Page 136 of Dirty Eoin

I’ve slapped him in the face with his challenge, and instead, I’ve accepted hers. His nostrils flare in annoyance.

Does he not realize that I want to annoy him? That I deliberately want to fuck him off? That I want to push him over the edge until his alter ego comes out to play?

That’s exactly who I want to make me pay for being annoying. Inside that rusty old shipping container on the docks. His fucking monster.

I tilt my head. His eyes narrow.

If he didn’t know it, he does now.

What the fuck are you doing, Jaine? Touch the naked flame and it’s you who gets burned this time around.

Right now, I’m not sure if I care.

And then I finally heed the warning issued by my common sense. I drag my eyes reluctantly away and they instantly connect with Roisin’s.

She nods her head slightly. She missed none of that silent interaction between me and her eldest, I’m sure.

I turn my attention to Ava as I pass her the pistol. If she’s serious about Eoin, then she’ll want to prove her Ma Duster potential here today.

I’ll be proving nothing to anyone but myself.

She helps herself to muffs. I help myself to plugs.

“Fifteen rounds. Fifty-yard target. All shots fired. Accuracy wins.” Fergal announces the rules.

Ava lifts her chin determinedly. She probably thinks she’s got this in the bag. I mean, I’m a suit. A lawyer. What could I possibly know about guns and killing people?

I side glance at Dylan. I can almost feel his excitement. He’s known for over two years what my pastime is, and for the first time ever, he’s about to witness the skillset of my alter-ego.

I stare at the electronic screen on top of the shooting table beside me.

“It’s the best system money can buy. It doesn’t make those of us who are…”

Raising the Glock, I wait for the weapon to connect with my soul before firing while Dylan continues to talk. Rude perhaps, but I won’t interrupt him for very long.

Ava immediately follows.

Me.

Fifteen rounds. Four seconds.

Ava.

Fifteen rounds. Ten seconds.

The results are instantaneous. Adrenaline flows through me as my efforts are met by a wall of shocked silence.

I can see the ninety-eight percent accuracy result. Not bad for a weapon I seldom use. I can also see Ava’s seventy-seven. A good effort, but not good enough.

“Congratulations, Jaine.”

She shakes my hand firmly and smiles graciously in her defeat.

Never underestimate the underdog, and always expect the unexpected. You’ll live longer that way.

“Do you still want to have a go with Da’s rifle, Jaine?”

I smile at Dylan as he passes me the weapon, my sniper soul instantly soothed as I run my finger lovingly along the full length of the cool metal barrel.

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