Chapter 6
Aria
The sharp scent of gunpowder surrounds me as I grip the handgun that made me cum just a few nights ago.
My eyes flick to the target in front of me, then back to the guys standing just behind me.
Jackson’s tall frame is to my right, his expression as serious as ever, while Beau stands on my left, his usual calm demeanor laced with that familiar mischievous smile.
“Alright, babe, hold it like this,” Jackson says, moving slightly closer, his hands guiding mine into position. His fingers are gentle, positioning my grip on the handle. His body is so close. I can feel the warmth radiating from him. For a second, my nerves almost fade just from his comfort.
Beau, on the other hand, is watching me closely. His eyes scan my every movement. “You’ve got this, sweetheart. Just breathe.” He says with a reassuring tone.
I nod, trying to focus. The gun feels heavier than expected, the pressure of the moment settling on my shoulders. With a deep breath, I align the sights with the target. I try my best to steady my hands. “Okay…here it goes.” I slowly squeeze the trigger.
BANG
The shot echoes through the range. I immediately feel the sting of disappointment wash through me when I glance at the target. Nothing. Just the smooth, untouched paper mocking me.
“Well, that was…a good try,” Jackson says, his voice light, trying to mask the amusement that I can see in both of their eyes. “But try again, babe. You’ll get it…eventually.”
I turn, flipping Jackson a rude gesture. I bite my lip, feeling the pang of frustration take over. Another deep breath, and I raise the gun again. This time, I pull the trigger a little quicker, hoping for some magic, but the result is the same. Another miss.
My shoulders slump slightly. I feel my face heat up with embarrassment. I know I shouldn’t get discouraged. Hitting that target is harder than it looks. I would rather be at home right now, curled up with a good book. That doesn’t require any hand eye coordination.
“Don’t sweat it,” Beau says. “You’re just getting warmed up.”
Before I can respond, Beau steps up behind me, his presence surrounding me as he wraps his arms around mine. His hands gently guiding mine on the gun. The scent of him, leather and an earthy smell, fills my senses helping me focus.
“Relax and just let me guide you." He mutters, his breath warm against my ear, sending chills down my spine.
Jackson moves to stand beside us, his eyes never leaving me, like he’s waiting for the moment that I finally hit the target. But all I can focus on is Beau, his hands on mine, steadying me.
“Alright, baby, now take a deep breath. Hold the gun steady, and when you’re ready, fire.” Beau’s voice is so calm, so sure of me, I can’t help but trust him. I exhale slowly, steadying the gun once more.
I take the shot, and for a split second, I hold my breath.
BANG
This time, when I lower my arms, I see it. The bullet hit the target. Not the bullseye, but damn close.
A rush of excitement surges through me. I turn to both of them, grinning like an idiot. I press my lips to Beau's first, then quickly turn to kiss Jackson, the sweet taste of victory on my lips.
“I did it!” I laugh, my chest light with happiness. “I actually hit the damn target!”
Beau chuckles lightly. "I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you, baby girl.”
Jackson, still looking at me with that proud grin, wraps his arms around my shoulders, sandwiching me between both of them. “That was hot,” he says, his voice low.
I smile, feeling giddy from their praise. The adrenaline still pulses through me. This is honestly something I never thought I would do. With my fear of guns, I thought I could go the rest of my life without touching one, much less shooting a target.
Until…
My phone starts ringing. The shrill noise of my ringtone cuts through the excitement in the air. I pull it out of my back pocket and instantly freeze. Dayla’s name flashes across the display. An immediate wave of anxiety washes over me.
“Oh, shit, it’s her first day alone, and she's already calling.” I mutter.
I swipe to answer, and as soon as the call connects, Dayla’s frantic voice fills the air, coming through in a jumbled mess of words.
“Aria! Aria, oh my God, I don’t know what to do!
Someone threw a brick through one of the front windows!
It’s shattered everywhere. There’s glass everywhere on the floor.
And…and it kind of looks like there’s a note attached to it!
” She’s talking so fast that I'm only catching every few words she says.
My heart is running wild right now. All I understood is that the window in the shop is broken. “Wait, slow down.” I finally jump in. She needs to calm down enough to clearly explain what’s happening. “Where were you? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…it’s so much and I don't want to lose my job on the first day. I don’t even know if I should touch the note or leave it alone.
” She’s breathing hard now. Her panic bleeding through the phone.
“I’m scared, Aria! What if whoever threw it comes back?
I…I just don’t know what to do right now, and I was so scared to call you to let you know what happened. ”
“Okay, listen to me. Is the note still on the brick? Can you see it? Don’t touch anything, just…
just stay behind the counter and breathe.
We’re on the way, okay?” I say while trying to steady my breathing.
I need to keep my voice calm because I think she might be freaking out enough for the both of us.
“Yeah, the note’s still there. It’s like taped or something. Just please hurry.”
“Stay put, Dayla. We're leaving now and will get there as soon as we can. Don’t touch the glass. Don’t try to clean anything up and don’t call anyone else right now.” I say, my voice leaving no room for argument. “I want to see what's going on first, and then we will call the cops. Okay?”
I can hear her taking deep breaths through the phone. I can't blame her for being rattled. If I were in the store when that happened, I would have the same reaction as her. “Okay, please hurry.”
“Hang tight. We're coming.” I hang up the phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I lower it to my side.
I turn to my men, eyes locking with theirs, and the intensity of the situation sinks in. “We have to go. Now." The words feel like a punch to the gut, but there is no time to waste.
Jackson’s already moving. “We’re on it.” He says, his voice controlled.
Beau doesn’t need to be told twice. “Grab your gun and let’s go.”
The moment is over…the fun and the playful teasing are all gone. Now it’s just the reality of what’s happening. This has to be the person who sent that message to the guys the other day. This is their way of getting our attention.