Page 42 of Seductive Sin

“And that’s why we keep the safety on,” he says, picking it up and handing it back to me. “No reason to freak out. I know you don’t want to shoot me. But always be aware of where your gun is pointing. Never point it at something you don’t want to shoot. Try again.”

This time I’m more careful. I point the gun toward the target, adjust my stance, and grasp the grip with my right hand.

“Good. Now wrap your other hand around your dominant hand to secure your hold.”

I nod, obeying.

“Good. Keep your head upright and level, not tilted or turned, and bring the firearm up to your line of sight. Use your dominant eye to aim.”

I nod, closing my left eye to bring the target into aim.

“Keep both eyes open, Vannah.”

I nod, open the left eye. Good, I’m still trained on the target.

I cock my head a bit, careful to stay on target. “I wasn’t supposed to learn to shoot, but my father insisted. He said you don’t grow up in this kind of family without knowing how to handle a gun.”

“Good on him. At least you weren’t treated like a second class citizen when it came to protecting yourself.”

“I suppose it sounds like we’re treated that way, but when I think about it, that’s not exactly the case. Not so much second-class citizens as…precious commodities.”

He shakes his head. “How can you be living in this century, Savannah? This makes no sense at all.”

“Tell me about it.”

“You say women are treated like chattel, but you don’t consider yourself a second-class citizen?”

“Kind of, but the term second-class citizen implies that we’re thought of as having no value. That’s not the case.”

“I won’t deny your value, Savannah. But I won’t have you treated as a damned commodity. All the more reason for you to learn how to shoot.”

I smile at him and re-aim the gun. “Is this the right stance?”

He nods. “Yup. Now, when you shoot the gun, you’re going to get some kickback. Something you have to get used to. You’re still lined up. You ready to shoot?”

The earmuffs are tight on my head, but I’m ready. I nod, without losing my target.

“Then go ahead.”

I shoot.

The kickback is rougher than I remember, and the gun rises as the shell hits the floor.

But Falcon stares at the target. “Fuck it, you’re a natural.”

Sure enough. I hit right outside of dead center.

“Told you.” I smirk.

“Do it again.”

I aim again, shoot.

Slightly more off-center this time. “Was that first one a fluke?”

“Are you kidding me? This is still amazing. Again.”

I go through eight more rounds, each one hitting right around the target, and one dead center. Everything comes back to me.