Page 5 of Bullseye
It’s odd. On the one hand, my anxious gut that’s been on edge since I arrived in Hoppa a few days ago is calming down, like a dose of his masculine, protective energy is wafting over to comfort me, but at the same time, my heart’s racing.
And the truth is, I don’t need—and sure as hell don’t want—some neanderthal to come charging into my life and pissing all over my property claiming me as his. I need backup. Just in case.
What I didn’t plan was my next step after he saw me shoot…
I strike again. Better. Even closer to the center of the chest.
And again.
I can feel him behind me, hovering in the hallway—checking out my ass. Well, I guess whatever works. But one thing’s for certain, as much as I want into the Knights, I sure as shit won’t be somebody’s old lady, and I’m not joining Steel Knights to be one of the WAGs hanging off someone’s arm and acting like a brainless bimbo. I want in on my merit. Just like Tess before me.
With my gun facing the target, I pivot around and snap at him. “Don’t be a perv.” Turning back, I unload the rest of my magazine.
He disappears into his lane.
Bang!
Sure, it’s his turn to show me up, but…holy crap. Squinting, I stare down his lane and at his target. He missed. Not massively, but the bullet hole is not where the others were before it. What happened to the man who could shoot a bullet through the eye of a needle?
I turn away, making myself look busy with some stuff in my bag. The last thing I want to do is to embarrass the guy.
I hear the sound of another bullet hitting the target.
Peeking over my shoulder and down his lane, it’s like I’m watching a horror movie from behind my hands. I don’t want to look. But I have to.
Jeez, this one’s worse. Well, one thing’s for sure, he won’t want to keep me around as his good luck charm, that’s for damned sure.
“Well, well, well…”
Looking around and toward the door, I catch some scummy-looking guy with long, filthy hair, wearing a jacket with an Unchained Dogs insignia, saunter in. He’s howling like a damned wolf.
“Nice shot, Bullseye!”
Glancing at Avery, I notice he’s holding himself tighter and stiffer. He’s expecting a confrontation. This isn’t going to be good.
My gut’s churning with unease again. Watching them, I can tell the damned Dog won’t make a move on Avery. He’s too small and too weak. But their conversation is growing more and more intense, and Bullseye is pushing the punk for whatever message he brings. Then, the damned Dog turns to me.
“…I think I’m going to take in the scenery first.”
Knitting my eyebrows and dropping my chin, I prepare myself for war.Forget you, asshole. My hands ball into fists as my body relaxes and readies itself. Right now, I am itching to use every single cross-body punch, elbow strike, eye strike, hook punch, and headbutt I’ve learned in my years of studying Krav Maga. Come on, asshole. Just try.
“That is one hot piece of ass…”
Piece of ass? His damned smile widens from ear to ear, and he steps even closer to me. My teeth clench and I bear down, ready to spring and fight. It’s all I can do not to pick up my gun and take him out, but one murder charge in the family is enough.
“Hey, why don’t you come over here and sit on my lap—”
That’s it. Before I can react, Bullseye grabs the Dog by the collar of his jacket and lifts him into the air, holding him off the ground. The Dog’s feet dangle.
“Storytime is over. Now, you’re gonna talk, while I beat the shit out of you.”
Part of me is disappointed that I won’t get to show Bullseye my hand-to-hand combat skills, but I know better than to interrupt. Letting go of his collar, Bullseye drops the Dog who crumples on impact. Placing one hand on his chest, he tries to straighten himself.
“This isn’t going to help you, Bullseye.” The Dog snaps. “All the Dogs know. You’re low on men. We know your membership is down. Even that sweet piece of ass, Tess, is gone. Heard she was something with those brass knuckles of hers. Wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end of that one time.”
With a lightning-fast jab, Bullseye lands a punch on the Dog’s cheek, and he staggers back.
“Hey!” Shaking his head, he snarls at Avery. “This was supposed to be a friendly meeting.”
