Sergio's house is large, open, and spacious, but lonely. Even with the guards and maids. My fingers trail over the etches in the walls as I stroll down the hallway, bowing each time I passed someone or someone passed me. What am I to do? Other than to cook, eat, and read? There is a gym. I saw one around and a pool. I can go for a swim... though... as I stand near one of the rooms, a shooting range catches my attention.

I step inside and walk over to the booth. There are handguns of all various types. All ones I have seen before. Held before but never used. I take a deep breath and grab the pistol, staring at the target ahead. Clicking off the safety, I cocked the gun and closed my eyes.

"Keep your eyes open and on the target when you shoot."

The sudden sound of his voice makes me jump. My finger presses against the trigger unintentionally, and I shoot, missing where I originally had aimed.

"I could have shot you by accident!" I nearly cry, but he chuckles in response. A sigh leaves my lips. "I saw it was empty... and I figured you'd rather me stay out of your way."

I keep my hands steady, eyes open, and focus on the target. "They always taught me how to use one but never let me actually do so without the safety on." Like much of my life... safety was something they always wanted for her. And now here I am with him. A dangerous man. One I almost kissed for that matter.

"Well  we can't  have that, now, can we?" His presence moves behind me. His hands slide over mine, helping me aim the gun at a different angle. But I'm not paying much attention to that anymore. Not with the space between us being too little.

"Aim... breathe in, hold it, and shoot," he tells me. "Always keep your eyes on the target, never ever keep your eyes closed because a big accident could happen. Even your own death."

I gulp and nod at his words. I try to keep my eyes open, focused on the target like he said, even as my brother's words floated from the back of my head.

Sergio Accardi is a manipulator and a liar. You won't ever have to deal with him, principessa.

And here I am.

His chin rests against my shoulder. His breath is against my ear as he inches closer. "Always keep steady and remember never to keep your finger on the trigger unless you're going to take the shot."

"You're... a little distracting," I speak softly, my hand shaking just a little bit. But my eyes don't dare to look at him as I keep my finger off the trigger.

"Pretend I'm not here, then," he whispers. "Besides, you'll always have distractions."

I take another deep breath, keeping my eyes on the target. He is right. There are always distractions like other shots being fired. People in the way... I move my finger over the trigger and press it, hitting my target.

My chest swells with pride and a smile curls over my lips. "I did it... I did it!"

"With more practice, you will get a better aim." He moves back, giving me space. It's only then that I look over my shoulder.

"Want to try again?" he asks. "Something smaller?"

I nod. "Smaller, bigger. I want to try them all..."

A chuckle leaves his lips. "I have different ones if you want to try them." He motions for me to follow him into a room and I do. Behind a large metal door, he opens a cabinet of guns.

Wow. My gaze drifts over each one. Different sizes, styles, and shapes. I even spot my brother's most prized piece. My father's first choice. "Everyone in my family has a favorite," I tell him, "which one is yours?"

He grabs one off the hook and holds it out in his palm. "It's  a Colt 1851 Navy Revolver."

"How come?" I ask, eying the design etched into the wood.

"It was my first gun. Was also my great-grandfather's. He was in the Navy." He reaches out, takes my hand in his, and places the revolver in my palm. "Hence the initials engraved on the end of it."

B.S.A

"It's really beautiful... well taken care of. Was this also your first kill? Or was that another?"

He shakes his head. "That's the type of information that gets you killed."

I lift my chin to him, a silent command he obeys. He takes the gun and places it back on the stand.

"It's important to you. Holds significance," I say, "I'd rather not use it."

"No one is allowed to use it. That's why it's so well kept." He glances back at me. His eyes seem to hold many questions he might want to ask, but I can't seem to read exactly what they are. "Any gun that catches your eye?"

I shake my head. The guns don't entirely interest her. Though... the history behind them... that's a different story.

"What about that one?" I ask, raising my arm to point to one out of reach.

"Galil Ace, it's basically a more accurate and a more lightweight version of an AK-47." He points over to the wall beside us. "Yet just as strong."

We keep at this for a while, him explaining each and every gun I point out, giving me the names and a little background of each. It may have not been much to another.... But it was the first time anyone has ever been straightforward with me about these kinds of things.

"Recoil?" I ask as he explains the last gun on the wall. "So if I tried it, I'd fly back?"

"If you don't expect it, have the right stance, and so on. You can even mess up your shoulder."

"Will you show me?" I question, looking over at him as I hold the gun in my hands. I move back over to the other room, listening as he follows behind me. I stand in the same place I'd been and aim the gun as before.

His body presses against mine. He's warm and I want to melt into it, but I can't. Especially not with him kicking my feet into place. "Same as before."

He holds my hands, keeping the gun in place. His chin rests against my shoulder, inches from my neck. "Ready?"

I nod, shifting just a little. I place my finger on the trigger and shoot. And just as he said my body pushed back into his.

"That wasn't so bad," I admit, looking over at him and placing the gun on the counter. "But I had you here."

"Hasn't your family ever taught you how to properly handle a gun? I mean... given the situation it would've saved you from coming here."

"No." I sigh softly. "There are things in this life they chose to shield me from. Guns. Death. The deals they made... they left me out of." I turn, leaning back against the counter to face him. "i bei volti si vedono e non si sentono." Beautiful faces are seen not heard.

At least that's what my parents used to say to me. "I am also the youngest. That life is for my brother, not me."

"I guess you are the lucky one. Your brother is... unfortunate."

"He doesn't think so." I glance down at my hands, pressing against the counter. "It's a great opportunity in his eyes. The money, power, and respect. He doesn't see that life is more." I shift my gaze back to him. He's watching me intently like he's trying to figure me out. "Even a corrupt one is an opportunity to prove that there is more to you than the shackles they place you in. And you become something better. Something—someone beautiful inside. Though sometimes that's hard to see."

"Do you want to join a life like this?" he asks.

I shrug my shoulders. I don't think it's a matter of me wanting to join it. "I'm already a foot in. Diving deeper has its consequences. But if it'll help me help those I love... I won't hesitate."

"Then you're naive." His eyes narrow. "Being a martyr isn't always the best option."

"You are already in this life... and you use it for what exactly?" I question, looking up at him once more. "Protection for those you care about or for power, respect, and money, like my brother?"

He shakes his head and turns from me, walking over to the door. "I don't like sharing my personal life."

Sergio hesitates as he reaches the door. His hand grips the frame, causing his knuckles to go white. "But," he struggles to let out, "not everything is how it seems."

No, it isn't... and Sergio is one of those people who aren't what they seem. He could have locked me in chains, hid me away in a dungeon, tortured me like the rumors said about him, but he didn't. Instead, he let me stay in his house,  made sure I was well-kept and taught me to shoot a gun.

As stupid as that might be to someone else. He was open, without doing so.

"Thank you... Sergio." I smile, watching as he leaves me to continue practicing.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

total ONC word count: 8,642

thank you so much for reading along! ❤︎