Leo nodded. He moved close, stepping into her space until they nearly touched. "Now, steady your body," he said, his tone gentle but commanding. "Every gun will have recoil. The stronger the gun, the harder it pushes back. Hold tight—tighter than you think. Not like the movies, alright?"
Raphael nodded, swallowing, her grip on the pistol tightening. Her stance was stiff with nerves and something else, a fluttering she couldn't name.
"Now engage your core," Leo murmured, his voice almost in her ear.
"Hmm?" Raphael's breath shivered.
Leo's hand slid to her abdomen, fingers curling lightly over the soft curve. She flinched, a startled sound catching in her throat, her skin blazing beneath his touch.
"Here. Tighten up," Leo whispered, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath and the steady thrum of his body. "Feel the tension. You remember how we move when we fight? It's the same. Every muscle ready."
