The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 728

Leilani had always enjoyed reading technical manuals and engineering books in her spare time. Combined with her photographic memory, she had retained an encyclopedia of knowledge.

So, when Jacko quizzed her, she answered with flawless precision.

Callahan stood off to the side, arms crossed over his chest. He watched Leilani's focused profile, the faintest trace of a smile touching his lips.

He didn't intervene, perfectly content to be background scenery while the veteran arms dealer tested his fiancée.

Arnold stood nearby, absolutely floored. He watched Leilani flawlessly identify the distinct geometry of a military-spec striker safety plunger. When Jacko handed her a solid block of steel to inspect, she took it without a second of the hesitation or nervousness typical of a rookie. He couldn't help but marvel quietly.

Even though Leilani had claimed her knowledge was purely theoretical, identifying crucial internal components by sight alone—on her first time ever being around real firearms—was mind-blowing.

Arnold leaned in and whispered to Callahan, "Boss... the Boss Lady's learning curve is terrifying. She's going to outclass Jacko's apprentices at this rate."

Jacko, clearly energized by Leilani's aptitude, decided to up the ante. His hands moved in a blur, snapping the scattered components together. With a series of sharp, metallic clicks, a fully assembled handgun materialized in his palm. His movements were so fluid they were almost hypnotic.

Once assembled, Jacko locked the slide back, ensured the chamber was clear, and handed the empty weapon to Leilani, keeping the muzzle pointed safely at the floor.

"Want to give it a try, Ms. Sloan?"

"Just treat it like a puzzle."

Leilani didn't take it immediately. Instead, she glanced up at Callahan. He gave her a subtle, reassuring nod.

Only then did she reach out and take the weapon. The cold bite of the metal and the perfectly balanced weight settled into her palm. Instinctively, she adjusted her grip, keeping her index finger straight and high above the trigger guard.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, replaying Jacko's lightning-fast assembly in her mind.

Even though his hands had moved in a blur that was hard to track.

Everyone in the room was locked onto her hands.

Her slender, luminous fingers moved with a deceptive strength and microscopic precision. Paired with the dark, unforgiving steel of the weapon, it created a beautiful, almost dangerous contrast.

With a sharp, satisfying clack, the slide slammed forward into battery.

Leilani placed the fully assembled, cleared handgun flat on the velvet mat.

The entire process had taken her only a dozen seconds longer than Jacko's veteran demonstration.

Dead silence fell over the back room.

Jacko's eyes were practically bulging out of his skull. His casual, testing demeanor had vanished entirely, replaced by pure, unadulterated awe.