Welcome to Chapter Twenty-one – Hello, lovely readers. If you remember, last chapter saw Edward collecting Bella for their meal with his clients, just as Jasper appeared at B's kitchen door. Alice stepped in to help Bella out. Now we get to accompany E & B to the restaurant, and home afterwards…there might be a bit of a cliffie!

WARNING…scenes alluding to drug use and people trafficking, nothing graphic but it's there. Please avoid if these are issues that upset you.

As ever, all things Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I'm merely messing with her delightful creations. No copyright infringement or offense is intended.

The Cullen Dilemma

Chapter Twenty-one

Edward was quite right in his observations, there was definitely something unusual about the Hunters. All their interactions with one another reminded me of a game of cat and mouse.

James Hunter was good-looking and he knew it. Tall and blonde, his hair was neatly tied back in a pony-tail; his steel grey eyes continually combed the room, drinking in every tiny detail; it was quite disconcerting. His wife, Victoria, was a striking redhead, whose attention was divided between Edward and her inattentive partner. To her, I was only there to make up the numbers at the table.

"How about that one, Tori?" James asked. "The tall blonde over there."

"Behave yourself, Jamie," she replied.

"I always do, my love." He grinned, and then turned in my direction. "Although I still think Isabella would be a definite asset."

"Too short," Victoria snapped, shaking her head.

Edward caught my eye and mouthed the word 'sorry.' He looked a tad embarrassed.

The meal was delicious, full of different tastes and textures yet somehow perfectly balanced. Edward was a great host, chatting to each of us and making sure I was never left out.

Business was discussed, but only peripherally. As Edward had told me, the Hunters' owned a highly successful modelling agency; it was apparent, very quickly, that Victoria was the driving force behind things. She and Edward were engrossed in conversation.

"I was her first, you know." James leant closer to me, a salacious grin on his face.

"Pardon?" He was close enough for me to feel his breath on my skin and it made me feel uncomfortable.

"Her first model," he went on, laughter in his voice. "Tori discovered me."

"I see," I replied. "How very fortunate for you both."

"Yes, we built the business together; clever girl, my Victoria."

"Certainly," I responded, thinking quickly about what to say next. "You've been very successful, I understand?"

"Oh, yes, Isabella." James looked at his own, beautifully manicured hand. "I find myself in the happy position of being able to have almost anything I want."

"Lucky you," I said, thinking exactly the opposite.

"Truth is, Isabella…" James eyed his wife and Edward, who were still talking, "…right now, I really want you."

"I'm very flattered, Mister Hunter," I replied. "However, I must decline your kind offer."

"I wasn't offering." His voice was cold and hard, just like his eyes. "I was merely telling you of my intention to have you."

"I think, perhaps, that Missus Hunter may have something to say about that."

"Say about what?" Victoria must have caught the end of our exchange.

"Nothing of importance, my darling. I was just flirting a little; you know how I am."

Victoria pursed her lips and glared at her husband, before making a perfunctory effort to talk to me.

"What is it you do, Miss Goose?" she asked, a malicious smile playing on her face. I ignored the deliberate insult.

"I'm a school teacher," I told her.

"Oh, I thought you must be one of Edward's girls." The false tinkle of laughter that followed this comment didn't have me fooled for one second. "I know he has a number of subordinates at the company. You look just the type to enjoy number-crunching."

"I enjoy my career, Missus Hunter. Every day is a challenge and every day is different."

Disappointed that I didn't rise to her bait, she excused herself to use the bathroom. Edward leaned in close.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I'd know idea they'd act like this. It appears that James has something of a wandering eye and Victoria is the jealous type."

"Not your fault, Edward. I just wish his 'eye' would stop wandering in my direction."

"Is he bothering you?" Edward asked. "I could say something."

"I'm fine, Edward. I deal with fractious children all day, every day. The man is an overgrown child who hasn't developed beyond the egocentric stage; I really don't envy Victoria one bit."

Edward smiled and, for a fraction of a second, our eyes locked, causing a shiver to run through my body.

"Why, Miss Swan, I do believe you're cold." James broke the moment. "Can I offer you my jacket?"

"Very kind of you, but I'm quite warm enough, thanks."

"So, tell me, James, did you sign up the young lady you were telling me about at our last meeting?"

I was very grateful when Edward dropped into the conversation and tried to change the subject.

"Of course we did, Eddie. How could anyone resist our approach? We are growing our market share annually – as you well know – Zafrina is going to be one of our best assets, I'm sure; she's got such an exotic look."

"How do you select your models?" I asked. "Do you advertise and they bring you their portfolio or do you actively scout your talent?"

"We…ell," James said, elongating the word for a moment. "A mixture of both, really; although I must say it tends to be my innate talent-spotting abilities that bring on the most successful girls."

"But, you recruit models of any gender?" It was difficult to remain focused on the man sitting next to me; his arrogance was monumental, but I tried to remain polite and make small talk for Edward's sake.

"Well, yes, but our selection procedures are particularly rigorous and, surprisingly, fewer male models meet our requirements."

Victoria, who'd returned from the bathroom, chipped in.

"The girls are much more lucrative. We find our clients will pay very generously for the right girls."

I glanced over at Edward and noticed that his brow was a little furrowed. Clearly he had a concern over something that had been said.

"Indeed they will," James said. "We do look after all our girls and the pay is excellent; they enjoy a very good lifestyle. Are you sure you won't reconsider, Miss Swan?"

He had the nerve to wink at me.

Much to my amazement, Victoria giggled.

"I do trust my Jamie when it comes to these things. You must have something, Miss Duckling."

I didn't correct her, it wasn't worth it.

"I can guarantee you a much bigger salary than your teacher's pay. Come on, Isabella; come over to The Dark Side."

James leered in my direction, seeming to enjoy my slightly shocked expression.

Victoria tutted loudly, although she was grinning widely. "Stop teasing, Jamie. Our company name is The Dark Side, Miss Gosling."

"Oh, I see." I heard the note of relief in my own voice. "But, I have no plans to leave teaching just yet, thanks all the same."

"Not even a little part time work on the side?" James asked.

"Sadly not," I said. "I don't always have enough time for my first career without taking on a second."

"Shame," he replied. "I can't tempt you to a test shoot? I'm sure the camera would love you. You have amazing bone structure."

He ran a long, bony finger over my face and I felt a shudder of revulsion run through my body.

"Mmm," added Victoria. "My baby is very talented with a camera. It's all in the angles, you know."

"Tori!" James hissed, a warning note in his voice.

"Well, as pleasant as this has been, I'm afraid we must leave you. I've got early appointments tomorrow." Edward had clearly decided enough was enough. His tone was very brisk and business-like.

"On a Saturday?" asked Victoria.

"Sadly, yes. We're extraordinarily busy at the moment."

"Really, Eddie?" James was quite put-out. "I thought we would make a night of it, go clubbing, have a few drinks…"

"Such a shame," said Edward. I could tell he didn't mean a word of it.

Goodbyes were said and Edward led me away from the table. He paid the bill and we walked, in silence, out to the car.

"Bella, I am so sorry," he apologised. "That was one of the most excruciatingly painful evenings I've ever spent. If I'd known…"

"But you didn't," I replied. "None of that was your fault. I can't believe James, though, flirting like that in front of his wife."

"Money can't buy class, Bella." He opened the car door for me.

"You're not wrong!" I agreed, getting in.

"In fact," Edward mused, "I'm just beginning to put two and two together."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Tell you what; as our evening has been cut rather shorter than I'd hoped, how about a nightcap? I know a rather lovely place. We can carry on talking there."

"Okay, as long as I'm not keeping you out too late. I didn't know about your early…"

I stopped because Edward was shaking with silent laughter.

"You made that up?"

"Oh, Bella, of course I made it up – did you really want to endure another minute with Mister and Missus Sleaze?"

"That man gave me the creeps and it isn't many people do that."

"Here we are," said Edward, as we pulled up outside a beautiful riverside pub.

Over coffees, Edward continued to apologise profusely for having dragged me in to dinner with James and Victoria Hunter.

"I had no idea," he mused.

"About what?" I asked.

"Well, Miss Swan, I have some real reservations about that pair. They come across as legit, but there's something not quite right; I began to put the puzzle pieces together this evening – seeing them in a more relaxed environment."

"You mean they let their guard down a bit?"

"Oh, yes, very much so. James made me very uncomfortable with his comments about women in general and you in particular."

"Do you mean you can't envisage me as a model, Mister Cullen?" I giggled.

"Isabella, if you chose to make modelling your career, I have no doubt you would succeed. You have all the right assets in all the right places."

I'm pretty sure I blushed as red as a ripe tomato.

"It has far more to do with the way James looked at you as if you were a piece of meat, appraising you as if you were some kind of commodity."

"He made me feel grubby, as if I needed a shower to wash him off."

"And did you notice Victoria? There was a real change in her demeanour after her bathroom break."

"You suspect…?" I may have looked horrified.

Edward nodded his head, a serious look on his face.

"I think she'd taken something, yes. Most likely, cocaine. The way she was almost euphoric when she came back; and, she had a loose tongue!"

"Hmm, I did notice James trying to shut her up a couple of times."

"Before she said too much," replied Edward. "I have a hunch."

"Do share," I said, leaning in closer as he lowered his voice.

"I think The Dark Side is exactly that."

I must have looked a bit clueless.

"Think about it, Bella. Young, beautiful women, "selected" by James from who knows where. He said they're on good salaries and well taken care of."

Suddenly, the penny dropped and I was shocked at the thought.

"The Dark Side," I repeated in a whisper, almost talking to myself. "The darker side of life, why didn't I get the double entendre? Under the banner of being a legitimate modelling agency, they have a side business of…"

"Escorts. Call-girls, prostitutes, ladies of the night – there's no nice way to talk about it, Bella. I believe they're exploiting young women."

"But there's no proof?"

"Not at present," said Edward. "But, I can make sure their accounts are thoroughly investigated and I can tip off the fraud squad. I'd rather apologise for being wrong than risk the wellbeing of a lot of, perhaps naïve, young women."

I took a deep breath. "Well, that turned out to be a very different evening."

"It certainly did," said Edward, with a chuckle. "I was hoping for a delicious dinner…"

"Which it was!"

"…with great company…"

"It wasn't all bad," I said, trying to make light of the situation.

"…and some dancing…"

"Dancing is overrated, honestly."

"…maybe, but it's the perfect excuse to hold a beautiful woman."

Edward looked at me, his gaze intense, his meaning quite clear. I felt my heart thudding in my chest cavity.

"Shall we?" Edward stood up and held out his hand.

I nodded and placed my hand in his. The familiar energy crackled up my arm and I realised that this was what people meant when they talked about electricity between a man and a woman. We walked to Edward's car and he opened the door and handed me in.

We drove home in silence, that air crackling around us.

Edward pulled his car onto his drive and helped me out.

"Allow me to walk you home, Bella?" he asked.

"Of course, Edward," I replied. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders; I fitted perfectly.

It was only as we approached my drive that I noticed something. Alice's car; it was still on my drive. My heart sank. I don't know how I knew it, but I knew that something was wrong…very wrong.