Kendall POV

I follow behind Arlo into a narrow hallway. At the end of the hall is a door. We walk into the door, and it leads us to a very large office. On one side of the office is a large oak desk in front of a large window. There are three chairs around the desk: one behind the desk and two on the opposite side. There is also a sitting area on the opposite side of the office with two beautiful white leather couches with a glass coffee table in between the tables. A basic fireplace with two built-in bookshelves, one on each side. "Whoa, this is beautiful." I mutter while I continue to look around. I walk over to the couches and sit down while I wait for Arlo and the guys to get done talking.

"Father, this is getting out of control. First, he sends men to her apartment to harass her and threaten her; then he catches her school on fire, and now this." Arlo says to him and hands him my phone. I can't listen anymore, so I get up and walk over to the bookshelves and look at the books. I come across a book I never expected to see in an office full of Mafia men. Gone with the wind.

I never cared for this book and still don't. I hate love stories; they are so cliché. I put it back and keep looking; after a while, I give up and just grab a random book and walk over to the couch and sit down. "Kendall might want to start working on the Romeo and Juliette project," Jax says as he sits down next to me. I roll my eyes and look at him. "My opinion has not changed; it's a stupid play about death and romance that is pointless between two teenagers." I say, looking back down at the random book, which I now notice is Twilight. Another stupid romance. But this one is between a stupid human girl and a sparkly vampire.

I close the book and set it down on the table and look over at Jax. "Can I go yet, or are they still busy talking and making choices about my life?" I huff and motion my head towards the guys.

Jax laughs and motions for me to follow him, so I do. We walk around the warehouse; he shows me where the guys train at. There is a gym, a boxing ring, a shooting range, and also a pool. Interesting. I follow him out of there, and we head to the eating room, where everyone who is on the clock will eat here. They also have sleeping quarters too. What the hell? This is a very weird setup. "Why do you have a cafeteria and sleeping quarters?" I ask him, looking around.

"Well, Ken, it's for the trainees, also for those who are single and have no family. They can leave once they have the money to get a place of their own. Most of our men and women are homeless and come here for a job, etc. Or they are just kids who have no one." Jax says as we walk around some more. "Why are you showing me all this? Aren't you worried I will snitch or something?" I ask him, and he laughs. And he keeps walking while I follow behind, wondering why he is laughing at me. I looked at him and spoke. "Why did Arlo bring me here?" I ask Jax. He keeps walking without missing a step and looks at me over his shoulder. "He will explain when he is done speaking with his father." I grunt and follow behind him as we make our way over to the shooting range. He brings out his 9mm and loads it and takes the safety off and points and shoots.

I watch him in awe as he doesn't miss the targets. How the hell have I never shot a gun before? I've always been a little scared of them. I take a deep breath and look at him. "Can I try?" I ask him, and then I quickly look at my hands when he doesn't answer me. After a couple of minutes, I look at him and speak. "Never mind. I'm sorry I asked; it was stupid." I turn to walk away. As I turn, I run right into Arlo.

"Here, Tereso, let me show you how." Arlo says as he takes his gun out and shows me how to load the clip. He shows me how to turn on and off the safety before he hands it to me. I turn towards the target, and he walks up behind me. He guides me with his hands, showing me how to position my body, and helps me hold the gun. He removes his hands from my arms and slides them down to my waist. My breath starts to pick up as my stomach gets butterflies and I get goosebumps. Taking a deep breath, I shake my head and focus. "Ok, love, when you're ready, pull the trigger." Arlo says in my ear. I make sure I have it aimed right and make sure I'm steady, and I pull the trigger. I hit the target, and it was off center by a couple of inches.

"Not bad, love, not bad at all. Now let's try again and remember to breathe." Arlo says to me. I nod my head and do it again, and this time I hit the center. I put the safety on and lay the gun down and jump and squeal and turn to him. I leap into his arms and hug him. "Thank you, thank you." I say, laughing.

I let go of him and pull back. "Sorry." I say and look down at my feet. Why did I hug him? What the hell is wrong with me? I go to walk around him and head out of the room, but Arlo stops me. "Tomorrow you are going to start training. You need to learn how to defend yourself and how to shoot. What you just did was pretty good. Also, you will learn how to use knives as well." Arlo says to me. I look at him, and I'm sure I look not just pale but also confused because he laughs at me.

"It's for your safety, Kendall. I won't be with you all the time or able to answer the phone, same with the guys. We do a lot of jobs and leave town a lot. So if we aren't here, I want you to be able to defend yourself." Arlo says and walks away.