Chapter 16
I watch my computer screen as Dante and Cecilia get into the elevator. Immediately, I’m suspicious. Something is off. She’s different. There’s a new determination in the way she carries herself.
My suspicion deepens when the elevator stops on the second floor and she hesitates before getting out.
What are you up to, little one?
I switch my screen to the camera in the gym. Cecilia stands stiffly, holding herself as she scans the large room filled with men. Then she looks up at Dante and asks a question.
Fuck, I wish I had audio. I shift in my chair and lean closer to the screen as Dante answers. Her shoulders droop in disappointment. A twinge of regret hits me. Dare I think she’s disappointed because Dante told her he’ll be taking over her lesson today?
Once again, Nolan took Bree out of today’s session. Another blind date. Why is he suddenly pushing his daughter into these meetings? Does he think marrying her off will keep her safe? No. He’s not that foolish. There must be something else going on.
I make a mental note to text him tonight. Bree needs these lessons. She’s too na?ve for her own good. Too trusting. Look at how she let Cecilia into our inner circle—a stranger.
A gorgeous, feisty stranger.
Fuck.
When I found out Bree wouldn’t be joining us for today’s lesson, I knew I had to pull out too. Just the thought of being alone with Cecilia again made me ravenous. I’ve already jerked off half a dozen times since then, trying to calm myself. But nothing works. She makes me feel young and reckless again. I’m desperate for more.
And that’s how I knew I was getting too close to this mysterious girl.
I need to keep my distance. It’s the only way to stay objective and ensure everyone’s safety.
That’s why I asked Dante to take over the lesson for me. He agreed, and in that moment, it felt like the right thing to do.
But now? I’m not so sure.
A heavy emptiness fills my chest as I watch Dante hand Cecilia the gun we used yesterday. That should be me.
As always, Cecilia is impatient and hardly listens to Dante’s instructions before starting target practice. She isn’t good. Her technique is sloppy, and I can see Dante trying to correct her, but it’s like she’s wearing earplugs. Soon, her attention wanes. It looks like she’s over the lesson, and it’s hardly even begun.
Her attempts become half-hearted at best.
“You’re standing all wrong, Myshka.” I murmur. “And why are you holding the gun like that? That’s not what I taught you yesterday.”
Dante runs a hand through his hair, visibly drawing a deep breath before taking the gun from her. Never one to give up so easily, he stands in front of the target and demonstrates the correct stance, but she’s not even looking at him. Instead, she’s started to look up. Her eyes wander across the ceiling, searching for something. And then—she raises her fist and shakes it at the camera.
Ahh, is that what she was looking for? Me.
When Dante realizes what’s happening, he finally seems to give up. Cecilia gestures harshly at the camera, her mouth moving wildly as I can imagine her asking if I’m watching them.
I lean in, slightly amused by her antics. Then Cecilia cranks her neck up so her mouth is clearly visible. I zoom in, trying to read her lips.
I. won’t. Listen. Unless. You. Teach. Me. Yourself.
You little minx.
She repeats herself one more time, then walks to the low bench next to the locker and plops down. Damn it.
I’m frustrated as all hell… but also somewhat entertained. She’s never boring, that’s for sure. But she needs to be taught who’s really in charge here. And only one man can give her that lesson.
Leaving my office, I tuck my growing erection under my belt. Fuck, why does she have to be so damn stubborn? I’m already on the brink of losing control.
As I step into the elevator, a text comes through from Dante.
DANTE:
She refuses to listen to me! Can I teach her a lesson? I won’t hurt her—much.
ME:
No. She’s mine.
My men all stop what they’re doing the moment I walk out, tipping their heads as I storm toward my disruptive little student. But I barely pay them any attention. My focus is trained on the private gun range. On her.
“What do you think Maksim’s going to do if he finds out you’re being this difficult?” Dante’s frustration seeps through his words, mirroring the expression I witnessed on camera.
“Wasn’t he watching us? I’m a hundred percent certain that he’ll—Maksim!” The little brat jumps up from the bench with an exaggerated smile. Dante turns around and nods curtly.
“I’ll take it from here,” I tell him, my eyes firmly fixed on Cecilia. I can practically hear him sigh with relief as he exits the room. Before he’s gone, though, I give him one last order. “Leave the door open.”
Now alone with Cecilia, I raise my brow at her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
She fakes a pout, but the relief in her eyes is obvious, “What do you think? I wanted to be taught by the master himself. Dante, bless his heart, just didn’t get me.”
“He didn’t get you or you were just being deliberately uncooperative?”
“Ah ha!” She shakes her index finger at me. “I knew you were watching. You’re too much of a control freak to just leave me in another man’s hands. I—”
“I didn’t leave you in his hands.”
Her eyes light up as she grins. “Is that jealousy I hear in—”
“I’m not jealous,” I grit out. But her grin only widens. Damn her. “You wanted me to be the one to teach you? Well, I’m here now. Get into the stance I taught you.”
She saunters up right to me, then spins around and bends over slowly, making sure her ass brushes against my crotch as she picks up the gun on the counter.
I suck in a sharp breath, feeling my semi turn into a full-blown erection. “Watch yourself,” I growl, taking a step back. I lean to the side to check if anyone is watching through the doorway. No one is. The bastards. They’re supposed to keep me honest.
“Oh, sorry, did I do something wrong, sir?”
“Are you out of your—” I cut myself off with a shake of my head when I see the mischievous glint in her eyes.
She’s trying to provoke a response from me, but I won’t give her the satisfaction. I refuse to. “You want a lesson, you’ll get a lesson. Get into your stance. Now.”
“Alright.” Like it’s the easiest thing in the world, she does as she’s told.
I shake my head in exasperation. “Did you want to be with me that badly?”
Her eyes go wide, cheeks flushing a delicious shade of berry. “O–of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. I just want to get my money’s worth.”
“You know these lessons are free.”
“I’d disagree. I’ve paid a heavy price so far, wouldn’t you agree?”
“You haven’t even started to pay for your—”
Before I can finish, Cecilia takes her first shot.
“Damn, missed it,” she mumbles.
“I thought we went over this yesterday. Don’t shift your stance when you shoot. Remain steady like a rock and—”
She shoots again, doing the same damn thing I just told her not to do. But this time, her grip on the gun must be weak too because the recoil knocks her off her feet.
The gun clatters to the floor as she falls on her ass.
I let her curse in frustration as I pick up the gun and disarm it.
“You okay?” I ask, offering her my hand.
She grabs it with a weary smile and gets to her feet.
“I’m fine. Just embarrassed,” she insists, dusting off her jeans.
“You wouldn’t have to be embarrassed if you’d just listened to me. Isn’t that the point of these lessons? For you to learn from me? You want your money’s worth. Here’s a simple trick. Listen.”
“You’re right, you’re right.”
“You’re flustered. Go home. We can continue this lesson another time.”
“Flustered? Says who?”
I step forward, covering her in my shadow.
“You thought you wanted to see me. But you can’t handle me, little one. Not really.”
Her eyes fly to mine. But to my surprise, the embarrassment vanishes, replaced with a fiery determination that nearly sets me on fire.
“I think I’ve already proven that I can handle you.”
She bites the bottom of her lip, and I nearly rip my pants off then and there. Instead, I grit my teeth and shift in place, trying to relieve some of the blood rushing to my cock.
“You. Have. No. Idea.”
For a second, I think I’ve scared some sense into her. But then she just flips her hair and turns back to the target.
“Why don’t you show me the correct way not to shift when I shoot then,” she challenges, spice lining her words. “No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to stop myself from moving back when I pull the trigger.
I’m actually too taken aback to respond. What kind of game is she playing?
“Well?” she demands impatiently.
I say a silent prayer in my head as I stand in front of her. “Watch me,” I command as I raise the gun at the target. With a steady hand and firm grip, I pull the trigger, and the shot goes right through the center. “Got it?”
“I think so.” She nods, but her expression is skeptical.
“Here.” Against my better judgment, I move behind her and place the gun in her hand. “Raise it up,” I murmur, distracted for a moment by the way my breath ruffles her hair.
“Like this?” she asks, shifting her weight into my body. I swallow my groan as she grinds her ass against my cock. “Looks like I’m not the only one excited about this lesson, huh?” she teases.
“Focus!” I snap, the reminder as much for myself as for her. I can’t lose myself in her again. I can”t. But I’m starting to forget all the reasons why I shouldn’t.
“Fine,” she grumbles, finally focusing on the target, but her hand is trembling.
I wrap my arms around her and hold the gun steady with her. “Steady, steady,” I say softly, trying to soothe her nerves. Then, together, we squeeze the trigger. The shot rings out, the bullet piercing the paper target right in the head.
The recoil presses her ass deeper into my cock. This time, I know she didn’t do it on purpose. But that somehow makes it even hotter. Still, I try not to react.
“I did it! I shot it in the head!” she shouts, bubbling with excitement as she tosses the gun carelessly on the counter and spins around, leaping into my arms.
My arms instinctively wrap around her waist. All rational thought flies from my mind. But I’ve got just enough sense left in me to turn toward the door.
Unlike before, everyone outside is now staring at us, their faces painted with different shades of surprise.
Dante, however, doesn’t look the least bit shocked.
Fuck this. I’m beyond caring about the consequences of my actions.
“Get out!” I bellow at them all. “Out!” Instantly, they all clear out. When we’re alone, I drop my arms from Cecilia’s waist. “That was a good shot, Myshka. Want your reward?”
She swallows as I undo the button on my pants and drag down the zipper.
“My reward?” she pants softly, her fingers twitching with anticipation, eyes glued to the lower part of my body. Her hunger only fuels my own.
“You have one minute to take your clothes off. Or I’ll tear them from your body, piece by piece. And I won’t be gentle about it.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before she starts stripping, her body practically quivering with desperation. But just as she’s about to take off her shirt, a realization hits me like a ton of bricks. “Wait, stop!” I command, my eyes darting up to the camera. Fuck. I know my men wouldn’t dare watch us, but I can’t risk anyone else seeing her naked.
Looking out toward the main gym, I remember the dozens of cameras in there, too. Damn it, why do I have to be so paranoid?
There must be a blind spot somewhere, but where—“The bathroom.”
Quickly, I button up my pants and grab her hand, pulling her out of the gun range.
Cecilia resists a bit, her hand stiff in mine. “Where are we going?” she asks, her voice tinged with confusion.
“To the only place I can defile you in private.”