CHAPTER TWENTY

I wasn't sure why Edward felt the need to bring me all the way back to his home to tell me what was going on. Did he feel that his house held more privacy than his own building? Did he think that whatever he was going to say may cause me to want to run off and leave him and being all the way out in the forest, he could delay my departure knowing I would have to wait for Uber to come and pick me up?

He had been fidgeting with his phone the whole trip back to the woods. I wanted to ask him what he was waiting for since he kept checking his phone every two seconds, but I refrained feeling like I had already done enough damage for one day.

My suspicions that our new security detail was following us were found to be true the moment I exited the chauffeured town car and saw them drive up right behind us. I'm sorry, my new security detail.

I knew it was for the best but that didn't mean that I liked it. As I saw them step out of the car simultaneously, I felt my walls closing in which was a feat since I was in the middle of wooded nowhere.

Edward's grasp on my hand woke me from my dismal thoughts as he pulled me alongside him into the house.

"This is for the best, Bella. They are the very best. Every single client they have ever taken on has remained safe and alive."

I hear Edward's words attempting to break down the walls that were already forming. The odd thing was the moment we arrived back inside his house, I feel better. I had teased Edward every chance I could on his technologically advanced house, but it made me feel safer. I imagined that the walls were built in fortitude. He had made the comment before about how the windows could handle a hurricane, perhaps they could handle something far more lethal. A homicidal maniac.

Edward let go of my hand and turned to speak to the amazing duo who had followed us in.

"I need a moment with Bella and then we will make official introductions."

I see the Clearwater clan exchange looks but they know better than to say something. I could just imagine what was going through their minds after witnessing this morning's unusual comedy act plus whatever kind words Edward's already spilled about his girlfriend's accommodating cooperation.

My wrists already feel the heavy burden of the imaginary shackles. I'm sure the Clearwater's must know that I will be a pain in the ass. Mindlessly, I follow Edward upstairs, but I stop momentarily outside the guest room that held the closet of clothes meant for me.

"Do you mind if I change into something a little more comfortable?"

Edward looked a little skeptical but nodded slowly. I felt able to breathe once I entered the overly expensive closet. I walked forward and ran my face over the soft fabrics pulling a silk top off the hanger. My feet backup until I merge successfully and can hide away from the world. I know it will only be a matter of time before Edward comes to look for me, but I take every minute alone I can get and use that time wisely to try and not have a panic attack.

I think about the moment I met Edward. The story he told was a little fuzzy in my mind, but I remember it well enough and let his description of the events fill in the blanks. I was so angry that year. Just the thought that my mother was leaving this earth was enough to change my very being. The Bella that Edward believed I was, came out of grief and anger. The strong girl who stood up to a burly man four years over her only did what she did because she was secretly hoping for a fight.

Where was that Bella now when I needed her most of all?

Being in this relationship was causing me to become soft. I lived my life like I had nothing to lose but since I had come to care for Edward, I did have something to lose. The very idea of losing had turned me into this weak person who seems to cry all the time and hide behind fancy-ass clothes. Edward said he fell in love with me because I stood up for him. Because I was strong and brave but what if being with Edward made me into a person that he could no longer love?

"Bella."

I see two perfectly polished shoes stand on the floor in front of where I hid. His voice sounds cautious or sad. I'm not sure. I sighed once more and pull myself from off the floor. I slide the hangers apart and am met with a face of worry.

"I just needed a moment," I attempt to explain.

He sighs too and looks away.

"I never meant for any of this to happen. I never wanted you anywhere near this mess."

He worries about what he will have to tell me. I have a feeling if he could go back and do it all over again, he would find a way to keep me out of the loop. The way he plays with his fingers when he is stressed is a good indication that whatever he is about to say, makes him feel as if his words will make me want to leave.

"Edward, just tell me. There is no use for both of us to be stressed to the max. I can handle it."

He nods softly and takes my hand pulling me toward his bedroom. I haven't changed into something more comfortable, but I doubt pulling on Yoga pants will ease this situation.

Edward paces in a spot near the entrance to his closet while he figures out where to begin. A painting on the wall I had never taken the time to notice grabs my attention. Far too modern for my tastes. I'm not exactly sure when art turned from pictures and scenery to splatters of paint. Hell, I could do the same damn thing if given the proper tools. Please tell me you didn't spend a mint on that god-awful painting, Edward.

I sit on the cream puff duvet but don't lie down fearing I might fall asleep. Knowing Edward, whatever explanation he has may be hard for someone of my intelligence to follow.

"I know my mother and Alice told you about Brandon."

Not where I saw this beginning but okay.

"Alice's boyfriend who died of cancer…and your friend," I replied.

"Yes, he was my friend. He was…my only friend," Edward replied. "When I was at Dartmouth, Alice called me to tell me about his diagnosis. I was…upset of course and that semester I struggled to pass any of my classes. I was put on academic probation because of it. I spent my time working with a man who I tracked down. He was making major headway in coming up with possible solutions to fight certain strains of cancer. I never told my parents this, but I essentially took the semester to learn as much as I could and come up with a formula that would help save my friend. Obviously, I was too late. Brandon died, and it took years for us to come this far."

He stopped and came to sit next to me on the bed.

"You found the cure for cancer?" I asked skeptically.

Edward looked away.

"Not quite…. not yet."

I could see how tortured he was. I could feel his pain, almost as if it was my own. I reached out to take his hand hoping it would reassure him, so he could continue. He pulled my hand up and laid a gentle kiss upon the back of my hand.

"Bella…I want to try and explain this so that you can understand. Please stop me if I overcomplicate it."

See, even he knew he had to dumb it down.

"What we eventually created wasn't a cure. It was a curse. We found a way to eradicate cancerous cells far better than ever achieved. Better than chemotherapies or radiation. It would kill the cancerous cells within minutes of coming in contact with my virus. It had the possibility of curing nearly thirty-three percent of known cancers. But…the chemical solution we came up with didn't just kill the cancerous cells. Once it was finished with its work, it would then turn on perfectly healthy cells and begin to attack them until a person was dead. I haven't been able to figure out how to fix the problem."

I had seen enough movies to get the gist of what he was saying.

"So, what happened to your partner?"

I see his body go rigid with anger.

"My partner. I was so naïve to think that a man would be happy with finding a cure that could save millions, I never thought he would be a man who just wanted to make millions," he spits.

The grip on my hand became tighter as Edward poured his frustration out into my hand. He realized what he had done and immediately released my hand.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's okay," I replied. "So… who was the asshole in the limo? The one who keeps trying to get me to sabotage you."

"His name is Marcus Rose. But, he isn't the main buyer. He works for his brother and his brother Aro is the one we have to worry about. I haven't been able to get a line on the brother which is one of the reasons it is taking so long to figure out how to handle these assholes. When my partner went to find a buyer. He set up appointments with horrible people. Terrorists. Shady governments. Seeing how much something like this could make him. The chemical we created is extremely potent. If given the chance, a couple of drops could wipe out every living being within a few feet of exposure and within minutes. However, there was an accident and he fell victim to the very solution he was co-responsible for creating. When I realized what he was planning to do, I destroyed all our notes and evidence. Well…I memorized everything worth knowing and unfortunately, these men have been after it ever since."

"You destroyed the substance?" I asked.

Edward looked away and focused his eyes on the wall.

"No," he whispered. "I'm close. I'm so close to figuring out how to turn this horrible thing I created into something wonderful. I have one small vile left and I can't bring myself to destroy it. I have no one to trust…to help me complete this."

"And that's what they are after."

He nodded.

"Where is it?" I asked slowly.

Edward sighed and looked back to the wall. My eyes followed the line of sight to that horrible paint splatter 'art' and involuntarily my body moved a little back.

"Please tell me you're fucking kidding me," I said.

I stood up and began to back away as if at any moment the wall would explode.

"Bella," Edward warned. "It can't hurt you while inside. I took extreme measures and precautions."

"The fuck you say! You have to be fucking kidding me! That thing should be locked in some facility behind iron doors and near people in biohazard suits!" I began to get a little louder.

"Bella!"

"NO! You tell me this whole story and I'm okay with every part of it. Understanding why I have to be kept on a short leash, fine! Great! But then you tell me that you have a highly unstable substance just feet away from where we fuck? What if we were to have angry wall sex and you accidentally slammed me into the wall too hard or more likely, what if I tripped and fell through the wall, your crazy killer virus popping out to greet me? I saw Outbreak, 28 Days Later and World War Z and no matter how hot Brad Pitt was, no one can sexy up a deadly virus!"

"Bella! Like I said. I created a safe structure to maintain it. Even if this house was bulldozed, it would be contained and destroyed without ever seeing the light of day. Which is why I am telling you this. If something happens to me, I need you to destroy it."

"And how the fuck am I supposed to do that?" I yelled. "I'm so slow, you have to use the small words to even explain to me what it is."

Edward let out a loud frustrated grunt. He walked over to the wall and pulled the painting down off of it to reveal a keypad.

"All you have to do is type any combination into the keypad and it will automatically destroy the contents. I'm the only person to have the correct combination. It only gives you one chance to put the correct code in."

I see the keypad lite up like the Fourth of July, but it makes me far too nervous. The once safe house that could protect me from even a hurricane just because the one place I didn't want to be. How could I be expected to sleep within a couple of feet of something so dangerous? Hell, a couple of miles would be too close. I always felt that Edward was the brains of this operation. I understood his desire and obsession with completing this project. Curing cancer, even thirty-something percent of cancer would be huge. Speaking from someone who lost her mother to it, I know I would be grateful, but I doubt my mother would want me here right now, standing next to this deadly virus.

Edward's eyes are trained on me as I look at the keypad. I want to be the supportive girlfriend that he needs but this is asking too much. The shackles are heavy, and the walls of his massive bedroom are suddenly making me feel as if I am trapped in a port-a-potty after a frat house just built a mountain.

My feet slowly back away from the wall.

"Bella," Edward says my name once again. I swear he could give Vin Diesel a run for his money in Guardians of the Galaxy.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I leave, and my mind is running wild that I am amazed that I am down the steps and heading toward the door. I see the Clearwater's jump up from their seats and I don't even care if they follow me as long as they let me go. The front door opened, and I push past another expensive suit in my pursuit to get out of the house quickly. I never even look at the face as I passed. Probably a good thing.

The cold air hits my face and I can finally breathe once again. The woods that surround Edward's space house calm me and I feel the desire to pick a tree and hug it.

It's too much. It is all too much. Jessica. Killer viruses. Killer terrorists. The killer knot in my stomach from being farther from Edward. What did this all mean? Were we going to still be together if I couldn't bring myself to live with that extra special killer roommate?

I walk a few paces into the tree line and find a tree to lean against while I come down from the latest 'Extra Extra' news flash. My hands in my head as I concentrated on the dirt below my butt and the dampness from the ground is slowly seeping into my pants. I feel foolish for not having a jacket on me. I see the famous brother-sister duo standing about twenty feet away from me and attempting to have their backs to me to give me the illusion of privacy.

Say for a minute I was smart enough to be the President of the United States. I would turn down the job just on the very idea of having to be followed everywhere. God, why do people want this kind of life?

Edward walks up to Seth and dismisses them. He has a coat in his hands and walks slowly in my direction.

"I know. I know," I said holding my hands up. "Let me guess? Bella. Bella, please come back inside where it is safe. Please come back inside because right now I want to gamble that my extra special cocktail is safer than the crazy men that are after you. Does that sound about right?"

"Would you please put this coat on?" Edward requested ignoring my sarcasm.

"Dying of hypothermia seems far more appealing to me then what's behind door number one or door number two."

Then Edward did something that I still can't believe. He crouched down in this expensive ass suit. I think door number three would have been a heart attack if his knee made contact with the forest floor.

"Bella, we can go somewhere else. If you don't feel safe here, then we can go somewhere else. You are always going to come first. Whatever you need, just ask for it and I will make it happen."

I see the sincerity in his eyes and hear the words that I want but something doesn't sit right with me.

"You make me feel like you are saying that you will choose me over the possibility of curing millions of people. You need to work on your solution…substances…virus…whatever the hell it is. I don't want to stand between you and that but that doesn't mean I want to sleep next to it."

I sighed and leaned my head back until it hit the rough tree bark.

"When it is safe, I will find a facility to move the vile in. Until then, we can go and live somewhere else. I can't move it now. Not until I figure a way out of this mess."

"Okay, I know this is going to sound a little stupid but why not just call the police?" I asked.

"Bella, the police would alert the FEDS and either one or two things would happen. My solution would be destroyed along with all my hard work from the past eight years or worse, it would be used improperly as everyone else that is corrupt wishes to do. I need to figure this out first before I involve them."

I roll the marbles around in my head as I ponder what to do.

"Edward."

I bite my lip wondering if now the proper time was to bring up my silly relationship concerns.

"I…I…have to ask you something. I need you to be completely honest with me no matter how you may think it could hurt my feelings."

Edward stood up from his crouch.

"Fine, but first I need you to put this coat on."

He helped me up and I dust the dirt from off my expensive slacks. I pull the coat onto my body and feel instantly better. Still able to breathe in fresh air but warm and cozy too. Edward holds my hands in his for extra warmth. At least that's what I tell myself.

I think about what I want to ask. How I will ask it and then I see the Clearwater clan standing on the steps of the house and it brings me back into reality. Now was not the time for my silly love…. I mean like issues. Crap! Where was Rosalie when I needed her!

"You know what, nevermind," I apologize before attempting to pull my hands back.

"What is it, Bella? You can tell me anything. After everything I put you through today, no matter what you have to say, I'm sure I am to be blamed for far worse."

I let go of his hands and turn to stumble around the forest. I would love nothing more than to make a very unladylike sound but refrain because lady's who have rich ass boyfriends need to act better.

"There is too much going on right now. I need Rosalie! God Dammit! Where the fuck is my best friend!"

Ladylike? This lady just took a hike. Reason three-thousand and thirty-three why I would make a horrible billionaire wife.

"You need to talk to Rosalie?" Edward asked softly.

I feel my tears begin to run down my face and I hate that I am about to sound like some bachelor reject sitting in the back of limo seriously wondering why I couldn't find love.

"I feel like I am drowning. I need my friend. She would tell me I am being stupid and to calm the fuck down and then I would."

Edward sighed.

"Okay, then you can call her. Come back to the house and I will make the arrangements to get ahold of her. On one condition."

I waited to hear his condition but knowing my crazy brain, I would happily say yes to anything.

"You have to talk to me afterward. Can you trust me after what I have done?"

"Trust you?" I wondered.

"After what I told you today. I know you must think the worse of me. I know I should have destroyed the sample and then…maybe all of this would be over. You have every right to hate me for what I have done. I made this mess and now you're completely strained. Since you came into my life, I wish I could go back and change everything. I would have been much happier if we could just…have our happy ever after."

I felt numb from his words and it wasn't because my face felt like it was going to freeze off any second. He was worried about completely different things than I was.

"Edward, we are so not even on the same page. Hell, the same book. I don't want to sleep next to your killer virus but that doesn't mean I hate you. I know I should be thinking about this big mess and make that my priority. I know I should be thinking more about Jessica and coming up with some Burberry bouquet to send her parents expressing my condolences. I should be making your Clearwater Swat team my main concern but what I worry about is trivial in comparison."

I sighed and then decided to forgo my call to Rosalie.

"I don't think I am in the girl you fell in love with anymore."

Edward's eyes were amassing with confusion but before he could contradict my words I went on to explain as best I could.

"Since I've come to know you, I feel like I'm not the same person I was before. Before, you thought I was this Xena Warrior Princess who could fight big hunky seniors with my daddy's shotgun. Well…I guess that would make me more Annie Oakley, come to think of it." I shook the crazies out of my brain and continued. "What I am trying to say is that I'm not brave anymore. I used to not care if I was hurt or killed. Hell, I even told that crazy asshole in the limo that he could kill me before I would ever betray you."

"I know," Edward complained.

"My point is that the reasons you fell in love with me are no longer there. I can't even go a day without crying it seems and I hate it! I hate how weak I've become. I hate that I cry all the time now. I feel like a child."

Edward smiled at me and I nearly punched him in the face for it. Why the hell was this man smiling? He walked over and ran his hand through my hair.

"You cry because…you have something to lose. You may not want to say the words, but you just did." He leaned down to kiss my head. "I love you too, Bella."

I scrunched up my face.

"No…that's not the point. The point is that you shouldn't love me anymore."

"Well, you don't get to decide that. Honey, you're only confused right now because this is all so new to you."

I huffed and stepped back, "Well, according to the notches on your headboard or lack thereof, I would say that you are new to this as well so maybe you don't know what you're feeling. Maybe what you think is love is just…desperation or something."

Edward took me by the hand without responding and began to walk back to the house.

"Call Rosalie. She will sort you out but thank you again, baby. You have no idea how great it feels to know that we are on the same page."

I danced out of his grasp and jumped around him while he continued toward the house.

"Are you not listening to me? Typical male, I tell you. You just hear what you want!"

Edward nodded and gave me an 'um-hum' attempting to placate me but I wasn't done with him yet. Leah opened the door for us and walked through while I continued my arguments.

"Will you please take me seriously? I didn't say the 'L' word so stop acting like I did!"

My feet skidded to a halt when I turned and see the man in the expensive suit that entered when I was trying to escape. I felt my blood run cold and my whole-body tremble. I stepped in front of Edward. Stupid, I know. Like someone like me could ever protect Edward.

"Edward…he…he…he works for the asshole. He works for Marcus Rose."

Edward stepped out from behind me and gave me a gentle squeeze.

"No, honey. He works for me. This is Jacob. I am hoping that he will be the one to save us all."

I looked Jacob over and he seemed about as smug as he did when he was in the limousine. Sure, his navy suit hugged his body just enough to give a very impressive show of his physique and the three-day shadow on his face made the right attempt to lure a certain eye. A short movie played in my mind of the moments we shared and then I felt my blood begin to boil. This asshole was the one who suggested that they threaten Rosalie's life to get me to comply.

I walked the five steps over to this Jacob and reached back with all my force and slugged him in the face as hard as I could.

Would you look at that? I guess there was a bit of the old girl still left inside me.

AN: Thank you for all of your support. This story is up for Undiscovered Gem for the Twilight Fandom Awards. I am soo beyond excited. The Fair Heir is up for Favorite What if story. If you have the time to go over and vote, I would be sooo incredibly honored and appreciative.

My apologies that my updates have slowed. Unfortunately, I do most of my writing at work since I have two small kids at home and right now is our busy season but since The Academy Awards is over, I am hoping I can get back to writing more. Thank you for continuing on.

DISCLAIMER: Story is mine. Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.