Author's Note: This is a sequel to my other story Predictable Betrayal that you should probably read first in order to understand this one. This takes place six months after the other one ends. Spoilers for my version of Twilight and things that relate to La Grenuille existence but not actual events.

Secrets, lies, and spies

Prologue

The setting sun glistened off the water as Maria Romano crossed over the low bridge. Her dark sunglasses, protecting her eyes as the light filtered its' way through her long dark hair. Her steps were not hurried, nor were they slow, no they set the perfect pace for an ordinary Italian on her way home from work. Maria Romano was on her way to a house, by a round about way, it just didn't happen to be hers. Just like the name Maria Romano wasn't hers either. Not that it mattered, cause at the moment it really didn't.

What mattered was about fifty feet in front of her, wearing a dark overcoat and sunglasses that could have matched her own, and carrying a briefcase that could and most likely did contain launch codes to Israeli missiles. Codes that it was her job to get before Mr. Dark Overcoat, sold them to his superior who in turn sold them to someone else, who sold them to someone who would use those codes to attack their enemies. Enemies that could include both Israel and the United States, along with the rest of the free or not so free world.

Merging more fully with the foot traffic that surrounded her, Maria allowed her steps to become slightly quicker, decreasing the distance between herself and her quarry. She was Mossad, but not by choice, nor was she originally supposed to be a field agent; though that didn't matter either. What did matter is that she was particularly good at her new trade. She had the ability to blend in pretty much anywhere, which combined with her language skills made her an ideal agent. Her previous training in both protection details, weapons, and hand-to-hand combat, didn't hurt either. Add to all that some degree of forensic training which allowed her to leave no evidence at a crime scene and her bosses had the full package deal.

Making sure that her black leather gloves were secure around nimble fingers, she moved closer. She was almost in place. She followed as he wove through the back streets and alleyways of a seeder side of the city. People were fewer here, and the setting sun had provided the perfect cover of twilight. This was almost too easy.

The handgun that she pulled from a coat pocket felt heavy in her hand. There had been a time when she had felt bad about what she was going to do. About the fact that she was going to kill a man in cold blood, with no trial, no judge, and no questions asked. But that was then, back before she had given up her life. This was now, and she both knew and understood the need for her not so legal actions.

She took one last glance at her surroundings, satisfying that they were alone, before she fitted the silencer over the end of her weapon. She didn't stop walking as the not so silent act of preparing her weapon caused the man in front of her to turn around with a start. Her gun was raised and three kill shots were embedded in his heart before he could even call out in alarm.

Without pausing in her stride she moved to pick the briefcase out of his now dead hand, before continuing down the alleyway, once again merging with the foot traffic. Doubling back she re-crossed the low bridge, dropping her weapon into the water below. Heading into the night she let her mind wander, thinking about what was waiting for her back in DC. It was time to go home.

She didn't look back, maybe if she had, she would have been able to tell that she had picked up a tail of her own. Maybe if her mind hadn't been preoccupied she would have noticed that there seemed to be fewer people along this stretch of road then before. Maybe she would have noticed the arm that snaked out of an alley and pulled her in, placing the drugged rag over her mouth. But maybes weren't important right now. As she attempted to fight the darkness that was closing in on her, the woman formally known as Caitlin Todd knew with complete certainty, that now was not the time for ifs and maybes.