation for reluctance, he pointed to the large black door at his rear.
Earlier, when one of his men walked through, I’d glimpsed a wall of weapons that looked like something out of a James Bond movie and the vision stoked my curiosity. His invite made me feel like a little boy let loose in a candy store. Idiotically, I nodded. I didn’t belong here. What the fuck was I doing? I glanced behind me at Zena’s sleeping form. She’d turned on her side now and with her cheek resting on her palm, she appeared peaceful and oblivious to my palpitating heart.
“You coming?”
I jerked my gaze back to our host.Really?He was holding us captive. This wasn’t some slumber party Zena and I agreed to.
Lorenzo stood in front of the door now. “You don’t need to fear me, Rayden. You’re still alive, aren't you?” his tone softened on the last sentence and again had me wondering about his intentions.
Crap.Hesitation anchored my feet a second before I thought of Austin’s taunting.Fuck it.I neared Lorenzo. He held the door open and as I stepped through, I glanced over my shoulder one more time at Zena before his light touch to my lower back urged me forward. Then the door closed behind us, blanketing the sounds we left behind. The stillness almost unnerving until I studied my surroundings and recognition dawned. It was a shooting range. A condensed version of what I’d seen from visits with my father, but larger than it appeared from my earlier glimpse and probably sound-proofed.
“Is there anything you don’t have on this property?” I joked, fascinated by the rows of guns and rifles lining the walls. “An airstrip, maybe?” I asked, my gaze riveted on a weapon that looked like it belonged in a western movie.
“There’s a helicopter pad out back.”
My head snapped toward Lorenzo. “You’re kidding?”
He shook his head. “Ever tried it before?” He pointed to the rifle I picked up. I glanced down at the weapon in my hands and shook my head. “AR-15. Precision kill if you know how to use it. Never keep your finger on the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot. Understand?” I nodded. “Come.”
I followed him to the shooting block. He pressed a button and doors at the far end opened to reveal standing dummies. Done, he took the gun from my hand and began showing me how it worked.
“Press this button and it releases the magazine.” He held up the magazine then popped in a couple of bullets. “Slide the magazine back in, pull the charging handle and check your safety. Thumb down, safety is off. Thumb up, safety on. Got that?” I nodded. “Here.” He pointed to a line. When I moved to stand over it, he stepped behind me and placed his hands on my hips, guiding my movement. “Widen your legs a little. The kickback’s a bitch so get a firm grip both with your legs and your hands. Bring the rifle up to eye level, let it rest on your shoulder and line up your target.” When I had it in place, he leaned closer. “Always remain wary, Rayden. Keep both eyes open and take note of everything, not just your target. Hold it steady.” He pushed down on my shoulders lightly. “Relax it, the tighter you hold it the more likely you are to hurt yourself. Take aim and let it rip when ready.”
Following his instructions, I drew in a deep inhale and pulled the trigger twice. “Fuck!” I shouted when the rifle jumped in my hands, adrenaline lacing my shock with laughter. “That was so fucking cool.”
I turned slightly to find Lorenzo smiling. “Not bad. For your first time.” His words were soft. Strangely, I felt like I’d just done something good. Then he gestured to the monitor on a side panel that showed a close-up of the hit. “Chest and head.”
“Wow.” I stared at the monitor, realizing I’d just hit a life-size dummy.
“Think you have it in you to kill someone, Rayden?”
Frowning, I glanced away from the monitor. “No.”
He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and leaned back against a wall at his rear. “Even if your life was in danger?” I nodded. “What if it were the life of someone you love? Zena perhaps?”
I stared at him, this wasn’t a quick thinking answer. “I don’t know.”
He stepped forward and sliding his hand under the muzzle of the gun I held, brought it up to his chest, holding it there. “You have a loaded weapon in your hand.” I tried to pull back, but he kept the muzzle pinned to his chest. “Do you think you can shoot me?”
“N-no,” I stammered, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Never show people your fear, boy. It can be your weakness. They will take advantage of you, manipulate you, even the ones you love,” his words were soft yet firm. “I’m your enemy, aren’t I? I kidnapped you and you have a chance to shoot me.”
I reined in the dread heating the blood in my veins to volcanic proportions. The opportunity was there. Easy. He was right. One shot. That was all I needed. But I couldn’t. “You are and you did but I can’t shoot you.”
One dark brow quirked up. “Why not?”
I shrugged. “You haven’t given me a reason to, yet.”
A low laugh rumbled out of his chest and he released his hold on the muzzle. “I almost killed you in the car.”
“But you didn’t and yet you could. Why didn’t you?”
