Page 106 of The Dark Obsession

“It’s good if you have respect, but don’t be fearful. It’ll hold you back.”

With a shaky nod, I take it. My fingers closing around the cold steel.

For the last fifteen minutes, we’ve been going over how to load and unload the gun. Step by step so I can get a feel for it.

“Your hold needs to be steady, but not rigid. Try relaxing your muscles while keeping the gun firmly in your hand.”

Yeah, easier said than done.

I release an exasperated breath as Tyson continues to guide my movements with endless patience.

In the morning light, his eyes are lighter, a rich chocolate brown that could turn black at any moment.

“View it as an extension of your arm. Move with it as if it’s a part of you.” His voice is thicker than usual and I can feel the fondness he holds for his weapons. “One fluid motion, little one.”

There's a light tremble in my hand as his much larger one closes around it, guiding me.

Together, we point the gun towards the tree line where a makeshift paper target has been strung up between two tall pines, gently swaying in the light breeze.

“Aim for the center of the body. It’s more likely for you to hit home that way than if you were going for the head.”

I lean back into his chest, seeking reassurance as Tyson readily seals his body with mine, wrapping an arm around my waist.

But when it comes to actually pulling the trigger, he doesn’t help me. Waiting for me to gather the courage to do it on my own.

And I do.

A deafening bang echoes through the quiet wood, reverberating down my spine. The sound much louder than I anticipated.

The recoil from the shot makes me jump back, bumping into Tyson’s solid chest as he steadies me.

“Where did it go?” I squint at the target, searching for a hole in the paper to no avail.

Good thing we’ve left Nero locked safely inside, protected from any stray bullets.

“Don’t worry about it for now, baby. Focus on remaining steady, no jerking away this time.”

Widening my stance with my feet planted firmly on the ground, we raise the gun once more.

Tyson’s hand on my hip with the intention to stabilize me serving more as a distraction than anything else.

“There you go.” He brushes his thumb over my hipbone, making me swallow hard to stay somewhat focused.

The multiple layers of clothes separating us doing nothing to lessen the tingly sensation spreading over every inch of the skin he’s touching.

Well, here goes nothing.

I flinch every time for the first few rounds.

Yet I manage to push through with the knowledge that Tyson has my back.Literally.

It’s a good skill to have if I ever found myself in a dangerous situation.

Again.

Before I met Tyson, it never occurred to me that it might be a real possibility, being as sheltered as I was.

Coming to know the man’s lifestyle, getting familiar with his world, I’ve grown to be more apprehensive. More realistic about the threats that are out there.

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