Locked & Loaded (Gardens to Guns #3) (Academy fanfic)

Part 1

From “Spas, Pizza, and Guns, Oh My!” :

            “Mr. Ravenstahl, I would like you to take Miss Sorenson to the range several times for some proper weapons training. It shouldn’t take you too long. She needs to be proficient in semiautomatic and revolver handguns as well as long guns up to and including the 303.”

             Raven and I look at Owen like grew a second head. Axel started laughing. North was strangely silent. I turned and looked at him. What did I say about him exploding?

             “You’re shitting us, right? You’re not actually thinking about training Baby on weapons! There’s no need.”

             “On the contrary, Mr. Taylor. I’m quite serious, and I do see a need.”

             “And what need is that?” North growled.

             “We can’t be with her 24/7. Although she showed that she’s a quick-study with self-defense by throwing you…”

             “She did WHAT?” Raven interrupted.

             “Shut. It. Ravenstahl. Now.” North turned to Mr. Blackbourne. “You were saying?”

             “Although she showed a certain skill with self-defense, she’s too petite for me to feel comfortable without additional training and protection. And, honestly, I don’t feel right allowing her to stay at some of our homes unless she has a basic understanding of firearms.”

             That seemed to calm North down a bit. “Fine. But at least one of us is with her on the range at all times.”

             “Understood.” Mr. Blackbourne turned to Raven. “So, Mr. Ravenstahl, is that acceptable to you?”

             Raven took a moment to look from Owen to North to me. “Птичка, is that acceptable to you?”

             Finally, someone noticed that I was still standing there. “I’m not sure. I’ve never actually thought about learning how to shoot a gun.”

             Raven smiled. I swore his smile was just as scary as his frown. “I promise that you will be perfectly safe on the range, especially with your bodyguards around.”

             I sighed. “I guess. Mr. Blackbourne has a point about me being able to defend myself. But…”

             “But what, Baby?” North asked into my hair.