Killer Santas

Chapter 9

Victor and Elaina sat at the kitchen table, Michael's gun sitting on the surface between them. "Okay, so I've showed you all the parts," Victor said conversationally, picking up the weapon. The magazine sat on the table, resting on an old newspaper that Elaina had covered the table with. "I've told you about the workings. Now let's talk about loading. You'll need to learn to do this, in case we get caught in a shootout and you run out of bullets."

Elaina must have looked alarmed, for Victor gave a laugh and covered her hand lightly with his. "Relax, Elaina. I'm just showing you how to reload the pistol. From here on out, we're making sure you always have an extra clip on you."

Elaina nodded as Victor picked up the gun, turning it over in his hand. "Okay, so this is a Glock 17 nine millimeter," he told her. "The magazine takes 17 bullets. I have a spare magazine for this type of gun, which will always be on your person, ready for use. With 34 bullets on you at all times, you should be perfectly fine in case of a shootout."

As long as I don't get shot, Elaina couldn't help thinking. Extra bullets won't help me then.

Victor walked her through the process of changing clips, of reloading the pistol, and talked her through how to fire it.

"I already fired it," Elaina said, remembering that horrible moment in the garage where she had shot and killed Jerry. "But only that once."

"I hope you don't have to fire it at another person again," Victor said solemnly. "But the odds are against that, unfortunately. At least now, you'll have a better chance."

"If you're with me, then I definitely have a good chance," Elaina said with a slight grin. Victor smiled back as he handed her the pistol.

"Okay, now show me how to change the clips."

Elaina went through the process, slowly as she figured it out. Victor nodded when she held up the gun once finished. "Good. Now again. We need to make sure you can do this speedily if pinned down."

After an hour of changing the clips out, Victor finally was satisfied that Elaina could do it with a decent amount of speed. "Good, good. All right, let's take a break then. We've got planning to do."

Elaina took her gun back, standing up and placing it on the kitchen counter, her pants legs rustling against each other as she moved. Victor had gone shopping after the courthouse shooting and bought new clothes for Elaina, which fit a little loose on her slender frame. But the jeans and long sleeved tee were a nice change after her work shirt and skirt, and the sneakers were definitely more comfortable than her high heels, and a lot more practical for participating in shootouts.

"What are we planning, exactly?" she asked, opening the fridge. "Want a soda?"

"Sure," Victor answered. "Coke, please."

Elaina nodded and took out one Coke and one Sprite. Handing him the can, she popped hers open and took a sip, the fizz tickling her nose.

"Remember how I told you yesterday we're going to have to play the game?" Victor asked, waiting until she nodded. "Right. If we want to get out of this alive, we're going to have to take out Tony and my father. It's the only way to both stop them and prevent them from killing us."

Elaina frowned. "Kill them? Do we have to?"

"Elaina, this is life or death," Victor reminded her emphatically. "Life or death. We don't have any choice in the matter, quite frankly. My family will hunt me down until I am dead, and you with me. If we want to live, we'll have to kill them first." He glanced down. "I know this must be hard for you to understand, but this is the only way. Trust me. Any other course, and we die."

Slowly, Elaina walked over to the couch and sank down onto it, setting her can of soda on the small end table. Leaning back against the cushions, she blew out a breath, blowing a dark strand of hair out of her face.

They'd have to kill Tony and Mr. Andrisano. Coldly, calculatedly. Was it self-defense when it was planned?

Her shooting Jerry still haunted her nightmares, which had been much more frequent since the day of the Secret Santa drawing, and that had been purely in self-defense, her life or his in that instant. But planning to kill Victor's family – that was premediated, that was murder. No longer self-defense.

She didn't hear Victor leave the table, didn't even know he had moved until he sat down beside her on the couch. "Elaina," he said in a low, gentle voice. "I know this is hard. But trust me. There's no other way."

Elaina glanced over at him. "Are you sure?"

"If there was any other way, don't you think I would take it?" Victor asked. "If there was a way to avoid killing my own brother and father – don't you think I would rather go that route than kill them?" His voice broke on the last two words.

"I'm sorry," Elaina whispered. "I didn't mean to imply anything. I just...I'm not used to this."

"I know," he said, reaching out and carefully brushing her hair behind her ear. "I know, Elaina. Why do you think I want out of this? I want nothing to do with this, not anymore."

Elaina tilted her head gently, resting against his hand for a moment. Victor continued looking at her and Elaina didn't break away from his gaze. She liked looking into his eyes; they were so deep and beautiful. And she could tell they cared. He cared.

"So, what's the plan?" she eventually asked, and Victor gave her a lopsided grin.

"The firm's Christmas party."

Elaina frowned. "I kind of assumed that was off this year. You know, considering most everyone is dead and those still alive are trying to kill each other."

"I know my brother," Victor said. "He will be at the firm on the date of the Christmas party, in less than a week. It's this Friday, December 16th. It's Sunday today, so we have five days to get ready. At two, Friday afternoon, we will be at the firm to confront Tony and my father. They won't be expecting us to show up."

"How do you know they'll be there?" Elaina asked, cocking her head curiously.

"Because some of my employees are old friends of my family," Victor said. "Also, remember, the orders were given via a Secret Santa drawing, right? Those still alive, which means those who are Mafia and guessed the game the moment Tony gave the hint, will be drawn to the party, the time scheduled for them to actually 'exchange' their gifts. But Tony won't expect me to be there, or you, since you're with me now. We'll surprise them, and we can take them out then."

"Are you sure this will work?" Elaina asked.

Victor pressed his lips together. "It has to."