Page 81 of From Hell

“Which part?” I pour her a coffee, place it on the breakfast bar, and then pour a jug of cream.

She eyes my offering and then draws the coffee and jug to her, not touching her eggs and bacon. “Don’t try and be funny. You drugged me, didn’t you?”

“Don’t be so dramatic. It was just something to calm you down and help you sleep. It didn’t stop you from sleepwalking.” I gave her a little cocktail of mine to make her easier to manage, enough to make her sleep until morning. How she was up and walking around last night, I have no fucking idea. Next time, I’ll give her a stronger dose. “Eat your eggs.”

“I’m not hungry. I’ll get something when I go home.”

With her watching me, I file through her purse until I find what I’m looking for—her keys.I confiscate them.

“Are you robbing me?”

“Robbing you? I have billions in the bank. Why would I want to rob you?”

“Give my keys, Jaxon.”

My mouth twitches as I place her laundered clothes on the counter, and then the gun on top. Then I leave Laine to get dressed. I want her to trust me, and I doubt she knows how to shoot it. Not until I teach her. I’ll have to take her to the shooting range at Whitechapel House for that.

I meant what I said, she’s not going home until she can shoot straight. Killing Laine isn’t an option anymore. And if Shepherd comes for her, and he will, I want her to put a bullet in the bastard if I don’t.

Not that it will ever come to that.

Even if I have to lock her up.

Once, I kept a butterfly locked in a jar. It died within hours. My mother found me staring at the dead insect. I was just a kid and didn’t understand. She explained how selfish I’d been, that my actions killed it, but it fascinated me. I had the power and means to take or save a life.

Laine is not a fragile butterfly.

But she’s never leaving my side.

I know that now.

* * *

“Holdthe gun with your dominant hand, high on the grip. And these fingers around the base of the grip, just underneath the trigger guard.” Laine is in front of my chest, holding the Glock, allowing me to position her hands.

She still won’t tell me where she got it. She has secrets, and I have mine. Only I’ll find a way to pry hers to the surface.

“Like this?” She tightens her grip.

“Not too tight; don’t use adeath grip. Now keep your left hand firmly around the base of the grip, thumb forward, and under the right. And keep this hand’s forefinger…” I tap her right hand. “Off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.”

She relaxes, shifting back against me, the smell of her freshly washed hair, using my shampoo, brushing in my face driving me insane, and then she sighs. The sound she makes teases over the length of my cock, making me want to shove it inside her mouth for all the illicit noises she makes.

I show her how to aim and pull the trigger, and after several rounds, she hits the target a couple of times. My phone has been going off like crazy. I meant to be at work, but unless it’s an emergency, I’m staying right here.

She drags off the ear protectors and safety glasses, a smug grin on her face when she sees how close to the center of the target she managed to get.“Look at that, I hit it again.”

I pull her to me and taste her lips. “You’re a fucking natural.”

My phone goes off for the tenth time. Shepherd really wants to get hold of me.

She frowns. “Shouldn’t you get that?”

I take it out and switch it off, not bothering to look at the screen. If it’s an emergency, the hospital has my pager, otherwise, they can all fuck off. “It’s not important.”

Laine glances at her own phone as we walk to my car. I keep alert for anyone who might see us, but the estate grounds are deserted this far from the main house. “Shit. it’s late.” She looks my way. “Thank you for showing me how to shoot, but I should go home now.” She holds out her hands. “I did what you said. I learned how to shoot. Now give me my keys.”

“I’ll take you home. You’ll need clothes.”