Page 27 of Law Of Love

“My mom thinks I got into this line of work because that incident made me realise I wanted to protect people. She doesn’t know it actually stems from a place of guilt.”

“You never told her?”

“Brent is the only person who knows.”

“You didn't pull the trigger, Kaleb.” I took a step closer to him. “It isn't your fault that Brie isn't here anymore.”

Kaleb scowled, his mouth down-turned. “Yes, Freya, it is. Just because I didn't actively shoot her doesn't mean it isn't my fault. If it weren't for me fucking with them, those guys wouldn't have had a reason to try to kill me. I knew they hated me, and I pushed, thinking it was funny. It should have been me that night. Not Brie.”

I gulped, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this.” Kaleb ground his teeth together, leaning his head against the house and shutting his eyes. “I’m going to the shooting range, so I’ll take you home.”

“Is it open at this time?”

“It's always open.”

“Right,” I said. “I'll go with you.”

He arched a brow, dragging his bottom lip into his mouth as he deliberated. “I don't think—“

“Zach could have hurt me earlier. I think we could both benefit from a way to release some pent-up anger, don't you think?”

The innuendo left my mouth before I realised its double meaning, and Kaleb raised his chin, humour sparking in his eyes.

“Will never stays later than eight, but don’t speak to anybody inside. I'll message Brent to let him know we'll be back soon.”

I nodded. Hopefully, my shooting skills had magically improved since the last time, but I had little hope.

By the time we reached the shooting range, adrenaline was soaring through my veins, making me feel buzzed with anxiety and excitement.

Hearing that Kaleb tortured himself on the daily regarding Brie’s death caused my heart to ache. He’d messed with some guys, but I knew if he'd known that there was even the slightest chance that Brie would get hurt because of it, he wouldn’t have taunted them.

His hands were tight on the wheel, the metal groaning underneath the force, his veins pulsating. Once stopped, he gripped his gun, beckoning me to follow him inside with his head.

The shooting range looked eerie at night, the few smashed windows at the front reflecting the moonlight, the wind whistling through them. So that was the reason it was so cold inside.

“You're sure Will won't be here?” I asked, cocking my head. I wasn't going to suggest turning back if he was, but I did want to prepare myself to be creeped out. He emitted strange energy, and it was clear I wasn’t the only one who thought so, judging by how Kaleb didn’t want me speaking to him.

“He doesn’t like spending his evenings here.”

The scent of cigarettes and sweat wafted up my nostrils as we entered the building, causing them to burn. I scrunched up my face, and Kaleb twisted his head from side to side as he scanned the room. “It’s practically empty.”

He was right. I’d expected it to be busy late at night, but it seemed the shiftiest of people preferred to do their shooting at midday. There were two men in the far corner, but they didn't pay us any mind as they continued to shoot and laugh, the sound of their guns firing bouncing off the metal walls and making my ears ring.

Kaleb claimed the furthest spot away from them, the side of his lip curling upward. “Ladies first.” He chuckled as he passed me his gun, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed.

“Right.” I sighed, clasping the weapon between tentative fingers, the memory of how to grasp it having fizzled from my mind. I took a deep breath and shut my eyes momentarily before opening them and pressing down on the trigger. The bullet went flying, hitting the corner of the target and bouncing off in another direction, making me yelp, afraid it was going to hit us.

Kaleb hummed, taking the gun from me, his tall form towering over me intimidatingly. “Well, that was significantly better than last time.”

He wasn't lying. I’d actually hit the target this time.

Kaleb shot with ease—not even looking for the last one, his curious gaze settling on me. I couldn't stop thinking about what he’d said back at the party, though. It was clear I’d been trying to get him away from the blonde, and he felt no shame in letting me know he was aware of the fact. Not only that, but he’d admitted that he found me attractive.

The feeling was mutual.

But he already knew that.

---