Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Keir
T here was an obvious disconnect between where I assumed Briar would ask to be taken and where we end up.
It takes a lot of slow breathing to regulate my system as I step up behind her in our lane at the shooting range. Little does she know, Easton has one on his property. There’s also the practice range at the Shadow Security outfitting warehouse, but she likely doesn’t know that exists either.
We’ve already gone over the three stances that I was taught way back when my dads taught me how to shoot. Then we went over drop and trigger pin safety, how to check each model for a click-off safety, the proper way to determine if a gun is loaded, and how to reload.
There’s very little left, outside of letting her actually take some practice shots. Everything in me wishes she would just trust me to keep her safe.
Omegas are supposed to be cherished and protected. She should never feel so vulnerable that she needs to pick up a gun and handle a problem herself.
That’s what alphas are for.
We’re meant to be the jacked-up beasts that coddle and protect our counterparts.
“Do you have a preference out of the stances I showed you?” I ask from behind her.
She nods. “The tactical one you showed me last.”
“All right,” I agree. “Ear protection on, pick up your weapon, and find your stance.”
The urge to hover immediately behind her is strong, but she has no idea how to balance against the recoil.
I step back and to the side of the lane.
My chest fills with pride as she keeps the Glock pointed down range as her head tilts.
The guy behind the desk kept pushing the Walther PDP, and Briar gave it the grip test, but she went for the Glock.
Not that the PDP is a bad gun.
It’s light but snappy.
I don’t give a shit what the sales guy said. Less weight to the weapon leads to higher recoil, especially in inexperienced shooters. If she hadn’t made the choice herself, I would have gently guided her in the right direction.
“Go on.” I give her a nod that I doubt she can see. “Whenever you’re ready.”
She sighs heavily, steps forward, and sets the gun down. Technically, if it’s not in her hands, I’d like to see her pull the mag, but she turns toward me, sliding off her earmuffs.
I tug mine off in return, even though I’d probably be able to hear her speak with them on.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Every individual who picks up a gun feels that way the first time. The way you gain confidence is through practice.” Pushing off the wall, I come to a stop at her side. “You wanted me to bring you here for a reason.” I quirk an eyebrow, stretching out a hand to tease over her cheek. “I will do everything in my power to protect you when I’m around, but having faith in your ability to keep yourself alive is an entirely different feeling of security.”
She nods, nuzzling her cheek to my wrist. It’s such an intimate gesture. I physically ache to pull her into my arms while promising nothing bad will touch her ever again.
At the same time, I can recognize that she needs to prove to herself that she can do it.
“Put your earmuffs back on, pick up the weapon, and find your stance. Once you’re confident, pull the trigger. No one is an expert the first time they pick up a gun. Everything else can be corrected as you go, but if you won’t pull the trigger…” I stare directly into her eyes as I speak. “Then the gun is useless. Do you understand?”
“Yeah,” she whispers breathlessly. “I think I do.”
“Good.” It takes everything in me to step back, but I force myself to do it.
I can’t do this for her.
I can support her through the process, but she has to be the one to take the first shot.
I guide Briar out to my truck with her tucked under my arm. She wanted to buy herself a gun with Easton’s credit card, but I convinced her to let us hook her up with one that’s untraceable. She could spend a few hundred thousand dollars, and it wouldn’t annoy East a bit, but tying a legally purchased firearm to him through the financial transaction would end with him trying to put her over his knee.
Or maybe I’m projecting because I wouldn’t mind having Briar stretched over my lap.
We come to the side of my truck, and I click the button to unlock the doors before opening hers. She moves to climb up into the vehicle, and my hand lands on top of her head to ensure she doesn’t bump the doorframe.
Briar gets settled into her seat, and I prepare to close the door, but she grabs me by a fistful of my T-shirt and pulls me closer.
A smile tips at my lips as she stretches up to reach me. She still can’t reach my mouth, so I lower my head, leaning into the truck. I hover near her face, but she’s the one who needs to close the distance. She’s still vulnerable, and I’m not an opportunistic dick.
I’ve also yearned for her for months now. I’m not about to pass up an opportunity to deepen our relationship if it’s what she wants.
Her coconut and honey scent is even more potent after the sweating she did in the range, but that’s only a passing thought as she shoves her lips to mine.
I growl, fighting the urge to climb onto the seat so I can pin her down. Her tongue flicks at the seam of my lips, and I open for her as my hand wraps around the back of her head to keep her in place.
Fucking hell.
My instincts won’t shut the fuck up. My system is screaming to bite her to ensure she can never truly escape, but the way her tongue slides around mine is a solid distraction.
Honey and coconut.
The soft push of her lips against mine.
This is not the most romantic location for a first kiss, but I do my best to show her how badly I want her. She pats my chest, finally releasing my T-shirt as she pulls back to breathe.
The quick kiss was enough to make my shaft rock-hard, but I ignore that and run my fingers through her hair.
“What was that for?” I ask, my voice deep and gravelly with need.
She smiles shyly, fluttering her long, dark lashes. “I just really wanted to kiss you. That’s all.” Her shoulders bounce. “And to thank you for being so patient with me earlier. You’re an excellent teacher, Keir.”
My eyes stay glued to her thick lips, and I nod, clearing my throat. “Anything you need, sweet girl. I’m your man.”
Now I just need to follow through for long enough that she begins to trust my word.
Most of Briar’s purchases will be delivered to Easton’s estate, but the back seat of my truck is filled with the stuff she’ll need sooner, rather than in a day or two when the rest arrives.
We pull into the parking lot at Shadow Security, and I park my truck.
Our building shares this lot with three other businesses. The backsides of all four buildings line up two on each side. They meet at the sidewalk, but the two buildings across the way are only open at night, and the one on our side of the sidewalk is currently unoccupied, so there’s never a fight to find parking.
It’s been a long afternoon and Briar must be as hungry as I am. My plan is to run back out and grab a late lunch while she stays nice and toasty in the office.
Shutting off the truck, I hop out and prepare to head around to let her out, but my phone rings. I tug it from my back pocket, and Calder’s name shows on the screen. I’m already here, so I text him rather than answering.
Here. Be inside in two minutes. Have your food order ready.
Or that’s what I mean to type, but I’ve got fat fingers. Still, he’ll be able to decipher its meaning.
I shove my phone away and head around the front of the truck to help Briar from the vehicle, but she exited on her own in my distraction.
I meet her in the middle, and we head under the covered sidewalk toward the employee entrance.
We’re almost to the outer door where employees have to enter a code to get into the building, when Briar goes rigid.
She grabs my forearm, whispering, “Something feels off.”
My head whips around, and that’s when I spot Jameson. He pops out from the inset in the back wall of the nightclub. It’s where employees enter and exit. It’s a strange little tunnel set back just far enough that you can’t see all the way down it, no matter how hard you try. He has his Ruger pointed directly at my forehead, and he supports his broken arm against his middle. It’s in a cast with a sling.
Damn.
Easton fucked him up good.
Twisting, I shove Briar behind me. “Head for the door. Use your code to get inside,” I growl, moving to grab my gun.
“Don’t,” Jameson hisses. “We’re all going inside to have a chat.”
Why Calder was calling suddenly makes sense.
Briar tugs on the back of my jeans, trying to pull me with her.
“You don’t need to go this route,” I tell him, raising my palms. “Fuck off back home. Drown your sorrow in a fifth of tequila and call today a loss.” I barely bite my tongue to keep from suggesting he get back to shoving opiates up his nose. He had quite the addiction three years ago, but he cleaned up his act when East told him he was on his final strike.
“Fuck you!” Jameson growls, shaking his head. “You know he set me up. Do you hear me, Briar? I never fucked that woman! Easton is punishing me because I fell in love with you.”
Briar gasps, and her hand lands on my arm as she tries to peek around my shoulder. “If that’s true, then you really need to put the gun down. You seem a little unhinged right now, Jamie.”
“God, I missed you,” he says, but his gun arm doesn’t waver. “Go inside, Briar. I’m not going to hurt you.” He approaches slowly, and the closer he gets, the easier it is to make out his pupils. They’re tiny pinpricks, just like they used to be when he was high.
I’ll fucking bet the hospital gave him narcotics for that nasty break. They really should have checked his medical history, but Jameson is an adept liar when he needs to be.
Opiates can induce euphoria and feelings of being untouchable, especially when mixed with uppers, which used to be his favorite combo. I’m sure he believes he’ll make it out of this alive. He won’t, but he’s never been the brightest guy.
This entire area is a dead zone for cameras, except the ones Calder has up to monitor our back door.
Jameson really should have planned his attack better.