Page 50 of Trigger Discipline

A moment he would lose come morning, when the sun found all the cracks in their safe little space. He knew the coming dawn light would be an ugly reminder that time doesn’t stand still. Blake would be going out into that fight without him. And he had to let him, it was the only way.

He could feel his handgun digging into his leg and he shifted, pulling it free from the holster. “Do you know how to use this?”

Blake looked over at the gun. “Blasty end toward the bad guys, right?”

He huffed, sliding his arm from over Blake’s shoulders so he could use two hands. His thumb flicked at a small switch on the side. “This ejects the magazine,” he said as the gun ejected the fully loaded magazine. He showed it to Blake before setting it aside.

“Then hit the safety. Here.” Blake leaned forward to see the small button. “Pull back the slide. That loads the first bullet into the chamber. All the way back and then release. Once it’s in the forward position, you’re good to go.”

Blake took the gun from him, fingers closing around the grip a little hesitantly. “Heavier than I thought it would be.”

Gabriel hummed, his hands sliding over Blake’s to lift the gun. Sighting down the barrel, he pointed down the hallway. “Aim for center mass. Don’t get fancy.”

He moved Blake’s fingers where they needed to be, showing him how to hold the gun. “Prepare for the recoil, but don’t brace your elbows. Support your right hand with your left.”

Blake’s fingers were loose under his touch, letting him move him into position. It was a bit awkward with them sitting, but Gabriel didn’t want to give up touching him. He brought Blake’s back to his chest. In front of him, Blake was tense. The tips of his ears were red, and when Gabriel’s hands lingered on his wrists, he didn’t move or complain.

This close, it would be so easy to lean down and kiss Blake’s neck. To taste him. Just for a second. But one kiss would lead to another, and another. And that was an addiction he couldn’t risk. Not when he needed to focus.

“Don’t forget to breathe.” Gabriel’s voice was low. Blake shivered. His thumb rubbed circles on the exposed skin of Blake’s wrist. “Keep your eyes open.”

Blake swallowed.

“Now pull the trigger.”

The gun clicked, and Blake jumped, nearly dropping the gun. He stared at it in his hands like he couldn’t believe he did it. Turning so quickly, his nose brushed along Gabriel’s jaw. They stared at each other for a long moment, a flush creeping up Blake’s cheeks. He licked his full lips, and when Gabriel’s eyes dropped to watch, he inhaled sharply.

Reaching between them, Gabriel picked up the magazine. He guided the gun closer, slapping the magazine in with a satisfying click.

“Like I said,” Blake said, voice shaky as he looked down at their joined hands over the cold metal of the gun. “Blasty end toward the bad guy.”

CHAPTER 15

KEVLAR

Judd took point. He moved quickly and surprisingly quietly for such a boisterous man. His helmet was pulled low over his eyes, and his gun held level. His boots managed to skim across the top of broken glass and gravel, never making a sound save for the sharp intake of breath that Blake was ninety percent sure was actually him.

Victoria was behind Blake. She was moving well, considering the agony she must be in. Every time he looked back, Blake could see a fine sheen of sweat collecting on her pretty face, dripping into the khaki green collar of her flight suit. Still, the pilot pushed on, one hand on her handgun and the other bracing on walls or downed vehicles.

The day was still. Blake wondered if the barrier kept out the weather or if it was just the atmosphere. It felt like the world had stopped breathing. Mortal wounds had been carved out of the Earth, and slowly, she was bleeding out, each breath growing shallower as her life slipped away.

I need sleep.

Shaking himself, Blake moved to keep pace with Judd. Gabriel had told him Judd was a scout, but he didn’t really know what that meant. When Judd was the one who wantedto collate all their information, he just figured it was the normal thing to do. He had no idea it was in his training. Seeing the man like this, moving quietly with dark eyes flicking over everything, cataloging it away, it suddenly made sense.

Even Victoria seemed begrudgingly impressed—something Blake guessed wasn’t easy.

Judd stopped at the end of a street, holding up his hand with a fist closed. “Our Aviatrix here said the barrier was closest to the north.” He jerked his head in the general direction. “We’ll never make it on foot.”

“You want to steal a car?”

He grinned, teeth flashing against the dark stubble lining his tanned cheeks. “Tactically acquire.”

Victoria shook her head. “No way. It’s too loud. We’ll draw too much attention.”

Judd shrugged. “Risk assessment.”

The pilot wasn’t buying it. She ground her teeth and opened her mouth to speak, but Judd cut her off.