Edward and I walked a few blocks until I found myself outside a tall nineteen thirties office building, the mellow brick glowed in the morning sun and I looked at the small plaque on the wall – Cullen Enterprises.
'This is it,' Edward said as he looked at the letter in his pocket. We walked inside, a beautiful brunette manned the reception, she looked over at us both offering a professional smile.
'Can I help you?'
'We're here to see Carlisle.' Edward smiled back politely and I frowned at him, how did he know who to ask for?
'Mr Cullen is a very busy man. Your name? The woman cast an apprising eye over Edward, a smile touching her lips; she obviously liked what she saw.
'Just tell him Edward would like to see him, he'll know what its about.' Well at least someone did, cause I had no clue. Weren't we here to find Rose? My mind was a whirl of questions, something was very wrong here but I had no idea what.
The woman disappeared and came back a moment later, she took us over to the elevator. 'Top floor, he's expecting you.' And then she was gone, a hint of some expensive perfume lingering in the air.
'What's going on Edward?' I hissed
'Quiet Bella.' He gave me a stern look then turned back to the doors that were just beginning to open, we stepped inside and Edward punched the button for the top floor.
As soon as the doors opened a tall fair haired man came towards us. He was incredibly handsome, his hair was swept back from his perfect brow and charm radiated from every pore.
'Edward, how lovely to see you, it's being too long' he clasped Edward's hand in both of his and smiled. Turning to me his light blue eyes lit up. 'And who is this lovely young woman?' he exclaimed. He took my hand and raised it to his lips, I could feel the warmth of my blush spread over my face at this antiquated yet somehow disarming gesture.
'Hello Carlisle.' Edward's face was stiff, 'this is Bella.' He didn't elaborate further than that.
'Take a seat.' Carlisle gestured to the sofa in the office as he took a seat behind the huge mahogany desk and steepled his fingers under his chin looking expectantly from Edward to me.
'I'm here for Rose.' Edward stated flatly
'Ah then I guess we have a problem.' Carlisle's demeanour remained friendly but there was a tightening around his eyes, for all his laid back appearance this was not a man to trifle with.
'What kind of problem?'
'Well Rose came to me for help and now she's here under my protection so I'm afraid that you taking her is out of the question.'
'Carlisle you know she belongs to Aro, this won't go down well with him to say the least,' Edward bit out.
'Are you saying that a person has no free will? I believe slavery was abolished years ago.' Carlisle gave a humourless chuckle, his suddenly hard, flinty eyes never leaving Edward.
'Look I don't pretend to understand whatever game it is you're playing, I know you like to think that you are saving people or some shit but you don't mess with Aro. This has gone too far.'
'Believe me Edward I know that man better than you. I worked for him a hell of a lot longer and I learnt my lesson well, but I will not stand back and watch him break people and ruin their lives any longer.'
I couldn't even pretend I knew what was going on, from what I could gather Carlisle had Rose and he had offered her sanctuary from Aro.
'Your friendship won't protect you for ever, I think he's just about run out of patience with this humanitarian charade.' Edward's face was calm but I could see him clenching his fists beneath his chair. 'Rose knew what she was getting into,' he added.
'It's no charade Edward and if Aro wants a fight let him come here himself and we can sort this out once and for all.' Carlisle had lost the friendly mask completely now, he looked as mean as Edward. 'Rose was in a desperate situation, you of all people should understand that, she really had no choice but to take up his offer. Do you have no feeling left in you Edward?' he asked the question softly, looking at him intently.
'So I guess I won't be taking Rose back with me?' He ignored Carlisle's question. I knew that one didn't really need an answer.
'No.' The flat denial seemed to be what Edward was expecting, he stood up and gestured for me to do the same. I trembled a little under his cold, angry eyes.
Carlisle pressed a button and a big, burly man with dark hair emerged from a side door .
'If only you could see how unnecessary and wrong all this is Edward!' He sighed in frustration and turned to me. 'Bella it wall nice to have met you.' I shook his proffered hand, although I knew Carlisle wasn't a man to mess with I liked him, he helped people in desperate need and I wished there had been someone like that for me.
'Emmett, show them out.'
'No need, I know the way.' Edward took my arm and all but marched me out of the building.
Edward dragged me along the sidewalk, his stride long and purposeful, before I knew it we were back at the motel.
'Pack your things we're going,' he barked and I quickly shoved my things back into my case, not daring to look at him. His black mood persisted for the duration of our flight home. I pretended to sleep most of the way but my mind was in chaos. What was going on? It was fairly obvious that there was no need for me to come to New York so I had to wonder at the real reason I was brought along.
As we exited the airport I turned to Edward, 'Can I go home?' When he turned to look at me his eyes seemed just a tiny bit softer but the expression didn't last.
'No. Aro wants to see us first.' Edward opened the door to his car and ushered me in quickly. The drive was short, we had failed in what we were sent to do and I had no idea what to expect when Aro saw us, nothing good I was willing to bet.
As we entered Aro's office he rose with a small smile. 'Edward, Bella,' he gestured for us to sit down.
'Did you find my Rose?' His mouth smiled but his eyes remained flat, dead.
'Yes, just as you thought Carlisle has her.'
'Ah.' Aro shook his head sadly, 'so much potential totally wasted.' His eyes briefly looked at me and then back to Edward.
'Do you think he'll take the bait?' For the first time since I had met Aro he actually looked excited.
'Undoubtedly.' Edward's eyes slid to me. 'Someone so pure, trapped in a dire situation - he won't be able to resist.'
Shivering in my seat, I knew they were talking about me.
'Good. When he comes we'll be waiting. You must keep her in your sight at all times.' Aro turned to me now, 'well Bella it looks like you have a new room mate,' he chuckled harshly and waved us out.
Walking down the corridor and out into the rainy night I looked up at Edward 'You're using me as bait?'
'Yes.'
'Why?'
'Carlisle can't resist trying to help people and let's face it Bella there's no one more helpless than you.' I wanted to smack that smirk clean off his face.
'Why doesn't Aro just take care of him some other way?'
'Carlisle is very well protected in New York but after seeing you Aro's hoping to lure him here, and when he comees we'll be waiting.'
'You're a fucking monster.' I rarely swore, Charlie would have killed me if he heard me say something like that.
Edward turned to look at me, the dim interior car light casting his face in shadow, making it was all hard planes and hollows. 'True Bella and you'll do well to remember that.'
As soon as the car stopped outside my apartment building I jumped out and ran up the steps, my legs pumping, I needed to get away from him. Ignoring the elevator I raced up the stairs fumbling with my keys, luckily I didn't drop them. Asdrenaline raced through my body as I thrust open the door.
'Bella.' I tried to slam the door but Edward's foot was in the way, I pushed with all my might but I couldn't budge him.
'Let me in.'
'Fuck you,' I all but screamed
His shoulder barged against the door and I went stumbling backwards only just keeping my balance, I crashed painfully in to the small table that sat in the hall way.
Edward advanced towards me but I wouldn't cower I stood tall, let him do his worst.
Grabbing my hair, he wound his fingers through the strands and yanked hard, bringing his face close to mine.
'When I tell you to do something Bella you do it. If you ever disobey me again I will hurt you in ways you can't even imagine,' he snarled.
I twisted my face away, tears stinging my eyes.
Edward straightened up; his hand still held my hair painfully 'do you understand?' his menacing voice asked.
I nodded numbly and finally he released me. I scrambled to my room and closed the door; leaning back I let the tears fall. When I finally managed to stem my weak tears I headed towards the bathroom and took a shower.
Emerging from the bathroom, wrapping myself in my white, fluffy robe I found Edward lounging on my bed. Would he ever stop tormenting me?
'I have to keep you in my sights at all times,' he explained.
Yeah But did he have to get such sick pleasure doing it?
'What even when I'm asleep?'
'Especially then.'
'I can't do this,' I whispered brokenly.
'Oh but you will Bella.' He sat up and came towards me, he took hold of my shoulders pulling me roughly towards him.
The look in his eyes was unreadable and I watched in astonishment as he lowered his head and caught my mouth with his. The kiss was hard, pushing my lips back against my teeth; his mouth was firm and cool. It was a cruel assault but a part of me, a disgusting deprived part of me was enjoying it.
When I tried to take a much needed breath his tongue invaded my mouth, thrusting inside. I could feel my body reacting, there was a strange melting sensation in my stomach and I wanted to move my tongue against his but I kept myself ridged, my fists tightly clenched at my side.
He pulled back finally and looked down at me, amusement made his eyes a light green. 'You don't fool me Bella.' He held my wrist up, his fingers against my frantically racing pulse, 'this gives you away.'
'Fea,r' I choked out.
His hand moved from my shoulder down my torso till it reached the opening of my robe near my thigh. Then his hand travelled beneath my robe and with shock I felt his fingers against my sex .'Ah but this doesn't lie.' I knew he could feel the moisture there and my humiliation was complete.
His finger ran over my folds and then it was gone. He brought it to his mouth and sucked, 'sweet,' he murmured and I couldn't help the want that coursed through my body.
He moved quickly back across the room and returned to lounging on the bed. I walked over on unsteady legs and slid under the covers, hiding my burning face in the pillows.
'Sweet dreams Bella,' Edward said in a quiet voice, my stomach began to tighten again, his rich voice igniting a flame in me.
Jesus Christ I was turning into someone I didn't recognise and my body had become my enemy. I locked my legs together and willed myself to calm down.
But what kind of person did it make me that I had enjoyed his touch?
Maybe I was the monster.
My mind drifted to Jake, I would have to make sure I visited him tomorrow.
Edward was humming again, the sound was unbelieveably soothing. My eyes drifted closed, a huge sigh leaving my body. I felt warmth against my back but I falling fast and my mind didn't dwell on what would be the cause.
I needed the oblivion of sleep, welcomed it.
A/N Stephenie Meyer owns these characters.
