Chapter 162: Shooting Practice

Evan approaches her quietly. She's wearing black leather leggings, black gloves, and transparent goggles. Evan never realized a woman could look so cool. As he approaches, he gives a slow round of applause.

"I didn't realize you know how to shoot," he says.

"I don't," Avery replies.

She closes her right eye and pulls the trigger, but the shot goes wide, and she misses the target entirely.

"Do you want to learn?" Evan asks.

"Is this any of your business?" she snaps.

She does want to learn, but she's reluctant to accept his help. Out of spite, he's called off the search squad looking for Gabrielle. Avery knows that if Evan refuses to help find Gabrielle, she'll have to rely on herself. Shooting practice seems like a necessary precaution.

"If I have access to a gun when I find Andrew, I'll shoot him in the heart without a second of hesitation," Avery thinks, "It's just a pity my shots are so inaccurate."

"Do you want me to teach you or not?" Evan asks.

He approaches her, and she spins around and aims the gun at him.

"Mrs. Howel!" Robert gasps in horror.

"I don't need your help," she snarls, "Get away from me!"

Evan slows down, but he doesn't stop. He walks slowly and stares intently into her eyes. Avery removes the safety and cocks the gun.

"I'll shoot if you come any nearer," she threatens.

"You wouldn't dare," Evan smirks, "You're sweating with nerves."

It's true. Avery's forehead has a light sheen of sweat, and her pals have started to go clammy inside the gloves. She wants to step away, but she refuses to back down. Images of him and Leonie on the bed flashed through her mind. She knows Evan didn't have a choice, but the thought of them making love makes her sick to her stomach. She can't bear to have him near her.

Avery takes a deep breath and steps toward Evan. There's less than a meter between them. If she pulls the trigger, she'll be shooting him at point-blank range.

"I don't need to be good at aiming now," Avery whispers, "If I pull the trigger, the bullet will go right through your heart."

"Mrs. Howel, don't!" Robert shouts.

"You want me dead this badly?" Evan asks.

He stops walking and studies her icy expression. He can't read her at all.

"I dream about it every day," she hisses.

"So, you can get together with Andrew without any hindrance?" Evan asks bitterly.

"I thought I didn't need you dead to get together with him," Avery responds acidly.

Evan lowers his head and smiles ironically. He knows that Avery is trying to be hurtful, but her words still sting. He looks deep into her eyes and steps forward.

"Fire!" he commands.

"You think I won't?" she asks.

Evan inclines his head toward her pistol.

"Change her gun," he orders.

Before she can understand what he's talking about, he reaches forward and grabs the pistol from her hands. With a swift motion, he opens the chamber. Avery glares at him.

"You can't shoot me without bullets," he says, "I've asked them to get you a gun that's actually loaded."

The gun is empty. She's already shot all of her ammunition at the target. She can't believe Evan realized.

"Sir, are you sure that's a good idea?" Robert objects, worried that Avery will actually shoot Evan if given a chance.

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Evan ignores Robert's concerns. He gestures to the bodyguards, and they bring him a beautiful wooden box. Evan opens the box and reveals a delicate silver pistol with a beautiful engraving on the grip. It's no larger than a keychain.

"Is this a joke?" Avery thinks.

Robert observes Avery's doubtful look.

"Mrs. Howel, don't underestimate this one," Robert explains, "It's the smallest pistol in the world—it's only 5.5cm long. But it is also one of the most powerful. Bullets fired from this gun can reach speeds up to 434 kilometers per hour. It cost three million dollars."

"Do you know how to use it?" Evan asks, passing Avery the gun, "I can show you first if you like."

Avery aims at Evan again.

"I know that if I shoot you, you'll drop dead," Avery snaps back.

Evan gives Avery an in-depth, searching look.

"If you could bear to do that, then go ahead," he says casually.

"Mrs. Howel, this pistol is not for fun," Robert warns.

Robert is drenched in a nervous sweat. He's recently witnessed many power struggles between Avery and Evan, and he knows that they often end in injury for his boss. He's terrified that Avery may actually shoot, and he has no idea how to stop her.

"I'm not here to have fun," Avery retorts.

With a graceful gesture, she points the gun at Robert and then the bodyguards, forcing them to back away. Then she returns her focus to Evan.

"You wouldn't dare," Evan says with determination, "You don't want me to die; you can't bear the thought of it. That's why you didn't load any bullets."

Evan is confident that she won't hurt him, and this confidence fills him with overwhelming joy.

"It's odd that I genuinely care about her and want her to care for me. Even after she's betrayed and deceived me," he thinks, "I think I could forgive her for everything she's ever done if she told me she cared for me."

"We both know I would dare to do a lot of things," Avery replies, "I think you're scared and trying to bluff your way out of this."

Evan smiles, "How about we make a bet?"

Avery raises her eyebrows.

"I'll be your target," Evan says, "If you shoot me, you have to tell me why you wanted the clinic's business card."

He's hoping Avery will tell him what he wants to hear; he's hoping she wants to prove that the child is his and convince him that she's never been with anyone else. He's half ready to grab her and drive her to the clinic himself. If he finds out that the child is his, he won't ever let her go.

Avery takes a look at the business card in Evan's hand. She knew Dr. Walters would report to Evan, but she didn't expect him to be so fast. She nods her agreement to the bet.

"I'll show you how to use it first," Evan says, positioning himself behind Avery, "Think of the gun as an extension of your arm and hold it at a parallel to your body."

Evan places his hands over Avery's arms and gently lifts them. Then he covers her index finger with his own.

"Hold the gun firmly, aim for your target, sight the shot, and exhale as you pull the trigger," he says, his breath brushing her ear, "Understand?"

Avery doesn't answer. Within moments Evan walks away and stands next to the paper target. Avery slowly lifts the pistol. Though the gun is small, it feels heavy in her hand. She carefully follows Evan's instructions, aims, and wraps her finger around the trigger. She inhales deeply and tries to stop the shaking in her hands.

"Mrs. Howel! Don't!" Robert screams.

Robert's scream saps her last ounce of courage. With a deep sigh, she lowers the gun. Evan is right: she doesn't dare to shoot him, and she couldn't bear to watch him die.

"Are you afraid?" Evan asks, approaching her, "Or was my lesson not thorough enough?"

Evan's shadow is long in the setting sun, and it quickly falls over her.

"Do you need me to show you one more?" he asks.

"No," she objects. 

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