A/N: Okay...sorry for the delay, but the first update I wrote for this was pure drivel. I was totally distracted writing my latest fic "Shipwrecked", my o/s for the Public Loving contest was chosen as a judge's choice winner....and I got swept up reading "Just Wait" by Instantkarmagirl. If you haven't read that story...You need to do so...right after you read this update!
Big Hugs to my wonderful beta TwiDi, who encouraged me to step away from the first draft of this update and wait a day before publishing it. Best advice ever! Thanks BB!! Y'all please go vote for her in the Silent Tear Awards! Her story "You Don't Know Anything" is in the running!
To my fanfic/twitter h00rs: JandMsMommy, CorinnaTFF, writerinmydreams007... Ladies (and I use the term loosely): I 3 y'all hard for all your love and support!
For my faithful readers and my new readers...thanks for letting me do something I really enjoy! I'm glad y'all find the way my mind works to be amusing! Muuuuah! I'm sorry I am fail at reviewing every review, but I read them all and I love you dearly for taking the time to send me some love! Thanks so much! Y'all Rock!
Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight - Georges Du Roy (Bel Ami).... you own my heart....and my girly parts. Sigh.
Freeze Frame - Chapter 26
~Edward~
I sat there, just reeling from the latest phone call from Bella. She had informed me that I was to receive a package delivered by courier at my office tomorrow morning. I groaned and threw my phone down onto the coffee table. I glanced around my loft and realized just how empty it was without Bella there. The bright yellow crime scene tape hung limply on the floor. It constantly mocked me that I was currently rendered helpless. I moved about straightening up the mess that had occurred during the struggle with James. I was hesitant to even go into the bedroom. Still, my bed was the last place Bella had been and part of me longed to lie in the sheets just to be engulfed by her scent.
I took a deep breath, walked into the bedroom and was surprised by all the dried blood that was on the floor. Looking at it made my head throb. I realized how exhausted I was and I knew that I was going to have to face some serious questions from the hospital as to why I had left suddenly. I called Angela at the office and asked her to contact the hospital about settling my bill. I walked back into the kitchen to find some cleaning supplies to remove the blood from my bedroom floor. I had some perverse desire to get some part of my life back in order. Everything was pure chaos right now.
After I had successfully cleaned the floor, I realized that I needed a shower myself. I rinsed out the bucket and watched as the horribly dark colored water swirled down the drain in my shower. I shivered and thought of Bella. She too had been bleeding. I had to steady myself as I stood up. I had grown either dizzy from the smell of the chemicals or the exhaustion being caused by my head wound. I slowly walked back into the kitchen to replace the cleaning supplies to their regular place.
I went and turned my shower back on and stripped out of my clothes. I went to my closet to find some fresh clothes to put on, when I suddenly spied a piece of paper shoved haphazardly in between some of my T-shirts. I pulled it out and opened it.
I slid down to the floor and great sobs of grief burst forth from my chest.
Bella.
Even in her greatest moment of peril, she had found a way to tell me that she loved me.
I'm not sure how long I stayed on the floor just letting all the emotion out. I don't think I had cried like that since I left Forks for Europe without ever having the chance to tell Bella how I truly felt about her.
I finally pulled myself up and resigned myself to taking a quick cold shower. I grabbed two Tylenols from the medicine cabinet to calm the pounding in my head. Nothing, however, could stop the pounding of my heart. The only thing that would bring me sweet relief would be having Bella back in my arms again.
I slept poorly. I really wasn't expecting to sleep well anyway. I made myself some coffee and decided that I just didn't have the energy to get dressed in a suit to go into the office. I called Emmett and let him know what to expect this morning. I didn't want to call him last night. He needed to be there for Rosalie and I didn't feel like intruding on them.
As I sipped my coffee, I traced my fingers over Bella's girlish script on the note. I smiled thinking about how many times I would watch her in biology, the pen clasped tightly between her beautiful teeth. I could see all the tiny nibble marks on the pen and it never failed to arouse me somewhat. I scrubbed my hand down my face and went to brush my teeth. I couldn't seem to quit replaying memories of Bella through my head. I thought about that first night between us in Los Angeles, the look on her face in the lobby of the Masen Building her first day here in Chicago, the dinner with my grandparents…
HOLY SHIT! I threw my toothbrush down and literally ran into the living room to retrieve my phone. I quickly hit the speed dial.
"Edward! To what do I owe this pleasure? Tell me you are bringing the lovely Isabella for another visit?" My Grandfather immediately answered.
"Grandfather? This is the second time I am calling you for help. But this time… Bella's life really depends on it."
I hung up the phone with my Grandfather. I explained the urgency of the situation. Hearing the authoritarian tone of his voice, I felt encouraged as he promised to call me back within the hour. That gave me plenty of time to get to the office and confer with Emmett. I drove like a mad man and whipped into my parking spot in the garage. I waited impatiently for the elevator. The ride to my office seemed to take forever. It was early and not everyone had started to arrive yet. That is everyone except Angela. She was waiting for me with fresh coffee, croissants and muffins.
"Good Morning, Mr. Cullen." She smiled as she handed me a mug of coffee. "Ben will be here shortly."
"You didn't have to do this, Angela. Thank you."
She looked down shyly. "I just want to help in anyway I can."
"You are. Both you and Ben."
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen."
I laughed. "Angela, if I let Ben call me Edward, surely you can too?"
She nodded and pushed her glasses up her nose. I recognized a bit of myself in that gesture. It was something of a self protective tic. I used it to hide my embarrassment.
I pushed open the door to my office. "Send Ben and Emmett in as soon as they arrive."
I sat down at my desk, drank my coffee and just played the waiting game. I turned on my computer and read through my emails. I answered several of them. It felt good to think about something else for several minutes. I got up and fetched a bottle of water from the fridge. I stared out over the city of Chicago. I wondered helplessly where Bella was.
I couldn't concentrate. All I could do was watch the flashing dots on the digital clock on my desk as they marked time in a maddening slow rate of pace.
"A watched clock never ticks." I could hear my Grandmother's voice saying.
Still, each flash seemed to match the hammering heart beat in my chest. Today could be the day that I either saved Bella or caused her to die at the hands of pure evil.
Finally, the telephone rang shaking me from my morbid imagination.
Angela announced that a courier had arrived. I told her to sign and accept the package.
After a couple of minutes, Angela knocked slightly on the door. I answered her, my voice catching in my throat. She slowly walked over and laid the envelope on my desk.
I looked up at her and was surprised by the tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry…" she whispered, "you know how much I really want her to be safe."
"Thank you, Angela. I can't tell you how much Ben's help means to me. I'm very lucky to consider the both of you as friends."
She nodded at me and quietly left my office. I quickly dialed Emmett's number to let him know that the key had arrived. Emmett told me that he was just parking his car and was in my office within minutes.
"You sure you want to open that envelope?" Emmett warned as I began to tear the envelope open.
"What choice do I have, Emmett? I have to hope that James' need for the money is stronger than his desire to see me dead."
Several anxious seconds passed as I opened the envelope. I slid out the folded piece of paper that had been inside. My gut clenched as I stared at the photograph that James had sent of Bella along with the key to the Union Station locker.
Her face was bruised and swollen. Emmett took one look at the photograph and I could swear a serious growl emanated from his throat.
"James is dead." Emmett's voice was low, dark and very controlled.
I scanned the contents of the letter. It specifically stated that I was to go to the station alone, place the briefcase in the locker and leave. I would receive my next instructions as to where Bella was as soon as James had the briefcase in hand. I read that I had until 1:00 p.m. to drop the briefcase at the station.
"I don't trust him. He's going to kill her! We've got to find him before 1:00!"
Emmett paced about my office. "Have you heard back from your grandfather yet?"
Both of us jumped as my cell phone rang. I reached for immediately.
"Grandfather? Did you have any luck?"
A deep sigh came from the other end of the phone. "Edward, this James Cross character is a marked man. Have you received his demands yet?"
"Yes." I quickly read the details to my grandfather.
"Perfect. I will make a necessary call. The Volturi will be able to take James down in the station. Son, I can't tell you how risky it is to involve the Cullen name with the Volturi again. But, I care for Bella and she is nothing but an innocent soul in this whole matter. You are too. Just wait to hear back from me."
I hung up the phone with a deeper sense of admiration for my Grandfather. I was also a little more intimidated by him. I knew that he was taking a big risk for both Bella and me.
I relayed the whole conversation back to Emmett and I saw him smile for the first time today.
"Your grandfather? Dude. That man is wicked bad."
"Yeah. He is."
Ben, Emmett and I reviewed over all the information we had acquired yesterday. We tried desperately to pinpoint several locations where Bella could be held. Ben was going through rental agreements of building spaces and checking other sites that were listed as vacant. It was a tedious process but it was all we had. I definitely didn't want the police involved now since my Grandfather was calling in favors with the Volturi.
The door to my office burst open and Lauren Mallory came strolling in. I could hear Angela's pleading voice telling her I wasn't to be disturbed.
"It's alright, Angela. She's not one for rules." I assured Angela.
"This is not the best time, Lauren!" I barked at her.
"Edward! You have to listen to me! This isn't a social visit. I have some important information for you. Something you need!"
"Lauren, I'm not going to say this again! You are not welcome here. Now, please leave!" I grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her towards my office door.
"Edward! Listen to me! I know where James Cross is!"
Needless to say that stopped me dead in my tracks.
"How do you know about James Cross?"
Lauren was visibly shaken. "I overheard a conversation my father was having with someone this morning. I heard my father mention his name. Normally, I ignore my father's 'special' phone calls, but when he mentions someone who just offered to take me on a whirlwind trip to Europe, my curiosity got the best of me."
"You've been seeing James Cross?" I whispered incredulously.
Lauren hung her head and wouldn't make eye contact with me. Emmett snorted and slapped his palm down on my desk causing Lauren to jump. Ben quickly excused himself and went outside my office to check on Angela.
"He's very charming. I met him last week at a private museum function. He claimed he was in town for a major acquisition. We had been meeting for lunches, dinners and he offered to take me on a trip of Europe." Lauren explained.
Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place. I was livid.
"It was you who gave him the code to my house alarm, wasn't it?" I accused.
Lauren started to shake and tears slipped from her face. "Yes, but it was quite by accident. James had mentioned that he was working with you and he seemed to know about your rare book collection. He asked if I knew which books you didn't have and without even thinking, I took him over to your loft so he could see your library. He said that he was looking to present one to you as a gift once the acquisition had gone through. Oh God, Edward! I am so sorry! I thought I was doing a good thing. James must have memorized the code when I punched it in!"
I couldn't be fully angry at Lauren when I knew that we were suddenly given the break we had been looking for. I was upset that she had gone into my loft without me knowing about it, but I also knew how persuasive James could be. Bella had fallen victim to his charm.
"Please, forgive me, Edward. As much I am not pleased that you are involved with Bella, I would never have wished physical harm on her in anyway." Lauren sniffled into her handkerchief.
"Where is he, Lauren? Where is James right now?" I demanded.
"My penthouse. James is in my penthouse."
James had practically been right under my nose for the last 48 hours! "God Damn it! Give me your keys, Lauren!"
Her hand shook as she handed them over to me. "What should I do if he calls?" She asked.
"Tell him you're taking care of last minute travel arrangements. Remain calm. Don't let him know that you are aware of who he truly is. You need to be safe too." Emmett started to follow me out of the office. I stopped, turned and took a quick look at Lauren. "Lauren… thank you."
I glanced at the time on the dashboard in Emmett's car. "Dammit! This is not the time for a traffic jam!"
Emmett glanced at the buildings around us. He quickly whipped into an empty parking spot. "We're about 3 blocks away! I say we get out and go the rest of the way on foot!"
I was already opening the door to the car before Emmett even finished his sentence. We sprinted down the sidewalks trying desperately to dodge other pedestrians. I wrenched open the front door of Lauren's building before the door man even had a chance to wish me a good afternoon. Emmett and I slowed down, adjusted our clothing and tried to remain calm. I approached the front desk and greeted the guard at reception.
"Good afternoon, Stephen." I calmly said.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Cullen. I'm afraid Miss Mallory isn't in right now."
I smiled an earnest smile at him. "I know. I'm actually here to see a new business partner of mine. James Cross? Miss Mallory let me know that he was here and wished to have me deliver her keys to him since we were getting ready to head to a luncheon."
"I can ring him for you, Mr. Cullen." Stephen offered.
"No need, Stephen. I have Miss Mallory's keys. Besides, Mr. Cross is expecting me."
"Sure enough, Mr. Cullen."
Emmett and I walked to the elevator and Emmett gave Stephen a little wave as the elevator doors slid shut.
"Dude, that was smooth." Emmett flipped up the back of his jacket and slid a Glock out from behind his back.
"Where did you get that?" I exclaimed. I was startled to see Emmett carrying a gun.
"This fucker is not getting away from me again." Emmett slid the clip into the gun. "I'm not going to kill him, Edward. I'm just going to maim him. Maybe take away a certain anatomical part to make sure he doesn't fuck over women again."
As we rode up the elevator, I called my Grandfather to let him know we had a location for James. My Grandfather warned me not to do anything rash. He asked that we just remain in the clear and wait for the Volturi to arrive to eradicate the problem. I hated lying to my Grandfather. There was no way in Hell I was going to let James slip through my fingers again.
The elevator arrived on Lauren's floor. As the doors slid open, Emmett took one last glance at me.
"Be careful. Be calm and whatever happens, I've got your back if you've got mine."
I nodded and we stepped out and walked towards Lauren's penthouse.
Both Emmett and I paused right outside the door. We waited to see if we could hear any noises from within. We both heard a sudden crash from behind the door and we both acted on impulse. I quickly opened the front door with Lauren's key. Emmett shoved the door opened and it slammed loudly against the wall. James turned and saw the Glock pointed right at him.
"Well, look who's here! Hello, boys. I have to say I am quite surprised that you found me so quickly."
I looked around the room. James had been ransacking the penthouse.
"Redecorating?" I glibly asked.
"Well, you know just how much I need to get rid of the Cullen stench in my life." He replied. "Lauren's a fine piece of ass even if she is your sloppy seconds. You have to live with mine so turn about is fair play, I guess."
A haze of red seemed to cloud my vision. I heard Emmett slowly pulling the trigger back on the Glock.
James smiled viciously at me. "Want to call your bulldog off? If you hurt me or kill me, you'll never find Bella in time."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Emmett demanded.
"Oh… let's just say some unscheduled fireworks are due to go off at the Port in a little while." James smugly answered.
"I don't plan on killing you, James. I'll leave that to the Volturi. But I promise you that Emmett and I have our own personal scores to settle."
James slowly crossed over to the other side of the room.
"Don't move, motherfucker! I swear, my finger is itching to pull this trigger!" Emmett growled.
"I'm willing to take my chances, meathead. Cullen is a bookish pussy and you're nothing but a walking ad for steroids. I'll take my chances that neither one of you are going to do much damage. Besides, I've got my little safety button. You come after me and I push this, starting the time clock. She'll only have 25 minutes. Do you think you can get to the port in time to save her? C'mon, boys. Let's play." James' grin was pure evil as he waved what looked like to be a cell phone.
"Kind of ironic, isn't it? Her last phone call from your phone number will make her experience the biggest bang of her life. She'll be able to answer it too. I left her untied. She can't escape where she is, but I just know she's waiting to hear from you, lover boy."
"You fucking, asshole!" I grit through my teeth. My fury was building and I knew I had to keep it in check. James thumb was on the send button of the phone.
Tense quiet minutes passed by all three of us in a stand off, none of us moving. I caught a flash of silver through the window from the building across the way.
The glass picture window behind James shattered and suddenly he was yelling in pain. I took advantage of the sudden distraction and launched myself at James. Emmett took a quick shot at James hitting him at the elbow causing him to drop the cell phone. The sound of the broken glass and the gun reverberated all around. All I could hear was my own heartbeat as my hands closed around James throat. I pulled one hand back and slammed my fist into his nose hearing the sickening crunch of cartilage giving way from the force of my blow.
"How does that feel, motherfucker? Did it give you pleasure hurting Bella that way? Because I have to say I feel pretty fucking good right now." I continued to punch him. I lost total control. Emmett finally had to pull me off him.
"Jesus, Cullen! I've never seen you do that before. I'm glad I never pushed you that far in high school."
I was breathing heavily and I began to finally focus, the hazy shade of red receding.
Emmett leaned over and took a look at James. "His fucking face is hamburger meat. Christ! Look at your knuckles!"
I looked down at them and wiped them against my shirt. My shirt was covered not only in my blood but James' as well. James lay moaning on the floor.
"Can I get my two cents worth now, please?" Emmett grinned.
"Be my guest." I said with disgust as I stood up and stepped away from James. I watched as Emmett walked over and delivered a few sharp kicks to James' kidneys and his groin.
"I know it's not fair to hit a guy when he's down, but it is never fair to lay a hand on a woman. I hope you get what you deserve, you worthless piece of shit!" Emmett spat out.
We both heard a throat clear behind us. A couple of impeccably dressed men stood in the doorway.
"Gentlemen? If you please? I think we can take it from here."
Emmett and I nodded at them and proceeded to exit Lauren's penthouse. James' loud pleas for mercy were cut short by the slamming of the front door.
Emmett and I stepped into the elevator. I calmly pulled my cell phone out and called Ben.
He answered on the first ring. "Are you at the Port?" I asked.
Ben confirmed that he was. I told him about the remote device attached to a bomb where Bella was located. I told him he would only have 25 minutes to find her once I activated James' phone. Ben assured me that he'd find her within 10 minutes and get her to safety. Emmett and I left Lauren's building; the surprised look on Stephen's face as we passed by him in the lobby caused Emmett to break out in booming laughter.
We raced to Emmett's car and drove quickly towards the port. We located Ben and I proceeded to hit the send button on James' phone. Within two minutes we had a lock on Bella. We raced to the vacant building. It was four stories high and we knew we had minutes to find her. Ben shouted that she was on the fourth floor. Both Emmett and I raced up the steps. We found the large iron door that she was locked behind. There was a large padlock on it and Emmett found a large piece of strong rebar that he used to bust the lock open. I pulled the door open and stared into the frightened eyes of a very weary and very broken Bella.
She uttered one cry of my name and collapsed into my arms.
**chews on nails...** Leaving a review is almost as good as getting rescued by Edward! Let me know what y'all think! Muuuah! Jules