Disclaimer; Stephenie Meyer owns all things twilight ... I own a Black pair of Converse.
Italian to English Translations:
Fanook - Homosexual, Gay
Famiglia - Family
Pazzo - Crazy
Puttana - Bitch, whore
Goomah - Mistress
Consigliere - Adviser
Grazie - Thanks
Cazzo - Dick
Insignificante - Insignificant
Chapter 3 – The Cullens
EPOV
Physically, I left Bella at her home however; the chocolate doe eyed beauty never left me mentally. Even as I stopped to pay the toll, she consumed my thoughts.
What will Carlisle say? What am I going to do? Is Bella doomed? No, I will protect her regardless of what anybody says.
Satisfied with just my determination to protect her, I gunned the engine and took off as soon as the bar lifted to let me through. I slowed to a cruise as I entered my father's neighbourhood and tensed as the familiar sites of huge gated houses and large landscapes greeted my vision. I took a right and then I saw it coming up. The Cullen Mansion; two huge iron wrought gates met in the middle with the crest in the centre of each side. On the oval crest a hand floated above a roaring lion which stood upon a trefoil. The name 'Cullen' on a modernized scroll beautifully supported the entire crest. I have it tattooed on my right arm. A guard post stood behind the gates to the left and even though it seemed that no one was awake, I knew my father's goons were lurking.
I sped up as I approached the gates and flew past. My actions were unnecessary as my car was probably caught on their security cameras and they would know it was me. I raced all five miles to the apartment complex and parked in my spot in the underground parking provided for residents. I stepped in the private elevator used by only my brother and me as we owned the building and lived in the two penthouse suites on the top floor. I pushed in the two keys needed to operate the elevator and called my brother's phone as it started going up. He answered immediately.
"I'm coming up." I said and ended the call.
The elevator dinged signalling I had reached my destination and the doors opened. There were only two rooms on this floor; his and mine. I walked down the hall to his door and turned the knob; it was open. I stepped inside and closed the door.
"I was wondering when you'd get ya bossy ass here." Jasper was sprawled in only his boxers on the couch watching the Lakers decimate some lame ass team on his flat screen. I sat in a recliner and he threw me a thin file.
"This is all?" I asked unbelieving.
"Broad's living a simple life." Jasper shrugged and sipped his coffee.
I nodded and proceeded to read.
Isabella Marie Swan
Born: September 13th 1988
So she's 23, I'm only 3 years older than her. Not bad.
Parents: Charlie Swan and Renee Esposito Swan. (Deceased)
Sibling(s): Rosalie Lillian Swan
Credentials: G.E.D.
Employment: Shopkeeper at Weber's Book Store
There was also a police report on Bella's parents' death. They were hit by a drunken trucker while coming home from a weekend fishing trip in 2006. Charles Swan, a former police officer, was insured for $15,000 and Renee Swan, a former homemaker, $5,000.
Chump change. Five years ago? They must have burned through that already.
The house passed free of cost to the beneficiaries, Rosalie and Bella when the older Swans died. There was also a little information on Rosalie; Rosalie Lillian Swan; 25 years old and was employed at Crowley's Shop as a mechanic.
There were two bank statements. One was for joint account between the sisters. The balance was a debit $372.65. Both sisters deposited money from their income and paid for household expenses out of the account. The other statement was a private account with the name Lillian Marie Swan and it held $10,000. It was created by Rosalie and the money was transferred from a company named The Insurance General. I wondered if Bella knew about that second account.
That was where the information finished. It was like Jasper said; a simple life and I had no idea what to do to help her keep it. I had to protect her. I must have zoned out because I caught my brother staring at me.
"What's the deal Ed?" He turned up the television; someone could have been listening. We weren't paranoid by any means but nothing was wrong with a little precaution. I explained the situation. After which Jasper regarded me silently. He was younger than me but he was always calm, cool, collected and wiser. I was the hothead. Even though I slowly stifled in the silence, I waited; I needed his opinion.
"Jas, say somn …" I whispered.
"She must be some broad." Jasper rubbed his chin. "What are you getting out of this?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit. Financials say she doesn't have much money, not much to offer. Eh... what are you so hot and bothered about? Ya tapping that?"
"I met her just a couple of hours ago…" I started but he cut me off.
"You fucked Tanya after five minutes of conversation."
Tanya was a blond stripper with a hot body that worked for Jasper's club Midnight Sun. I walked in and she attacked me. I wasn't a fanook so how could I have turned down seemingly free good looking pussy? Only thing; it wasn't free, it came with the price tag of a needy stalker named Tanya. She knew we couldn't get married because she didn't have an ounce of Italian in her. So she said she'd settle for being my girl and goomah when I actually got married. I wasn't the relationship type so I told her no.
Tanya went pazzo and followed me around for a bit. She paid the doorman to slip care packages and love letters in my mail. I got rid of him and told the next one to look out for her and keep her off the premises. On the back of the apartment complex building she spray-painted 'Edward and Tanya forever' and set the huge garbage bins on fire.
Obviously she needed help so I set her up. I asked her out after I paid some doctors to fabricate some papers and looked for the cheapest non-governmental crazy bin I could find. Then on date night I dropped her off and made a generous donation. They kept her heavily medicated.
"Did you have to bring up that pazzo puttana?" Without thinking I added. "And Bella is not the type of girl you fuck like that. Bella's the type of girl you marry."
What the fuck? Where did that come from?
Jasper looked at me blankly. I shouldn't have said that; he psycho-analysed everything that everyone said. Jasper had a way of getting in your head without you knowing. He figured out your thought process and how you felt. Then he predicted your actions and 9 out of 10 times he was right. He was very handy with a sniper rifle but, he wasn't very hands on in the dirty part of the business. Jasper's fortes were getting information, reading people, technology and legalities. He also gave very good advice and was, in essence, my consigliere; I never made a move without discussing it with my brother.
"It may come to that." He leaned back and put his hand behind his head.
"What? I might have to marry her?"
"Pops won't start a war over someone we have no relation to. Would you?"
I couldn't answer that. It was the cold hard truth. We didn't really know Bella and a war was inevitable if the Volturis found out we were protecting a witness to their crimes. But, I couldn't let James get to her. Marrying Bella would have solved the relation problem but I didn't want to take it that far. There was no divorce in the Mafia world. Once she was in the only way out would be death.
Let's say I do marry Bella … What if doesn't work out? We'd be stuck together for life in a miserable marriage. I don't even want to get married and I can't just kill James without a good reason and a proper sit down because he's a made man. We'd be answerable to Aro for his death and Aro will want a life in return; Bella's life. My mind ran a mile a minute. Then Jasper broke my reverie.
"I suggest you talk to pops first, we know he won't go for it. But, we shouldn't leave him in the dark. When he doesn't take our side, we'll hide the Swans and keep our ear to the ground. The Volturis will figure it out sooner or later and James won't let it go but he'll have to go through due process to get to her."
"A sit down between Aro and Pops." I stated; following Jasper's line of thinking. He was always three steps ahead.
"Correct."
"Then what?"
"Pop will probably order you to give her up. Then you'll do it." He shrugged.
"What the fuck Jasper?"
"You gotta figure out the rest. I'm tired as fuck and you'll probably want me to go with ya to Pops' in the morning." He grabbed his junk.
"Yea. Grazie." I wasn't surprised like I said; he was always three steps ahead.
"Yea, yea," he smirked. "Let yaself out … ya love sick fuck ya."
"Who said anything about love?"
He just laughed and went into his bedroom.
I wasn't going to lie to myself; that would have been stupid. Yea, I felt something for Bella. Was it love? I didn't know. Did I want her to die before I figured it out? No. Was I ready to admit that to anyone that I had feelings? Nope. But, they knew anyway; Jasper, Emmett and even Rose saw it and she doesn't know me that well.
Am I that transparent? Does Bella see it too?
I sighed as I locked his door and entered my penthouse. After cleaning up myself a bit and checking the security cameras feed, I flopped in my bed. The digital clock said 15 to 5. I had a few hours before we would leave to discuss things with Carlisle.
I opened my eyes and blinked several times; the sun was blinding. I was in some sort of meadow. How did I get here? I heard laughter and I saw a flash of brown hair run past me. Giggling echoed in the meadow.
'Edward." Bella's voice whispered in my ear from behind. "You were supposed to protect me."
"Bella!" I turned to find no one behind me. I looked around frantically and then shouted at the top of my voice. "Bella! Where are you?"
"I'm here, Edward." Bella's voice rang out from behind some trees on the border of the meadow and I sprinted towards the sound. "Why didn't you protect me Edward?"
The field I was running through suddenly changed into mucky water and I saw a body floating face down on the surface. I waded over to it and turned it over; it was Bella.
"No… No… No! Bella wake up! Baby wake up!" I searched for a pulse. Suddenly her eyes opened and they were bloodshot. Her blue lips began moving.
"If you told me you couldn't have protected me I would have accepted it. But you promised."
"I'm sorry baby…" I held her close to me as I cried. "I'm so sorry." Bella disappeared and I was surrounded by people floating above the water.
"You told me you would protect her." Rose floated closer and Emmett followed.
"I'm sorry Rosalie. I don't know what happened."
"He raped and killed her Edward!" She sobbed and Emmett just shook his head in pity.
I rubbed my head and leaned on the hood of my Camaro as my dream from this morning assaulted my eyesight; it was so real. I was waiting for Jasper to come down to the underground parking lot. My I-phone said 7:30am. I groaned and scanned the area; nothing unusual, just cars. The elevator dinged and I sucked my teeth.
"What were you doing so long? Choking the monkey?" I opened my car door.
"Eddie, it takes time to look this good." Jasper gestured to his outfit. Black slacks, button down, Italian loafers, I looked at myself; Rosalie was right we all dressed the same.
He knew I hated when anyone called me Eddie but, he was just getting back at me for the masturbation comment.
"Get in your car!" I grumbled.
We raced the 5 miles back to Ma and Pops'. He won; only because I was distracted about my dream and what Pops would say about Bella. After the security guards let us in we crept up the two mile drive way and parked near the house. I stayed in my car and gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles were white and sticking out. Jasper knocked on my window and I got out.
"It'll be fine Edward, we'll figure it out." He patted my back and we started walking.
The double doors to the massive three story mansion swung open and my mother stepped out. She hugged my brother and kissed his cheeks. "My baby, how are you Jasper?" She felt his sides for ribs "You look thin. Have you been eating well?"
"I eat a lot but, ya know I got a high metabolism. I'm good, Ma." He kissed both her chicks and released her. She turned to me.
"Edward." She held her arms out wide and I lifted her off the floor. She giggled and kissed my cheeks. "Put me down, boy." I did as she requested. "Let me look at you." I stared into the eyes that were so much like my own. I looked like my mother; we shared deep emerald green eyes and bronze hair. Jasper looked like my father; blond hair and clear Caribbean Sea blue eyes.
"Something's different." She commented.
I swooped down to kiss her cheeks and straighten to lock gazes with the person I'd been dreading to see since my talk with Jasper.
"Esme, let the boys breathe." My father, Carlisle, chuckled.
"It's been so long since I've seen you two." She responded all misty eyed.
"You saw us Sunday at church; it's Tuesday, Ma." Jasper and I dead-panned. We all shared a laugh then.
Church every Sunday was a long standing Mafia and Cullen tradition. We committed sins and crimes during the week but Sunday morning was for God. Confession was not a must but you had to go to Church or else Ma would cry over the loss of your soul. Then Pop would punish whoever made Ma sad and we always had all the family and friends over for Sunday dinner.
"I don't care!" She swiped her eyes. "Come in boys. Jasper let's get some food into you."
We enjoyed a hearty breakfast of sausages, bacon, and eggs in all forms, bagels, cheeses, bread, fruits, orange juice and coffee. Conversation flowed as Ma wanted to know everything that happened since Sunday. I could just see Bella sitting at this table laughing and chatting with my family. I smiled because I knew Ma would just adore Bella. I caught Ma staring at me.
"Is something on my face, Ma?" I asked wiping at me face with my napkin. I knew nothing was there but a smile so I tried to wipe it off.
"No son, you just look different; over there smiling to yourself. Didya meet a nice girl?" Her eyes brightened and she clasped hands as if in prayer and hope. She wanted us to get married and give her grand-babies. But she wanted us to love our wives so she told Pop in no uncertain terms that he was not suppose to force us into arranged marriages.
She had no choice; her marriage to Pop was arranged. Her father Edward Lombardi married her to Carlisle to strengthen his alliances. At the time Pop was the under boss to his father and Lombardi knew Pop would eventually take over as he was the only son.
It was for the best because they fell madly in love with each other. He adores Ma and she loves and cares for him deeply. Ma cries a lot over the simplest things; especially when she's happy. But she's a hellcat when she's angry.
Like Bella when I made that comment about Rosalie. I smiled automatically.
"Uh … How do you…?" I looked at Jasper who shook his head no. I thought he said something to her.
Pop raised an eyebrow; it was deliberate. No action made by Carlisle Cullen was wasted effort; it was always deliberate. This man went toe to toe with some of the most ruthless criminals and politicians in the world and didn't break a sweat. A while back he took on the part of Russian syndicate based on America soil who intercepted a shipment of his guns. He choked the boss of the Russians with a wire while his goons watched; helpless to stop it.
Pop was always gently with Ma and he spoiled her mercilessly. Only when there was a war going on he told her what to do. He wanted her safe and tried to send her away but she never listened. Said her place was beside her husband. I wanted that kind of love and devotion.
"I'm a mother and I know my children. So?" I looked at her. I thought that maybe if I included Ma that would be another person on my side. She knows how to handle him.
"Yea, but it's complicated and has a little business mixed in." I looked to dad at the head of the table.
"We'll talk about it when after breakfast in my office." He decided and nodded.
"Can Ma come?" I asked.
"…No." My dad said softly looking down at his plate. I looked over at Ma, she looked upset.
"Carlisle," She didn't raise her voice; in fact it was very low.
"Alright honey." Dad sighed, never raising his eyes. I smiled; only Ma could bring the Godfather of the largest mafia organization to his knees with one word.
"No."
It was a simple word but it had just sealed Bella's fate. We were all in Pops' office and I just finished explaining the situation. Currently my dad was seated behind his huge mahogany desk, in front of him sat Ma in one chair and Jasper in the other. I stood as far away from Pops as I could in a corner of the decent sized room. Ma looked hopeful; Jasper looked contemplative as he watched the scene unfold just like he said it would.
"Pops…" I started
"I said 'No'." He cut me off and shut me down.
"Can't we discuss this? Reach a mutual decision?" I tried a different door.
"We just did." I went to speak again but he held up his hand. "This girl could cause a massive war. Aro's been looking for a reason and you want to hand him the ammo in the form of me keeping a witness to his crimes alive. Are you prepared to be responsible for the bloodbath that will ensue? The other families might join him, thinking we believe the rules don't apply to us."
"I don't care what the other families think; we can take 'em!" I seethed. "We supply the firepower and we control this city. If they go against us; Fu…" Ma looked at me sternly; she didn't like it when we curse. "We'll just stop all business."
"When we stop all business we'll lose money. War is costly in both lives and revenues. Are you seriously willing to risk all of that for a girl we have no relation to?" I studied the floor. "I am not. I'm too old for war."
"So what am supposed to do? Just leave her to be raped and to die at the hand of James? End up face down in the Hudson?" My dream flashed before my eyes.
"Stop thinking with your cazzo head and use the other one."
"I haven't made love to Isabella." I stated lowly.
I didn't use the word fucked cause it sounded disrespectful beside her name.
The bastard shrugged; I felt the anger and hatred bubble in the pits of my stomach. "People die all the time Edward. One life now compared to the hundreds later?" He gestured with his hands. "Insignificante."
"I promised her that I wouldn't allow anything to happen to her, I promised her sister. I never go back on my word. You taught me that; a man's only as good as his word! And I'll do whatever I can to protect her; with or without the help of La Famiglia!"
He seemed unfazed by my rant and I turned to leave but was stopped my mother's arms on my back. I kissed her cheeks. "I gotta go ma." I whispered.
She looked in the direction of my father. They stared for a minute; had a silent conversation with their eyes. I felt like I was invading some private moment. Dad shook his head; Ma frowned.
"Call me, son." She hugged me and kissed my cheeks. "I love you."
"Love ya too, Ma."
"Be safe."
JasPOV
Edward walked out and Ma returned to her seat. It played out like I expected it to; Pops said no, and Edward got pissed.
"He won't leave it at that… ya know?" I rose and walked over to my mother.
"I know." Pops affirmed as I placed my hands on her shoulders
"Didya hear what he whispered?" She said thoughtfully. 'He said 'I never made love to Isabella.' 'Made. Love.' Have you ever heard Edward say 'Made love' before? " She looked up at me.
"Naa, Mama. This girl is getting in his head."
"Or his heart." She stated as I kissed her cheeks. "Ya leaving?"
"I gotta go help Edward, Ma. You know he's going to get himself into trouble if I don't."
"Yea, take care of him Jasper and call me before Sunday."
"Okay Ma."
"Be safe."
"I will."
I nodded to Pops and headed out to find my brother.
A/N: Didya like meeting my version of the Cullen Famiglia?
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