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  The guy placed the heels of his hands against the glass topped case and rested his weight on them. His movement caused his muscles to ripple beneath his T-shirt. Not that she was noticing. Nope. After a lifetime of bad experiences with men, Leila was done with them. Well, except for Thomas. But she’d raise him right. Raise him to respect women and not yell at them or hit them. She’d had quite enough of that from her father growing up and later from her ex. If only she’d known he’d been involved with a gang—running drugs and worse— she’d never have married him. But she’d been young and stupid, and she’d given him her heart and her virginity at twenty-two thinking he’d take her away to a better life. He’d taken her away all right. Straight to hell. Now, three years later, she was alone and raising her son as best she could.

  No way would Mike ever get near them again. No. Way.

  “You ever used a gun before?” the guy asked, his tone dripping with suspicion.

  “No.” Leila raised her chin. “But it can’t be that hard, right? Point and shoot.”

  “Not exactly.” The guy glanced over her shoulder and the hair on the back of her neck prickled. Shit. Someone else was in the store. She’d vaguely registered another person when she’d entered but had been so focused on getting a weapon she hadn’t paid much attention. Stupid, Leila. So stupid. The first thing they’d taught her in those self-defense classes she’d taken last year had been to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

  She turned fast, one hand on Thomas on the counter, the other clutching her keys between her fingers, ready to lash out at whoever tried to hurt her.

  “Whoa there, little lady,” a skinny guy in a cowboy hat said, holding up his hands in surrender. “Didn’t mean to startle you. I was just going to ask you if you wanted to get a cup of coffee.”

  “She doesn’t want coffee, Dev,” the guy behind the counter answered for her.

  “How do you know what I want?” Leila frowned at him and squinted at the name embroidered on the man’s T-shirt. “Clint.”

  “Do you want coffee?” He raised a brow at her.

  No, she didn’t. But it was none of his business and she didn’t need him talking over her and answering her questions. “What I want is a gun. You going to sell me one or not?”

  “Not without a background check and proof you’ve had the proper training.”

  Damn. It wasn’t that she couldn’t pass the check, but she had no training. Nor did she have a license for that matter. Leila shook her head. She’d not really thought things through before racing down here. She’d always been a bit impulsive that way, as her mother would attest. It’s what had gotten her in trouble with her father growing up, always doing things without considering the consequences. It was how she’d ended up married to an abusive asshole like her ex. It was the main thing that kept her up at night wondering how in the world she’d ever be a fit mother for poor Thomas. If she couldn’t make good choices for herself, how would she ever be able to do that for her child?

  “Dev, go away,” the guy behind the counter said, his voice authoritative. “Go find yourself another online girlfriend and leave this lady alone.” Surprisingly, the other man did as he was told, the bells over the door jangling merrily at his departure. That left her alone with Mr. Intense, Cute, and Brooding. He focused those bright blue eyes of his on her again and squinted. “Perhaps if you tell me what you need the gun for, I can figure out what would work best for you.”

  “Oh.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and pulled a leather key chain from a nearby display away from Thomas before he drooled all over it. “Just the usual. Can’t be too careful these days.”

  “Look. I can tell you’re nervous about something. I don’t mean to pry, but if you’re in trouble in some way, maybe I can help. I used to be in the military and—”

  The tension inside Leila exploded into full-blown panic. The fewer people who knew about her past and her ex, the better. She’d come in here on the recommendation of a friend, expecting quick service and no questions. Wasn’t that what the business’s name seemed to promise? This wasn’t what she wanted. It was bad enough she was even in here, trying to buy a gun. Blood pounding in her head and pulse racing, Leila picked up Thomas and headed for the exit. “I need to go. Sorry. I’ll come back later.”

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