A/N: FIRST! I am soooo sorry it took so dang long to update :( Life has been CRAZY! Can I get an amen? AMEN!
Ok so…I know I suck because I left you on the biggest cliffie EVER! But all will be resolved in this chapter but I am afraid you will hate me even more :( BUT I swear it will all be resolved very very soon.
In case you missed the warning above… WARNING! Things are about to get very bumpy but please just have the faith!
Much love to all. Especially my beta who might want to injure me lol! Love you girl! :)
Steph owns it all. This time tomorrow I will own BREAKING DAWN TICKETS!
Can I get a 'woot woot?'
:D
Ok thanks for hanging in…see you at the bottom. Fasten your seatbelt please!
…..
"Who the hell is A. E. Masen?" I asked and even I could hear the bitterness in my voice.
Edward's eyes widened and he looked at me in shock. I stared at him waiting for an answer and finally he took a deep breath, ran his hand through his hair and said, "Me."
CHAPTER 28
I took a deep calming breath and reminded myself that there had to be a logical explanation to all of this and I wanted to hear it. Now.
"What do you mean, it's you?" I asked and felt the picture fall from my hand.
Edward looked from me to the seat that was behind me and motioned for me to sit down. I didn't feel like sitting.
"No thank you…I need an explanation." I said and crossed my arms.
Edward-or whoever he was-walked over and pulled me down onto his lap as he fell into the chair. He took a deep breath and I sighed in frustration.
"I can explain all of this Bella, but I just want you to know that I never wanted to lie to you…about anything it's just that my job-"
"Edward, cut the shit and tell me now." I said and pushed myself up off his lap.
I wanted to hear the truth not some excuse of why I don't know the truth.
He sighed and said, "Bella, my name is Anthony Edward Masen. Cullen is my alias, it's also my mother's maiden name but that's not important right now."
I crossed my arms and asked, "Why do you have an alias Mr. Masen?"
He jumped up out of his seat and said, "Please calm down, you aren't going to believe anything I have to say if you're mad."
I felt my mouth pop open. "You expect me to not be mad? You lied to me…I don't even know who you are, your real name!"
"Please!" He screamed out. "Just listen to me."
I narrowed my eyes and stared at him waiting. "It better be good."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "First of all…I am a cop. I moved here to work undercover for Jenks to…" I raised my eyebrows in anticipation. I fervently hoped this wasn't going where I thought it was. I felt my blood pressure shooting through the roof and tears fill my eyes. Deny it…please deny it. "I was sent here to bust Jacob Black."
I swear I just died a little.
THUD.
See? There goes my heart giving out…
"So you used me…to get to him."
"No!" Edward cried out and ran a hand over his face. "I knew you would assume this. I knew from the beginning you would assume that!"
I threw my hands up in the air in frustration. "You knew from the beginning? So how was it, you found out I had connections to him and could possibly give you information you needed on him, give you an upper hand? So you decided to fuck me, get close and I would just open up like a book!"
"No!" Edward screamed out. "I had no idea Bella. I had no clue you were seeing anyone until I saw you two in the grocery store. Even then I didn't know that Jacob was the one I was going after. They sent me down to do some research and get some history of gang activity in the area. When I came into this I didn't even know Jacob's name! I didn't know until that night I was over at your apartment and I got that call…remember? You remember it Bella, I know you do. Someone called me when we were about to-"
"Stop!" I screamed at him and threw a hand up. "I don't believe it for an instant! You could have told me then. You could have told me two days ago, hell you could have just told me and maybe I would have responded a little better. But what were you waiting on? For something like this to happen? When were you going to tell me?"
"I was going to tell you yesterday because I didn't want you finding out any other way. I wanted to tell you so bad Bella, but I was so afraid this would happen." He waved his hand back and forth between us. I just couldn't believe him, not after finding out he lied to me all this time.
"So why didn't you tell me yesterday?" I yelled and felt tears streak down my face.
He lowered his head and said, "You said that…about me not being a cop and it hurt."
If he was expecting sympathy he wasn't going to get it. He just went on. "It hurt because you didn't know the truth and I knew this would happen when you found out…I knew you would be mad and possibly hate me. I didn't want you to think I had lied to you about it. I wasn't allowed to talk about it. Jasper knew because I had to have a go to man and he was the only one. Emmett and Rose think I have lost my badge and I don't know anyone else around here. Mom and Dad think that I am helping Emmett with the gym and that's it. I was bound by law to not reveal to you who I was, then when Jenks found out that you and I were…" he struggled for the right word. Apparently he couldn't find a good enough word. "He blew up on me…I nearly lost my badge then. He was so worried we would be compromised."
"Do you want me to feel sorry for you?" I yelled at him. "Is that why you're saying this? To make me feel sorry for you?"
"No," Edward said in a defeated voice. "I just want you to understand."
I didn't say anything as the tears fell from my face. After a moment of my silence Edward went on.
"You have to understand, Bella, I told you before. I assume the worse in everyone. It's my second nature with this job. I was afraid in the beginning that you were on Jacob's side and that if I told you the truth you would tell him and…I was afraid that Jenks was right, I was afraid we would be compromised. I was afraid you would think I had used you. I was afraid of losing you…Bella I was afraid."
I swallowed back the sob in my throat and wiped at my face.
"Get out."
"What?" He looked up at me in shock.
I swallowed again and looked to the floor. "Get out…"
"Bella you can't be serious." He said in disbelief.
"Get the hell out of here." I said angrily through my teeth.
Edward stared at me for several seconds and then with a defeated sigh he bowed his head and walked out of the room. I stood strong until I heard the front door slam. With the sound of the door connecting with the frame, I broke. I fell to the floor and curled in on myself. I sobbed until there was no air left in my lungs to make any noise whatsoever. Tears ran down my face continuously. I was vaguely aware of Alice's hands trying to comfort me. I couldn't hear her words, for with Alice there are always words.
I can't believe this…I have no one to blame but myself. I walked straight into this trap. I should have known in the beginning that this wasn't a good idea. I should have known I would get my heart broken. I should have trusted no one. Then I wouldn't be in this boat right now.
I cried for what seemed like hours and when Alice told me that Edward had called and I needed to come to the station if I was able I cried some more. Alice took me to the station after an extremely hot shower and a clothes change. When I walked in I saw Kate, the girl that rescued me from Jacob's car Saturday night. She smiled at me and I just nodded in return. It all made sense now…how he could call in these favors, why they all called him sir. I swayed on my feet and Alice just gripped my arm a bit to hold me up.
I followed Kate down the hall and left Alice in the lobby. She wasn't allowed to come back. She led me to an interrogation room; thankfully it wasn't the one that we were in last week. I thanked her with a weak voice and walked in with the plump man I remember as Jenks.
I was so glad that Edward wasn't here…it would be too hard to look at him right now. He hurt me because he lied to me. He used me to get to Jacob, I was just a tool in this game. I was nothing more.
So what, he got me out of there, he had to protect a human being. It's his job. I swallowed the sob in my throat and greeted Jenks.
"Nice to see you again, Ms. Swan." He said and motioned for me to take a seat.
"You too, sir." I said and sat down across from him with my back to the mirror on the wall. I knew it could be seen through on the other side. Was Edward in there?
"I know that you are going through a hard time right now Ms. Swan."
"Bella." I corrected him.
He smiled and said, "Bella. But I would like to ask you some questions if that is alright?"
I nodded and knitted my hands together on the table in front of me.
"Alright, first…were you employed by Jacob Black at Black Publishing Company also known as Black Incorporation?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"And what position did you feel in his company, Bella?" He asked next.
"I was his head secretary."
"What did the job entail for you as his head secretary?"
I sighed and said, "I was to make appointments for him with editors, writers, anyone who was looking for a contract with the company. Sometimes I did personal errands for Mr. Black as well."
"And what do you mean by personal errands?" Jenks questioned.
"I would occasionally pick up his laundry from the dry cleaners, make sure the maids were paid. It was never more personal than the dry cleaning."
Jenks nodded and said, "And you had assistants and secretaries under you?"
I nodded and said, "Just one, Jane Voltair."
Jenks scribbled the name down and then went on with the questions. They had been relatively simple.
"I understand that you and Mr. Black had entered into a personal relationship that remained outside of the workplace?"
I took a deep breath and nodded. "That's correct."
"And when you entered this relationship were you aware of his clubs, and anything to do with his gang also known as 'the pack?'"
"No, I didn't. While we were together we only had dinner at each other's house. We were never in public except for once when we went grocery shopping. He was afraid that someone from work would see us."
I feel like I am on one of those lame TV shows right now…this is ridiculous.
"Right," Jenks said and jotted down a few things. "Were you and Mr. Black intimate?'
Do what?
I frowned and asked, "I'm sorry but how is this relevant?"
Jenks sighed and said, "He led a prostitution ring which leads us to believe he was intimate with the girls, we are required to ask if you were intimate in order to make sure that you were not paid for your…time together."
"Jacob and I were never intimate, no." I said immediately and felt sick at the thought of him paying women for sex. I shuddered lightly. No, what was worse was the fact that he lived off of the girls earnings.
"And when did Mr. Black ask you to his house to visit his friends?" Jenks asked.
"The first time was last Tuesday. He wanted to introduce us."
Jenks wrote something else down and asked, "And this is when you met Kimberly Worthington?"
I sighed and nodded. "Yes."
"We already have on record what you witnessed that day Bella but I have to ask, did you know at the time that Kimberly Worthington was Jacob Black's half sister by his mother?"
I shook my head. "No, I had no clue."
He nodded and flipped through the chart. "Then on Friday evening, a week ago, can you tell me what happened that day?"
I sighed and closed my eyes trying to remember everything. "Jacob insisted that I come to his house that night to have dinner with his friends and that I ride with him. He said I could leave my truck at the office. I did as he had suggested and rode to his house with him. When we got there, there were three other girls I had never seen before but I recognized two of them as the girls that had been on the news about being missing. It didn't register until later though. Nothing really happened until Jacob dismissed the other girls to go upstairs with Emily and Leah. Then he announced to the pack that I was the newest member and I was his, no one else was to touch me but if I was into it he might let them watch one day." I shuttered and rolled my eyes. "Then he sent me upstairs with Emily, I tried to run but Leah dragged me into a room and shut the door. Something white covered my face and I blacked out. I woke the next morning in my truck parked behind Hale Fitness Center."
"And did Jacob refer to his friends as 'the pack' prior to that night?" He asked me.
I nodded and said, "Yes, he did on Tuesday night."
Jenks was quiet for a moment and then he looked at me in confusion and asked, "Bella, what do you think happened while you were knocked out?"
"That was when they gave me my tattoo." I said and showed him the tattoo when he asked to see it.
"Do you know what the key represents?" He asked and was prepared to take notes on my comments.
I shook my head and said, "I have no idea. I was never told but I think that the moon represents their drugs, all of the pack has a crescent moon tattooed somewhere."
Jenks nodded and said, "And you previously said that the girls, his prostitutes were all marked with wolf prints?"
I nodded and repeated to him the explanation of that. He told me that the information was recorded and then said, "Ms. Swan I have a rather personal question to ask and I am afraid that we may have to do some tests."
I swallowed and looked at him anxiously. "Ok."
"In the time that you were passed out, do you think that any personal space may have been violated?"
I rolled my eyes and said, "Other than that bitch putting a tattoo on me, no. Why?"
Jenks nodded and asked, "The next day, were you sore or did you find any unexplainable bruises or markings on your body?"
"No. I wasn't raped if that's what you're getting at."
He put his hands up in defense and said, "Just standard procedure."
I nodded and when he was silent I asked, "Do you need anything else?"
Jenks sighed and said, "I'm afraid that we are going to have to run some drug tests and we would like to do a rape kit just to make sure if that's alright with you?"
I frowned and started to feel a little sick. "I wasn't raped, came pretty damn close Sunday night but I wasn't raped."
"Just standard procedure." He said and then went on. "I have one more question."
"Alright." I said.
"Were you aware that 'the pack' was dealing, selling, and possibly partaking in drugs?" He asked.
"No, I had no clue until…" I trailed off because I didn't know what I could say here without Emmett getting into trouble. I didn't want them to get busted.
"Until?" He questioned.
I swallowed hard and said, "Until I was informed by Ed-" I stopped myself and didn't will my lips to form the rest of his name. Instead I said, "Until I was informed by Mr. Masen."
Jenks frowned and nodded. He looked over my shoulder and then slipped his hand under the table for a minute. He pushed himself up out of his chair and walked over to stand behind me. He leaned forward and said, "Bella, he is hurt and upset too…he told you the truth, you know? Masen is like a son to me and I have never seen him so upset."
I shoved out of my seat and said, "Are we done here?"
Jenks sighed and ran a tired hand over his face. "We are, see Kate before you leave and she will have a write up for a doctor. You can visit the hospital in town."
"Thanks." I said between my teeth and walked to the door. I heard a buzzer go off so I pulled the door back and walked down the hallway towards the lobby. After getting what I needed from Kate, Alice and I left. We went by the hospital and got everything taken care of. They said that they had to send the results of my tests to the police station and if I was needed again they would call me back.
I thanked them and left. On the way to Alice's I tried to keep my tears at bay but they wouldn't seem to stay away for long. I just wanted to be alone right now.
When we got to Alice's I ran upstairs to the guestroom I stayed in last night and collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion. I was so ready for all of this to be over with. I should probably get out of town for a day or two and get my thoughts straight and in order. I didn't want to be here. Here reminded me of every bad thing that has happened to me in the past week. It reminded me of Edward…I was so confused on what to think about that. I was so heartbroken…he lied to me, he used me. I was a nervous wreck and a part of me wanted to believe him but the other part didn't even want to think about it.
Around four o'clock there was a call on Alice's house phone for me.
"Hello?" I asked when I took the phone.
"Ms. Swan? This is officer McCarty, we have Jacob Black's dog, Sam, at the station. He sure does need a good home and we were told that you would be the best to take care of him."
This made me smile. Sam would make me feel better.
"Absolutely, I will be there to get him soon." I said and was about to hang up when I remembered something. "Is Jenks busy? I would like to speak with him for a moment."
"Sure, just a second."
I waited until I heard the now familiar scruffy voice. "This is Jenks."
"Hi, this is Bella Swan. I had a question?"
"Are you sure this is what you want, Bella?" Alice asked as we all stood around my new truck. Well it was a Jeep, SUV, truck, didn't matter. It was packed with the remaining things that I had after Jacob had my apartment torn upside down.
I sighed and helped Sam up into the front seat. "Yes, I know that this is what I need…what I want doesn't matter."
Alice looked so sad. "Have you told Edward?"
"No, and he doesn't need to know. I'm sure Jenks has already told him anyway." I said with that lump of emotion rising in my throat. I shut the door and giggled lightly as Sam hung his head out of the window.
I patted his head and looked to Alice and Jasper standing in front of me. "I love you all…take care." I said as I hugged them. "I will see you for the wedding in about three weeks so it's not goodbye."
Jasper hugged me and said, "Have a safe trip Bella. Please be careful."
"I will." I assured him.
"Let me know as soon as you get there." Alice said and hugged me close.
I sighed and pushed back the tears in my eyes as I hugged her. "I will, Alice. I will be fine. Don't worry about me…besides, Charlie has been by himself for long enough."
I was going to Forks to live with my father. It was the best place for me right now. I also heard that the local high school has an administration office open in the fall.
"I love you guys." I said and hugged them both again. "Thank you so much for all you've done for me."
"You're welcome here any time Bella." Jasper said as we all three broke apart from our embrace.
"Thanks. Well…I better get on the road." I said and told them goodbye again as I climbed into the front seat.
Jenks advised that I not tell many people where I am going so Alice and Jasper are the only two who know where I will be. I wanted to tell Emmett and Rosalie too but I knew I couldn't, especially with their attachments to all of this. I waved bye to my friends and backed out of the driveway heading for the interstate.
Sam looked at me and gave me what looked like a big goofy grin. It made me laugh a little. I patted his head and then petted him for a second. "It will all be ok won't it Sam?"
He seemed to whine in agreement making me smile lightly. I put my eyes on the road and spent the next hours in the car sewing up my broken heart and mending my mind back to what it needs to be. By the time I got into the rainy city of Forks Washington all thoughts of Jacob Black were locked away into a filing cabinet and all thoughts and feelings of Edward…
Well I couldn't get them to go anywhere and I spent fifty percent of the ride crying my eyes out at what I was leaving behind me. But…if you love something let it go. I chose to ignore the rest of that phrase because I didn't know how I felt about it coming back. Truth be told, it probably wasn't meant to be.
Yes, I loved Edward, Anthony, Bocephus, whatever his name was, I loved him and those green eyes and that perfect smile.
I loved him and that was never going to change but he had hurt me…he lied to me and he used me to get ahead in his career. I wasn't likely to forgive him so easily. I tried to block it all out of my head as I finally pulled into my father's driveway after a long day and night drive. I hopped out of the driver seat and walked over to the passenger seat to let Sam out. I couldn't let his cast get wet so I carried him to the porch through the misty rain.
As I stepped up onto the porch and I heard Charlie walking through the house to open the door for me I smiled and mumbled, "Welcome to your new home, Sam."
A/N: So….please please pretty pretty please don't hate me!
I told you it will all get resolved so hang in there. :)
Sorry for the delay. Hopefully it won't take so long to update again.
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~Blueopal~
