“Then let’s hurry.”
Aurora opens a door with her retina. We step inside a small room, and the women put on vests and grab guns. My jaw drops.
“I should have taken a pic of you right now. We’re not going to kill them. We still love them, and they make quite good kids. It will still hurt, even though they’re rubber bullets,” Chiara says, a shadow of amusement touching her lips.
“I have never touched a gun before.”
“She’s a virgin, just like you were, Aurora. So cute.”
“And look at me now. I’m the best shooter here.”
“Girl, please,” says Chiara, pinning her with a look. I can’t believe they’re the same women—they look like they want to draw blood. Aurora gestures for me, explaining how to use the gun while I put the vest on.
“They’re sneaky. We’ll try to stop them from getting into the main room.”
Chiara lifts a brow at Alessandra, who rolls her eyes at her and says, “It was a one-time thing, and...”
“You wanted to fuck, we know.” Aurora giggles.
“I’m holding down the fort this time. Ready?”
I hold the gun in my hand and nod. This is crazy. It’s like I’m playing a game, only this time it’s real. Excitement replaces apprehension.
“They’re approaching.”
Alessandra gives us each a sensor detector. I see the men walking toward us, crouched low and guns drawn.
“That mean you want to play, Firecracker?” Cato’s voice booms. Chiara shouts back, “First you have to find me, amore mio.”
She disappears down the long hallway.
“What now?” I ask, but no reply comes.
Turning my head, I see Aurora and Alessandra sneaking in opposite directions. I go over what Aurora taught me. After inhaling a fortifying breath, I tiptoe and follow the sensor. I prefer a close-up attack. Because I am a badass like that. I would laugh if I wasn’t close to peeing my pants. Or I could hide. Yes, why didn’t I think about that the first time?
Lost in my head, I barely notice when the figure steps in front of me. My heart races, the pounding so loud I’m afraid he can hear me. Slowly, not to make a sound, I lay on the ground and shoot right into his thigh.
Cameron hisses, and I scramble up. He sees me, and he blinks at me incredulously.
“You shot me.”
I tilt my head. “I have a point to make.”
He darts my way when I point my gun at his chest.
“You’d shoot me again?”
“If you come any closer.”
My pulse throbs with exhilaration. Shots of adrenaline infuse my bloodstream. My vision dots, I’m so excited. Cameron’s features pull taut. I am so focused on his eyes that I don’t see his next move until it’s too late. He pulls a gun out from behind his back and shoots me straight in the vest. I stumble back, and the detector drops from my hand.
“You shot me?”
“I’m all for fairness, love.”
He takes a step toward me, and I pull the trigger. I run away, grinning.
“I’ll find you.” His words seep through me, heating my insides. He wishes. With laser focus, I’m locked into the game. Cameron doesn’t stand a chance against my gaming abilities. I duck behind a steel counter. He zigzags, hot on my heels.