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

Part 47

         We stayed at the range for an hour or so longer, until all of the fruit and most of the ammunition was gone. By the end of the morning, I was leaning up against Kota under a tree, trying to stay awake. I was failing miserably.

         “Come on, Aggele, climb on up. Let’s get going!” Silas nudged my leg with his toe and held out his hand to help me up.

         I wiped the grass off of my jeans. “Nope. I need to grab my bag and stuff.”

         He pointed towards the patio. “Your bag is halfway to the car already. Come on. Up you go.”

         I looked, and Gabe had my pink duffel, and it looked like Victor was carrying my gift bag from Raven and my targets. Silas crouched down and I climbed onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck. He hooked his arms around my legs and off we went.

         “Now what’s the plan?”

         “The plan? You will finish your nap in Victor’s car while he drives to his house. I will be your pillow because I am calling shotgun for Nathan. Kota and Gabe are getting us take-out Chinese- plenty of shrimp fried rice for you. North and Luke will check in with Uncle and meet us as soon as they can. I’m not sure about Doc and Mr. Blackbourne. Did I miss anything?”

         I sighed and rested my chin on his head for a change. “A hug or two.”

         “Oh, those need to be planned? I thought they were a given.”

         I didn’t remember driving out of the parking lot, and I woke up as Victor pulled up to the gate at his house. I sat up and stretched. Victor smiled at me in the rearview mirror.

         “Good nap, Princess?”

         I smiled. “Yes. I have no idea why I was so tired.”

         Nathan turned around and looked at me. “Peanut, you probably didn’t sleep well last night, and you had a lot of adrenaline pumping through you today. We all knew you would crash.”

         I folded my arms in front of me in a pout. “Well, no one told me.” I grinned at him.

         Victor put the car in park, and Nathan helped me out of the back seat. The guys began taking their gear out of the trunk. “Princess, I’ll bring your bag inside. Don’t forget it, ok?”

         I nodded. “Did Mr. Blackbourne take the gun with him?”

         They all looked at me weird. “Why would he do that, Peanut?”

         “Because I can’t own it until I’m 18.”

         They all did the silent talking thing. “Well, Peanut, that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep it for him. You're allowed to possess it for different reasons, just not actually own it. We would all feel more comfortable if you had a little more protection at home. We’re putting a gun safe with a fingerprint lock in your room, so Marie or anyone else can’t get to it. OK?”

         I nodded. It made sense, even if it was a little scary. “How many fingerprints?”

         “Huh?” Nathan looked confused, but Victor smiled.

         “Would 10 work for you?”

         I smiled. “Perfect.”