Training

"D*mn." Reign held his breath for a moment.

"And just what do you want?" He asked looking around the room for anything he could use. Paper clips and pens, real useful. Keep looking.

The gun in the woman's hand stayed at his back. Her silence was deafening. He laid eyes on the landline.

If she had nothing to say, then he could only attempt to make an opening. Reign turned around quickly, grabbing the corded receiver to swing in her direction. His other hand shoved her weapon toward the floor.

"You weren't scared." The woman with platinum short hair pouted, relaxing her posture.

"Relax. I was just testing you,"

"Test? Lady, your nuts. Is that thing loaded?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? I'm from the Truman group, by the way. Kain asked for me to come by."

I suppose Kain did mention something about a visit.

"You should have seen your buddy, Leo was it? He just about pissed himself." She laughed.

"Sounds like him.” He muttered, “Well what do you or the Truman's want?" Reign's irritation was tangible.

"Nothing. I was merely told to make sure you and Leo could use a gun, and to provide you both with the correct weapons. I'm here to train you both. I must say, you both should really be more aware of your surroundings."

"Right because armed women are just crawling out of the woodwork to shoot me."

"I don't know what you do in your personal time but if you piss em off sure. Just gotta make sure you can handle it."

"Let's go. Leo's waiting."

The three stood in the shooting range.

"This isn't conspicuous?" Leo raised his voice over the shots being fired.

"Truman's own the range it won't be a problem."

“Wait is everyone here involved with them?”

“Well the main floor handles normal customers, but the range down here,” She gestured to the basement, “Is exclusive.”

“So target practice?” Leo asked.

"I'm not giving you both free range right out the gate and end up injured. Learn how to handle the gun first."

"Well babe I know how to handle all sorts of-"

"The name's Ripley you idiot. And I suggest you pay attention." Ripley had Leo's arm twisted behind his back in two seconds.

"I don't know how much experience you both have, but listen here. First up is the anatomy of a gun. I'll also show you how to clean it, hold it, and aim properly. Then we can try target practice."

Leo and Reign gave each other a look. Kain had allowed the Truman group to come in. Even if they already knew what they were doing they would just have endure this little lecture. They didn’t need any bad blood to start out this new work relationship.

Ripley finally finished her long winded speech.

"Now that's through let's get some practice in. The only better teacher than me, is experience." She left to procure noise canceling headphones.

"So should I like throw my aim and get her to show me? Teachers can be sexy." Leo grinned.

"Good luck with that. She almost shot me when we met. She said you looked like you were ready to piss yourself.” Reign snickered.

“She attacked me as I was walking into a public restroom. She’s lucky I didn’t.”

“So your into her?"

"Ripley is fine as hell but she definitely could mess someone up.”

“Yeah, you.Wait, weren't you seeing someone though?”

“Hmm don't know if it'll work out. What about you? Did you end up meeting that morning glory of yours?"

"Yeah," he paused thinking about June's father, "but I don't think it'll work out."

"You want it to?"

"Yeah."

"Then shoot your shot," Leo turned around, “And make it work if she’s worth it to ya,” drawing his weapon he shot the gun, aiming for the edge of the target.

"Leo! I said to wait!" Ripley roared as she bounded back over.

Reign melted into the couch at home. Pulling out his own firearm, he cleaned it. If Ripley’s abilities were anything to measure, it was sure that the rest of the Truman’s were skilled. He’d be keeping this close just in case.

The weapon brought back bad memories for him, but was the only one that'd be untraceable. Reign's eyes filled with a murky distance at the sight.

"Don't do it!" A rolled newspaper crashed down on his head.

"Granny!"

"No, no, no. I won't forgive myself, your poor madre! Mi hijito you can’t," Granny smothered Reign's head in a hug weeping profusely.

"Gran. Granny. Abuelita!" Reign yelled to get her attention. She finally stopped crying long enough to listen.

"What's wrong?"

"You're not trying to end it all?" She eyed the gun. It suddenly dawned on Reign.

"No, no! I went to the range today that's all. I just went out with my friends."

"Guns aren't playthings, why do you even have that! Scared me have to death. That took off a few months, remember that when I'm gone." She smacked him with her newspaper.

Seeing the tired old woman in her pink robe shuffle off into the kitchen, he couldn't help but to feel a little guilty. She's been through a lot already. 

Reign pulled out his phone trying to distract himself. June in her shop came back to mind. Before he could stop himself, he was already looking online for a gift to congratulate her on the shop. June’s excitement was contagious.

“I’d better hold off until I know what she likes.”