BPOV

"Hold up, you saw him beating his meat?" Rosalie burst out in a fit of giggles, her hand held up, asking me to pause.

"It's not that funny." I grumbled.

"The thing is, it really is! And he actually moaned out your name?"

"I didn't say he moaned it…"

"No, but it was implied. He didn't say your name in a rational manner if he was thinking about you while getting off. Was it hot?"

"Rose, be serious!"

"I am! I really want to know if it turned you on or not. I have to hand it to you, your man is easy on the eyes."

"He basically ordered me to marry him!"

"I suppose, but he did say you had a week to decide so you have the option of telling him no."

"What if he kicks me out of the house, makes me leave Annalisa, if I tell him no?"

"Talk to him." She shrugged nonchalantly. "You and Edward are in this mess to begin with for your lack of communication. Live and learn, obviously not being upfront with him isn't working."

"What am I supposed to say? I don't want to marry you but I want to live in your house with you and our daughter for the rest of my life?"

"If you don't want to marry him why would you want to live here forever? You and Edward would have to find a solution of your living arrangements and where Annalisa would live primarily. You can't have your cake and eat it too. He already told you he wants more children one day. If you aren't going to marry him, then he will obviously marry someone else eventually. Do you really think when that happens his wife will allow his mistress to sleep in the bedroom beside theirs?"

Rosalie was saying everything I had already thought of in the back of my mind but was too selfish to admit the truth in. I did want it all. I didn't want to marry Edward just because he thought it was the right thing to do morally but I wanted to stay here. If he had given any other explanation for wanting to marry me- desire, attraction, liking me even… I would have said yes. I didn't need to hear it was for love, but the potential of it at least. Instead, he promised not to hurt me.

"What are you over thinking now?" Rosalie asked, popping one of the chocolate covered caramels Emmett had given her into her mouth.

"Why is he giving you candy, anyway?"

"He thinks I'm hot. No, really-" She continued when I scoffed at her. "I asked him the same thing and he told me he thinks I'm hot." She shrugged with a devilish grin.

"What about Jasper? I thought you said he told you he would be asking your father permission to court you?"

"That's just it. I don't know how I feel about him asking permission to court me. I mean, really? Is he going to ask my father's permission to do me on our wedding night too?"

"He's just trying to be respectful."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "I didn't say I wouldn't go out with him, I just wish he was a little more assertive."

"Like Emmett?" I teased, gleeful when she actually blushed.

"It's not like I can ever go out with him, Papa would have a conniption."

"Which is it? Do you want Jasper who is too respectful, or Emmett who doesn't give a crap about your father's opinion?"

"I want something in-between. Squish those two fine pieces of ass together."

"You're so crude." I giggled.

"Back to baby Daddy drama. How big is he?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"What the fuck is your problem?" We both jumped when Edwards voice reached out ears.

"Oh shit, I thought he was yelling at me at first." Rosalie let out a relieved sigh with her hand pressed to her chest.

"Have you seen Jasper lately?" I asked, using the opportunity to change the subject.

"Not as much as I use to." She frowned, picking at an invisible hangnail. "He did say he's not sure what your father is planning, but he is scheming. He has had men in and out of the house but is keeping Jasper out of the loop. He suspects his betrayal and I'm guessing is fearful of Jasper repeating anything he says to you or Edward. Your father knows you're here, he went into a rage when he found out."

"How is Mama?"

"I thought you and Jasper were keeping in touch." Her frown deepening. "Your mother left a couple days ago, saying she was going on vacation to some resort, but I think she really just needed an excuse to distance herself from your father. He's been particularly cruel to her since you left, according to Jasper."

"So Papa definitely knows I'm here."

"It didn't take long for him to find out, I think we all expected as much. No one can say for certain if he knows Edward is the father, but he surly has his suspicions. Why else would you be living here, under his roof, if Annalisa wasn't his?"

"He's going to try to take me from Edward. What would he do with Annalisa if he got his hands on her?"

"I don't know and I don't want to. You need to do whatever you have to to prevent that from happening, even if that means marrying Edward- no matter what your heart tells you."

I needed to see him. I wanted the safety of his presence. No matter what I denied to myself, I couldn't deny that I felt safe and protected when he was near me. I knew that no matter what happened, as long as Edward was near, I would be okay. He wouldn't let any harm come to me or Annalisa. There was also a warmth that accompanied him. The whole room would brighten and I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Maybe accepting his horribly timed proposal wouldn't be such a terrible thing. I had been groomed my whole life to marry a man with his power after all, I knew what to expect from him. It didn't hurt that I liked him. He treated with me respect- if I discount said proposal- and his love for Annalisa was obvious to everyone, he never tried to hide his feelings for her. I had also witnessed more than once when Riley or Emmett talked back or argued with him. He didn't retaliate with anger or punish them, he would let them have their say and either allow them their way or tell them what he wanted done. My father would never allow such a thing; he would have killed a man or have him badly beaten for such a thing. I wondered if he had a reason for acting differently. If by allowing his men to speak their mind that he was being given more respect and loyalty for being understanding and giving men a chance to voice their opinions or ideas. Or maybe it was only because it was Emmett, his brother and Riley was still learning. Still… it was different.

The situation with Alice was different also. Instead of allowing her abuser to continue his assault, he stepped in and brought her home to have her nursed back to health. He didn't have to do that, yet he did without prompt or second guessing his decision.

"I need to find Edward; will you watch Annalisa?"

Rose gave me a knowing look and lifted her brow, dipping her chin in acceptance, and I hurried from the room before I could change my mind.

"Annalisa will have nothing but happiness as she grows and I will do my best to make her mother just as happy."

If my decision hadn't been made yet, what I just overheard would have been the last push I needed. Without thought I ran to him, throwing my arms around him as I cried out his name.

I didn't just want him because he would keep Annalisa and myself safe; I wanted him because he was who he was. The heart that he was showing more and more, perhaps going undetected to everyone else but me. I wanted to love him for the rest of my life. I only hoped I wasn't setting myself up for more disappointment than my heart could handle if he truly couldn't love me in return and that the rest of my life wouldn't end in the near future when my father finally got his hands on me.

When I said what I needed to say, I finally looked up at him and I began to second guess my words. His expression didn't hold the excitement or happiness I thought my agreement would cause. Instead, it said doubt and worry.

Perhaps I wasn't going to marry Edward afterall.

EPOV
"What the fuck is your problem?"

Emmett winced slightly from my rage, but he stayed silent and balled his fists at his side.

"What, you wanna hit me?" I taunted, shoving his chest. "Are you pissed off that you aren't in charge, is that it? 'Cause you're sure acting like you want my position."

"Don't be ridiculous." He sneered.

"I'm being ridiculous? What about you? Every time you open your mouth lately it's to disregard my orders or argue with them! I'm trying to teach Riley this way of life, what's he supposed to think with you running your mouth every chance you get?"

"You've been acting stupid ever since that girl walked into your life! Pinning after her like some love sick fool, having men follow her or looking for her, wasting valuable resources that could be put to another use, earning us some actual money instead of dead ends!"

"What I do and don't do isn't your concern! Your concern should be following my orders!"

"What about that girl upstairs in my room? Why the hell would you bring her to your house, staying under the same roof as your daughter? I had to stop you from walking into the Cigno house in search of Isabella; you more than likely would have been killed as soon as you stepped through the front door!"

"You may be my older brother, but I'm the boss. Me, not you! Now answer my question, are you pissed off I'm the one that took over instead of you who would have if your parents had been married?"

"I don't give a shit about being in charge! I give a shit about staying alive!"

"So now I'm incapable to taking over the family?"

"I didn't fucking say that! If I cared about all that, why would I even be here? Why would I have stopped fighting with you when we were kids?"

"Maybe you were scheming your way to the top?"

"You really think that of me? Fuck this, I'm out!" Shoving me aside and walking toward the door.

"You're not out unless I say you are!"

I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, spinning him around and punching him in his jaw and I think that shit hurt my knuckles more than it hurt his face.

"Did you forget? Not only am I older, I'm a hell of a lot stronger." He snarled, swinging out to return the punch. "You have no idea what it was like! Being his first born but illegitimate. Do you have any idea what it was like for me? I was a complication, nothing more! If he showed up to my football games, it meant he missed yours and your mother called him to ream him out so many times he stopped going to mine all together. If he was around for my birthday and I actually got a gift, yours had to be bigger and better. My thirteenth birthday your mother showed up at our house, in a rage about dirt bike I was given because you didn't get one. I remember him crying on my mother's shoulder about how yours was making him choose between you and I. Know what my mother said? She told him to go to you. She told him you were his legacy and he couldn't lose you. The next day I was told to never call him Papa again while you and your home was flaunted in my face. You had everything I wanted!"

"Enough!" We both turned our heads to find my mother standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. "I thought you two worked this all out already?"

"I thought you hated him?" I countered, elbowing Emmett in the ribs, only to be shoved, causing me to fall over the couch chair arm and landing hard on the unforgiving leather.

"I don't hate him; he was only a child."

"Could have fooled me." Emmett grumbled.

"I hated what your father did to the both of you. Edward, do you remember crying after your games every time your father missed one? You were so angry, you would pull away from me and start a fight with anyone over nothing. You had no idea that I would sit outside your door and listen to you cry. All those games he missed- he was at every one of your football games, wasn't he Emmett? He was picking and choosing, one son or the other. He missed your twelfth birthday Edward, only to give Emmett the dirt bike that same year he denied you one. It was as if he were making up to Emmett for not being a true father and acting as if you had more than enough because he was married to me. It was me, not you boys. My last straw was when he had the nerve to compare your athletic abilities, saying I babied you too much, Edward. How Emmett wasn't the sensitive wimp I had turned you into. After he missed your birthday, I told him he had to choose. I wanted him to stop trying to be a father for two different families and give you all his attention. He chose you, Edward. Emmett, I saw the anger in your eyes when he started bringing you around. I was angry at first he had the nerve to bring you to my home, but then I saw you for what you were- a child. You looked around my home with wonderment and resentment. I could see you putting things together in your mind, why we had all this and you and your mother didn't. You weren't competing for my son's place, you only wanted what every boy should have, a real father. I was selfish and thought him incapable of being one to both you and Edward."

"He didn't have to listen to you." Emmett argued.

"No, he didn't, but he did. You two worked this out years ago, are you ready to throw that all away? For the relationship you two have developed to end because you are angry at the same man?"

"I thought we were already over it!" I yelled, throwing my hands up.

"This shit with Bella and Annalisa…" Emmett sighed. "I don't like what it's doing to you and I don't like the thoughts and feelings it's creating in me. I can't stand by and watch you do what your father did to Annalisa, I can't watch her go through what I went through."

"I won't do that to them and I'm pissed off you think I would. Do you really think I didn't see what he did to you? You really think I would do that to Annalisa?"

"I'm not trying to blame Bella, but you have been screwed up since she walked into your life, you have to admit at least that much."

"That girl has fucked with my head like no other." I admitted with a nod. "There was something telling me to find her, like my subconscious knew our story wasn't over. I was obsessed with finding her without even knowing who she was or what the consciences would be. I'm gonna marry that girl, though. Annalisa will have nothing but happiness as she grows and I will do my best to make her mother just as happy."

"I don't know if you're capable of doing that and keeping your head in the game." He smirked though I knew he was still concerned. "There's a war brewing, and it all stems from what happened between you and Isabella Cigno."

"That isn't all true." My mother muttered, reminding us she was still present, silently listening to Emmett and I.

"What do you mean?" I questioned her, realizing this wasn't the first time she has hinted that there was more to the story.

"Edward!" Isabella was suddenly there, her arms clinging to me.

"Bella?" I questioned softly. "What's wrong, Tesoro?" (Sweetheart)

"Nothing's wrong." Her voice muffled since she refused to remove her face from my chest. "For the first time in my life, I think everything will be alright."

Her words almost hurt. She was putting so much faith into me and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to live up to her expectations. I wanted her, I wanted Annalisa- but I didn't know what the future held and her father was still hovering over us like a dark cloud.

"I have my answer; I don't need a week."

"Bella- " I didn't want to convince her otherwise, but I also didn't want her to make a choice she might later regret.

I already felt like shit for how I acted the night before. I shouldn't have asked her like that or come on so strong. I was also too selfish to voice all my concerns.

"Are you sure?" I asked instead.

"Yes." She whispered. "Edward Masini, I will marry you."

"What the fuck was I thinking?" I whined for the millionth time.

"That you're going to marry the girl?"

"I know nothing about being a husband!"

"You'll learn."

"From who?" My eyes bugged out, bending over slightly and flinging my arms out."

"We have bigger issues to deal with." Emmett scowled slightly, hitting a few keys on the keyboard that controlled the surveillance cameras.

"Like what?"

"Like Jacob Nero." I quirked an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "He and some friends just walked through the door, he's at the bar ordering drinks."

I didn't reply as turned and stormed out of the office. I didn't need to, Emmett was hot on my heels, cursing under his breath.

"Edward, calm the fuck down. You need to keep a cool head if you are going to accomplish anything other than causing more issues between the families."

I ignored him, searching for the face I had studied more than what would be considered healthy the past few months. I spotted him easily, head thrown back in laughter over something the woman beside him had said.

"Nero!"

"Masini!" He called cheerfully, feigning ignorance of my irritated tone.

"Did you walk in by mistake?"

"I've heard great things about this place, thought I'd check it out and see what all the excitement was. Gotta give it to you man, it lives up to the hype."

"The club does well enough on its own, I don't need your business."

"I'm not here to fight." Lifting his hands in surrender, his irritating smile never wavering. He was so sure of himself.

"Then what are you here for?"

He looked around him, eyes skimming his surroundings before taking a step closer to me and speaking quietly.

"I know you've been keeping Isabella Cigno at your place."

"I think it's common knowledge by now. What's it to you?"

"I want to know what your interest in her is."

"Why would I tell you anything?"

"Even though I didn't want to marry the brat any more than she wanted to marry me, I'm worried about her. Something's up in the Cigno household." He paused, waiting to see if I would reply. When I stayed silent he continued. "Let's just say, you aren't the only one watching. How's the kid?"

"How do I know you aren't blowing steam?"

"My father is crazy; ever since the wedding was canceled, he's lost his marbles. He talks to himself. Says things that would intrigue anyone's interest."

"I'm listening." I jerked my head and walked to an empty table in the back of the club. We sat down, Emmett behind me and Jacob's man behind him.

"I don't understand what it means- but his words are Cigno stole her, Masini killed her. He started this the night Isabella's father called and canceled the wedding and it slowly grew worse. I decided to visit Jasper, see if he knew anything. I walked to the door to knock but before I got the chance I could hear yelling. Carlo was screaming at Jasper, something about not following orders. I didn't get any further than that, someone found me standing there and told me to take off."

"Do you think she's in danger?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"So I was right." He smirked. "Are you the proud Papa of a bouncing baby boy or a little principessa?"

"That's none of your business." Eyes flickering when I saw Riley slide up to my other side.

"I thought we could come up with some sort of agreement. My family has been close to the Cigno's for years." He said, sitting back in his chair again.

"Why would you want to help?"

"She's a good girl." He shrugged. "Besides, were you really looking forward to the attacks my father is planning against you? Now, I'm not saying I'll rat him out, but I can occasionally give you the scenic route, if you catch my drift."

"What's in it for you?"

"Let's just say there was a reason I didn't want to marry Isabella, things that are better off left unsaid."

"If you want to work together, you gotta give me something more. I can't just accept your proclamation of wanting to help keep Isabella safe."

His frown deepened, looking at the men around the table.

"What I am about to say stays between us." He said lowly. He waited for my nod of consent before continuing. "I don't agree with how my father runs his business. He is much like Carlo in some ways, though more crazed. I need to take over before he gets all of the men, including myself, killed. He is slowly losing his mind. I want our families to become allies and to no longer be tied with the Cigno's. I need your help. I can't take over my father's empire and cut ties from Carlo alone. I figure if I help you get information on the Cigno's and my father, you will help me get control without having to have my old man fed to the fish."

"You want your father alive."

"I do. Like I said, he's not in his right state of mind and its only growing worse. Soon enough he probably won't even realize I have taken control."

"There has to be something else, why not just wait for your father to give you control while you give the men silent orders? Surly they must see what you do when it comes to his rationality."

"He thinks between us and the Cigno's that we would be able to take you and Isabella and I will marry despite the child. Her father plans on, in his words, dispose of the baby. I don't want to see that happen and I don't want to marry her. I'd like to get ahead of the game and prevent anything so rash from happening."

"What's your aversion to marrying Isabella?"

"I have a marriage planned. One that will work for me and the girl. I know Isabella's type and she wants something I can never give her. She isn't looking for the position our marriage would give her, she wants the hearts and butterflies, the whole shebang. That is something I will never be able to give her."

I waited, knowing there was something else he wasn't saying.

"Again, this stays between us. My father would have me killed without even blinking if he knew."

"What's said at this table stay's here." I said lowly, eyeing the men around the table.

"I have no interest in developing a romantic relationship with a woman. I've met a woman who agrees with my terms. I give her a child and we live separate lives."

"What do you mean you don't want to have a romantic relationship with women?"

"Holy shit!" Riley squeaked. "You're gay?" Full of disbelief.

"Jacob sat back with an amused expression and blew him a kiss.

This was something not so unusual. I've known a few men who were gay, living separate lives because of their fathers and the life style. It wouldn't be accepted for a man in Jacob's position. He is expected to have children who would one day take over, married to a woman who would act accordingly. I didn't envy the trials that lay ahead of him.

"I see. This will not be spoken of again. What you do behind closed doors with whoever is none of my business. What is my business is working together." I leaned back, folding my hands on the table in front of me. "If there is even a hint that you are co-conspiring I won't hesitate to kill you."

"We have a deal." He smiled, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I will be admitted into the hospital on the 12th of September.