First off I want to thank everyone for reading my stories. I have been overwhelmed with the responses and reviews I have received. I didn't respond to reviews this time because I knew you would be getting this chapter quicker than usual. This chapter will round out a couple of the suspects and still leave you wondering about others, I hope. That's what a good mystery does.

Thanks again to my beta Meikela and the wonderful job she does keeping me straight.

I own nothing Twilight but I am always grateful that Ms. Meyers allows us to play with her characters.

Chapter 10

Aro's POV

I stood back and admired the rows of small red welts blistering across the pale white skin of Caius's ass. I had been looking forward to this playtime with him all week. My cock had been semi hard since I awoke this morning. Now looking at the fine beads of blood splashed across white skin, I was almost painfully hard. Just the way I liked it.

"Such a good boy, Caius, such a good boy," I murmured as I let my tongue reach out and savor the tangy acidic taste of the blood drops on his fine ass.

I observed Caius's willing form spread eagle across the whipping bench in my playroom. His legs tied to the back legs of the bench, arms secured to the front, cock pressed between his stomach and the stiff leather bench. I'm sure he was as painfully hard as I was. I enjoy watching his pain almost as much as I enjoyed my own. Pain brought pleasure and I wanted it now.

Walking slowly, using the crop to inflict just a touch of a snap here and there over his prone body, I was soon where I wanted to be. He couldn't see me until I was standing directly in front of him.

"Open!" it was a command he knew well and obeyed without hesitation.

"Suck it good and I might let you come," teasing and torture were all a part of our relationship.

He was good. No one, not even my precious Michael, had even taken my nine inches and swallowed it whole. I could feel the swollen head reaching down his throat and floating there against his moans. Fuck it was good.

"Now, boy, I will fuck your face hard," I moaned out as I started rocking and stabbing my cock in and out of those luscious lips. He was crying, poor boy. The sound of my balls slapping against his chin spurred me on. I used the crop to push him to take me deeper. His moans vibrated around me. I was almost there.

"Caius, come now, you little shit. Do it! Come now!" I screamed at him. I could see and feel the convulsions of his release. His entire body shook. I gave him a very short moment to enjoy it.

"Bite me now, Caius!" I ordered. He did. As soon as I felt his teeth break the skin on my shaft, a wave of pain and pleasure ripped through me, pumping streams of my nectar into his throat along with my blood. He swallowed the head and took every drop.

Later after I'd released him and he could walk, I didn't believe in after care, we showered separately and met to discuss the agenda of the meeting scheduled for later this week.

"I want to meet with Carlisle and Jasper first, alone. Then we will meet with the rest of the staff in the boardroom," his eyes looked at me, questioning but only for a moment. He didn't like being left out. Still in his roll, he answered with a simple, "Yes, Master." I thought but didn't say, "Good boy."

Bella's POV

I know he loves me but sometimes it's so hard to let him go. Just one more time, I need him one more time before I have to let him go again.

"Bella," he pulled me closer into his embrace. I couldn't help the sigh that slipped out. I hated it when he had to go. I wouldn't cry this time I promised myself.

"Bella, sweetheart," his voice was rough and low. He wanted me again. I couldn't say no. I can feel the hardness of him against my thigh, growing. The shiver of anticipation could not be hidden as it ran through my body. He chuckled against my skin causing more shivers.

"I want you," he whispered between soft kisses across my shoulder and up my neck. He knew that would set the flame to a slow burn. His hand touched my stomach making small circles with his thumb. Then the fingers were ghosting up until they touched a nipple and a moan escaped from within me. We'd been together now long enough that he knew how to play my body to bring me to the highest peaks I had ever known. No one had ever touched me like this, no one.

"Jacob," I called out to him, "Take me, please." It wasn't really begging. I just couldn't stand the thought of not being connected to him in the most intimate of ways.

His hard body rose from my side to slip between my legs, widening them. Kisses became open mouthed wetness washing over my body. Leaving me shaking when the cool air in the room blew over where he had lavished my body. His lips settled first on one nipple then the other bringing the pleasure in my stomach to an aching that wouldn't be denied. Just when I thought I couldn't stand it any longer, I felt his hand softly touch the place I so needed him. Fingers spreading, touching, inserting. The rough pad of his thumb rubbing my clit and then there was nothing but wave after wave of pleasure. The white lights behind my closed eyes were blinding and the orgasm I was riding started out slow and built into an extreme intensity. Just as the peak hit, I felt his hardness thrust into me, hips moving faster and faster, making my own ride sprint again and spike.

Afterwards, I wanted to tell him how much I loved him. Give him the good news. But I hesitated as he settled beside me. He wasn't getting up to leave. Was it over, where we finally free? I wanted to ask but I was also afraid.

"Jacob," his name came out more whisper than word.

"Bella, it's over. I paid the last payment to Mike this morning. We're free. I've paid my dad's debt back. I know you've been more patient than I ever deserved, but now…Bella…why are you crying? I swear it's okay now," he was sitting up to pull me into his arms and brush the tears away.

I couldn't help the tears streaming down my face. It had taken him so long to pay the bank back what his dad had taken falsely. When Billy had wrecked the car, that killed Jacob's mom's life, the insurance company had paid out a huge settlement. Billy had borrowed close to $150,000 from the bank promising to pay it back when the check came in from the insurance company. He blew it. Drugs and booze and women, he'd spent it all in a matter of months. The debt was still owed and Billy had no way of paying it back. Mike threatened to tell Carlisle and have Jacob fired if he didn't pay the money back. So Jacob had worked like a dog for a few years, at OWF and several part time jobs to pay the money back. Working for Mike was demeaning and he lorded over Jacob the whole time. Run, fetch, do this, do that. It had been a hell of a time for Jacob. But now it was over and I couldn't help the tears.

"Bella?" Jacob was worried that I hadn't said anything yet.

"Jake," I stopped to catch my breath, "I'm fine. Really, these are happy tears, tears of joy that you are finally free from Mike and your father. Tears of joy over some news I have for you."

He looked at me questioningly. Curiosity was gnawing at him but he was being patient. Holding my hand with one of his large hands and gently brushing my tears away with his other hand.

"Jacob Black," I watched his eyes grow large, "We're going to have a baby."

Caius POV

"He hurt me tonight," he cried into the phone. I was not going to take this shit and I would make that son of a bitch pay.

"I'm sorry Caius. I'm sorry. I won't let him hurt you again. I promise," I wanted to reassure him.

"You can't promise that as long as he still has me," he was crying became sobs.

"Not much longer. I promise it's almost over and then he will get his," I tried to reassure him.

"Not all the clues are in place yet. Jasper hasn't put it together, but he will and when he does, it will be over for Aro. Jasper will take him down for what he did to his father. Everything will point to him including the murders and we will get away free with all the money," I promised him and I meant it.

JPOV

The week had passed quickly since none of us came back to the office until Wednesday morning. Everything had been cleaned up and you wouldn't have known what had gone on unless you had been there. We kept Ben's office closed out of respect.

Sam called on Thursday morning and let me know that they had released Ben's body to his family. They were taking his body back to Vancouver to be buried there. Carlisle held a moment of silence in memory of Ben on Thursday afternoon.

Edward was extremely busy trying to reinstall all the information onto the new computer in his office. It was a good thing that he had kept those back up discs in Bella's office. Still it took him nearly all day Thursday and Friday to reload everything.

Bella was the one that had us all taking a second look. She was humming and sometimes even singing as she went about her job those two days. Edward said it was almost like she was glowing. Nobody could figure out why she was so happy and she wasn't saying a word to anyone about it.

She did catch Edward and I when we walked into the lobby on Friday morning and ask if she could come over and talk to us this evening at Edward's house. She even wanted to cook dinner for all us and said she was bringing someone for us to meet. Edward looked at me and I just shrugged my shoulders. He told her that would be fine but he'd take of care dinner. Bella agreed easily and said just keep it light. I went on to my office and began going over the notes that I had taken when Sam and I talked last night. Things were beginning to fall in place and we had decided on a plan to set a scene in place and see what happened.

Late Friday afternoon, I heard the arguing coming from Edward's office through the door. I had no idea who was in there at first but as I crossed the lobby and started to open the door, I realized it was Mike Newton. He and Edward were having a shouting match and I wanted to stop it before it went too far.

"I wouldn't go in there right now," Lauren said as I passed her desk. "They've been going at it for awhile now but I haven't heard anyone throw a punch yet." She laughed. I'd never noticed before how dark her laughter was. A chill flashed through me.

"I think I'd better try to break it up before it gets out of hand," I told her and went to open the door. Just as I did, the door flew open and Mike rammed straight into me, knocking me to the floor.

It didn't hurt but it was embarrassing. Edward and Lauren were there both trying to help me up. I yelped owe. Lauren backed off and let go of my wrist and walked away quickly. Edward was asking me something but I couldn't get the thought that Lauren was so strong out of my mind.

"Jas are you alright?" I finally heard Edward.

"Yea, man, sorry about that," Mike actually looked like he was sorry. But I noticed his eyes following Lauren as she walked away. I never thought of Mike as having a thing for Lauren.

"Hey, it is okay," I looked at Edward, "really, I'm fine."

The heated discussion, whatever it was, between Edward and Mike seemed to be over. Mike left the third floor and I walked back into Edward's office with him.

"Edward, what on earth were you yelling at Mike over?" I asked him.

"Nothing," he mumbled as he sat down at his desk.

"Edward, it couldn't have been nothing," I reminded him. "You two were screaming so loud we could hear you through the door."

"Look, Jasper, I can't talk to you about it right now," he was clearly upset.

"Let's just say that he was very upset because the Jenks deal had fallen through and he wanted me to try and talk Mr. Jenks into giving it another go," he slammed his fist on the desk.

"I wanted that deal to go through. I needed that deal to go through," his eyes were full of anger as he spit out the words. Raking his long slim fingers through this hair, I could tell he was very upset. I reached over and took his hand in mine.

"It's going to be alright, Edward," I wanted to reassure him. "The Jenks account will go through. We all need it to. Carlisle is going to talk to him and see if we can set something up for next week."

His head shot up and something quickly passed through his eyes. What I didn't know. What I did know was, he didn't know Carlisle was talking to Jenks until that moment and for some reason he didn't like that information at all. Before we could continue the conversation, Carlisle stuck his head in the door and reminded me that we were meeting with Aro in ten minutes.

I followed Carlisle out the door and when I turned to look back at Edward his eyes looked distant and turned away from me quickly. What the hell was that about?

EPOV

I thinks he knows. It's all I could keep thinking. He knows about the embezzling. Does he think it's me? How could he think I would do something like that? With everything we've been through and everything we've shared, he doesn't really know me if he thinks I could do something like this.

I saw Aro and Caius cross the lobby to Carlisle's office. I heard his greeting and flinched at the familiar term he used with Jasper. Then the door closed and I was left to sit and speculate about what was being said behind those doors. I had just lowered my head when Caius stepped in front of my desk and cleared his throat.

"It appears, Aro really likes the new guy," his voice was laced with anger. "All those blond curls and those blue eyes, are something to look at, wouldn't you agree?"

I said didn't say a word but rose slowly from my chair. Caius took two steps back but didn't break eye contact.

Coolly, I said, "I'll be in the boardroom shortly, Caius. I'm sure you remember how to get there."

"Of course, Edward, see you in a bit," he chuckled as he turned to walk away.

By the time the meeting was over in the boardroom, my head was throbbing and I really wasn't in any mood for company. I had realized that I was over reacting to the situation with Jasper. Of course, he wouldn't know about the embezzling and of course, he wouldn't think it was me. I barely heard Aro's obvious uncaring attitude to Ben's death. What he wanted to appear as a heartfelt wish for all of us to put these awful events behind us, came off as snide and cruel, just like he was. The one thing that caught my attention was when Carlisle stood at the end of the meeting and informed us that Ben was not going to be replaced as quickly as we would have hoped. There was a possibility of a promotion within the staff of this OWF but nothing was finalized just yet. He also stated that Mr. Jenks would be in the office on Tuesday next week and he would be going through with the original loan closing. I couldn't help but look from Carlisle to Jasper and wonder what was going on.

The ride home after work was a silent one. Neither, Jasper or I offered to carry on a conversation. Both of us, wrapped up in our own silent thoughts.

I was wishing that I had not agreed to have Bella come over this evening. I wasn't in the mood for company. She had left work early today, complaining about not feeling well. Maybe she'd call and say they weren't coming over after all. The phone rang just as I was letting that thought float through my mind.

"Edward," Bella sounded slightly down. "Sorry I didn't catch you before you left the office and I'm sorry I had to leave early today. I wasn't feeling well but I'm much better now. Is 7:30 still okay?"

I was so tempted to say no but I couldn't hurt her like that. So I said it was fine and we'd be looking for her and her guest. She giggled as she hung up.

Jasper walked into the bedroom just as I hung up the phone.

"They still coming," he asked quietly.

"Yes," was all I could manage to get out.

"Edward, I think we need to talk," he sounded upset, 'I think I've done something to hurt you again and I don't know what it is?" Looking into his eyes, I realized he was truly worried about us. Taking his hand I led him to sit beside me on the bed.

"Jasper, I'm sorry," I told him honestly because I was. "There's something going on at OWF that I became aware of several months ago. Bella will be here before too long and we can't go into it right now but I promise we'll talk about it soon."

"Okay, Edward. Let's go down and get dinner started," he pulled on my hand.

I couldn't let it end this way. I stopped him and pulled him back to me on the bed. I laid back and pulled him to cover my body. Placing my hands on either side of his head, I reached up with my lips and touched his softly. He hesitated only a moment and then kissed me back. The longer we lay there kissing the deeper it became. The need and want for each other still so strong, still such an urgent part of who we were, how we felt about each other.

Shortly after seven the door bell rang and I went to open it and let Bella in. Standing beside her with his arm wrapped tightly around her waist was Jacob Black. Jasper walked up behind me and we looked to each other and then back to them. A million questions were running through my mind.

"Bella?" I started to ask what was going on but Jasper spoke up and ever the host, ask them to come in.

"I know you are wondering what is going on so just let me get this out. Don't interrupt me and I'll answer your questions at the end," Bella took my hand walked to the sofa in the living room. Jasper and Jacob followed behind us and took seats in the chairs across from the sofa.

Bella began to tell us the story about how she and Jacob had started seeing each other about six months ago. I couldn't help the surprised shock on my face when she admitted how long it had been. Being that they didn't know how people would react they decided to keep their relationship a secret. She also told us about how Mike had blackmailed Jacob into working for him on some sleazy jobs so Jacob could earn the money to pay back the money his dad had taken fraudulently. That was another reason why Jacob didn't want anyone to know at work. He was afraid if Mike found out he'd try to use Bella too.

Jacob's dad was finally in a hospital out of state getting the help he needed to get over his addiction to alcohol and prescription pain killers. And more important Jacob had finally paid back all the money. They were ready for the world to know that they were in love and going to married as soon as it could be planned.

Then Bella started crying. She grabbed my hands and held them in her tiny ones and told me she and Jacob were going to have a baby. She was pregnant. Somewhere deep inside I felt a stab of pain. I was happy for her of course and I told her so. I congratulated Jacob with a hand shake and a hug and wished them both all the best.

Jumping up quickly, I said that we should eat dinner now. It was a good thing I had taken Bella at her word and went light. I had just made some grilled chicken adding it to fresh greens and vegetables to make a salad. Jasper had made his homemade dressing and everything was still good even though we had talked for awhile.

Jasper baked brownies while we ate our salads and when they were done Bella really enjoyed them warm from the oven. By ten o'clock Jacob was ready to take Bella home, she was looking pretty tired by then. Again we wished them the best and watched as they drove away into the night.

It was just habit to take all the dishes to the kitchen and clean up. And another habit to walk through the house turning off lights and locking doors as I went. Somehow I had forgotten that Jasper was there with me. I'd also completely forgotten about talking to him about OWF. I was buried somewhere in my own thoughts. Thoughts of the child Bella and I lost. It had been years, but suddenly I was back there grieving for a child that never had a chance to live. It had me wondering if I'd ever have a child of my own.

Oh, I didn't want to be with Bella or any woman for that matter. I loved Jasper and that was deep inside me too. It was just I never realized that having a family of my own would be so important to me. Not until, I could see what it looked like for someone else. Jacob had tiptoed around Bella all night. Making sure she was comfortable, making sure she wanted for nothing. He loved her. He loved her deeply and it showed in the way he wanted to take care of her. Like the way Jasper took care of me, when I was injured. Shit! Jasper! I had been so buried in my thoughts I'd forgotten he was still here.

"Jasper," I called out wondering where he'd gone.

"In here, darlin'," he was standing by the bed already dressed in sleep pants. His chest was bare and I could see the light from the bedside lamp reflect in the fine blond hair scattered across his flat stomach.

"God, I'm sorry," I sat down on the bed. "I never meant to act like you weren't here. I was just thinking."

"I know, Edward, and its okay. I knew you would come back to me when you were ready," he kissed me softly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked carefully.

"There really isn't anything to talk about. I'm happy for her, Jasper. Really happy for her," I hesitated.

"But…" he added.

"I never realized that I would want that. A family, I mean. I won't lie to you, when we lost our baby it was hard. Really hard," it was easy to share this with him, I realized as I talked.

"So does that mean, you don't want to have a family of your own ever?" his voice was just a little shaky.

"No, that's not it at all," I rushed to reassure him, "I just didn't realize until tonight that I did want that."

"Have you ever thought about that...I mean having a family?" I really wanted to know what Jasper thought about it.

"Yes, I have thought about it," he looked into my eyes, "More so after Seth came into our lives. Helping kids like him have a real home would be a wonderful thing to do. I'm not sure I'd be up to bottles, diapers and two am feedings. But I'd be willing to talk about it with the right man." He nudged me with his shoulder and smiled.

I looked at him and realized this is what I wanted. What I needed. He was it. No matter what, I couldn't lose him. I straddled his hips and pushed him back against the pillows, kissing my way across his face from one side to the other. Moving down his neck and nipping the soft flesh there, I listened as his breath became gasps. I loved the sounds he made when we made love. I craved them.

I couldn't resist the need to touch his chest with my hands and rub my thumbs over his nipples. Feel them pebble into hard balls under my touch. I could feel my cock become hard just thinking about his amazing body. Everything about him turned me on. From the way his eyes darkened as he became aroused to the way he would suck in a breath when I licked over the valley where his hip and leg joined. Not to be left out were the words of lust and need that slipped from his lips as I worshiped his body. Every shit, fuck and oh my god, just spurred me on and added to my own arousal.

He began to rub his erection against mine, bucking his hips up and into me in a slow steady rhythm.

"I need you," he moaned out to me, "I need to feel you inside me."

"Not yet," I breathed against his stomach muscles. They were drawn so tight they felt like silk stretched over steel. Following the trail of fine blond hair to where his dark curls gathered around that gorgeous cock, I moaned and licked and sucked every inch of skin I grazed over.

Slowly with passion and desire my only thought, I kissed the head of his cock. It was weeping his tangy precum. Reaching just the tip of my tongue out, I dipped in and retrieved what was pooling in the slit before it could run down the length of him.

"Shit, Edward," he growled at me, "you're killing me."

"What do you want from me babe?" I managed to speak before I licked at the head again.

"I want you to fuck me now!" he rose up on his hands with his arms taunt and demanded.

I'd never seen that look in Jasper's eyes before. He wanted it hard and fast and furious. His eyes were nearly black with lust. How could I refuse?

Grabbing the lube and a condom off the night table, I leaned back to get myself ready for him. My cock was hard and straining while I rolled the condom on. I didn't hurry. I made him sweat. I popped open the lube and used a generous amount to work over the condom. It felt so good to pump my cock while he watched me. Saying nothing but breathing loudly as he watched. When I was good and ready, I rose up on my knees.

His eyes widened when he realized I had not prepared him. Roughly I flipped him until his ass was facing me, and what a lovely site that was, and he was on his hands and knees.

"I could see it in your eyes Jasper," I heard his whimper, "you need it hard," a load groan came next, "and you need furious," then he growled and bucked his ass back towards me.

I gently kissed one cheek and then the other. He relaxed under the kisses. Rising up on my knees, I placed my cock at his inviting entrance.

"And darlin' that's exactly what you are going to get," I whispered just before I rammed my cock all the way in.

"Oh my God, Edward, Fuck yes, fuc….kkkkkk!" he screamed out.

After that it was all fast and furious. Both of us groaning and calling out to the other in the heat of what was going on between us. It wasn't going to last long for either one of us. I could hear my balls slapping against him and he could too. It was too much, too much heat, too much friction and too much pleasure.

"Jasper, babe, you are going to come with me and you are going to do it now," I hit his sweet spot and he bucked once more before I felt the muscles tighten around my shaft. It sent me over with him and we were someplace else where the sky was exploding and our bodies rushed to meet.

He collapsed under me and I really tried to move off him but I couldn't. I knew I couldn't lay there long. I just needed to get a grip on what had just taken place. When I finally rolled off him to my side, he quickly draped himself over me, kissing my shoulders and chest repeatedly.

"I've never…" he started to say and I finished, "I know. It was like nothing I have ever experienced either." I kissed the top of his head. Felt the damp curls of his hair. We were both drenched from what we had just shared.

"Edward," he couldn't stop touching me, "I need a shower. How about you?"

"I don't think I can move yet. But if you can, I'll meet you there as soon as I can," I whispered.

"Okay, I'll go on. I think I can move. Join me soon," he kissed my lips as he rose to leave our bed.

I heard the water come on and then I must have dozed. The doorbell ringing startled me awake. Jasper was still in the shower so I grabbed a pair of sleep pants and headed for the door. I couldn't believe someone would be at the door at this time of night.

When I got to the door there was no one there, but an unmarked envelope was lying on the porch in front of the door. I picked it up and turned to go back into the house. Just as I was closing and locking the door, Jasper came into the living room drying his hair with a towel and another one knotted loosely around his waist. He was beautiful.

"Who was at the door at this time of night?" he asked as he stepped closer to me.

"I have no idea but they left this," I held up the envelope. "No name on it either."

"Well do you want to open it now or in the morning," he asked moving closer to me.

"I don't know," my curiosity was getting the better of me, "it seems sort of strange that someone would just leave it there like that." He shook his head in agreement.

We both sat down on the couch and I opened the envelope. There was one piece of paper folded neatly inside. I pulled it out and we both read at the same time.

'You are so close, Jasper Hale Whitlock. Just not close enough. You should be looking for someone from the past before you solve the mystery of the present.'

'The man who let your father take the fall is alive and well. Can you stop him before he lets the new man in your life take the fall this time?'

I looked at Jasper with questioning eyes. What the hell was going on here? Before I could question him, Jasper spoke.

"I think it's time I told you the truth," was all he said.

I know. Another cliffie. Next chapter will be all about Edward and Jasper and how they each react to facing the truth. As always, let me know what you think. Oh by the way, one of you who has reviewed and I won't say who, has actually hit on the right character for the boss. Don't you just love a good mystery.