Chapter 29 #2
Just as I reached the bottom stair unnoticed, I heard a familiar voice.
“Good morning, Arturo. Is everything okay?”
“Ana… Good morning.” I paused dead in my tracks with bated breath.
She knew. There’s no way in hell she didn’t know where I’ve been.
Well done, dickhead. You’ve been caught before we can ruin it.
Will you just do me a favour and get fucked already!
“Were you looking for Luca?” she asked. I could have rolled my eyes. By my half naked appearance, anyone would know I wasn't looking for Luca.
“Yeah, I was. He left to take T to school already?” Lie, lie, fuckin’ lie.
“He has. Though he’ll be back shortly.” A wicked smirk graced her face. That expression could say a thousand damn words.
Well, shit. She bloody knew.
“Well, I had better get ready to take Bella to target practice,” I held up my hand in a see ya later gesture before turning to leave.
But her calling out my name stopped me. Glancing over my shoulder I found her staring at me. “Look after her.” There was a plea in that sentence. I wasn’t sure if she meant for me to look after Bella in general or if she meant her heart.
No matter what, I’d protect both.
“Ana, you don’t need to worry. It’s all in a day’s work.” Her smile faded. “She’s a stubborn one, but she’s getting better at protectin’ herself.”
“Right, of course.” Hopefully I had successfully distracted her and threw her off the scent. “Thank you, Arturo. I’ll leave you to get on with your day.” She nodded, turning on her heel and heading towards the kitchen.
“That’s perfect, Bella,” I called over the sounds of gunshots.
Absolutely perfect.
She smiled sweetly over her shoulder, before firing another round into the target dummy. Her aim had improved quicker than I’d anticipated, she knew exactly what she was doing, I just had to be sure she’d be able to put her training to good use when she needed to.
Taking someone's life was no easy task. She may have been surrounded by these kinds of things her whole life, but her personality screamed innocence and the need to protect others, she wasn’t yet prepared for dealing in death.
But when it came down to actually pulling the trigger, she’d do it, she’d have to.
Otherwise the vultures Lorenzo had presented her to would soon smell it and use the weakness against her.
I wasn’t worried. Once I was done with her, she’d fear nothing. Not blood, not death, nothing. She’d hold her head high like the queen she was.
My queen.
“That was better, right?” she asked, placing her gun down on the table.
“Better? Princess that was a fuckin’ turn on.” Her mouth spread in a bright smile. Clearly, my girl liked to be praised, both in the bedroom and out.
Hmm…
“I want to try somethin’. Little experiment if you will. You up for it?” I gripped her chin, dropping a light kiss to her lips.
“That depends, what do I have to do?”
Shoving the dummy out of the way, I stood still against the wall and placed a powder filled orb on my head.
“What are you doing?!” she squeaked, her eyes widening in fear.
“I want you to pick up your gun and aim for this,” I said, pointing to the object on my head.
“Are you fucking crazy?!” she scowled. “I could blow your brains out!”
“Crazy for you? Yes.” I could see her heart going ten to the dozen despite the distance between us. “Bella… You can do this. I trust you. Now focus on your aim and your breathing and you’ll be absolutely fine.”
Her hand shook as she paused over her gun. “I can’t!”
“Yes, you can. I know you can. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think you could. Now pick up the gun and do as you’re told.”
I glanced over at the door where an employee stood with a shocked look on his face.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” The dude was pissed but he’d have to get over it.
“Hey, you, come here a minute. Take my phone and?—”
“Get away from the firing line! You can’t be there. It’s not allowed!” I scowled when he started stamping his booted foot like a child.
“Listen, fella, I don’t give two shits if it’s allowed or not, but you’re goin’ to do me a favour and record what’s about to happen. You get me?”
“But—” he started, only for me to interrupt him.
“But nothing, just film it.” I demanded, handing him my phone, making sure I didn’t take my eyes off of Bella.
“Fine, but I’m not scraping you off the floor when she misses,” he huffed. He was getting on my last damn nerve.
“Carry on bein’ negative and it’ll be you that’ll need scrapin’ off the fuckin’ floor,” I said calmly. The guy swallowed hard before stepping back. With shaking hands he hit the record button. Bella glared at him from across the range.
“Are you ready?” I asked. She nodded, letting out a steady breath as she held the Glock 45 as I’d taught her. My heart steadied as she perfected her aim. Smiling I gave her a slow nod before stating, “Good girl, now release.”
I saw the worry and fear drain from her eyes, and it was replaced with hunger, fire, and confidence. Best guess was, nobody had put their trust in her the way I was doing right then. She needed this.
“Do it, Bella,” I demanded calmly. A brief flare of fear flickered in her eyes and then… gunshot. Almost in slow motion, I watched her pull the trigger. The sound of the bullet being released from its chamber echoed off the walls.
POP . My eyes met hers as the orb on my head split open, covering me in a bright purple sheen.
She did it.
She fuckin’ did it.
That was my girl.