Page 72 of Jersey

The idea of my own weapon being turned against me almost makes me not want to have one in the first place. It means I could be shot and killed, but then I recall who drove past my house and the things that man said to me at the club, and it makes me realize that there are much worse things than death that can be done to me.

"Torso," I say. "Got it."

The lesson continues and my confidence grows with every pull of the trigger. Zeus has to remind me more than once to keep my finger off the trigger until I'm ready to shoot, and it feels like we're down here for hours before he tells me that he thinks I'm ready.

I don't know what exactly I'm getting ready for, but even knowing how to shoot, the idea of having to use a gun still freaks me out.

***

"Maybe this isn't the best idea," I mutter as we turn onto my street.

I was adamant that I wanted to go home, but fear is alive inside of me and this isn't even the trip where I'll be left there.

Zeus said he wanted to check on the installation of the security system at my house, and since I hadn't left the cabin in two days, it sounded like a good idea. I was thinking the fresh mountain air would help me clear my head after hours of breathing in gunpowder.

I was wrong.

"Are you okay?"

I shake my head but I don't verbally answer.

The SUV slows to a stop, Zeus rolling down his window and waving the person behind us around the vehicle.

"I like you."

I snap my head in his direction.

"What?"

He pulls in a deep breath, letting the air puff out his cheeks before it slips past his lips.

"I like you. Like... like you-like you."

"Zeus," I begin but he holds his hand up to silence me.

"I don'tneed a rejection to know that you and Jersey have a thing. I felt how weird it was in the kitchen yesterday morning when he came in, but I figured I'd need to let you know in case there might be a chance."

I turn my head, staring out the window as I try to gather my thoughts. The cabin is full of decent guys, but rejection is never easy on anyone.

"We don't... have a thing," I assure him. "But I'm not in the market for any type of relationship either. I'm working on myself right now."

"Okay," he says as if that's all it took, and then he pulls away from the curb, driving forward only a hundred feet or so to reach my driveway.

Roman is standing on my front porch glaring at us as we pull into the driveway, and I wonder if Zeus stopped right in his line of sight on purpose, knowing it would piss him off.

The sight of anger in Roman's eyes makes me livid. The man has no right to have an opinion about anything I do in my life, but I'd never flirt with Zeus and lead him on just to get back at a man who has already voiced the fact that he doesn't want anything more than a physical relationship with me.

I hesitate getting out of the SUV, choosing instead to glare at Roman who has no problem holding my gaze, that is until Zeus gets out of the vehicle, then all of his attention is on the other man.

I swear I'll lose my shit if he starts a fight or acts territorial and possessive over me right now. He had his chance.

I shove open the passenger side door and step out, looking up at my house and noticing a man on a tall ladder doing some sort of electrical work. Then I notice the small camera he's installing.

"You're not going to hide the cameras?" I ask Roman as I approach, giving him one chance to keep his problems to himself.

"Why would we do that? We want to prevent someone from going into your house not catch them doing it."

It makes perfect sense, and I'd prefer whoever is slinking around my house to stay outside for sure.

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