Page 42 of Angels & Whiskey

“Well, women tend to start off with a revolver then grow into a semi-automatic pistol.”

“If you’re serious about learning, start with the semi-automatic. It holds more rounds,” Dad interjected. My gaze drifted to his and his eyes narrowed at me. Dad was a smart man; he knew something was up.

“Okay, let’s do the semi-automatic.” I had no idea the difference except the look. The revolver looked like something from the twenties, but the semi-automatic looked more like something I could use.

“All right,” the guy said. “I’d recommend the one with a longer trigger pull, so when you fire it, you know for sure you want it to go off. Fewer misfires.”

I chose a silver and black 9mm, semi-automatic pistol that was compact enough to fit into my medium sized Coach purse. We went over the safety procedures, loading the gun, cocking it before it would shoot, how to clean it and how to go about getting a permit for it.

After I watched a short video, Dad and I shot a few rounds. Once I’d finally got a feel for the gun, I started to concentrate on the targets. Dad didn’t say a word as I took in all the information and I was relieved. I didn’t know how much longer I could lie to him.

“Remember when you’d take me to the arcade and we’d play Area 51?” I asked, trying to act as if this was just for fun and games.

He smiled. “Yeah, sunshine. I do.”

“Remember how I would take both guns and try to kill more aliens?” He laughed and nodded. “I wonder if I can get that good and be badass like that in real life.”

He laughed again. “Are you trying to train for an alien invasion?”

I giggled. “No, but tell me that wouldn’t be badass? I’d feel like Lara Croft or something.”

“Rich would definitely be impressed.”

“Hell yeah, he would.” Just the thought of having two guns pointed at Rich as he tried to hurt me again sent a pulse of excitement through my veins—or maybe it was the fact that I was holding a gun and already felt safer. Whatever the case was, I was determined to hit the targets in the chest or head before we left.

After a few more rounds each, I finally reached my goal. It made me feel good—powerful—badass—stronger.

“Do you want to come back with me this weekend?” Dad asked as we drove back to the studio.

“I’m not sure if I can.”

He nodded. “Just let me know. You’ll be a pro before you know it if you keep practicing.”

“I will.”

“I’ll file the paperwork for you to get the gun registered.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” I smiled. As we pulled up to the studio, my cell rang with Rich’s daily call.

“I’ll meet you inside,” Dad whispered.

I nodded then quickly answered the phone before the third ring. “Hey, honey.”

“Hey, princess. Having fun with your dad?”

I closed my eyes. He knew I was with Dad and not both my parents. I knew I needed to tell him where we went before he asked. “I am. Dad wanted to take a break, so I went with him to the range.”

“He’s good isn’t he?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. He had eyes on me, but it didn’t seem as if they went inside. “He is. He taught me how to shoot a few rounds.”

“So you want to start going to the range?” I thought I could hear a smile in his voice.

Laughing I said, “Maybe. I did look pretty badass.”

“I bet sexy as hell too.”

“Well, that would be weird for Dad to say.” I giggled.

“True. All right, princess. I’ll see you when I get home. I’ll be home by eight. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

After hanging up the phone, I walked inside and said goodbye to my parents before going home to start dinner. I needed to make sure it was ready when he got home so he’d stay in a good mood.