Page 50 of Secured By the Buyer

Jade’s giving me a considering look, his blue eyes intent. “You know, the Rockfords have houses all over the world.” He picks up a rifle and checks the chamber with deft fingers. “If Liam didn’t want you around, he would have stashed you in some far-off corner and moved on with his life.”

He snaps the rifle parts back together with a sharp click. “But he keeps you here, at the family estate.” Jade’s voice softens a fraction. “And he seeks you out the moment he gets home. I grew up with Liam, and I’ve never seen him like this. The man is smitten with you.”

A slow warmth blooms in my chest at his words, soothing a few of my doubts. “Did you bring me down here for relationship advice? Or to shoot guns?”

“Who says we can’t do both?” Jade grins, sliding me a box of ammo. “Learning how to kill a man is a great way to boost your confidence.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Okay, show me how to handle one of these while you tell me about what’s happening between you and the Alpha behind the big desk.”

Jade’s head whips toward the door before he makes a shushing noise. “Don’t say that kind of stuff around the others.”

I turn to him in surprise. “What? Why?”

A blush rises to his cheeks. “I let slip once about my crush on Aaiden—he’s the oldest of the head family—and now it’s a joke among the younger generation. And he won’t take me seriously because he remembers me in diapers.”

“That’s rough.” I wince in sympathy. “He didn’t appear uninterested the other day, though.”

“Lord give me patience with that man.” Jade blows out a hard breath. “Okay, we’ll start with a pistol.”

He shows me how to check the safety, discharge the magazine and load it before directing me on how to take aim at the paper target at the other end of the range. It hangs from a wire track attached to the ceiling, and Jade brings it to the halfway distance to make my first time easier.

I grip the cold metal of the gun, my finger curling around the trigger as I raise it to eye level. The weight feels strange, unnatural. I take a deep breath, trying to remember Jade’s instructions.

“Keep your hold firm. Squeeze slowly. Don’t jerkit,” Jade says from beside me, his voice coming through the speaker in my ear.

My focus narrows on the silhouette of a man. A tremor runs through me, and I will my hands to be still.

Inhale, then exhale slowly as I apply pressure.

The gun kicks back with a sharp crack, the recoil jolting through my arms and causing me to stumble back a step. Jade’s hand on my shoulder helps me find my balance as the acrid scent of gunpowder fills my nostrils.

I blink in surprise, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Not bad.” Jade nods toward the target. “You hit it at least.”

I squint and make out a hole in the outer ring of the paper. A grin tugs at my lips. It’s a start.

Jade grins back. “Ready to try again?”

“Yes.” I raise the gun.

This time, I plant my feet and prepare for the kickback. I shoot off several rounds, the bangs echoing in my ears despite the protective muffs.

With each squeeze of the trigger, it becomes more natural, the weight less awkward in my grip. I slip into a focused rhythm.

Inhale, aim.

Exhale, fire.

Soon, a tight cluster of holes pepper the center of the target.

A flashing light catches my attention, and I lower the gun, looking over at Jade in question.

“Someone’s coming in,” he explains. “Here, engage the safety and set it down like this.”

He shows me how to put the weapon down properly, barrel pointed away. I mimic his actions, and then we both step back.

Jade reaches under the counter to press a button, and a moment later, the door opens.

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