A/N... Okay, let me see if I've got this right... You're all in agreement that Edward is right...Wendell is a snake. You're all in agreement that Bella's reaction was justified when she caught sight of Miller. And you all loved Carlisle telling Edward that Miller had no fear, to teach him about it. LOL Got it. All of that is duly noted.
Now, this chapter comes with a LEMON WARNING. A couple, actually. Not that you pervs care, but still... (And God, I love you all for it!) And if you follow me on Twitter, I had a few pic teases this week.
Anyway, let's get back to work. I think Edward comes up with a fantastic idea of how to help Bella gain more confidence. You tell me...
CHAPTER 25
BELLA
"As you can see, Ms. Swan," a woman whose name I'd already forgotten droned on, "our internet sales rose last quarter, where our in-store retail sales stayed level."
I nodded but barely heard her. My eyes were on the gorgeous, pacing, caged animal currently right outside the glass doors of the room we were in. Edward was on the phone, his face fierce as he ran a hand through his hair and continued to pace.
Eleazar, Emmett, Jasper, Mickey, and Makenna had all left a few hours ago to head over to the shooting range, and I was pretty sure that he was either listening in or having everything relayed to him by Alice. In all reality, I would have rather been dealing with that situation than currently listening to Miss Way-Too-Much-Perfume. Hell, she made my nose itch, and it didn't help that she ogled Carlisle, Alec...and Edward.
It wasn't that I blamed her because Carlisle was very distinguished, and Alec had that whole suave Italian thing going for him, but even though Edward didn't act it in the company of employees, he was mine, damn it.
I bit back a groan and blindly took another report slid my way as my eyes moved back to Edward, who was now sitting in a chair with his elbows braced on his knees. Our eyes met, and despite the fact that he was probably worried about his crew, his eyes softened, and he shot me my favorite crooked smile and a wink.
I fought my own smile and won, but it didn't stop the memories of last night.
~oOo~
We drank two beers together before we even filled the bathtub with hot water and bubbles. Neither one of us was truly upset with Carlisle, but we were over the day itself. I couldn't take one more meeting, one more story about bad guys, or even one more plan added to the mix. And I couldn't take one more minute of fighting the urge to touch Edward, especially after my panic over Miller earlier. I needed him on a level that would probably scare him if he knew.
He didn't say a word as he took my beer from me and set it on the side of the tub next to his own, the water slowly rising. Carefully, he turned me around, dragging the zipper of my dress down slowly and placing random kisses to newly-exposed skin on my shoulders. He sat down on the edge of the tub, tugging me with both hands on my waist to stand between his legs as he just...looked at me.
He traced every strip of pink lace, every edge of my black stockings, and let his fingers drag over my gun in its thigh holster. He shook his head slowly, licking his lips as his eyes ghosted all over my body, down to my shoes, and back up again.
"You look so fucking sexy like this, love," he breathed, shaking his head again and gripping my waist to pull me a little closer. "I can't even think straight right now, looking at you, because you're every fantasy I've ever fucking had about you..." His voice trailed off as he leaned in to circle my bellybutton with his nose, only to drag it up to my sternum and across my breast to my neck, where he left a long, languid, open-mouthed kiss, swirling his tongue over the spot just below my ear that made me gasp and brace myself on his strong shoulders.
"What did you do to me, Edward?" I asked. "In your fantasy..." A part of me was afraid to know the answer because God, I wanted whatever he wanted. All of it. Everything.
"In my dreams, the shoes stayed...on..." he rasped, his eyes gliding down my legs and then back up to mine, looking up through his gorgeous eyelashes. "These..." he added, licking his lips again and tracing a finger around the tops of my stockings, "...stayed on."
I smirked, reaching behind me to unclasp my bra, and then I let it join my dress on the floor at the same time his fingers grasped the top of my underwear almost roughly.
"And these," he said, his voice practically growling and his eyes almost black, "didn't fucking survive."
A rush of air escaped me as the sound of ripping lace tore through the bathroom. "Then what?" I whispered, weaving my fingers into his hair as he leaned forward again, this time placing kisses to my thighs, the sensitive skin where my legs met my torso, and lifting one of my legs over his shoulder.
"Then...I make you...mine," he purred, his tongue snaking out to just barely trace over the slick skin between my legs.
"I am yours," I told him in a whisper, my brow furrowing.
"Not in my fantasy," he chuckled darkly, licking lightly again, which caused my breathing to stop momentarily. "In my mind, I take you. I steal you from...everyone."
My head fell back when he kissed my center in earnest – a tongue-exploring, lip-nibbling, heavy-breathing kiss. My fists gripped the sleeves of his T-shirt as his kisses were so deep, I could feel his tongue inside me.
His mouth popped off my clit, his fingers replacing his lips as he looked up at me. "Do you want to come, Bella?"
"Yes," I barely whispered, pulling at his shirt.
"Then you call my fucking name," he rasped. He licked his lips and attached them back to my now throbbing clit as two of his fingers slipped into me.
"Edward..."
~oOo~
"Bells," Rose hissed, poking my leg under the table. "Star wants to know if you want to change anything in this department," she continued in my ear, her voice letting through more amusement than she allowed to be seen on her face.
Star? Really?
It took all I had not to roll my eyes at her, her ever-so-obvious stares out the glass windows, her ridiculously smelly fragrance, and her stupid name – especially considering that in my daydream, I was just getting to the good part of the evening, where we'd climbed into the tub and I'd ridden Edward slow and slick, our bodies covered in bubbles as our hands couldn't keep a grip on skin. Smiles and chuckles at our slippery – and probably inebriated – predicament had just finished out the day the best way the two of us could even think of, falling into bed and finishing our beers, still laughing.
"Oh, no," I sighed when Rose poked me again, looking to Carlisle and shaking my head. "If it's still the same next quarter, then we'll make some changes," I said, knowing it was utter bullshit because I couldn't care less.
I looked up when Edward started pacing outside the room again, his phone back up to his ear. I sighed, wishing to hell and back I knew what was going on. Even Alec looked concerned as he watched Edward walk back and forth in front of him.
The meeting broke after Carlisle's attention was also drawn outside the room to his son. He made a few notes on Star's report and slid it back to her, calling the meeting over.
We all came out of the room at the same time Edward hung up the phone, clearly frustrated as a hand ran roughly through his hair. He barely gave an ogling Star a second glance, looking to his dad.
"We have a problem," he muttered, but we all kind of looked over at Star because she was still hanging around.
"That will be all, Star," Carlisle dismissed with a single nod.
"Sure, Mr. Cullen," she sighed, gathering her things and heading down the hallway.
"That's a stripper's name," I muttered, smiling when Rose snorted into a laugh as she leaned into me.
"I know, right?" She guffawed, covering her mouth when our giggles got out of hand.
"Sorry," I said, clearing my throat and fighting another fit of giggles because Rose was barely keeping hers under control.
As the men looked over at us, smiling in spite of themselves, Alec bent between Rose and me. "I actually knew a stripper named Star," he whispered, smiling when the two of us lost it all over again.
"Jesus, Alec, you're not helping," Edward chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"You're just pissed 'cause she thought I was hotter than you," he growled, punching Edward in the arm.
"Actually, I'm pretty sure she was staring at all three of you," Rose pointed out, wiping her tears away from her eyes while being careful not to smear her mascara.
Carlisle sighed, rolling his eyes, but he was smiling, nonetheless. "You said...problem?" he urged, trying to get us back on track.
"Right." Edward snorted, giving me and Rose, who were grinning like fools, an amused, yet stern, glare before turning to his father. "Eleazar said they arrived to the shooting range just fine, and they weren't noticed at first. They saw...plenty going on back there, and then Jasper asked about something you just couldn't buy over the counter. That was when Michaels showed up, and he figured out Eleazar immediately."
"Shit," Carlisle hissed, pointing for us to start toward the elevators. "What happened?"
"Michaels asked him to back away, that this was his case, but when El told him who he was with, Michaels begged for more time because they were waiting on one more huge sale in the next few days. He was guessing that King's release probably coincided with this sale," Edward explained as the elevator doors slipped closed. "Michaels treated them as personal friends when it came to selling something to Jasper so they were able to take the conversation into a back room."
"Jasper bought another gun?" I asked, smiling at Edward's smirk, nod, and eye roll.
"He can't help himself sometimes," Carlisle chuckled, "but it made them come across as legit to the other patrons in the building, I'm sure."
"Exactly," Edward agreed, and we all stepped out on the executive level of the building. "But the best part," he said, stopping in front of us, "is the sale is to Corbin's man from Colombia. Marandola or Maradala or some shit."
"Hmm, two birds with one stone," Alec muttered, frowning over at Carlisle. "Eleazar could take down Corbin for us. He not only stops whatever local gun running is going on, but an international threat, as well."
Carlisle seemed to think about it for a moment but just nodded. "We'll talk to him when he gets back, but for now, I have to check in with Benny."
Edward didn't flinch at the mention of Corbin, or at the train of thought of Alec and his father. I could tell by his impassive face that he'd been serious about not dealing with the Colombia situation. I knew that he wanted to quit working for his father after all was said and done with King, but Carlisle would need Edward's help.
"Bella, you promised Miss Evenlyn lunch with the ladies in payroll," Rose reminded me, looking at her schedule book and grinning up at me. "If Star thought the boys were cute..."
"The payroll ladies are gonna eat you two up." I chuckled, looking between Edward and Alec.
Edward huffed, shaking his head and rolling his eyes at Carlisle's laugh. Alec, on the other hand, seemed unruffled by that little jab as he smiled smugly.
"Learn to embrace it, kid," Alec chuckled, slapping Edward on the shoulder. "Just because your heart and soul belong to a beautiful woman doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy seeing other women want you."
I giggled, looking over at Carlisle, whose amusement couldn't be contained if he tried. He just shook his head as he whispered to Rose and me.
"Esme loves it," he snickered, giving us a wink.
"Don't think I won't ask her," I warned him with a snort, pointing a finger at him and turning to Rose. "Let Miss Evelyn know we're on our way. I promised her, and I could use a break from numbers, reports, and just stupid, smelly, staring girls with stripper names."
They all laughed as we left Carlisle to head down to payroll. Just as we were about to walk in through the doors of the department, I stopped Edward but looked up at Rose.
"Go on. We'll be there in a sec," I told her.
She and Alec nodded and left us in the hallway.
"If you ask me to strip for these old women..." Edward chuckled with a smirk and folded his arms across his chest.
"You wish," I said with a snort, rolling my eyes. "Hell, you'd probably get a few bucks tucked on you, baby," I teased, smiling at his grin. "No, I want to talk to you about your dad, Edward. I know that you want to quit this after...well, me, but he's going to need your help with this Corbin guy. I know we were both tired of it all by the end of yesterday, but he'll need you."
He frowned and leaned back against the wall. "That may require leaving you...leaving the country to finish, Bella. I swore I would never do that..."
"Do what?"
"I can't just..." He took a deep breath, frowning down at his shoes. "I can't just leave you behind. I'd be worthless on the ground, in the sky... I'd worry about what would happen to you if something happened to me. I wouldn't be able to concentrate, which would put others in danger..." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I l-love y-you t-too much to d-do that t-to you," he stuttered, almost looking like a pouting child, but I knew he meant every word. I also knew that had been his problem with relationships for a very long time, but this wasn't any relationship; this was me and him, and we were different.
"No one said you had to leave me behind," I stated, folding my arms across my chest and raising an eyebrow up at him when his eyes shot to mine. "But if it had been you that had made the mistake, he would totally have your back, Edward."
He studied my face, and I held his gaze, but he didn't say anything.
"I'm just saying," I said with a shrug. "Come inside when you're ready. I'm sure Miss Evelyn would love to spill stories about me as a kid..."
With that said, I left him in the hallway.
~oOo~
EDWARD
I don't know how long I paced outside of that door before I finally went inside. Bella was right; there wasn't anything my father wouldn't do for me – and had done for me in the past. Maybe I was looking so forward to bringing Bella home with me that anything that interrupted that plan pissed me off.
I navigated around empty cubicles, aiming toward the sound of chatter and laughter that seemed to be coming from the back of the large room. I found them all congregated around a little break area. Apparently, Miss Evelyn was so happy Bella was coming to see her that she'd arranged for some sort of potluck lunch.
I came around the last cubicle to see two younger women, Miss Evelyn, and one older man sitting with Bella and Rose at the tables. Alec was leaning back against the wall, overflowing plate in hand. He just smiled and shrugged at me as he took a huge bite of what looked like lasagna.
"Edward," Miss Evelyn gushed, "fix yourself a plate. There's plenty!" She started to get up, but I stopped her.
"I can get it. Sit, please," I said with a smile.
I piled my plate up, feeling starved for the first time in days, and took my place next to Alec.
"Miss Evelyn apparently grew up in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, God bless her," Alec chuckled, stuffing another bite into his mouth. "Tastes like my grandmother's cookin'," he mumbled happily.
I snorted, shaking my head, and took my own bite. It was fantastic. The woman could cook, which made me miss cooking.
"I should make something tonight before we go to that fucking club," I muttered over the din of chattering ladies.
"Oh, we're not going tonight. We're going tomorrow night," Alec said, turning toward me but shooting a look across the room to make sure we weren't heard. "Your dad just called. Apparently, Benny wants to wait until King is actually out. He thinks he'll go there for a drink and...fun once he's released."
I grimaced and took another bite. "Did he say if the rest were back yet?"
"Yeah, they were on their way. Should be back by the time we're done in here," he said, glancing over at the table and then back to me. "You sure do make an entrance, kid," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Between you, Em, and Jazz, every woman in this whole building has gone into heat."
I glanced over at the table, and while Miss Evelyn was telling a story about Bella running to her when she got in trouble with Charlie, the two younger women were looking our way. We weren't the only ones that noticed, either. Bella was nodding to whatever Miss Evelyn was saying, but her eyes were locked onto the two girls, only to drag her gaze up to me, a sexy-ass smirk playing on her face.
The only man at the table chuckled. "I think the last time I saw you, Miss Bella, was when you had just gotten home from Virginia. Did you ever go back?"
"No, Mr. Harold," she said, shaking her head and smiling warmly. "I ended up staying."
"Are the rumors true? About Lauren and Jacob?" one of the girls that had been staring at me and Alec asked, her head spinning to Bella, but Miss Evelyn scoffed.
"Jessica, that's rude," she chided, setting her fork down. "Goodness, girl, what will I do with you?"
"I was just curious because Jacob and Lauren are both gone," Jessica countered with a shrug and a pouting face.
Bella's face ran the gamut of emotions – anger, amusement, and sadness – before she took a breath to answer. "Lauren was fired by my dad," she said with a shrug. "Jacob is on leave for his health."
Rose snorted and gave Bella a raised eyebrow but said nothing.
"Who's this Jacob I keep hearing about?" Alec asked, finally throwing his empty paper plate into the garbage can.
"Bella's ex," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "He used to work for Charlie, but he had to go with Charlie into hiding with the Feds. He got shot," I told him, throwing my own plate away.
"And Lauren?" Alec asked with a grin because he missed nothing.
I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. "His secretary...or assistant...or whatever. Bella totally busted Jacob cheating with her," I explained with a snort, nodding when Alec's mouth fell open. "Hell, I bet this room could tell you that she not only busted them but took a picture of it, blew it up to like movie poster-size, and hung that shit over the reception area."
Alec busted out laughing, holding his sides. "That's fantastic," he snickered, looking over at Bella with what seemed to be renewed respect. "I hope you're serious about her, kid, 'cause she reminds me of your mom. When I first met Elizabeth, I was fresh out of the service, and damn, if she wasn't spunky. Like this one," he said with a grin, pointing toward Bella.
I smiled, nodding, and sighed. "I am serious," I told him. "I just have to keep her alive until I can start a life with her, you know?"
"Miller fucked her up, showing up like he did," he stated with a sigh. "She needs some self defense..."
I laughed, looking over at him. "She's a blackbelt," I told him, shrugging. "He fucked with her head, too. That's the problem."
"I swear to God, death isn't good enough for this...mostro."
"Exactly."
"King's easy. A hit, and we're done. But this asshole, he's slippery, and I want to make sure she gets a hit or two in," he growled low. "You know, for healing and closure purposes." He grinned at my chuckle.
"A hit or two..." I mused, looking over at Bella, and back to Alec. "You know what she needs?" I asked, and he shook his head. "A fucking workout. She needs to remember what it's like to kick ass."
"There's a gym in this building, kid," he told me. "Put her up against Emmett."
"He'd love that," I snickered, pulling out my phone to call my dad.
He answered instantly. "Edward. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Is the crew back?"
"Yeah, they just got here. Why?"
"Do you need Bella for anything the rest of the day?" I asked, looking over at Alec.
"Well, Benny was stopping by..."
"Holy shit, he's perfect!" I gushed and then quickly explained what I wanted to do for Bella. "Benny's the right size and everything. Plus, he'll work well with her, I think."
"Hmm, you might be right. And that may give her a little confidence when it comes to Miller so that next time, she knows she's not...helpless. And it might not be a bad idea for all of her girls to get in there." He paused for a moment, answering a question from someone in the room before focusing back on me. "Good job, son. Set it up. Get her ready. We'll meet you down there in like an hour, but I want the gym empty of all employees."
"Sir," I grunted, closing the phone. "He's for it, but he wants it clear of employees."
"I'll call Eric and Felix. They can get down there," he said, pulling his own phone out and walking away a bit.
I looked up at the table when my name was called.
"Edward, you're Carlisle's son?" Miss Evelyn asked, her face beaming a smile.
Nodding, I chuckled before answering. "Yes, ma'am."
"If you're his son, why are you in security?" Jessica scoffed, but her eyes looked me over.
I tried my damnedest not to roll my eyes, but Bella answered for me. "Edward is former military, as are all the guys, and they're just helping Carlisle out for a bit."
"Military? Is the threat that bad, Bella?" Harold asked her.
"It's Royce King," the other young girl stated. "That's pretty bad. I'm sorry about Charlie. I was watching the TV report when it happened."
"Well, kick his ass out," Alec growled into the phone, drawing everyone's attention his way. "You know that little shit is working his way on pissing everyone off. Emmett and Edward both have a bet on who gets to smack him around."
Bella and Rose glanced up at me, laughing out loud when all I did was shrug. I wouldn't confirm or deny that statement, but I did shoot Bella a wink.
"Five bucks says he's talking about Wendell..." Rose snorted, nudging Bella with her elbow.
Bella giggled, looking up at me again. "There's no telling."
"I hate that man," Jessica growled, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "He thinks he can order anyone around just because he was Charlie's lawyer."
That statement got everyone's attention; the payroll employees froze, but the rest of us turned toward her. Bella's and Rose's eyes narrowed on the girl, which caused her to squirm under their gazes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"No, don't be," Rose said, consoling her. "What did he say to you?"
"He brought me paperwork on a guy he wanted paid. Here, I'll show you," Jessica explained, getting up from the table. She was back quickly, slapping a file down on the break table. "I told him I couldn't pay anyone unless they had gone through the right measures. They have to go through security, the human resources department...not to mention a freakin' drug test. I can't just start paying someone just because he says so."
"That's very true," Bella muttered, dragging the file closer to her. Rose and I leaned over her shoulder to look. "Sean Morris," she read, flipping through the paperwork. "This doesn't even say what he'd be doing."
"Exactly," Jessica huffed, "and he got so pissed when I told him no, that he had to bring me his whole hiring packet."
Rose flipped through the file herself, finally looking over at Bella. "Has Alice gotten back to you about this guy?"
"Not yet, but I was going to go see her after we leave here," she said, shaking her head. She turned back to Miss Evelyn and Jessica. "May I keep this file?"
"Sure, Bella," Miss Evelyn said softly, glancing between Bella and Rose.
"Yes, ma'am," Jessica muttered, her brow furrowing when Alec joined the room again, "but what do I tell him when his...guy doesn't get paid? He's kind of got a temper."
Bella thought for a moment and then nodded, a small, wicked little smile curling up her lips. "Do this... Email him, tell him his employee's record was pulled...by me. If he wants to discuss the hiring of someone new, he'll have to come see me. His pal, Sean, won't get paid until he does."
"He'll be pissed," Jessica whispered, her eyes wide. "He got loud and foul when I tried to explain the policy to him."
"Then you call me," I stated, jerking a thumb toward my chest, "or you call him." I pointed to Alec. "Any of us would be...glad to take care of it for you."
Alec nodded solemnly and slowly at that statement.
Harold's eyes narrowed on me and then Alec, finally falling to Bella. "This is why they're here, isn't it?" he guessed, pointing toward Alec and me. "That's what Carlisle meant yesterday about leaks and being careful who we talk to."
Bella smiled warmly at him, placing a hand on his shoulder as she stood up. "You're too sharp for accounting, Mr. Harold. I should've made you a PI, like me." She snickered, smiling up at me when we all laughed. "I want to take this to Alice," she sighed, stepping back from the table.
The girls hugged Mr. Harold and Miss Evelyn, promising they'd return soon. They told them to be careful and not to worry about Wendell, that it was under control.
On the way down the hall, Alec spoke up. "The room is ready for us, and Carlisle will be there in a few minutes. You can give it to Alice there."
"What room? Bella's schedule is clear most of the day," Rose said, pulling out her notepad and stepping onto the elevator.
"It is clear, but knowing you girls, you'll like this. When we get upstairs, I want you guys to change into something more comfortable," I told them.
"What are you up to, Edward?" Bella asked, smirking up at me and folding her arms across her chest.
"You'll see."
~oOo~
"You want me to beat up Benny?" Bella gasped, looking over at me once we were in the gym and the doors were locked.
I laughed, turning her toward him. "Benny may be a skinny fuck, but he can hold his own in a fight. Right, Ben?"
"Screw you, Cullen." He laughed, waving Bella forward. "Come here, Bella. Edward thought that maybe you're a little out of practice when it comes to self defense, so Carlisle wanted all you girls to run through a course."
"Then maybe it's Edward's ass I should be...practicing on," Bella sneered, spinning in front of me as everyone in the room cheered her on, but I saw her smile curling up on her face. "How's that knee, baby?" she whispered, raising an eyebrow at me.
I grinned, shaking my head. "All of my...parts are just fine, sweetness," I whispered back. "Want a demonstration?"
She laughed, her cheeks flushing a bit. "You know, that counts as a workout, too," she whispered, turning toward her girls.
"If you want to sweat, love, I can make that happen," I chuckled in her ear, feeling the effects of this little banter already hitting my groin. "But do this for me first, baby."
"Think it'll help?" she asked seriously, turning in front of me one more time as Emmett pulled out some mats for the floor.
"It can't hurt," I countered, shrugging one shoulder. "I want you to have every advantage over your enemies, Bella. If not for you, do it for my peace of mind."
"Okay," she sighed, nodding. "But just so you know, all my girls can fight." She giggled, walking away from me.
It seemed she wasn't lying that all her girls could fight. Apparently, she'd enrolled them all in some sort of kickboxing class or martial art, because they all held their own against Mickey, Emmett, and Eric, who was a blackbelt, as well. But watching Benny coach Bella was hard because he wanted her to know the lengths at which Miller would go to get to her.
"I don't have to tell you, Bella," Benny stated, walking up behind her as Jasper and Alice stepped off the mat to give them their turn. "He'll use anything to get to you. He'll use your friends, Carlisle...even Edward. He'll tell you that he'll kill them if you don't do what he says, but he really only wants you. He wants to shut you up, erase the mistake he made by letting you get away. Don't let him use them as leverage, okay? No matter what he comes at you with...just remember, he's no bigger than I am," he told her, and she turned around to look him over.
"'Kay," she finally agreed.
"Good," he praised her with a smile. "I have a feeling that if he'd taken you at that hotel, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Randall Chapel was a former cop, trained...and you fucked him up pretty good. His blood was all over that hotel room." He chuckled, shaking his head at her girls' cheering.
"Hell, yeah," Mack whispered with a nod.
"If Miller had been the one in that hotel room, and you'd defended yourself like that, he would've either run away or not gotten up again," Benny continued. "He's not trained. He's just mean, crazy, and dangerous. But he's only dangerous when he has something on his enemy or he's restraining them in some way. Make sense, Bella?"
"Yeah," she breathed, nodding fervently.
"He's going to come for you, but next time, I want you to remember something for me...for all of us," he said, walking around her. "He's only as powerful as you let him be. If he can't touch you, if he can't get a grip on you, if you break his fucking hands, then he's useless." He paused, stopping right behind her again, but this time, he set his hands on her shoulders. "He lives for control. When you're scared of him, when you panic, when he's holding you down, he's in control. When you're kicking the fucking shit out of him, you're in control. When you're yelling for help, when you're fighting him every second...you are in control. And he...loses."
Bella let out a shaky breath but nodded, her eyes straight forward. I started toward her, but a hand shot out to stop me.
"Don't," my dad whispered. "She needs this."
I glared at him for a split second, hating anything that made my girl uncomfortable, but instead of going to her, I leaned back against the wall, waiting to see what Benny did next.
"He knows you're protected now, so he'll try to sneak up on you. He won't use a gun; he'll most likely come at you with a syringe. He'll want you quiet, malleable, docile, and you need to expect it, darlin'."
Benny looked up at me and my dad one more time, and we nodded. We knew he was going to really work with her, but he didn't want to hurt her in any way, either. He swore he'd leave it up to us, and he held true to his word.
Nodding, he turned back to her. "If I came at you, Bella..." he started, slowly placing a hand at her shoulder while the other started to wrap around her neck, but she never let him finish that sentence.
With just a few blurred movements, my girl's elbow shot back, her leg twisted with his, and her free hand gripped his arm. She pivoted her hip, and Benny was suddenly flat on his back, grinning up at her, and her girls were losing their minds, Mickey included.
"Aw, hell yes!" Emmett crowed, pumping his fist in the air. "Me next, me next!"
"Fine, Emmett's next, but..." He raised an eyebrow at her. "Bella, where's your gun?"
"Shit," she hissed, shaking her head and pulling it from the waistband of her jeans. "It's been a long time since I was in Virginia." She giggled, shrugging.
He grinned and waved Emmett over. "Straight on attack, Em, and take her gun from her," Benny instructed, stepping back a bit.
"Oh shit," Rose snorted, rolling her eyes. "Bella, don't break him, okay?"
Bella just chuckled, stowing her gun back into her waistband just as Emmett stalked toward her. She crouched down, making herself seem smaller than she was, and I could see what she was doing. She was taking away the majority of Emmett's target. She deflected every swing he took on her, and he allowed her one, two, three rabbit punches to his torso before she jabbed two fingers into his throat. But it was when she spun away from him that he made his move, taking her gun right from her waistband.
The click of the hammer echoed through the room, but Bella froze, her eyes wide.
"Fuck," I breathed, taking in the look of pure fear all over her face and pushing away from the wall.
Benny and my father went to stop me, but I held up my hand. I had a feeling I knew what was holding her back.
"Em, freeze," I ordered, walking to them and taking the gun from his hand and his place behind her. "It's me, baby," I whispered to her, and she nodded. "Chapel got you just like this, Bella. What would you do different?" I asked, lightly grazing the muzzle of the gun next to her right temple so that she would know where it was.
She panted from exertion but didn't say anything, and for a moment, I thought she was too scared.
"I have plenty of vulnerable spots, Bella. Just because there's a gun here," I said, showing the gun to her in her peripheral vision, "doesn't mean you can't still take me by surprise. I'm still open here," I instructed, taking her left hand and bending it at the elbow. "You can swing this arm right to my face, my gut, my balls."
I frowned and shook my head at the chuckles around the room because she didn't need to think of this as me. She needed to focus on any and all escape possibilities.
"This left leg," I continued, nudging the back of her knee with my own. "Bring it up slowly at the knee." She did as I instructed. "If you do that with force, I'd be singing in a boys' choir. Got me?"
"That's standing," she countered.
"How did he get you?" I asked, noticing that the whole room had gone silent.
"I was on my knees. My gun had fallen," she panted, her fingers clenching at her sides. "When I went for it, I wasn't quick enough."
"Show me."
She knelt down on one knee, reaching up to position my hand to where Chapel had put the gun to her head.
"There," she whispered, barely looking back over her shoulder.
I took my own gun out of its holster, tossing it to the mat in front her. "Disarm me, Bella. You can take me down because I'm even more vulnerable with you there. Take back your fucking gun."
"Edward..."
"Do it!" I growled, knowing that she needed to be pissed off to get this done. "Now!"
I watched as her hands balled into tiny fists and her breathing picked up. What I didn't expect was her rolling onto her back and kicking me in the chest, which knocked me flat on my back. The next thing I knew, she was planted on top of me, both my gun and hers aimed at my face.
"That's what I'm fucking talkin' about!" Emmett cheered behind us.
"Nice, Bells," Jasper praised.
I barely heard him above the chanting and singing from her girls, but our eyes were locked.
"Don't ever do that again, Edward," Bella panted, dropping the guns like they'd burned her. "Ever. Are you okay?"
"Okay?" I huffed, rolling my eyes and rubbing my chest. "Baby, that was fucking perfect," I whispered, shaking my head and grinning up at her. "Stay fucking angry, love," I reiterated to her, raising an eyebrow.
I sat up, reaching for her face, but she gripped my wrists to stop me. She was still breathing heavily, her eyes squeezing closed.
"You're focused and sharp when you're angry, Bella," I told her. "Please remember that."
She nodded and then scrambled off of my lap. I stood up, picking up both guns and handing hers back to her. She popped the chamber, closed it back, and secured the safety before stowing it back in her waistband, only to look up at Benny for whatever he wanted next.
"That was perfect, Bella," Benny approved with a nod and a hand to her shoulder. "Eddie's right...you're more focused, less scared, when you're pissed. Use it, darlin'." He paused, looking around the room. "Okay. Who's next?"
~oOo~
BELLA
I swallowed thickly as Benny talked to Edward and the rest of the men, going over what had gone wrong when they'd chased Miller. Everyone was in the room except for Eric and Felix, who'd left to take a security round for Frank before the end of the business day.
Benny was adorable in his own way. He was thin, smart, with a quick smile and a positive nature. He was stronger than he looked and quite capable of taking down an enemy, whether by hand or by gun. He loved to poke fun at the boys, but you could tell there was a mutual respect and love between them. With light brown hair and brown eyes, he came across looking younger than he probably really was, but his sure-footed steps and confident knowledge gave him away. He'd earned his position in the FBI with hard work and a sharp mind.
When they started talking about what to do the next time Miller showed – or anyone, for that matter – practicing moves, holds, and fighting each other, I had to look away. My mind, my emotions, and my hormones were still reeling from when Edward had taken over from Emmett. His voice, his commanding tone had just about sent me over the edge. He'd pissed me off and, at the same time, turned me on to the point of shaking. Had he touched me after I'd dropped both guns, I'd have kissed him stupid right there in front of everyone because adrenaline had been coursing through my veins, and he'd looked amazing underneath me. But I'd scared myself with not one, but two fucking guns pointed at him. I'd lost sight of him and had only seen an enemy that needed to be taken down.
There was a side of Edward I just couldn't get enough of. Maybe it went back to the time he'd stopped me from shooting Jacob, ordering me to lower my weapon. He hadn't flinched but had been cool, calm, and in control. Maybe it was because I was already worn out from Twi Tech. Being in charge of something I had never wanted nor had the desire to run – or even the talent to do – was making me tired, weak, needy. Whatever the reason, it was all I could do not to run to him, push him down onto the weight bench, and fuck him until I couldn't see straight.
"You okay?" Alice asked, leaning against the wall next to me.
We both slid down to the mat as I nodded.
"I found out about Wendell... Wanna know?" she continued.
"Yeah, sure, pixie," I sighed, my eyes unable to stay away from a shirtless, sweating, fighting Edward.
He was practicing with Jasper, but I watched as he flinched a few times when he would land certain ways on the knee with his old injury. He wouldn't admit it, but it had been bugging him since the rooftop with Miller. I didn't know if he'd actually hurt himself or just over-exerted it, but it was bothering him. If he didn't say something soon, I was going to make Emmett sit on him so Esme could take a look at it.
"Wendell – as you know – worked with Charlie for ten years," she started, staring in the same direction as I was.
Rose, Mickey, and Makenna joined us along the wall, sliding down on either side of us.
She snorted, looking over at me. "Guess where he used to work?"
"No idea, Alice," I said with a shrug. "Where?"
"Spencer, Townsend, and Wyatt." She chuckled when my mouth dropped open. "He still visits there. In fact, a certain redhead calls him occasionally."
"Aw, damn, and Charlie never knew?" Rose asked, her mouth hanging open.
"Well, I don't know if he knew or not," Alice replied with a shrug, looking up when everyone gathered around us. "What I do know is...he's been receiving additional money in his overseas account for fucking years. He's most likely the one that tipped King off to Charlie's deal with the Feds because a phone call was made from his phone that very day to a throwaway. He's also stupid enough to use TT email, like I can't pull it from the server going back years." She giggled, rolling her eyes.
"Good job, pixie," I said, nodding. "Now I'm justified when I throw him out the window..."
Edward chuckled, shaking his head as he knelt across from me, his elbows resting on his knees, but it was Eleazar that spoke up.
"Not yet, Bells," he said. "If we can get him to call Victoria, we may just be able to get her away for Eric. Then you can toss his ass off the roof."
I grinned up at him, and he shot me a wink. "Sure, El. Fine. And just when are we doing this Club 13 bullshit?"
Benny sniffed, nodding, and looked around at all of us. "We've wanted to trap Young with the prostitution ring and the possession of drugs with intent to sell for years. It's time, but we'll have to wire a few of you...especially the girls. Tomorrow night would work because maybe we can catch King in there, making it a bonus."
"Fine," I said, holding up my hand when Edward started to argue. "Edward, it's what we do. Only this time, we'll be wired – and we'll have some phenomenal backup..." I raised an eyebrow at him, gesturing at the group of people in the room, and he nodded, swallowing thickly, but conceded the decision to me.
The elevator ride back up to the executive offices was a din of conversations, laughter, and animated descriptions of how this person took that person down. They'd needed this little stress release, and I had a feeling I knew who to thank for it. I leaned back into Edward as we stood at the back of the car behind everyone.
Warm breath met my ear. "You okay, baby?" he asked, wrapping his arms around my waist, and all I could do was nod and lean myself back into him a little more, my ass pressing against his groin, which reacted instantly to the contact.
A deep, sensual moan vibrated at my back, and fingers spread across my hip, pulling me back even closer. His other hand slipped between us from behind, caressing my center with knowing fingers over the material of my jeans, but it was his plea that just about caused my knees to buckle.
"P-Please, Bella," he begged in barely a whisper, drawing out the "please," once it sputtered sexily from his mouth.
And I swear to God, that was the end of my control.
I nodded frantically, reaching back to grab his ass just as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened to see Angela standing there. She was waiting patiently, her arms full as ever, and her eyes went wide when we all piled out at once. Edward's touch was gone immediately, leaving me aching for it.
However, he didn't wait to hear his father's instructions to her for the end of the day, or his introduction of Benny, and he barely waited until the door of the office had slammed shut behind a handful of us that were all heading into the apartment before he unlocked the bookcase and punched in the code.
"Shoes off, all of you!" Esme growled, pointing to our feet. "I'm mopping!"
Snorts, grumbles, and chuckles erupted from six people as they kicked out of six pairs of sneakers, boots, and sandals only to thump away to different parts of the apartment. I heard TVs turn on and showers start, just like the end of any other day. I even heard the rumble of the bookcase open again and the sound of Alec and Eleazar talking to Esme about dinner.
But it all faded into the background when the door closed to my room. I leaned back against the door, making sure the lock was turned, but my eyes never left the strong back in front of me. Edward's hands clenched and unclenched before he finally turned around to face me, but I was already walking to him.
His hands grasped at my shirt first, pulling me roughly to him, buttons coming undone unexpectedly. My own hands shot up his T-shirt as our mouths met, wet, warm, and desperate. Still gripping the side of my shirt, Edward's other hand shot to my neck, his thumb caressing my face as he turned my head, his tongue claiming my mouth.
Weaving my fingers into his hair, I moaned when his swiftly released my shirt only to expertly flick open the button of my jeans.
"Off, baby," he growled against my mouth, just to claim it again as we struggled with his T-shirt and my jeans while trying so damn hard not to stop kissing.
A whimper of frustration left me as I finally pulled back, seizing the bottom of his shirt and pulling it over his head. I dropped it to the floor just as his hands slipped inside the top of my jeans, pushing them down so that I could kick out of them.
Edward grabbed my shirt again – this time, rough enough to send buttons flying through the room.
"Sorry," he huffed against my mouth, "but fuck, baby..."
"I know," I moaned, reveling in the feel of his bare torso and touching all I could, from abs to pecs, to his strong shoulders, back down to the light dusting of hair just above his waistband.
Breaking away from his mouth, I pressed my lips and tongue in an open-mouthed kiss to his tattoo at the same time my hand finally pressed against the front of his black jeans. He was hard, ready, and almost to the top of his waistband. Tugging open the button of his jeans and barely pulling them and his underwear down enough to release him heavy and warm into my hand, I finally knelt at the altar I'd been dying to worship.
"Shit, Bella..." he breathed, but he didn't stop me. In fact, his hands wove into my hair as our eyes met, deep green to dark brown and both glazed over with need and want.
I hadn't done this much for him – not because I didn't want to but because we always ended up in other positions. There was something to be said for the beauty that I could see from that angle, the pure sexiness that seemed to permeate every inch of Edward as I slipped my mouth down over him. Every muscle would tense, every cord in his neck would tighten, and every finger in my hair would grip that much harder as I'd meet his gaze. It was gorgeous and sexy and all things that just made me want him that much more.
I hummed around him, just to hear him hiss sharply through this teeth. I swirled my tongue over and around his tip, savoring the flavor that had already leaked just a bit, and I scratched my nails lightly down his stomach at the same time that I grabbed him by the ass to pull him in deeper.
I knew when he was close because his thumbs caressed just behind my ears and his hips jerked forward just a bit as I wrapped a hand around his base, which only caused me to speed up. I wanted to watch him fall apart, to come for me, because for the last few days, I'd watched women of all ages eye-fuck him as he ignored it, and I wanted that power, that control. To me, he was more than just a pretty face; he was strong and sweet, loyal and loving – all carefully hidden behind a stern, controlled mask – and for whatever his reasons, he wanted me, loved me.
"Damn, love...I'm gonna fucking come..." he warned, his fingers sinking farther into my hair and fisting in a deliciously-painful way as he came hard down my throat. "So good...fuck!"
I found myself back on my feet, and Edward dove for my mouth as I walked him backwards toward the bed. We fell in a heap – still partially clothed – with me on top of him as we scooted to the center together.
I braced my hands on either side of his head, my legs straddling his stomach. "Fuck, Edward...I want you..." I breathed, squeezing my eyes closed as his hands reached for the cups of my bra, but I sat up, gripping his wrists like I had in the gym.
"Bella, let me fucking touch you," he growled, but a crooked, carnal smile was spreading slowly over his face as my hair fell around us like a curtain. "I feel how wet you are, sweetness," he crooned, licking his lips as his hips raised up underneath me.
"I need you," I whispered, my brow furrowing as I slammed his hands down to the bed, pinning them on either side of his head. And I meant those words so far beyond what we were currently doing that tears stung my eyes because somewhere between Miller's basement and that moment, he'd become another limb, another organ, another heartbeat that thumped inside my chest, and he made me strong and weak at the same time.
He made me...better – in every single definition of the word.
He overpowered me by sitting up, and this time, I let him cup my face as he pressed his forehead to mine. "I love you," he whispered, nipping my top lip, bottom lip, just to lightly graze his tongue in the same pattern. "And fuck...I need you, too," he grunted against my neck, scraping his teeth along the skin. "Christ, you're everything I never knew I could have..."
I wanted to roll my eyes at that statement because Edward was the type of man that could've had anyone he wanted, but the mere idea that it was me that he wanted just sent me into a frenzy, trying to get closer, shed more clothes, and connect to him as quickly as possible.
I shrugged out of my shirt, and he ripped it away, tossing it somewhere in the room. My bra and underwear never stood a chance.
"Hmm, sit up on your knees, baby," he ordered huskily, and I did, watching with panting breaths and nips to his jaw as he struggled out of his jeans and underwear, finally kicking them off the side of the bed. "Now, get that sweet ass back here," he huffed, smiling a bit when I giggled softly and wrapped myself around him completely.
Skin on skin had to be the best, most amazing feeling in the world because we both moaned and touched anything we could get our hands on as our mouths met again. My hips rolled instinctively over him, coating him with a wetness I couldn't help because I wanted him so badly that it was almost painful. His tip brushed just right against my clit, and my breath caught in my throat, sucking the air from his mouth.
"So many ways to make you come, love," he purred in my ear as his hand guided my hips. Another hand slipped up my back and into my hair at the base of my skull so he could pull me back to expose my neck. "But how do you want it?" he asked, and I wasn't sure I was capable of speech as he bent me back farther, still guiding my hips over him.
My eyes rolled back into my head when his tongue circled around my nipple with a slowness that was just this side of pure, unadulterated torture, and I rolled my hips again over his renewed arousal just to feel him slip through my folds that were so slick, there was barely any friction.
"How, Bella?" he asked again, switching to the other nipple. "Look at me," he growled, nipping with his teeth just enough that I cried out his name.
My eyes shot to his, and I whimpered as I watched his tongue slowly flatten against my peak.
"I want to make you come so fucking hard, baby," he said just before he sucked hard on my nipple, coming off it with a soft pop.
"Yes, Edward...please," I begged, unable to take it anymore. I found myself on my back, with him looming over me, perfectly placed between my legs. "I don't care...how!" I grunted through gritted teeth.
Taking a page out of my own book, he wrapped his fingers around my wrists and planted them on either side of my head.
"Let's see how you like it when you can't fucking touch," he chuckled darkly, burying his face in my neck as he sheathed himself so deep within me that we both gasped at the feeling.
My head pressed back into the bed as he started a slow, sensual rhythm, his fingers linking with mine above my head. My hips met his thrust for thrust, but it was the swivel of his hips that had him touching a spot deep inside of me that made me squeeze his fingers and my whole body arch up to him.
Releasing my hands, his fingers tickled down my arms to my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples before he finally sat back on his knees, gripping my hips. My legs locked around him, my heels digging into his ass, as my shoulders were all that were touching the bed. Raising up on one arm at the same time he pounded into me created a whole new feeling, a deeper, fuller feeling that I knew I would feel well into tomorrow.
My head fell back as I realized that we were so perfectly matched sexually, it only got better and more adventurous the more we were together like that. We never held back, there were never any nerves or shyness, and I wondered – if only for a split second – if that was because we'd worked our way through some damn tough shit. That we'd taken our time and savored every fucking touch, every kiss, every orgasm.
Using my legs, I lifted myself off of the mattress with my arm braced firmly. My free hand grasped his shoulder as he pulled me to him over and over.
"Fuck, look at you," he growled with a sexy half-smile that just about screamed for me to come. One hand left my hip to cover my breast as we managed to move as a knot of skin and limbs and sweat. "Drop back down, baby," he ordered, his hand flat on my stomach. "I want to see myself fucking you."
My shoulders met the mattress one more time as his gaze fell to where we were connected, his hand still flat on my belly, but his thumb met my clit with a pressure that made me gasp. His eyes darkened as he slowed his rhythm down, just watching his cock push in and out of me, starting shallow and increasing to deeper, harder thrusts.
"Damn it," I breathed, still using my heels in his ass for leverage and feeling every flex of his thighs, but it only took a few swirls of his thumb across my clit before I was clenching hard around him.
"Not yet, Bella," he growled, sitting up on his knees. The sound of slapping skin softly echoed through the room. "Hold it back, love..."
I finally saw from that angle the perfectness of our connection. Every time he'd pull out, his cock would glisten with my wetness. Feeling it was one thing; seeing it was a completely different erotic experience.
"God, Edward... I can't!"
He fell over me, bracing his hands on either side of my head, his lips brushing against mine. "Try," he whispered silkily but breathlessly as one of his hands slid down to my ass to lift my hip up off the bed. "It's worth it, I fucking promise..."
I had to bite my lip, dig my fingers into the muscles of his back and bicep, and practically hold my breath in order to not let my climax pull me under. I wanted to drown in the euphoria that I knew only he could give me, but he held my gaze with dark eyes, the green practically gone. When I clenched hard around him, I reveled in his mouth falling open and his eyes rolling back.
"Oh shit, baby...now!" he growled, his teeth latching on to where my neck met my shoulder.
I wasn't even sure I made a sound when I finally let go, but my limbs pulled him in as they locked in my release. My body arched and shook as it throbbed at the same time he spilled into me, a string of curses leaving his beautiful mouth.
Edward lowered my hip, his elbows bracing on either side of my head as his kisses, now softer, brushed up my neck, across my cheek, finally caressing my mouth with gentle sweeps of lips and tongue.
I relished his weight on me, the feel of our legs tangling, and the heavy thumps of our heartbeats between us as he kissed me down from my spasms that hadn't stopped.
"I should let you kick my ass more often if this is how you react," he teased softly in my ear before his head fell to my shoulder.
I grinned, unable to keep my fingers out of his hair or inhaling deeply the scent of him where his neck met his shoulder. "'Kay," I sighed, a shiver of post-coital bliss wracking my frame, which only caused Edward to hold me tighter, closer, and roll us to our sides. Even through the movement, we stayed connected in the most intimate of ways.
Bright green eyes met my gaze, and I couldn't help but kiss his lips softly as his hands ran flat over my side, ass, and thigh, just to ghost right back up. I wanted to thank him for reminding me I wasn't helpless, for knowing exactly what I needed, but no words were good enough except for, "I love you, Edward."
Lips pressed to my shoulder as I buried my face in his neck, just relaxing in his arms. I knew we'd be called for dinner soon because I could smell something wafting through the apartment, and I could hear conversations picking up down the hallway.
"When this is over," Edward started, his voice soft and comforting as he pressed another kiss to my bare shoulder, "I want to show you off...and take you to those places that hang in your tree house."
I giggled, pulling back to look at him. His face was shy, but so fucking sweet that I could have just kissed him everywhere. "What?" I asked, just to make sure I'd heard him correctly.
"Y-You've always w-wanted to s-see shit...but n-never c-could. I want to do that," he said, starting in that sweet stutter and ending in true Edward commanding form.
"O-Okay," I said, dragging out the word, because this conversation seemed to have come from nowhere.
"We'll most likely have to hide a bit when this is done, so it wouldn't kill us to enjoy it," he snickered, giving me my favorite crooked grin, which only caused me to laugh. "And then after that...God, I can't wait to fucking take you home with me."
"Me, either," I sighed, feeling my heart clench at the word "home."
"Good." He chuckled again, pressing a kiss to my nose. "Because my kitchen needs to be broken in properly...like with syrup..."
He grinned when I completely lost it, my head falling back as I laughed. Some things were never forgotten between us. He chuckled against my throat as he left a loud, open-mouthed kiss to my skin at the same time Esme's voice called from the other side of the apartment for dinner.
We groaned but separated anyway, getting up and redressed. I had to opt for another shirt. Just before we left the bedroom, Edward's hand stopped me, turning me to look at him.
"You're right about my dad, Bella," he said softly, his brow furrowing in worry as he looked to the floor and then back up to my eyes. "But I won't leave you behind to worry. I just can't. I saw what my mom went through with my dad being overseas all the time, baby. I can't do that to you. It would kill me. Hell, I'd rather you be with me anyway. At least I'd know you'd have my back..."
I nodded, taking a deep breath and kissing his lips quickly. "I'll fight with you, until the end, Edward. You and Carlisle have fought for me, so I have no problem doing the same for you. No matter what we have to do, okay?" I asked, looking into his eyes so he knew I was serious. "You guys are my family now...all of you."
He hesitated for a moment but finally nodded solemnly, opening the door to loud laughter and conversation coming from the kitchen, causing both of us to chuckle. I couldn't wait for the time when it was just the two of us, but until then, living with a large "family" wasn't so bad.
A/N... Um, yeah...adrenaline can do funny things to people... LMAO Just sayin'.
Okay, so a little more info on Wendell. Now we know who leaked to King when Charlie was wired for the Feds. He also might be the key to getting Victoria out.
Let's see...oh, yeah, Benny finally shows up in person. I love his character, and he was good with Bella. But Edward was...better. He knew exactly what she needed...on many, many levels.
Now, Edward helping his dad... Bella was right. If the roles had been reversed, Carlisle wouldn't have thought twice, but Edward was too focused on ending this whole thing. He wants his future with Bella, and he wants it...yesterday. :)
Coming up in the next chapter... The girls hit the club. One of you asked...and you know who you are...if this would be an open mic night or at least would Edward get a dance in... God, I love ya! But this isn't Angelward... or the answer would be yes! :) As far as Mercward goes, we'll see. That's all I'm sayin'.
I want to thank JenRar for betaing this massive chapter...Goober_Lou who pre-read it, telling me that the fight scene with Edward and Bella was damned hot...and MedusaInNY, who helps so much with my blog... Go look: drotuno. blogspot. com (without the spaces).
Now, you can't help but notice that things are starting to come to a boiling point. The club, the memorial for Charlie, even the shooting range, not to mention King's release from jail. So...let me hear what you have to say. I love hearing "I don't trust this person" or "This character is totally ratting them out..." So keep the theories coming. The next chapter looks like it will be ready by Sunday, so until then, later...