Page 86 of My Crazy Killers
“Keep your eyes open, and take a deep breath in,” I call out, reminding her of my instructions. I can see her take a breath in and hold it, right before the shot rings out. She hits the ankle this time, and I frown.
She’s only fifteen feet from the target. How is she this bad? She’s more likely to miss completely than hit it in the legs.
I glance at Sly, and he lifts an eyebrow as if she’s proving his point. The only reason she’s still in the lead is because her shots are going low instead of wide.
I move up behind her, making my steps loud and deliberate so I don’t surprise her. “All your shots have been low. Where are you aiming for?”
“The center of his chest, like you told me to,” she says, sounding a little chagrined.
“Okay, why don’t you try aiming for his head? Maybe you’ll hit him in the chest if you aim higher.”
She nods, and I start to step back.
“Hey, Elias?” she calls over her shoulder.
I step back closer to her as I answer, “Yeah, sweetheart?”
“Thanks for being so patient with me. I know I kinda suck at this.”
“You’re getting better,” I tell her honestly.
“I think I’m better with a knife, anyway.”
“Then why did you make this bet?” I ask, thinking she could have made the deal with knives instead of guns.
“Because I wanted to prove to him I belong with the rest of you.”
“Wren.” I frown, turn her to face me, making sure her gun is still pointed down and away from us. “You belong here more than any of us. We’re nothing without you.”
“That’s not true,” she says, dropping her chin.
I use the curve of my finger to tilt her head back up to look at me. “Wren Rivers, where is this coming from? You know very well that each of us is here because of you. And I don’t mean in this situation in Russia with Ivan. I mean, in this group. You’re our glue. Without you, I wouldn’t be here, and I doubt those four would have given each other a second glance after they escaped if they didn’t have you to unite them.”
“But I don’t just want to be a pretty thing that’s kept at home to look nice. I want to contribute the same way everyone else does. I feel like I’m not worthy of you all. I don’t want to be left out while you guys go out on adventures. I want to be part of the team.” A tear rolls down hercheek as the depth of her worries hits me in the chest as hard as a bullet would.
“I’m sorry,” Sly says, suddenly appearing at our side as he looks down at her, looking like he’s in pain. “I didn’t realize that’s how you saw it. I should have.”
She sniffles, and I gently take the gun from her grasp before she forgets she’s holding it. Sly grips her arms and turns her to face him, before sliding his hands up to cup her face. The others move close to surround her, and Sly wipes her tears away with his thumbs.
“No more shooting. You’re coming tomorrow.”
“Really?” She asks, hope filling her voice.
“Yes. I shouldn’t have made you feel like you weren’t worthy of going with us. I’m the one who’s not worthy of you.”
“Truce?” she asks, just like that, forgiving him so easily. I smile as he agrees and kisses her. She’s always been sweet like that. Forgiving easily and not holding grudges. It’s part of what makes her so… her.
But now this means she is coming with us tomorrow, and we are going to have to make a plan that keeps her safe.
A pop song plays loudly as Wren and Pete belt out the words from the kitchen. After we finally agreed on a plan for tomorrow, Wren decided it was time to celebrate my birthday, which included making me dinner.
Pete and Sly offered to help her, probably to try to alleviate some of their guilt. Pete for making her vomit after eating his eggs this morning, and Sly for making her upset.
I just relax back on the couch and watch her happily work alongside them, giving out instructions like the taskmaster she becomes when she’s in there.
“Rule number six, you have to cook eggs before serving them,” she tells Pete.
“Noted,” he says, bobbing his head.
