I'm so happy to hear how much everyone liked the last chapter. It was hard when I was posting the chapters with them fighting and everyone basically hated them but I knew chapter 30 was the long-term outcome.

Bella couldn't quite put into words the extent of the terror she felt while sitting on the floor of the car as they sped through the city streets. Knowing several men with guns were chasing them and there were more where they'd come from was enough to send her into a panic attack. The idea that she and Edward were invited guests in Laurent and Heidi's home, having a pleasant lunch with people who planned to kill them, unnerved her. She realized what Edward meant when he said he couldn't fear every second he was out of the house because anything could happen.

For Bella, the worst part was the loss of control. She'd spent enough of her life letting others manipulate her that she wouldn't allow it to happen ever again. Fear was an abyss, a never-ending drop into utter darkness and hysteria. Power and control were the answer to regaining what she'd lost. It made her shudder to think Quinn could have been with them, and she vowed to take charge of her safety and his.

Edward was so gentle with her when they returned home. He knew precisely what to do, and he saw to her needs without hesitation. It surprised her that he also didn't mind that she wanted to learn how to use a gun, and he promised he'd give her one of her own. All of that could wait until the following day, though. For the time being, she wanted to shut out the sounds of gunfire, to block the horror of the what-ifs out of her head. To feel secure in Edward's embrace, to know he would always keep them safe, was the balm her soul demanded.

Edward had wrapped her in a towel when they got out of the shower, and she dropped it as he exited the bathroom. Standing at the foot of the bed, she watched his eyes widen and his step falter.

"Bella?"

"Make me forget, Edward."

He crossed the room, stopping directly in front of her. "Are you sure?"

She bit her lip and nodded, not letting her gaze stray from his. Rising on her toes, she pressed her palms to his jawline and kissed him, releasing everything within her to prove she was serious. Edward hesitated, and it almost derailed her plans. Other than to straight-up ask, she didn't know how to entice him. If he turned her down, if he set her adrift, she would be lost.

"Bella, it's common to need assurances after a traumatic situation."

"I don't care what's common. I need you."

"I don't know why I'm trying to talk you out of this, but are you positive?"

Nodding again, she turned her back to him. It was a bold and silent request, one she knew he would grant; soon, the solid wall of his heat closed her in. His hard chest pressed to her back, his erection insistent on her bottom. Edward settled his lips on the nape of her neck, and she moaned. Goosebumps erupted over her skin when he reached around to fondle her breasts.

"Do you want me to tell you what I'm going to do to you?"

The low tenor of his voice set a pulsing ache through her entire body. "Please."

"I'm going to kiss your neck . . ." She felt his full lips on her skin. "And I'm going to squeeze your tits in my hands."

Because it felt so heavy, she let her head fall back to his chest while he molded and kneaded her breasts.

"Then I'll move my hand down to your hot pussy, running my fingers through the wetness to tease your clit."

Gasping, she bucked her hips against his hand as he did what he said he would.

Edward caressed behind her ear with his lips, running his tongue in a line and leaving his open mouth against her flesh. "It turns me on to know I'm the one who makes you so wet."

"Only for you," she panted.

"With my other hand, I'm going to pull on your nipple and watch it pucker. Then I'm going to suck on your skin until I leave my mark."

Bella shuddered and cried out as he did it, almost unable to handle the suction on the side of her neck combined with the way he pulled on her nipple and the touch of his fingers.

By the time he removed his mouth, she knew he'd followed through with his promise to mark her skin. With nowhere else to put her hands, she reached behind her and wove them through his hair.

"And after you come so hard your legs give out, screaming my name, I'll bend you over this bed and fuck you until I fill you with my cum."

Bella was close to doing just that; screaming his name. Her breath came in sharp pants and her knees trembled. Her thighs shook, and she couldn't hold back the sounds coming from her mouth. The only thing keeping her upright was the possessive way he held her body flush to his.

"Edward!"

"You have no idea what it does to me to hear you call my name."

Brazenly, she reached behind her and felt for his cock. "I feel how hard it makes you."

Edward groaned. "I'm so fucking hard for you, Bella."

She stroked him, and he plucked her nipples with his long fingers. The pleasure coursing through her was what she longed for, what she needed in order to feel secure in her world again. With nothing but Edward surrounding her, she let go of the fear and just let herself feel.

It wasn't long before he pushed between her shoulder blades, bending her at the waist. She braced herself on her hands and slid down until the duvet rasped against her sensitive nipples. Edward ran his hands over her ass and she shifted, needing him to bury himself inside her.

"Fill me, Edward. Now."

He gripped her hips and angled her the way he needed her, slipping into her body with a long moan. "Oh god."

She echoed his sentiment, grabbing two fistfuls of the blanket and trying to hang on as he pounded into her. With her eyes closed, it was all about sensations; his pelvis slapping into her backside, his fingers digging into her hips. The sound of his soft grunts each time he hit her deeply and the feeling of him filling her womb so completely she couldn't catch her breath.

"Bella. Fuck."

When he pressed tightly to her body, she knew the completeness of fulfilling her husband's needs as much as her own.

He backed away from her and helped her to stand, turning her in his arms and holding on. Walking backward, he moved them around to the side of the bed and urged her to climb onto it. They lay facing each other, and he covered her mouth with his. Her pulse jumped when she realized he tasted of the wine he'd had with lunch, but she pushed that thought away.

"Are you okay?"

Bella nodded, but she stared at his chest instead of his face. "I wanted to put it all aside for a few minutes, and I don't know of another way besides sleep."

"Good thing for me you weren't tired."

"No, I'm not tired." She smiled briefly and looked up at him. "But I am serious about what I said in the shower."

"I know, and I'm fine with it. I'll teach you myself."

"Where will we go?" Did he have an approved place, or did he own a building for that purpose?

Edward ran a hand over her damp hair. "I have a shooting range in the house."

Somehow, that didn't surprise her. "Of course you do."

"There's also a gym and a weapons room."

"Where?" Though she had been there for almost six months, she didn't know the entire house inside and out.

"Underground. There's a hidden door to a stairwell leading to a locked door."

Snorting, she asked, "Are the walls painted red?"

"No, why?"

"Just checking what type of secret room it is."

Chuckling, he cupped her bottom and pulled her flush against him. "If that's what I have in mind, are you on board with it?"

"Nope."

"That was a quick answer."

Bella almost lost her train of thought when he snuck his fingers between her cheeks to toy with her. "I don't want to give you any excuses to whip me."

The bed shook with his laughter. "I like the way you catch me off guard."

Snuggling against him, she tucked her head under his chin. "Good, because I don't plan on stopping."

"Will you be all right for the rest of the day?"

"I'm not sure. Can you hold me for a while longer?"

"Yes." Edward tightened his hold. "Yes, I can."

Moments passed before she felt him growing hard between them. Shifting her hips, she rubbed her thighs along his shaft. "Already?"

"I can't help how much I want you."

With the thought of straddling him, she made a move to roll on top of him, but he held her close. Looking into her eyes, he lifted her top leg and draped it over his hips, thrusting forward to glide teasingly through her folds. The shade of green in his eyes darkened when he made love to her, and she didn't want to look away.

"Edward," she gasped.

With his mouth on hers, he spread her wide and pushed in. "Fuck. Every time."

"Every time what?"

"Feels fucking amazing."

Her skin tingled. Fierce passion showed on his face, and her heart swelled. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she bit down to keep them inside.

Edward's movements were smooth, unhurried, and she luxuriated in the comfort of his protective arms. As her back arched, he ran his tongue up her throat.

"Close," she gasped. "Ungh."

"Bella, come on my cock. Let me feel you explode in my arms." Seconds after he spoke, his hand was between them, rolling his fingers over her clit.

His filthy mouth drove her wild. His fingers brought her to the brink. A discordant cry left her lips, and he increased the speed of both his fingers and his hips.

"Come for me, baby."

"I want to." Restless, she ran her hands over his chest and shoulders.

"I know. Let go."

He was right; as soon as she let go of the expectation, it crashed over her. "God, Edward!"

"Do you want me to fill you up, gorgeous?"

"Oh, please!" Clutching his arms, she buried her face in his chest and screamed from the prolonged orgasm.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck."

In the aftermath of their lovemaking, she discovered herself drifting off. With silent desperation, she clung to Edward when he tried to roll over. "Don't let me go."

She felt his lips on her forehead. "I won't, I promise."

"Okay."

Just before she fell asleep, she heard him whisper, "Tá mé agat anois."

When she woke hours later, the first thing she noticed was Edward's arm draped over her chest and his leg thrown over hers. She was content to have him remain close, but the hour grew late. Smiling, she ran her fingers through his hair and cupped his face.

"Edward."

One eye cracked open, and he smiled at her. In a husky voice, he said, "Told you I'd stay."

"Yes, you did." Ridiculously happy that he'd kept his promise, she snuggled into him once more. "What are the words you occasionally say to Quinn in Gaelic?"

He shifted underneath her. "I tell him I love him. Is breá liom tú."

She tried to repeat the words but knew she'd butchered it. He'd never said it to her, but it was familiar from the times he said it to their son. "It's lovely."

"Earlier, I said that I've got you."

It wasn't the same, but it was a nice sentiment. "Thank you."

Edward touched his lips to the top of her head, and his chest rose and fell rapidly under her cheek as he sucked in a ragged breath and let it out. "You're welcome."

Though she wished they could remain, they had to get up and face the rest of the house. Quinn was in Rose's capable hands, but Bella wanted to hold him tight and reaffirm the promise she made to herself about keeping him safe.

They found Emmett and Rose in the living room, sitting on the floor playing with the baby. The adults looked up when Edward and Bella came into the room.

Rose frowned heavily. "Are you both okay? This one wouldn't tell me anything, but I know something isn't right."

Bella scooped up Quinn, kissing his cheeks and holding him close to her chest. "We're okay."

"Rose," Edward began. "Something happened earlier, but I asked Emmett to wait to tell you until I could be certain all was well with Bella and the rest of our men."

Bella settled on the floor, pleased when Edward joined them and reached for Quinn.

"The Youngs only pretended to be okay with our marriage," Bella said.

Emmett took Rose's hand. "But they're not."

Her expression made it clear she knew the news was dire. "What did they do?"

"They sent men after us," Edward answered. "They shot at the car we rode in and the SUV Emmett drove."

Rose gasped, whipping her head in Emmett's direction. "What the fuck, Em?"

"Rosie, you know this is a part of my life." Emmett pulled her against him. "It's why we're so careful."

"Oh, my God."

Bella touched Rose's shoulder. "It freaked me out, but I'm okay now. No one was hurt. The cars are bulletproof."

"You're okay now? Well, that's just great. The man I love and one of my dearest friends were nearly killed, but it's all fine now."

"Rose." They all recognized the authority in Edward's voice. "It's scary, and you're shocked, but don't panic."

"I'm not panicking." The words were right, but she practically climbed onto Emmett's lap and held him around the neck.

"Babe, I know," he murmured. "We have plans in place for this sort of thing, and we were careful. It was always a possibility they wouldn't forgive what they thought was an insult, so we were on high alert."

They heard the sounds of Rose sobbing, and Edward and Bella took Quinn, leaving the room to give them privacy.

"I know how she feels," Bella murmured. "One minute, death is just a vague thought, and then the next minute it's shoved in your face."

"She'll need you to be strong for her," Edward said, kissing the top of his son's head.

"Imagine, the strongest woman I know needing a role reversal."

"You're the strongest woman I know, Bella."

She stopped in her tracks at the top of the stairs. "Are you kidding me? I fell apart today."

Edward stopped beside her. "No, you didn't. You wanted to, and you almost did. But you held your own."

It hadn't occurred to her that he might see her that way. "I cried."

"So? That's not a sign of weakness." With Quinn between them, he wrapped his arms around Bella. "You made me proud today in more ways than one."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "Thank you."

Leaning over Quinn's head, she kissed Edward, then kissed Quinn. In a way, it felt like she'd passed her first major test.