“Thanks,” she replied, and then shot her hand up quickly trying to knock the gun out of his hand, but it didn’t budge. She frowned and tried again.
“Not happening.” Slade shook his head at her like she was a naughty child.
“Then go ahead and shoot.” Jill even plunged her head forward. “Get the kill shot.”
Without moving her eyes, she could see Adam sneaking up on Slade; she didn’t want to give her teammate away. Just as Adam aimed, Slade turned, shooting Adam right between the eyes, knocking him on his back before swinging the gun toward Jill whose eyes were wide with shock. “Holy hell.” She looked around Slade to see Adam picking himself up, holding his head.
“Fuck, that hurt.” Adam stumbled sideways before sitting down on the ground.
“You still want me to take that kill shot?” Slade asked, watching her closely, a grin playing at the corner of his mouth.
Jill gulped, deciding if acting like a badass was worth it. Looking at Adam again holding his head, she decided that no, it wasn’t. She hated pain; pain sucked and getting shot in the head close range was going to hurt like hell. Suddenly, the horn echoed throughout the area ending their practice, giving new meaning to ‘saved by the bell’.
Walking over, she picked up her gun. Dillon and Steve headed over, followed by the Warriors. Dillon had been hit by a kill shot, black paint splattered his face. Sloan looked Jill over.
“No kill shot?” Sloan looked at Slade.
“No,” Slade replied, his eyes leaving Jill to land on Sloan. “Close range.”
“Didn’t seem to stop you with Adam.” Sloan frowned as Adam still weaved a little.
“It was me or him, and I picked me.” Slade’s tone didn’t change.
“She’s not going to learn anything by being treated differently.” Sloan frowned. “You had a shot and didn’t take it, why?”
Jill watched from a distance where she picked up her gun. Slade didn’t even look her way.
“She was apprehended. No threat.” Slade’s tone did change this time.
“And that wasn’t the exercise.” Sloan sighed and shook his head, then looked at Jill. He raised his gun.
Jill was looking at Slade when she heard the pop of a gun, next everything went pitch black as pain exploded in her head.
Chapter 10
Slade watched Jill go down. Every instinct he possessed urged him to go to her, but Sloan was watching his every move. His decision at that moment decided Jill’s fate in the program. Sloan warned them both to keep it professional, and well, he sure as hell fucked that up, and just a few short hours ago.
“Jesus, Sloan.” Sid ran over to Jill who was just now moving. “What the fuck?”
“What happened?” Jill’s voice was faint and confused.
“You got shot,” Sid answered her.
“But the horn blew,” Jill griped. “Who the hell shot me?”
Slade heard it all, but didn’t take his eyes off Sloan. “Are you done testing me?” Slade growled, wanting to rip Sloan’s head off. “Can I check these guys out to make sure they’re okay?”
Sloan nodded, but Slade could tell he was still being watched closely. Turning, his eyes scanned Jill quickly and he was relieved to see her sitting up. Adam was sitting down being quiet, but he was also looking at Jill.
“Hurts like a bitch, don’t it,” Adam called over to Jill.
“Can you stand up?” Slade asked, trying his best to keep his eyes off Jill and focus on Adam. If he went to Jill first, then Sloan would open his mouth and shit would get bad, real bad.
“Nice shot,” Adam grinned, standing. “How the hell did you know I was behind you?”
“Just a feeling,” Slade responded, prying Adam’s human eye open. “You have a headache?”
Adam nodded. “A little.”
Slade looked him over noticing the black paint all over him. He pushed on the red lump on Adam’s forehead where he had shot him. Adam winched, but didn’t move his head. “You’ll live.” Slade clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job today.”
“I died.” Adam looked confused and disgusted. “I failed.”
“But you stayed alive until the end.” Slade turned away. “And you gave up your life for a teammate. You get points for that.”
Heading toward Jill, who was standing up but had her eyes closed and arms crossed, he stopped in front of her. “You okay?”
Jill slit her eyes open to squint up at him. She went to nod but stopped with a hiss. “Yeah. I’m good.”
Slade snorted when she closed her eyes again. “You dizzy?” He reached up touching the large bump on her forehead.
“No.” She stated her lie as she jumped at his touch, almost losing her balance. “A little.”
“Headache?” Slade moved her head back and forth, working her neck.
“Yes.” She kept her eyes closed. “But I’m fine. Just need a minute.”