Gavin had given her simple instructions. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes she could walk in for a while. Given her largely business style wardrobe, that required a quick shopping trip. The next morning, Stella was waiting behind the massage parlor in a pair of jeans, a long sleeve linen shirt with sleeves rolled up, and a pair of boots. She felt a little silly, but trusted Gavin. 

​​​​

Gavin was wearing sunglasses, jeans, boots, and a loose shirt as he pulled up in a black car that Stella had never seen before, screeching ungainly to a halt at the curb in front of her. 

"Ready for some practice?"

He popped open the passenger door for her, but the car scooted forward a bit. Cursing, he remembered to put it in park.

She stepped off the curb to get in, but stepped back with a chuckle as the car moved forward again. When it was securely parked, Stella slid into the car, tossing her bag in the back. 

"Absolutely. Nice car, by the way. This a new purchase?" 

Shutting the door, Stella gave Gavin a grin. 

Stella might be frowning, but Gavin frowned down at the car. 

Why wouldn't it just listen?

He tried to gently hit the gas and the car leaped forward, scraping against the curb before bouncing off and getting to the road.

"Kind of. I rented it. I think? Tara arranged it. Want to know something fun? I've never driven a car before..."

He took a long, ponderous left turn through an intersection as other cars angrily beeped.

"... but I figured now that I've been a city boy for so many years it was time to try. Do you know how to drive?"

Stella let out a nervous laugh, slightly gripping the door.

"Well, yes. I do. Um...maybe we can trade shooting lessons for driving lessons?" 

Something Tara said once suddenly came to mind. About how Gavin and Jack Mezzo drove a truck off an overpass. Oh dear. 

"You know, I'd be glad to drive wherever we're going. Really, it's no trouble."

Gavin, having swerved onto the ramp, pulled out onto the highway, glancing a bit to the side as he did so. He accelerated past several cars, laughing as he flew past the other drivers. The wind started drowning out his words.

"Are you kidding?! This is fun! Look how fucking FAST you can go!"

Practically giddy with laughter, he slowed down after a couple minutes when he noticed the expression on Stella's face. With a smirk, he changed the subject.

"You're got to promise me something. If I teach you how to shoot, you can't go kicking down doors and taking jobs as a hitter. This is for self defense only, right? At least until you're good?"

If you're ever good. Some people just didn't take to it. Tara hadn't- not really. It'd be more fun to teach Stella- but who knows how she'd take to it?

She shook her head, holding up three fingers like a boy scout.

"Hell no. This is self defense only. After what happened in New York, I'd just as soon not be on any end of a gun. But, I'm realizing that it's a necessary evil. At least for me. Besides, I've found much better ways of getting my adrenaline going."

Stella grinned slyly and winked at Gavin. They were moving further out of the city. Though she didn't like the idea of having to use a gun, she was looking forward to learning how. She wondered with a bit of excitement what the day had in store.

The rest of the ride was relatively calm as they headed out of the city on the highway. They traveled west, and soon the signs of urban life vanished around them. Gavin drove mostly competently, although there was a bit more speed and drifting than a more practiced driver might have employed. But he was getting the hang of it, and soon they found themselves turning off a main road onto a dirt one. The car bounced severely and Gavin was forced to slow down. After driving a couple miles, he parked near a small cabin.

"This land belongs to a few horse breeders; they're out of town this week, and I was told I could use the place for a few days. Cabin there isn't much. No plumbing. Just a bed and some basic furniture. I guess there's a mansion a few miles away, but rich people tend to get upset when you borrow those. We can stay here tonight if you'd like or just drive out and back. Either way, it's a quiet spot to practice."

He smiled.

"Do you have a gun with you?"

Walking over to the trunk, he popped it open to reveal several dozen pistols and revolvers.

Stella stepped out of the car and stretched, immediately taken in by the serenity of the surroundings. The woods reminded her of the only part she loved about Colorado.

"There's no need for that. I think the cabin looks absolutely charming."

She turned and looked at the contents of the trunk and laughed. 

"And, no, I hadn't had a chance to pick up a new weapon yet. I thought it might be best for you to help me decide what's best for me. The two I inherited from Sofia are beautiful, but really heavy and I can barely hold them steady."

Gavin nodded.

"Something lighter, then. Well, I can show you the same model Tara has, if you're interested. She basically wanted what it sounds like you want: something lighter, but with more than a couple rounds and decent stopping power."

He picked up one of the pistols from the back, extending the grip for Stella to take.

"1931 Fabrique Nationale Baby Browning. .25 ACP ammo, six round magazine. Safety on the side, right there- can flick it on and off while you're holding it with one hand. Should be a manageable amount of power for you. Want to give it a try?"

She looked at the weapon, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

In truth, she was more excited than nervous. The first shot she would attempt would be the end of her helplessness. Of course, she wouldn't be getting rid of her security at all, but it was time she was able to help herself out of a sticky situation.

Remenbering something, Stella held up her hands.

"Wait. I have to show you something."

She slipped to the back door of the car and opened it, retrieving her bag. From it, she took a small velvet case. She took it to Gavin then opened it. Inside was a delicate silver chain with a silver pendant on it, bearing a carving of St. Michael.

"Uncle Joe gave me this. A few nights ago, when he made me one of his honored men. Well, woman...but once of them."

Gavin whistled.

"Very impressive. Congratulations- remind me to buy you a drink later to celebrate, huh?"

There were a few bottles of wine and liquor in the trunk as well; hopefully they hadn't been destroyed during the ride.

"But that's even more reason to learn how to use this. You're a target now, more than ever. What's your previous experience with guns? Any training?"

"I used to watch my father clean his. Honestly, I think that's all the dumb bastard knew how to do. I never saw him fire it, or take out of the house for that matter. So, yeah, nothing. I know which end not to be on, if that counts for anything."

Stella shrugged sheepishly. Really she didn't mind Gavin knowing she was so inexperienced. She had been inexperienced in other areas, and he'd had no trouble teaching her those things. That thought made her grin a bit devilishly.

Gavin couldn't tell with Stella was smiling, but he matched it with one of his own as he removed some ammunition from the trunk, though he didn't load the gun yet.

"First lesson. More important than all the other lessons put together. Always treat your gun like it's loaded, at all times. Even if you know it's empty. If you're pointing it at someone or something, expect that someone or something to get shot. And always keep your finger off the trigger- leave it to the side or behind the trigger guard- unless you're shooting."

Gavin furrowed his brow.

"You don't seem like the type to mess around with a weapon, but it's important."

He gestured toward the gun in her hand.

"It's a small gun, but you'll still want to be careful about the kick when you're shooting. Don't squeeze the trigger unless you're lined up at your target."

"But we'll get to that. Let's get you ready to shoot... you just won't have any ammo yet. Put your feet shoulder width apart. Are you right handed or left handed?"

Gavin grinned.

"You're so skilled, I suppose I've never really noticed."

Stella giggled and held up her right hand. Following his directions, she moved her feet apart, squared her shoulders, and waited for her next instructions. She found the gun fit well in her hands. It wasn't nearly as heavy as the two locked in the case back in Vegas. 

"Wait, what do you mean by kick?" 

"The gun jumping in your hands. Yours won't do much at all, but you'll still need to re-aim- at least at first."

Gavin stood behind Stella, reaching his arms around her and letting them rest over her hands. He helped her raise her arms so they pointed away from her.

"Right arm almost straight. Slightly flex the other arm. Good. Now when you're aiming, your right eye, right arm, and the sights on the pistol are going to be perfectly aligned. If you were using one hand, you'd turn to the side, but we'll handle that later."

He moved his arms, moving Stella's along with them. 

"Once you've lined up your shot, then you move your finger to the trigger. Pull the trigger in one full motion, let the recoil process, then line up your next shot."

Gavin stepped back from Stella.

"Ready to try for real?"

Stella listened carefully, following his instructions in her mind and with her eyes. Holding a weapon was terrifying in a way, but also thrilling; a skill she wanted to know, but hoped she never had to employ. 

She felt the trigger, the way it pulled, and tried to imagine the way the jolt would feel. When Gavin stepped back, she nodded. 

"I think so. Seems simple enough."

Remembering the first rule, she held the weapon out to him, with the muzzle pointed down and away from him.

Gavin went to the truck and grabbed a few bottles, lining them up about 10 yards away. Returning to stand behind Stella, he crossed his arms.

"It'll be louder than you expect. But it's a small gun. More of a heavy snap than a blast."

He pointed at the bottles.

"You've got six shots. Take your time in between them, and see what you can do. Don't feel bad if you go 0 for 6. This is just practicing shooting."

Stella took the gun in her hands, holding it just like Gavin showed her. She lined up her eye with the gun, her arm with her eye, and the gun with the first bottle. Her hands shook slightly, but she took a quick breath and fired. The sound was like a sharp crack, and she jumped a bit. The bottle didn't move. 

"OK. Well  there's that. Wow."

She grinned shyly at Gavin, then lined up again. A little more confident, she pulled the trigger again. The gun fired, and there was a sound of a bullet striking something, and some chips of wood and some dirt flew up. 

Not totally off- she was in the right ballpark.

"Good. Now it's time to do that a few hundred more times."

Gavin grinned.