A/N: So here it is, my first try. Thoughts?

DISCLAIMER:

I own the plot. I don't own the characters. No copyright infringement, etc intended. I'm just having fun.

BPOV

How did I get myself into this mess? For the life of me I don't know what made me think it'd be a good idea to promise to pay Jake's drug debts. I must be crazy, obviously there is something wrong with me when I'm promising things I don't have to protect someone who doesn't deserve protection. My life was going great until he drug me into this mess.

Maybe I can just explain things to James, tell him I rescind my offer and he's welcome to take it out on Jake. Damn, this is a disaster. Even if he is a bastard, I can't stand the thought of Jake being beat to a bloody pulp yet again, not when I'm left to clean him up every time. Every time I find him that way I'm afraid it's going to be the last time I'll find him alive. And I'm all he has left, Billy has washed his hands of him, Charlie has not only washed his hands of him but went on forbid me from as much as speaking to him. So no help from them. I can't just let him go though he was a person I cared for once and sometimes when he's not so high, not so cocky I see the boy who was my childhood best friend..

"Ma'am." Damn you Jacob Black!

"Ma'am, we've arrived".

"Oh, okay" I mumble, I do not thank this nameless man for opening my door, surely he is without morals to be working for such a tyrant.

I exit the Town Car through the door that was opened for me and am met with a view of one of the most amazing houses, no, strike that, mansions I have ever seen. I make my way up the sprawling stairs to be greeted by one of James' minions. DAMN YOU JACOB BLACK!

I'm led to the living room where James is waiting for me. How Jake got mixed up with this monster I'll never know. James is the type of "business man" who sells drugs to children, makes loans he knows can never repaid and takes joy in bloody vengeance. He is the leader of one of the biggest crime syndicates in the pacific northwest, he has his hands in everything, the drug trade, prostitution, illegal gambling, extortion, black mail and killing for hire to name a few of his varied endeavors.

"What a pleasure to see you again Ms. Swan".

"The pleasure is all mine James." I lie through my teeth.

I take a seat; he takes obvious pleasure in my discomfort. I'm trying to hide my shaking hands. I'm trying not to imagine what he'll have me do to pay off Jacobs' debt. I'm giving my self a pep talk. Everything is going to be fine Bella. Maybe since you made the effort he'll just forgive the debt, or give you more time, like your entire life, certainly over the next ten years you could save up $30,000. I'm obviously delusional.

"Can I offer you a glass of wine Miss Swan?"

Wine, yes, that might make this all easier.

"Certainly, if it's no trouble."

He walks across the room, glass and bottle in hand and proceeds to pour me perhaps the most generous serving of wine I've ever had, into perhaps the most beautiful crystal goblet I've laid eyes upon. I sit in the awkward silence for several minutes making short work of my glass of wine. I'm avoiding eye contact, it's all I can do, I certainly can't get away from this monster.

James clears his throat "So Miss Swan, will you be paying in cash or trade?"

DAMN YOU JACOB BLACK! I think my heart is going to escape my chest at any minute it's pounding so hard... So much for him being understanding about the mess, for giving me ten years. Was I really so naive as to expect anything from this monster. He's staring at me now, waiting for my answer, becoming impatient, tapping the table in front of him.

I manage to rasp out "Trade..."