Chapter 2: The Set Up

I was all set up in the hotel room. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. I needed a nap before I went to a club. If I were to act as bait for my own trap then I was going to have to not only be awake, but alert as well. So, I lay on top of the covers so that it would only be a nap and nothing more. I made a quick call down to the lobby for a wake up call at eleven o'clock that night. It was about two thirty now, eight plus hours would be a nice change of pace even for a nap. If I were to go to sleep it would be for twelve plus hours just as long as I didn't dream. Dreaming was bad. I rolled over with my gun under my pillow and an extra pillow hugged in my arms. I usually slept holding a pillow at home, why not here? It's not like anyone could see me. A wave of sleep hit me and I fell into a deep dark slumber.

I was sitting by the ocean; the water rose with each wave. The cool water touched my toes and I let out a small giggle. I was a small child at Hampton Beach. I sat in a white dress with my shoulder length hair held back in white barrettes. My hair was wavy, dark, and shined in the warm sunlight. I sat looking at the crashing waves coming forward. I turned to see a deserted beach blanket with my family's beach belongings scattered about the barren beach. I tried to move but the water was already neck deep and the material of my dress was too thick for me to try and swim in. I could hear my frantic voice crying out for someone to help, but no one came. The water was now darker and warmer. I looked down to see myself swimming in blood. I tried to stay above the blood but was dragged down into the darkness. Lights swirled and even though my eyes were closed I knew it was the police. I opened my eyes slowly, and I was in my white dress and curled in my brother's arms. My dress was blood stained and mother and father lay on the ground bleeding. They had been murdered. My uncle was talking with the police. His words made no sense to my little ears. Brother held me tighter and told me it would all be okay, and we would live with our aunt and uncle now. But I just looked at my parents. I shut my eyes and opened them to find myself I standing waist deep in the water. A little girl in a white dress was sitting on the sand and looking at me then spoke softly, "Save them." Her family was on the beach and they were all laughing but when she turned back they were gone. Only the drops of blood falling from the sky filling the ocean remained.

I awoke in a cold sweat to the phone ringing. I swallow hard and tried twice before I could say, "Hello?" My voice was shaky even then.

"This is your wake up call. It's eleven pm."

"Thanks." I hung up the phone and lay on my back. Tears dampened the skin of my cheeks. I remembered why I hated sleeping again. I had seen my parents' death before it happened and I told my mother, but she didn't believe me. Then they had been murdered at home trying to protect my brother and me from some burglars. We had all just gotten home from the beach. I was five years old. I blamed myself for a long time then I took up this life of killing. Who knew I would be so good at it?

I shook the thought and got up. I took a quick cold shower to try and relax. When I was done getting ready I was wearing a crimson silk halter-top, a tight black mini skirt, thigh high leather boots, black stockings, and my leather jacket. I was also wearing my back blade with sheath, my .9 mm at the small of my back, my wrist sheaths, and two blades in my boots. I also added a little bit of eyeliner, blush, and a soft shimmer pink eye shadow to my face. This was the most makeup that I had ever worn in my life. God, I wanted it off my face. But if I wanted this guy to look at me and not pay attention to my weapons then I was going to have to put on a show. I took my car keys and purse and left the hotel room.

I sat in front of the club in my car. There was a line wrapped around the sidewalk. I need to get in as soon as possible. I leaned over the steering wheel to see the bright neon sign flashing the name of the club. Club NOIR was the name. NOIR was done in blue neon with smaller purple neon letters spelling out club just above it. The music could be heard even within the solitude of my car.

I stepped out and walked across the pavement. My heels clicked with each step. I moved to the front of the line hoping to find some excuse when I heard my name…my old name that is.

"Ashley! Ashley!" I turned to see my close friend Meg, who lived in Hubbardston when she was in High School.

I ignored her and kept walking, but she came forward and grabbed me.

"Ashley, it's been six years but I would recognize you anywhere." She said as she hugged me.

I moved back, "You have the wrong girl."

She frowned, "We were friends for thirteen years. You stopped talking to me remember." She had a tear in her eye, "You cannot tell me that you forgot about our birthdays at Water Country and me getting my belly button pierced."

I tried to hold back tears and bring myself to that calm state I was in when I killed. "You have the wrong person."

She hugged me, "You always were taller, why the hell do you have to where heels."

I began to cry as I remembered that she always said that to me.

"Why did you hide who you were?" She asked softly.

I moved her over back towards my car, "Meg I haven't been Ashley since I graduated from High School. After my parents death I vowed to get their killers."

She looked at me, "I know you told me this, but what do you mean you are not Ashley anymore?"

"Through college I got money by being an assassin. I have gone through many names, but now I am Angie. I tell you this in confidence because I trust you like I always have."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Her eyes were water filled as she sat leaning against my car.

"I didn't want you to get killed. I haven't spoken to my aunt, uncle, or brother since I left for school. I haven't been back. Meg I'm not the Ashley you knew. You need to forget about me."

She stood angered, "You can't tell me who to forget. You still remember, and you are still Ashley even if you did change your name. Even if you are... an assassin."

"I've always been violent, you know that." I tried to explain, "I'm here to kill someone. I don't want you to be seen with me. The cops, everyone is looking for me. Meg you need to forget."

"I will not!" She was always the stubborn one. "Six years, Ash…I mean Angie. We are and always will be friends. Now explain to me what's going on."

I told her everything. I had always been able to trust someone and I knew telling her was the right thing. She could get out before things became messy. Plus it was unfair to do to her what I had been doing. "Now that you know and you even know my alias, you need to lock it away. Never say a word. Don't contact me. Nothing. I love ya Meg, but I also want to keep you safe."

"Alright." She smiled, "I came back here to see my folks, but I never thought I'd see you again. We were going to go to college in New York together, remember?"

"Of course I do." I smiled, and it was my wholehearted smile I had when I was a kid. "Meg, can you get me in?" I asked noticing her hand with a stamp on it."

"Yeah." She stood and hugged me. "Don't get yourself killed."

I embraced her, "The same for you. You could be on someone's list now. Protect yourself."

She lifted a blade from her purse, "Always do." She put it back as we laughed. I had taught her to be cautious. She took me to the door and showed her hand. The guy let us into the hot pulsing room. The people danced in rhythm with each other; even though, they could not see it from the dance floor. The pulse even reached the people hidden in those dark corners. They all moved like one. I turned to Meg.

"Get out of here. I'll try to stay in contact more often." I smiled. "Best Friends?"

"Forever." With that Meg walked out of my life yet again. I hated to loose her. But to really loose her by death… that would be worse.

I moved forward wishing that I had not worn weapons. I could take of this damn jacket if I wasn't armed. Alas, I was armed and nothing could make me leave the house unarmed even during the day. I strode confidently around the dance floor to make my way to the bar. I could feel the heavy gaze of eyes watching and memorizing each movement I made. At the bar I stopped a group of women crowded around something. Maybe this was they guy I was looking for. I sat on a stool and looked over. The man was muscular with green eyes and dark brown hair. This man was not Edward, but I must have got his attention for he stood and parted the group of swooning women and walked over to me. The women sighed and some pouted.

"Hello." He looked at me with his seductive green eyes, but they did nothing for me.

"Hi." I said as I ordered a coke. I was not one to drink in fact I hated alcohol with a great passion.

"I'm Blane, and you are?"

"Not interested. Go back to your little pack of groupies." I took my coke and sipped it.

He looked at me shocked then some girl said, "You don't know what you're missing. Come on Blane, come back over here!"

He put his hand up to the woman and turned to me, "Why do you not even look at me?"

I looked at him, "Happy?" But apparently he was not. He turned around and went back to his adoring groupies. "Pathetic."

"Yes, he truly is." I heard and felt the presence of a man behind me.

I turned and peered into these foggy blue eyes that were peaceful but dangerous. He had spiky blond hair and was probably a few inches taller than me, without my heels on. He looked down at me and smiled. It was him, I had found Edward. I knew from the file on my computer that it was him, but in person he seemed more…handsome. That was sadly the only word that came to mind. No, he was the target and I could not think of him as anything else. I finally spoke, "I'm sorry, I did not realize I was speaking loud enough to be heard of the music."

"Do not apologize. You spoke softly, but I just had to hear your lovely voice."

"Flattering." I said rolling my eyes slightly as I turned back to my drink.

He sat beside me and ordered something as well. "I'm Ed."

Funny, he didn't say his whole name, maybe because he could use the nickname as a shortening for some other name if he was ever questioned. "Is Ed short for anything?"

He smiled and turned to look at me with those piercing eyes. "Yes, it's short for Edward."

Interesting…maybe he's an idiot. "My name is Angie. Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." He lifted my hand, and I did not stop him. If I acted too much like my true self then he would know I was after his heart, well that is to stop it from beating in a pool of his own blood. I kept my face neutral and indifferent. He raised my hand to his lips and brushed his lips over my hand in a soft gentle kiss. I smiled slightly and then drew my hand back to me. I had no idea if he saw my knife or not. I was thinking not. Okay I was hoping not.

"So what has brought you to Hubbardston? Not much to see here." I said taking the last sip of my drink.

He received his drink and drank it quickly. "I could say the same for you." He said when he finished swallowing.

"I'm visiting a friend." I said turning to him.

"I'm passing through." Edward smiled and his smile gleamed in his eyes.

I turned to face him completely, "Was that so hard to say?"

He laughed, "Your cute."

I starred at him, not being to fond of the word cute. My eyes went blank and cold as I looked at him.

"Sorry." Edward said as if knowing that I didn't find him saying I was cute to be cute.

"It's alright." I stood and adjusted the jacket.

He stood now towering over me, even with the heels, "Where are you going?"

"Back to my hotel if you must know." I said as I walked away.

I was outside in the cool night air when I felt his presence again. I turned and he stood a few feet away from my car and me.

"Sorry to bother you like this, but I was hoping to get to know you better." He said smiling innocently. He was a killer though and an ex-agent. I was hired to kill him. Maybe I could get it done tonight.

"What do you propose?"

"You could come back to my place and we could talk."

I folded my arms across my stomach. "That's rather intimate and forward."

"I never suggested anything else besides talking." He said but did not move forward.

I smiled, "You are passing through which means that you are staying either at a hotel or a motel."

He took a step forward as if the smile was an invitation. Maybe it was. Oh my god, what was I thinking? I had to stop thinking like this. I pressed my back to the car and he stopped and bowed his head apologetically.

"Forgive me." He said standing up straight.

He moved so gracefully that I got caught up in watching him that I forgot I was watching and blushed. He smiled and moved forward putting his hand on my cheek. I strangely let him. "So will you come?" His voice was a soft intimate whisper.

I swallowed hard and managed to speak, "Sure." He moved back from me and walked over to his car that was only a few spaces over.

"Follow me." He said.