Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Max held his tongue for Lana’s entire call with Crane.
He was quite proud of his self-control, actually, because what he’d really wanted to do was leap through that screen and bloody Crane’s perfectly shaped nose.
Max hadn't struck out in violence against anyone since the army, but he had no patience for reprobates like Crane.
He knew Lana wanted him to behave, though, so he was trying to act civilized.
“Please don’t tell me you believe his denials,” Max said, once Lana had ended the call.
“Not really. But I have to at least entertain the possibility that he’s telling the truth.”
“Why is that?”
“Because if it’s not Crane, then I’ll have left myself blind to whoever’s really behind it.”
Max stood up from his office couch. “You’re right. Can’t cover one flank while leaving the other open to attack.”
“Exactly. Thank you for repeating what I just said.”
She was sitting in his chair, typing on his computer. Max leaned over and kissed the back of her neck. He was glad he had his walls frosted over, so nobody could see inside. Max was having some ideas about that couch he’d just been sitting on.
“Have I told you how sexy you look in a tailored suit?”
“Have I told you how sexy you look out of one?” She didn’t look away from the screen until she’d finished her email.
“I wrote to Trevor asking him to pull the files we have on defendants from the Silverlake Syndicate. I’m going to send Crane the names and see what he can tell me about them.
Whether he’s truthful or not, his answers will be revealing. ”
“Am I allowed to say that’s a good idea? Or will I get in trouble?” He smiled to show he was teasing. She gave him a heated look.
Definitely in trouble, he thought. I’m way out past the shallows right now, but I’m loving every second of it.
“Are you up for another self-defense class?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Max, are you trying to seduce me? Or are you trying to get a workout in?”
“Can’t I do both? But this class won’t be in the gym, and it’s not a workout. I had something else in mind.”
Lana went up to change out of her work clothes. While he waited for her, Max updated Sylvie on the developments with Dominic Crane. She agreed to keep investigating on her end.
“I don’t trust Crane,” Sylvie said. “His story’s a little too easy for my taste. He claims no knowledge, then dangles out the possibility of information? I’m sure he’ll come up with something and end up looking like the hero. That could’ve been his plan all along.”
Which were Max’s thoughts exactly. That was why he trusted Sylvie so much. He didn’t have to explain things. “Keep after him.”
Lana stepped out of the elevator in ripped jeans, not unlike the ones she used to wear as a teenager. Max tried to hide his reaction, but when he looked back at Sylvie, his employee was smirking.
“Took the morning off, huh, boss?”
“Watch it. I know your bank account and your social security number.”
Sylvie winked. “You think I don’t know yours?”
Chuckling, Max went over to meet Lana by the elevator. “Where are we going?” Lana asked.
“Lower level. The gun range.”
Downstairs, Max held open the door, gesturing Lana inside. The range wasn’t occupied right now. As always, his employees had left the place tidy. Max hated to see spent cartridges or messy target paper hanging around.
He strode over to a wall cabinet and unlocked it. Inside were an array of handguns: a Sig Sauer P226, a Ruger LC9, reliable Glock 22s, and the easier-to-conceal Glock 19, among others.
Max chose the Ruger, since it was nice and compact. “When’s the last time you practiced?” He figured Lana had at least a basic knowledge of how to shoot, given her profession. But she surprised him.
“Never have. I don’t like guns.”
“No? They’re necessary.”
“I accept that. Some of the other DAs carry. But they’re not necessary for me.”
“Nobody’s saying you have to walk around Ocean Lane packing heat. But you should know how to use a weapon. In case you’re in a situation and that’s the only way out.”
“Is this because of Dominic Crane? You’re trying to prove something?”
“No, it’s about keeping you safe, whether I’m with you or not. Humor me, all right? If you want to chalk it up to my insecurities or my ego, go right ahead.”
He got them both protective glasses and ear covers.
Max checked that the Ruger was in good shape and unlocked the separate cabinet where they kept the ammo.
He showed Lana how to load the gun. As he did so, he pointed out the different parts of the weapon, explaining the basics that she would need to know in order to use it safely.
He ushered her over to a stall and put a fresh target up about ten feet away.
Max held out the gun, keeping the muzzle carefully pointed away from either of them. “Go ahead. Point and shoot.”
He saw her throat work as she swallowed. Lana held the gun awkwardly in her hands. He stepped over behind her, stretching his arms around her, and covering her hands with his.
“Like this,” he said loudly against her ear, so she’d hear over the covers. He helped her position her fingers properly. “Grip it gently, but firmly. Not too tight.”
“Like my hands on your dick?”
Actually, he liked a tight grip. But he played along. “You got it.”
Lana spent almost a full minute shifting her weight and moving her fingers around on and off the trigger.
He could almost see the gears moving in her mind, trying to apply everything he’d said.
She’d made it clear that she didn’t want to be doing this, yet she was taking everything he’d taught so far to heart.
Finally, she squeezed off a shot. It hit the very edge of the target.
“Not bad.”
Max stepped in close behind her again, stretching his body over hers. “See if you can feel how this is different.” He held her arms, telling her how to sight the gun. Then he told her to squeeze the trigger.
This shot came much closer to the center of the target.
“That did feel better. Thanks.”
Max stepped back again, and Lana kept working on the target. She was a quick study, as Max had known she would be. Before long, she was getting most of her shots onto the figure outlined on the target.
She set down the gun and took off her ear covers. Max did as well.
“Always aim for a body shot. Not the head. You’d probably miss.
It takes a whole lot more practice than this to have any real accuracy.
And remember, never point your weapon at someone unless you’re prepared to pull that trigger.
Prepared both physically and mentally. Because you’re right.
That gun could be used against you if the other person can get it away from you.
If he senses that you’re not willing to do what’s necessary, he’ll take every advantage. ”
A serious look came over Lana’s face. She stared at the target with its array of bullet holes. “If that stalker comes after me, and I can’t run or talk my way out, then I will do whatever is necessary. I’m not going to let anybody stop me from protecting the people—or the ideals—that I love.”
“I know you wouldn’t.”
Max doubted so much in this world, including himself. But in Lana, he had absolute faith.