AN: Thanks to all who read/review/alert/fave. So, one chapter left. I couldn't end it here and I think one more chapter is in order. Then epi. The amazing TheUnderStudy is my beta and friend and fan fiction wife. This chapter makes me nervous. Soooo… I'm going to go hide now and won't be returning until the mob settles and puts down the pitchforks and torches. 22 will be posted as soon as I finish polishing it and have it beta'd. Thanks and bye...*turns and runs*

Forfeit the game before somebody else

Takes you out of the frame

And puts your name to shame

Cover up your face you can't run the race

The pace is too fast you just won't last

Points Of Authority - Linkin Park

Jacob

I was pissed. I mean, I know Sam is having a hard time right now. I know… okay I KNOW! I would be out of my mind if I were in his shoes. I know this, but to be bribed by Carlisle… I mean, to do something so completely against what he stands for is unthinkable. It just doesn't make sense. If anything, he would know bringing down someone like Carlisle would boost his merit, possible promotions… How could he possibly even entertain the idea? It is almost too unbelievable.

I tried to call Bella and it went straight to voicemail. I thought it was odd and I tried again. Voicemail. If I hadn't been on my way to arrest Mike I would have turned around and checked on her. I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach something was wrong.

I pulled my car down the street to the address Lauren gave me. The building was at the end of a dead end street. As I pulled up to the end of the street I saw Bella's truck parked in the lot on the side of the building. The light from the window was the only thing illuminating it. It was pitch black outside. My heart went in to overdrive. I pulled my car around and parked it in the street. I got out ignoring the pounding rain and walked slowly up to the building. My hand resting on my side arm. I had a bad feeling. I walked as quietly as possible. As I snuck up to the front I ducked down near the window. I could see a light was on and I saw a few peoples feet, but the shelves were blocking the faces of the people inside. I counted. I could only see three pairs of feet, but I did not see any that would resemble Bella's shoes.

I started to inch my way to the door and I heard footsteps quickly approaching me. I turned drawing my gun but the person behind me knocked it out of my hand. I wrestled with them for a few minutes noticing how skinny they were, but they had some kind of defense training and man, they were good. Every move I made was blocked, it was frustrating. Finally, I sent a punch straight to their chest causing them to grunt in pain. But it sounded wrong. Very wrong. I tried my best to focus in on the face of the person standing there, but between the darkness and the rain it was impossible. I realized that the person was trying to drag me away, but I was trying to fight my way out of their hold.

"Stop it NOW Jacob. Knock it off, you little fucker! You're going to ruin this!" I heard a soft, feminine voice whisper angrily.

I was so caught off guard that I stopped resisting. I felt myself being pulled back into the woods. I yanked at her hands and turned to get a look at who my attacker was…

Bella

Darkness. I was gasping for air. The sounds coming from my throat sounded inhuman. I tried to focus my eyes but there was a wave of dizziness and it made it difficult to see anything. I tried to rub my eyes and realized they were tied to a chair. My feet were also bound and I quickly started to panic.

What the hell was going on? I felt my head spin and nausea settled over my body. I started to heave and I tried to scream but all that came out was a painful, hoarse cough. I heard voices then…

"Ah, she's coming to. I'm glad. I had thought maybe you had done some brain damage there Mike. Then all of this trouble wouldn't have been worth it."

The voice was Carlisle's. I struggled to focus my eyes, but through the blur all I could make out was four bodies. Obviously one belonged to Mike and another to Carlisle. Who were the other two? I struggled as much as my body would let me. I wanted nothing more than to rub my eyes and help them focus but everything was so woozy. I felt wet and cold.

"Mike, time for the blind fold." Carlisle mumbled. I tried to scream again, but it ended in coughs. I cried. I saw a hand come near my face and I flinched away from it.

"Hey, Bella. Shhh don't cry." I heard Mikes voice say to me but it sounded devoid of human emotion. He placed a strip of fabric over my eyes. I started to shake and between sobs I choked. My throat was raw and dry. I needed water… something to help with the pain. I could hear whispers and mumbles. Then I heard a door open and someone else walked into the room.

"What the hell?" It was Edward. I started to thrash around. I tried to yell his name but my damn throat…

"Edward calm down." I heard his father say.

"Dad you better fucking explain! What the fuck is going on? Why is Bella hurt and tied? My god! Her neck! Sam! What the hell?" He screamed, panicked. It caused me to sob harder. Sam… He said Sam! Why wasn't Sam helping me? He was my father's protégé! How could he stand by and do NOTHING! I wept.

"Edward, calm DOWN! I'm going to explain this to you. No. Edward do NOT touch that girl." Carlisle snapped.

"Dad, please… Let her go, what… How could…" he stuttered he sounded scared and devastated. I heard a click. What was that? Is that a gun? I wish I could speak! The voices sounded like echoes, distant but still loud, too loud for my ears.

"NO!" I heard Edward scream.

"Are you going to calm down son?"

"Yes, yes! Dad. Okay… I'm fucking calm… What are you doing? Why… Why did you bring me here?"

"Edward, there's been a change of business for Cullen distributions. I need to know that you are capable of handling it. Tonight you are being tested."

"Tested?" Edward asked he voice scared.

"Yes. I need loyal employees. I have tried my best to hide it from you, but it seems that the supply is not quite filling the demand and I need the third distribution center as well."

"What does that have to do with Bella?"

"All in good time son." he answered shortly.

"You see, I've made a few extra contacts, some from out in California and Arizona, and some all the way east. It's growing. I need you to be on board with me. I need someone like Mike, who will be willing to do anything."

"Like Mike Newton?" Edward scoffed. "The only thing that asshole can do is snort a line and stack a box." I heard Carlisle chuckle.

"Fuck you pretty boy!" Mike yelled. I heard a scuffle and then Carlisle yelled.

"Enough! You two have to work together! I need a good team around me. I want to be able to trust you Edward. I'm afraid you have too much Elizabeth in you. She was good through and through and, well, I am not. You don't take after me in looks, but I have a glimmer of hope that maybe you will in ambition and since Mike was good enough to take care of Charlie for me, I was wondering if you'd be willing to take care of… her."

My mind was reeling. There was silence for what seemed like an eternity. My life was going to end tonight. I thought of Jacob. I wished he was here, he'd help me. Save me like he saved my heart. At least he will have that. I cried harder than I thought possible.

"Please, no." I cried my voice was faint, weak, and it cracked with pain. I heard Edward sob.

I shook my head. I could feel the blindfold slipping. The harder I cried the heavier with tears the blindfold became. I shook my head a little more but the motion caused pain in my neck. I shivered as a cold chill swept over my body.

"Why her? She hasn't done ANYTHING!" Edward screamed. I heard more feet shuffling.

"Because she matters to you. What better way to prove yourself son?" Carlisle said with total emptiness. He was such a monster.

"You realize, what you're doing right? If I went through with this for you I would hate you, loathe and despise you for eternity." Edward stated. My ears couldn't believe what he said. He was considering killing me.

"Don't be so melodramatic Edward. There's no room for theatrics, either you do it or Caius will see that she's taken care of. If you don't, well, I'm sorry to say but you will have to be handled as well." I gasped. How could he be so vile! To kill his own son!

Again silence. "What drugs do you supply dad?" Edward asked. I had a feeling he was trying to buy time.

"What difference does it make Edward? It's making us rich. That's the important factor. Everyone here is going to be rich. I have Caius who is my right hand man and will undoubtedly take over the business when my time is up. It would have been you, but I couldn't see you in my position. That is why we have this test. It's a sad thing that it has come to this in order for me to be able to trust my own son. There's Sam who will be able to give his wife all the treatment and medical care she needs. There's Mike who can sell the burden of his dads business off and take care of his family. Everyone here is a winner. Well, not, everyone." He said sounding amused.

I rubbed my cheek on my shoulder, it sent a sharp pain through my neck, but it caused the blindfold to fall down. Everything was a blur at first. I tried to focus. I looked toward where Edward's voice was.

"Please, don't." I whispered.

"Shit Mike the BLINDFOLD!" Carlisle snapped but regained his composure. "Oh, well, I suppose it's just as well. I thought it would be easier on Edward if he didn't have to look into your eyes first…" He said and I started to hyperventilate. "Oh come now Isabella, it's this or you're sold at auction. I'm sure a quick death would be preferable in that instance. You never know what kind of sickos might snatch you up. The unthinkable injustices you could endure. No, this is much better. You'll get to be with your father."

I wept uncontrollably. I looked up at Edward, focusing for the first time. His eyes were alarmed, scared, confused. I shook my head no and he cried.

I heard an impatient sigh from Carlisle. He walked over to Edward and handed him a gun. "Do it quickly son. It's for the best."

Edward held the gun in his shaking hand and stared at it. He held it up pointing it at my head. I said a prayer and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry." I heard Edward say and then there was a commotion. I opened my eyes and saw him point the gun at Carlisle. Caius and Mike both pulled a gun and pointed it at Edward, everyone was yelling, the sound causing an echo through my head. I winced in pain, and heard Sam, for the first time, speak. He yelled "Now! Now! Now!"

Jacob

I sat back against the tree. I stared into Emily's eyes. She flashed me her badge.

FBI

What. The. Hell? I looked at her with utter confusion. She certainly didn't look sick. I hardly remembered her at the funeral. I had so much going on myself, but she had a scarf on her head… She, looked sick. I stared at her with astonishment. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Jake, Charlie informed the FBI a month ago about Carlisle possibly running a drug cartel. We've been in on it since then. Apparently the FBI already knew, they planted Caius about a year ago."

"He said… You were sick."

"Carlisle preys on the weak and needy. We had to think of something to draw Carlisle's interest. Sam's been working undercover on this case for a while. He is eaten up with guilt that we couldn't save Charlie but we had no clue how many people were on Carlisle's payroll. We have another undercover in there. Caius Volturi. I know that you were going to question him, find out his involvement?"

I nodded my head. I sat back feeling like a fool. Why even bring me out here? They knew that bastard had something to do with it, why have me out here like a puppet?

"Sam told me he heard from you. Mike is definitely the one who killed Charlie?"

"Yes. On Carlisle's orders. I spoke with his wife Lauren, she confessed. She's at the station putting it in writing." My mind was whirling in disbelief.

"Good. Aro Volturi was also approached by the FBI. They asked him to replace the files. Not to throw you off but to cover up so that Carlisle wouldn't catch on that we were on to him."

"What are we doing out here?" I asked.

"We are waiting on word from Sam when to come in. We've been out here an hour or so. SWAT is around the back."

"What happened to Bella why is she here?" I asked, my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

"I don't know. That's the problem. She wasn't a part of the plan. I am not sure what Carlisle is up to. Sam said Carlisle called and asked him to attend a meeting at this warehouse. That he was going to bring Edward in. Sam is taping the entire thing right now trying to get the evidence to finally put Carlisle away. Maybe Carlisle is using Bella as bait for Edward." Emily said the last part through gritted teeth.

"I have to go fucking get her Emily! I cannot just sit and WAIT!" I said loudly.

"Shut the hell up Jake. Okay? Sam is in there, he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her." She said quietly and firmly.

I laughed bitterly. "I don't know what the hell to believe anymore."

I paced back and forth. Running my hands through my wet hair. The rain was soaking me through. My jacket drenched, I was shaking from adrenaline and dread. If the rain let up enough sometimes we could hear a word or two that was said. Edward was yelling at one point, a series of shouting and then I heard Sam's voice over the radio.

"Now! Now! Now!"

I ran towards the door as SWAT burst in through the door and knocked out a window jumping in. I heard a series of screams, yelling, and a gunshot. Followed by more gunshots. My heart fell.

I ran to the door and saw blood splattered all over the walls and floor. A guy I had never seen before was laying on the ground his leg wounded. Edward laying on the ground motionless and Carlisle leaned up against the wall his shoulder bleeding. I ran past the shelves and saw Sam attending to Bella, she was covered in blood. I pushed Sam aside. My eyes painfully registering her wounds.

"Fuck, fuck Bella! Bella are you okay?" I yelled panicking

She lifted her head slightly and I saw the open wound on her neck. It looked as though she had been strangled and the wire had cut straight into her throat. Her eyes were bloodshot with busted blood vessels. My stomach formed into a huge knot and pain consumed my chest. Once Sam untied her hands, I felt her try to stand and run. She was shaking and crying uncontrollably and as she stood up, she fell into my arms.

"Bella, it's okay. It's okay." I said and she passed out, totally unconscious. I screamed for a medic. I held her cold, limp body in my arms praying that help would arrive soon. I tried to feel for a pulse but none was to be found. I screamed in agony clinging to her lifeless body.