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CHAPTER 15

JAXSON

“Damn!” Bennett hollers.

The six of us have been at the gun range for the last two hours, firing rounds with different types of weapons. So far, Aurora seems the most comfortable with the Springfield XDM 9mm and Smith & Wesson Shield 45mm.

I push the button to bring the paper target forward to see how accurately she hit. I’m not surprised to see multiple headshots and a few in the chest and gut.

Bennett’s not wrong. She’s pretty fucking good… A natural.

“You didn’t tell us you could shoot,” Thomas accuses. Hudson elbows him in the stomach. “What the fuck, man? I’m just saying… She didn’t tell us.”

“Dumbass,” Carver mutters. “Her dad’s a general. It didn’t once enter your little pea brain… I don’t know… Hey, maybe General Parks taught Aurora how to shoot?”

We all howl with laughter. Aurora’s skin flushes, and she bites her lip to keep from laughing as well.

“Doesn’t hurt to brush up, does it?” she offers. “It’s been a while since I’ve fired my gun. I’m rusty.”

“Rusty?” Bennett says, incredulously. “You were more accurate than some Marines.”

“Nah.” She winks. “I normally get all the headshots. I missed a couple.”

Fuck, this woman!

My dick hardens instantly, and for once, I’m grateful that I decided to wear my Utilities. They give me more room, and my arousal won’t be as noticeable. My cock’s been in a constant state of steel since I picked her up this morning. Dressed in simple yoga pants and a t-shirt, she’s gorgeous without even trying.

“What’s next?” Hudson asks, interrupting my thoughts.

We won’t have access to the obstacle course and gym until later in the day, so I had to devise a different plan. Carver helped me work on it all night until it was perfect.

“We’re going to head back to the general’s,” I announce.

Aurora’s brows furrow. “That’s it?”

I shake my head. “Got a surprise for you. Since the gym and obstacle course are being used, I came up with something else while we wait.”

She doesn’t look convinced but follows me out of the range. When we get to the general’s house, I ask her to get us some drinks while we scramble to hang her gift .

Bennett is climbing down the tree when Aurora walks out the patio door.

She stops suddenly and gasps. “What the hell is that?”

Hanging from the tree is the ugliest-looking dummy ever created. Neither Carver nor I have great sewing skills, and it shows. We cut up a sheet and formed a body, stuffing it with fluff from pillows that we destroyed. We added two stuffed arms, legs, and a head, along with two plastic translucent globes for eyes. We added weights inside the legs to keep it from moving when he’s hit as well. The mouth is a drawn-on frowny face with gnarly teeth, compliments of my Sharpie, and a rectangle nose. Not to be outdone, Carter added his own personal touch of curly pube hairs at the crotch before I could stop him.

Aurora doubles over laughing. If I never hear anything in this world again, I could die a happy man. It’s carefree and light, something I wondered if I’d ever get the chance to experience.

“Dude, that’s fucking ugly,” Thomas quips.

Hudson pokes it with a stick like it has a disease. “What’s the point of this?”

“You’ll see,” I say cryptically. “Aurora, can you come over here, but tell Lykos to stay first?”

She gives Lykos the command and strolls over to my side, waiting for instruction. The last thing we need is for Lykos to think his owner is in danger. If I give the command, he might listen to me, but it’s better coming from Aurora.

“Thomas isn’t wrong.” She crosses her arms. “Ted is pretty ugly.”

“Who the fuck is Ted?” Carver asks.

Hudson snickers. “You named him?”

“Alright, alright,” I say, trying to gain control. “He’s not the greatest looking punching bag, but it’s the best we could come up with on the fly.”

“So, he’s not just for scaring the birds,” she jokes.

“Hardy har har,” Carver huffs. “I’ll have you know my fingers were bleeding last night from all the damn needle pokes. Those fuckers are sharp.”

“Aww… Does the poor baby need a Band-Aid?” Aurora’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes widen in shock. “I-I-I’m… I-I-I didn’t mean… I’m sorry, Carver.”

Carver steps closer to her. “Aurora, stop,” he says gently. “I actually do need a Band-Aid.” He glares at me. “Fucker wouldn’t give me one.”

Carver shoves me out of the way to demonstrate how our prototype works. I cross my arms and watch as he holds her attention. The spotlight that I wanted is now his, and the green monster is rearing its ugly head. I stomp toward the table, grab a bottle of water, twist off the top, and chug a mouthful.

Hudson jogs over to grab one as well. “Careful, Captain,” he warns. “You’re showing your cards.”

Fuck! I was afraid of that.

I crack my neck and recenter myself before walking calmly returning to where Carver is finishing his explanation. “Did you show her the lights yet?”

“Nah,” he answers. “Figured you’d want to.”

He wanders over to the other guys, who are patiently waiting to see what this monstrosity can do.

“Did Carver explain that this is a pressure point dummy?”

She nods. “How will I know I’m hitting the right area?”

“You’ll see.” I cock my arm back, aiming for the neck, hitting directly between the neck and shoulder. The lights on the doll light up bright red.

“Wow,” she mumbles. “You made me my own 3 Ninjas practice dummy! This is amazing!”

I scratch my head. “What are you talking about?”

“ 3 Ninjas ,” she says, exasperated. “Only one of the greatest nineties movies ever!”

“Hit it again!” The peanut gallery yells.

“You guys ever heard of a movie called 3 Ninjas ?” I holler.

Everyone shakes their head except Carver, who smirks. “Where do you think I got the idea for the light-up eyes, genius?”

“Of fucking course,” I mutter.

Aurora runs over and gives him a high-five. “Badass, Carver.”

Carver puffs out his chest. “Only the cool kids understand.”

“Alright, Aurora. It’s your turn.” She returns to her spot by my side, and I point to his crotch. “Kick him right there.”

She doesn’t even hesitate. Squaring her shoulders, she steps back on her right foot and kicks Ted so hard that I swear I feel it.

The eyes light up and groans filter throughout the yard.

Aurora dances around, stopping suddenly when she realizes we’re all watching her. “That felt good.”

I chuckle. “I never want to be on the receiving end of that kick. You have power in those legs.”

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment, and she moves to kick Ted again. I show her all the pressure points on the body where we placed the lights. My guys and I take turns giving input on proper stances and how to produce the most power behind a hit or kick.

We stay for most of the day, only stopping long enough to have some lunch. The longer we’re here, the more comfortable she appears to be in our presence. Unfortunately, I can’t stop the gnawing feeling in the back of my mind that something’s about to happen. What? I don’t know. But I’ve never ignored a feeling before, and I’m not about to start.

One thing’s for sure, nothing will fucking touch Aurora again.