Chapter 19
-Hailey-
E do vouchers
I followed Logan to the garage, expecting him to lead me to his bike. But instead he reached for a metal shelf on the back wall, dragging it across the floor. Behind it was a steel door that had been completely hidden from view.
He pulled out his keys, unlocking it and pushing it open.
“Stay close,” he said, his voice low. “And don’t touch anything unless I tell you to.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Inside, the smell of gunpowder and metal hit me like a wall. The place was huge and empty except for two guys at the far end, shooting off rounds.
“Wait right here,” he said, disappearing into another room.
He came back a minute later with a box of ammunition. He pulled out a pistol from his waistband and set it on the counter, along with the box of ammo.
“Alright,” he said, his voice firm. “First rule… Treat every gun like it’s loaded. Always.”
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “Got it.”
“Second rule. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.”
“Okay.”
“Third rule. Never point it at anything you don’t intend to kill.”
I swallowed hard. “Got it.”
He tossed me a pair of neon orange ear plugs. I rolled them between my fingers before pushing them into my ears, watching as he did the same.
Then he handed me the gun, and it was heavier than I expected. Cold and solid in my hands. I gripped it like it might bite
- me.
“Relax,” Logan said, his voice softer now. “You’re holdin‘ it like it’s a snake.”
“Maybe because it feels like one,” I shot back, but I loosened my grip.
He stepped behind me, his chest pressing against my back as he adjusted my stance. His hands were warm as they guided my arms into position. “Keep your feet shoulder–width apart,” he murinured in my ear. “And lean forward a little.”
I did as he said, trying to focus on his instructions and not the way his body felt pressed against mine.
“This is the safety. It’s on right now, switch it off. Yeah, like that. Now, line up your sights,” he said, his breath hot against my neck. “And take a deep breath.”
I inhaled slowly, steadying my hands as I aimed at the target downrange.
“When you’re ready, breathe out as you squeeze the trigger,” he said, his voice low. “Don’t jerk it. Be prepared for the kick.”
I exhaled and pulled the trigger. The recoil hit me, but I managed to keep the gun steady. The bullet hit the paper target,
way off to the left.
13:04 Mon, Dec 22
Chapter 19
“Not bad,” Logan said, stepping back. “Again.”
2719
20 vouchers
I took a slow breath, lining up the sights. The target stared back at me, Matt’s face flashing in my mind for half a second before I squeezed the trigger. The gun bucked in my hands, but this time I was ready for it.
The shot landed dead center. My chest fluttered who knew my hands could do that?
Logan smirked. “Damn, Ace. You’re a natural.”
I felt myself smile. His pride sent an unexpected warmth through my chest.
I fired again, and again, reloaded and fired, until my arms ached and my ears were ringing. The target was full of holes – most of them clustered in the outer rings, but a bunch had found the center.
Logan watched me with his arms crossed. “You’ll do.”
I lowered the gun, my fingers stiff. “High praise.”
He stepped closer, taking the gun from me. “Alright, Ace. Let’s get you strapped.”
I pulled the earplugs out as he led me to a back room lined with weapons. The collection should’ve horrified me – rifles, shotguns, handguns glinting under the fluorescent lights – but it didn’t. I felt a grim sort of resolve.
Logan grabbed a sleek black pistol from the wall, checking the chamber before handing it to me. “Glock 19. Light recoil, easy to conceal. You’ll carry this tonight.”
The weight settled into my palm like it belonged there. “Where am I supposed to put it?”
He smirked, pulling a holster from a drawer. “Wear it under your arm. Or it can go in your waistband if you’re wearin‘ something loose.”
rodo
His fingers touched the small of my back as he demonstrated, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the gun.
“Remember,” he said, his voice dropping. “It’s not a toy. Safety on until you’re ready to shoot. And if you pull the trigger… you mean it.”
I met his gaze, nodding slowly. The gravity of what we were about to do settled over me.
“I know,” I whispered.
His hand cupped my cheek, rough and warm. For a second, I thought he might kiss me. Then the door banged open behind
- us.
“Ayo, Nash,” River called. “Church.”
Logan’s expression turned hard again. He pressed the gun into my hand, his fingers lingering.
“Oh,” River added, leaning against the doorframe. “And your old man’s back in town.”
Logan froze. His jaw flexed, and I saw something flicker in his eyes.
“Shit,” he muttered, pulling away.
I swallowed hard, the weight of the gun suddenly heavier in my hand. “Your dad?”
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Fuckin‘ perfect timing.”
I didn’t know much about his father, just that he was VP of the club, an artist, and that he and Logan’s mom had been gone
13:04 Mon, Dec 22 M
Chapter 19
for months. But Logan’s reaction told me this reunion might not be a good thing.
20 vouchers
He exhaled hard through his nose, handing me the holster and turning toward the door. “Come on. We’re done here.”
I followed him out, the gun tucked awkwardly into the waistband of my leggings.
The three of us walked back into the clubhouse, and River peeled off immediately, heading toward the back room with a nod. Logan stopped me by the bar with a hand on my elbow.
“Stay here, Ace,” he said, his voice low. His green eyes searched mine, intense and unreadable. “Have a drink. Don’t go anywhere.” His fingers squeezed before letting go. “I’ll be back… got a club meeting. Shouldn’t be more than an hour.”
I opened my mouth to argue, because of course I did. But the look on his face shut me up. His dad’s return had clearly thrown him off balance.
“Fine,” I murmured, sliding onto a barstool. “But if I get wasted and start dancing on tables, that’s on you.”
Logan snorted. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone did that in here… in the past hour.” He jerked his chin toward Trina behind the bar. “Keep her outta trouble, please.”
Trina smirked, already pouring me a whiskey. “No promises.”
Logan hesitated for a second, then strode toward the back room.
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension. I took the whiskey Trina slid toward me and knocked it back in one swallow, relishing the burn.
“Easy there, killer,” Trina said, raising an eyebrow. “You planning on bein‘ shit–faced by sundown?”
I shook my head, pushing my glass back toward her. “Just needed that one.” My fingers tapped restlessly on the bar. “I’m guessing you heard about our plans for the evening?”
Trina’s smirk faded as she leaned in, her voice dropping low. “Yeah, I heard. And I’d say you’re outta your damn mind, but I’m sure you already know.” She refilled my glass but didn’t push it toward me. “You sure you’re ready for this, sweetheart?”
I stared at the amber liquid, the weight of the gun pressing into my back. “No,” I admitted. “But I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. So I might as well get it over with.”
She studied me for a few seconds, then sighed, pushing the glass toward me.
I managed a weak smile, but my stomach twisted. The reality of what we were about to do was draped over me like a lead blanket. I traced the rim of my glass with a fingertip, avoiding her stare. “You think I’m making a mistake.”
“I think,” Trina said carefully, “that you’re braver than most. And maybe dumber.” She reached across the bar and squeezed my hand. “But if anyone’s gonna walk out of that house alive tonight, it’s you. Logan won’t let it go any other way.”
The door to the back banged open, and my head snapped up – but it was just Scarlett, her dark curls bouncing as she headed toward us. She slid onto the stool next to me, her blue eyes sharp. “Heard you’re going hunting,” she said by way of greeting.
I went stiff. “News travels fast,”
“In this place?” She snorted. “Faster than a meth head on payday,” She flagged Trina down for a beer, then turned back to me. “You know my brother’s gonna go off the rails if anything happens to you, right?”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah. I got that memo.”
Scarlett took a long pull from her beer, her eyes never leaving mine. “Good. Then you should also know that if you get yourself killed, I’ll dig you up and kill you again.”
13:04 Mon, Dec 22 M
Chapter 19
A startled laugh burst out of me. “Noted.”
071
20 vouchers
She grinned, but there was no humor in it. “Seriously, Hailey. Be smart. Don’t take risks you don’t have to. And for fuck’s sake, say the damn word as soon as possible. Don’t be a hero.”
“Bananas,” I murmured, and Scarlett’s eyebrows shot up.
She looked at Trina and they both burst out laughing. “He did not.”
“No,” I said. “It’s my word. As in, this shit is bananas.”
Scarlett shook her head, muttering something under her breath about her brother’s idiocy.
I sighed. “You guys get why I have to do this, right?”
Trina studied me before responding. “Yeah. I get it, honey. I do. But my nephew’s gonna be a wreck the whole time you’re in there.” Her fingers tapped on the bar. “You see the way he looks at you?”
Heat crept up my neck. “Like I’m about to walk into traffic?”
“Like you’re the last damn glass of water in the desert,” Scarlett said, shaking her head. “And he’s thirsty AF.”
I stared down at my glass. The weight on my shoulders was suddenly heavier. Tonight, I’d face my demons with Logan at my side. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever was about to happen – either with Logan’s dad or with Matt – would change everything between us.
For the better, hopefully. But maybe for the worse.
田
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
