Page 63 of Stars and Scars

“But…” Grayson clears his throat. “I think it’s not much of a risk after all.”

Hope leaps in my breast.

“So, Icanfilm it?”

Gray nods. I shriek and throw my arms around his neck, kissing him again and again. The playful assault shifts gears when he grabs me back and shows me just how much he knows about kissing.

For a moment, I’m swept away from everything, and all that exists is Gray and I. Even when we come up for air, the euphoria lingers. He cups my cheek with his hand, then pecks me on the forehead.

“Let’s go and shoot.”

Gray goes into his duffel bag and takes out a black metal case. He snaps open the hasps and reveals a dull black pistol inside.

“Let me set up my tripod…do you think the generator can power my ring light?”

“Yeah, shouldn’t be a problem.”

The outside air beckons. A breeze off of the ocean brings a salty, slightly fishy aroma but it’s almost pleasant. It reminds me of the beach, at least. I hold my breath when I plug in the lights and turn them on, but they wink into existence as surely as if I’d plugged them into a wall outlet in my own home.

I set up the digital camera, then peer at the display screen. After making a few adjustments, I go and stand in front of the camera while it’s recording and then replay the footage. By the time Gray comes out, carefully pointing the pistol at the ground, I have a good idea of where we need to be in order for the camera to record us.

“Are you all set?”

“Almost. I need to film an introduction first.”

His brows climb high on his face, but he nods his assent. I step in front of the camera and put on my influencer smile.

“Hey, how’s it going? Charlottesville has taken it on the road. I’m coming to you from a super secret location. I wish I could tell you where, but you know why I can’t do that right now.”

I gesture at Gray, stepping back so he’ll be in frame.

“Here you see my gorgeous bodyguard, preparing to teach me how to fire a gun. I’m super excited to learn from him. He’s supposed to be one of the best.”

I catch Gray’s gaze.

“So, what kind of gun are we using today?”

He holds the pistol up for the camera, his voice taking on an almost sportscaster quality.

“Here we have the Heckler and Koch 9mm automatic pistol. It features an extended barrel as a noise baffle, and gas vents to help with stabilization when you’re firing a long burst.”

I chuckle and turn toward the camera.

“Did you understand any of that?”

I turn back to Grayson.

“Can you translate that into language that us mere mortals might understand?”

Gray looks at me for a long moment, and then clears his throat.

“Ah, certainly,” he says, unsure if he should look at me or the camera. “The extended barrel will make the gun, if not quiet, at least not as loud as normal. And the vents help keep the pistol steady when you fire.”

He points at the trigger with a thick finger.

“See here, you have your different settings. You can go single shot…”

He clicks the switch once.

---