*Later that afternoon, Everly and I travel with Ben to an estate on the coast, so that she can practice shooting a gun in relative peace. When we pull into the semi-circle of the driveway, the place looks deserted.
“It’s like a fortress,” she gasps, taking in the castle, the sharp cliffs, and the waves crashing in the distance.
“At one time, it was exactly that.” Ben walks with us to the front door and enters a combination on the keypad.
“Please tell whoever owns this place thank you for letting us stay,” she says.
He opens the door with a flourish. “You’re welcome.”
“You own this?” I ask, nonplussed.
Instead of answering, Ben wiggles his eyebrows at Everly. “Who’s ready to waste some bullets?”
*
Watching Everly aim a gun is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever witnessed. Of course, I want her to be able to protect herself. But to have to resort to this…
Her gun shakes.
I put my arms around her, breathing in her scent as I place my hands over hers to adjust them. “Stand straight. Rest the ducktail along your thumbs. It will give you more control.”
She tilts her head, yellow safety glasses catching the light. “Ducktail?”
“The part that flares out here.” I indicate the spot.
“Oh.” She corrects her stance and her thumbs slide in closer.
“Are you ready?”
She nods, and I let go. “Take your time.”
Backing up a step, I wait for her to shoot the paper outline of a man. The gun goes off. Once. Twice. Her body jerks with each shot.
Suddenly, she turns, holding out the gun, barrel facing down. “I can’t…it’s too much.”
“It’s not. You can do this,” I insist, taking her by the shoulders and turning her around. “Imagine Viktor standing there, gun aimed at you.”
“He’s dead. Let’s pretend it’s someone else.”
Nearly a week of running, fighting, and being shot at finally catches up with me. “Pick whoever you want, I don’t care.”
“I was just trying to make it more fun, so I wouldn’t be so scared,” she says meekly. “I want to be brave.”
“I want you at the embassy,” I snap.
Her mouth opens and closes. “I thought we were a team.”
Ben joins us before I can say something stupid. He takes the gun from Everly and resets the safety. “Why don’t you take a break, and I’ll work with her. I’ve had my nap, my shots, and everything else you’d require in order to be around her.”
I cross my arms and glare at both of them. “I don’t need a break.”
“Yes, you do,” they say simultaneously.
Ben’s smile is kind as he approaches her. “Let’s start at the beginning, yes? That way, I can correct whatever bad habits Roman has.”
“My Roman doesn’t have bad habits,” she insists, taking the gun from him.
“Your Roman might not, but my Nikolai does.”
“Fuck you!” I shout at Ben. “If it wasn’t for me, you’d have been dead years ago.”
Everly and Ben look at me with wide-eyed stares. Clearly, they were playing. Clearly, I do need a break.
Suddenly, Ben starts laughing. “You’re jealous.”
Hell, yes, I’m jealous. “Of you? Hardly.” I load the clip with more bullets until it is full.
“If you don’t want me to practice with him, I won’t,” Everly says softly. I know she’s trying to defuse the situation, but all I want to do is beat the hell out of Ben.
“You asked to be taught,” I say tightly.
I clench my jaw as she lays her hand on my sleeve. “Please don’t be that way.”
“I’m not being any way.”
“Someone needs a nap,” Ben says in a sing-song voice.
This time, Everly smacks him in the shoulder. “Be nice. He saved me from an explosion this morning.”
“I don’t need you to defend me.”
Hurt clouds her eyes, and I want to snatch the words from the air. “I know.”
Pissed at myself more than anything, I stride out of the room, tossing over my shoulder, “Have her done in time to get ready for tonight’s charity event.”