Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia #2) - Kristen Proby Page 0,41
knew that we would be friends for life. Because of shared experiences, and because we can trust each other.”
“Honestly, that’s very similar to my friendship with Shane,” Curt says, surprising me. “We have shared experiences that most don’t have. The trust is rock solid, and I would do anything for him.”
I smile over at him. “See, this isn’t hard.”
“What?”
“Talking.”
“I’m not used to it. It’s outside my comfort zone.”
“Usually, the best things in life are those outside our comfort zones.”
Curt smirks and then glances down at his buzzing phone. “That’s Shane. He’s on his way back. Should be here in a couple of hours, at the most.”
“Cool. Okay, let’s go shoot some targets. I’m going to pretend they’re that asshole from yesterday and teach him a lesson.”
“You’re a little scary sometimes. You know that, right?”
“Me?” I laugh as we lock up the barn and get in the ATV to drive over to the shooting range. “Nah. I’m a pussy cat. But that guy pissed me off. He could have hurt one of you. Or killed you.”
“He didn’t.” Curt parks in front of the door in the side of the mountain, and we jump out. He places his hand on the palm plate, and once we’re inside, he locks us in as I open the vault.
“I want to use something bigger today.”
Curt arches a brow. “Feeling brave, are you?”
“I’ve been using this small 9mm. Shane upgraded me to it a few days ago. And I’m sure it’s appropriate for me, but I want to try something a little…beefier.”
“The sidearm that Shane assigned to you is perfect for you, and I’ll tell you why. It’s slim and perfect for the size of your hands. It’s easy for you to manipulated and control. But it’s a 9mm so the bullets are lethal. You have a lot of power in that weapon. If you start shooting something bigger, you run the risk of hurting yourself because it’ll be more difficult to handle. And if you were ever confronted, it could be easier for the assailant to get it away from you.
“So, this is what you should master. Personally, I think you should carry two of them. One at the small of your back, and a clutch piece on your ankle.”
“Wow. You really know this stuff.”
“It was my job for a long time. And, no, I’m not going to talk about it.”
“Killjoy.”
He laughs at that and hangs a target for me, then sends it down the lane.
“Okay, using the weapon assigned to you, let’s see what you’ve got.”
“I can admit when I’m wrong,” I say as I finish reloading my weapon and tuck it into the small of my back. “You’re right, this is the right size for me.”
“It’s good that we had you try a couple of others. You never know when you might have to pick up a discarded weapon and use it.”
“I don’t plan to go to war.”
“No one does.” He smiles thinly. “You’ll be prepared for anything. That’s not a bad thing.”
“No, I suppose not.”
We’ve just started to shut down the range when sirens start.
“Fuck,” Curt says sharply and opens his phone. “We’ve been breached again.”
“Oh, my God. Maybe it’s Shane.”
“Not Shane.” His face is grim as he looks up at me. “There are several men, all in military gear. I’m not going to lie to you, Ivie. This isn’t good. I want you to go through that door and take the tunnel to the bunker.”
“I can help you.”
“No.” He shakes his head in frustration as he hurries back into the vault. I’m on his heels as he takes weapons out of cases, loads them, and stuffs his pockets with ammo. He tucks a knife into his pants, a small pistol at his ankle. He looks like Rambo. “You absolutely cannot. You’re trained to protect yourself, not infiltrate. So, listen to me very carefully. You take that tunnel to the bunker, and you sit tight. You do not come out until someone comes for you.”
“But—”
He’s looking down at his phone as he types furiously. “I’ve just alerted Shane. I hope he’s not out there in this mess. I mean it, Ivie. Stay in the bunker until someone comes to you. If it’s a bad guy, you shoot them. Do you understand? Don’t hesitate.”
“I won’t.” I hurry to him and hug him hard. Curt stiffens. “Be smart out there.”
“Get to the bunker,” he says again, and then he’s gone. The door locks behind him, and I take a second to breathe long and