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SM owns the characters I own their personalities, histories, and this story.

Chapter 20

EPOV

Even the obnoxious alarm couldn't erase the content state I was in. I reached over and grabbed Bella's pillow and hugged it to me, I smiled to myself as I inhaled deeply. The gambit of emotions that had run its course over the last seventy two hours peaking in utter pain and despair, only to reach its end in the last twenty four with more happiness, relief, joy, and pride than a lucky ass mother fucker like me deserved. Of course, in the middle of all that lingered the anger, uncertainty, and all round fucked up psychosis of the Tanya/Victoria connection.

My fist clenched when I remembered how the prick had touched my Bella. I took a few deep whiffs of Bella's scent to calm me down. I know he'll never bother her again. Emmett had made sure of that. He had gone with Dad and me to the hospital. We had a moment when we both let a tear or two or three drop before we were caught by nurses of course. His ferocious love for his sister made me love them both all the more. He was more than my best friend, in that moment of respect for each other's feeling toward her, we truly became brothers.

We were standing around at the front desk waiting for Carlisle to finish up with my chart, when Charlie came through the double doors leading to the ER. His face was contorted as he strode purposely up to Dad.

We could hear the anger seething in his tone as he spoke in a hiss to his best friend. "I swear to god Cullen, I'm going to the kill the fucker myself. He had not one iota of remorse….says a girl like her was asking for it." My fists clenched.

There was a pregnant pause as my father eyed the father of my love. Even though my ire was right there with him, I had calmed down enough to realize what harming the fuckhead further could do to Bella, namely her seeing me in an orange jumpsuit with little or no hope of conjugal visitation. It had sobered me up a bit. I was waiting for Dad to tell Charlie something to calm him down, something wise, so I wouldn't have to be bringing Bella to the State Pen to visit her father.

Instead he looked Charlie square in the eye. "I'll get a tarp. They'll never find him."

Whoa, Dad! Charlie sighed dropping his head and shaking it. He lifted it up and gave his friend a week smile and gave him a cuff on the shoulder. I turned to look at Emmett, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"I'LL FUCKING SHOW YOU WHO'S ASKING FOR IT!" Holy shit! The three of us ran pushing each other out of the way to scramble where Emmett's raging voice rang throughout the ER and beyond. Dad and Charlie plowed into me when I came to a screeching a halt at the scene that was unfolding in front of us.

Jonathan, face swollen, covered in cuts and abrasions, was standing with his back in the corner of the nurse's station. The eye that was open was wild and wide. Emmett was closing in. I've watched Emmett bring down a 1200 lb wounded elk with his bare hands. I've seen him throw 6'6" quarterbacks and one of his offensive lineman fifteen feet down a football field. I have never in my life seen the fury that radiated in his massive body like this. Fuck, if he wasn't scaring me.

"I'M GOING TO MAKE IT SO YOU CAN'T TOUCH ANOTHER WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE, WETHER SHE ASKS FOR IT OR NOT."

I saw a glint of something silver in Emmett's hand as he took a step forward. NO! Don't do it Em. There was a rush of bodies as me, both dads, an ER doctor and an orderly grabbed Emmett and pulled him back. It took all of us to stop and reverse his forward momentum. Charlie had a hold of the arm that brandished the…silver pen. A pen, really? He was going to make a eunuch out of the guy with a pen? I suppose it could be done.

Charlie's chuckle was interrupted by the wailing and sobbing coming from Jonathan, at the same time I was hit with the most offensive odor. I turned to see the fucker sitting on the floor in a pile of his own feces and a giant puddle of urine. Gross, was clearly an understatement.

After everyone somewhat calmed down and Charlie had his deputy take over Jonathan's processing, the four of us exited the hospital. We were quiet and somber and relieved that the day was over. Em and I sat in silence as dad drove us back up the mountain. We were parting ways at the top of the stairs when dad finally opened his mouth.

"Emmett, I will never, ever, in all my years hear the term 'scared shitless' and not think of you." He patted Em on the back and turned on his heels, shaking his head and disappeared into my mothers' waiting arms.

I grinned at the memory and reached over and slapped the alarm off. It was 7:30 and Bella had been up for two hours cooking and baking for the board meeting. I rolled my eyes and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I headed for the shower naked as the day I was born. I found myself whistling remembering how Bella 'accidently' woke me up, way, way up before she crawled out of bed.

I was careful to lock both bathroom doors not wanting another Tanya set up like the previous morning. What a bitch. It was the catalyst, however, that began Bella's and my confessions and reclamations. I shivered to think how it would have turned out if Bella had walked into that situation not having checked on me earlier in the morning. A small part of me wondered if she had enough faith in us to have believed that without proof. I wouldn't dwell on it, she knew the truth, and she showed me over and over again for hours during our make-up session.

I was surprised how relieved and pleased I was that Bella had apologized for her role in all of this. I hadn't realized I had harbored a little anger over the fact I thought she was so quick to dismiss us. In no way did it excuse my huge list of fuckups, but it did put us on a little more equal ground. Neither one of us were perfect, just perfect for each other.

My thoughts took me back to last night's diner, as I secured the knot on my tie. My chest swelled with pride as I watched her cook and interacted with the guests on a personal level. She was brilliant and articulate. Her passionate words about our home translated into the most enjoyable diner experience. The food was amazing and prepared with care and reverence. I had received more than two or three compliments on how lucky we were to have each other. I couldn't have agreed more.

I had a few minutes before I was due in the conference room, so I wandered into the back kitchen looking for my baby. I found her bent over the oven pulling something out that smelled like nirvana. I leaned in the doorway watching. Her hair was up in a messy bun with a few escapee curls. She was wearing khaki capris with an airy pheasant blouse that bunched up under her perky breast. I realized her body was stilled as I ogled her boobs. I smirked and drew my eyes up to her face knowing I was caught.

I wasn't expecting the face that greeted me. Her lips were slightly parted and her eyes hooded. Her tongue darted out wetting her lips. I sucked in as she bit her lip. I closed the distance trying to control my lust, my mind trying to figure a way out of this board meeting. She put her palms up stopping me five feet before I almost threw her in the pantry to have my wicked way.

"Just stop. Right there," she admonished as I watched her nose flare as she took in several deep breaths.

"Bella?"

"Jesus Christ Edward, you can't fucking walk into my kitchen looking like that!" she half yelled, half whined. I took a quick glance down at my Armani suit and cocked my eyebrows. "How the hell am I going to get anything done now?" She threw her hands up in exasperation.

I chuckled, ignoring her feeble warning. I took two steps and drew her into my arms. "Do you like my suit, love?" I leaned and murmured in her ear. I kissed my way along her jaw bone to her swollen, bit lips, licking them as I begged for entrance. She complied, moaning in a way that should be illegal. Her little hands slid up between us and lightly pushed me away.

I took the moment to catch my breath. Her eyes were still closed and she was shaking her head.

"You.." She jabbed at my chest. "….have a board meeting, which you need to kick ass in. And I have to finish all this." She waved her arm behind her. I smiled totally amused with her frustration. "We…."She wiggled her fingers between us. "….have some things to….discuss tonight." She narrowed her eyes at me. "And you better not be packing that suit away, mister." She tried to sound threatening, but it came out all kinds of hot. Yeah, not taking off the suit, got it. Until later, I added in my thoughts.

I gave her a chaste kiss. She wished me luck as she slapped my ass on my way out the door. I almost fucking skipped down the hall.

Upon walking in the room I was immediately put on the defense as Tillerman was questioning Alice's and now, my presence. Dad told him he would explain once the board came to order. He huffed and took a seat. Yeah, I know I kicked your son's ass and if he comes within of a mile of Bella, I'll do it again.

The board was called to order and proceeded with the formal rituals of attendance and past minutes. I observed my father with the respect I think I never afforded him before. Dad was a formable CEO, his face was instantly emotionless, and his body tense yet screamed authority. I admired this side of my father but I now knew that his inner Vitamin R drinking, Charlie razzing, fish crazy, compassionate doctor self was fighting to get out.

When our order of business came to the table I watched Denali and Tillerman with a scrutinizing eye as Dad became all business. When he told the board there was a new majority shareholder, jaws dropped and there was a moment of stunned silence before the chatter reached a crescendo. He called for silence as he revealed our newly formed holding company 'Peninsula Trust' as well as our families share merger. An hour and a half into the board structure reformation a soft knock on the door told us it was time to break for brunch. A buffet was set up on one side of the room and cart after cart of Bella Bites were wheeled in. I strained my neck searching for her but had no such luck as Sue, Rose and Jazz rolled in and unloaded all the fares.

During the break I was sitting next to Dr. Kennedy stuffing my face with a black berry cream cheese puff pastry thingy when Denis Denali walked up to us.

"Congratulations, youngest CFO of a trust that is the majority share holder to the largest pharmaceutical company in the world….not too shabby." The funny thing about his tone was that he wasn't mocking but sounded sincerely happy for me….or not.

"I guess you'll need it with my daughter in all." He laughed.

What the fuck? I started coughing on the bite I was trying to swallow.

"You're a good man, owning up to your mistakes. Tanya was ecstatic when she told me you begged for her back in your life. I guess my grandkid will be well taken care of."

I spit my mouthful in my napkin as Dr. Kennedy patted my back. "With all due respect sir, what the hell are you talking about?"

He looked at me completely perplexed. "The baby."

"What baby?" I spitted out in disgust. He took a step back in shock.

"But she told me that you and she…..baby…..and then yesterday she said you begged for her back and you were coming back to Chicago with us. I…I….don't understand?" he stuttered.

"Mr. Denali, I'm really sorry, but I've never had intimate relations with your daughter, nor would I ever. She has been nothing but a spoiled, rude and manipulating brat since she has been here. She has insulted Bella Swan on more than one occasion, and that is a personal insult to me and the rest of my family. So, I am sorry you were under the influence of any completely fabricated scenarios your daughter has tried to conjure out of thin air, but I assure you there is absolutely no fact or truth to her words." My teeth were gritting hard.

"But…but she's been staying with you…in your residence." I rolled my eyes.

"I think my girlfriend and I would have noticed her in OUR room if that was the case," I declared as I raised my brow at him.

"I….I….I apologize. I must have been mistaken." Denis Denali hung his head and for a moment I almost felt sorry for him as he hunched his shoulders and walked to the other side of the room.

Dr. Kennedy's snicker rang through her normal diminutive business end version. I glanced at her with a quirky smile and she laughed a little louder with a snort.

The meeting ran longer than expected. During our extended brunch break everyone rehashed their wonderful stay here at Adesse, a fact that made me far more proud than the ominous title that I now held.

After the logistics of a majority share holding company was hashed out, Dad announced his intentions of stepping down as CEO, and with the help of the board would be looking immediately into a replacement. My name was thrown out by one or two people. I kindly declined stating my home and life was here in the NW. There was a lot less grumble than I expected, then again, there was nothing much anyone could do about anything. Most of the board was very happy with the outcome and wished my father well with his future endeavors, as well as promising not to lose touch.

We finally adjourned at 1pm. Sue had enough foresight to set out a light lunch bar for guests before they checked out. I ran upstairs and changed out of my suit. Smirking as I hung it up in plain sight. Later, baby. I trudged back downstairs looking for my Bella. No sign of my Bella anywhere. No one seemed to remember seeing her. Speed dial 1…straight to voice mail. I headed to the office thinking she may be on the phone with a client on the land line. She wasn't in the office. I saw a few limos pulling up in the front drive so I went to see our guests off.

I looked over at the barn after shaking hands with Mr. Ramsey. He was watching his very smitten daughter saying goodbye to a red faced Seth. I was looking for any sign of Bella. All the families had now departed. This wasn't like her. She was looking forward to seeing some of these people off herself.

I milled around out front helping Emmett load up luggage and seeing more people off. I saw Charlie pull up in the cruiser. I watched as the sedan shook with Jake's silent bark in the back seat. I was happy he was back home. Charlie stood to the side as the last of the guests were getting in their limos.

Dr. Kennedy and Mrs. V were sorely disappointed that Bella wasn't there to see them off. I made a polite excuse. Mrs. V said it was probably best since she had been prepared to wrap Bella up and take her home with her. With promises of returns, I shut the door to their limo. They both waived as they drove off.

I turned to see Mr. Denali heading my direction. His bags were sitting next to his limo. Bree was off to the side speaking with Alice but I didn't see Tanya.

"Edward, I'm afraid I owe you much more than an apology. I'm afraid my daughter continues to play games." He handed me an open note.

Father,

Edward and I will be marrying immediately. He will be taking me on an extended around the world honeymoon. Don't expect to hear from me anytime soon. I won't let you screw up my life like you did Mom's. I deserve the best and Edward is going to give it to me and my baby.

Tanya

Wow, she's all kinds of fuck-up in her head. I waived Charlie over and showed him the letter. We gave each other a knowing look. He stepped away and was on the phone immediately.

"I don't think this is a matter for the police, Edward. She needs help. Regardless, all her bags are gone. She's already left so I wouldn't worry about it." Mr. Denali was getting nervous.

Charlie stepped back in our circle.

"Mr. Denali, could you step inside please. I have a few questions for you." Charlie turned Denis' elbow towards the house encouraging his forward movement.

"What…what is the meaning of all this? This is outrageous," he shouted.

"Let's take this inside. Mr. Denali a warrant has just been issued for your daughter's arrest. It would be in your best interest to cooperate at this time." Charlie was firmly in control.

"This is ridiculous…..for being a little love sick? You guys are nuts!"

"Mr. Denali your daughter is wanted on a FEDERAL warrant for accessory to attempted …"

"They're GONE….ZEPHER AND …. My horse…GONE! Bella's is for sure on Zepher and a hundred and thirty pound someone is on my horse. The tracks are heading towards the Bogachiel." Jazz was out of breath as he ran from a trail head.

"Fuck, I knew something was wrong. Jazz, saddle us up. I'll grab gear. EM, Let's go!" I screamed as I ran inside. My mind was on overdrive. We had to take the horses; no way would bikes make it on those trails. I gathered gear in a marathon. Please god, please keep her safe. I'm on my way, baby.

Less than three minutes later Em met me at the gun cabinet. We loaded up without a word. Jasper had three horses saddled and he was already mounted up. I tossed him a Mossberg shotgun and a pack. I heard commotion and chaos as I swung up on the horse Jazz held for me, it was Jimmy.

"The Feds will be here in an hour boys," Charlie simply stated as he secured the shotgun on Jazz's saddle.

Dad came running out of the house with a small box shoving it in Em's pack as he mounted up. Mr. Denali stood there with his jaw hanging open as people rushed by. Sue was tying something on the back of my saddle. Mom was on my other side handing me up my oil cloth slicker before moving on and handing up one each to Jazz and Em.

Rose and Alice hung by Emmett's and Jazz's legs respectively, whispering. I dug in my pack and threw Charlie the shirt I had grabbed out of the hamper upstairs. I knew Bella had worn it riding the other evening with Zepher.

"Let him out." I narrowed my eyes at Charlie. He winced and cocked his head but opened the back door of the cruiser grabbing on to Jake's collar. Jake's eyes were wild. He knew. Charlie rubbed the shirt in his nose. I maneuvered Jimmy close to the pair.

"Jake!" I said firmly. He stopped pulling at his collar and looked up. "Bella, watch Bella, find Zepher!" I gave Charlie a nod and Jake was gone. The three of us wielded our mounts and took off after him.

###

BPOV

I felt myself slide off of…a horse and land on the ground on my back.

"You're late. What the hell took you so long?" An unfamiliar female voice.

"Sorry…I….I got a little lost. I couldn't figure out how this GPS thing worked." Tanya.

What the hell am I doing on the ground in the woods with Tanya and who the hell is she talking to?

Whomph. A foot to my stomach. I opened my eyes to see the forest floor and the trees running horizontal in my perspective. The sharp pain subsided into a roaring burn. I heard hooves dancing and Zepher's shrill scream. Zepher….I had just finished loading up all the carts for the guys to deliver to the conference room. I stepped out the back door to get a fresh breath of air. I languidly stretched my sex sore muscles. I remembered thinking it was such a good sore then I had heard Zepher shrill his alarmed whinny. Curious I jogged towards the barn. I remember turning the corner then nothing.

As more awareness came to me, I tried to bring my hand to the back of my head where another pain was making itself known to me, but my wrists were bound. Shit, so were my feet. I turned my head slightly to look at the sky. I focused to see the direction they were flowing. At 10 am I noticed a front of dark cumulonimbus clouds riding in on a rare late spring cold front. Now that I knew my directions I searched the sky for any sign of light focus. I needed to find the sun.

"Shut that horse up or I'll shoot it." I looked up at the voice and my assailant. Her mug shot hadn't done her justice. If I had seen her on the street, I would have admired her classical face and beautiful long red hair. Victoria. This sucks.

"Please stop, Vic. This is enough, okay. She's pretty messed up. You've screwed with her now let it go." I focused on Tanya's face. It blurred in and out for a moment. Her hair was disheveled and she was failing her arms around. She looked frightened and unsure.

Victoria whirled around and was in Tanya's face quicker than I thought humanly possible. "It's over when I say it's over, you stupid idiot." Victoria's face was contorted into something that could only be described as ugly. "You think that Edward is going to want you when I'm done with his Bella dearest?" Tanya was in shock and confused.

"I'm doing this for us, for the baby." Tanya whined. Huh? Baby?

"I don't want you. Edward will never want you, he never did and if you weren't busy spreading your legs for every dick in town you would have realized that." Victoria started laughing manically at Tanya's reaction.

"Vic, I don't understand. Why are you being like this?" Tanya was now in tears.

"You really are the village bike and idiot wrapped up all in one. Weren't your parents lucky?" Victoria taunted.

Tanya's face fell. I looked back up there was a small break in the clouds and I saw the position of the sun. I now had my time frame. It was between 3 and 4 pm. I can't imagine we traveled that fast if she tied me on Zepher and ponied him. I'd say we couldn't have gone more than twenty, twenty five miles.

I used their distractive interaction as a chance to try and familiarize myself with my surroundings. We were in a small clearing about thirty feet in diameter. I saw Zepher and Garrett tied to a tree not five feet from me. Another horse I didn't recognize was tied to a tree on the other side of the clearing. There was a chill in the air different from the ranch this morning. I tried to focus my eye sight further and saw open patches with islands of trees spotting the mountain side. Still trees, we weren't alpine yet. No Douglas firs, only Pacific Silver firs and Hemlock. I spotted a lone yellow Glacier lily. We were around three to four thousand feet in altitude. Once that sun goes down and that storm hits its going to get cold, really cold.

"This is what's going to happen: Eddie boy is on his way here right now." Victoria's voice was even now and full of conviction. My ears pricked up. "When he gets here he'll get to witness firsthand the pain he put me through. He'll live forever knowing he was the cause of her demise."

Holy shit, she is deranged. I felt myself shiver both from the evilness but also the cold. My pheasant blouse was a bit thin for the cold forest floor.

"What do you mean he's on his way? He'll be really mad if he knew I had anything to do with this. Wait! What pain? What the hell are you talking about?" Tanya shrieked. I cringed.

"What a mistake James made thinking he could squeeze anything out of you and your father. Ehh, you ended up coming in handy anyway." Victoria sat down on the ground and leaned back against a tree. A least she wasn't in any hurry to kick me in the stomach again.

"What do you know about James?" Tanya barked.

Victoria narrowed her eyes at her then suddenly threw her head back and laughed. "You were supposed to be our ticket out, but your daddy ended up being just a poor as his ass-hat biological father was." She stopped laughing and narrowed her eyes at Tanya again. "Oh my god, you thought he loved you didn't you. You thought I was in love with you. You are dumber than a fucking post." Her laughter was maniacal.

I was watching a live episode of drama pong. Whoa, Tanya and Victoria?

Tanya started shaking in anger. Her fists clenched as she stomped toward the tree where Victoria was sitting. "How the hell do you know James?"

"Silly girl, he's my husband."

"I don't understand. What about us?" Tanya whined. I almost felt sorry for her.

"There is no 'us', you slut."

Tanya lunged but not fast enough. Victoria was on her feet. She shot one hand out and around Tanya's neck the other around her hand she swinging Tanya's body around on a collision course with the tree. I watched in horror as Tanya's head hit with a sickening thud.

I froze stiff at all the information I was trying to register and at the sight of Tanya's limp body. I watched for any signs of life. I closed my eyes in relief when I saw her chest rise and fall with breath. Victoria strode over to where I was laying and cut the rope on my feet.

"Get up." I couldn't move. "I said get the fuck up." She grabbed one of my arms and sat me up right, then jerked me to my feet. The motion made me nauseous and I vomited immediately. I quickly glanced at my stomachs contents looking for any signs of blood hence internal bleeding. Seriously, I'm pretty proud of my medical self assessment right now.

"You're disgusting," she barked as she pulled me over towards Tanya's collapsed body. She threw me against the tree causing me to fall on my knees. She kicked me in the side and I fell, my back was now pressed against Tanya's back. She took the rope that bound my feet and tied Tanya's hands together. I felt my wrists burn as they were tugged some more. I knew she had bound us together.

The rain was now coming down in sheets. Tanya had busied herself sharpening a stick with a hunting knife. I was cold, my arms were completely numb, and I was hurting all over but the only thing I could focus on was trying to find a way out of this. There was no way she was going to use me to bait Edward. I'll fucking kill her if she lays one fucking hand on him.

Sorry for the clifee. NOT. LOL You know what to do. Leave me some love, pretty please with Woodward on top. I'll update soon, I won't leave you hanging for long.