AN: This chapter has been ready since yesterday but I kept re-reading it and editing it. At this point, for my sanity and your curiosity, it's best I just publish it and get this over with. A Beta would really come in handy to bounce ideas and tell me when it's time to stop writing and just publish the damned chapter already.

So this is Edward and his view of the world around him. He's a very complex character and I've had loads of fun writing him. What I've wanted to show is that he's more than just a guy that can help Bella get the answers she's looking for while keeping her safe at the same time. I hope you guys will agree with me after you've read the chapter.

This is 8 pages long and I still had a lot of ideas that I didn't put here so… do you mind if chapter 10 continues to be in EPOV? I still have lots of things to explain and Edward would like to continue his story. What do you say? Yes? Yes. Good!

Also, this chapter's written in present, not past. It's not something I like to do BUT I think it fits the action better.

As always, I'd love to know what you think of this so far so your reviews are precious!

I'd also like to thank everyone for reading this. The story has almost reached 3,000 views which is amazing! Thank you!

Song for this chapter: Röyksopp – Something in my heart

BTW, is anyone listening to these songs while you're reading the chapters?

Okay, enough with the talk and on with the show!


"Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power."
― John Steinbeck

EPOV

Whoever said power will bring destruction to the person wielding it was an idiot. It's like claiming that guns kill, instead of pointing fingers at the person who pulled the trigger. All my life, I've been surrounded with people who never owned their share of guilt and fought tooth and nail to escape the repercussions of their selfish actions. They all blamed the circumstances as if they had been just innocent people who just got the short straw. It made me sick. It made me want to fight against them.

Being an attorney is never as easy as you see in one of those TV shows where the main character gets everything handed to him on a silver platter. People never get to see the dirty side of this job. They just throw opinions around without having absolutely any clue as to what they're talking about while stating that they're entitled to an opinion. Well, fuck that! If you don't know shit, you might as well keep your mouth shut and your head bowed! And that's exactly what the people that surround me do. They know better by now.

My name is Edward Anthony Masen and I'm the best attorney Seattle has ever seen. Some call me an overachiever, an adopted child that wants to erase his past and rise above his social status, a tainted lawyer who stops at nothing to get what he wants, when he wants. The list can go on and on. They can all kiss my ass. Not that they're not doing it already but hey, you've gotta keep up appearances and at least look like you've got some dignity left. Not that they have any left.

"Edward?"

My assistant, Kate Smith, pulls me out of my thoughts, as per usual. I am getting lost in my thoughts more frequently as of late. My mom keeps on hinting that I need to have more fun and get away from work but I always brush her off and buy her silence with a lunch every week. Esme isn't fooled but accepts nonetheless.

"Tanya Denali is here to see you… again. You wanna see her or are you still busy in LaLa Land?"

Oh, yes. Tanya Denali. There's a special category for women like Tanya. They're smart enough to know better but choose to disregard that part of their brain that's telling them to move along and stop pinning for me. I don't know if I should be flattered or annoyed. Then again, she is engaged to be married next year to a partner here at this firms so I guess annoyed is the only way to go when it comes to Tanya Denali, first year junior and Benjamin's fiancé. Could she get any less classy than she already is? I guess today's conversation will let me know.

"Send her in. I trust you already know what to do."

Her huge smile tells me everything I need to know. Kate hates Tanya. While I won't go as far as to say that I hate her too, I still dislike her. Her presence is annoying and she'll pay for it, sooner or later. If there's something that everyone knows, it's that I always cash in my favors and Tanya will pay up, eventually.

"Edward, it's so nice to see you! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were avoiding me! A month is too long to be away, even for you."

"Hello, Tanya! Get to the point, please. I'm a bit busy here, as you can see."

"No need to be rude, Eddie." Urgh! I hate that nickname! "I just wanted to see you, make sure you didn't change your mind about my offer… you know it still stands… anytime."

Oh, yes! The offer to fuck her seven ways 'til Sunday. No, thank you.

"You already know my answer to that, Tanya. You're engaged. I don't do women who are in a relationship, engaged or married." Plus, you're clingy. "Are we done here?"

Her pout is supposed to make her irresistible but all it does is make me glare back. She's like a spoiled brat that's not getting her favorite toy in spite of her tantrum. The only problem is that she's a beautiful 26 year old woman who graduated Law School at the University of Washington, not a child. She's smart, determined, skilled and confident when it comes to her job and should know that it's better to act accordingly. The problem is her love life and it's beginning to out rule whatever qualities I could find in other aspects of her life, including her job.

"I guess we are. See you around. And, Edward, if you change your mind, you know where to find me, right?"

"Yeah…" Don't hold your breath while you're waiting, honey.

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, she leaves my office with a confident strut and a departing wink. Oh, Tanya… if only you'd have another brain…

Unfortunately, I don't have time to think about Tanya or entertain in fantasies because my father walks in with Kate hot on his heels. And, by the looks of it, he knows something that will make me want to smash something.

Carlisle Cullen is the epitome of calm and power, all wrapped up in an I-don't-give-a-shit attitude. Ever since I was a little boy, I've looked up to him and tried to be just like him. A cold head is the only way to go in this business and I've mastered it. I owe Carlisle Cullen everything I am and he knows it.

"I'll hold your calls and take care of everything, Edward. Mr. Cullen, can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you, Kate. I won't be long." He replies with a genuine smile at Kate. "Esme has been asking about you, by the way. I trust my son's not working you to the bone."

Kate beams at him. "Of course he is! That's why I have such a big Christmas bonus. Give Esme my regards. As soon as I find some free time, I'll whisk her away on a trip. It was nice seeing you, Carlisle."

"I come bearing news." He says as soon as Kate closes the door.

Judging from the tone of his voice, I know that whatever he knows will eat a lot of my already precious time on top of putting my temper to the test.

"Well? Spit it out and I'll see how I'm going to deal with whatever it is that you found out."

He smirks and makes himself comfortable on my black leather couch.

"Charlie Swan is dead. So is Renee Swan."

Of all the things that could have happened, I didn't see this one coming. I freeze and allow the millions of thoughts going through my head to start forming a game plan.

"That idiot! I told him to watch his back! I told him that Black couldn't be trusted and he just waived me off like I was informing him on the state of the weather! Stupid cop! Did he at least tell Isabella about Aro? Tell me he did. Tell me he's not as stupid as I thought!"

"I don't know, son. I've tapped her phone and Miss Brandon's but as far as I know, Aro Volturi hasn't been mentioned in any conversation via phone. And what if he did? Do you think Aro will give a shit about her? Charlie's gone, the deal is off. It's only a matter of time before they start showing up to dig for the evidence. I wouldn't be surprised if Aro himself sends them sniffing. He wants those papers as bad as the Family."

I watch the Seattle skyline in an attempt to get my temper under control. Looking down always reminds me just how far I've come and all the sacrifices I've made to make sure I stay here. Isabella Swan is a debt I have to pay as fast as possible. I can't afford anyone to make the connection between her and her father's past mistakes. I take a few moments to regroup then turn around to look at my father. He was here to help, not just bring me the news. I was going to need all the help I could get on such short notice.

"We're going to get Isabella Swan out of Chicago and back to Forks. It's a small town so I can get someone to look after her and she'll be none the wiser. Before I do that, though, I'm gonna search Charlie's house to make sure he didn't leave anything lying around."

I call Kate and ask her to make all the arrangements. I am going to meet Isabella Swan today and something tells me my world is never going to be the same.


I know everything there is to know about Isabella Swan. Her height, her weight; skin, hair and eye color; her grades, her friends, her tastes in music, literature and sports. However, no file could have even prepared me for our first meeting. She's on her knees at the base of the stairs that lead out of the private jet, crying. Normally, I'd be pissed. I'd check the time and think about other things while the person that's crying gets their emotions under control. I don't like emotional breakdowns. It shows how weak people really are. Isabella is no exception to that law but I can see that she's trying very hard to get her mind and body under control and that's something I admire.

One look at the surprised cabin crew and I have my answer: Isabella isn't an emotional person. She didn't cry during the flight or else the crew would be looking around anxiously and want to get away from the scene as soon as possible. Instead, the flight attendant is having an internal battle. She wants to help but doesn't know what has caused the scene in front of her so she just looks as helpless as Carlisle. What do you know? Isabella Swan is a private person.

The trip to Forks confirms my assumptions. Isabella isn't one of those women to cry and claw at their face just to get some pity and attention. She suffers in silence and prefers to keep her emotions under control. She's rigid and tries to breathe evenly to keep the breakdown at bay. That, however, is not a good approach right now. Her emotions will fill the bottle and once that bottle explodes… let's just say I don't plan on being around when that happens.

But Isabella proves to be an enigma. She runs away from Carlisle and disappears in this God forsaken town.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking son?"

"Yes. Isabella had no idea who Aro is."

"That and she's smarter than Charlie Swan. I think there's hope for her yet."

I don't agree with him, though. Her father wanted her away from this mess and I promised him I'll do everything in my power to make it happen.

Little did I know, Isabella Swan would to be a part of this world whether she likes it or not. The moment she met Jacob Black, her fate was sealed. Fate is starting to piss me off.


I stay away from the funeral but always keep my eyes on Isabella. She looks good in that black dress and would be even more beautiful if her eyes were alive. But they're not. They're empty. Her emotions are locked away from anyone that could see what's going on and try to help. She cringes away from the hugs and whispered words. She doesn't seek comfort. She's nothing more than a cold statue made or marble: her full lips don't move and her icy blue eyes don't close. She only watches as the two caskets standing in front of her are being lowered into the ground.

I find myself fascinated with Isabella. I expected denial, anger, tears… anything! Instead, I find silence. In a way, it's refreshing. In all my years of practicing Law, I've never seen someone as detached as she is, at least on the surface. It makes me wonder what's going on inside that pretty little head of hers. It makes me want to know what would make her crack and break down. It makes me curious. She makes me curious. Emmet would have a field day with this!

A few minutes after the caskets have been lowered into the ground, Alice Brandon approaches me.

"Hi! Did you happen to come here with your car, by any chance?"

"Hello. As a matter of fact, I did. Is there anything I could help you with…?"

"Alice Brandon. Look, I need a first aid kit and people are just dragging me left and right around here so if you have one, could you go to Charlie's daughter, Isabella, and help her? She's right over there." Alice points to Isabella's figure, her thigh clad legs sticking out of the back seat of Black's car.

"Sure. My name is Edward Masen, by the way. Take your time, Alice. I'll let her know you're being held up here."

"Thank you. I'll be there as soon as I get rid of these people here."

I approach Isabella as a hunter would approach an injured animal. She seems to be enjoying the warmth of the sun as it splashes onto her face. She glows, like an angel, taking my breath away. Exquisite doesn't begin to cover it.

"Hi."

My words break her out of her trance. She analyzes me for a few seconds before some kind of recognition flashes through her eyes. It's too fast for me to understand what's going on before she locks down again. She didn't recognize me. I breathe out a lungful of air. So far, so good.

"Your friend, Alice Brandon, sent me with the first-aid kit. She got held up but promised she'll be here as soon as possible. Now, what do I need to patch up?" I continue as if she spoke back. She remains silent, denying me the opportunity to hear her lovely voice once more but shows me her arms. My eyes widen slightly as I look at the half-moon marks covering her upper arms. It looks as if she dug her nails into her skin and one quick look at her nails confirms my theory. They're not acrylic but they still did some damage.

I start cleaning the wounds while I keep on talking, trying to coerce her out of her shell but no topic seems to be working. I give her my condolences even though I don't mean it. Her father was an idiot and he had it coming.

As soon as I'm finished, her attention shifts towards something behind me and it isn't long before I know exactly who's behind me.

"I don't recall you being invited here, Edward Masen." Jacob Black sneers. I have to give it to the idiot: he has balls. Too bad he doesn't also have a brain. If he did have one, he would have kept his mouth shut and pretended he never met me before. Talking to me as if I were his enemy before he secures Isabella by his side is a rookie move. She hasn't chosen sides yet and this could prove to be a mistake that could cost him everything.

"Funny, I could say the same thing about you too, agent Black. I don't think dogs were invited here." I say with as much disgust I can muster. And, trust me, there's a lot more where that came from.

Oddly enough, Black keeps his mouth shut. Good boy! He plays the part of the concerned agent to a T and my stomach roils. He asks about Alice and it takes everything in me not to gloat and tell him that Alice asked for my services. He looks nervous, probably because he's here alone and there's nothing he can do if someone from the Family followed me here and decided to take Isabella out of the equation. Black has no idea that I wouldn't let that happen but I keep my mouth shut and my eyes trained on him. He's got a lot of nerve to be here and play this part when he should be far away from her, like Charlie demanded.

Before the tension could keep on rising, Alice appears and takes in the scene unfolding in front of her.

"I got stuck with people that wanted to come by after the funeral and drop casseroles filled with food. What's the matter?" Alice asks in an innocent voice but her posture tells me that she might have caught a few things on her way here.

"I thought we agreed you would stay by Bella's side at all times, Alice." Black says a little too forcefully through gritted teeth. Isabella shrinks back in her seat as if she wants to disappear. Can't say I blame her, though. Black can be an intimidating fucker when the situation needs it. Unfortunately for him, I know he's only bark and no bite so I couldn't give a shit less about his attitude.

I expect Alice to cover back and calm her temper but her attitude surprises me once again.

"And I thought we agreed that she wasn't a child and didn't need a babysitter." Alice says with equal anger and fixes him with a glare of her own. "I won't let you bully me, Jacob, no matter how much of a good friend you are to Bella."

So she's got a bite of her own, Black. Her words make me tense. She doesn't believe Black is Isabella's friend. Smart girl. And why would she? She probably knows Isabella better than anyone and Black doesn't give the vibe of a caring friend no matter how many acting classes he may have taken. I don't have enough time to ponder this new development because Alice directs her attention my way in the split of a second.

"Thank you, Mr. Masen. Thank God you had a first-aid kit unlike someone" Alice glances at Black, "who claimed the same thing. If you're still in the area tomorrow, why don't you drop by? From what I've gathered, we'll have enough food to feed a small army and I wouldn't want it to go to waste. Plus, I owe you one."

I'm speechless and struggle to find a way to turn her down. I would have liked nothing more than to accept her invitation just to piss Black some more but duty calls. My free time is almost none-existent these days, especially since Isabella ran away on Friday and I had to make sure she didn't know who I was and wouldn't tell anyone what had happened.

However, Alice's words got a reaction from Isabella. Her head snapped in Alice's direction and her eyes widened slightly. Interesting reaction, Miss Swan. I thought you didn't know me.

"I think Mr. Masen has far more important things to take care of than eat the pity food I'll be getting in the next few days, Alice." she mumbles through her fingers without rising her head to look at me. I wonder… but now is not the time.

"Miss Swan is right. I should get going. I was nice meeting you, Miss Brandon. Agent Black." I bow my head slightly and leave without saying anything else. If Alice thought Black was Isabella's friend, she would know now that he's lying.

Oh, Black. It's too easy to screw with you.


AN: Have I answered some of your questions? If I haven't, which ones do you want answered? Ask me and I'll be more than happy to comply.

Did you like Edward and Carlisle? They do make a kickass team is you ask me :D AND there's a lot more where that came from!

'Til next time (Wednesday)!