TNMC

Chapter 21

No copyright infringement meant.

EPOV

As Seth pulled smoothly away from the kerb and into the stream of traffic my laughter finally subsided. The feel of her lips against mine lingered, a whisper light touch that I savoured more than the fine champagne that we had just shared. I felt different. I felt alive and energised and I knew it was down to Isabella. Somehow the girl that didn't want my extravagant gifts or Michelin starred dining had brought a breath of fresh air to my very organised, sterile existence.

"You okay Boss?" asked Seth, looking at me in the rear view mirror just a touch too long.

"I'm fine thank you Seth." I knew he was dying to make a comment but that he wouldn't. No one would dare make any sort of flippant remark, with the exception of Emmett.

"Have you had a good afternoon?" he asked, taking a slightly different tack. I could see he was looking at my open shirt collar, I don't think he had ever seen me without my tie carefully knotted in place. I thought for a moment that a smile lurked behind his professional visage.

"I've had an excellent afternoon thank you," I said briskly, letting him know that the boss was back, "now let's get back to business. What the fuck has been happening?"

Seth's demeanour changed instantly, he knew we were back in work mode.

"Emmett called," he said, sliding the SUV down a side street to avoid a blockage ahead. "The fireworks are set for tonight. There was no way we could reinstate the insurance cover in time so as not to raise suspicion, so he spoke to Stefan and while they weren't really interested in helping, as soon as they realised Volturi was gearing up to supply on their patch they changed their mind."

"So someone will warn Carl beforehand?"

"Yes," he affirmed with a nod and a breath that I hadn't known I was holding leaked out, "Emmett has arranged to give them a call so they have an hour to get out."

"An hour," I replied. It wasn't long but we couldn't give him much more notice in case Volturi became suspicious. "Have someone call me and let me know when everything is done."

For the sake of appearances Carl and his family would have to be homeless for a few weeks. However, I had already decided that in due course I would set him up as the manager of one of my bars. He didn't deserve what had happened to him. From what we could understand, one of his daughters had turned down the advances of Caius so the gang had moved into the bar and taken over. It looked as though the low life had just taken the daughter anyway as my people couldn't find out what had happened to her. It explained why Carl was reluctant to leave his bar. I had a full-scale search on at the moment to try and find his young daughter. I had seen what happened to women who ventured too close to the Volturi.

"Make sure they get any help they need, medical, financial or otherwise." I hated the thought someone could hurt an innocent young woman.

Seth nodded and I finally looked at my phone for the first time in several hours. Thirty missed calls, several text messages and even more emails. I groaned as I trawled through them, ruthlessly deciding which needed my attention and which could be deleted.

"Mother?" I barely let her say hello. "You called me?"

"Edward," she moaned, "where have you been all afternoon, I tried to call you. Twice." The underlying venom was barely disguised.

"Mother," I said, in the best approximation of manners that I could muster, "I have two organisations to run, one far more time consuming than the other. Now, what can I do for you?"

"I wondered if you had had anymore thoughts about what we talked about," her voice turned sunny and sweet, the wheedling sound of a schemer. "I'm seeing Alistair Garrett tomorrow for lunch and I want you to join us."

"Mother why would you want to lunch with the Governor again, you only saw him a few days ago." I knew why, but I was going to make her say it.

"Edward, I made a terrible error in judgement inviting both families at the same time." An error in judgement? It was definitely a surprise to hear those words coming from my Mother. "I thought that you could have made a decision for yourself but that seems so crass.".

"You're right," I told her, "plus I'm not going from one marriage straight into another."

"That's right, dear," she agreed, but her voice became distant, she'd already gone onto another subject. She needed the governor to stop some bill going through because it interfered with one of her charities. I pitied him, he really didn't stand a chance, she had so much influence with the country club set she could actually cause problems with his re-election. Still, if the issue with her charity was going to take her focus away from finding me a new wife all the better, so I made noises of vague encouragement and support.

As we arrived back at my office I needed to check in with the nerd squad. Alex had been working flat out since he was the one who thought he recognised the signature work of the identity. That worried me slightly that as he was ex special forces. For him to recognise the work could mean involvement at a really high level, government, military or a really sophisticated criminal faction. I'm not sure which worried me most. I make a quick call to Jenks and ask him to re check her background as well as her father's. Perhaps we had missed something that had made her a target?

"Good evening gentlemen, how are you all ?" As ever Emmett and Paul were on the laptops and Alex was on the screen in Isabella's building. Emmett turned and looked at me, his eyebrows were scrunched up as he studied my face. He took his time, searching my face for something specific.

"What the fuck's wrong with you?" I snarled, pissed off at being put under such scrutiny.

"Well for a moment there I thought you'd got laid this afternoon, but obviously not," he turned back to his laptop, clearly pleased with himself. I had to stop myself from smashing the butt of my gun into the back of his head. He may be my brother but that was out of order especially in front of my staff. The gasps from Paul and Alex came with split second timing. Both of them looked down at the keyboards and tried to pretend they weren't witnessing my anger.

"Gentlemen," I said smoothly. "Excuse us please. Emmett?" He looked up. "My office. Now." I left the security office and made my way up to my office. As soon as he walked through the door I pointed my Beretta at him.

"If you were anyone else on this planet I would blow your fucking brains out for what you just said to me," I was shaking with anger and I knew it wasn't going to pass easily.

"Come on brother," he grinned, albeit slightly uneasily, "I was only joking. You know I didn't mean any harm." He stood with his arms out towards me tying to appease me.

"Not good enough Emmett," I yelled. "I won't tell you again, just because you are my brother doesn't mean you can disrespect me in front of my staff. Next time I'll just blow your fucking brains out." He dropped his head and I could see a flush spread across his cheeks. "Now get the fuck back to work and find the psycho stalking my wife." I realised what I'd said instantly.

He raised his head again and this time his trademark smiled spread across his face, despite the fact that I was still pointing a gun directly at him. "So, Bella is going to be my sister in law after all." The gun suddenly felt heavy in my hand and I lowered it. "Yes!" He turned and walked out leaving me stood there. I sat down heavily in my leather chair, leaving the gun on my desk. What was that woman doing to me? I couldn't even discipline my brother properly.

I booted up my lap top but all I could think about was Isabella. She was invading my mind all the time and today had just proved to me how right I'd been at our very first meeting. Before I could talk myself out of it I picked up my phone and dialled her.

"Well Hello Edward," she answered. It made me happy that she had saved my number in her phone, "this is a nice surprise, twice in one day."

"I wanted to thank you for this afternoon," I told her. "I had a wonderful time and I wondered if you would like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?" My voice sounded foreign, too formal. I cursed myself internally. I wasn't ever going to be the type of man who could gossip in low tones over the telephone.

"So soon?" Her tone was teasing. Somehow I felt that she understood that my brusqueness was just a mannerism and forgave me for it. "Can you handle me two days in a row?"

I groaned as I pictured handling her. "I might be lacking in experience of courting someone Isabella but I assure you I'm a quick learner and I'll be up to speed before you know it." She laughed freely in response and I couldn't help but smile. "You haven't answered my question Isabella; do you want to go out for dinner with me?"

"I would love to Edward, but can I please pick the restaurant?"

I knew what was coming and I tried to stay calm, it was going to be a fucking hot dog cart or some greasy diner with chipped Formica tables and plastic menus.

"Only if I can stipulate that it has to at least have a maitre'd and a wine list."

I could hear her laughing and the sound went straight to my cock.

"I'll pick you up at seven," I told her as I tried to adjust the growth making my dress pants tight.

"How about I pick you up," she said, flirtatiously, "that way I can surprise you?"

"Not possible I'm afraid," I dismissed it quickly. I hated surprises. "Both of us need our protection detail so I have to be a little more organised than that."

"Okay how about a compromise?"

"Uh,huh…"

"I'll let Emmett know where we are going and he can arrange to pick us up, that way him and Rosie can go out as wall."

"Please tell me you are not suggesting we double date like some fucking high school couple?"

"What's wrong with spending time with your brother and his girlfriend?" As she spoke the words my hard on deflated instantly. I needed to spend time with her, getting to know her, not listening to Emmett's fiancée popping gum as she tried to understand the wine selections and most probably the menu.

"Nothing Isabella, and hopefully in time we will," my tone was positive but internally I was thinking that wasn't fucking likely, "but I really want to spend time with you. I can guarantee once Alice knows the four of us are out she will drag Jasper along and before you know it I won't get to talk to you all night. I'm not ready to share you yet Isabella." The words had been said to justify not bringing along my brother, yet when they came out I suddenly realised how true that sentence was. I wanted her. I wanted her all to myself.

BPOV

How could I resist him? As much as I'd love to get together with his brother and sister and their partners I could understand his reasoning. After all, I wanted to spend time with him as well.

"Okay Edward just the two of us then," I paused, letting the thought settle firm in my mind for a moment. "I'll organise a nice restaurant and let you know where we are going so you can let your people know."

We said goodbye and I immediately started googling the top ten best restaurants in the city. The list was easy enough to find but the problem was I didn't fancy visiting any of them. I do appreciate good food, it's the clientele I can't cope with. I don't care how much money someone has, or who they are, we all piss in the same pot several times a day.

I knew I had to find a comprise. It had obviously been a big thing Edward did for me, bringing the picnic. The least I could do was try one of his favourite restaurants. I called the top three restaurants on the list and they all informed me they were fully booked for tomorrow night. I sat and tried to think where else could try when I had a devious thought. I called back and pretended to be Edward's PA. Suddenly the most exclusive restaurant on the list had a table available. I was pleased but slightly angry. This was exactly the reason why I hated people who used these restaurants. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that compromise was my new buzz word.

I had a quick look through my wardrobe, if this was going to be a fancy place I needed something to wear. I reached for my black cocktail dress that was still in the dry-cleaning wrap from the last time I'd worn it. I picked out some chunky silver jewellery that matched the silver thread woven through the dress and my favourite fake Louboutins. They were high and classy and several hundred dollars cheaper than the real thing. I needed a new bra to wear under it so I'd have to go shopping tomorrow but I could fit that in. I called Seth back to let him know where we had reservations and he offered to drive Edward to me and then to take us to the restaurant.

I went to bed feeling excited. After completing my night time ritual I lay staring at the ceiling. The events of the day swirled through my mind on a continuous loop, no matter how much I tried to relax my body wouldn't cooperate. I thought about a hot bath but I couldn't be bothered to actually get up and run one. I could have really done with a massage, but seeing as I didn't have a friendly masseuse on speed dial I reached for the next best thing. My trusty vibrator coughed and spluttered to life and I realised new batteries were definitely in order, Mr Cullen had no idea just how much he was helping the economy, I was on my second pack of batteries this week alone.

As my orgasm swept through me I finally felt my body relaxing. Mother nature's natural relaxant, better than any synthetic drug, did its job and I was asleep before I could even but my artificial boyfriend back in his drawer.

I woke the next morning wondering what I was lying on. For a split second, I wondered who was in my bed with me and I squeezed my eyes closed as I tried to remember if I'd gone out drinking last night. Once I was sure I hadn't, I reached out and felt my vibrator sticking to my thigh. I was tempted to see if I'd finally killed the batteries but in the end I threw it in the bin and made my way to the shower.

I had a couple of appointments today so after picking out my pant suit, I quickly tied my hair up and set out on foot to show a lovely property to a couple just a block over from my place.

"Good Morning Miss Swan, how are you today?" Alex asked as I walked into the foyer. I had been surprised to see my place so carefully watched on CCTV but with the potential of running into Mr Jarvis the one cloud on the glorious horizon of my day I was secretly pleased that there was somebody looking out for me.

"I'm good, I'm just off to see a client." I turned and looked in the direction of where I thought the camera was and waved.

After all, you never know who could be watching.