Disclaimer – I own nothing.

Chapter 2

BPOV

It had been a week since my outing to Darkness and Rose was allowing me to stay in this weekend. This worked to my advantage since I my new obsession of daydreaming about green eyed Edward was seriously cutting into my study time. I was in my third year in law school so I knew what I had to accomplish after doing this for so long. It was only a month or so into the semester but I had to start buckling down so I didn't get behind. I decided to spend the weekend at the library and get down to business.

I got up early Saturday morning, threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and headed down to the law school when it opened at seven. Getting there so early allowed me to commandeer a study room all to myself so I could walk in circles around the table as I read and re-read my notes out loud. I know it was weird, but it worked. It was approaching dinnertime when I finally realized I was getting rather hungry and was in dire need of a huge cup of coffee. Nothing like a large cafe americano to keep me up till the library closed at midnight. I was contemplating either a run to the Starbucks across the street or a stop at the small coffee stand in the main area of the library when there was a knock on my study room door. I yelled come in without looking up figuring this was the law school library and it could only be one of my classmates stopping by with a question.

Suddenly the velvet voice that I had a starring role in my dreams every night for the last week rang out and my body went flush with goose bumps.

"Hey gorgeous, I heard law students survive on this stuff and thought you might be in need."

To say I was stunned would be a gross understatement. There stood Edward with two huge cups of coffee and a small pizza. What was this guy, a friggin' mind reader?

Now, a normal person would think this was sweet as all get out and the normal part inside of me did. But the damaged part of me immediately took over.

"How did you find me?" It was all I could think to say, and not very nicely I'm ashamed to admit. I mean seriously, I didn't even know the sex god's last name and I distinctly remembered not telling him anything about myself, yet here he was in my study room at my law school library with my much loved caffeine and my favorite comfort food.

"I have my sources," he smirked looking all hot and godly. Little did Mr. Sexy know that if he could find me, other people could too, James in particular. That didn't sit well with me, so his "sources" smugness was not flying with this bitch.

"Either you tell me how you found me or security will help you find your way out". And I was still bitchy.

Sensing that I was not in the mood to play along, Edward set down the coffees and pizza and held up his arms as if in defense.

"I bribed Rose with a pair of Manolo Blahniks to tell me where you would be. She didn't agree at first unless she could warn you about my coming and give you a chance to say no. When you didn't she told me where you were and the proceeded to ordered the shoes."

He looked innocent enough, but I wasn't buying it. I mean, Rose was a complete shoe whore, but she knows how I feel about my safety and she never called me.

"I haven't heard from Rose today so you better come up with a better answer than that. Rose may be a lot of things, but disloyal is not one of them."

"She texted you Bella. I was right there. She told you to text back within the hour if you didn't want me to come and she wouldn't give me any information." He looked rather convincing so I rummaged through my purse to find my cell phone turned off. I powered it up and found the message from Rose. And this is the part where I admit I'm an ass. In my head of course.

"I'm sorry, I must have turned my phone off when I got here this morning. I didn't mean to get so defensive." I tried to explain without actually admitting I'm an ass. I do have some pride.

"Rose did mention I might upset you if I showed up here without her warning you first. I apologize for the miscommunication. I can leave if you'd like." He looked almost nervous?

"No, please stay. That is as long as one of those cups of coffee is for me." I gave him a genuine smile. Throw out a joke Bella, lighten the mood. He's all you've thought about for the past seven days, don't send him away.

"Rose did mention my visit would go over better with coffee. Oh, and I owe her a pair of Fendi sunglasses for the pizza info. That woman really knows how to shop on her iPhone." Well well, Mr. Moneybags. Turn off the inner monologue Bella.

"Get her this season's Louis Vuitton leather handbag and she'll probably tell you my life story." Shit. Did I just say that out loud? Damn filter. Yet another point for Mom.

Edward started laughing and said he'd rather hear my life story from me. Okay, point goes to Dad. Even score.

I motioned for Edward to sit down and I attacked my coffee while he set out plates and napkins for the pizza.

"You know, we're not supposed to have food in the library." I mock scolded.

"Yeah, I figured that out when the woman at the front desk yelled at me. Let's just say she has a weakness for smooth talking younger men." Ah, Ms. Cope, she sure did.

I laughed, "So where's the smooth guy you brought with you?"

"Touché my Bella." Hah! Another point for Dad. I had to stop playing this game in my head. Did he just refer to me as his Bella?

"So Edward, why are you here?" Don't worry I wasn't as bitchy when I asked that time.

"Well Bella, I'll be honest. I've been replaying last Friday night over and over again in my head and I can't seem to get you out of my thoughts. I've been asking Rose about you all week and I understand what you mean about her loyalty to you. She's been completely useless when it comes to getting information on you." That's my girl Rose.

"I think she finally understood today that I seriously just want to get to know you and she took pity on me. Emmett might have helped in that department as he mentioned that I've been a whiney bitch with no focus all week." Interesting. Very interesting. But why?

"Well, a couple of reasons." Ah shit, first no filter now I'm saying my thoughts out loud? Guess I'll add that to my list of things to talk about with my shrink on Monday. Damn it.

"You left my office and I didn't even know your last name. I wanted to make sure you were alright. I also wanted to apologize if my behavior seemed domineering when it came to that asshole bartender. I won't lie to you Bella, I can't control my temper that well when it comes to women or children being threatened. I blame it on the way my mother raised me and my need to look out for my little sister. Anyway, I know it sounds crazy, but for some reason I just feel extremely, well, um protective of you." I had absolutely no idea how to respond to that, so I didn't.

We were quite for a little while, just eating our pizza, which I noticed was from my favorite shop down the street, and drinking our coffees. I can't explain it but the feelings of security from last weekend where back again. Like this man would never cause me harm, if anything, he'd keep me from it. It was an alien feeling to say the least but I decided to just go with it. I mean, if anything, Rose could probably kick his ass if necessary. The chick was not to be trifled with.

"Swan," I said.

"I'm sorry?" Edward looked genuinely confused.

"Swan, my last name is Swan. Isabella Swan." There, I'm making progress. Maybe Monday's shrink session won't be so bad after all.

"Cullen. Edward Cullen." He replied.

I looked around, "I feel like James Bond is going to jump out from the stacks and introduce himself."

Edward starting laughing and I think he actually snorted a little. It was adorable. Last time I know, but score one for Dad.

"You're quite amazing Isabella. If you don't mind, I'd love to take you to dinner tomorrow night. I mean, I know you're in the middle of law school and all, but you have to eat right?" He actually seemed shy, like someone could possibility turn him down, especially plain old me.

"I think I'd like that Edward Cullen. Where should I meet you?" I wasn't giving him my address. I mean, how much progress do you want a girl to make in a day?

"Bella, love, it's a date, there's no need to meet me, I'll of course pick you up. Say 7 o'clock? Where do you live?" Love? Am I now hearing things or did he just call me love?

"Why don't you pick me up here? I'll be studying all day again so it would probably be easiest." Hah, saved. I could shower at the school gym and I could always take a cab home if I needed to.

"Sounds like a plan Bella. I'm looking forward to it. Do I need to send Rose on an all-expense paid shopping spree with my sister or would you like to just tell me what you'd enjoy for dinner?" And damn if he didn't look completely serious. Manolo's and Fendi sunglasses, that bitch already owes me.

"Anywhere is good for me Edward. I'm not that picky. Oh, except I don't eat Sushi. I know it's all the rage right now but raw fish does nothing for me. Actually, I hate any type of seafood. Maybe I am picky after all. Sorry. Italian is always good. And you know I love pizza. Oh, and subs are always an option." What is going on with the verbal vomit Bella? Close it down now!

I started laughing to myself as Edward just pierced me with those gorgeous green eyes and smiled. I gave him my cell number and told him to text me if plans changed. I nervously laughed and said I'd make sure I kept my phone on tomorrow.

Edward gathered the dirty plates, pizza box and the empty coffee cups, thanked me for keeping him company during dinner and wished me well studying. As he was leaving he stopped and looked at me with this extreme intensity.

"Make sure you have a security guard walk you to your car if you stay past dark Isabella." He smiled and walked out shutting the door behind him. Little did he know a security guard walked me to my car every day, light or dark.

EPOV

I have no fucking idea what happened. No fucking idea. It was a feeling I was not comfortable with at all. I'd only experienced it one other time, when my father died. I didn't know who, I didn't know how, and for fuck's sake, I didn't know why. And most importantly, I didn't care about any of it. Then, I only wanted revenge. And I got it. I felt like that again. But it wasn't revenge that I wanted. I honestly didn't know what I wanted. And I don't live like that.

Bella walked out of my office and I knew nothing about her. Absolutely nothing. I looked at Emmett and he just shook his head before leaving. Jasper took his ice packs off and stared at me. It was like he wanted to tell me something but instead he just left.

I sat down in my office chair and poured myself a drink, a little snifter of Grand Marnier. My grandmother drank it on occasion after my grandfather passed. I think it was her little toast to him. He wasn't a good man by any means but for some unknown reason she loved him anyway. I never considered myself a good man either. And I knew I'd never get as lucky as that son of a bitch to find a woman that would accept me for all my faults.

Even if I did, could I bring her into this world? Allow her to be surrounded by murder and crime? Honestly, I probably could because let's face it, I'm a selfish fucker and I always take what I want. Why am I even going down this road with my thoughts? Is that what this little girl has done to me?

Bella. Obviously something was wrong with her to freak out the way she did. Maybe she was some sort of recluse and wasn't use to the outside world. But the amazon was so protective of her. Maybe a bad childhood or something? Why did I even care? I don't get involved with chicks and their problems. I have enough of my own. I get what I need from a number of regular girls and I don't discuss flowers and life and shit with them. They understand the arrangement and just enjoy being on the arm of a powerful man when I want them to be. Social climbers who are able to get me off. End of story.

I finished my drink and decided it was time to go home. Too much had happened today for me to sit around and wonder about some stunningly gorgeous woman and why I cared about her. There's that word again. Care? Enough!

I locked up my office, took the private elevator down to the garage, got in my Bugatti Veyron and headed home. After another drink at the penthouse I went to sleep dreaming about those chocolate eyes. I think I might be fucked.

The next morning I woke up from the most amazing dream of a little brown haired girl's head bobbing up and down on my cocked. I was so painfully hard I actually had to take care of that shit in the shower. Fucking pathetic. As I dried myself off I realized I had to get this situation under control. The problem was I didn't even know Bella's last name.

Emmett. Yes, my good buddy Emmett was banging the amazon. This should be easier than I thought. I went to the office and found Emmett and Jasper watching college football games like they didn't have a care in the world.

"Don't you guys have anything to do?"

"Well grump ass, we already looked over the latest shipment, talked to security at the casino, and took care of the two guys that were trying to sell drugs here last night. What the hell is your problem this morning?" Jasper questioned.

I ignored him. They were good at what they did and I was being a dick. Not that I'd ever admit that out loud. I was the boss, it was expected damn it.

"Em, what do you know about Bella?" I figured I would just get to the point and let them try to give me shit for it later.

"You mean Smarty B?" He mocked.

"Huh?"

"Rose's friend Bella? Yeah, Rose calls her Smarty B. I only meet her last night. She's a law student at NYU, third year I think. Really shy, funny, and killer legs." Okay this might be as hard as I thought, this is Emmett we're talking about. And I did not like him talking about Bella's legs. Yeah, but he was right…

"How about a last name dude?" We'll try to start with the basics.

"I think Swan but I'm not positive. Does someone have a crush on the smart girl?"

"Shut up asshole." I knew he would give me a hard time for asking about a chick but I was still the boss.

"Rose is coming by later to watch the games downstairs. Why don't you get some info out of her then?" Surprisingly helpful and then he belched. Disgusting.

Alright, I could do that. A few trademark Cullen smiles and the chick would spill. Then maybe I could find this Bella, fuck her, and get her out of my head. Done.

A few hours later we all made our way downstairs to watch the college football games. Rose eventually showed up and sat around drinking beer and giving Emmett a hard time. He definitely had his hands full with this one. Oddly enough Alice showed up shortly after Rose claiming she wanted to spend some time with her brother. Funny because she spent more time ogling Jasper than talking to me. I would definitely deal with that later.

I made my way over to Rose and asked her if her friend from last night was alright.

"Yeah". And that's all she said.

Using a few standards from my never before failed 'Cullen repertoire' I started pumping her for information. A few crooked smiles, a couple of innocent compliments on her designer clothing and then some questions about Bella.

And…..nothing. Apparently, the amazon was also made of ice. It was like talking to Alice while she was shopping, nothing heard, no responses, like I wasn't even there.

Finally Rose spoke. "Why all the questions about Bella?" Rose looked fierce like she was a protecting her baby cubs.

"Why no answers?" I'm not letting some chick who tells us the weather intimidate me.

"Look Cullen. Bella's a very private person. She doesn't go out much and I'm sorry if she ruined your night last night but that bartender never should have tried to play touch the titties with her. And she isn't some chick that I'm going to tell you all about so you can fuck her and never call her again. She's not like that. She's an innocent and I won't let you or anyone else mess with her."

Well damn if the weather girl didn't just try to put me in my place.

"Look Rose, I'm not trying to just fuck the girl. I was honestly worried about her last night and I just wanted to make sure she was okay. Maybe send her some flowers as an apology or something."

"Bella's fine, you don't have to worry about her."

With that Jasper changed the conversation to clothes and Alice started talking about some Tom guy's fall line. That pussy and I were going to have a conversation. And if Rose wasn't going to give me any information, I'd take care of this on my own.

I excused myself and made my way up to my office. I would start with Swan. I called my personal investigator and began.

"Jenks, I need you to find any and all information you can on one Bella Swan." The other end of the line was completely quiet.

"Mr. Cullen, do you have anything more for me to work with?" Do I seriously have to do everything?

"She's in her early twenties, beautiful and extremely intelligent."

Jenks immediately responded, "Mr. Cullen, are you talking about Isabella Swan? Charlie Swan's daughter?"

Charlie Swan was one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the city. We'd used his services a few times and we were always pleased with the results. He had a daughter I didn't know about?

"She is in law school Jenks, could that be her?"

"I know he has a daughter attending NYU law, but he's way protective of her sir. Do you mind my asking what this is about Mr. Cullen? Swan's a valuable asset to the family and has only inquired about our help once about a year ago with something it turned out he took care of on his own. He doesn't ask for favors, he keeps his mouth shut and has always done right by us."

Christ on a cracker. What is with this Bella Swan? It wasn't like I was trying to get information on a juror or a witness here. Just a chick that freaked out in my club.

"Look Jenks, I mean the Swans no harm. I met Bella last night and I just want to know a little more about her. She was...intriguing."

"She's a very beautiful girl Mr. Cullen. Smart as a whip too. I met her once and I can understand why you're interested. I'll see what I can find out without ruffling any feathers. But like I said, Charlie is overly protective of her. I think the one thing he asked us for help with a year ago had to do with her and some shit that happened to her. I'll get back to you as soon as I can Mr. Cullen."

Okay, so things are starting to make a little more sense. Rose's overprotective attitude, Bella's fainting and subsequent panic attack. Her slightly broken yet determined demeanor. I had to find out more about this girl.

While waiting on information from Jenks I decided to work on Rose a little more. She hung out with Emmett most of the week and every time she did I would ask about Bella. I think Rose started softening around Thursday when I admitted Bella got to me and I just wanted to get to know her. Emmett also took pity on me and worked on Rose for me explaining that I didn't just fuck women for sport and if I was this persistent I must really like Bella. That concerned me a little because I realized it was true.

Friday night Jenks asked to stop by my office above the club. This was odd because he would usually just send over the necessary paperwork or make a phone call. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because so far everything dealing with Bella was odd.

"Well Mr. Cullen, I've found out the basics." Jenks handed me a folder and then took a seat across from me. I opened to folder. I contained a picture of Bella, god she was more gorgeous than I remembered, her date of birth, social security number, academic transcripts, top 10 ten in her class very impressive and nothing else.

"Where's her address, medical records, bank statements and personal information?" Jenks knew I liked thorough. The file had nothing of significance in it.

"That's why I wanted to stop by personally Mr. Cullen. Every address on her leads to her parents' place but I greased a few palms over there and the girl visits a lot but doesn't live with them. I've looked up alternative names for an address and I'm coming up blank. Baffling really. Most importantly, she doesn't have any medical records for the past three years. Nothing, almost like they were wiped clean. As for personal information, other than the local weather girl and her family no one really knows the girl. Classmates just say she's smart and shy but friendly and mostly keeps to herself.

I did talk to our associates who spoke with her father a year ago. Actually it was about eight or nine months ago sir. He had wanted information on Senator Alistair and his son James. They said Mr. Swan was completely distraught and spoke about maybe needing to dispose of the son. He called a few days later, thanked us for our troubles and told us the situation was handled. I can put a tail on Ms. Swan to find out where she lives if you'd like." After he finished talking Jenks took out a finely pressed handkerchief and thankfully whipped the already formed beads of sweat from his balding head.

"That won't be necessary Jenks. Thank you for this information. Let me know if anything else pops up. I'll send your standard fee. You can go now."

Jenks said his thanks and left the office. I was irritated. How can one little girl be so hard to figure out. And the situation with the Senator? Wait, during her panic attack Bella yelled something about a James and she was begging him to stop. Could that bastard have laid his hands on my Bella? That might explain the missing medical records. Having a Senator for a father to clean up after you is always helpful.

I immediately yelled for Jenks to come back from down the hall and told him to gather all the information he could on this James. I was determined to get to the bottom of this situation no matter what.

Early Saturday I found Emmett, Jasper, and Rose in the club watching football again. I decided to leave my balls in my office and come clean with Rose. I mean, it had been a week, I'd only found out minimal shit on Bella, all of which concerned me, and I needed to see her.

"Look Rose, is there any way you can maybe invite Bella to come over here, to maybe hang out with us or something?" Yes, I'm the head of a crime family the irony was not lost on me.

"Why are you so hell bent on Bella, Cullen? You're a good looking rich guy, you can have any woman you want join us to watch a football game." And she's mocking me. Did she just say Bella Cullen? Shit I'm going insane.

"Alright Rose, I'll be honest. I haven't stopped thinking about her all week. She's intriguing, mesmerizing if you will. I feel drawn to her and I need to see her again, I have to get to know her. I'm asking for your help here. I'll do anything." The smirks and covered up laughs from Jasper and Emmett did not go unnoticed.

"Fine Cullen, it will cost you this pair of Manolo Blahniks for me to text her and ask if she wants you to visit her. If she says no, I'm not helping." Rose pointed to a pair what Alice would probably consider cut shoes on her iPhone and smirked. I totally agreed to her demands.

Rose texted Bella and we waited a really, really long fucking hour for her to respond. Nothing. I win!

Rose told me she was at the law school library studying. Then she said for a pair of Fendi sunglasses she'd tell me what I could bring to break the ice. I'm trying to get to know a girl and the amazon is getting very expensive accessories. On an odd level, I could respect her for that.

So here I am with two huge cups of coffee and a cheese pizza standing outside a tiny law school study room feeling like a teenager trying to ask a girl out for the first time. I watched her for a few minutes like the stalker I had become and realized all my troubles were worth it. She was just sitting there typing away on her laptop and talking to herself. She was more beautiful than I remembered. Her hair was in a messy pony tail with a few pens sticking out of it and she was wearing a comfy looking pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She was fucking stunning.

I knocked on the door and made some stupid comment about the coffee and I thought she was going to freak out. She seemed oddly concerned about how and why I was there. I confessed to bribing Rose and then realized she never got the text. Would she have wanted to see me if she had gotten it? Seriously, when did I turn into a pussy?

She eventually settled down and we ate dinner and sat in a comfortable silence for a while.

This girl was different. She didn't give up much information and she didn't talk nonstop about stupid shit the way most women did. She also wasn't throwing herself at me which for the first time ever, I was disappointed about. Most chicks would let me fuck them in a bathroom stall if I smiled at them when introduced. Not that I did that all the time, but I am a man.

Bella finally agreed to have dinner with me Sunday night but insisted I pick her up at the law school. What is it with this chick and her address? I'd have to wait to find out when I dropped her off after the date. I got her cell number, considered the visit a victory and hauled ass out of there before I fucked this up.