Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.
Beta'd by HollettLA and BellaFlan
IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE END. PLEASE READ IT! Also, I tried to get review replies out to everyone, and I believe I still owe a few from last week's update. Oh, and if you ask a question and have your PMs disabled, I obviously can't answer you. This is a long one this week, a huge thank you to everyone for continuing to read and review, and because...I'm NOT a huge fan of angst.
THANK YOU! Wish I could hug you all, 'cause I'm just a moosh-monster like that :)
This chapter is for Mason, a very brave little boy, who has the best mom in the world! I love and miss you, my fic wife...the amazing ashma0407!
Enjoy!
"Weather the Storm" Chapter 7: Wag the Dog
"Daddy..." I felt Damion tug on the blanket. "Wake up!" He pulled the covers all the way off me.
"What?" Mumbling into the pillow, I sucked back some drool. "Gimme that…" I yanked the comforter back.
"You have to wake up. Mommy said you're taking us to school."
After I shot up, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "Why—why, um," I shook my head, "where's Mommy?"
"Inside." Damion climbed into the bed with me, and I noticed he still wore pajamas. That's when I turned to check the time. It was a little after seven, which meant I only got four hours of sleep. Lovely.
"Go eat breakfast…wake me up in twenty minutes—"
"What are you doing?" Bella cut me off. "Go eat and get dressed." She swatted Damion's behind playfully while he scampered off. "Morning." She smiled at me.
Sleepily, I found myself smiling back. "Hey."
She stared at me nervously, wringing her hands. "I'm nervous—I knew I should've dropped calculus."
Through a yawn, I started to protest. "But you studied with Carlisle…you'll be fine." Readjusting and folding my pillow with one arm, I pulled the covers over me with the other.
"Lou should be here soon. You guys have to take the boys to school. I'm leaving with Kylie now."
Nodding against the pillow, I felt Bella pinch my ass. "Feeling freaky and want a quickie?" I asked. "I can work with ten minutes…" My head slammed against the pillow, feeling heavy. "Maybe not."
She snorted. "I'm still walking funny."
I wore a smirk while facing her. "That you are, my love." I reached for her and pulled her into my arms. "We should do that more often—I can't get enough of you," I sighed, thinking back to last week.
We never made it to dinner, opting to enjoy each other the whole day. The wife and I didn't even eat. And after making love for hours, we scrambled to make it home in time for our children's arrival.
That night, Carlisle picked Kylie up from Candace's with the boys. They had spent the afternoon with their aunt and uncle. Believe it or not, Damion and Sonny gave us shit, wondering where we were because we weren't with them.
They didn't get a response.
Bella mewled and nestled deeper into our embrace. "I love you."
Grasping her hips and pulling them against my morning wood, I agreed.
"What are your plans for today? Why do you have to take off early, too?" she asked.
Groaning through my clenched teeth, I nuzzled my nose into her hair. "I have to meet someone at Eclipse. It's a lunch thing."
"A lunch thing?"
"Aro's bringing food from La Bella Italia, but other than that, it's all bullshit. I should be home for dinner." My hands wandered up to her breasts.
"You don't sound like you care for this person." She pushed her chest into my palms.
Rolling my eyes, I let those puppies go to sit up. "It's a woman, and I'm not used to having—conducting business with one," I admitted.
"A female?" Bella scrunched her nose. "What kind of business would she have—I mean, what ties would she have to the thing?"
"She doesn't," I answered and looked to our open bedroom door. "She's the head of some drug operation," I whispered. "It's all bullshit. She encroached on my—she's fucking with my business. And if her group wants that neighborhood, she's gotta kick up." I yawned again.
Bella nodded. "Since when do you argue over geography? That seems really petty. And drugs? I wouldn't go near that mess."
Nodding, I palmed a tit again. "You're so smart."
She giggled and slapped my hand away.
"It's an alliance. Aro had an idea, and it sounded okay." I shrugged. "From what I know, they don't have any ties to anyone… They don't associate with the Russians, meaning they haven't gotten to them yet. If she kicks up, we have their backs and vice versa, and…case closed."
My wife rose to her knees to kiss my lips. "I hope you come to an agreement."
Moaning and kissing her again, I wished we didn't have to leave the bed. "Me, too. I'm ready to be done with this." My eyes studied her gorgeous features while I pulled her hair away from that face. "How'd I get so lucky?" I asked. "Beautiful."
She sucked in a shaky breath. "Don't you wish we could stay in bed all day, uninterrupted?"
"Mom?" Cockblock number one asked from the doorway.
"You felt him by the door, didn't you?" I laughed.
She bit that plump bottom lip. "Maybe." We both turned to Sonny.
"Mom…before you go, I need you to sign this." Sonny walked into the room holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"What's that?" I jerked my chin to it.
He fidgeted in place, dancing from foot-to-foot as he stared at Bella. "I'll be right out to sign it," Bella said.
"Sign what?" I looked back and forth between the both of them.
"I got a detention yesterday. It's no big deal," Sonny scoffed. "Stupid teachers—it wasn't my fault."
I didn't reply and held out my hand for the paper. "Why didn't you say anything?" I asked Bella.
She pursed her lips. "It's really not a big deal. He threw food in the cafeteria. I forgot all about it." Bella cast Sonny a stern look. "They send letters home for everything." Her eyes landed on me. "And I remember telling you last night that he got a detention for that mouth of his, not throwing food."
Now that I think back, she said something to that effect while I was munching on some pussy. That's not fair because I was distracted, but I let it roll off my back.
"Go get a pen." My signature is probably just as important. "I got this; don't be late for your test."
My queen in blue, painted-on jeans and a snug black V-neck sweater, nodded. "Right…" My wife left the bed to gather her things, while I noticed she wore her new diamond earrings. Bella had tossed her long, beautiful hair over her shoulder as she bent down to place books into her bag.
Peeping that Sonny had left, I stood to molest my wife a bit. My hands went straight for that ass, mostly to get her attention again.
"Stop worrying about a test. Worst-case scenario…you fail—" I slapped the booty to watch it jiggle. "Damn…"
She laughed.
"You have enough math credits." I pulled her to my chest. "And what kind of accounting major…ette hates math?" I planted a loud kiss into her neck and then twirled her to face me.
Bella wrapped her arms around my neck. "You're very talkative and cute this morning."
Smirking, I leaned away. "I am?" For more giggles from her, I bit that nose.
"Okay." She pushed against my chest. "Now my daughter and I have to hit the road or we'll be late."
Never did I want to let her go. "You love me?" I asked, softly, puckering my lips. "You think I'm cute?" I swayed us while her legs were trapped between my own.
Bella hugged me tightly while she laughed. "Yes and yes, and you know this… You're so fucking cute when you want to be." She squealed when I forcefully planted my lips to hers and dipped her back.
"I love you, too…my adorable, sexy, fuck-able, very fuck-able, wife." I kissed her neck and let her up. "And I'll never—NEVER—get tired of saying that," I finished, letting out a moan as I bit her chin. That's my problem: I can't get enough and wanted to eat her.
We've been happy, giddy, and so in love since that rendezvous at the Waldorf-Astoria. We are always those things, but sometimes it's easy to forget, dealing with life, work, and the kids. We're in love, but we're not usually this carefree.
"Christ, Edward." Bella searched my eyes, swallowing thickly. I knew that look. She's happy and just might cry.
"Stop." Giving her ass a good squeeze, I engaged her in a sloppy, deep lip-lock with my morning breath. My hands roamed up and down her back, while I hoped she didn't start to cry.
"Oh yeah," she mumbled into my mouth and pulled my hair.
"Guys…stop it," Sonny whined.
We leaned our foreheads together and laughed. "Okay, go…before I make you miss your test." I wiggled my eyebrows and gave her slight push.
Bella reached to ruffle Sonny's hair, but then turned back to give me a quick smooch.
"Good luck!" After blowing her another kiss, I snickered as I watched her walk out of the bedroom. Her gait has been a bit off since that day, too. I guess we're just not as young as we used to be. Now marathon fucking takes its toll both on our bodies and Bella's pussy. Me? The next day I felt like a bus hit me. All of my muscles were sore and so was my cock. We're not old at all, and I bet fucking for hours upon hours would have left us feeling the same ten years ago.
My attention went back to Sonny. "Why were you throwing food?" I went into the bathroom to take a piss.
"Someone threw a French fry at me!" he shouted.
I nodded and reached to flush the toilet. "We'll talk on our way to school," I hollered out to him. "Go get ready and make sure your brother gets dressed, too." I turned the shower on and then closed the bathroom door.
Dressed in a navy blue suit and a lighter blue shirt, I left my bedroom ready for the day. While I walked into the kitchen, I turned off various lights in the hall, the bathrooms, and then Damion's bedroom. "You guys think I own Con-Ed?" I chuckled, heading over to the coffee pot.
"We don't have time," Sonny shouted, pulling me away. "Mommy would have left already."
Huffing, I shut it off instead of pouring a cup. "Let's go." I looked to my watch, seeing that it was twenty after eight. That's still a little early for me, but not for them. They have to be at school by 8:45. Damn. We were going to be late.
Sonny was quick to run down to the garage, while Damion fumbled with his coat and school bag.
"Yo, D!" I called, going over to him.
In place of giving me his attention, he opted to drop the contents of his hands.
"Yeah?" He gave me a toothy grin.
Chuckling, I crouched down to zip his coat.
"Don't get the skin!" He cupped his neck.
"I did that once." I closed his jacket slowly, making sure I didn't catch his neck, and then stood while picking up his book bag. "You have to carry these books every day?" I asked, weighing the two-ton knapsack in my hand. "This shit is heavy."
"Ooooh. . . You with that mouth!" He did a poor imitation of his mother, hand on his hip and finger waving.
I grinned and hugged him to me tightly. "You're too cute."
"I know." He ran away from me to follow his brother.
"As long as you do," I sighed and flicked the kitchen light switch off.
By the time I got downstairs, Sonny and Damion were already in the back of Lou's whip.
"Got you some D & D," Lou said, inlieu of a greeting while handing me a large coffee.
Sighing, I thought I was beginning to like my new driver. "Thanks." I buckled my seatbelt before I grabbed for the cup.
"Did you get us donuts?" Damion asked. "I like donuts... Do you?"
Lou stared at me.
"He's talking to you." I sipped from the cup.
"Uh, yeah." Lou turned to back out of the driveway.
"Is that a 'yeah', you got us donuts or, 'yeah', you like donuts?" Sonny piped in.
I chuckled. They're never around Lou. They just love to bust people's chops, especially when they can get away with it. I think on some level, they both know Lou would never come out his mouth and talk back to them.
"No, I didn't get you donuts," Lou informed him. "Was I supposed to?" He looked to me.
I shook my head no.
"Well, why not?" Damion inquired. "You were there…and you knew you were taking us to school—two little boys," he said ever-so-sweetly.
"Who's little?" Sonny asked.
"We are!" Damion shouted. "Hey, Lou?"
"Yeah?" Lou sat up straight to look at Dame in the rearview mirror.
"We don't drink coffee but we like donuts, just so you know…for next time."
"I drink coffee," Sonny lied. "I like my coffee the same way I like my women, sweet."
"Women?" Lou asked, wearing a grin. "What do you know about women?"
"Probably more than you do," Sonny replied.
"Sally said she was going to wear green panties today," Damion giggled.
"Sally your girl?" Lou gave me a fleeting glance.
"He can't get a girl." Sonny cackled, and then I heard Damion whimper.
"Daddy…he hit me!"
"I did not—"
"Did too—"
"Just stop!" Sonny hollered.
"I'm not touching, can't get mad." Damion teased.
"Dad!" Sonny voice rose those few octaves that just seem to drive me insane.
Raising a brow, I turned back to the ball-buster brothers. "Enough. Nobody touches anybody or else I'm going to start—"
"What, touching us? Dad, that's gross and illegal—never pegged you for one of those dads." Sonny guffawed and so did Lou.
"Watch it, you!" I pointed at my son. He swallowed and looked out the window.
Damion continued to laugh and sat back as he kicked his legs, getting the back of Lou's seat. "Hey!" I scolded and stopped his feet.
"Sorry." He grinned.
"What's up with that?" I asked him.
Damion started doing the Stevie Wonder or the snake with his neck—the fancy way of shaking his head, while he sang, "I don't know."
"Shit!" Sonny shouted.
"What now?" I asked.
"You never signed that paper. It's still in your room." By now, we were already several blocks away from the house.
I groaned. "Tell them you'll bring it tomorrow."
"You couldn't just sign it and hand it back to me—"
"Take it easy!" I yelled back at him. "Christ…you're just like your mother with that nagging shit."
Damion gasped.
"Mommy doesn't nag you," Sonny retorted. "Don't talk about my mom." That little fuck kicked my seat.
The car became silent after that. I did turn to face him again, and then nodded my head in reluctance. "Don't talk back to me…but you're right." I didn't even think I said anything bad, just stated a fact. When Bella gets on something, she doesn't stop. "My bad…and no one says a fucking word until we arrive at that school."
Groaning under my breath, I leaned back to sip my coffee, and then I turned off the stereo. It became bothersome as well. "Fucking bullshit."
The quiet lasted for the rest of the ride, for which I was thankful. My good mood had drifted away, and my body ached to be near Bella—to be back in our bliss-filled bubble, where she could nag me all she wanted, for the cock.
At Sonny's insistence, I walked him into the school. He brought me to the office, where he made me explain where that paper was. The alternative would be a phone call to us anyway, to let us know he didn't bring it in.
The dean of students, Sister Catherine, wore a warm smile while she introduced herself. She understood and said it was no big deal. As long as I confirmed that I knew what my child did, the paper was unnecessary. Before we left the office, I assured her that my son wouldn't be mouthing off or throwing anything anymore.
"You need to stop," I said, walking down the hall. "You know how to act right, so do it. We'll talk more later, after dinner. Understand?" My eyes scanned the halls filled with pre-teens in plaid.
Sonny was too busy staring at some little broad wearing a short skirt.
"Hello?" I snapped my fingers in his face.
He nodded, focusing on me. "She blamed me, called me a liar—not her, but another nun. I didn't lie. Steven threw his fries at me first, so I tossed them back. I was giving them back to him." He smirked.
"Number one, don't lie to me. You threw food—you threw food." I widened my arms. "Second, did this kid get in trouble, too?" I stopped him from walking.
Sonny nodded and righted his bag. "Yeah."
"I wasn't talking shit about your mother." He was smart and didn't reply. "I gotta go—be good." Slouching to kiss his hair, he backed away from me.
"Not here." Sonny looked mortified.
"Right." Chuckling, I patted his back and turned to leave.
Out at the car, Damion was talking a million words a minute to Lou about…I have no idea. After opening the back door for him, he hugged my waist. "You're officially late for school." I slung his bag over his shoulder and he jerked backwards.
"Can you meet my teacher? And Sally—she's my friend." He pushed his glasses up his nose.
Smiling so wide and taking his bag back, I agreed. "Sure." After taking his hand in mine, Damion led me back to his classroom. School was just beginning, and I was able to greet Sister Pauline and this Sally character. Luckily, the little girl never showed anyone her underwear while I was there.
Damion's second grade class was a very rowdy bunch. It was nothing like the other corridor where the older kids walked. They were so fucking loud, and they all wanted to meet me—Damion's dad. It was a great feeling, and then Sister Pauline informed me that my son is very popular. He's the class clown, but a smart one.
I loved that, and it didn't surprise me one bit.
Starving and not able to wait until lunchtime, we stopped for breakfast sandwiches on our way to the club. Bella sent me a text. Her exam was pushed back an hour, and so she has a little more time to study. She also hasn't seen Roger today. I always ask.
Roger is still hanging around his buddy and my wife, but he's not pursuing her anymore. Then again, today she doesn't have class, just a review for one and a test for the other.
Earlier this week, Bella told me that she constantly has to evade her friend Sandy's questions. Also, Sandy apologized for talking shit about me that one day—had she known Bella was Isabella Cullen, she would have never uttered a word about me.
So far, neither has given her shit for lying. Sandy thinks it's cool, and Roger barely speaks to Bella now.
And I like it that way.
Lou helped himself behind the empty bar and added Bailey's to his second cup of coffee, while I entered my office. The club wouldn't be opening at its normal one p.m. for the early birds. I had set it up so that we could meet here discreetly. My usual would have been to meet at a restaurant—a place neither of us knew or frequented, but I don't know these people or where they're coming from.
I enjoyed the privacy of Eclipse to conduct business today.
After a few reps with my weights, I redressed, played some Bejeweled on the laptop, checked my email, and was fucking bored out of my mind by the time Aro arrived. He came in to say he saw Carlisle parking his car, and that Caius would be late.
It's not like I expected Ms. Eleazar to come alone. She was sure to have her guard with her.
"How does this look?" Aro asked, smoothing down his black shirt which lay under a charcoal jacket. "Should I wear a tie? Do you still keep ties in here?" He went for my closet.
"You look fine; you don't need a tie," I said. "Why do you care?" I decided to fuck with him a little bit.
"I don't know." He sat across from me. At that moment, Carlisle let himself into my office.
"I have a briefing at three. Hopefully, we'll be done here." My brother looked dapper as well, wearing a grey suit and burgundy shirt.
"Dad coming?" I smiled in their direction.
"Nope. He was going to come just for the food, but he had shit to do." Carlisle's eyes landed on Aro. "You look good."
"Always." Aro pulled on his open jacket.
My brother glanced about the room again. "The food's not here yet?"
"I'm having it delivered in an hour—don't want it to get cold." Aro stood up. "A drink?" He looked from me to Carlisle.
I nodded. "Put a pot of coffee on."
"Same here." Carlisle raised his hand. "Damn…I hoped the food would be here." He rubbed his stomach.
Laughing, I sat back in my chair. "You have two old ladies and neither could hook you up with a bowl of cereal?"
"Fuck you." Carlisle spat. "I don't go to Candy's in the morning anymore…especially when Bella brings Kylie by." He shook his head.
"Ah…" Nodding, I rocked in the chair. "You're not as busy as you let on, are you? Working twelve hour days is bullshit…you split your time going to Candace's and the office…"
"Maybe," Carlisle laughed. "Bella sure is inquisitive—always has been. She thinks Aro is fucking Candace."
"Did Candace tell you this? Because Bella hasn't said shit to me." I shrugged.
"Bella wouldn't tell Lauren or Esme, so I have nothing to worry about." Carlisle wore a silly little grin. "B has my back."
"Yeah, okay." I let him believe that.
Carlisle frowned. "I feel bad, though—"
"You should—"
"No." He chuckled bitterly. "I mean, Candy wants to fit in—wishes she and Bella could be friends…since she's your wife."
Opening my mouth to respond, I decided not to speak for Bella, but then I thought, fuck it. "Bella wouldn't be—excuse my language—a friend to some whore who's screwing her married brother in-law. Bella and Esme are like this." I crossed my fingers. "So, you can tell Candace not to hold her breath."
"Yet, she'll let Candace babysit."
"Is there any reason as to why she shouldn't babysit? Does fucking you interfere with childcare?" I raised a brow. "Furthermore, you said we could trust her, and so…if there were to ever be a hair out of place on my Kylie's head, you'd be the one to suffer the consequences."
"Jesus…For the record, I happen to trust Candace more than my wife…that should tell you something. And you don't have to be so nasty about it."
I widened my arms. "You have a mistress, which is a pretty nasty business."
Carlisle countered my raised brow with his own. "You don't, which would lead most to believe that you might be—" He wiggled his hand and laughed.
"I might be what?" I smirked, wishing he would say it so that I could have a valid reason to kick his ass. His wounds from the Jersey boys have healed, and he might just be due for a pounding to keep his ass in line.
"You know." That coward refused.
"What I do," I pointed to myself, "is none of your business." Biting my bottom lip, I stood from my chair. "Well, we both know that if you, for example, ever had a chance in hell wit' Bella, you wouldn't do anything to fuck it up—would you?" I leaned my ass against my desk.
Carlisle looked down and didn't reply.
"Someone like Bella, beautiful with the largest heart—loyal."
"She's very loyal, has your back." Carlisle frowned. "Esme hates me. I know she does."
"With good reason…"
"And she still wants another kid with me." He shrugged, and my mind was still stuck on all the reasons I don't need a mistress.
"Bella fucks me because she wants me, just as I always want her. Our sex lives have slowed down, but it's still awesome." I looked up to the ceiling. "I think I'm lucky, in love and to have found her…" My eyes landed on my brother.
"And that's the reason why I'm with Candace." He looked to me. "My wife…I have a feeling that if she knew, she wouldn't give a shit—as long as she gets that baby. Esme can threaten me all she wants, she'll never divorce me."
"That wouldn't surprise me. Esme's always been loving, and yet frigid—all the same—with those parents she had." I chuckled. "Bella and Esme are very close, but the wife has commented about how much Esme has changed…How's that working out anyway, the baby shit?" I asked.
He blew out a breath and turned for the door. "I don't have a briefing," he looked back to me, "Es and I have a doctor's appointment. They're going to test my sperm."
My brows shot up. "Oh." I leaned back, surprised.
"Yeah…it's easier to test the sperm first and shit—not as invasive, but…bro, it's not me." He placed his hand on his chest.
"What if it is?" I composed my smile. "What if you're shooting blanks? You have two beautiful daughters…sometimes, we don't get what we want. Be grateful for what you have." Reaching and feeling bad, I patted his shoulder.
"No." He looked serious. "I know I'm not the one with the problem…it's not me."
Tilting my head to the side, I asked, "Is Candace pregnant?"
He sat back. "I'm just saying. I know it's not me, but if jizzing in a cup brings peace of mind to my wife, fuck it—"
"C-bag's here," Aro announced, and my discussion with Carlisle was over.
"Okay." I took my seat behind my desk again.
Caius was all smiles when he entered my office. Then he gushed about going to the Bahamas with Nicole for vacation. I was a bit envious that he's able to go away for a week without his kids. His kids are practically adults now.
"We're going to this all-inclusive resort, Atlantis?" Caius looked to us. "Ever heard of it?" He didn't give any of us a chance to respond. "Anyway, we need this so bad." He widened his eyes. "All the bullshit…when we go away, it's like we're newlyweds again." He smiled.
"I know what you mean," I whispered.
"Maybe me and Lau should go on vacation, just the two of us." Aro nodded, while making eye contact with all three of us, trying to will one of us to offer to babysit.
"My kids are in college. I'm not watching yours," Caius laughed.
I pursed my lips. "We should talk later on that." I waved a hand between us. "You watch my kids, and then I'll watch yours."
Aro eyed me suspiciously. "Your kids, all of them?"
"Oh, madonn—" Lou, who stood toward the back of my office, groaned.
We all turned to look at him.
"This broad," he waved his phone, "likes to text me pics of her tits."
"Oh…let me see." Caius stood up to look at Lou's phone.
I shook my head and looked to Aro.
"Maybe," Aro said. "I'm sorry, but Sonny…combined with AJ and Katie, it just wouldn't work."
I laughed. "Right, right."
"Kylie and Dame, though…it's all good." His face fell. "Now I feel bad. Sonny's a good kid, it's just—"
"I get it. Don't worry about it." I put my hand up to stop him.
"We'd take Sonny," Carlisle said. "That wouldn't be a problem. You and B still plan to keep Hanna and Carli, right?"
"For?" I asked.
Carlisle stared at me. "I told you months ago. Es and I are going to Cancun. She set it up; I, personally, don't want to go."
"Gonna miss Candy?" Aro hit his arm.
"That's not it. This vacation just comes at a shitty time is all. We wouldn't be going if she was pregnant, but since she's not..." Carlisle ran his hand through his hair. "It's been planned for months, and then we're all to go away for Easter break the following week?" He waved his hand.
"Has anyone set anything up for that?" I asked the crowd.
"As far as I know," Aro started, "none of the wives could come to an agreement."
"Disney." I groaned. "We're probably going back to Disney now…pin exchanging, the Magic Kingdom…Ugh!" Rubbing my hand over my face, I dreaded the thought of Mickey Mouse and all that crap.
"You know…" Caius came back over to us. "In the Bahamas, there are plenty of family-oriented resorts."
I nodded. "Right."
Soon, the food arrived. Aro and Lou got busy putting it out as Eleazar and two of her men showed up. Caius took the liberty of going over them with the metal detecting wand. We knew—guessed—they'd have weapons, but we weren't concerned with that. Caius made them show their weapons and never took them away. We were looking for wires. If a medal detecting device rolls over a wire it creates white noise, static, alerting us to its presence.
Ms. Eleazar, who insisted we call her Tzahalla, didn't bat an eyelash while Caius went through her purse, too.
When that was settled, we all convened in the private room to the side of my office, while Lou made sure to keep watch out front. We ate, exchanged pleasantries and bullshit.
I was under the assumption that Tzahalla ran the business for her husband or father; however, it turned out that she's always been the mastermind behind her operation. They have labs hidden below synagogues, and they distribute it. She made it sound simple.
Ever so nosy, I inquired many times, wondering who she may or may be cohorts with. She explained over and over that she stands alone, only employs people of her kind that she can trust. Tzahalla moved to this country a year ago, and has been flying stealthily under the radar since.
Carlisle took the liberty of informing her that she hadn't. She may have slipped our notice, and the notice of other criminals looking to benefit, but she's being investigated by the F.B.I., which she didn't know about.
I don't know if she's lying or not. Truthfully, I really didn't give a fuck. This is business, never personal, and I wished she'd hurry up and agree.
If she leaves here today without us coming to a reasonable conclusion, we'll have to set an example—give her a reason why she should pay us to basically have her back.
John from Jersey has tried to reach out to me many times, leaving messages on my cell that he had nothing to do with what Matthew did to Carlisle. I'm sure, instead of hitting him back, he'd do me that favor of hitting up Tzahalla and her associates. She'd come running back to us then for sure.
We had been sitting, getting down to brass tacks for close to two hours, and she still insisted she didn't understand what this meeting was all about, which was a lie. The night she came to seek me out, Aro eventually sat with her to discuss a few things—like tribute.
"As a man who deals with important issues, I can't see how my small business would be a hindrance to you." She straightened up to stare at me. "Why should I pay you?"
I wiped my mouth with a napkin, heaving a heavy sigh. She's argued that point at least five times already.
"May I say something?" Caius asked. And since I haven't been saying much, I gestured for him to continue.
"The Cullen family has a hand in most, if not all, underground businesses here in New York." Caius nodded. "So…excuse me for putting this bluntly, but…you're either with us or against us." He smiled. "And since we're so…widespread, that's a lot against you," he lied.
I nodded, agreeing with him. We have ties with just about everyone—many people pay me to have the privilege of breaking the law here in New York—but most would team with them to try and take us down.
"You think I'm scared of you—"
And as if on cue, her two guys stiffened. They really weren't much. They were young, looked tough and stupid. Tzahalla introduced them as Teo and Hadar—her bodyguards. Yet, even though Tzahalla was very well put together, looking stunning in business attire, her goons wore street clothes—leather jackets and jeans. What you wear says a lot about you. If you don't care about your appearance, it doesn't say much about how you carry yourself in the business world. Tzahalla was here for a sit-down, and those two looked like she picked them up off a corner somewhere. Then again, she might have. Those two are likely just meth dealers.
One thing stood out to me: Tzahalla Eleazar kind of knew what she was doing; however, I don't believe she has the manpower to do it. She also seems like someone behind the scenes—like she just sits back and counts her money. It was clear that she hadn't been enmeshed in the gritty life of meth slinging—meaning she doesn't sling it herself, no street smarts. She has a good product, a decent head for business, but isn't going to last long—not here in New York anyway.
She made good money in her own country and came here to do the same.
"With us or against us…consider this a…small Welcome to the Neighborhood party." I widened my arms. "I'm a fair guy." I pointed to myself. "I'm not asking for a mint. My financial advisor and I figure you clear about…a hundred grand a month. All I'm asking for is twenty a month. It's the same amount my guys get from that neighborhood."
"I do not extort money from anyone. What you and your people do has nothing to do with my business," she said.
"No, it doesn't," I replied. "It has to do with what's right." I shrugged. "Since you have your guys in that area…local shop owners and others might just stop paying my guys to watch their backs. It's a simple procedure, either make that up to me…or don't."
Aro put his hand up. "This could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship." He misquoted Casablanca.
"Or war." Caius stared at her.
"Look, gentlemen." She smiled at each of us. "Despite what you may believe…excuse me," she laughed softly. "Please don't let my accent or stature fool you. I understand it all perfectly, but we've been doing fine for months now. Why should we have dealings with your people?"
"Our people?" Caius scoffed. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" He stared at her.
"She meant group. She wasn't being offensive," Carlisle whispered to him, and then looked to Ms. Eleazar. "Since you've come across our friends here, have you maybe…Googled the Cullen name at all?" he asked.
"Carlisle…" I warned because I didn't know where he was going with this. The object of the game is to say a lot without necessarily saying it, and I didn't want him to fuck up. Caius already said a mouthful, yet what he uttered needed to be expressed.
Tzahalla looked back to me. "I know exactly who you are. I have a product—I sell it. Now…unless you have someone offering the same thing as me, in the same neighborhood, I can't imagine how the two intertwine."
Chuckling, I rolled my eyes. "It's what's right. I can't make you agree. I can't make you do anything, but I reached out to you wanting to resolve these matters before—"
"SKEEE—YOOO!" We heard Lou shout, which was a warning.
Looking out the door, into the darkened club, I couldn't see anything. My guys and I stood up and took hold of our heat.
"This was a set-up!" One of Eleazar's guys—Teo—had shouted.
"It wasn't—someone's here," Aro said.
"Who's here?" Caius drew his gun on Eleazar. "You set us up."
Tzahalla was unarmed, but her men turned their weapons on Caius as I heard shouting coming from outside the room.
With my piece in hand, I went to leave, hearing Bella yelling profanities about me.
"What the fuck?" Aro exclaimed, hearing it too.
As I approached the doorway, I squinted to see her. "Bella, what…" I backed into the room again, feeling Bella plant her nine against my chest.
"You lied to me!" My wife screamed mid-sob.
As she advanced toward me and pushed me back into the room, I was able to see her red, tear-stained face.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
I wasn't afraid that Bella might shoot me, but I was insanely confused and slightly frightened because now Eleazar's guys had pointed their shit on Bella.
"Lower your weapons." Carlisle spat, planting his nine right into Tzahalla's hair. "Drop your guns...NOW!"
I turned back to Bella, who was a sobbing mess. "Bella, baby…what's wrong?" I reached to touch her, and she dug her gun deeper into my chest.
"You lied to me—all these years were all a lie! You never loved me…me, my children, our marriage is a joke!"
"Bella…"
"Who is this?" One of the guys shouted.
"Don't worry about it…and if you don't lower your shit, my buddy is going to put one into homegirl over here." Caius had his nine pointed toward the guys too.
Bella pushed me and I walked backwards, while trying to keep everyone in my line of sight.
"Put the gun down!" Bella seethed at me.
Whatever was troubling her actually scared the shit out me. I had never seen her this angry before. She had fire in her eyes and a steady hand. "Okay," I said softly, going for the ruse of placing it into my waist, but decided to point it at Tzahalla instead.
"Drop your shit." I warned Teo and Hadar, but kept my eyes on Bella, as they had guns pointed at her and Carlisle.
That frightened me more than anything in this world. Bella could shoot me if she wanted to. I didn't give a fuck about her nine, but I cared a great deal about theirs. There was no way in hell they were going to get away with pointing their shit at my wife—no fucking way. That pissed me off, made me see red.
They wouldn't back down, and neither would my wife.
"Don't worry about me!" Tzahalla spat at her guys.
My mortified expression turned into a smirk as I cocked the slide back on my Glock. "Oh, yeah?" My gun now rested on Tzahalla Eleazar's forehead. "You'd be dead before they pulled the fucking trigger—"
Bella pushed me, gaining my attention. "Two years! For over two years while you were in prison, I waited for you—didn't even look at another man." She sniffled, still crying her eyes out. "All the promises…all the…everything…You're a liar!" Bella screamed.
While I spoke to Bella, my eyes were all over the place: Tzahalla, her guys, and then Bella. "Baby, I love you. And I've always—always—meant everything I've said. Calm down and put the gun away." I reached for it with my free hand, and she flinched, backing away.
I decided not to do that, so she wouldn't make any sudden moves, which would cause Teo and Hadar to fire at her.
"He has your hair!" Bella yelled.
"Who?" I asked.
"The little boy," she sobbed.
"What little boy?" I asked, again in a soothing voice, as my mind reeled. If they shot at Bella, I'd wish for her to have shot me. It's odd, the things that run through your mind at a time like this.
"Anthony…" she cried. "He has your hair, your grandfather's name, and looks just like Damion." Her knees went weak, but she was fast to right herself.
Shaking my head, I still had no idea what she was talking about.
"What did you do?" Carlisle asked, frantically. "Did you hurt them?"
Bella swallowed, shaking her head no. "All those worries that you would get bored with me and cheat…they weren't in vain, were they?" She seemed to have calmed down, stopped crying, but was still staring daggers at me.
Her eyes were crazed, almost unseeing. "You just had a family on the side…for how many years now? You made a joke out of me—our family!" she shouted.
It all started to come together and instead of trying to soothe Bella, I turned to look at my brother.
Carlisle still had his gun in Tzahalla's hair and gave me a small nod. "Anthony has his grandmother's hair—he looks like my mother."
Bella's head whipped to him.
"B…Anthony is my son," he admitted. "He's not Edward's—he's my kid."
"You're lying!" She had still yet to lower the Smith & Wesson. "You're covering for him!" In my periphery, I saw Bella get the gun ready to fire, loading the fucking heat in her hand. She could shoot if she wanted to. In fact, I was kind of proud of her. I don't even know what I'd do if she fucked around on me.
"That's not my kid." I spat.
"Liars!" Bella screeched.
"B…listen to me," Carlisle started. "Anthony just turned three. He was conceived and born while Edward was in Ray Brook. Edward was in prison the whole time. Bella, he is not E's kid. Anthony is mine—calm down and I'll—I'll get you his birth certificate."
Bella blinked, looking from Carlisle to me.
"Baby, put the gun down. That is not my son. I've always been truthful to you, never fucked around." I felt myself get choked up a little, but this wasn't the time for that. "Bebella, you know…" I gave her a fleeting glance.
My wife collapsed to the floor, and then shots were fired. I dove onto Bella, fearful that she might get shot. Then I crawled on my stomach while also pulling her behind the small bar. After the many pops, I lifted my head to see that Aro and Caius had fired at the two men—Eleazar's bodyguards. Blood splattered the wall and floor, as they had been shot at close range—in the back of their heads.
"Are you okay?" I leaned back to take stock of Bella's entire body. She wasn't hit, but curled into a ball to sob again. "Come here." I was almost in tears, gathering her into my arms and rocking us. "I could never." I kissed her hair while she screamed out in agony.
"I'm sorry." It came out from Bella's mouth, strangled. And as much as I wanted to be angry with her, I couldn't. "I'm sorry." She clawed at me. "I thought—oh, God—I thought…"
With tears pricking my eyes, I gently kissed her lips. "Just…" I didn't know what to say.
"What am I doing with this one?" Carlisle asked. He still had yet to lower his nine.
Blowing out a breath, I had to leave Bella's arms. Sadly, I still had shit to take care of. She was crying on the floor while I straightened up. Once Bella calms down, I know she'll understand why I left her for a moment.
"Why did you shoot my men?" Tzahalla stood up, regardless of Carlisle's hand.
I placed my nine back in my waist. "I'm sorry I hurt your pockets…We'll make a deal. I want ten large, instead of twenty. Is that sweet enough for you? Ten grand a month or two guys will turn into five and then ten and then…you'll be a one-woman operation." I shrugged, sitting in my chair again. "Understood?"
Tzahalla swallowed and turned a wary eye onto Carlisle. "I'm unarmed!" She put her hands up.
With a nod from me, he lowered his hand.
"By kicking up tribute, you also have my men at your disposal for protection purposes—men who aren't afraid to…use their weapons." I smirked. "It goes both ways. As promised, my family will not encroach on your business. We don't do that shit. And…I assure you that you won't be disappointed." Glancing to my side, I saw Bella still crying, only now her gaze was on the two dead guys.
Tzahalla put her hand out, and I shook it. "Mention what happened here to anyone—" I started.
"You have my discretion," she promised while I saw tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. "I won't be telling anyone."
"Now…" I nodded, "you won't be telling anyone now…but what's to say you won't strike back, hmm?" My brows shot up, and I was only thinking about my wife when I said that.
Tzahalla's gaze landed on Bella.
"Don't look at her." I snapped my fingers in her face.
She nodded. "I could say a lot of things right now, but I won't."
"Such as?" I asked.
"Such as I stabbed the coldhearted bastard who married me and continually strayed…in my old country." She seethed.
"Good to know." I pursed my lips.
"Is she Mrs. Cullen?"
Leaning back and refusing to answer that question, I looked to Caius. "Take Ms. Eleazar home and hang out for a while." I looked back to her. "So, I have your word?"
Her shaking hands gripped her purse. "You do…it'll be a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Cullen."
We shook on it again.
She stood up, shaking like a leaf, but followed Caius out of the room. As soon as she was gone, I dove for the floor, for Bella. "Shhh…you're okay."
"I'm so, so sorry." She sobbed into my neck.
"Don't—don't worry about it," I said. "Shit happens."
"Shit happens?" Aro asked, and then I saw him punch Carlisle in the face. "You're cleaning this up—this was your fault. You and that fucking dick will probably end us all!"
Carlisle nodded while holding his jaw and turned to Lou. "Go pull your car around back."
I disagreed. "The club will stay closed until late tonight. Wait 'til it's dark," I shouted over to them and rubbed circles into Bella's back. "One of you call Jim and Liam—tell them to call the girls and everyone. We're staying closed until nine; you have until then to clean this shit up." I rushed out. "Now…" I blew out another labored breath and held my wife's cheeks, "tell me what happened."
Carlisle came to sit near us, wanting to hear as well.
Bella took off her shoe and chucked it at Carlisle. "I fucking hate you!"
"I'm sorry, B." He handed her the shoe. I placed it back on her foot. "Where's Anthony?" Carlisle asked.
"Home, I guess." Bella wiped her eyes. "What do you think, I'm crazy—gonna hurt a little boy?" She spluttered and broke down.
"Well, fuck. I don't know. You came in ready to shoot your husband—"
"Quiet!" I hissed.
"Dick!" Aro spat. "Li'l Anthony's your kid? I never—never made the connection. I thought that Frankie, that carrot-top fuck, was his father."
"Bella?" I asked.
She wiped her nose on her sleeve, and then Carlisle handed her a napkin. "After my test, I went to pick up Kylie, and then I saw him…Candace asked me what was wrong, and I just left." She looked to me. "I just—Kylie is still there. Oh, God…Edward. I left Kylie," she sobbed. "I'm nuts—there's something wrong with me. I went home, grabbed a gun from the safe, and…I sped my way over here." She stared at a spot on the floor.
Her eyes were no longer crazed, yet still seemed empty. "You always promised me you'd stay true…I love you so much, and then…and then thinking you were that little boy's father. I'm stupid—I'm so fucking stupid." She hit herself in the face.
"Stop that." I pulled her hands into my own. "I like this face."
"You always promised me—swore you were never with anyone."
"I haven't—never." I kissed her forehead.
"I felt so dumb—like a fool." She shook her head. "Kylie!" she screamed. "I left my Kylie…What—what kind of mother does that?" She turned into a sobbing mess again.
Honestly, with the way she was right now and ten minutes prior, I was glad she left Kylie behind. I looked to Carlisle. "Call Candace and make sure everything's okay, but don't you dare say a fucking word about what happened here." My eyes landed back on Bella. "I'm sure she's fine." I rubbed her cheek and couldn't for the life of me figure out why I wasn't angry with her. I expected, once the threat on her life was over, that anger would set in. My wife—my Bebella—points a gun at me, and I'm not upset? I think it's because I never believed she'd act.
It was touch and go when she cocked the mag back, though.
"I'll take all three of them." Aro crouched down next to Bella. "MC, you and Skip should go on vacation." He pulled her hair away from her face.
A chuckle escaped me because of the insanity of the irony. "So…everything works out." I tilted Bella's face to look at me. "You come in, acting oobotz…this one knows we mean business. I get a deal, and now we get a vacation," I lied.
Tzahalla may have promised me, gave me her word, but that doesn't mean shit. I hope Bella likes Lou because he's going to be her new best friend for a few weeks. Ever since Carlisle got that beat down, I've been contemplating the idea. But now, someone will definitely keep a close eye while I'm not around.
When it comes down to it, I have no idea what the Eleazar group, or even fucking Jersey, is capable of. We may not have struck Jersey back; however, I took out two of Tzahalla's men. That's got to sting on some level.
"Shit…" Aro shook his head, looking back to the two fallen men. "When they started shooting, I just—"
"You shot 'em both?" I asked, highly impressed.
He nodded. "They had their sights set on my Shortcake." He nudged Bella, who started crying again.
I sighed. "Her movement probably…" I shook my own head. "When she dropped, she startled them and scared the shit out of me." I grabbed for her again. "Come here." I hugged her tight.
"Tighter." She held me just as firm while I increased my hold.
"MC, if it makes you feel any better…if Lau every got preggers by another shmuck, I'd fucking kill her."
Bella sobbed harder.
"I know you're only trying to help…" I trailed off, but agreed with him. "Same here." I pulled Bella's face back. "Shit happens, and it all worked out."
"Kylie is fine," Carlisle interrupted. "She's eating mac and cheese." He was still on the phone and stood to leave the room.
"I'm sorry," Bella whispered. "I'll never lose faith in you again. I've always, always trusted you—taken your word because you rarely break it. It's just—Edward, that little boy looks just like you. And Esme…oh, God." She covered her mouth.
"Let's—let's just worry about one thing at a time." I looked to Aro. "Give us a ride home?" I asked.
He nodded and stood from the floor. "MC, can I have your keys?"
"They're still in the car—might be locked in. I don't know." She sounded defeated and drained.
"Come on." I stood us up. "We'll pick up Kylie and go home—you need to relax." I bent low to pick up Bella's handgun.
Bella hadn't locked her keys inside, so Aro was able to drive her car and us to Bay Ridge. While I held Bella in the backseat, I asked Aro to go back to Eclipse later to make sure everything worked out. He assured me that it would all be taken care of, including Ms. Eleazar. He wasn't instructed to kill her, but put the pressure on her—get as many of our guys as we could into that neighborhood—let her know that we're watching.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I offered to run up to Candace's to get Kylie. Bella didn't want me to let her go, but I explained that I wanted to meet the little boy. She released me.
Candace wore a grim smile as she welcomed me into her home. At first glance, I could see the appeal she held for my brother. She's a very attractive, yet young, brunette with a nice body. She was his type—my type, I should say, as Carlisle has always had a hard-on for any woman I was ever with. My memory must be shit, because I couldn't remember what she looked like years ago when I had to pay her off as a teenager.
"Where's Daddy's girl?" I bent low and opened my arms for Kylie to run into them.
"She hasn't napped," Candace said.
I nodded, picking Kylie up from the floor. "Don't you have a son?"
"I do." She looked uneasy. "Your wife, Mrs. Cullen met him earlier. Is she okay? She seemed upset about something and just left…"
"She hasn't been feeling well, um…" I had no idea what to say.
"I thought it might have been—" She stopped talking.
"Cut the bullshit." I spat. "I know you're fucking my brother. And…I know he's your son's father. And I want to meet him, so…go get him."
Tears filled Candace's eyes. "Please…he has nothing to do with anything—"
"Christ." I groaned, kissing Kylie's cheek quickly. "I'm not going to hurt your kid. I want to meet...my nephew."
She visibly calmed down and turned down the hall. I took the liberty of having a seat on the couch, while Kylie started roaming around the room again. She went right for a fucked-up plant, and then I grabbed her away from it.
"Anthony, this is Mommy's friend—Kylie's daddy." She held onto a little boy's hand, who looked just like Damion. He was definitely three years old. He was shy and rubbed his tired eyes as he hid behind Candace.
"Hey, buddy. I'm Edward." I put my hand out to give him a high-five.
"Go on." Candace gave him a nudge.
"I'm Ant." He slapped his hand to mine.
"Ant?" I scrunched my nose. "Like the bug?"
"No." He smiled. "Like Anthony."
I nodded. "That's a cool name. My middle name is Anthony." Upon further inspection, my heart started to melt. He did resemble Damion, but looked strikingly like my mother. It was almost uncanny. If my mother had been a boy, she'd look like this Anthony's twin. "You're a handsome little boy," I commented.
"I look like my Daddy." He kept his eyes on Kylie. "Mom…she's touching my toys again."
We all looked to Kylie, who was slobbering on a large racecar. "She keeps biting the tires off…No, baby!" he said sternly, taking the car away from her.
Kylie stood up and pushed him. "No, no, no!"
I laughed at the exchange.
"You don't mesh' wiff a man's car." I noticed Anthony had a bit of a lisp.
"Is that so?" I asked him, still thinking he sounded for very mature and smart for a three-year-old.
He nodded. "My dad said dat."
"Your dad?"
He nodded again and handed Kylie a stuffed animal. "Play wif dat."
Kylie threw it at him instead.
"Ant…why don't you go inside so your mom and I can talk?" I picked Kylie up from the floor again.
"I'm taking my cars." He gathered them into his arms and skipped out of the room.
"Is Carlisle doing the right thing?" I looked back to Candace.
She huffed and sat opposite me. "Of course."
"You do know that Carlisle is married and has two kids of his own?" I threw that out there. "Just like our grandfather..." I muttered under my breath.
"Anthony wasn't planned. Me and Carlisle used to have fun…I love your brother, but if it weren't for Anthony, I bet he wouldn't come around anymore."
"I'll agree to that." I sat back. "I'll take a wild-guess and say that…my brother doesn't work as hard as he lets on—hangs out here, plays house, in place of being with his own family." I raised a brow.
"When Carlisle isn't here…I have no idea what he does." She shrugged. "Can I get you something to drink: coffee or soda?"
"No…" I stood up and took hold of Kylie's diaper bag. "I'll have a talk with my brother, but…" Looking around the place quickly, I came to a conclusion.
"Talk to Carlisle about what?" She was worried.
I shrugged, thinking twice, as I didn't know how to proceed. "You're a little too close to home, if you know what I mean."
"Esme and I rarely cross paths…"
"You mean, Mrs. Cullen?" I walked toward the door. "Have a nice day." Without any more parting words, I left—having no idea what to tell my brother.
It's not Anthony's fault. He didn't ask to be born, and I didn't want to take his father away from him—the little time he does get to see him—by telling Candace to pack and move someplace else.
What's going to happen in the future, though? I have never met any of my aunts or uncles from my grandfather's other "marriage", nor do I believe we've ever met each other in passing. I wouldn't know them if they fell in my soup. They likely have the last name Sposato, but I never looked into it.
All of that made me want to look into it, figure out what those people did with their lives—where they're living now.
"Oh…baby." Bella began to cry again while she hugged Kylie tight.
I let them hug for a bit, but then strapped my daughter into her car seat before I took my place next to Bella.
"I'm so sorry," she kept on repeating, all throughout the ride back to our home.
When Aro pulled into the garage, we escorted Bella and Kylie into the house. Aro waited for me in the kitchen while I changed Kylie's diaper and placed her down for a nap, and then went to try and get my wife to sleep too.
"Edward, I—I—"
I didn't reply as I eased her jeans off of her and pulled the covers back. "Sleep, my love." I kissed her hair. "Just relax, okay?" I pecked her lips before I went into the bathroom. Taking two Xanax from the medicine cabinet, I hoped she'd take them.
"You need to relax." I handed her the pills and the neglected bottle of water from my nightstand.
She nodded, always so compliant after she majorly fucks up. Bella swallowed the pills down, while I went for her sweater. "I'm sorry."
"Um…everyone makes mistakes." I told her that at a loss. The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel worse about what she did.
Then I tossed her clothes into the hamper and went for her chest of drawers. "You sleep." I dug out some PJs for her. "I'll get the boys and give them dinner—no worries."
After helping Bella into a t-shirt and sweats, I went into the kitchen to face Aro.
"Shortcake is fucking lethal." He chuckled. "I still can't believe she did that...takes balls."
"It's not funny." I sat at the table. "Most of all…I hate how she's beating herself up. I don't even care what she thought, or what she might have done."
"You love her and you know she's hurting—even if it's from her own mistake, you hurt for her too." He patted my back.
"I do." Nodding, I thought about what he said. "She's going to apologize until it loses its meaning." Chuckling bitterly, I stared down at my hands.
"Book a flight, get MC away from this garbage." He scoffed. "She knows too much…it's going to be even harder for her to face Esme. I don't even know. A huge part of me bets Bella will tell her..."
"I agree...Shit in the past aside, how can she keep this from Esme? I'm thinking I should tell Carlisle to fess up, so Bella doesn't have to."
"It's fucked up...You want me to pick up the boys?"
"Yeah…Bella's going to be out for a while." I took off my jacket. "Fuck…I don't even know if they have karate."
"They can skip a session. I'll take them to McDonalds, too."
"Thank you." I looked to him. "Later, just make sure all that shit is taken care of. I can't leave her right now." I palmed my face.
"Don't sweat it." He patted my back again, and then I escorted him out. He used Bella's car to go get the boys. While he backed out of the driveway, he shouted out to me that Nunzio would be meeting him here at five.
Waving, I appreciated Aro a whole lot more. Even though he works for me, what he's doing goes above and beyond the norm. When shit calms down, I'll have to remember to thank him—to do something nice.
The one thing I learned from Marcus—that always stuck with me—is sometimes hierarchy has to take a backseat. Sometimes when someone does something nice for you, regardless of title, it's always best to express your thanks. It increases goodwill and makes it less likely they'd try to stage a coup.
When I got into bed with Bella, I placed the baby monitor on my nightstand. It broke my heart that the drugs didn't work as well as they should have. They knocked her out, but the medicine didn't stop Bella from crying, whimpering my name, in her sleep.
"It's okay." I nuzzled my nose into her hair. If she didn't believe me while she's conscious, maybe she would in sleep.
Anthony does resemble me, and so I could relate to how Bella felt. She was blindsided by his appearance and existence. She believed he belonged to me. So, she got upset—irrational—and went nuts.
It was a very black and white matter with limited grey. I don't even know what I would have done if the tables were turned. Also, I don't know what I would have done if one of those dudes got her. That—that had to be the only thing that grated on my nerves. Eleazar's men had their shit pointed at my wife. In my book, they deserved what they got.
In the long run, it all worked out a lot earlier than it would have if Bella had never showed up. A nice diversion never hurt anyone—well, it didn't hurt my wife or me.
And to me, that's all that matters.
Thank you for reading.
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