Chapter 14- Bait

Preparation was underway for the biggest performance of my life and I was more nervous than I was for my first ever concert. This was a life or death situation and I was acting as bait. My brother held my hand as we walked around the town, trying to attract as much attention to ourselves as we could. Stopping and posing for pictures, trying on silly hats at stands on the street, anything to seem like we were carefree and having fun. All the while we were both on the lookout for anyone watching us too closely.

"So what's this guys name?" I asked quietly as we walked around Barney's.

"He goes by Cobra but his name is Harold. He's a total ass and he thinks he's some kind of James bond villain. He's really just an oversized librarian who wants to be part of the mafia." Elliot looked at the rack of jackets and the put the one he had in his hand back. "This is ridiculous, we have been walking around all day and there has been no sign of him. Maybe he isn't watching you anymore."

"He has to be, we just have to give it time, maybe we'll get some response tonight? We should head back to the hotel and report to Austin." I pressed my hand to the gun in my waistband. It felt cold and hard against my skin but the feeling was exhilarating, to carry around something that could end someone's life so easily and have no one know it was there. It was like being a real life spy.

Elliot drove us home and we told Austin all about our uneventful day, he agreed that they may be just waiting to play our game and we decided to all get some much deserved sleep. As I snuggled up against my loving husband and looked over at my brother sleeping soundly on the couch I couldn't help but feel safe. I was a girl who was so well protected.

…

I woke up early to the sound of feet shuffling away from our hotel door and shot up from the bed in a flash. I looked around the room but nothing was out of the ordinary, until I looked down and there it was. Pushed under the door was an enveloped addressed to myself. I tore open the envelope praying it wasn't my stalker, I really couldn't handle Molly as well right now.

The words scrawled across the paper were far worse than what I had imagined, far worse than anything Molly could have ever written;

Allison,

So nice to see that you and Elliot have been reunited, it would be a shame if something were to happen to him. I want to meet you Ally, to explain what I want in return for your brother's life. Come to the Marchins warehouse downtown at noon or your brother will get his wish, his death wish that is.

-Cobra

He wanted to meet me, he wanted to discuss my brother's life with him, I had to go or Elliot may end up dead. But was I ready to risk my life? Could I really sneak away from Austin without him knowing? He wouldn't let me get away with it would he? I sat up and thought about it until the morning light was shining through the cheap curtains of the hotel room and Austin stirred from his sleep, his arm in search of me. When he couldn't feel my body he shot up, looing around with worried eyes until he found me sat on the opposite side of the room, my back against the door and my knees pulled up to my chest, the note resting upon them.

"Ally? What's wrong baby?" He flipped the covers aside and rushed to my side, kneeling next to me. Without saying a word I passed him the note and watched as his face changed as he read it. "No Ally. It's too dangerous. We'll find another way." He looked at me and his face was a mask of resolve, he was not going to let me do this one on my own.

"I have to Austin, he'll harm Elliot if I don't, I can't say goodbye to him again." I looked at the sleeping form of my brother, his face innocent and young, peaceful. How could I let him be harmed because of something he did in high school, when he was just a stupid teenager.

"Ally… Fine but we need to plan it so that Elliot and I can be there, ready to strike when Cobra gets there. You can wear a tracker, and take the panic alarm that we installed to inform the driver of crazy fans. We can hook it up to my car so I'll know if you're in trouble. You take a cab. I'll follow behind in the car." He got up, walking over to his bag and pulling all of the equipment he would need to set up the safety precautions he wanted me to take. Elliot woke up a little later and Austin showed him the note, explaining the plan as I sat by the door, staring into space and contemplating whether this was a good idea.

…

At noon I started my journey to the warehouses, a tracker attached to my ankle and a panic button in my pocket, Austin and my brother in the car behind me. I still didn't feel safe, I felt like I was walking into a warzone with no protection. The gun I had was left in Austin's car; it was more likely that Cobra would expect me to be armed. I would gain his trust if I didn't have anything that could harm him. That didn't mean I liked it.

The warehouses looked even worse than I remembered them. The paint was chipped and the windows boarded, the car park was a full of rubbish and rats. This was no place for a business meeting, I stroked my side for my ghost gun, sighing when I realised I was on my own in this.

"Allison, so nice to see you." I heard from behind me and I whirled around to see the man that was haunting my thoughts. He was short and fat, his hair sparse on top and his beard overgrown. He looked more like an apple genius than a criminal. He was flanked by two very intimidating looking men that fit the role of mafia thug much better than Mr Cobra.

"Harold." I looked him up and down. Trying to ooze confidence instead of fear but my mind was screaming at me to run.

"Say hello to your husband as well, I know he must be listening to all of this." I froze. We were caught, he knew that I wasn't alone. Although Austin didn't actually have a microphone he was still in trouble. I knew that I was in danger, and that thought was confirmed when I saw the flash of sliver hit the sunlight as one of the thugs lifted a gun to the air.