The morning air outside was crisp, carrying the sharp, clean scent of dew-soaked grass and the surrounding woods. We were out in the sprawling backyard of the house, a secluded stretch of land that felt completely removed from the rest of the world. Liam had already assured me that there were no neighbors or houses behind us for miles, just dense, thick tree line, making it the perfect spot for what we needed to do. Set up against a high dirt embankment he’d built up were three paper silhouettes, their black outlines stark and imposing against the green backdrop.
Liam carried the biometric case in one hand and a heavy gear bag in the other. He set them down on a weathered wooden workbench.
"Before we even touch the weapon, we talk about the rules," Liam said, turning to face me. His tone
