Hey there Everyone!

Here is the next instalment of my story. I had a few comments about Edward acting like a jerk but don't worry he will get over himself.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Review if you like, or if you don't like what you read.

Enjoy xx

Chapter 21

EPOV

One AM. I've been here since seven and I'm no closer to figuring out what the break in was for. I mean I know they were looking for company 'secrets' but Christian, the man who was murdered, had many projects on the go. My father and I think it was the missile launcher schematics they are after all one of our biggest projects not only in the size of the weaponry but in monetary value as well. Stealing the schematics for this would make whoever is behind these attacks very rich if they tried to sell them and very powerful if they tried to build it and use it.

My father and I have been locked in my office all day. We haven't spoken to anyone about what's happened. We don't want to cause rumours and we don't want others to influence our thinking. But it hasn't changed anything because we haven't made any break throughs. The Seattle PD haven't been able to shed much light on the situation either. Not that I expected them too. It's too deep for the police to really find anything. They have more important crimes to attend to and it's easy for them to name the crime as a break in gone wrong. That's what Bella's was ruled as.

Yet another thing I have to do. I'd been ignoring her and I know she's only going to let me get away with it for so long. Without even consciously realising it I run my fingers through my hair and let out a long sigh.

"There's nothing here son." My dad says in a disheartened tone. "We need to go home and rest and come back to it with fresh eyes. I'll put in a call with Aro tomorrow. See if I can get him to loosen his tongue."

I nod my head, agreeing with his idea. "Be careful Dad."

When he leaves, I gather up all of the papers on my desk and lock them away. I'm not having anything work related in my home right now. It's not worth the risk.

By the time everything is packed away and I'm heading home it's nearly two. I'm exhausted and desperately hoping Bella is in our bed. I just want to hold her and be with her. I'll explain everything tomorrow.

The lights are out when I pull up. And I enter the house as quietly as I can, leaving my shoes by the door. There is light coming out from underneath my bedroom door. Is she still up? Or has she fallen asleep with the light on? When I open the door I see that it's the first. She looks gorgeous wrapped up in the blankets, wearing one of my shirts. I love it when she does that. I have a shirt from my high school football days with my name on the back. I can't wait to get her into it. Mine. I think in a surprising and unusually possessive train of thought. I only hope she loves me enough to forgive me for being such a jerk and let me see my fantasy come to life.

Neither of us say anything when I enter. We just stare at each other, taking in what we can get. She's been crying. Her eyes are puffy and red and I feel another pang of guilt for causing her pain. I approach her slowly and take a seat on the edge of the bed, letting my head fall into my hands. I have no idea where to start. Neither of us do apparently because the silence grows larger more awkward.

"I'm sorry." I eventually choke out. "I should have at least had the courtesy to tell you I was okay. I listened to your voice mails and read you messages. I could feel your distress and I should have responded. I just knew that if I spoke to you I'd want to come home and hide under a rock with you. And I couldn't do that. I had to help my father." I look up at Bella. My eyes pleading. "It's a poor excuse for my behaviour. And I promise to not shut you out again. Please tell me we're okay."

I nearly break out in song when she leans forward and kisses my head and softly runs her fingers thorough my hair.

"I get it." She whispers. "I do. It doesn't make me any less mad but I get it. You have to speak to met though Edward. Even if you know I can't help I still want you to feel like you can unload on me. Even if the only thing I can do is listen, I still want you to know that I'll be there. I've hated the last two days. I want to help you in anyway I can. Even if the only thing I can do is hug you. So do you have a few things to tell me?"

I nod my head and make my way around the room. I undress but leave my boxer shorts on and get into bed. "So you know Christian was murdered. The police have concluded it as a robbery that went south. They haven't been able to connect yours and his which isn't surprising. They only look into a crime until they find the reason behind it. No DNA was found on the scene and a few expensive items where missing but my father and I think it was just a cover." I explain.

"People aren't usually tortured when they are robbed." She points out.

I nod my head and continue. "The police think he fought back. But it's more than that. I know it is. And my father does too." I pause and take a deep breath in. "But there is nothing they can do about it. And honestly it's better this way. Now we can look into it ourselves without rising any red flags. We already have a team of private investigators out there and I'm looking into every lead we have. My father is putting in a call tomorrow with the man he thinks is behind this attack and yours."

"Aro, right?" Bella inquires. I'm surprised she remembered the name. "I heard from officer Jameson today. He told me mine had been ruled the same. It just feels like they gave up." Her shoulders slump on the last part.

"I haven't given up." I assure her. I lean over and lift her chin, delicately placing her small face in my hands. "I haven't given up, Bella. We are going to figure this out. I know we don't have a whole lot of information right now but we will get more and I'll make sure the leads are followed."

"I don't want you to get hurt, Edward." She cries. "All day I had to keep positive, telling myself you were okay. It was a mantra I had going through my head. Jasper told me you were alright but that's all I had to go on. You just had to send me a message saying that you were alive and at the office." Her tears are falling freely now and her voice has grown hoarser. Her little fist is beating on my chest but eventually she gives out. "I just wanted to know you were okay." She finishes in a small voice.

"I'm sorry baby." It's all I can offer.

"I know. And I forgive you. Just don't shut me out again."

We eventually settle down for bed and I lay awake for a long time after Bella falls asleep. She's an angel. I really am incredibly blessed to be with her.

I don't know how long I've been asleep for but when I open my eyes I know it hasn't been long enough. Bella is still besides me though so I roll over and pull her towards me. She's so warm and soft and I never want to leave her side. It's time she met my parents. I want them to know her. I talk about her enough when my father is around and my mother asks about her all the time. I'll have to ask her if it's something she's interested in. I severely hope it is. I know they'll love her. How could they not.

I fall asleep again at some point and I wake up to my phone ringing. Bella moans besides me and pushes her ass into my groin. For a moment I'm distracted by the feeling of her pushed up tightly against me. I'm hard already, having woke up that way and the pressure of her against me just makes it worse. Or better. I'm not sure which. I groan again and instead of pulling her up against me and dry humping her until release I turn and answer the call. It's my father, wondering if I'm coming in.

I keep my voice down but my eyes stay on Bella. "I'll be in soon. Thank you for calling, I forgot to set an alarm."

When I drop my phone back on the nightstand I'm acquainted by a beautiful set of brown eyes.

"Hey." Her voice is raspy with sleep and her hair looks like a haystack but she's looking gorgeous as ever. "You have to leave?"

"Yes, I'm sorry." I say running my knuckles down her check.

"I understand. You have questions that need answering. Will you be home for dinner?"

"I'm not sure, can I let you know?" I ask, still feeling guilty about last night.

"Sure, just so long as you let me know."

When I get into the office my father calls me directly into his office. I'm hoping he has news about his conversation with Aro. The man is a piece of work and has always had it out for my father. Refusing to do business with Aro Volturi was a mistake apparently but my father has always stuck by his principles and doesn't associate with people he feels are of ill-faith.

"I spoke with Aro." He informs me without any preamble. "He was deflective as always, but the intent was there. He's behind this Edward. He wants the money and he wants schematics for a range of weapons. I'm not sure what he wants to do but he's not going to stop. One of the PI's have been found dead so we are looking into any leads he may have had. It's bad, Edward. You need to make sure our family is safe. He's not to be messed with and won't stop until he gets what he wants. I'm trying to find some evidence that links him to all of this. I'm not even sure where he is right now though." His voice has risen exponentially and by the end he's shouting.

I've never seen my father so angry before. He's livid and I know he won't go down without a fight. He's not the kind of man to roll over and take a beating. He will be on his feet until time is up. Even if he gets knocked down he will crawl and scrape and fight until he is standing. "One thing is for sure though. He won't ever get his hands on our weapons or our money, and most definitely our family. I'll die before I let that happen."