Every Mafia's Favorite Girl novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16: "I Believe You"

Range Three sat beneath the main workshop, isolated behind layers of reinforced concrete and soundproof steel.

By the time Eduardo led Aren and Jordan inside, word had already spread through the estate like wildfire.

Technicians, capos, and soldiers lined the observation windows outside the shooting range as if they suddenly had duty nearby.

Their attention, however, was entirely anchored to the girl standing before the shooting lanes. The sight of the infamous Ariana Lombardi inside a Marchetti firing range was too absurd for anyone to miss.

Aren noticed none of it.

Her attention stayed fixed on the targets waiting downrange.

Behind her, Ricci hurried to prepare the equipment. Eduardo stood near the center lane, arms crossed, looking less like a Don and more like a judge waiting for a trial to begin.

Jordan remained beside Aren, watching her with clear concern. He had no idea what she was about to do.

"Ariana," he asked, voice uncertain, "are you sure about this?"

Aren looked up at him. "Do you think I’m wrong?"

Jordan considered for a moment.

"My training says my father is right," he admitted.

Then, his voice dropped to a murmur.

"But I think... I believe you."

Aren blinked, surprised by his answer. She held Biscuit toward him, her features softening.

"Would you carry him for a moment? He likes being held."

Jordan didn’t hesitate.

"Of course."

His fingers brushed hers lightly during the exchange.

"Go prove my father wrong," he said, pulling away reluctantly.

Aren nodded with a smile.

Biscuit settled against Jordan’s chest without complaint, perfectly comfortable.

A few minutes later, Ricci returned carrying two ammunition cases.

"Nightshade," he announced, setting the first down. "And Shield Raze."

Eduardo gestured toward the range.

"Well then, Miss Lombardi," his voice a cold challenge. "Show us."

Aren gave a small nod and stepped toward the lane.

The instant the handgun settled into her grip, the atmosphere in the room shifted.

Every trace of softness disappeared from her posture. Her stance aligned instinctively — balanced, efficient, frighteningly natural in a way that made several trained men unconsciously stiffen.

Three ballistic targets waited downrange at staggered distances.

Aren loaded the Shield Raze rounds first.

The metallic click echoed sharply through the range.

Then—

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Three rapid shots tore through the space.

All three rounds struck center mass with brutal precision, but the final bullet made the room go cold.

It punched straight through the target and slammed into the reinforced steel backing behind it, sparks exploding violently across the lane.

Several soldiers exchanged glances instantly, terrified of the stance, the speed, the precision.

Ricci swore quietly under his breath, immediately realizing his own mistake.

Aren lowered the handgun calmly.

"In open combat, Shield Raze rounds are extremely effective."

She glanced toward Eduardo.

"But indoors, or near civilians, over-penetration becomes a liability."

Without waiting for a response, she reloaded using the Nightshade JHP.

The targets reset.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Same grouping.

Same terrifying precision.

But this time, the rounds expanded cleanly inside the ballistic dummy.

No penetration beyond the target. No secondary damage.

The range fell deathly silent.

Aren quietly placed the handgun back onto the table without explaining further. She didn’t need to — the results had already spoken for her.

Behind the observation glass, Ricci looked spiritually devastated while several technicians had gone pale.

Biscuit barked excitedly from Jordan’s arms, his tail wagging furiously. Jordan held the little dog a little tighter, unable to suppress the faint smile tugging at his mouth.

Eduardo alone remained motionless.

At first, he had merely been surprised that the Lombardi heiress knew firearms. Now, his gaze had sharpened into something much more serious.

"How," he stepped forward slowly, "do you know any of this?"

Aren blinked at him.

"Oh. I took classes."

She had already been sold the moment she heard ’unrestricted equipment access.’

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