Part 6 (1/2)

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 s.h.i.+rt 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 s.h.i.+rt.

”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 s.h.i.+rt 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.