A/N:
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot. Names of places (eg. restaurants, malls, etc.) except the cities/towns are all made up in this story. Any similarity is purely coincidental. I do not own Northwest Hospital.
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Beta's/Pre-reader: Thank you to Thaigher lillie for liking this chap even in it's original state (does that make sense? I don't even effin' know what I'm sayin' here!), which saved it from being deleted. She's the reason why we have this chap., so go thank her!; to Skyebella98, who likes everything I write! (which IMO, is just so weird! Lmao)-she might kill me for this (sorry sweets!;D); to Joesmomma, who helped me review all the previous chaps. She's effin' amazing! =)
Okay, I'll shut up now... Get to reading!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EPOV
I kicked the seat that was in front of me. Motherfuckingshit! I gave the leathered chair another blow with my foot, the cushion underneath its tough exterior preventing me to bore holes in it.
Once I started kicking, I couldn't seem to stop. Thud! Thud! I channeled all my fury unto the upholstery. My shin even hit the aluminum arm, shooting pain along that portion of my leg. But that didn't stop me. I knew my face was red from exertion. I could even feel sweat forming on my forehead. My arms and legs were already protesting from the vigorous activity of punching and kicking that I had been doing for hours now. I don't fucking care! I needed to let off steam or else I would do something that would put us in danger-like putting a hole on the plane. My anger usually gets the better of me, and this time it wouldn't do me any good because whatever happened, I needed to get to my baby girl. I suddenly stopped my maniacal assault and just stood there for a minute breathing heavy. I turned around and saw all my men looking at me worriedly. I balled my fist and felt the exhaustion take over me.
Fuck! Hands clenched at my sides, I slumped back down on my own seat. I was sucking in deep breaths, trying to get control of myself. It was a good thing that Alice had the presence of mind to take away my gun earlier. She said she would keep it for me in the mean time. But I knew she was just being cautious because I was known to have anger issues, which in this case would do more harm than good.
I felt Alice touched my shoulders in her attempt to quiet me down. I put my hands on my face and closed my eyes.
"Edward, you've got to pull yourself together," she said softly. She was rubbing my back but it didn't help soothe me.
"I just got her back, Ali," I groaned. It was when I rubbed my eyes with my palm that I felt the moistness; it was tears I unknowingly shed. "I can't fucking lose her."
"Don't you dare talk like that!" she hissed. I could hear her take a deep breath before saying, "Rosalie said she's in stable condition so no need for us to worry."
I detected something in her voice and knew she was keeping something from me. I raised my eyes to hers but there was nothing there that suggested otherwise. But I wasn't appeased.
"Goddammit Ali, you tell me the truth!" I roared, scowling at her. "Is she really okay? Nobody is fucking talking to me!"
"Of course, Edward," she said seriously. Her eyes were soft trying to console me. "She is still unconscious Edward. Rosalie just said that she has some cracked ribs."
I clenched my hands. She's hurt. Somebody wanted to hurt her. This is my fault. If I wasn't so consumed with lust I should've trusted my instinct and forbade her to go to Seattle. Now she was lying in the hospital bed injured.
My baby girl had been hurt! Somebody will fucking pay for this!
The plane's engine was roaring and I concentrated on that noise, trying to distract myself long enough so the anger would subside. Even for a little bit.
Our flight attendant appeared beside Alice and dutifully served us some whisky. I took the glass and drank it in one long gulp and then set it back for refill. I needed to drink to calm my nerves. We were still an hour away from Seattle and I didn't think I could wait that long. I felt so fucking useless. It was like hell on earth.
"She knows you love her Edward," I heard Alice murmur. She kneeled and stared me in the eyes, conveying through it the message that she wanted me to believe her. "That alone will make her get through it."
"I really fucking hope so Ali," I rasped. My voice was raw, and I was sure she detected the severe pain I was feeling. Not that my actions didn't say it. I didn't know how I could cope if I lose her again.
I wanted her embrace, her smell and her voice to tell me everything was all right. I was still a fucking selfish bastard! She was in the hospital and all I could think of was she comforting me. She was the only one who could do that to me. Like a balm to a sore, she could soothe my ache, her presence lighting up my shitty days. Now she wasn't here. She was injured. That thought alone made me livid with anger, so I clenched my fist so hard it turned white. I looked at my hand covered in bandage. My knuckles were surely bruising, and the cuts were bleeding from the incident earlier. I rubbed the covered skin with the other hand, trying to remember the earlier physical pain. I would take that any day, many times over, than this pain in my chest.
I really couldn't remember what exactly happened after that phone call with Rosalie. All I knew and felt was the rage that was coming deep inside me like an inferno and was bursting out of control, consuming me at that very moment.
The day started fairly well with that counter sex. I grinned as I remembered. It was so fucking hot! But right after she left however, my morning turned shitty. I was already missing Bella, and my worries on the text message I received were escalating. There was new information that would lead back to the Volturri's. On top of it all, the unexplainable feeling that something was out of place or that something bad was going to happen; like when the Feds were already shitting on our asses, or during those times when we were going to war with a rival unit. I couldn't shake off the feeling. But I was so certain that nothing was going to happen to Bella, Seth being with her and all, that I had just shrugged it off. I went to see Carlisle to make a consultation.
"Well Carlisle, I think the V's have something up their sleeves," I informed him. "I received an anonymous text message yesterday. Fucking assholes, threats over the phone. Like fucking kids."
"Edward, are you sure about it being them?" he asked. I shook my head no, but he saw the determined set of my shoulders and knew that I would be investigating. "What are you gonna do about it?"
"Well, I wanted to send some men over to Italy," I said seriously. " but that would definitely cause some stir. And you know father wouldn't be thrilled that I will be the one to mess the truce he did with them."
"That would definitely alert them," he said. "But I don't see the point in them retaliating. You're just gonna send men to make surveillance, aren't you?"
"Yes," I said. I lit the cigar I had been holding and started puffing. "Do you think it would be wise? I don't want to stir something not unless I am sure about it. They haven't even made any attempts to hassle the Swans in Seattle after my marriage to Bella."
"Maybe it isn't them," he said. "Or maybe it is only a ruse. We really can't say. But I agree that you send your people in Italy. Just make sure they'll keep their hands clean."
"I'll fucking make sure they do," I said. "I got one man that they call snake. Involved in Charlie's death, or so they say. Vicky and Alistair are still on the prowl for this person, though I am fucking hoping we'll be getting some information on him soon."
After that consultation with my consigliere, which left me satisfied and contented with my plans, I went to the hotel to meet with Alice and Jasper and had a late lunch with them. I informed Jasper of all the new developments, which he in turn would be responsible to make effect. We did this over roast beef and potato salad.
The call was made by Rosalie minutes after our lunch. At first I was having difficulty understanding her because she seemed incoherent and had to repeat herself a couple of times before I understood. Bella was in a freaking accident!
I was in a trance after that. I couldn't remember my actions right after I heard the words that made my day a living hell. When I came out of that trance and was conscious enough to check my surrounding, Bella's office looked like a storm just hit. Papers were strewn everywhere, chairs were toppled down and figurines were now shards of glasses and ceramics on the floor. I felt a stinging pain on my hand and checked to see that my right hand was all bloodied. I raised my head in question, trying to decipher what the hell happened. It was then I saw that Jasper's nose was bleeding. They explained that during my rage-like explosion, where I was continuously punching the wall, Jasper intervened to calm me down. Instead, it was his face that received my next punch. I didn't even feel remotely sorry to anything I did because I was still numb and disoriented. One thing was clear though; I needed to go to Seattle. Bella needed me.
We left as soon as the plane was ready. Alice insisted on coming along. Jasper was left behind in Chicago to see through things. I needed to apologize to him because I punched him earlier today. I was extremely grateful that I didn't break his nose.
The remainder of the flight was silent. Alice sat beside me, glancing my way every now and then. Checking whether I was okay. When we landed, we went directly to Northwest Hospital where Bella was confined. Before the car even completely halted at the entrance, I was already out of it and making my way to information. She was in a private room in the third floor. I hurriedly made my way, Alice practically running to keep up with me.
I saw Emmett with Rosalie talking to a doctor. When they saw me, I was merely a foot away from them.
"Cullen," Emmett said in acknowledgement. He was scowling at me and I returned it with my own.
"Where is she?" I asked. My heart was pounding against my chest. I didn't know what to expect but I was impatient to see her.
Rosalie nodded her head to the door behind her. "She's sleeping Edward." Emmett's whole demeanor suggested he didn't want me to go inside Bella's room, but he didn't say anything.
"Fuck! I need to see her. She's my fucking wife!" I muttered, loud enough for everyone within a few feet to hear. I didn't fucking care if this was a hospital and that they needed peace and quiet. I would make a goddamn fuss if I wanted to, nobody could stop me. I'm Edward fucking Cullen! Nothing and no one could prevent me from seeing her. I needed to see for myself that she was okay. I pushed past them towards where I assumed was Bella's room.
I stepped into the room and my breath caught in my chest. Bella was lying still on the bed, looking so small and pale. The only sound inside was the beeping sound coming from the monitor beside her bed. I took the remaining steps that would allow me to be near her. What I saw made me cringed. Her beautiful face was full of bruises and cuts. About a centimeter before her hairline, there was a long gash that was already stitched. Her eyebrow, chin and cheeks were bruised. I instinctively reached forward to touch her cheek. As if she sensed me, she sighed and moved her face closer to my hand. I traced her lips with my fingers, drawing comfort from it. The important thing now is, she is alive!
An I.V was attached to her right hand but I took it carefully in mine and squeezed lightly. The hospital gown she was wearing was a little big for her, the neckline showing of her left shoulder. I could see bruising and bandages there. Her pallor was paler than before and that made me worry. I was so concerned of seeing her first that I didn't get talk to a medical professional yet about her status. Neither Emmett nor Rosalie volunteered any information. I was about to turn and walk out to find some answers when I heard Rose.
"She was awake a while ago. Just before you arrived," she whispered as I faced her. She never shifted her gaze from Bella. "She was looking for you."
"Shit," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. I was frustrated that I didn't catch her earlier. I sighed loudly and checked her sleeping form once again. The sight of her relaxed me a bit and I sighed again. I wanted to hug her but I knew she was sore all over, not to mention I would be disturbing her. I focused my attention on Rose instead and the information I needed.
"What the hell happened Rose?" I asked, the edge in my voice obvious.
It was then she pulled her gaze from the bed and stared at me. "Somebody fucking tampered with the steering wheel. So when the front tire exploded, the driver couldn't control the car and they turned turtle!" She gritted and her brows furrowed.
"How the fuck did that happen?" I boomed. My voice was loud enough to have woken Bella up, but it didn't. She just shifted a little on her side and returned back to sleep.
"Most of our cars are maintained by Jacob's company," she informed me.
"What did you say?" I hissed.
"You heard me," she said deadpanned. "I know you hate him. I don't like him either. But the thing is, he is Emmett and Bella's friend. And so far, he never did anything that made us think he is disloyal to us."
"I really don't fucking care!" I muttered. "That asshole is going to pay!" My anger was escalating and I wanted nothing but to release its ugly head but I was afraid that if I did, I would wake her up. I didn't care whether he directly did this or not but he was fucking responsible in a way.
"Emmett is checking on that now. He is also having a hard time dealing with this shit." She said softly. She was frowning and her eyes were reflecting something I couldn't understand. "He is so protective of her."
"Who the hell is responsible Rose?" I asked seriously. Goddammit, if I could only get a hold of these motherfuckers. They would die a terrible death! "No one messes with me and my family! Especially not my baby girl!"
"There's more," she said and I stiffened. "Gunshots were fired that caused the tires to explode."
"Jesusfuckingchrist!" I muttered and rubbed my fingers on my forehead. She saw my hand and reached out to touch it. "What the fuck happened to your hands? It's bleeding."
I checked and surely the blood was seeping through the bandage, discoloring the clean white cloth to maroon. "It's nothing."
"Fuck it Cullen," she said. "I'll call a nurse to check it." Before I could even utter a word, she was out the door. Alice chose that moment to make her entrance. Her eyes locked with mine, giving me a tentative smile before coming beside me.
She placed her hand on my arm before saying, "She's okay Edward. I talked to her doctor."
I snapped my head at her, waiting for any information. She waited until I was breathing evenly before she told me, "She got a couple of cracked ribs and a concussion, but aside from that she got off the accident pretty mildly."
What did she fucking mean? I frowned and said nothing. She waved for me to follow her. When we were outside the room, it was the only time she spoke. "The front of the limo was totally smashed. Their driver died on the spot. Quil is still in ICU."
That information unnerved me. It could have been Bella. But it was not. I was sure though that when she would find out about Quil, she would freak out. It would be the same way if I knew that Seth or any of my personal guards would be wounded. They were willing to risk their lives for me so when something bad happened to them, it would affect me. They were like a second family.
Just then, a nurse came and tried to usher me somewhere to clean up my wounds. I declined to move from where I was standing and demanded that we do the cleaning there. She just stood staring at me, debating on what her next move would be. Alice saved her.
"Don't be a prick Edward," she muttered. She pointed to the muscles scattered around the hallway. "She is well protected. You need to clean that wound or else it will be infected." For such a small person, she was quite strong. She pushed me to the nearest chair and motioned the nurse to do the cleaning there.
The nurse expertly cleaned the wound with antiseptic before putting on another set of bandage. Alice was beside me, quietly observing the effectiveness of the nurse. When all was finished she whispered to me, "She was fucking dazzled. Couldn't keep her eyes off of you." She smirked at me.
"What the fuck are you talking about Ali?" I snapped at her. She scoffed off.
"You really didn't notice that?" she raised her brow in question. I frowned. "Yeah, you didn't" she muttered in confirmation.
I felt a presence beside me and checked whom it was. Seth was standing uncomfortably before me. "Boss, I'm so fucking sorry."
I pushed myself up from the chair and stared at him. I could feel my nose flaring. I grabbed his arm and stalked off to find a deserted area, the stairs. I grabbed his shirt by the collar and pushed him against the wall. My eyes were definitely reflecting the anger and disappointment I was feeling.
"I left Bella in your care, Seth!" I growled at him. "Where the fuck were you? Goddammit, I trusted you to take care of her!"
"I…I'm so sorry," he stuttered. "My car was stuck behind in traffic! I swear boss, if I could trade places with her I would!"
I could see the sincerity in his eyes and I released him, and he slumped back. I knew that he would do anything to keep Bella safe, even giving his life in exchange. I was just so fucking angry that I was looking for somebody to vent my frustrations on.
"You're lucky I know you're telling me the truth!" I hissed. "Or else, you're a fucking dead man!" I left him there staring at me.
I went back to Alice, who was now standing beside Emmett trying to coax some information from him. I only caught a portion of what was being said, but it didn't take me long to interrupt.
"Did you just fucking say that Jacob was here?" I raged. As the minutes went by, information reached me that made me angrier that I was before. I couldn't even fathom that was possible. "When?"
"An hour before you arrived," he said. "He was with Leah."
"Why did you fucking allow it Emmett?" I was now livid with anger with Emmett. He was so fucking stupid! "We don't even know if he caused that shit! Didn't you think about Bella's safety?"
Emmett straightened his back. He looked liked he was about to lunge after me. His scowl was murderous, and I returned it with my own. "Are calling me stupid Cullen? Huh? Or doing something to compromise Bella's safety?"
I just looked at him, heaving. I wanted to yell at him that he did. How could he allow Jacob to come anywhere near Bella when we were suspicious of him. Goddammit! I really wanted to punch somebody. And he was becoming a very good candidate at the moment. I scanned the hospital area and so some of the medical staff were looking at us curiously. However much I wanted to vent my frustrations in a fight, I couldn't take the chance that we would be evicted from this hospital. Bella needed the best medical treatment and we couldn't afford to bring her home just yet.
"No. I didn't say that, did I? " I lied and stared at him in the eyes. "I was just fucking wondering why you'd do that?" He scratched his head, as if he was wondering the same thing. "He begged. Since he has been a good friend, and Leah was with him…I allowed it."
Rosalie chose to speak that moment. "However, after that visit, she needed to be sedated because she looked as if she was having a panic attack-the weirdest thing." I looked at Rose and she had this baffled look on her face.
I was about to say something before Rosalie interrupted me. "Let's stop pointing fingers who is at fault here. The important thing is she is okay. Our men are doing their best to find what happened and who the hell is responsible."
"Sam is interrogating Jacob as we speak," Emmett said. "We'll know when he returns. It's a good thing I have most of the police force on the pad. They kept this whole incident under wraps."
For once I was grateful that Emmett made that initiative. I didn't want my rivals to have any more ammunition against me.
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