GUNS AND ROSES-E

Astrid and Ace walked hand in hand to his car, but the presence of Hadwin surprised her. She sat graciously in between the brothers and could not help but steal a glance at Ace who suddenly became moody. She had a feeling that he wanted to continue his earlier affair in the car. She bit her lip and positioned her body so she faces Hadwin and clasped Ace's hand on her right, and he placed his suit jacket over it casually and looked out the window.

`So how was work? Managed to nail any girls?', she teased him.

`No. Policy in office not to date staff', he pouted.

`Yikes. Suits you well', she smirked at him.

`Are you following us to the warehouse?', Hadwin gave her an incredulous look.

`Yes, she needs to learn some basic gunmanship if she is with us', Ace answered firmly.

`I guess. I can be your sifu' he joked.

`No. And I can be your mifu', Astrid giggled at him and both laughed at her silly joke.

`So jokes aside. Can we stay overnight at my house this weekend?' Hadwin asked politely.

`No. I think I can't', she answered.

`But you promised me this weekend', Hadwin whined.

`Fine, fine. But Sunday morning and I need to leave', she felt Ace squeeze her hands in approval.

`I heard you went to the WOW organization. Are you planning to work there?',

`Yes, they took me as an apprentice for now. Training for 2 weeks then evaluation', she explained.

`Damn. That place is tough. Any hot chicks?', he winked at her.

`I saw a few stray chickens around, but I think they were too busy pecking corns to look at you', Astrid doubled over in laughter and pointed her index finger at Hadwin who was embarrassed by now.

`Just you wait, I will get my turn later at our shooting range', he harrumphed at her.

In a few minutes, they reached the warehouse and the car rolled quietly before stopping at the entrance. Astrid walked in and looked around in awe. Despite the bland surrounding, the interior was anything but.

They passed 3 layers of security before Astrid was able to step into a foyer which had lifts and some hallways with led light that stretched in several directions. The walls were pained stark white and the floor was only cement, grey. Nothing to cover it. She wanted to ask where the hallways lead to but, Ace held her elbow and they boarded a lift going downward to basement 2.

`Your shooting range is in the basement?', Astrid was amazed.

`Yes, it diffuses the sound and its safer from prying eyes.', Ace concluded.

The lift opened and all three of them walked out and turned left. LED lights provided much-needed light and she could see only a single door on the right and Hadwin pushed it open. It was a shooting range. She estimated at least ¾ of basement 3 was converted to a shooting arena of sorts.

She saw a room with rows and rows of guns, rifles, AK 47s and many more. Her jaw dropped at the sheer sight, size and different types of weapons in front of her. Astrid had never seen so many different types of guns in her life and she was speechless. She did not even know the types of guns on display.

`Close your mouth Astrid, I can see a drool dripping', Hadwin pushed her mouth close with his index finger earning a glare from Astrid. Ace smirked and punched several codes into the room with guns. It opened and Hadwin picked a box and placed it on a large rectangular table. He proceeded to put on safety goggles and ear protection. Hadwin did not wait for long, after selecting a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver he bode a farewell.

`Nervous?', Ace faced Astrid and rubbed his thumb against her cheek.

`Hell, yeah. You have a lot of guns.',

`Yeah, more like our toys. Dolls for you and guns for us', he smirked

`I don't play with dolls. So, tell me what am I learning today?',

`Well, let's start with Glock 9mm', Ace spoke after fixing safety goggles over their eyes and ear protections muffs over their neck. Satisfied with the googles fit, he explained how the gun worked, how to change the magazine, its safety lock and many aspects involved in choosing the gun and how to shoot with it.

She nodded her head, fully concentrating on it. Ace kissed her cheeks and asked `Ready to shoot?',

`Yeah, let's kick some ass', she smiled gleefully, and both sauntered to the shooting range.

Ace explained the stances involved, Weaver Stance, Chapman Stance, Power Isosceles Stance, PowerPoint stance and String Hand Retention Stance. He chooses the Power Isosceles Stance stood behind her closely, both his hands on hers. His powerful hands guided her hands in position and told her to aim for the head.

She missed the target on her first two shots, but Ace corrected her patiently and told her to focus on the markings of the target. Astrid took a deep breath, aimed, and fired. She managed a hit on the abdomen and practised again.

After shooting for 20 minutes and changing her magazine several times, under Ace's supervision she managed to get a hang of it. She felt surprisingly glad about every shot, tension released. She wondered if its because she was new to this sport or she liked the undivided attention she was receiving from Ace.

She glanced over and saw Hadwin changed to a rifle and was shooting a moving target. He was surprisingly accurate and aimed at the head of each target.

Ace held her chin and moved her head back to focus. His fingers lingered longer on her lips and she smiled against his long fingers. Astrid focused again and fired. This time she was more accurate, shooting at the torso and face of the target.

Ace alternated her stances every 20 minutes until 2 hours passed. Astrid was thirsty by the time the finished training. They moved back to the gun room and removed their gears. Ace reminded her to place the gun back in the shelf, unloaded.

`So, how did you find your training? I beat you clean', Hadwin was playful with her.

`Sure, don't get ahead of yourself, I will win soon', she juts her chin up and spoke defiantly. Ace chuckled at them.

`Hadwin, can I get some water? I'm thirsty.', Astrid rubbed her throat.

`Let's go up, we have a mini cafeteria', Hadwin held her hand and opened the door quickly. Ace followed them and started fiddling with his phone.

As soon as they reached Level 1, Astrid saw a big cafeteria half full of people in uniforms. They bowed to Ace Wagner when he passed by and he acknowledges them. It was then Astrid noted that Ace was a force to be reckoned with. He held a stronghold over his warehouse.

Hadwin selected a sandwich and juice for her. They made sure to wash their hands before touching their meal. Astrid ate her food and chatted with both the brothers. She slapped Hadwin's shoulder occasionally when he made corny jokes and he simply laughed it off. Astrid noted almost every eye were on her, staring at her.

`Hadwin why is everyone staring at me? Is there something on my face or hair?', she asked worried and shy with the sudden attention on her.

Hadwin looked around and told to her face `Yep, you are beautiful. That is why. Looks of jealousy',

`I think this is the first time we brought a girl here, besides Abigail. Only family members. Our friends are off-limits to this place', Hadwin shrugged his shoulders and slurped his blood juice.

`So that means, I'm uninvited and unwanted?', she was horrified and looked to her right where Hadwin sat and left where Ace sat.

`No, you are our special friend. You are always wanted. Ace shall we do something we always do to Abigail?', Hadwin peered at Ace who was glued to his phone, sitting beside Astrid.

Ace stopped and placed his phone back inside his pocket. He grinned and replied `Sure. On the count of 3',

`What is going on? What are you guys up to?', Astrid was anxious, but both the Wanger brothers held her hand and before she can say anything Hadwin started the countdown.

`3…2…1', Hadwin and Ace both kissed her cheeks loudly, with the entire cafeteria focused on her.

Astrid was embarrassed and her cheeks turned crimson red with their sudden gesture. She closed her face with her palms and shook her head, wishing the earth could swallow her whole. Two brothers kissing her cheeks in front of the whole cafeteria!