AN: I'm still working on my other stories, and I'm sorry if some of them didn't live up to the expectations. I am still new to this. But I got this new idea in my head and am really excited about it. I am also making a promise to update at least once a week.

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyers and do not own anything Twilight, and no copyright infringement intended.

Boy to Man

"His life was gentle; and the elements

So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,

And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!"

William Shakespeare

The sound of foot steps approached my hiding place behind the dumpster. With each pace the sound of water sloshing from the puddles that littered the ally echoed between the three brick walls. It was late March and the rain in the city had let up about 3 hours ago. The sudden stop of the man forced me to turn my head to gaze upon him. He was about 5' 10", on the thin side, and had short sandy blonde hair; and a look on his face that clearly showed that he was scared shitless.

As I sat here waiting to give the first sign, I reveled in his fear; his body not moving, but his head twitching from side to side and his eyes darting in every direction. I knew I did not need to be here, it was not my job, but every once in awhile I find the need to remember where I started out, and that I was not handed my current respect I earned it- and I held onto it by being here in this moment, watching a man cower, while sitting beside a dumpster in the cold and wet Chicago night.

A sudden movement of his leg alerted me, as well as my fellow slummers, of his intention to flee. I was fast in my movements but the large bear of a man was better situated to make our presence known and also to cut off the escape route that the man had intended to take. As his eyes set on the large form of muscle his fear heighten in his face, and his body began to shake. A boisterous laugh brought me out of my musings and stood up and walked into the small light afforded by the nearby restaurant.

As I approached the man my movements were slow and calculated. I tugged on the sleeve of my suit jacket, and loosened my tie. By the time I reached the man, his shoulders were hunched and his body gave a show of defeat, and he was gazing at the mass of man behind him and the thinner blonde man that had entered into our little circle. The blonde was not as large, but the scars that shown on his arms, a view afforded by the rolled up sleeves, his intimidation factor was imminent.

My eyes flickered to the large man, whose dimples were fully prominent- along with his enormous smile. His laughs had quieted down some, and I couldn't help but smirk at the position that we found ourselves in. The man finally took notice of me, and if possible the scared SOB became more frightened, and my smirk only added to the fear. I fed off of this energy, it was my livelihood and I enjoy every opportunity I'm given to feast.

"Michael, Michael, Michael." My voice cracked the silence that had to be suffocating the poor soul in front of me. "We were expecting payment by now." His mouth opened and closed several times and incoherent stutters escaped his lips, but no fully formed words or explanations were given.

I looked to the big man and nodded my silent request "Sure thing Edward." He picked up Michael and shoved him into the wall by the dumpster that was my cover not five minutes before and said a few expletives and physical reminders to get our message through: "1 week Michael and you know if Edward's here it's important that you stick to this deadline." He then picked him up and threw him into the dumpster.

Chuckling, the blonde man turned to me and motioned for me to lead the way, before yelling to our mammoth friend "Emmett quit fucking with him and let's go. I'm starving." At Jasper's mention of food Emmett came barreling towards us and went to lead the way in search of food.

As we walked I thought over how we got here. We were friends since childhood and attended the same school, though they were older than I, we were inseparable. My father is the Carlisle Cullen, and is the head of the family, the Capo Crimini of the Cullen's. It was expected for me to be in my current position as the Capo Bastone of the Cullen's as I was the son, and at some point I will be the Capo Crimini. Emmett and Jasper were each a Caporegime of our family. They joined the lifestyle after being in our home and watching my father work. He took them under his wing, and together we all started our roles in the family. We all began at the bottom of the totem poll and worked our way up, albeit faster then most due to our relationship with my father, but he would not have us just handed our positions, we had to earn them. We had decided a few years ago when our ranks began to increase that every once in a while we would take care of some of the people who owed us debts ourselves. Sort of a way to keep us in touch with our men and for a little excitement that deviated from our more formal settings.

Emmett snapped me out of my thoughts and indicated to follow him into the 24 hour diner we had approached, Black Wolf Diner. I had to admit to be intrigued; it was not your usual name for a local greasy spoon. However, the décor left something to be desired and fit with the stereotype of an inner city diner. Booths lined the walls, and a few small tables and chairs rested in the center, with a bar and stools in front of the kitchen and the cash register nestled next to the door that separated the two.

I looked to my left and noticed that Emmett had claimed one side of the cracked leather booths and Jasper had moved to the corner in order to make room for me. We were the only patrons in the grease pit. I sighed and grabbed one of the two menus sitting on the table, trying to reign in my annoyance at not having been greeted by anyone.

A loud shriek filled the void of silence and interrupted me from my perusal of the menu. "Fucking A Jake! Get your large hairy ass out of the way." That was followed by a large belly laugh that could only be described as the only rival to Emmett's. A moment later the swinging door between the kitchen and the dinning area swung open, only to be followed by the site of brown going down to the ground, and then another rival to Emmett made an appearance- the most foul sting of curses rolled off of the brown objects lips. The only difference was while Emmett's words were either said loudly, or in anger his voice was intimidating, this voice was soft and musical and had the words sounding as if they were made to accompany the majestic sounds of Debussy.

While all three of us at the booth had made twitches to get up and help the mass, none actually moved, because she had stood up and righted herself and was gazing at us with beautiful, brown, doe eyes. Something in her snapped and she rushed over to us while pulling out a pencil and paper. As she got closer to the table she seemed to be in a daze, and a small pink blush rose on her cheeks.

A moment later she seemed to snap out of whatever fog she was under "I'm sorry about the weight. My name is Bella and I will be your server at this fine establishment this evening." She paused her sarcastic introduction and looked at her left wrist which held a small watch. "Scratch that, this morning. So may I get you gentlemen some coffee to start off with?"

We all accepted a cup, and she said she would be back in a moment to get our orders. I took the time to look at the beauty, brown hair and brown eyes, a normal combination, but on her a masterpiece that would put the Mona Lisa to shame.

God when did I start sounding like a pansy- first comparing her voice to music and now her looks are a masterpiece,

Shit, she is just a girl

Yeah, a hot one

Shut up

Jasper's elbow to my side brought me back to the present and I realized that Bella was looking at me expectantly. What the hell could she expect from me?

"Sir, do you just want the coffee or any food?"

"What?" food- oh yeah, shit "I'll have umm, just a hamburger and fries."

With that she took our menus and waltzed back towards the kitchen and voiced our orders and she came back out and started filling the salt 'n pepper shakers. I once again had to be brought out of my staring, this time by Emmett's voice.

"Dude, you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

I made a decision right there, I am Edward Cullen, and I do not get distracted by small brown eyed waitresses with foul mouths. I returned to my friends and we began to talk shop in hushed tones as to not alert Bella or the cook in the back. By the time we had consumed our food and paid, I had successfully ignored her and felt confident in my ability to stay on track. I was a major player in the dealings of Chicago and I could not afford to let my focus wander.

A small "shit" forced me to turn my head as we left and I saw Bella hopping up on one foot clutching her calf, and I felt my prior stance as a hard man in the underworld crumble.

I am so fucked

Yes, yes you are.

Leave me some love, and let me know what you think.