Wow, so many kind people pimped BE Bar on FB and rec'd Sugarlips on twitter and ADF. BE Bar is getting pretty crowded now. There's an Animal Orgasm on the bar for each of you who pimped out my boys! Cheers! I really do appreciate it and welcome all my lovely new readers.

For two days, I was so excited because for the first time ever, I had more reviews than story alerts. Well, now it's back to more alerts than reviews. Never mind. Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to review.

And, it was up on The Lemonade Stand too. Wow, I'm so shocked.

Giant Thanksgiving hugs and kisses to my betas and pre-reader…mcc101180, Twimarti, AstonMarton823.

I do not own Twilight or The Smurfs. Edward and Jasper do look good in blue though. No copyright infringement intended.


The Smurfs

1981-1990 Cartoon showing tiny blue critters living in mushroom houses in the forest. The Smurfs have a brand new movie—all digital and shiny.

Lots of YouTube footage of the original cartoon.

Warning: This chapter briefly mentions rape. PM if you need.

Chapter 9 – The Smurfs

Bella stood fidgeting outside Em's front door. She couldn't believe she'd let Rose talk her into coming over for dinner on a Monday night. Bella had spent most of the weekend with Charlie, and she was mentally and emotionally drained.

The first thing Bella saw when Rose opened up was her friend rolling her eyes.

"Why the fuck did you wear that?" Rose whispered fiercely to her.

Bella smoothed out her Gonzo tee.

Because it's the newest thing I own, and I'm stick of my other clothes…

And, I like tormenting myself…

"To annoy you."

"Well, karma blows because in about ten seconds, you're gonna regret it," her friend said.

Rose stepped back and ushered Bella into the small apartment.

Fuck!

Sitting on the two-seater couch, sipping a beer and wearing the dreaded red jeans of doom, was Edward.

Bella's murderous look told Rosalie exactly what she thought of this ambush. Bella tried to breathe normally and hoped her cheeks weren't changing color.

I can't do this…

Invalid…

God…

Chocolate and kittens…

Chocolate and kittens…

Em appeared and squeezed Bella tightly. "I'm not happy with you either," she said quietly in his ear.

The gentle giant looked concerned when he let her go. "I just want all the people I respect in this world to get along."

Edward stood and came over to her. Seeing her in the t-shirt that he'd made especially for her weakened his armor. He wanted to pull her into his arms and not let go.

Don't…

Don't touch him…

Bella stepped back to increase the distance between them. She needed to keep her guard up, and it was going to be hard enough in her tired mental state to keep track of her thoughts. Touching him was out of the question because she didn't want to be tempted. The other night in the bar, she'd been mentally prepared to see him, but being caught by surprise had left her reeling with pain and discomfort. She felt like a rat in a maze.

OMG, you are the devil.

"You're finally getting the picture," he said with a wry smile.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean it like that," she said softly. He was just too tempting.

Bella felt the pain of the things he had said to her well up in her system. He didn't want her. She was just an easy lay to him. She didn't have the strength, or mental preparedness, to deal with him right now. Bella had to force herself to breathe deep because she'd started taking shallow breaths to avoid the brutal pain in her chest.

Fuck!

I'm going to kill Rose.

Where the fuck did those two go anyway?

Empty…

Bella hated seeing the pained look on Edward's face. She wasn't sure it was exactly fair that he looked hurt considering he'd been the one to throw her away, but the way she felt about him made her automatically want to offer him comfort.

I'm such a sucker.

I'm fucking pathetic.

"No, you're wrong, and I think I'm responsible for that," he said earnestly.

"Oh, so you do want to be my boyfriend then?"

"Bella," he said, the frustration flaring instantly. "I can't."

No, can't date me, but he can fuck me.

"I didn't mean to do that to you," he responded.

Oh fucking hell, he didn't want to fuck me either?

Oh God, I am pathetic.

A pity fuck?

Great.

"Stop it! Fucking stop it," he growled. "Let me explain."

Bella willed her eyes not to water up. If she felt bad the other night, then that was nothing in comparison to how she was feeling now. This was getting worse by the second.

"I need a drink."

Without hesitating, Edward handed her his beer.

"I need my OWN damn drink. Not yours. I'm not yours, remember?" she snapped.

Bella found the act of sharing Edward's beers strangely intimate, and the thought of drinking from where his lips had been, and him giving her his beer ahead of himself, crippled her.

"Sorry, I'll get you one," he said before disappearing down the hallway.

A second later, he handed her a fresh beer and indicated to the small couch.

"Please sit down. I need to say something," he implored.

Bella sat as far away from Edward in the limited space she had to work with. Pulling her feet up, she angled her body around, so that her butt was wedged up against the armrest, and she was facing Edward. She extended one foot and rested it lightly against his thigh.

Contact.

I'm safe now.

Thank fuck.

Bella breathed a sigh of relief, while Edward looked at her foot like it was a source of evil. He hated being locked out. He had spent his whole life knowing so much about people that he hated it when he was barred, and Bella's mind was such a wonderland for him that it was an even worse punishment for her of all people to banish him.

"I have to, Edward," she whispered in understanding. "If you want me to stay here, then you need to give me my privacy. I have too much going on right now to control it."

"You don't need to control it."

I do because you don't want to know that I'm falling for you despite how much you hurt me.

I feel so fucking stupid, but I just can't help myself…

"Yes, I do. It's private. I don't want you knowing my problems, okay? It's none of your business. You don't share your problems, so neither do I."

"Bella, I want you to share your worries. I want to be there for you."

Un-fucking-believable!

Where were you the other night, Dr. Phil?

Bella didn't respond, and Edward knew she didn't believe him.

"If you want me out of you head, that's fair enough, but can I at least hold your hand?"

"No."

Too personal.

Edward took a sip of his beer to give himself courage. This was such new territory for him because he usually never cared.

"I'm sorry about what I said to you. I… Alice said… look, I shouldn't have said any of those things to you. I'm sorry. I was having a bad day, and I took it out on you. It's no excuse, but I wanted you to know that I never ever meant to hurt you like that. What I said about your father, in particular, was cruel and wrong. I'm sorry."

"But, just a moment ago, you reminded me again that you can't be my boyfriend, so what's the point of this? Why do you care?" she asked, confused.

"Bella, I'm no good for you. I will limit your life. I can't give you what you need. I can't even take you out on a date like a normal guy. Do you know how debilitating a crowded New York street is for me? It sends me insane. It's so overwhelming. I could never take you out to a movie, or baseball game, or fuck, even dinner nearly kills me."

"But, the bar? I mean, some nights there are two hundred people jammed in there."

"It's controlled. The majority of them are thinking about alcohol, sex or my stupid t-shirts. I can handle that, but when hundreds of minds are thinking unrelated things, it's hell."

The last thing Bella wanted was to feel sympathetic toward this infuriating man that had caused her to think about life more than she ever had before. She didn't know how to respond to that.

"Bella, the point of this is that I hope I can be your friend. I know you came to the bar the other night to talk, and I shut you down. I want to be there. I want to know what's going on with your dad." What Edward didn't say was that he needed her. He needed the way she made him feel normal, and he was selfish enough to keep her in his life just to get that. If he couldn't date her, then he could still admire her from afar.

"Don't you dare talk about him!" Bella had just seen red. "How dare you. That is NONE of your business. That is not up for discussion." Charlie was her weakness, and he could never know. Bella protected her father like a dragon guards its golden spoils. Him apologizing for saying those things was one thing, but she wasn't about to give him more ammunition to hurt her with next time.

"Why doesn't Rose know?"

Bella was tempted to get off the couch, but she knew the moment she lost physical contact with Edward, he'd see every single thought her mind was currently screaming.

Even though Edward couldn't see into her mind, he couldn't mistake the anger and grief that warred behind her eyes. She was in desperate need of a friend, and he hoped to God that she would pick him for the job. If she didn't let him in, then he could thank his fucked-up ability for losing her. If he hadn't seen what she was thinking the other day in the bar, he wouldn't have crushed her dream of becoming his girlfriend like he had. It was the story of his life. He was damned if he used it, or damned if he didn't. He could never win because of it.

"That is my problem. If that's all you want to talk about, then this conversation is over."

Edward gave her a moment. "Okay, then how are you?"

Bella glared at him. Asking about her dad and asking how she was doing were one and the same thing these days.

Surely, he's not that stupid.

"Nice weather we're having, aren't we?" she replied.

Edward decided not to push his luck and to take what he could get. He asked her about Carlisle because he could tell from the way she interacted with him the other night that she cared for the guy. He just couldn't work out the connection of why, but then again Bella was such a blessed soul, she probably helped any person she met in need.

Bella slowly started to relax. The connection she felt when she touched Edward calmed her, and it made it difficult to fight her need to stay mad at him. She mentioned that Carlisle was a heart surgeon, and Edward actually got a small laugh from her when he told her about the first time he'd seen inside Carlisle's mind. Carlisle thought mostly in words but every so often would picture shocking images. All Edward would see were dozens of human hearts laid out on a stainless steel slab, and he was convinced the sharply dressed gent was some kind of sick serial killer. It took him forever to work out that Carlisle was remembering textbook photographs of different cases and diagnoses.

The pair talked about the grieving doctor, and then the bar, before they fell silent.

"Bella, I know you think what I do is a gift, but it's far from it. I don't want you to get caught up in it and end up as collateral damage. I'm sorry, but this is for the best."

"I don't understand what that means," she said, feeling frustrated by his riddles.

"And, that is exactly how I want it to be. If you don't understand, then it means you're safe and have never been burned."

On Thursday, when Bella entered her father's room at the home, she was met with a pleasant surprise. Charlie was lucid, and not only did he remember who she was, but he wasn't morosely depressed.

Charlie's consciousness alternated between two states. One—he was himself, but the guilt sent him into a downward spiral of despair that usually left him crying and rocking in his chair. Two—he was his other self that didn't know Renee was gone and often didn't recognize his own flesh and blood. Bella felt like she was trapped between a rock and a really hard fucking place with these two personalities.

When he was lucid, he blamed himself for her mother's death, and this hit Bella with a sharp, piercing pain in her chest because no matter what she said to him, he always felt responsible. When he was lost inside the dark corners of his mind, it killed Bella to have him look at her with utter cluelessness. Having the only family you have left see you as a stranger is like a hand snaking into your body, twisting around your organs and choking the life out of you slowly.

Bella froze, not wanting to trigger a sudden change in her father. She watched as he smiled and shook his head at something Michael had said about the Red Sox.

He's talking about baseball.

Finally a good day at long last.

Charlie asked about the last Yankees game, and Michael eagerly began a play-by-play account, as neither of them had noticed Bella's presence. She wanted to cry tears of pure joy. It had been months since her father had appeared. Bella realized that all she did these days was fight tears, but usually they were tears full of sorrow. She let go and let two escape her eyes while she watched the men speak.

Michael stepped to the side to re-enact the batter's swing, and her father saw her.

"Baby girl," he said with a soft reverence.

Bella flew across the space and hugged her father tight.

You're here.

"Dad," she sobbed.

"Hey, now, it's all right," he said, rubbing her back.

Bella stood up and wiped her eyes. A dose of real dad was exactly what she needed.

"Mike, here, has been telling me the team's woes," Charlie said, smiling at the nurse.

Bella looked between them in semi disbelief. Michael knew how monumental this moment was for Bella because he saw the shifts in her father daily. He understood her trials and witnessed her longing for her dad. He nodded his head at her slightly to acknowledge the moment.

Bella began to laugh, and it felt so freeing.

"Oh, Dad, you'd be ashamed," she said about his favorite team.

The three of them spoke about the recent games, and Bella tried to remember the last time she had done something fun like attending a game. It had been too long. The stress of caring for her dad had severely altered her life, but the focus she needed to help him masked the gaping whole it left in her social life—most of the time.

"Miss Swan," Michael said, after a lull in game talk. "I'm glad I caught you today. I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me?"

Bella was thrown for a loop. Being asked out to dinner was the last thing she ever expected to hear from her father's nursing manager.

"I'm sorry," she said in shock.

Michael smiled. "Would you make a single workaholic happy by allowing him to take you out for a nice meal sometime?"

Wow, you're not really my type…

Bella's heart sank when she saw the expression of pure bliss and approval on her father's features. The idea made Charlie happy, and since he was having a good day, she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

"Sure, that would be lovely."

It's just dinner, I guess.

Might distract me from a certain brooding barman…

"Michael, you've made me a happy man today in more ways than one. My little girl needs a good guy. I give you my blessing, but you better take care of her."

"Dad," Bella said, embarrassed.

We're not getting married.

Jeez…

Michael walked over to Charlie and shook his hand. "Sir…" he said, placing his hand over his heart "…it would be my pleasure to care for her needs."

Michael excused himself, stating he had other patients to see but asked to speak with Bella outside for a moment.

"That's great. Is it too presumptuous of me to assume you might be free this Saturday night?"

He thinks I have a life.

Ha!

"Saturday sounds great. Can I ask you about Dad? What…I mean…he's himself today," she stated, still unwilling to believe it.

"It was a trigger. Nurse Claire decided to make s'mores for all her patients today. She handed one to him, and the real Charlie Swan emerged," he explained.

Bella's hand flew to her mouth. "S'mores were Renee's favorite treat in the whole world. I've never known anyone to eat as many as she did."

The joy of seeing her father happy vanished and was replaced by worry.

"Hey, it's okay," Mike said, rubbing Bella's arm. "This is a really important step. We now have a positive trigger to arm the doctors with for his treatment."

His treatment that I can't fucking afford right now.

Shit!

"How'd it go with Bella?" Jasper asked Edward while the pair of them stocked the bar before opening.

His relationship with Edward had been strained since Edward had dropped the baby bomb three weeks ago. Jasper was glad he knew what his woman was up to, but he wished that the news hadn't come at such a high price. Edward and Alice were hardly speaking, Jasper and Edward were awkward at best, and Jasper and Alice were only just getting over their daily arguments. The last three weeks had been a real barrel of laughs.

Alice had assured Jasper that she wasn't trying to trick him into fatherhood. She had been feeling for a while that her body needed a break from the contraceptive pill, so at the end of her last cycle, she stopped taking them. She was planning on being careful and had fully intended to tell Jasper, but with Edward's heart finally opening up to someone, the important news had slipped her otherwise occupied mind.

Jasper hadn't believed Alice at first and had thought she really was trying to trick him into fatherhood. This accusation had wounded Alice deeply because she thought he knew she wasn't like that. Her bruised pride then caused more arguments between the pair. She really was sorry she'd forgotten to mention it to him, and the cache of condoms under their bathroom sink supported her story. The couple hadn't actually had sex since she'd gone off her contraceptive pill, so eventually Jasper had gotten over his shock and the pair was getting back to normal. The trouble was that a lot of nasty harsh things had been said to each other, and they were both feeling tender and raw.

Edward shrugged in response. All he'd done was think about her beautiful mind and how she'd locked him out of it. He knew it was the treatment he deserved, but he'd hoped that they could be friends. He felt human when she was near him.

"Is she speaking to you?" Jasper asked cautiously.

"Yes, but she's guarded."

"Do you blame her?" The words had slipped from his mouth before he could stop himself. He hated the censorship they all lived with these days.

"No, I don't blame her," he said sharply. "And, don't start with me on the dating thing, okay? It's not going to happen. I wish you'd all get that. It's for the best this way."

"I just want you to be happy, and she makes you happy."

Edward nodded his head at his friend before moving to stock the next fridge. He couldn't argue. Bella did make him happy, but his happiness was irrelevant in comparison to her safety.

Bella walked up to Emmett and punched him as hard as she could in the stomach.

"Ouch!" she yelped.

You crazy meat mountain.

"Hey, what was that for?"

"For making me come back here against my better judgment," she said with a heavy frown. Frowning wasn't as effective when you had to look as far up as Bella had to in order to eye the bouncer.

Since the surprise ambush on Monday night, Em had been worried she was upset with him and wanted her to return to BE. Emmett was concerned about the small brunette and wouldn't be happy till he saw her smile at him. Not to mention, Rose had been complaining about attending BE alone to see Em. He also knew deep down Edward was pining away for her, so he figured this would make everyone happy. He texted her several times a day, begging her to come and let him see that she was okay, until she finally relented and agreed to visiting.

"Little B, I only had you both to my place 'cause I know you care about Edward, and I was really worried about him," Em explained. "I won't blindside you again. I promise. You two can work your own shit out from now on."

I do care about him.

I can't stay away even though this will hurt me.

"Thanks… Hefty?" she said with a smile.

"Yep, suits me, huh? Rosie is already inside."

It was the usual Friday night crowd. Everyone was eager to start the weekend and drown the stress of the past week with a few alcoholic beverages. Jasper and Edward were dressed in bright Smurf-blue t-shirts. Edward's read Gargamel, and Jasper's said Papa.

What strange choices.

A very young looking girl was proudly sporting the matching "Azrael" shirt, and Bella was about to question Emmett's ID skills until she saw the flashing "21 today" badge pinned on her chest.

Bella was happy to let her mind just be. Seeing Charlie so well had eased her burden where he was concerned. She was still upset about her financial situation, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. The only subject matter she had to monitor was Edward. Whenever she caught a glimpse of him working the bar, it sent her mind shooting to the gutter. That man was too sexy for his own good. He was her ideal when it came to looks, and Bella found it very hard to contain her thoughts. She did, though, because she was just starting to feel like she could come here without it being weird between them. Deep down she appreciated his apology and the olive branch he had given her.

Bella knew it was important to make things comfortable again between them considering how fast Em and Rosalie were moving. There was talk that the couple would move in together when Rosalie's lease expired. Bella needed to put the hurt she felt behind her, because it wasn't his fault that he didn't feel the same way about her.

Finding Rose, the girls stood and chatted by the jukebox for a while. They watched the birthday girl being lavished with attention, both knowing how much fun wearing the lucky tee could be. When the stream of patrons entering the bar eased, Rose ducked out to keep Em company on the sidewalk, and Bella headed for the bar.

She kept her mind empty while she waited in line. When a space cleared for her at last, she wished she hadn't come. Gargamel was farther down the bar and was taking his time serving an attractive girl with caramel colored hair. He let his hand linger when he handed her the change. He then leaned on the bar and hit her with his signature crooked smile, while they continued to talk. Bella felt sick. Edward was flirting, and she couldn't bear to watch him moving on. She knew how the woman would be feeling inside since she'd experienced the glow from his attention. She stood unable to look away as the woman produced a pen, flipped over the coaster and scribbled something down.

Her number…

Her fucking number…

Empty…

The significance was not lost on Bella. Maybe she should have been the one to make the move and give Edward her number. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered in the end. Not wanting her rare feeling of happiness to turn sour, Bella opened her mind and let him have it. Bella wished she was above jealous mind-fuckery—but tonight she wasn't. It was one thing to accept just being his friend, but it was another thing entirely to be mature about it.

She pictured Edward out back with his latest conquest. They were rubbing up against each other, and when Edward went in to kiss her, he was hit with the nastiest garlic breath in history of Italian restaurants. Being the man who gave a girl what she wanted, he persisted against his better judgment and slipped her the tongue regardless of the stench. As things got progressively hot and heavy between the amorous pair, Bella pictured Edward clawing at her blouse and ripping it open with button-popping enthusiasm. This revealed a tiny wrinkled pair of prune-like titties that one would find on an eighty-five-year-old grandmother.

The rings of jealousy that tinged her brown eyes green faded, as Edward threw his head back and barked out a laugh in the middle of the bar. The woman before him looked a little taken aback, and Edward scanned the length of the bar for the culprit. The moment he found her, Bella gave a coy little wave, and he walked down to her—the coaster with the number written on it completely forgotten.

"Dollface," he greeted her with the smirk he now knew she loved so much.

"Gargamel."

Chocolate and kittens…

"So I seem to be on probation," he said, touching his index finger to his temple. "Have you let me back in, or are you just going to torture me all night?" He smiled at her playfully, and Bella was relieved that he wasn't mad at her mental assault.

"I have missed torturing you, you know?"

Edward began mixing a Cherry Coke, and it made Bella's heart swell. If only things could be this simple between them.

"What's with Gargamel?"

Edward topped her drink with two cherries. "I thought you'd get it for sure."

Well, Brainy Smurf would be my choice.

"No, Dollface. I'm the villain."

Bullshit!

Bella purposefully thought about an enormous pile of steamy wet cow poo, hoping to make Edward laugh. He was the last man she'd think of as a villain.

Ignoring her money, he leaned over the bar. "Well, I look forward to you undressing some of the other patrons later. It's quite illuminating what they have hidden under their seemingly normal appearance," he said with a quick wink and was off.

Whiplash…

Unbelievable…

Edward marveled that Bella was the first person other than Alice to understand the power she held in relation to his ability. Most people assumed Edward held all the cards because he knew what people were thinking. In some respects, this was true, but it wasn't that simple. With a powerful mental picture, Edward could be crippled if the image was intense and distracting enough, and only Bella had ever used his "sight" to her advantage.

Bella had a fantastic night, which surprised her, because being in the same room with Edward just left her confused—she wanted him but knew she couldn't have him, but was selfish enough to accept whatever pathetic platonic attention he gave her.

Friends is better than enemies, isn't it?

I am a sucker for punishment.

She'd spoken to both Papa Smurf and The Oracle, and for the first time in ages, had really enjoyed Rosalie's company. Em was having an amazing effect on her because her harsh friend was softening at last. Around midnight, when Bella was contemplating heading home, the trouble started. The bar had eased off, and Edward and Jasper were joking with the young cross-dresser. Bella had been watching Edward, because in her opinion, there was nothing more beautiful than his genuine smile.

In mid-sentence, his hand suddenly gripped his temple, covering his eyes, and he swayed on his feet. Jasper steadied him, and when Edward opened his eyes, he looked guttered. Scanning the dance floor, Edward searched for something he had seen, and from the look of disgust on his face, it hadn't been pretty. Bella followed his gaze and saw the young birthday girl swaying alone to Black Eyed Peas while other patrons stood around watching her seductive display.

An intense conversation ensued, Alice came over and Riley was bought from out back into the huddle.

What on earth is wrong?

Edward heard Bella's question, and their eyes met. He shook his head at her.

Do you need my help?

He shook his head no again.

I'll wait here?

His nod confirmed she was to stay put, and the seriousness of his body language glued her feet to the floor.

Edward covered both his eyes with his hands and stood dead still. Bella wondered if he was trying to hone in on a particular image or person like this. After another brief conversation, Riley was sent to retrieve Em and Sam from the front. Riley started to work the bar as several customers needed refills while the four men were deep in discussion.

Bella felt uneasy. Something wasn't right.

Edward gripped his temple again, wincing in pain, and Bella looked at the dance floor, trying to find the key. The birthday girl had her hands together above her head and was moving like a seductress to the slow groove.

Holy crap, I could never move my hips like that.

Bella observed that she had the attention of every red-blooded male in sight.

Oh no…

Edward began gesturing to his left elbow, and then all of them focused on the dance floor once more. Bella watched the four men and Alice begin to execute their plan. Alice and Jasper walked across the dance floor and up to the extremely inebriated twenty-one-year-old. At the same time, Sam, Em and Edward hugged the wall space near the dance floor, staying on alert.

Jasper placed his arm around the shoulder of the young girl, and she visibly swooned, smiling like a fool at the handsome barman. After a short conversation, the three of them headed toward the exit. Bella was confused by this move until she saw a middle-aged man move to follow them. Em and Sam pounced, tackling the guy from behind. Even though the two bouncers were gigantic, the wiry man put up an impressive fight. It was clear that it wasn't the first time he'd been in a conflict. Jasper and Alice left the bar with the girl, and Bella caught the word "taxi" as they passed nearby.

The bouncers pulled the man to his feet, and Edward cleared the way to lead them out the back of the bar. Bella gasped when she saw the spider web tattoo on the man's elbow as they wrestled him out of sight. Stunned patrons stood looking horrified by what had taken place until Jasper and Alice returned. Alice fired up the jukebox while Jasper jumped up on the bar and began pouring shots of tequila directly in to any open mouth below him. His trick worked, and the bar magically returned to normal, the altercation forgotten.

After what felt like forever, Edward returned to the bar to a waiting Bella. Reading the concern in her head, he informed her that he'd drive her home after close because he didn't want her on the streets alone.

Sitting in the dark Jeep, Bella wished she could see his features better.

"Can you just think of something happy for a minute?" he pleaded.

She obliged, picking her most thought of image since they'd met.

A relieved smile could just been seen starting to relax his face. "I don't know why you think about chocolate and kittens so often, but it's a nice image. Those cats are cute. They distract me."

Bella smiled. "They distract me too." She waited, giving him a picture of two fluffy kittens tangled in bright red wool.

"Edward?"

He sighed. "That man—he's a sick, sadistic fucker," he said. "That young girl, Azrael—she was his next victim."

"Victim?"

"He's a rapist, Bella, and a fucking brutal one at that. What I saw was horrifying. He was planning on following her out, taking her home and chaining her up in his basement while he raped and beat her."

Bella couldn't breathe, and Edward looked as pale as the morning snow.

"What?"

"Thank fuck he doesn't think the way you do, or I wouldn't have been able to cope. His images were black and white and like old film reels, but the intent was loud and clear."

"Where is he now?"

"We let him go. There wasn't anything else we could do." Edward hated this side of his cancer. He loathed the hopeless feeling of not being able to make society safe from these psych cases that roamed the streets unchecked. He knew what they were capable of; he knew what they did for kicks. "Sam and Em threatened him and told him never to come back."

"Oh my God, you saved her."

"Only you would see this as a positive, Bella," he said, shaking his head.

"Edward, you should be proud of what you did tonight."

"Bella, I let him go. Sure, I saved her, but what about tomorrow night when he's on the prowl again? What then? What about that girl? I saw him brutalizing that girl's body so clearly. He's done this before. It wasn't a one-time thing, and I fucking just let him walk away. I should have kicked his fucking head in," Edward vented.

Reaching across the car, he took hold of Bella's hand as they sat in silence. He didn't want to see her mind processing what he'd told her. He didn't want to be the reason those depraved images entered her head.

"You're not the villain, you know?" she said quietly, trying not to focus on his caressing fingers.

"I would be if he'd been thinking about you like that. I would have killed him with my bare hands if he thought about doing that to you." The pain was evident in Edward's voice, and Bella knew he was deadly serious.

"I know you think I'm a jerk that doesn't care about you, but I swear it's for your own good. I will always see that man in my mind. The images become personal, Bella. It's not like watching TV where you can change the channel and not feel the pain of the suffering you were watching. When I see inside a human mind, the images are like my own memories. It's so vivid. I will wonder forever more how many women he has attacked. I'll wonder how many of them survived."

Edward traced the shape of Bella's fingers. He needed her touch more than ever, and she knew it too. Bella felt the connection that had existed between them spark. The raw energy and need had never vanished. She felt the wound flare once more knowing he would never be what she craved, and Bella now knew that she craved not only Edward, but his heart as well. Seeing him flirt tonight had been hard until she'd made a joke of it, but she hated to think of how she would have felt if he kissed that girl, like he'd kissed her.

Edward turned to Bella and cupped her face. He moved toward her, his eyes on her lips. Bella's heart almost stopped beating when she saw him lick his bottom lip. She closed her eyes not wanting to know what was about to happen. If he kissed her, she could never deny him. She'd be straddling his hips within a heartbeat. She felt his warm breath on her cheek as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Tell me we can be friends," he murmured.

Bella felt her heart break all over again. He wasn't going to kiss her. Kissing her, when he'd made it clear he didn't want her, would make him a villain, and she knew he wasn't the bad guy. He was the good guy. Her stupid heart was hoping for the impossible, teasing her into thinking he'd changed his mind. Bella realized Edward needed to know he hadn't lost her and her gorgeous mind as a friend.

"Always," she whispered back, the ache tearing up the middle of her chest.

I can do this…

Bella made the silent promise to herself. No matter how she felt about Edward, she would always be there for him. He'd shown her how cruel his life could be, and if she couldn't stand a little discomfort in order to be there when he needed her, then she wasn't the strong woman her mother raised her to be. No matter what, she would be by his side, supporting him in any way he would accept, each and every day. That was Bella's sacrifice for her friend.

Why am I feeling guilty?

Edward doesn't want me like that.

I'm a single adult.

It's just dinner.

It made Charlie smile.

Bella sat opposite Michael in the elegant restaurant. She was glad she had worn her black dress and not gone for the more casual look that she preferred. She wasn't interested in Michael that way, but she wanted to keep up appearances for the sake of her father's healthcare. She didn't want the home doubting her ability to pay the bills. They chatted politely while they waited for their meals but ate in near silence once they arrived. Bella was aware of the way that Michael looked at her while he cleaned his plate. She wasn't sure, but she felt like he was searching for something, and it left her feeling odd.

After dinner, Michael ordered two cognacs, despite Bella's protests that she didn't need any more alcohol. A sly smile on his lips, Michael studied Bella while he swilled the amber liquid around his glass.

"Isabella," he said. "I have a feeling that you and I have the potential to make a great team. To give each other what we both desire."

Desire?

WTF?

"I'm going to be blunt with you, and I hope you're on the same page as me, otherwise this could be a little embarrassing," he continued. "You're stunning. You really are, and I'd like to spend more time with you—intimately."

"Ah, um…"

"Wait. You need to hear my proposition before you make any decisions. I know you're not that interested in me."

How the fuck do you know that?

You're nice, but you're no Edward…

Who am I kidding? I don't have an "Edward."

Bella's eyes flashed open for a second before she could regain control of her features.

"I…ah…you're…" she began to stutter.

He held up a finger to silence her. "I don't want to be your boyfriend, Isabella, but I'd like to come to an arrangement. I can give your father the care he needs."

Bella's stomach churned.

Where the fuck is this going?

Why the hell doesn't anyone want to be my boyfriend?

I don't like this one little bit.

"The care he needs?"

"That corner room in the East Wing," Michael confirmed.

"But, I can't afford that right now," Bella said, knowing her face was paler than usual.

"There are ways to pay other than with money, Isabella. Ways that that stunning body of yours can afford."

Fuck

Fuck

Oh God.

Please may that not be what he's suggesting.

Bella took a gulp of her cognac. She welcomed the burn as a way to check she wasn't trapped in an absurd nightmare. This was really happening. She really was sitting in a charming restaurant, being given an utterly indecent proposal, but one that could be the answer to her father's needs.

"Please know that I won't be offended if you turn me down. I understand. But, here's the deal." He slid a small white card across the table with nothing but an address printed in neat bold type. "I have an opening in my schedule on a Wednesday. It's an opening that I'd like very much for you to fill. Come to this address by 6 o'clock Wednesday. Suck my cock, then let me fuck you anyway I want till nine o'clock. On Thursday, when you visit Charlie, he'll be settled in his new corner room overlooking the garden. It's that simple." Michael drained his cognac and watched her.

Holy motherfucker…

Opening on a Wednesday…

Do you have others?

Suck his cock. Fuck him!

Bella's brain was trying to process everything she had just heard. She needed to say something but had no idea of where to begin. Her shock was leaving her speechless as her mind reeled.

"What…um…how…"

Michael smiled at her; he was pleased she hadn't thrown the cognac in his face. That had happened to him before. His assumptions about her love for her father and her financial position had been correct. He loved his job.

"Bella, don't answer me now. You either show on Wednesday, or you don't. Each week you come and give me what I need, Charlie stays in the East Wing. It's a simple business transaction between two willing, consenting, and hopefully sexually fulfilled, adults."

Michael signaled to the waiter for the check. His proposal was on the table, and it was up to Bella to decide if it was the answer to her financial crisis.

Walking her to a taxi, he opened the door like a perfect gentleman. How looks could be deceiving, Bella thought.

"I'll say hello to your father for you tomorrow, when I eventually make it over to that wing."