She looks up at me, face devoid of expression. "That was my father."

"Whoa, you talk to your dad that way?" Girl's got guts.

She looks confused. "Yeah. Why?"

"No way. My dad would slap me if I told him to shut up."

She looks thoughtful for a moment before answering, "Well, I think that's wrong."

"My dad's a good person. He's just a no nonsense type of guy."

There's an uncomfortable silence, until she speaks, "I should get back to the hotel. It's late, I'll call a cab."

She pulls out her phone again, but I grab it from her. "Don't be ridiculous. I'll take you home."

"Okay." Putting her shirt back on, she grabs her messenger bag and walks out of the room. Her playful demeanor from a few minutes ago is gone. Did I miss something? Everything was fine before she got a call from her dad. I follow her down the stairs and out of the house. In the car she's silent on the ride back to her hotel.

When I park in front of the doors that lead to the main lobby, she finally looks over at me and smiles. "Thanks for the ride."

She's opening the car door, but I grab her by the arm, not liking the vibes she's putting out. "Don't I get a kiss goodnight?"

"Of course you do." She leans over and pecks me on the cheek.

"What the h.e.l.l was that?" I grab the back of her head and give her a real kiss. Looking into her in the eyes, I can see that she's amused, no longer preoccupied with whatever's bothering her. "Now you can go." She laughs and steps out of the car. I watch her walk through the lobby, rub a hand over her forehead and get into an elevator. Every time she tries to distance herself from me, I'll stop her. Eventually, she'll learn to trust me completely.

Annabelle Jackson is sitting on the couch again, in a pair of cut-off sweats and tank top, watching television, when I enter the suite. Jesus, it's the middle of the night, was he waiting up for me? As soon as he sees me, he smiles smugly. "You know I won earlier. Why don't you just admit it, Annie?" I don't say anything, just grab the ice bucket with melted ice water in it and dump it on his head. "What the f.u.c.k, Annabelle?" He jumps off the couch and peels off his shirt.

"That's for cheating and for calling me while I was with Gabriel. You know better than that," I reprimand him, knowing that I'm also frustrated with myself.

"Well jeez, I was just wondering when you were coming home. Can't a big brother worry about his little sister?" He is so full of c.r.a.p.

"Oh, please! I can take care of myself. You were just calling because you had nothing better to do than annoy me." Walking into my bedroom, I toss my bag on the bed and go back into the living room to have it out with my brother.

He's grabbed a new shirt and is pulling it over his head. "What do you expect? This job is taking forever. When are you going to make the hit?" His question is one that I don't want to think about.

"Xavier Sanchez is supposed to be home for Halloween. That's when I'll do it." I'm dreading the end of this a.s.signment. That's never happened before. Of course, I know the reason why. After Gabriel's father is dead, I'll leave town and never see him again.

I'll give him my condolences over his father's death and tell him that my parents changed their mind about settling in Miami or that my father's business interests are taking us elsewhere. Whether he wants to keep in touch or not, and I'm guessing that he will, I'll be forced to sever all ties. For his good and mine, even though the thought causes an unfamiliar ache in my chest.

Gabriel Halloween I'm getting into my Halloween costume, waiting for Anna to call and tell me that she's ready. When I'm done, I go to my mom's room to see if she needs any help with the party. She tells me that the party planner has everything under control. As I thought, but brownie points never hurt in the parent department.

I call Anna, wondering what's taking her so long. She answers on the second ring, "h.e.l.lo?"

"Hey, are you ready for me to come get you?" Tonight will be awesome.

"Um . . . actually, I'm already in my car driving to your place." She doesn't sound like herself. Detached, is the word that comes to mind. Maybe she's just preoccupied with driving.

I wonder why she changed her mind about me picking her up. Oh well, she's on her way, that's all that matters. "Okay, well see you when you get here." I decide to wait on the front steps, since I've got nothing else to do. Now that we've been dating for a couple weeks, the guards know her and her car, so she gets through with no trouble. Between the trees, I can see her car coming up the drive. The sun is setting, painting the sky in orange and reds, as I antic.i.p.ate the night to come.

Parking in the driveway, she steps out of her car looking so hot in her fallen angel costume. She smiles and calls out, "Hey handsome devil!"

"Hey tempting angel." I saunter over and lean down for a kiss, lingering for a moment.

Pulling back, Anna looks up at me with a serious expression. "So, did your dad make it to town yet?"

I'm actually unsure. "Don't know yet, but my mom talked to him this morning and he said he was coming for sure."

Anna smiles, but I notice that it doesn't reach her eyes. Maybe she's nervous about being introduced to my dad. "Oh. So does your mom need any help?"

Stepping in front of her, I stop her while she's walking towards the front doors by wrapping my arms around her lower back, avoiding the angel wings. "Hey, you don't have to be worried about meeting him. I'm sure my dad will love you."

"Doubtful," I hear her mumble.

She looks up at me and I can see a myriad of emotions in her eyes. "Gabriel. There's something I want to tell you, while I have the chance."

"What is it?" I cup her face in a comforting gesture, she obviously needs it.

She looks nervous again. "Gabriel, I-"

She's cut off by a sound in the distance of the gates opening again. A black Cadillac Escalade pulls through first, followed by a limo and another Escalade bringing up the rear. Giving her one last peck for rea.s.surance, I tell her, "Oh wait, hold that thought. My dad's just arrived."

Chapter 9.

Annabelle I feel nervous, and that is no way to be feeling in this situation. I need to keep my head straight while on the job. It's just a hard thing to do while Gabriel is around, making it spin. I can't believe the mistake I almost made. As I see Xavier Sanchez and his entourage pulling in, I'm grateful that they showed up when they did.

I was about to tell Gabriel that I love him. Actually say it out loud. Getting sentimental like that can get someone like me killed. Like Simon has always said, love is a weakness. Love made me an orphan. What do I know of love anyways? Nothing, when it comes to the romantic kind. Jackson and I love each other because we've been all the other had growing up. Sure Simon raised us, but he never showed us love. He taught us to survive, gave us a purpose and we respected him for that. I've never had an example of the type of love that my parents had. I was only a toddler when they died.

Gabriel holds my hand as the security men get out of the Escalades. Two men come to open the limo door. I eye the men, knowing that there's a chance I'll be coming up against them. Confident of my abilities, should the need arise, I zero in on the man exiting the limo. Out steps my target, Xavier Sanchez, wearing an expensive suit and smiling sincerely at Gabriel when he sees him. Just like his picture and description, he's tall with light brown skin and black hair. Good looking for a man his age.

Gabriel lets go of my hand and hugs his father. Xavier says, "I've missed you, son." So he's a loving father, if a little absentee, doesn't make up for being a criminal.

Gabriel steps back next to me, putting an arm around my waist. "Dad, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Anna." Yeah, this is definitely not the normal meet the father situation. Normally, I'm thinking, bodyguards aren't standing around.

Xavier raises his eyebrows, still smiling. "Yes, your mother told me that you had a beautiful girlfriend. I can see that she didn't exaggerate." Creep.

I put on a fake smile and tell Xavier, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sanchez."

"Call me Xavier, sweetheart." He pulls me in for a hug. Creepy.

Xavier pulls back from hugging me and I keep wearing the fake smile. "Okay, Xavier." I step back to Gabriel and he puts his arm around my waist again. All of a sudden, blonde hair whizzes past us and Gabriel's mom is embracing his dad.

When they kiss, Gabriel rolls his eyes. "Let's get out of here before I'm traumatized." Pity swells inside me for Eva Sanchez because she's obviously so in love with her husband and unaware that he's not faithful to her. Maybe if I let the information slip after Xavier's death, it would help her during the mourning period for the b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

"Where are we going?" I tease as Gabriel guides me upstairs, even though I already know. The a.s.signment is still in the back of my head, but Gabriel is distracting me, being in front of my eyes.

"The party is starting soon and I don't know when I'll get you to myself again." He kisses my neck as we're walking down the upstairs hallway. "After we make an appearance at my parents' party, I was thinking that we could go out and have some real fun." Eyeing him, I think about how ridiculous our costumes are. But that's the point, right?

"Sounds good to me." Although, that's not going to happen, I think to myself. I'm going to kill your father and you'll be too busy with your grief to go out afterwards. I'm not sorry about having to kill his dad. It has to be done and if I don't do it, someone else will. I am sorry for the pain it will cause Gabriel.

For some reason I have the ridiculous urge to cry. I will not cry. I never cry over a kill. No, the kill wouldn't be the reason. Gabriel said that he doesn't know the next time we'll have alone time together, but I know all too well that this may be the last time.

Two hours later, the party is in full swing. Gabriel's parents are dressed up in civil war era costumes. His dad even has a sword strapped to his side. Eva must have picked out their costumes. Gabriel is taking me around and introducing me to all of his parents' friends, like I'm becoming a part of the Sanchez family. I'm again wearing a fake smile, not that they'll perceive it as anything but genuine. I even meet Max's mom, Lucy. She's an attractive woman in her forties, friendly, and dressed as a fairy G.o.dmother. No wonder Max is such a nice guy.

The bottom floor of the house is an explosion of any color a.s.sociated with the holiday. Eva must have had the place professionally decorated for the party because it'd be too much work for one woman alone. Maybe she put the security men to work. Throughout the house are flower arrangements in orange and purple. Along with that, there are mummies, cobwebs, balloons, a large witch's cauldron of candy and probably every other Halloween decoration available for sale. This is a real family affair, with the smallest guest being an infant in a frog suit and the oldest being a pirate that's, well, old.

Gabriel goes to get something for us to drink and Max walks over to me. He's wearing a cla.s.sic vampire costume. White face makeup is not a good look with his brown skin. "So, what are you supposed to be, Anna, besides beautiful? A dark angel?"

I smile mischievously, answering him, "A fallen angel." Pointing over to where Gabriel is on the other side of the room at the refreshment table, I add, "I sold my soul to the devil."

His gaze follows my gesture. "He's a devil alright. When are you going to realize your mistake and dump him for me?"

I laugh, telling him, "I heard you were already in love with some new girl."

He fakes sadness, which is a weird look with the face paint. "Not anymore, she couldn't compare to you."

"You're so full of it."

His humor fades. "You know, I really didn't think Gabriel was serious about you, but I guess I was wrong." There's a tinge of wonder in his tone. Jeez, I feel like a b.i.t.c.h.

I know better than to show uneasiness on the outside, but I'm squirming on the inside. "Yeah, I guess he is." How I wish that I could be as serious about him and somehow keep him.

Through the crowd, I spot Xavier leaving the room alone. I've been waiting for an opportunity like this. With this many guests present throughout the bottom floor of the house, no one will know who killed him. I quickly excuse myself from Max by telling him that I need to use the restroom. He moves on to a group nearby and within seconds I'm hearing his good humor behind me. Gabriel is still on the other side of the room, talking to one of his dad's friends as he holds two plastic cups in his hands.

Following Xavier into the foyer, he's already at the top of the stairs by the time I get there. With a quick look around, I take the wide stairs slowly and once at the top, see Xavier slip into his study down the hall, probably to make a phone call. Making my way to Gabriel's room, I grab his desk chair. I retrieve my gun and silencer from his closet, still wrapped in a scarf. s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g on the silencer, I take off the safety. Holding the gun inconspicuously down at my side, in the folds of my skirt, I walk to the study.

Xavier is sitting in a high back office chair, facing away from the door and towards the large windows. He's on the phone as I'd guessed, speaking Spanish. He isn't saying anything incriminating, just talking to what seems to be an up-and-up business a.s.sociate.

Creeping quietly into the room, he doesn't even notice me. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d probably feels safe in his own home with security downstairs and surrounding the house. There's even an added buffer of guests tonight. I bring the gun up and take aim, putting my finger firmly on the trigger. Xavier continues his conversation and I listen carefully for the sounds of anyone coming.

I'm about to pull the trigger, when I glance at the picture on his desk of Gabriel as a child. Gabriel's grown up face flashes through my mind. Faltering, my hands start shaking and I try to regain my focus. Just pull the trigger, Annabelle. This is your job and you'll be doing the whole world a favor.

But I'll lose Gabriel in the process. No more of his humor. No more of his tenderness or desire. No more of what, even in my inexperience, I'm pretty sure is his love. My eyes start to water. I'm not ready to lose him yet. Just a little more time won't hurt. I'll still do the job in the end, so what does it matter? I lower the gun and slowly step back out of the room. Once in the hallway, I return to Gabriel's room. My whole body is now trembling. Using the chair, I put the gun back into its hiding spot and sit down on the closet floor, with my back against the wall.

Giving the tears free reign to take over, my knees are drawn up with my arms wrapped around them and my chin resting on top. I know that I'm acting weak. Crying is for victims and I was raised to be the predator, a fighter. Never a victim and never weak. I just need a little more time with Gabriel. This will be the only taste of love I'll ever have. I'm not ready for it to be over yet, because I know I'll never allow myself this weakness again. The girl inside me will just have to be satisfied with that.

I need to get my s.h.i.t together before Gabriel finds me like this. I laugh humorlessly, just imagining how I'd explain. Well Gabriel, I wimped out when I went to kill your father. Oh yeah, didn't I mention it? I'm an a.s.sa.s.sin hired to kill your drug-dealing, murdering dad. Unfortunately, I think I'm in love with you and it's really getting in the way. But don't worry. I'll overcome it and finish the job, because I always finish the job. Yeah, that would go over real well.

Standing up, dragging the chair back out of the closet, I walk to the bed where my purse is. I pick it up and go into Gabriel's bathroom, locking the door behind me. I look at myself in the mirror. Pathetic, Annabelle. I wash my face and reapply all of my makeup. It takes a while, since I'm wearing it heavy, with lots of black eyeliner and mascara to go with the costume. When I'm done, I look good as new, at least on the outside. On the inside, I feel as if knives are having a go at a few of my vital organs, most especially my heart.

As I'm walking down the stairs, Gabriel enters the foyer down below, looking impatient. Looking up at me, his mouth melts into a smile. Even in his ridiculous costume, he makes my heart skip a beat, revived by his presence.

"Where've you been?" he asks, relaxed now, but giving me a questioning look.

"I went upstairs to touch up my makeup and grab my purse. You did say that we were going out, didn't you?" I inquire calmly, showing no hint of the emotional turmoil I just experienced upstairs.

His smile broadens as he claps his hands together eagerly. "Great idea. We'll leave now." Gabriel suggests that it's better for us to slip out without saying goodbye because his mom might make a fuss over it, wanting us to stay longer. Max joins us outside and we all pile into his Mercedes, with me in the front pa.s.senger seat and Gabriel in back.

We go to the same club that I 'met' them at. I already know from the information Simon provided, that the club, Cameo, is owned by a friend of Gabriel's father. One of the bad friends. Will Gabriel continue to go there when I'm gone? Just because it's Halloween doesn't mean you need to be morbid, Annabelle.

There's a long line of people waiting to get into the club. Most of them are wearing costumes. Some of those costumes are very interesting. I'm pretty sure some of the women are wearing lingerie, not costumes. I knew I should have gone with the hooker princess idea. Most of the girls look like they have s.e.x for money. h.e.l.l, the girls that come to clubs like this usually give it away for free. In other cities, I've even seen them giving it away in the club. Makes me want to shout, Yeah, it's not that dark in here!

We get to skip the line and the bouncers let us right in, making some people clamor in irritation. Max goes straight to the bar and Gabriel leads me to the middle of the dance floor. The song is a techno remix of "Thriller". With Gabriel dancing closely behind me, running his hands over my stomach, hips and outer thighs, kissing my neck, I'm lost in it, lost in him.

Yes, I just needed a little more of this, a little more time to savor these precious memories, since it's all I'll be able to take with me. I'll finish the job because it's who I am, an a.s.sa.s.sin. But for a while, in moments like this, it's just him and me, Gabriel and Annabelle. After the song is over, Gabriel wraps an arm around my waist and leads me upstairs to VIP.

A blonde server comes up to our table. "Happy Halloween, Gabriel, what can I get you two?" I narrow my eyes at her and determine from the way she's looking at Gabriel that they're only friends. Dang, it's stressful having a boyfriend.

"Hey, Rachel. I'll have a Corona. What do you want, baby?" he asks me, snuggling close.

"I'll have a Long Island Iced Tea," I tell the woman. I've decided to stop worrying about things I have no control over and have fun tonight.