Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
AN: Special thanks to my beta...toocute24.
Chapter 9
BPOV
I lay in bed and stared at the ring glistening on my left hand. I was in no way prepared for what had transpired just hours ago. Not only had I met the man that had most likely killed my parents, but I also met his smarmy son. I had never been more grateful for Edward's presence and that confused me. Of course, my actions after he had given me the ring were surprising—for both of us.
I slipped the ring onto my finger, still stunned at the gesture. I turned to him and flattened my hands on his chest. Before I could even comprehend what I was about to do, I had my lips pressed to his. I knew he was shocked since he didn't respond, but he recovered quickly and I felt his tongue against my lower lip as he begged for entrance into my mouth. With a cloudy head, I opened freely and our tongues melded in that familiar dance.
I barely heard the gasps of our family over the rushing of blood in my head. It wasn't until a throat was rudely cleared that we broke apart, breathless. I looked into Edward's shocked eyes, certain they matched my own, but said nothing. When the throat cleared yet again, I watched his demeanor immediately change.
"What the fuck is your problem?" His anger was directed at Alec King.
I watched the skeezy little man grin evilly. "I just wondered if you would share? She seems like a nice little piece…"
If he was going to say anything else, it was cut off by Edward's fist flying into his face. I was immediately shoved back and hit the table with my hip. I felt a hand on my elbow, steadying me, and looked up to see Emmett.
"Stop him!" I hissed.
Emmett nodded and took a step forward, but was thwarted by the senior King.
"Oh, I think we ought to let them work this out, don't you?"
I rolled my eyes and placed my thumb and forefinger in my mouth, then blew. The shrill whistle caused the two men to look up and stare at me.
"That is enough!" I spat.
Alec, the weasel, apparently decided that my distracting Edward meant he could finish the fight. He took a cheap shot and punched Edward in the face, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Motherfucker!" Edward yelled as he got up.
I moved from my place by the table and stood in front of a very angry Edward. "Stop," I hissed. "Don't sink to his level. That was a cheap shot and we both know it." I grabbed his chin and forced his eyes to mine. "Remember what they really want." All of the anger quickly drained from his face and he grabbed my hand. "Now, get me out of here."
Nodding, he turned to the Kings. "This isn't over."
I rolled over in my bed when I heard my cell phone buzzing, breaking me from the memories of last night. I picked it up and looked at the screen.
Get up! We need to get a move on if we're going to pack up your dorm before noon. ~A
I sighed and kicked the covers off, then sat up to stretch my limbs. I looked at the clock, glaring at the numbers that greeted me. "It's only eight o'clock in the fucking morning!"
Deciding that because I was up anyway, I might as well get ready and start my day. After showering and getting dressed, I made my way down the stairs. I heard raised voices coming from the office as I hit the bottom step. Instead of going to the kitchen for some breakfast, I turned in the opposite direction.
I quietly pushed open the door and stood listening to the dressing down that Edward was currently receiving.
"Edward, you can't act like that!"
"Dad, you heard what he was saying…"
"I don't give a fuck what he was saying! All I care about is how you react! Seriously, Edward, when are you going to show some restraint?"
My decision made, I cleared my throat and made my presence known. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Carlisle, you've got to stop."
"Isabella, I don't think that…"
"That this is any of my business?" I nodded. "Except that it is. It was my honor that Edward was defending. If he had let that little shit get away with what he was saying, they would have seen him as weak. You know that as well as I do, Carlisle."
"Bella, don't…"
"Shut up, Edward," I hissed. "Look, Carlisle, I know all about this family and what it does. I'm not a fool, and I won't be the little woman behind the big bad mob boss. You want Edward to be a better boss in order to take over for you…well I can help with that."
I watched as Carlisle absorbed what I had just thrown at him. This whole family had been walking on pins and needles since I arrived, and it was time for it to stop.
"Well, Isabella, I guess we'll just have to see what you're capable of."
I smirked, and then walked out of the room to find Alice.
~~LWaC~~
EPOV
It had been a week since the masquerade debacle and we had heard nothing from the Kings. I was getting anxious waiting for them to strike, and I'm sure I was driving my family nuts. I was sitting behind my desk, as I had been for the last few days, staring out the window but not seeing anything.
"Edward! This shit has to stop, Bro!" Emmett yelled from the doorway.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" I turned in my chair and watched as my family filed in, along with Bella and her brothers. "What the hell is this?"
"This is an intervention," Emmett explained. "You've been holed up in here for days, waiting for the Kings to make a move. They aren't going to do anything right now because they know that we will be expecting it."
I was getting ready to protest when Jasper piped in.
"Look, Edward, I get that you want to protect my sister and I'm grateful, but you're not protecting her this way."
I looked at Bella as she sat silently on the couch. She had a smirk on her face, almost as if she was enjoying this. I raised my eyebrow at her, trying to see what she had to say about this situation.
"Don't look at me, this was their idea." She pointed her finger at her brothers.
I threw my hands up in the air in exasperation. "Fine." I sat down on the couch with Bella. "Then I need a distraction."
I laughed when my mother clapped her hands in excitement. "Then let's plan a wedding!"
Bella shaking her head and throwing a glare at me, caused my laughter to increase until I was doubled over.
