Chapter 4

"Rosalie, I said no. And that's my final answer."

I wanted to look away when the tears started, but I knew I had to be strong. There was no way that I could allow something like this to happen. Sometimes I had to look out for the whole instead of the individuals.

She didn't even argue, just hung her head and walked out the door. Normally when Rosalie didn't get things the way that she wanted, she would fight back. This time she was just defeated and it hurt my heart.

"Bella, I understand where you're coming from, but don't you think you're being a little harsh?" Alice asked.

I turned my glare towards my other best friend and let the uncomfortable silence settle. My men needed to learn to not question my decisions. She shifted around uncomfortably in her seat while I kept my stare on her without blinking. She finally stood and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. Once I poured a glass of scotch I sat back down in my seat and stared at nothing. I felt horrible for what I said to Rosalie, but this was something I could not and would not budge on.

After a few minutes of staring at nothing there was a quiet knock on my door.

"Come in."

I looked up to see Jasper walk in looking tired.

"Is something wrong?" I asked immediately, sitting up straighter.

He shook his head and took a seat in the chair his sister had previously been in. He lay his head in his hands and sat quiet for a few moments before speaking.

"I think I figured out who was involved in my parent's murder."

I poured him a glass of scotch and handed it to him. He nodded gratefully and took a large gulp before continuing.

"You remember when you finally told me about this Riley Biers kid? And had Jacob run that background check?"

I nodded.

"The name was really familiar but I couldn't place from where. I finally asked Rosalie about it and he was a kid that used to absolutely admire our parents. He wanted to shadow them, learn about them…to the point where it was creepy. After they kicked him out of our house he said he'd get revenge. He's also been arrested before for suspected car bombing but nothing was ever proven."

I turned back to my own glass of scotch deep in thought. If what Jasper said was true, then Biers could be playing us all for the fool. And I really didn't like being played a fool.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

"I say we keep a close eye on this asshole. If he's, in fact, the one who killed my parents I was dibs. No questions asked."

I nodded and shook his hand in agreement. He stood up and downed the rest of his scotch, placing the glass on my desk.

"Please reconsider what you told Rosalie earlier. I know and totally agree with your reasoning, but she's my sister. And I think he's a great match for her even if he's on the opposing side."

"I thought you'd be the only one on my side in this one, Jasper."

He shrugged and walked towards the door.

"Our crew may be my priority, but Rosalie is an extremely close second. And I think some factors could be overlooked."

"Get out, Jasper. I'm done arguing about this."

He left as I requested and I poured myself another glass of scotch. I could feel the buzz that I was waiting for. The warmth was spreading and it felt amazing. After I had finished my second glass, there was another knock on my door.

"Come in."

Alice walked in my office wearing a short red dress and black heels that made her almost as tall as me. I looked at her curiously and she walked over to me, taking away my bottle of scotch and putting it back in the bar.

"I'm glad that I got to you before you were too wasted. We're going out tonight with the rest of the gang and you're coming with no ifs ands or buts. Except for your cute little butt in this gorgeous blue dress."

She pulled the dress out from behind her back and I whistled. It sure was a beauty.

"Only if you have the matching white heels with you," I conceded.

She squealed and threw the dress at me telling me to get ready while she looked for the shoes. I did as she commanded and walked into my bathroom where she had the shoes ready and everything set up for her to do my hair and makeup.

Before I had taken over for my father, this was a common occurrence for the girls. We'd go out to the club my father owned once a week and have a great time flirting with guys and getting drunk. Ever since I became in charge there were too many responsibilities to have that kind of fun. I had to agree with Alice that it was time for all of us to go out and have fun.

Once she had given me the smoky eyes and flawless red lipstick, we walked downstairs to where the limo was waiting. Jacob was holding the door open wearing a tux of his own. I laughed at his sad expression and patted his arm while walking by.

"You look adorable, Jacob. Now stop looking like someone ran over your puppy."

He grunted in response and I laughed again while getting in the backseat. Rosalie was sitting on one end wearing a black strapless dress and gold heels. The men were all wearing some variation of a button-down shirt and jeans or black slacks.

I sat next to Alice and after a few minutes, Rosalie slid over and joined in the conversation. Even though she was mad at me, we vowed to have a good time. Once we pulled up to the club that my father gave me as a present, Alice handed me a blue clutch. I opened it and grinned when I saw the gun. She knew how to make me happy.

The three of us walked into the club with our arms intertwined, the men not far behind. Alice nudged me and pointed towards the bar which I followed happily. The two girls ordered their drinks and headed to our regular booth while I decided on what I wanted.

"I'll have a dry martini, Victoria."

While she was making my drink I felt someone walk up to me and sit in the chair next to mine. I knew almost immediately who it was.

"For such a bad ass, I expected you to drink something not so girly," the deep voice stated.

I shrugged and took a sip of the drink.

"I had a couple glasses of scotch before I got here. Don't flatter yourself, Masen. How the hell did you get in my club anyway?"

He chuckled and ordered a beer of his own.

"Your guard at the front isn't below taking bribes."

"Maybe I should cut off his fucking hands, then."

Edward spit out his beer and laughed so hard he started to cry. I smiled slightly and finished the rest of my martini in one drink.

"I wouldn't put it past you," he admitted once he had himself back under control.

"I've done worse for a lot less," I replied.

We sat in silence for a few minutes while he doctored his beer.

"So, why are you here? I know it's not to kill me or any of my men."

He turned back towards me with an eyebrow raised.

"I thought it was obvious."

I shook my head and waved to Victoria.

"Give me a beer, please."

She popped the bottle open for me and walked towards the next customer who was trying to flag her down.

"Please, enlighten me."

He grinned and I felt his hand move to my thigh.

"You fascinated me, Isabella. I've never met a female who could run an operation as efficiently as you…especially for how young you are. You won't be talked down to and you don't take no for an answer. You demand the best from your men but you can also be fair. At the same time, you can be a ruthless son of a bitch," he explained.

I elbowed him in the ribs and he winced.

"Did I say you could touch me?"

He finished the rest of his beer and grabbed my hand, leading me to the dance floor. He put his hands on my hips and pulled me flush against him. I couldn't stop myself from grinding my ass against him earning a low growl.

"I usually don't make it a mission to sleep with the enemy. You're making me a changed man, Isabella."

I turned and faced him putting my finger against his lips.

"You talk entirely too much."

I leaned forward and kissed him. It was something that started out slow but quickly escalated and I had to pull away to get a breath of fresh air. His eyes were full of lust as he looked me up and down.

"Red lipstick is my weakness."

I smiled and he leaned in for another kiss. Instead, I kneed him in the crotch and put my foot on his back holding him in place once he had fallen.

"I won't just be another easy lay for you, Masen. Don't think I haven't forgotten that you're the enemy and there won't be an alliance."

He rolled around in pain and I rolled my eyes. I walked to the booth where the girls were waiting for me. Alice's jaw looked like it was going to hit the floor while Rosalie glared.

"Alice, close your mouth. You're going to catch flies if you stay like that much longer."

"How dare you, Bella!" Rosalie screeched.

I raised an eyebrow questioningly towards her.

"You won't let me date Emmett yet you can go make out with the head honcho himself in your own club?!"

I crossed my arms and stared her down until she backed off.

"I was playing him, Rosalie. Since apparently I'm the only one around here who can put all of us in front of her own selfish needs it wasn't that hard to do."

She stood up and Jasper grabbed her arm, shaking his head. She ripped her arm out of his grip and stormed past me right out the front door.

"Make sure she was one of the guards with her," I stated simply.

Jasper did as I said and made his way to the front door with a phone already up to his ear. Alice cleared her throat to get my attention.

"Rose did have a point, Bella. Even we could tell from over here that there's something between you and Edward whether you want to admit it or not."

I scoffed and flipped her off.

"You don't know what you're talking about Alice. Now I demand some respect from the lot of you! Stop questioning the decisions I make. I'm in charge and you work for me. Start acting like it," I spit out.

She nodded solemnly and made her own way to the door.

"I need another drink to get through this night," I murmured to Jacob.

He got up and came back from the bar in a very short amount of time. After he was sitting a waitress made her way over with a tray full of shots. I grinned at my favorite guard and took two immediately having to stop myself from coughing from the burn.

"I need to take a leak. Think you'll be okay for a couple minutes?" he asked.

I nodded and took another shot as soon as he was gone. That put me over the edge and I was officially drunk. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist, dragging me towards the back door. Once I realized it wasn't Jacob I struggled but everything seemed to be moving so slow.

"I know you have feelings for me, Isabella. Even if you won't admit it to yourself."

Edward moved me so my back was against the brick wall and I felt his breath across my face. He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Leaning in, he kissed me and there was no way I could stop it this time.

His hands moved back down to my waist and he pulled me closer. My hands went into his hair and I tugged gently, earning myself a moan. I scraped my fingernails against his scalp and felt his fingers dig harder into my flesh, sure that it would leave bruises.

"I want you," I whispered after pulling away.

He had a pained expression and sighed and rested his forehead against mine.

"It's not right. You're drunk and not in your right state of mind."

I pouted and he groaned, kissing me again. His lips trailed down to my jaw and down my neck. My breathing sped up as he reached up I felt his hand gently run across my breast. It had been a long time since a man had touched me like this.

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I can't take advantage of you like this. Let's get you home so you can go to sleep."

"No, they'll try to shoot you," I responded.

He pursed his lips and threw me over his shoulder and semi-ran towards a car waiting close to the alley. He dumped me in the back seat and answered his ringing phone.

"Yeah, I've got her. No, it's not a kidnapping this time. Yes, I swear. I don't have to explain myself to you, Emmett. She's going to stay at my house tonight. Good god you of all people should know I'm a gentlemen. Shut up, Emmett and go take care of your woman."

He hung up the phone and looked down at my head resting in his lap. He smiled but I couldn't understand why.

"Head to my house, Aro. Make sure you let the guards know that we're coming."

The man rolled up the partition and I started to drift in and out of consciousness. I felt Edward's warm lips ghost across my cheek finally landing on my lips. Before I could take it any further he pulled away and ran his hands through my hair.

"Sleep, pretty girl. I know you'll be kicking my ass in the morning so you'll need the energy for it."

I fell asleep before he could say anything more.