“Aim and fire at the center. Try taking a shot, okay?”
The first shot missed and struck three points from the target.
However, she was praised by Blaine, “Not bad for getting three points on your first shot. Not bad at all.”
While Ruby fiddled with the gun, she asked, “Blaine, do you personally teach every woman you’ve ever met how to shoot a gun?”
Blaine was stunned as he helped Ruby reload. Since this was a practice pistol, it would require reloading after each shot.
“Why the sudden question?”
Ruby did not avoid the question as she said, “I’m saying that since you’re such a strong and powerful man, you’re fully capable of protecting me. However, since you’re willing to teach me how to use a gun, are you trying to make sure I’m also capable of defending myself as well?”
After Blaine was done reloading the gun, he hugged her from behind and placed the gun in her hand before holding her hand tightly and aiming it at the center of the target. He said, “My mom has the same thought. My father is also a strong and powerful man. However, due to my mother’s inability to defend herself, she died at the hands of a traitor.”
The bullet struck the bullseye.
Ruby remained silent for a brief moment.
Blaine lowered his gaze and stared at her with a gentle look. He said, “Are you afraid? You know, it’s always going to be a risk being my woman like when you were captured by Paul previously. The truth is, I wasn’t even sure if that might actually be the last time we see each other. Are you afraid, Softie?”
Ruby shook her head and said, “I’m not, Blaine. I’ll learn how to shoot well and won’t hold you back, Blaine.”
Blaine’s heart trembled as he gently patted her hair. He said, “You know, I’ve always thought that if my mother wasn’t weak and had the means to protect herself, there’s a possibility she’d be alive now.”
“I’m not weak, Blaine.”
Blaine chuckled and said, “I know.”
He also knew that she never needed his protection.
Ruby turned around and continued reloading the gun as she mumbled to herself, “I’ll protect you when I eventually become stronger, Blaine.”
Blaine hugged her slender little waist from behind and said, “There are a lot of people that want me dead, you know.”
“I know, but you’ve also protected me once before and my life belongs to you.”
Blaine cracked a warm and gentle smile. At least he knew the little fox was a grateful one.
Blaine’s phone rang and the caller ID showed it was from Old K.
Ruby continued practicing shooting on her own as Blaine walked out of the shooting range before picking up the call. However, his gaze was still fixated on the woman who was practicing shooting through the window pane.
“What’s the matter?”
“Master Blaine, there’s something I need to tell you so you’ll be able to stay on guard.”
Blaine replied with a simple ‘sure’.
Old K hesitated through the other end of the call before saying, “... Miss Softie...might be from Z Country.”
“So what you’re telling me is that you suspect her to be someone from the Light Organization?” Blaine questioned him.
Old K stuttered, “Master Blaine…”
In the ten rounds Ruby shot in the shooting range, one of them finally hit the bullseye as she cheered while raising both arms in the air. She ran out excitedly and cheerfully shared the news with Blaine, “I struck the bullseye, Blaine!”
Blaine immediately ended the call by telling Old K, “We’ll pause this discussion for now. I’m hanging up now.”
Old K was speechless.
How could he hang up the call like that when it was such a major ordeal?
If Miss Softie turned out to be a spy from the Light Organization, it would mean Blaine had placed a bomb next to him. Was Master Blaine really not worried?
“Are you busy with something, Blaine? If you are, I can practice on my own.”
Blaine suddenly grabbed her hand and said, “We’ll call it a day for now.”
Ruby was stunned as she said, “But I want to keep practicing for just a little longer…”
Before she could finish, Blaine suddenly interrupted her by saying, “Softie, there’s something more important that I need you to do with me.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll find out in a moment.”
Blaine led Ruby out of the training grounds in the basement.
…
A helicopter flew by the night sky.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Passionate Devotion: Master Fudd's Beloved Wife