Page 71 of Jersey

I cringe at the idea of shooting something to kill it.

"You have no idea what I'm talking about," he mutters. "I figured Jersey would've let you know."

"It hasn't been mentioned to me," I say trying my best to sound diplomatic.

"Come with me," he says. "Let the dog roam the house. I don't have ear protection for a dog, and it's going to be loud."

I step out of my room, leaving the door cracked so Kiva can get out if she decides to get up from her nap anytime soon, and follow Zeus down the hallway toward the stairs.

I keep my eyes locked on his back, fighting the urge to look toward Roman's room, celebrating in my head when we make it to the staircase without my eyes darting in that direction.

"We're doing it here?" I ask when he opens a door in the kitchen that leads down to the basement.

"Where else would we go?" Zeus asks right before he takes the first step downward. "We built a one-lane shooting range here at the cabin. We have to keep our skills in prime fighting condition."

I've heard hints more than once about what they do, but not one person has sat me down and explained exactly what it is that they're involved in. I get the feeling it's a need-to-know basis, and I'll never be in a position that requires me to know anything about it.

I look aroundthe room, shocked to see something akin to a glass cage with a long lane along the far wall. When he mentioned building one, I never expected it to look so professional. It's very similar to the gun ranges I've seen on police procedural shows I like to watch, if only a lot smaller.

He holds the door open for me, the length of his long arm enough so I can step inside and not brush his chest, but the inside of the lane is very small, and the second the door closes us inside, I begin to feel a little claustrophobic.

"I'm not going to touch you," he says as if he can read my mind.

I nod my head, clamping my hands together and wringing my fingers, both grateful he's been warned and feeling a little under the microscope that someone has spoken to him about my fears.

"I'm going to give you some basic instruction, and when you get the hang of it, I'll take a step outside and watch through the window. Okay?"

I nod my head.

"Have you ever shot a gun before?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice at the moment.

"It's okay. They're not very complicated. I've been instructed to provide you with a small handgun, so that's what you're going to be practicing with. I'll explain everything in detail, but I want you to stop me if you're confused or if it's too overwhelming and need to take a break."

"Okay," I whisper, pulling in a deep breath and somehow feeling a sense of calm wash over me with the scent of gunpowder coating the walls in the room.

Zeus proceeds to pick up a handgun. The thing looks like a toy in his hands as he turns it over and explains all the parts of it.

I'm surprised by the weight of it when he hands it to me. I hold it in my palm, trying to get used to the idea that if I get into trouble, I might actually have to use it against a human being. It doesn't sit well with me, but neither does the idea of getting hurt by refusing to defend myself.

The lesson continues, and I'm shaking harder than ever when I fire my first shot, thankful he only put one bullet in the gun.

I drop it to the platform in front of me, staring down at the thing.

"You did well. Take a few breaths and let's try again."

I close my eyes and breathe, unconcerned about how crazy I might look to him.

"Where do I aim to injure rather than kill?" I ask, my mouth dry from the heavy breathing. "The arm or the leg? Something like that?"

I look over at Zeus when he doesn't immediately answer me to find him frowning.

"It's harder to hit a person than you think. It's best to aim for the largest part of their body which is their torso. You may have seen shows where people can shoot a gun out of someone's hands or they're able to hit a kneecap to stop someone, but that's rarely the case."

"Are you saying you can't shoot someone in the leg?"

He pulls in a deep breath before responding. "My skill level has taken many years of practice and training. It's not something you're going to be able to acquire today. I don't want someone to have the chance to get the upper hand over you while you're trying to shoot them in the arm or leg. If they do that, then they'll have your gun."

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