Page 99 of Vengeful Secret

Oh.

I feel dumb. That makes a lot more sense.

“I think I’ll stick with the one I’m already comfortable with.”

“I wouldn’t call it comfortable,” he says gently. “You’ve only practiced with it once.”

“I’m comfortable enough.” I start to put it together, just like the taught me, pointing it either at the floor or the ceiling.

“Good job,a ghrá,” Gray murmurs, getting closer to me. He grins. “Bet you can’t hit that target in the head.”

“Bet I can.” I’m not exactly competitive, but a little competition can be fun.

Besides, Gray will beat me at this game, but at least I’ll learn some things.

“It’s nighttime, so it’s going to be more difficult to see. You never know if you’re going to be attacked day or night, though, so I want you prepared.”

I nod slowly, standing in front of the target as Gray helps me get positioned right.

“Make sure your legs are always spread. Hold the gun with two hands whenever you can. Good. Good.” Gray’s comments and praises make me feel like I can do anything.

I shoot at the head but miss completely, and I sigh heavily.

“I missed it by a mile.”

“That’s okay. We’re going to keep practicing. Did you keep your eyes open?”

I wince. “No, I closed one.”

“There you go. Try it again. Both eyes open. Legs spread. Both hands on the gun.”

I hold the gun with one hand and steady my aim with the other, firing off a couple of rounds. One misses, but one hits the target right on top of the head, near where a hairline would be on a real person.

“I did it!” I jump up and down, and Gray chuckles, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Close enough,a ghrá. Try for the torso again. Tight circles, try to keep them all in the same area, remember?”

Gray steps next to me, focusing on his own target.

I breathe in slowly and breathe out through my nostrils, squeezing the trigger just like he taught me and hitting the torso in a wide circle.

Gray fires off three or four shots, and then presses the button to get the targets to come back to us.

He compares them, showing them to me.

His circle is much tighter and smaller, but at least I didn’t miss the target completely.

I really can’t see at night. Maybe I need glasses.

“You did good,” he praises, bringing me close and kissing the top of my head.

“Not as good as you,” I whine, even though I’m not really upset.

“Then let’s practice some more,” he says with a chuckle.

“I just can’t see well at night,” I admit.

He nods. “Let me get you a bigger, more solid target. If anyone comes after you, it’ll be a lot more solid than that piece of paper.”

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