I was probably going to do a lot more than that before the day was over.
I had never really been a gun guy. I carried them, knew how to use them, but I didn’t get why some guys worshipped their piece like it was some perfect goddess with a constantly-wet pussy ready to fuck them at any moment. It was crazy; dudes stroked the barrel and flashed it whenever they had a chance.
Probably compensating.
Guns were tools and nothing more. I carried them because I needed to, not because I enjoyed it. I looked down at the weapon in my hand, the piece of metal and plastic that was designed for the sole purpose of murdering other human beings. It wasn’t built for protection or whatever people loved to say. It was built to kill. And in my line of work, that’s exactly what it did.
I pressed the catch and the slide pushed back onto the pistol, clicking into place. I began to screw the silencer back on, satisfied that it was cleaned and oiled and ready to go, when Ellie walked into the room. The creak of the floorboards announced her before she turned the corner. She stood there staring at me, wearing a black hoodie and some tight as fuck jeans. Briefly, I wondered how she even moved in them, let alone pulled them over her perfect ass. Probably magic.
“What’s up?” I asked her, not looking up.
It was almost time to go. I had to leave in ten minutes if I wanted to get there in time. I glanced at the duffle lying at my feet, filled to the brim with paperwork, each piece of the puzzle meticulously collated and labeled by Ellie.
“I’m coming with you.”
That got my attention. I stared at her for a second, and I laughed.
“No you’re not, sweetheart.”
Her expression didn’t change. “Yes, I am.”
“I’m sorry, but this is way out of your league.”
She took a step toward me. “This is my life too. I’m sick of being on the sidelines.”
I shook my head. “I know, but I can’t risk it.”
“You don’t have a choice. I’m not asking.”
That was the Ellie I was falling in love with. The fierce expression, the I-don’t-give-a-fuck posture. She was so deeply and incredibly out of her depth in everything, and yet she continued to fight me tooth and nail. I had to admire her for it.
But I couldn’t let her come. More than putting her in danger, she’d be in the way. I couldn’t keep my wits around me if I had to also worry about what she was doing.
“Ellie, look—”
She cut me off. “No, you look. I know what you’re about to say. I’m going to be in the way, or it’s too dangerous, or a million other excuses. But here’s the thing, Liam. I’m coming with you and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop me.”
I had to laugh. “And what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to stand beside you and help you. Give me a gun.”
“Have you ever shot a gun before?”
“No.”
“Ever even held one?”
She shook her head.
“Honestly, you’d be more likely to shoot yourself than anyone there.”
“Fuck you, Liam. And fuck your smug, controlling bullshit. I’m coming with you and that’s final.”
I sighed and stood up, tucking the gun into my belt. I slung the duffel over my shoulder and shook my head at her. “I have to go. I don’t have time for this.”
I brushed past her, but she grabbed my arm. I shrugged her off, maybe a little too hard, and kept moving. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her, or push her away, but she was giving me no other choices.
“You’re not going without me,” she said, her voice completely calm.
I felt her following me closely. I got to the bottom of the step and whirled on her, anger rising up through my chest.
“What the fuck is the matter with you, Ellie? Why do you need to make this harder for me?”
She didn’t response, just pressed herself against me, standing eye to eye with me on the bottom step, and kissed me. I was pissed and almost wanted to pull away, but I didn’t know when I’d get another chance to taste her again, or if I ever would. I relaxed into her kiss and wrapped my arms around her waist.
Slowly, she pulled away. “No more keeping me at arm’s distance, you asshole. Leave me at a safe distance, whatever, but I’m coming with you. I have to be there.”
I stared at her, pain and desire and sadness fighting for dominance in my mind.
“If I let you come,” I said slowly, “you have to do exactly what I say.”
“I can do that.”
“If I tell you to run and don’t look back, you will haul ass in the direction I’m pointing and never for a second consider turning your head. Do you understand?”