Gargoyle
BELLA POV
"I had life threats... I literally had people saying my blood would run in the streets for doing that."-Richard Donner
All things Twilight related belong to Stephanie Meyer.
My leg bounced on the carpeted floor in Edward's living room. The tension filled the air to the point that was it was almost suffocating.
"Does anyone want to say anything else?" Eleazar asked the both of us. Edward was on one side of the sofa, and I was on the other. The separation was so far that I was actually getting cold over here.
Edward was tapping the fingers of his one useful hand on his knee. The other hand was in a small brace, evidence of his fighting a couple of days earlier at his stupid mob meeting. From what I'd heard, it didn't go very well, and Edward had gotten fairly feisty.
"Are you sure that you don't have anything to say?" Eleazar sighed and leaned back in his chair. "We still have half an hour on the clock."
"I've talked the whole time," I said to Edward.
"I don't know what you want me to say." He shrugged and sucked on his teeth annoyingly.
"Why don't we just talk about what we're doing here? I think we should start from the beginning. Why are we here?" He asked with his hands in the "thinking deeply" finger tepee.
"We're here because we have problems. We've already established that." Edward sighed heavily.
"Well, anyone in this life would have problems, but it goes deeper than that. Edward, Bella has talked for our last three sessions. She's told you that she was hurt by your actions, and she accepts that you apologized, but feels like you're shutting her out. Did I get that right, Bella?" He turned to me, and I nodded.
"First of all, you don't need to be here," Edward spoke with acid in his tone towards Eleazar. "Secondly, Bella, I apologized, and I'm willing to do whatever you want. Just tell me what to do."
"I want you to talk to me. I have no idea what happened in Bermuda. All you said was that you kissed some girl and you liked it. How do you think that makes me feel?"
"I don't know what you want me to say. I tried to be truthful with you, and you know I don't mince words. I did something wrong and I told you. Did you want me to lie?"
"No, but it would be nice to know what you were thinking. I just don't understand how you could do something like that and just not think about the reasons behind it."
"Now we're getting somewhere…" Eleazar began.
Edward cut him off, "Shut up. The only reason you're here is because you're Carlisle's friend. I've check you out, and you're a quack. You didn't graduate, went to jail twice, and have no psychiatric experience."
Eleazar cowered back in his seat. To be honest, he wasn't really helping things.
"There were no thoughts behind it." Edward crossed his arms.
"You're lying. What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing."
"Let's go from the beginning. Edward, tell us the whole story," Eleazar suggested.
Edward didn't say anything for a minute. His eyes shifted to mine, like he was asking me for permission. I didn't know if I wanted to hear all of this, but I needed to understand how he could do that and not understand that I was hurt. He was still under the impression that because he apologized, it was all better.
I gave an encouraging head nod.
He let out a long breath. "Alright, well, I was injured earlier in the day and was hopped up on pain medication. When I woke up from my nap, I went to a bar to drink and that's where I met that girl. I think… her name was Ginger or something."
Ginger. She sounded like a stripper.
"I pushed her away the first time, and then went back home. She must have followed me because she was just there…" Edward shrugged. "I should have gone inside, but I didn't. Next thing I know, she was on my lap and her tongue was down my throat. That's all."
"That's where he always ends this story," I told Eleazar.
"Because I don't want to go on. It doesn't make any difference. I did something wrong; it's over."
"I think you would feel better if you told Bella about things."
Edward just glared at our therapist through squinted eyes.
"I kissed her, and I liked it. I know that makes me sound like a horrible person, but I was drunk and drugged. I thought she was you," Edward said.
"You what?" I turned towards him.
"I thought she was you. I kept saying your name and I… don't know. I thought you were there."
I didn't even know what to say to that.
He thought she was me?
"Why… didn't you tell me that?" I asked him.
"I didn't think it mattered. Does it?"
"Well, yes. I thought you liked kissing this Ginger girl, but you thought it was me?"
I didn't want to say that it was sweet, but it sure did allow me to see what was going through his head. He was under the influence—that was his fault—but his mistake was becoming more and more forgivable in my mind. He did something wrong, although, I could now see how he made such a big blunder.
"Did you stop after you realized…" I asked.
"Of course I did. I told you that I would never mean to hurt you on purpose. Once I understood what was happening, I sent her away." Edward turned towards me.
"Why didn't you tell me that? I'm not nearly as pissed as I used to be."
"I don't know. It doesn't make sense to me why you would want to know the nasty details of my mess up."
"But… it makes sense to me now. I'm not going to say that it still doesn't hurt, but I can understand your mistake. You didn't tell me the whole story." I moved closer to him.
"I didn't think I needed to."
We looked at each other for a long second. I could see that he was genuinely sorry. His eyes said it, his words said it; his body positioning said it.
"See, this is why I'm here." Eleazar clapped his hands.
Edward growled under his breath and shot up from the sofa. "You need to leave. Get your things and go."
"Edward, I'm here to help."
"I don't want you in my house, I don't want you to be my therapist, and I sure as hell don't want you inside my head."
"I think you should go," I said to Eleazar, "But thank you. You've been very helpful."
He gave me a warm smile. "I do the best I can."
He gathered his stuff slowly while Edward stood near the door, tapping his toe loudly. I just tried to keep talking to Eleazar so that this didn't turn more awkward. We laughed about something stupid, and I could hear Edward's deep breaths of frustration with us as the seconds dragged on.
"So, let's meet again next week?" Eleazar said at the door.
"Sure," I replied before Edward cut him off.
"And about to the subject of payment…"
Edward shut the door before our therapist could get another word out.
"Finally," he said. "That man was infuriating."
"He's just trying to help."
"I don't believe that at all."
"You really need to work on your people skills." I wrapped my arms around him and put my hands in the back pockets of his pants.
"He was annoying me." Edward bent his head down and trailed a row of kisses from my neck up. "I don't think he knows what he's doing."
"He got us talking."
"No, you got us talking… or more like forced us," he chuckled. His lips vibrated against the underside of my chin.
"I still can't believe you thought she was me."
"I don't know what else to say." His tongue darted out to taste my skin.
I knew where this was going. Did I want to take that plunge so quickly?
Hell yes!
I moved Edward's head up so that our lips could meet, and my arms encircled his neck, bringing him closer. We both moaned from the sensation; I think it was the first time I had ever heard him make that sort of noise.
"We haven't been down this road in a long time." His large hands cupped my ass and pushed me into his rather large erection that was brushing against my stomach.
The fire within me quickly and unexpectedly started burning white hot.
Edward lifted me up—easily and smoothly—before carrying me into the family room where we had just sat. My back hit the soft leather of the couch, and Edward's hot body was on top of mine in an instant.
"You feel so good," his low voice whispered in my ear.
I whimpered in reply.
A gentle moan escaped my lips as his crashed to mine. A trail of fire swept across my arms and back as his fingers greedily ate me up. He pulled me closer, his lips working in perfect unison against me.
He hitched my leg around his waist so that he could push himself deeper between my legs.
Edward groaned loudly, and my head fell back against the armrest of the sofa as he devoured my neck. We moved together; his hips pushing against mine; his hands hungrily kneading the skin of my lower back and behind before finally gripping my waist to create the friction he desired. His hips deliciously ground against mine, and I almost couldn't take it. It was almost too much.
"Jesus," he hissed, his whole body pushed me into the leather, "you're fucking killing me, Bella."
"Same…" I panted, wanting so badly to be without clothes right now.
Slow down, Bella.
Edward ran his tongue against my flushed skin, causing me to let out an embarrassed, strangled moan.
I swiveled my hips and gave his hair a forceful tug, eliciting another groan of pleasure from his lips. I could already feel the wetness between my legs. The growing tightness in my stomach escalated with every whimper, every word that left Edward's lips.
He gently bit down on the tender flesh of my ear lobe, whispering some very dirty things to me. I think I actually blushed, but I wouldn't really know since I was already hot and bothered.
I ran my hands along his torso, my nails scratching at his shirt-covered body. I was begging in my head for him to rip it off.
"Edward, you're taking too long," I rasped out.
"Because I'm trying to get you back for making me pee in that fucking cup."
My back arched off of the sofa, pushing my chest into his toned body. "That… that wasn't…" I didn't have a reply.
"You're a tease." His voice was rough, and his stubbly jaw was scratchy against my neck. He sucked at my skin, pulling the flesh between his teeth before running a long line from earlobe to collar bone, moving my shirt away from my neck in the process. A shiver of pleasure ripped through my body at the playfulness of his voice.
"I didn't mean to." My voice was shaking from anticipation.
"You know I hate being teased, Bella," he whispered against my breasts as his fingertips pushed the fabric of my shirt up my body. I lifted up slightly so that he could get it all the way off. Edward dropped the shirt to the floor.
His fingers ghosted back down my stomach, playing softly against my bare skin. My body electrified at his touch. I had succumbed to the raw animal inside.
"Do you know how I get when I'm teased?" Edward's voice was so rough now; I thought he was a different person. He scooted down my body, away from my face, and his nose ran over the swell of my breasts.
He one-handedly unbuttoned my jeans. His fingers slipped below the elastic of my panties, gently teasing the soft skin of my upper thighs with his expert touch. I whimpered softly when his knuckle grazed my folds.
I felt him grin into my stomach before running his tongue around my belly button, lapping softly at my skin. His finger moved slowly towards my core in slow, lazy circles, and I felt like my whole body would burst into flames.
What the hell kind of magic did this man possess?
"Do you, Bella?" he asked again, this time more sternly, as if I was his student.
My breathing was coming out in sharp gasps as the anticipation neared a boiling point. My jeans began to shimmy down my legs and the cold air was dancing across my skin, but I welcomed it.
"Bella, I asked you a question," Edward said. "Do. You. Know. How. I. Get. When. I'm. Teased," he said slowly, pointedly.
When my jeans were down to my ankles, Edward ripped them from my body.
"N…no," I stuttered.
I arched my back against his hand, silently begging him to touch me where I wanted. He just kept teasing me with one finger, a ghostly touch, or a light breeze from his cool breath.
I was in nothing more than my underwear, just as I wanted it.
I felt his long fingers play with the fabric of my panties. He moved them to the side so softly that I almost didn't feel it. His fingertip grazed my clit, sending my body into convulsions at the sweet sensation. He swirled it softly against my opening for a moment before slowly pushing his lengthy finger inside me.
"You still don't know the answer to the question?" he asked, and I could almost hear the smirk on his lips. If that made any sense.
"I get very agitated. I will make you beg for me." He curled his finger for added emphasis.
Sweet mother of God!
I ground my teeth together, almost painfully, to keep to my noises inside. Edward moved slowly, his fingertips twisting into my body as his thumb made small circles against my clit.
"Fuck, Bella, you're so wet. What's got you so turned on?"
He pushed another finger inside me, eliciting a guttural moan from my lips. I arched against him, pulling him deeper inside me with each of his gentle movements.
"You," I whispered.
"I'm going to make you scream. Believe me when I say that."
Just as I was about to go over the edge, I felt him retract his fingers.
I whimpered, my body immediately aching against the loss.
"I told you. You have to beg," Edward chuckled and started kissing his way back up my body.
"Please..." I said softly.
"You can do better than that."
He swiftly moved the side of my bra out of the way and pulled my taut nipple into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the sensitive flesh getting a loud moan from my lips. My eyes slid closed; my entire body hummed against the warmth of his mouth.
I suddenly couldn't take it anymore. I pushed his head back away from my chest and grabbed his hair so that he came closer to my face.
"Edward," I whispered against his lips, "I might scream if you keep this up."
He snickered softly into my shoulder. "You're going to scream no matter what."
I could feel his hard cock pressing against me through his pants, and I swiveled my hips slightly.
"Jesus," he hissed, his face falling between my breasts to suck the sensitive skin between his teeth.
"Come on, Edward," I teased, nipping at his ear lobe. "I thought you were going to make me scream."
A small growl erupted from his throat at the challenge.
He sat up, ripping the shirt from his body; I felt buttons as they rained down over me. His once covered chest was replaced by the smooth skin I wanted.
Our hands began working with the buckle of his belt and pants at the same time. We were fumbling around with it since neither of us was looking.
"I can do it," he snarled, taking my lips with his.
"Well then, hurry up," I commanded.
Edward's pants were off within the next second, and he pushed them down his legs as far as they would go, just leaving them there when he was done.
My hands traced the contours of his body: the sculpted ridges between the muscles of his shoulders; the firm mounds of his pecs; the deep dips of his abdomen. Edward Cullen was sexual dynamite.
I felt his breathing hitch when I hooked my fingers in the elastic of his boxers.
I tried to push them down, but my arms were too short, and I couldn't really move with Edward on top of me. He answered my silent question on how to get rid of them by standing up pulling his pants and boxers off at the same time.
I soon felt the weight of his complete naked body above me, forcing me into the now sweaty leather of the couch.
"You're still clothed," his husky voice muttered.
My panties were ripped from my body, and I knew I was going to have a mark in the morning. I didn't mind in the slightest.
The tip of his cock twitched against my center, and I moaned eagerly.
Inch by glorious fucking inch, he filled me, pushing deeper within my body. My walls stretched uncomfortably, but the discomfort was quickly replaced by pleasure.
"Fuck, Bella," he moaned when our hips met flush against each other.
I gasped loudly at the sound of his words.
He moved masterfully inside me, starting off at a slow pace that quickly sped up, along with our breathing.
Edward had memorized, studied, and had been accustomed to my body. He played me like his fucking baby grand piano. I didn't know if I was ever going to get used to this.
I could actually feel his entire dick penetrate me deeply. I think he was hitting internal organs, but I'm sure I didn't need any of them. I wouldn't have cared anyway. Lights flashed behind my eyes, and my head started pounding in euphoria. I don't think normal humans were supposed to feel so much pleasure at one time. Surely it must be biologically harmful.
Years could have passed; I'm sure they did, but I wouldn't have known.
"Let me feel you cum, Bella," he whispered before smothering my lips with his.
My body rose into his and he ignited the blissful explosion in my core.
I screamed in pleasure and found my fingers tugging at his bronze hair. My walls contracted violently against his cock, making him tumble over the cliff-side, mere seconds after me.
Edward collapsed on top of me; I welcomed his weight as a sign that I was still alive.
"Holy shit." I felt him place kisses over my naked skin. "You really did kill me."
I couldn't speak. I couldn't even form coherent thoughts.
I let my fingers travel up and down the muscles of his back, which were drenched in small droplets of sweat.
We stayed that way for the rest of the night. We literally didn't move for hours. When he finally rolled off of me, I missed the warmth, so I hugged his body close and fell asleep. Throughout the night, I felt his hands on me. I don't think he closed his eyes once.
When I woke up, Edward was still looking at me, just like he had been when I passed out.
"Good morning," I mumbled sleepily.
"Good morning." He ran a hand over my stomach. "I was going to wake you up in a couple minutes. You have to get to school."
"I don't want to go." I tangled my legs in his and breathed in his deep scent.
"You have to," he chuckled. "Your education is very important."
"Forget it." I lazily smiled. "I can do home schooling."
"I think Charlie might kill me."
"He'll kill you regardless." I tried to get off of the couch; instead of a smooth movement I, of course, rolled onto the floor with a heavy thud.
"Oh, Bella…" Edward sighed and lifted me up, carrying me to his bathroom for a shower.
By the time we were both ready to leave, I was running late. Edward had gotten an urgent call from Emmett that they had business to attend to. Thankfully, his mob meeting was over, and I didn't have to worry about him killing anyone today. I couldn't even blame him for smoking because it sounded like he had a rough time. As long as it wasn't anything stronger than a cigarette, I wasn't going to bring down the hammer. He was still in the beginning stages of rehab.
We didn't have time to eat, but that was okay since I had a short day and could grab something later for lunch. We went to school in Edward's BMW and I made sure that I had all my papers, since I wouldn't have time to stop off at my dorm this morning.
"Do you have any tests this week?" Edward asked as he sped off into traffic.
"Just one on Friday. My professor has a crush on me so I can skate by in that class," I laughed.
"If he tries anything…"
"I was just joking, Edward. Goodness."
"Oh, that's not funny," he breathed. "I've just been having a hard time with men always talking about you. It's hard for me to get past that."
I nodded in understanding. "And it works both ways. How do you think I feel when women look you up and down like a piece of meat?"
"That's different," he scoffed.
"Why?"
"Because… it just is."
"Great explanation." I rolled my eyes.
"It's a scientific fact that women are objectified more than men in this society."
"How about we just agree that we're both being objectified and we both don't like it?"
"Agreed, although, I wish you would wear more appropriate clothing in public."
I looked myself up and down. "What are you talking about? I'm in a polar bear jacket."
"Yeah, but your sweater is kind of tight underneath that."
"So you want me to wear baggy jeans and shirts? That's not very attractive."
"Exactly. You finally understand." Edward grinned.
I let him continue to drone on about how I should wear a burlap sack to school from now on. I found it kind of funny that he would lecture me about how I looked in men's eyes when he clearly couldn't see the way women looked at him. They basically eye-fucked him on the street.
Edward dropped me off at my first class after a very lengthy kiss, which was just another reason keeping me from going to school. I would have loved to sit in Edward's toasty house. That wasn't an option though, so I stepped out into the windy cold and trudged to class.
Nothing exciting was happening in school. I was able to test out a lot of my entry courses, so I kind of just moved on to anything I wanted to take. This semester, I was in two upper level literature classes and an international business course, which was actually really difficult. Thankfully, Edward was a genius, and he made everything that sounded jumbled from my professor's mouth seem understandable.
Edward was also really helpful in my other main class this semester. He ought to be, since it was Intro to Italian. Thankfully, I wasn't too horrible at languages and could pick up a lot of things quickly, but he helped me outside of class. A lot of the time, Edward would only speak in Italian so that I had to learn it. I was doing really well and found myself even thinking in Italian sometimes. I was proud of myself for that.
I sat through all of my classes and easily soaked up the information for the day.
The one person who I hadn't seen all semester had been Seth. I have no idea where that kid went, but it was a large campus, so I guess I could have missed him. Last semester, I used to see him all the time; walking to class, in the dining hall, in class. It was almost as if he was following me. Now, not so much.
I spent the entire international business class, trying to explain to my partner what kind of market the US had. He didn't seem to understand, but it was easy if he would have just read the material. I couldn't really blame him, though. No one in the class knew what we were discussing.
The day ended around lunch and my stomach was growling embarrassingly. Edward must've heard it from all the way across town because just as I stepped out of my last lecture, he texted me and said that he was waiting to take me to lunch. I more than happily complied.
I spotted Edward's car on the street and almost skipped towards it. He reached over and opened the door for me.
"Ciao, Bella," he said in that Italian accent he had, which was entirely too sexy.
"Can we just speak in English today?"
"No, solo Italiano," he snickered, obviously enjoying my lack of knowledge on the language. As much as I had learned in these few months, it was nothing compared to his mastery.
"Fine," I sighed and switched my brain into Italian, "come è stata la giornata?" I asked him how his day was.
Edward rapidly proceeded to tell me what he had done today as he ripped through the streets. I could only catch some of it because he was speaking so fast. I did my best though and kept up a decent conversation for the entire ride.
When we were seated in a booth at Aqua, he finally gave me a reprieve and allowed us to talk in English.
"You'll be a master in a couple of months," he said in approval of my skills.
"Yeah, right. I haven't even started the hard stuff yet. I'm only in the intro level." I reviewed the menu that was on our table.
"Well, the other students don't have an amazing teacher like me."
"Of course."
A jittery waiter appeared at our table with a shaking pad in his hand. The guy was so nervous, and it was all thanks to Edward. He could give off that vibe sometimes.
"Hello, and welcome to Aqua again, Mr. Cullen," the waiter said as if he was reading a script in his head. "What can I get you two to drink?"
"I'll have water," I replied in a way to try to calm him, but it didn't work.
"I'll have a Heineken in an ice cold glass," Edward said, and I was surprised that his tone wasn't snippy. He must be working on his demeanor.
The waiter let out a relieved breath. "And can I offer you our specials for the day?"
"No, I think we're ready to order." Edward put his menu down. "You can go first, Bella."
"I'll have the crab cakes." My order was simple, as it always was.
"For you, sir?"
"I'll have the seafood and chicken paella. Tell them to use aged Italian olive oil, instead of canola oil; chicken breasts, not thighs; all the vegetables cut on the bias, not cooked with any wine; an extra pinch of salt, and six pieces of each seafood." Edward spoke quickly and precisely.
The waiter's hand couldn't even write the order down. "Can... can you repeat that?" he asked.
Edward scowled and grumbled under his breath, but repeated the order. The waiter left us alone after a terrifying second, and I could see the sweat on his brow. He almost tripped over himself as he scurried away.
"I'm going to have to speak with Jasper about his wait staff." Edward crossed his arms on the table.
"Did you have to terrorize that poor kid?"
"I tried being nice. I even did my breathing exercises. He was just stupid."
"You sure are one of a kind." I had to laugh at him. There was nothing else I could do.
Edward and I talked about nothing in particular over lunch. Our waiter didn't come back, but was instead replaced with a more confident man who had known Edward's ways for years. I really did feel bad for the other guy. I made a note to remind myself to leave him a big tip before we left.
When my stomach was filled with luscious seafood, Edward tried to convince me that I needed to eat more, but I couldn't.
"You're too skinny." He shook his head. "It's not healthy."
"I'm a normal size. You can't shove food down my throat."
"I think you have a tape worm that must be eating all of your food. Where does it go?"
"It's not like I eat as much as you do." I looked down at my plate that was empty, so I didn't know why he was complaining. Granted, it was an appetizer portion, but still...
Edward was about to say something else, but a deep voice cut him off.
"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here." Jacob Black stood at our table with a wide grin.
I had only met the man once, but I had heard so much about him, I felt like he had always been my enemy.
Edward went completely still, and his face looked like it had turned to stone. With his shoulders hunched and his jaw clenched, he almost reminded me of a menacing gargoyle that would be on top of a massive church somewhere in Europe.
"I can't believe I ran into you two. I was just thinking about the last time we saw each other, Edward." Jacob patted him on the back.
Edward cringed so violently from Jacob's touch that I thought he was having a seizure, but he didn't say a word.
"If I recall correctly, you tried to beat the shit out of me for... some flowers or something like that." Jacob was playing games and knew that he was affecting Edward immensely.
When Edward didn't say anything still, Jacob turned to me.
"And how are you?" he asked politely.
"Good and you?"
"I've been better. The cold's killing me, but I'll survive. I've only met you once, and yet everyone always has such nice things to say."
"Everyone?"
"You know... the locals," he said cryptically. "How's school?"
"Fine. I'm almost done with my first year." It was so strange to sit here and speak with this man about something as normal as the weather or school.
I felt Edward's leg bouncing under the table. I tangled my legs in his to keep him calm. I knew that he was staying quiet so he didn't cause a scene. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Benny sit up slightly in his chair a couple feet away. He would never make himself known unless we were attacked.
"You should be proud. The Northwestern curriculum is really difficult," Jacob said as if he was really delighted for me.
I nodded cautiously and didn't really say anything back, but then realized that he wasn't planning on going away.
"I didn't see you at the police ball. Were you sick?" I asked.
His lip twitched. "No, I... don't really go to those things."
"It was really fun."
"Yeah, well, I don't associate myself with those members of the department who consider some of the city's scum their friends," he said proudly.
Edward's teeth ground together loudly, and I peeked a look at him. His face was turning red. As long as we didn't reach purple territory, I knew we were safe. I had maybe half a minute before it got serious. Jacob needed to leave now.
I gave a tight smile. "Thank God for Carlisle giving all that money to you guys. Who knows how hard it would be to fight crime without the proper funds?"
Jacob didn't have anything to say to that, and his eyes darkened.
After another awkward pause, I was seriously considering getting up from my side of the booth and going to sit with Edward. His hand was clenched around the end of a knife on the table. I knew that he would kill Jacob in a second if he didn't leave.
"Well, it was nice seeing you both." Jacob nodded to me.
"You, too."
"I'll be around." He spoke mostly to Edward before fixing his jacket and leaving. I watched him walk through the tables until he reached the door.
Edward didn't breathe for a full minute. I counted.
His eyes were so dark that they almost looked forest green, instead of their normal bright color. He was just... sitting there, in stone.
"Edward?" I tested the waters. "Are you okay?"
He nodded once.
I kept my legs around his and felt them vibrate in anger.
Edward slammed a closed fist on the table, rattling the glasses and silverware. Several people looked our way, but quickly went back to their meals.
I got up from my seat and went to sit next to him. "Edward, do you need to go outside?"
"No, I'm fine." He closed his eyes.
I ran my hands through his hair and actually felt him melt at my touch. His anger was still there, but I could sense that it was ebbing.
"Are you sure you don't need to go outside? I'll leave with you." I pressed my lips to his jaw.
"I can't believe he had the nerve to approach us. I could have killed him."
"He just wanted to get a rise out of you. You did perfect."
"I didn't say anything," he growled.
"Good, you would have probably gone overboard if you'd opened your mouth." I kissed him again, feeling the fury leave his body.
He exhaled heavily and I smiled to myself when I heard him doing the meditation breathing that he said he was so against a couple of days ago.
"You did great. You handled that amazingly." Edward opened his eyes and placed his hand on my leg.
"I didn't want you to get in trouble."
"Thank you." He kissed me shortly. "I don't know what I would do without you."
I made our kiss last longer when I felt him start to pull away. I wanted all recent memories of Jacob Black to dissipate. His hands drew pictures on my legs, and fire went through my jeans.
"Can we go home?" I asked after I almost moaned from his touches.
"My home, you mean?" he chuckled.
"That's what I said."
"No, since you moved out, it's turned to my home."
"Oh, we'll talk about that later." I slid out of the booth and went back over to my side to get my coat.
I pulled it on while Edward paid the bill, and I left a massive tip, like I said I would, for the poor boy that was tortured.
We were in the car and on our way a couple of minutes later. I suddenly remembered that if I was going to be staying at Edward's, I was going to need some clothes, so I asked him to stop over at my dorm.
"Do you need my help?" he asked when he screeched to a halt in front of my building.
"No, I think I can manage. Give me five minutes." I jumped out of the car and ran inside.
I swiped my card and got in the elevator, going up to my floor. The elevator finally dinged open, and I almost skipped out into the hall. I couldn't help it.
I got to my door and put the key in the lock. It slid in easily... too easily. I jiggled the door handle, and it was loose.
This isn't right.
I knew that something was wrong. My door was always secure, and the handle was almost about to fall off.
The door opened slowly, and I saw that my room was completely ransacked.
"What the hell?"
I didn't want to go in, but I couldn't help it.
Everything was a mess. I had recently unpacked, but my room looked like a tornado had ripped through, and then a stampede followed. I didn't know where to look first.
My clothes were flung around, the mirror on the wall was smashed, the bed was overturned, and my desk was completely unrecognizable and. It had gash marks going across it like someone had dug a knife through the wood.
There were feathers…everywhere. I didn't know what they came from, but they were floating in the air and it was almost as if it had snowed in my room. The feathers were pure white and clung to my clothes as I stepped through them.
This was the most bizarre thing I had ever seen.
I stumbled over my pictures that I had brought from home, which were obliterated, and went into the bathroom.
I starred at myself in the mirror, which was broken and had bloody streaks going across it diagonally. I could tell that it was blood because I could smell it. The rusty scent filled the air and almost made me throw up. I didn't know if the blood was animal or human, but it sure as hell was real, and there was a lot of it. The red liquid was dripping onto the counter. Everything in the bathroom was just as messy as in the bedroom.
I didn't even notice that I was shaking or that I had tears on my cheeks until I felt them fall from my face.
I went back into my room, into the feathers, and smelled a stench that was gag inducing.
I turned around in my room stupidly, not knowing what to do, but I had to find the smell. I didn't want to touch anything. I didn't know if I was allowed to. I picked up a shirt off the floor that was ripped to shreds and threw it aside.
My eyes were so filled with tears; it was hard to see.
I picked up the sheet that was from my bed and almost vomited.
There were two massive, pristine white birds that were underneath. They were headless and dotted in blood. The necks were long and their wings were extended to show their extension.
I dropped the sheet and had to stop myself from throwing up everywhere.
Once I regained my bearings, I patted myself down for my phone, but then realized that I had left it in the car.
Edward!
I rushed out of the room and slammed the door behind me. I didn't have time to wait for the elevator, so I nearly tripped my way down the stairs.
I could hear the sobs coming from my throat, but I tried not to let them come out like theywanted.
I made it outside and looked around the street for Edward. He wasn't in the same place he had dropped me off. I suddenly got very scared and frantically searched for his car.
I found him standing against the BMW on the opposite side of the street. I couldn't even bring my feet to move anymore.
I collapsed onto the cold pavement and just let the sobs rack my body.
"Bella." I felt warm arms around me. "What the hell happened? Are you alright?"
I couldn't answer him. I didn't know what to say.
"Bella, look at me." Edward lifted my head up and moved the hair out of my face. "You have to tell me what's wrong. Are you hurt?"
I shook my head.
"Then what is it? What's going on?"
"So... someone was in my room," I gurgled out.
"What do you mean?"
"It's... a mess and there's blood on the mirror and all my stuff is..." I couldn't even explain it.
Edward lifted me off of the ground and ran over to the car, placing me in my seat. "I'm going to be right back. I'll call Emmett, alright?"
I nodded, because I didn't really understand what he was saying.
"I'll be right back." Edward slammed the door shut; the car locked with surrounding clicks.
I watched as Edward ran across the street and into the building.
I slumped into the chair and wanted to hide myself from the world. I didn't know who was watching or what was going on. For the first time in a long time, I was scared.
I didn't know how much time had passed, but Edward didn't come back.
I wasn't crying anymore, although, my body was still shaking. I was being targeted. I knew that much a long time ago, but besides those fucking flowers, no one had done anything this bold. I knew that I would probably never be allowed to step foot inside that dorm again.
There was a tap on the window and I jumped in my seat. My heart beat rapidly until I realized that it was just Emmett.
He gave me a sad smile and waved. The car unlocked, and he opened the door.
"Rose is going to take you home, okay?" He helped me out of the car. His Hummer was running across the street with Rose in the driver seat.
"What's going on?" My voice was shaking.
"Edward is freaking out. He called me, but I couldn't understand much. I thought I should come check it out. Are you alright?"
"Yes," I lied.
He walked me to the Hummer and lifted me into the seat.
"Go straight home," he said to Rose, and she nodded.
Emmett shut the door, and we sped off down the street.
"What happened?" Rose asked.
"I... don't even know." I didn't have an explanation for what I had just seen.
I told her what happened in my room, and she gaped at me the whole time. She was just as confused as I was, but more stunned than anything.
"Were there any calling cards?" she asked.
"No... I don't know. I didn't stay long enough to really see."
"All of your stuff was ruined?"
"Yeah, from what I could tell."
"Someone is trying to scare you shitless."
"Well, they succeeded." I sunk into my seat and wrapped my coat around me.
"Do you really think Edward is going to let anything happen to you? He's going to go insane."
"If... whoever could get to me here, then they can get to me anywhere. Why are they after me? What did I do?" I asked rhetorically.
"I'm sorry, Bella," Rose said genuinely, "I know this is hard."
I silently nodded and felt the tears sting my eyes again.
We arrived at the penthouse a couple minutes after that. I was still on edge, looking over my shoulder every second.
We finally made it inside of Edward's house and I felt safe. I pulled off my jacket and suddenly wanted to sleep, but I was trying to stay up for Edward. Rose stayed with me, and we sat on the sofa, not really talking.
"Here, drink this." She handed me a glass with some clear liquid in it.
I didn't ask what it was, but I could smell the alcohol. At this point, I would take anything that would get my nerves back to normal. The burn erupted in my throat as it slithered towards my stomach.
I drained the glass and then rested my head on the back of the sofa.
"Someone's trying to intimidate you." Rose leaned her head on my shoulder. "Don't let them scare you."
"I can't help it. What if..." I let my sentence trail off, because my mind started racing as my imagination created different scenarios. All the mob movies that I had ever seen suddenly flashed in my head.
Horse heads in beds, being strangled by piano wire, dangerous shootouts; did that stuff really happen? Of course it did. I knew it did, but none of that really hit home for me until today. I was a part of this underground world, just as much as Edward or Carlisle.
"What am I going to do?" I asked.
"Let Edward take care of things."
That was all I could do.
Over the next hour, Alice came in going crazy and being her normal dramatic self. She was going on and on about someone holding me ransom at gunpoint and me being dead. Jasper came as well and tried to calm her down, although, that was never really an option. I just let her talk. Alec and Esme came over soon after that. I guessed Edward had called them.
Being the mother that she was, Esme started cooking to soothe everyone. Soon, the wonderful smells of rich Italian food filled the apartment and put my queasy stomach at ease, butit wasn't enough to make me feel normal again. I wondered if Edward had found anything, but then again, I didn't want to know. What if there was a threatening note or something like that?
Edward couldn't protect me all the time. It was physically impossible for him to be with me at every hour of the day, although, he was going to try. Whoever wanted me scared had accomplished their goal. What was next?
As the sun went down, I was starting to get worried when we hadn't heard a word from Edward or anyone else for that matter. Esme tried to get me to eat, but I couldn't. I wasn't feeling too well and just wanted to sleep.
"I bet it was Aro," Jasper theorized as we sat around the table.
"Jasper, can we please not talk about that right now?" Esme begged.
"I'm just saying." He shrugged and twirled some pasta around his fork.
"Edward's going to find out who did this." Esme put her hand on top of mine.
I could only nod.
After dinner, we just sat around. There was nothing else to do.
Just as my eyes were about to drop close, the door banged open and shook the whole house. We all jumped off of the sofas.
Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward came through the door, but I couldn't tell what was going on from their faces. Of course, Edward looked pissed. The gargoyle from earlier this afternoon was back. He had the white feathers in his hair that were all over my room.
He didn't even speak to anyone and bounded up the stairs. I almost wanted to follow him, but I knew he was getting away from everyone because he was too angry to be civil. He was probably pissed beyond reason.
"What happened?" I asked Emmett.
"Uh... Edward's not taking this well." He shuffled his feet.
"Obviously. Did you find anything?" Rose gave him a hug.
Carlisle pulled Esme into the kitchen, which I found very strange. I knew something was going on.
"Just tell me." I was getting more scared.
"Well... Edward installed a camera outside of your door a couple weeks ago."
I was kind of stunned, but that sounded like something he would do.
"So, we know who it was, or we know what he looks like. We don't know him. He came in while you were in class and left about an hour later."
"Was it Aro? I bet it was Aro," Jasper piped up.
"He just said he didn't know who it was." Alec rolled his eyes.
"Is there something else?" I asked eagerly. "There has to be something else."
Emmett actually blushed and looked at the floor. I could hear his deep voice say something, but I couldn't understand it.
"What? Speak up." Alice stood on the couch.
"They took your panties," Emmett said quickly. "All of them were gone. That was the only thing missing."
I felt really sick now, and I had to stop myself from falling over. My head was starting to spin wildly.
"Are you serious?" Rose's voice was angry. "That's disgusting."
"Whoever did this is just so inappropriate." Alice shook her head. "I can't believe that they would do that to you." She wrapped her arms around me, but it did little to calm my nerves.
"We should file a report... or something." Rose was furious. "I can't believe this."
"Did you see the birds?" I asked quietly and Emmett nodded.
"They were swans," he said sadly.
Everyone was talking really quickly about stuff that I didn't want to hear. I couldn't comprehend was going on, because there were so many answers that I wanted; needed.
Then, there was also that fact that someone had not only gotten into my room, but also touched and stole my underwear. What the hell did that mean? Was some sick perverted man trying to play a prank on me, or was this a message?
When Alice let me go, I slipped out of the room and stumbled up the stairs. I had to stop halfway up because I thought I was going to vomit. I stayed on the landing for a couple of minutes, trying to get my breathing back.
When I was okay, I knocked on the door of the library. There wasn't an answer.
"Edward, can I come in?" I asked in nothing above a whisper.
There was still no answer.
I pushed the heavy door open and found him at his desk. He was leaning back in the large chair and staring at one of the two computer screens with an intense gaze that was almost painful.
"I can't see you right now." His voice was scary. I literally shook.
I bit my lip, not wanting to say anything, but I closed the door behind me. I walked across the carpet until I was behind his chair and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I can't believe that this is happening." Edward said furiously. "I'm sorry."
"For what? This wasn't your fault."
"I promised to protect you, and I'm failing miserably. What good am I?"
"I'm not dead. I'm still here so you have to be doing something right."
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm guessing you heard about what they took."
"Yeah. I feel... violated," I said truthfully.
"As you should," he growled. Edward leaned over and flicked the computer screen on.
There was a black and white video of the hallway outside of my room. There was nothing for a couple of seconds before a large man rounded the corner. He didn't have a mask or anything covering his face. He had dark hair and since there was no color to the video, it was hard to make out certain features. He was carrying a large duffle bag.
Edward and I watched as he went right up to my door, jimmied the lock expertly before slipping inside.
Edward sped up the video and the time stamp raced by an hour in seconds. The man came out of the room and just walked out like nothing had happened. He was carrying a bag that probably had my panties in them, and I almost threw up again.
The video went black after that.
Edward and I just sat there for a second, not knowing what to say.
"I'm going to kill him." His voice was eerily calm."I'm going to find the fucker and kill him."
I wanted to tell him that it wasn't worth it, but I doubted that would have made any difference.
Edward stood up from the chair and walked around the desk, pulling at his hair. "I was supposed to know about these things. You could have been in there. He could have walked in on you..."
As he usually did, Edward put all the blame on him. After a half hour, it was hard to hear him like this because he was literally beating himself over this.
"I can't believe that I didn't see this." He knocked his head against the bookshelves.
I got up from the chair and went over to him, pulling him away from the wall.
"Edward, you have to stop. I know you're mad, but you're starting to scare me." I ran my hand over the scar that he was beginning to get on his forehead.
"I can't tell you how mad I am right now."
"I know,"
Edward anchored my face with his hand, running the pad of his thumb over my cheek. "Bella, I promise that I won't let anything happen to you. I'm going to fucking kill anyone who comes near you."
"I don't want you to get hurt."
"Will you please stop thinking about me for one second?" He said sternly. "I don't care about me. I want you to be safe."
"I know you do. I'm just really scared for the both of us right now."
"You have nothing to worry about. I won't let anything hurt you."
His voice was so filled with conviction that I had no choice but to believe him.
HOLY DEATH THREATS BATMAN
WOWZA. SCARY STUFF. WHO DID IT? WHY DID THEY DO IT? WHO COULD IT BE?
ONLY I KNOW THE ANSWERS. *CUE EVIL LAUGH*.
I GAVE YOU GUYS SOME LEMONADE BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE BEEN MISSING IT.
THANKS TO JENNY FOR THE BETA'ING AND SCENE STEALING FROM SN
IM GOING TO TRY AND GET ONE CHAPTER OUT NEXT WEEK, BUT DON'T EXPECT IT ON TUESDAY. MAYBE FRIDAY, MOST LIKELY NOT. RIGHT NOW, JUST BANK ON NO UPDATES NEXT WEEK. SORRY. BLAME REAL LIFE
THANKS TO ALL THE READERS WHO ALERT AND REVIEW. YOU GUYS ARE GREAT.
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