Unbound: Forbidden Desires

31 | Communication

"𝓔va." I found Eros outside. A short distance away from the house.

A bodyguard had walked me through the woods, insisting I didn't walk alone. Once I was within Eros's eyesight, the guard promptly left. I wondered how many guards Eros had roaming around the place and still, how they could afford all this.

Eros cocked the gun in his hands before removing the magazine and flipping the safety on. He wasn't in uniform today. He had on a plaid shirt, dark jeans and dark brown boots. His look was rustic, but nonetheless he looked official with that gun in his hands.

"I didn't know you had a shooting range out here." I approached.

"You shoot?" He raised a brow.

I shook my head. "I had an uncle who owned a couple, but I've never shot one off." I stopped before him.

"Would you like to?"

"What? Really?" I eyed his gun and felt a tinge of fear. What if I accidentally shot my foot? Or what if I couldn't handle the recoil and hurt myself or Eros?

Eros chuckled and came up behind me, slightly on my side. "I'll help you, but first." He brought something from his belt pocket and placed it in my ears. The sound of his voice was slightly muffled now. "Gotta protect your ears." His eyes lingered a little longer on my face and I could sense the tension between us.

We both knew a conversation was impending, but I think we were both using a brief excuse to hold it off, if only for a moment longer.

He handed me the gun and began showing me what each part was and how to shoot it.

"Here." He handed me the magazine. "Push it into the grip."

I did as he said.

"Make sure it's all the way in." He murmured and I noticed the end of the magazine was still sticking out. With my palm, I pushed it harder and noticed the gap close between the magazine and the grip.

It was loaded and my heart was going wild with fear.

"You're doing good." His voice sent shivers down my spine. His lips were close to my ear. "Now you need to cock it back."

"But what if it shoots?"

"It still has the safety on, don't worry. Keep your fingers off the trigger until you're ready to shoot."

I took a deep breath. "Okay." I nodded and did as he had shown me. I tried to pull the barrel back, but it was surprisingly not as easy as he made it look. Nonetheless, I had done it.

"Good, now, see how this little part on the barrel is raised?"

I nodded.

"That means there is a bullet in the chamber."

My eyes widened.

"You ready?"

I took another deep breath before nodding my head.

"Okay, widen your stance a little." He moved my hips, and raised my hands straight out in front of me. "Line up these dots on the rear sight to the one on the barrel as you aim for the target."

I closed one eye and used the other to focus, finding the target and then aligning the dots on the gun until they all aimed at the center of the target. "Okay, now what?"

"Keep a firm grip of the gun and your wrist and when you're ready remove the safety and shoot."

Crap, I took another deep breath because my heart was racing and then I flicked the safety off. I found the target once more, aligned the dots and breathed for a few moments.

"What if I drop the gun?"

"You won't."

"But if I do?"

"You'll be fine, I'll be fine, there is no one else around for miles, now shoot."

I removed my finger from the barrel and hovered it over the trigger, with my heart in my ears, I took one last deep breath and pulled the trigger releasing a loud bang, followed by a metallic clank.

"Did I hit the target!?"

"Gun down, Eva." Eros demanded and I realized I was just waving the gun around in my excitement. Shit.

"Sorry!"

"It's okay." He came closer with a smile. "And yes, you hit the target surprisingly." He chuckled.

"That was actually fun. Can I do it again?"

"You have another in the chamber."

I took my stance, feeling much more confident. Shooting a gun was kind of like getting a tattoo, it was mostly the noise that scared you, but once you went for it, you realized it wasn't that bad. I'd missed the next shot, but I wasn't expecting to hit anything. I just wanted to shoot off the gun.

Eros stood beside me once more. "Now push this button and it'll release the magazine." Eros helped me unload the gun and place it on safety once more.

"You did good." He said with a proud smirk, but I could see there was a hesitance in his gray eyes, they were slightly dimmer.

We had yet to talk about the other night. With a deep breath, I steeled myself for the conversation that needed to happen.

"Eros." I began, trying to steady the quiver in my voice. "I understand that you're doing what you can to protect me, but this is all new to me and... I'm scared." I admitted. "I'm scared that what you're doing will push me away or get you killed." I continued before he could interject, because I saw the way his lips moved, ready to speak, but I needed to get my piece out. "I know that you were only defending yourself from Jeremy, I know that Jeremy is guilty for the things that he did, but I don't want what we have to be marked by bloodshed—"

"Eva," Eros shook his head, "If I could, I would keep my hands clean, but there are gonna be situations that will require me to do things that go against your beliefs." His gaze softened for a moment. "I don't mean to hurt you, I don't mean to upset you, but...the world that you are in now, it doesn't abide by your rules. The person who wants you is ruthless, Eva." His brows furrowed once more.

"If he were to capture you, you would pray for a quick death." A storm brewed in his eyes, a mixture of emotions before he spoke again. "I've already lost too many people to him," he abruptly admitted.

Eros's eyes were dark with the memories of his past.

"I will not lose you, little rabbit. So forgive me if you can, hate me if you must, but I will do what I need to protect you." There was a vulnerability in his gaze, yet steely with determination.

I know he meant every word he said, and it's the first time I glimpsed into Eros's dark past. His persistence to keep me safe did stem from something after all...loss.

I reached out, taking his hand into mine, offering him a source of comfort. "I understand," I said softly. "But, I can't continue like this either. I want us to be on good terms, Eros. I know you can't tell me everything, but I need you to be as honest with me as you can."

Eros's hand snaked around my back, his grip tightened as he brought me a little closer. His gaze was filled with affection and determination. With a smirk, he stroked my cheek before nodding his head. "I can do that, little rabbit."

My heart fluttered in my chest and I bit back my lip, clearing my throat before I went red in the face. "So, wanna help me improve my aim?"

A genuine smile spread across Eros's face, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Every free morning I have, I want you to meet me here."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, a weight lifted from my shoulders. Maybe things were going to be okay between us after all.