Sorry about the months of delays. I really have no excuse for keeping you guys waiting. I am sorry. I am really going to try and update more. Thank you for taking your time and reading my stories, I really do try. Thank you. R&R for next chapter or the story is going to die. =/

-Suki

Chapter Four: Time Is Money


Edward and I got done with our shopping and were headed back down to his car when I remembered that I had forgotten one of my deals that I was supposed to make today. It was it with Carlos.

He was not a man to stand up for a deal. I would know. He had beaten me one time when I had forgotten. I was near death then. I felt my blood rush from my face. I can't believe that I forgot. He'd hunt me down for sure.

We were supposed to meet this morning for his ecstasy and heroin.

"Bella?" I heard Edward calling my name. "Bella, breathe." He brought me back to reality. I tried not to look at him in the eye.

"Bella? Are you okay?" I wasn't sure how to answer, so I stuck with the simple nod. His voice was struck with worry. "Are you sure?"

No, I wasn't sure. But I was sure that I was going to be beaten soon for forgetting something so important. You never mess with a guy and his ecstasy and heroin.

I still couldn't look at him. "Y-yeah." I was breathing heavily. "I'm fine."

The car ride was quiet, not like I could concentrate on anything anyway.

We turned into the parking lot to my apartment complex. I wasn't ready to get out any time soon. What if Carlos was waiting in my room again.

Edward couldn't come up there, especially if Carlos was there. Edward might kill him if he came after me. I had to take care of it myself.

He parked and turned off the engine. He was about to open his door. "Edward." I had to stop him. I had to make him stay. He looked at me strangely. "Edward… why don't you stay down here for a minute?"

He wasn't going to have it that way. He was going to be stubborn. "But I want to go with you." I didn't want to get pissed off, especially with the mood I was in.

I closed my eyes to concentrate on keeping it cool. "Just stay here for a few minutes. I'll be right back, okay?"

He gave in. "Fine, but if you're not back in ten minutes, I'm coming in."

I almost broke out into a sweat. 'That's if I wasn't dead by then.' I nodded and went for the car door handle; my hands were slippery. I knew Edward knew something was wrong.

I quickly got out of the car. But as soon as I was out of sight and half way up the stairs, my heart started to pound. I took hold of my pocket knife I always hid in my shoe. Only god and a few drug dealers knew what I used it for.

I crept up my stairs. Each squeaked as I stepped up. My heart pounded in my ears and against my chest. I was afraid of Carlos, but I just had to make sure.

Reaching for the front door, I almost heaved up food I had for lunch. If he was here, this would be a game for him and I was in deep shit.

I slowly turned the doorknob and pushed it open. Edward would be up in seven minutes if I didn't hurry and inspect.

I opened the front door slowly, scared of what could happen next. My apartment was silent which wasn't a good sign. But a good thing because that meant Rene was out. Either that or…

No I couldn't think of that, Carlos wouldn't go that far for ecstasy and heroin. Maybe PCP or meth, but not what he wanted this time. I might have done that a few times, but I didn't sell it.

But still, this was Carlos, he could get to limits unmanageable. My heart climbed up for more speed. Thank God I wasn't on a heart monitor.

The kitchen, living room, and bathroom were clear. Which left two rooms: Rene's room and my room. I was almost scared to open the door of her room. But Edward would be here soon.

Closing my eyes, I slowly opened her door. Then opened them again. My heart slowed down a little. Mom wasn't there. Nothing was there except a T.V., dresser, and her bed.

I closed the door. When I did, pressure along with pain filled the side of my head and I flew off to the side. I dropped my knife. Shit.

It was almost hard enough to knock me out. I tried to stand up, but my head felt to heavy and my head was spinning, I couldn't focus.

"Hola Bella." It was Carlos, of course. He stood over me, I was in a daze. "Why the hell didn't you come this morning mami?" He put pressure on my chest with his foot. It was getting harder to breathe. "Why did you stand me up? Again?" He added more pressure.

I tried to scream, but my vocals didn't seem to work. The only thing I could get out was a squeak, which wasn't helping. This was it. This is as far as I was going to go. Edward wasn't coming.

Carlos put his big hand around my neck and pick me up off the ground, cutting off my circulation.

He punched my in the stomach, right against the wall in the hallway, adding more pain to my stomach and back.

"You suck at dealing by the way." He said in his thick Mexican accent. But I couldn't do anything. I didn't even try to fight back.

Before I could even pass out, he punched me hard in the face again. But that's all I felt before everything went black and I fell limp.


I couldn't tell where I was in this darkness. I couldn't even feel anything. What happened? I couldn't recall anything. Maybe I was dead and I was in hell. But if this was hell, where's Satan? Where is all the fire? Where is the pain and agony?

I seemed so confused. Then I saw a bright light, but this light wasn't beautiful or anything. I wasn't even supposed to head toward that type of light. Never in a million years, billion, or trillion. Maybe being dead was the best way to go.

Away from everyone. Away from everything. Away from myself. Away from Edward. Now I knew it was hell. Not having Edward was my worst nightmare.

I felt like crying my dreams away. Like I could push them away, that could never happen. I was scared of everything now. No Edward… I was destined to be tortured.

But this light wouldn't go away. It was uninvited. I felt it was here to stay.

Now I was starting to hear things. It sounded like an angel from heaven. It sounded like Edwards voice. NO!! I wanted to keep it away. I wished it would go away.

"Bella, love?" I tried to push it away. "Bellaaa…?" It wouldn't go.

A scream. Who was screaming? I felt like I was being shaken from a life I once had.

Still screaming… It was me.

Why wasn't anything going away?

I felt this pain. The pain was in my head, this agonizing pounding against my skull.

My eyes shot open and the screaming stopped.

"Bella?" My eyes took a minute to adjust to Edwards beautiful face. He looked like he was in pain.

I was breathing normal at least. I looked around. We were in my room. And the light was coming from a bright lamp. I was surprised we weren't in a hospital.

"Edward?" He was sitting on the edge of my bed staring down at me still looking painful, but looked a little relieved. "Edward!" I sat up too quick and hugged him. My heart fluttered. I didn't care about what had happened before. He was here, and by my side. I thought I wouldn't see him again.

For the first time in years I felt that I didn't need to be high or ditzy to breathe or happy. I just wanted Edward.

My head was still a little dizzy from the head rush. "You're here." I couldn't help but smile.

I felt his smile too. "Always." My heart jumped. His arms hugged me back. I buried my face in the crook of his neck. Everything for once, felt right. I felt fine for once. It seemed like a once in a lifetime deal. And I never wanted it to end.

Except for… Carlos. What happened to him? And why am I still here?