25. Caleb #2
I load my gun and aim it at the targets. “And once it’s loaded, only point it at a target you are willing to shoot.” I meet his gaze. “If I ever see you pointing a gun at yourself, pet, you will be punished.”
“I won’t,” Seven says, but he looks away too quickly for me to read his expression.
I know he still has dark thoughts; he doesn’t talk about them, but there are times when he goes distant, when he scratches at his arms when he doesn’t think I’m paying attention.
“He absolutely will not,” Vortex agrees.
He’ll never have a chance, obviously. Any firearms we have on hand are under lock and key — like the balcony door.
“I won’t,” Seven insists again.
I tousle his hair with a small nod. “All right. Now, how about we start practicing?” I put my ear mufflers on while Vortex helps Seven with his.
I stand several feet away from Seven and take aim. It’s been a while since I’ve practiced. I’ve been busy with the casino and the Lockwoods and Seven. Keeping my gun skills up has not been in the forefront of my mind—not that I was ever spectacular at shooting.
I get the close range target easily enough, although I’m not as close to the center as I would like. I try for some of the ones farther away. My hand vibrates with the recoil.
I stop when I hear Seven cry out. He’s dropped the gun and has taken several steps away.
“Sorry,” Seven says, his voice edging with panic. “The sound, and the, the recoil?—”
“It’s okay,” Vortex says, and while I can tell he’s trying for soothing, Seven isn’t the only one startled by what had happened. “I should’ve warned you it would be intense. But Seven, I need you to hold onto the gun, no matter what happens. Okay?”
“I’m sorry,” he repeats. “I didn’t mean to, Vortex, I promise.”
“I know, beautiful. I know. And next time, I’m going to be right there to steady you so you can get used to how it feels. I’m sorry I didn’t do it this time.” Vortex is stroking his hair, but he glances over at me.
I set the safety to on, then set my gun down pointing away from us. I go back to Seven and lift his chin.
“Seven,” I say, more sharply. “This isn’t optional. You are going to learn how to do this, and that means taking the gun again and letting Vortex guide you. It’s scary, but I know you can do scary things. Got it?”
Seven quickly shakes his head. “I can’t,” he whispers. “I can’t do it. I can’t even think about hurting someone else with it, either. It’s not a good idea for me to learn this.”
Vortex leaves the gun on the ground, standing nearby as he says, “It’s a very good idea. If you get into a situation where you need to use a gun, you need to know how. You need to know how it feels, too.”
“You can .” I tighten my grip on Seven’s chin.
“I’ve been giving you a lot of leeway, but I’m going to insist on this.
I need you to be safe, pet. The more tools you have to protect yourself, the better.
” I hesitate before I add, “You’re mine, so you had better do everything in your power to keep yourself safe.
I won’t tolerate any harm coming to you. ”
I don’t want to make it seem like I only care about this because I want to fuck Seven, but I need to get through to him. I’d rather he resent me than be hurt.
Seven tries to turn away from me, but I don’t let him. He’s shaking, I realize, and Vortex must realize it as well because he wraps his arms around Seven from behind.
“You can ,” Vortex reiterates. “For Caleb, for me, for Havoc… but mostly for yourself. I hope you never need to use this, Seven, but if you do, I want you to be prepared. Okay?” He kisses the top of Seven’s head.
“We’ll reward you when you’re done,” I promise. “It’s been a while since you’ve had Vortex’s thick cock down your throat, hasn’t it? Do this, and I’ll let you milk him dry while I fuck you.”
Seven’s breath catches. “Okay,” he whispers.
He doesn’t sound convinced, or enthusiastic, but I only need him to agree — and to try.
Vortex retrieves the gun, putting the safety on and making sure to keep it pointed away from us. “Let’s do this. I’ll steady you, and the recoil won’t feel as bad now that you’ll be expecting it.”
I pay more attention this time, and I can see that half the problem is the tension in Seven’s body. He’s afraid of the gun.
“The first time I used this shooting range,” I say, “I ended up aiming so badly that I hit that cactus over there instead.” I point to one of the nearby cacti, which has visible scarring halfway up its trunk.
Seven’s smile looks forced, but it’s still there. “Poor cactus,” he says. “What did it ever do to you?”
Vortex snorts. “Caleb has a grudge against all cacti, obviously.” He carefully presses the gun back into Seven’s hand, keeping it pointed down. “All right, Seven. Let’s try this again.”
Seven takes a deep breath and takes the gun, warier than the first time.
“How many shots does he have to take before he earns your cock?” I ask Vortex. “I’m leaning toward two full magazines.”
“That sounds like a lot,” Seven says.
“It is,” Vortex agrees. “But by the time you finish, reload, and do the second, you’ll feel much more confident. Seven, we don’t expect you to be an expert. We just want you to be able to handle a gun with respect but without fear. Does that make sense?”
Seven nods. “I think so.”
“Okay.” He squeezes Seven’s shoulder with his free hand. “Then let’s get back into that stance I showed you, and I’ll steady you until you’re used to it.”
I watch them for a moment, making sure Seven isn’t going to panic again, before I step away to take aim at my own target.
I don’t get the same exhilaration out of shooting as others do, but there’s something calming about holding the gun and being in complete control of the weapon.
The last time I’d used one had been to take out Grant and Raymond.
I need to make sure my skills are up to the task in case I have to kill anyone else. I’ve gathered all the support I can, but I’m not stupid enough to believe the Lockwoods will back down without a fight.
I’m not letting myself—or Seven—get taken again.
I use my last bullet to aim for the far target.
It hits, but nowhere near the head or the heart.
I sigh and turn back to Seven and Vortex. Seven looks a lot more determined than before, and the sound of his shooting has been steady enough that I know he hasn’t completely given up.
Vortex is smiling, which I take as a good sign. He’s saying something, but I can’t tell what until I get closer. They’re not actively shooting anymore, so I take my ear mufflers off in time to hear him say, “…proud of you, Seven.”
Seven drinks up the praise, beaming at him. The gun is lowered, and he’s no longer trembling as he holds onto it.
I step up behind Seven and squeeze his shoulders. “Which means it’s time for your reward, pet.” I meet Vortex’s eyes. “Right here, in the open.”
Seven looks at me with wide eyes. “Right here?” he asks, blinking up at me.
Vortex takes the gun from him, checking the safety. “Let me take care of these, then yes, we’re all yours.” He touches Seven’s face. “Any way you want us.” He pauses, then smirks at me. “Any way Caleb wants us, I guess.”
I wrap my arms around Seven and pull him against my chest. “A little sun won’t hurt us,” I say as I fondle his nipples through his shirt. “Tell me how much you want to suck on Vortex, pet.”
Seven shivers, watching Vortex as he carefully puts the guns away. “Do you think he’ll let me choke on his cock?” he asks hopefully.
Vortex, who can obviously still hear us, replies without turning around, “If that’s what you want, beautiful.”
“You’ll be so hot like that, with your mouth wide around Vortex’s thick cock, drool slipping down your chin,” I whisper, bringing my fingers up to Seven’s mouth. He immediately opens for me, and I slide two fingers inside, rubbing them against his tongue.
Seven takes them, licking and sucking until he’s fellating them like he would my cock. When they go too deep, he gags, but it only seems to spur him on.
Vortex returns, standing behind him, and he leans down to kiss the top of his head again. “On your knees, beautiful. Unless you want to keep sucking on Caleb’s fingers instead of my cock.”
Seven pulls back, flashing me a bashful smile. “Sorry, Caleb,” he says.
I smile back. “Not a problem at all.” I grab one of the spectator chairs, the nice one with the cushion, and drag it over to the fence. “Vortex, you can lean against the fence. Seven, keep your knees on the chair.”
He briefly looks puzzled, but he and Vortex both move to get into position.
Seven reaches out, unfastening Vortex’s pants and pulling his cock out. He lets out a low moan before he leans in, taking the head of his cock into his mouth. Vortex strokes his hair, murmuring, “That’s right. Take in as much as you can.”
From the sounds Seven starts to make, he’s taking more than is strictly comfortable, but Vortex doesn’t pull away. Instead, he leans against the fence, letting out a moan.
I’m more than aware that we’re out in the open. There are high fences, and the main house is far enough away that it’s unlikely somebody will see, but I get a small thrill from it anyway. I’m not like Havoc, who can’t control himself and fucks in public locations, but I admit I enjoy showing off.
Seven is mine. He’s doing all of this for me, for us.
I stroke myself through my jeans a few times before I unzip and get my cock out so I can get myself hard.
“How’s his mouth?” I ask Vortex casually. I reach into my pocket and pull out the lube I’d prepared, pouring a generous amount on my cock.
Vortex is already breathing heavily, his fingers tangled loosely in Seven’s hair as he keeps him close. I know he’s not forcing him to take more than Seven wants, but I also know Seven has to be appreciating the illusion of it. “Good,” he says. “But I think he can do better. Can’t you, beautiful?”