A/N - I've not abandoned High Stakes, this is just something I decided to write as well. Let me know what you think, if it's any good or whatever. I'm not really sure about this one. :) Reviews please! xxx

California Sun

Edward Pov

I awoke at an ungodly hour as I did most often. The light dimly filtered through the closed blinds. I had no use for an alarm clock as my brain never did shut off. It was trained that way. I was trained that way. I made my way over to the window stealthily. I checked for unusual activity before pulling the blinds open and opening the window allowing the cool air to filter through the hot room. California was beautiful it really was undeniable, but the air was hot, sticky. It was dry here all the time. I needed a change of scenery. I went through the normal motions, having a shower, making coffee and toast and brushing my teeth. I pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and plimsoll's before I slid open the balcony doors walking into the blazing sun. I inspected my surroundings on the lookout for anything suspicious. Once I was happy that there was nothing out of the ordinary I let myself relax, not fully relax as I never really could, but relax all the same. My cellphone buzzed in my pocket. Seven am sharp as expected.

"Alec." I didn't even need to look at the screen to see who was calling me.

"Edward my boy. I have a package for you. There will be someone waiting for you at the Getty Gardens at twelve noon. A pay phone nearby will ring with more instructions."

The line went dead as I knew it would. I slipped the disposable phone back in my pocket. I wasn't sure why I bothered as no doubt I would have a new one soon enough. I decided to go a walk to kill time. The beach was a five minute walk from the condo I currently vacated. I could practically smell the ocean from the balcony where I stood. I left my condo glancing around again for anything unusual. I made my way down towards the beach picking up a newspaper from the small shop on the way. I lay down on the sand glancing over the newspaper. I wasn't really concentrating as my mind was always focused. Always alert. I never truly unwound, I had even learned how to sleep with one eye open, always aware of my surroundings. I knew that at exactly nine am Mr Livingston's wife would leave the condo next door, and shortly after Mr Livingston's mistress would arrive. I had thought many of a time over the few months I had been here of telling her to wait ten minutes, to park a short bit away and watch to see what happened. I couldn't though. I couldn't do that to the woman. It was unnecessary mayhem.

I got up after a while discarding the newspaper in a nearby bin. I decided to go for a work out at the gym a few blocks away. I didn't need the work out as I was very well built, I was yet to meet someone who could hold their own in a fight against me. The worst I'd ever had was a small scar on my left eyebrow from being pistol whipped. I liked it though, it added character. I picked up a pair of jogging bottoms or lazy boys as I liked to call them from the counter. I flashed the women at the desk my famous crooked grin. I could see the blush rising to her cheeks. I raked my eye's appreciatively over her body, I'd already banged her the week before and had no intention of doing so again but at least it made her feel good. I handed her more than the bottoms were worth before heading into the changing room to put them on. I could feel her eye's on me as I walked away and I couldn't help but smirk.

Damn Cullen when you're good. You know you're good.

I discarded my shorts into a locker attaching the key around my wrist. I looked around the gym wondering where to begin today. I decided to start on the treadmill. I put the speed up to the highest it would go, pushing myself to the limit. After I had wasted half an hour I started doing some weights. Pumping the guns. I could see the few females that occupied the gym checking me out out of my peripheral. Heck, I could even see a few guy looking my way with jealousy evident on their features. I grabbed a towel on the way back into the changing room. I stripped my clothes off leaving them on a bench with my shoes before heading into the shower. I used the complimentary soap and shampoo sitting on the small shelf inside the shower stall. Once I was dressed I discarded the lazy boy's into the bin and left the gym. I could practically feel the disappointment coming from the females and the relief from the males as I walked straight out the doors. I headed for a quiet cafe near the Getty Gardens figuring it was best to be close. I spotted a few men around clutching briefcases knowing one of them could be waiting on me. None of them particularly drew attention to themselves nor did they look even remotely familiar, but they wouldn't. There wasn't anything suspicious about them or anywhere around for that matter. I took a seat outside so I could observe further. I was a master at noticing strange activity, I didn't even have to look anymore. I knew what was around me at all times no matter where I was. I ordered a glass of orange juice with a full breakfast figuring I deserved it after working myself so hard at the gym. I didn't even look at the waitress but I knew she was batting her eyelashes at me. She gave up trying to get herself noticed by me after a few minutes sighing to herself and walked off. I sincerely hoped she hadn't dared have the nerve of spitting in my breakfast as I could tell. It had only happened once before, some bitch had gotten her panties in a twist because I'd fucked her and not bothered to call her. It was classic Edward but it wasn't like I could stick around. What did I say? My real name's Edward not Liam like I told you and oh by the way I'm a secret agent, a spy. I doubted it would come off too well and that is if she believed me which I highly doubted, who would? I had made her regret it though. I wouldn't be violent to a woman, unless absolutely necessary but I didn't have to be. One word to management and she was packing her stuff, I felt bad obviously, but she spat in my fucking breakfast. Who does that?

I let my eyes drift across the gardens. I could see only one phone box at the other side of the square. There weren't many people around, the men with briefcases and a few women pushing prams. The cafe was practically empty, except from me there was two other people, mother and daughter maybe. As my breakfast arrived my phone buzzed in my pocket this time indicating a text message. The number was one I didn't know but I still knew who the text was from.

Look to your left.

That was all the text said, but it was enough. I stretched back glancing casually to my left. I saw a curtain twitch on the second floor of an old boarded up building. I knew my mission instantly but I still had the package to collect and was yet to have instructions of who to collect it from. I took my time savouring every bite of my breakfast pleased that it contained no spit. I asked for the check over tipping the waitress. I made my way across the square closer to the phone box as it neared twelve noon. I picked up the phone on the first ring. It reminded me of the first time I had ever done this. At the time I expected someone to tell me I was going to die and I had visions of hookers arguing with me and their pimp getting shot, it was then I realized that I had seen far too many movies. I held back a chuckle at the memory as I concentrated on the voice in my ear.

"Sit on the bench and pick up the newspaper."

Again the line went dead as soon as the message had been conveyed. I did as the message said, sitting on the bench waiting. I was sitting beside one of the men I had saw earlier walking around with a briefcase. I smiled to myself. He offered me his newspaper and I thanked him taking it. I sat there for a few minutes pretending to read before getting up and walking away with the paper under my arm. I walked around the back of the building which was boarded up slipping under one of the boards and inside of the building. I cautiously walked up the stairs to the second floor listening for any sounds. I slipped into the room where I had saw the curtains twitching. I was met with Alec. He looked awful, worn. I knew Alec had been under a lot of stress lately, his wife Jane desperately wanted a baby and as much as he objected she still persisted in telling him she wanted one. She had had three miscarriages that I knew of in the last year and it was taking it's toll on him. I gave him a small smile and he returned the gesture. I handed him the package and he slipped me a new cellphone along with a slip of paper. I put both in my pocket allowing my eye's to drift to the dead body on the floor. I did the usual clean up stuff, removing the bullet, dusting all fingerprints from the body and removing anything suspicious. It would take months for the body to be discovered and there were no traces of anything except suicide. I slipped a new more common bullet into the wound in his head and dusted the gun that Alec held out to me before placing it in his hand. Suicide. I knew the Russians would know it was us the minute they realized their top spy was dead, but that couldn't be helped. After everything was taken care of I slipped back outside undetected, I dropped the newspaper and my old cellphone into the nearest trash can and made my way back to the Condo. Once I was safely inside I took out the slip of paper that Alec handed me opening it.

Edward, I have a new location for you, which I am sure you will be relieved to hear. You will be taking on the identity of Edward Mason which I know you already have a birth certificate and passport for. You will be staying with Emmett, you remember Emmett don't you? If not, he stays in Forks, Washington. Speed dial 1 if you have any problems. Aro.

I smiled. Of course I remembered Emmett McCarty. The man was horrendously childish, but great to work with. He certainly gave me a laugh. Forks was exactly what I needed. Some cool air and a bit of wetness. I packed my bags immediately glad to be leaving. The note hadn't said that a plane had been booked or anything so I phoned the travel agents booking a flight for a few hours time. It would be nice to get my Volvo back from Emmett's garage, no doubt Rosalie has had her fair share of fun with it. Rosalie Hale, Emmett's other half, definitely not his better half, had a bit of a car fetish. Normally I would find that sexy, even more so since she was gorgeous, blonde hair, big tits, picture perfect, but Rosalie Hale was a bitch. She was like the annoying sister I never had. She drove me crazy, even more so than Alice, her best and from what I knew of only friend. Alice was hyper and quirky, but I could handle her. Rosalie was the devil reincarnated.

I pushed the thoughts of Rosalie fucking Hale to the back of my mind looking about for anything I had forgotten to pack. I hid my other passports and birth certificates in a secret location in my suitcase taking out the one's that read Edward Mason. I burned Aro's letter and called myself a cab.

Once I had everything fixed out at the airport I took a seat in the first class lounge. I took a bottle of champagne and poured myself a glass relaxing into the comfy seats. I smiled, when had life gotten so good? I saw a blonde checking me out from the corner of my eye. I cocked my eyebrow at her, indicating with my finger that she follow me. I didn't need to check that she was behind me as I new she would be. I pushed open the toilet door turning around and picking her up before she even opened her mouth. I preferred it when the didn't speak. I sat her on the counter pushing her skirt up to her waist. I purchased a condom from the machine not taking any chances. I didn't even need to check to see if she was wet, I knew instantly. I pulled down my shorts and put the condom on before sticking it in her without a word of warning. I really went for it needing to release some tension. I heard her moan and squeal digging her nails into my back. I pinched her clit making her go into orgasm as I felt myself about to climax. Once I was done I threw the condom into the trash and walked away leaving her there. I knew my plane was boarding soon so I made my way out to the boarding area ready for the journey to Forks.