Innocent Until Proven Guilty Chapter 20
It wasn't hard to spot my dad. He stood out tall, a hard look on his face. For a moment I couldn't remember the way he looked when he smiled, or the sound of his laughter. That hard face is the only way I remember seeing him for quite some time. He was dressed in one of his Armani suits, crisp white shirt and a grey tie. His moustache trimmed to perfection as usual. I don't think he even knows how to look scruffy. The smell of Old Spice and cigar made my eyes tear up, I forgot how much I missed that scent.
"Isabella, what are you doing here?"
"Hi dad." Was all I could muster to say. He definitely didn't look happy to see me. His eyes kept darting between Carlisle and I.
"You want to explain to me how you two happen to meet?" He focused his sharp gaze on Carlisle whilst Carlisle didn't look fazed at all and instead pulled out a chair for me.
"Let's order something shall we? I'm starving." He rubbed his none existing stomach and then proceeded to take a seat himself and look at the menu.
I felt dad's eyes on me but I didn't dare look up. My false bravado left me and I felt like a little girl again.
Dad huffed in frustration and proceeded to sit, scooting his chair ever so slightly closer to me. There was an awkward silence surrounding the table and I was beginning to regret coming. With dad's attitude already, there was no way he was going to listen to what I had to say.
I discreetly took out my phone and sent a quick message to Edward.
I shouldn't have come, dad's got steam coming out his ears and all I said was hi dad. - B
I pocketed my phone, took a deep breath and finally looked up to find both men looking at me.
"Ok all this awkward silence is creeping me the fuck out. Someone say something."
"Language Isabella, you know better than that. Didn't we teach you anything?" His sharp gaze was directed at me now.
"It's been a while Charlie. How's business?" Carlisle asked and with a quick glance around the café, he signalled for the waiter to come.
"I really don't think it's wise to talk business whilst we have company." I didn't miss the quick glance he shot to my direction.
"Didn't stop you before." I responded and Carlisle chuckled.
"Back then you were too young to understand." Dad added before fixing his gaze back to Carlisle.
"Oh come on now Charlie, you can speak freely in front of your daughter." He emphasised the word daughter and at that moment, I felt anything but Charlie's daughter.
"Mind explaining how this happened?" Dad was still furious as he gestured between Carlisle and I.
"Funny story actually. You see, my Edward met your Bella and they hit it off from the get go. I didn't know it was your Bella he was gushing about until she came to see me at the hospital when I had a little hiccup." Carlisle began to explain.
"I'd hardly call a mild heart attack a hiccup Carlisle." I chastised him lightly, raising my eyebrow when he gave me an innocent look and a cheeky wink.
"What do you mean your Edward? Isabella what have you gotten yourself into? I told your mother we should have shipped you out of Chicago but you were adamant you wanted to come to this college. Do you have any idea who he is?" I could feel a headache coming on and I could practically feel the rage seeping out of my dad.
Luckily the waiter finally decided to approach our table. Both men ordered a club sandwich whilst I decided on the omelette.
Silence once again filled the table and I felt my leg start to bounce in anticipation, trying to figure out the best way to approach this subject once again.
"The UoC was my best option dad, you know this. And I haven't gotten myself into anything. Edward and I are together dad, if you can't accept that then that's your problem. I know perfectly well who he is." I sighed. "I knew coming today would be a bad idea." I slumped back in my chair. Carlisle reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze as a sign of support.
"Do you understand the risk he puts you in? What if the police get wind of what he gets up to? Are you just going to stand there and defend him?" Dad seethed in a whisper.
"You know perfectly well the police won't do shit to us Charlie. Nothing would ever stick. Now, I know you're worried, but Edward would never let any harm come to Isa and neither would I. You know how much she means to me, I swore to you I would protect her if something were to happen to you. I intend to keep my promise." The mood suddenly shifted and dad looked reprimanded as he gave Carlisle a curt nod.
I was surprised at how protective Carlisle was of me, hearing his promise to my father was a bit of a shock. I never knew they had that sort of discussion. As far as I'm aware, dad's a pretty straight up guy, so I can't imagine any harm coming to him whilst he does what he does. But then again, I didn't know my father was part of a motorcycle club when he was younger, and the fact that he's familiar with the Mob.
Our food arrived as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I couldn't wipe the smile of my face when I read Edward's message.
Want me to kidnap you? Jaz and I could come up with a Mission Impossible sorta situation (not with Emmett though, he's a blabber mouth and his fat ass wouldn't fit through a vent) and get you out of there in no time. Just say the word angel and I'll be there. - E
"I bet you my left kidney that's Edward. Do you see how happy she is? Do you think I'd let my punk kid disrespect her in any way?" My attention was back to the gentlemen as Carlisle spoke.
"Dad I promise you I'm safe with Edward. But what I wanted to talk to you about is the fact that I won't be sitting the bar at the end of the semester. I'm done dad. You know deep down this isn't what I want to do. I went along with it to simply please you and I was getting tired of having the same fight with you and mom over and over again. I'm not you dad, I can't become a lawyer and pursue a career that isn't for me." I played around with my food as I spoke, suddenly not hungry in the slightest.
"So you're just going to throw your life away like that? And for what? I didn't bust my ass to get you into a good college for no fucking reason Isabella! And what exactly do you plan on doing with your life? Sitting at home spewing out kids?" He bellowed and a few people that were in the café turned to look at us.
"I was the one who got me into that good college dad! Me! My grades got me there because I worked my fucking ass off to get me there! The Dean creamed his pants because you've made a name for yourself and he saw dollar signs, but don't sit there and pretend I got into UoC because of your hard work." My head was pounding by this point.
"And for your information, I want to become a writer dad. I want to travel the world and write about it. I want to make a name for myself and not live under your shadow. I don't know how many more ways I can say this. I've been writing since I was a little girl dad, you've seen my work get published in school. Why can't you accept this?" I could feel my eyes water. I was so done with this. I'm fed up of fighting for myself. When he decides to pull his head out of his ass and talk to me like a grownup, then we can have a sit down again. I've done my bit and I've said my piece. It's up to him now if he wants to finally accept it.
"Is the thought of her not following in your footsteps that bad for you?" Carlisle asked.
"Would you let Edward walk away when you step down?" My dad asked. I was curious to hear the answer myself.
"If it's what he wanted then yes. I wouldn't want him to hate me for forcing him to stay in the family business. If he wants to leave then that's fine, that's his choice." Carlisle took a huge bite of his sandwich and shot me a quick wink. I turned to look at dad who looked like he was lost in thought.
I was praying that something will sink in, whether it's what I said or what Carlisle said.
"Do you mind if we get back to why you wanted to meet?" Carlisle spoke quietly after taking a sweep of the place.
"The Mayors department have been hounding my ass for months wanting dirt. They have suddenly taken a keen interest in you and your activities in the city. I haven't got a clue as to why they think I would know something but they keep mentioning the name Hunter. I personally don't know anyone under that name apart from your old friend, but he died years ago right?" The name alone sent shivers down my back and I tried not to react. I didn't need my father knowing that Hunter has taken an interest in me- an interest that has Felix watching our every move.
"Are you sure they said Hunter?" Carlisle had the perfect poker face on.
But my dad saw right through it.
"What's going on Carl?" He kept darting his eyes between me and Carlisle.
"George had a son. His name is James but he purely goes by Hunter now. He wants his half of Chicago back. But James is unstable. Remember when I told you it was the drugs that killed George and not a rival family like the media thinks? Well the apple doesn't fall far from that tree. I can't just hand over half of the city to some punk kid who's only going to cause more trouble. He went off the radar when George died and no one had heard from him or seen him. Until he rocked up at my house when Es threw Edward a graduation party. God knows what the kid had in his system but he was high as fuck. He's unstable but conniving. What I don't understand is why he's got the Mayor involved." Carlisle shot a quick glance in my direction but luckily my father was looking out the front window, lost in thought again.
Carlisle motioned to my phone and I quickly picked it up and saw that there was a message from him.
How the hell did he do that?
Send a message to Edward to check on Hunter's whereabouts. Something doesn't sit right. - CC
With a quick nod, I forwarded Carlisle's message to Edward adding the fact that my dad has been approached by the Mayor's people.
My phone rang and I excused myself from the table so I could take the call.
"My guy is keeping tabs on him. He's been at some broad's house for the past 3 hours. How are you angel?" He was on the ball with this, it set my mind at ease knowing the fact we had eyes on him.
"I'm ok. Your dad has been amazing, I think he gave my father something to think about." I looked back at the two men, their heads were close together as they discussed something I could no longer hear.
"Are you glad you decided to come?" I could hear papers being flicked through in the background which meant that he was still at the docks.
"Yes and no. I've left the ball in his court now, so it's up to him if he decides to actually listen to me this time. What I didn't realise was how much I've missed him, so it's nice to see him in person." I trailed off as voices started to rise from my table.
"Is that them?" Edward chuckled.
"Yeah. How weird is it that our fathers are friends yet we never met each other?" I shook my head as they were laughing at something now.
Men.
"You would have ruined me if I'd known you when we were younger. I would have been putty in your hands." He teased and I laughed at the fact that he was probably right.
"I love you, did you know that?" It felt so good to say those words to him.
"And I love you too." I could practically hear the smile in his voice. Our dads were standing up now so I told Edward I'd see him when we get back. After we hung up, I walked back over to the table and my dad was shifting on his feet.
"Was that Edward?" He asked, timidly this time. Like he was afraid to know the answer.
"Yeah." Just hearing his name sent a smile to my face and my dad's shoulder sagged in defeat.
"I guess your mom and I will have to meet him soon." He quirked up his eyebrow and then shot a look at Carlisle as if to say 'don't start'. Carlisle simply chuckled and beamed at my dad. Who would have thought the Mob Boss, who runs the whole of Chicago, can convince my hard ass father that it's perfectly fine for his Mob son to date his innocent daughter?
My dad doesn't need to know that I wouldn't use the word innocent to describe me.
"I'm sure Esme would love to organise something for all of us." Was all he said before stretching his hand out for my dad to shake and then bringing him into one of those manly one-armed-hugs. When they pulled apart, dad turned to face me.
"I'm sorry Bella. I'm glad you decided to come. Makes you a much bigger person than I am. Just…let me think things over ok? I need to wrap my head around a few things." He held his arms out and I almost pushed him over with the force of my hug. The concentrated scent of him sent me over the edge and the tears I tried so hard to hold back came pouring down.
Dad kissed the top of my head and I held on tighter.
"Alright you two, you're going to make me cry if you don't break it up. Isa you promised me ice cream remember?" I snort laughed and felt my dad shake with silent laughter as Carlisle started tapping his foot impatiently behind us.
Dad and I pulled apart and he reached up and wiped my tears with his thumbs, something he would always do when I was a little girl.
After I got control of my emotions, the three of us walked out of the café and towards the parked cars. We once again said our goodbyes and Carlisle opened the passenger door for me again before getting in himself.
"I thought we could go to the park and get ice cream there." He suggested as he pulled away and drove towards the nearby park.
"Sounds good to me. Edward said they have eyes on Hunter and that he's staying at some broad's house- his words, not mine." I conveyed the message and watched Carlisle nod.
"Yeah Victoria. Her brother deals James the drugs, so they've got a fucked up little situation going. What I want to know is how the Mayor is involved in all of this and why he's snooping around." He mused.
We were sitting at a red light when his phone started ringing via the car's Bluetooth system.
"Hey Darling we're jus-" But he was cut off by Esme's hurried voice.
"Get home now! The boys, they got ambushed!" My heart sank at her words. I had literally spoken to Edward moments ago. Dark thoughts clouded my mind as Carlisle did an illegal U-turn and hauled ass back to their house.
"Shit! Are they ok?" He questioned but all I could focus on was setting eyes on Edward.
"I don't know Carlisle, it's absolutely manic here and no one is fucking telling me anything. It all happened so quick. Demetri was at ours in the office and then all hell broke loose. The surveillance feed was cut and all we could hear was gunfire and then nothing." She sobbed the last bit and I thought I was going to be sick.
"Carlisle!" I sobbed. I don't even know what I was asking of him by that point.
"It's going to be ok. I promise both of you, our boy is sharp and strong." He tried his best to sooth us both but I was on the verge of losing it.
"Bella sweetie try to keep calm. I know you're scared and so am I but Carlisle is right. Edward can take care of himself. He'll come back to us." I wasn't sure who she was trying to convince more, herself or me.
I just wanted to hear his voice again.
The world outside the car passed in a blur as Carlisle sped home. It wasn't long before we were pulling into a long driveway that was surrounded by trees. As the car got cleared through security, a beautiful mansion came into view and Esme ran out the front door to greet us.
As soon as I stepped out, I was instantly wrapped up in her loving arms. We held onto each other like a lifeline and then a much bigger and stronger pair of arms wrapped around the both of us. We stood there for a minute in complete silence, trying to gather each other's strength to get through this.
"Come inside, let me fix you a drink." She cupped my face as she spoke, and for the second time today, I had someone wipe my tears that wouldn't stop spilling.
Esme held my hand as we walked up the steps whilst Carlisle had his ear pressed to a phone and looking at a tablet that was handed to him by some guy who appeared out of thin air it seems.
I was too focused on trying to see through my tears and where I was going to pay attention to the décor of their home, a home that Edward grew up in.
She led me into the huge kitchen and I stumbled slightly at the share size of it. We walked over to the breakfast counter and she made me sit whilst she walked over to the wall of wine bottles that were proudly displayed.
Esme grabbed us both a glass each and began opening the wine and pouring it in. The whole bottle was almost empty by the time she stopped pouring. She finished off the last bit of it straight from the bottle and then handed me my glass. My nerves made me nearly down it all in one go as every voice and bang around the house made me jump.
Esme paced in front of me, stopping now and again to take a huge sip of her wine, before she carried on pacing.
"He's going to be ok…they all are…he's not an idiot…he'll come back to us…Jasper and Alice will have their wedding…Emmett and Rosalie will have their baby…Edward and Bella will get married and start a family of their own one day…yes, he'll be fine…he'll come back in once piece…my baby boy…" I don't think she realised she was thinking out loud.
I hadn't even thought about my girls in all of this. Did they even know what was going on?
We both turned when we heard commotion from outside.
I jumped off that stool so quick I was sure I heard it hit the marble floor but I didn't care. I heard the sound of screeching tires and my heart was in my throat.
Just as I stepped out, I saw Edward get out of the car and glance at our direction.
He was here.
He was alive.
He came back to us.
He was covered in blood.
"Edward?" And my world went dark.