No copyright infringement intended.

CMF

CULLEN-MASEN FAMILY

Chapter 29

EPOV

The showing at the gallery was a success. They managed to sell everything except two paintings. They are going to keep them there in hopes of selling them in the future. Bella was exhausted after the showing, and very glad I had insisted on bringing her wheelchair. I was still quite upset that Caius, and his men came getting so close to Bella. I warned him, and I can promise I will kill him.

I got Sean calling in a bunch of people, and then their contacts to carry out this extermination of Caius, and if involved, his family. He should thank god his father is already dead, as I would kill him, too. His father, Erin Calabrese, had quite the reputation of being a ruthless killer. I do believe Caius picked up more of his father's traits than his uncles. They have no backbone when it comes to carrying things out. They leave it up to their men, who have a tendency of being very careless.

I'm just glad the evening was over, and I got us home. I need to either start looking for a more permanent home, or making renovations to...something. Things just seem a little in the air at the moment. I need to make things more 'permanent' for us a home. A safe environment.

I got some people going out to the place on Bainbridge Island to see about buying the surrounding homes, reinforcing the grounds surrounding our present houses, or looking for something else entirely. I got to much on my plate, and no time to deal with it all.

I look up and the most beautiful sight is walking towards me. We had quite a spell the night after the gallery. We tried jacuzzis, hot tubs, bathtubs, heating pads, and pain pills. She explained to me that there had been periods like this when it was just to much for her body. She loved the cold weather, but if the cold managed to seep into her bones for a significant period of time, along with trying to do to much standing, walking, working, then she would pay dearly. It would pass after a bit of extended heat therapy, pain pills, and rest. It did tend to cut into her work, but since the accident it was just something she had to learn to deal with.

Now, as she comes over bringing me a cup of coffee, and a kiss I smile at her, and she tells me she is going to go do some research on a project she is fixing to undertake.

I drift back into my work, and see they are just now finishing with the tunnel entrance. They are devising a plan to install titanium bars, and plates to cover the entrance, and are also electronic. They will slide, or raise into the surrounding ground. We had already received a shipment of weapons through the tunnel already.

Now, I was planning a big meeting in our new conference room in our underground facility. There were going to be people coming in from up, and down the west coast. I also put a call into a few people from other families, to see if they had additional people I could use to bring down the Calabrese Family. I was tired of playing around. It was time to show them I meant business.

MEANWHILE, ACROSS TOWN

CPOV

I loved the fact we were able to get so close to Edward's prize possession. Showed him he didn't have things as well covered as he thought. Scott comes walking in, and sits down. I'm ready to put into action the taking of that 'prized possession', and show him he should not have messed with me.

I discuss with Scott taking Mrs. Cullen-Masen, and what to do with her. He recommends taking her to an undisclosed destination, and hold her for an extended period of time. Give Edward time to miss her, to think she might be dead, she has just disappeared not to be found. Sure, he's apt to wage war against me and my family in hopes to recover her. But, I will make it very known he will never see her again...alive...unless he folds, and admits defeat to me, and the Calabrese Family. That we will have total control over everything he now owns...or else. It will be his choice.

I like that plan. I let Scott know to go ahead making the plans, and put them into play as soon as possible.

RPOV (Ghost)

Now, I might just be a little scared that he is fixing to take his revenge (?) out on that wonderful woman. But, I have an inside card I'm fixing to play...against this Scott. Let's see how receptive he'll be to playing things out my way.

I need to speak with him first, then go have a meeting with the Boss some where no one will expect. I don't believe we have an inside corruption in the least, but I'd just as soon keep this between the two of us for the time being.

I wait for Scott to come out, and I follow him. He's headed towards his personal stomping grounds. Scott learned a lot of his techniques from me quite a few years ago. I took him under my wing, and taught him the mode of becoming a ghost. To become almost invisible. He picked up quite quickly, and was almost as good as me, but I still hold the card to being the best at what I do. No, it is not pride speaking, it's just something I am good at, and I believe I'm using it for a good cause. Better with the Cullen-Masen Family, than with some family like the Calabreses.

I continue to follow Scott for a few days as he makes plans, finds an outlying cabin, brings in supplies, and then starts his surveillance. I need to make this meeting with Edward...NOW.

I call Edward, "Hey, you alone?"

"Yes. What's going on, Randall?"

"I need to meet with you as soon as possible. It's very urgent."

"Alright, you could come over to my new..."

"No, how about this little cafe Victrola, on Pike. I'll be there within the hour, in the back."

"I'll be there. One hour."

"Make sure your alone, Boss. No one but you. I have my reasons, alright?"

"Alright, one hour."

An hour later the two men are sat in the back of a small coffee cafe hopefully discussing things that are in play already. We sit enjoying our coffee, which I might add is very good. Boss looks tense, and he has good reason too. I set out explaining about this Scott fellow, that he is almost as good a 'ghost' as I am since I trained him. I then explain what I have observed him laying in place; the cabin, the supplies, and then his surveillance. I also tell him about my fixing to approach him, and lay my own plan into place.

His plans are to take Bella, and hold her at this cabin either until Caius arrives, or he tells him what to do with her.

I have to make Edward calm, and listen to everything I tell him. I explain I will talk to this Scott,putting a new plan into play,or what will happen if he doesn't go along with me. He does have a few people I can get to to exact my own brand of revenge, and he knows I will do it.

I tell Edward I am going to go ahead, and lay out my plan, and once I have talked to this Scott, I will give him another call, and we will take it from there. I also ask him if he feels the need to bring someone else into this, they must be someone he will trust...with Bella's life.

He said there are quite a few people, but the one he would call into play is Paul. I totally agree. I heard about their joined adventure in the shoot out. I quite agree he has a very dependable comrade in him.

I tell him I will either call him tomorrow evening, or the next. Just give me time to approach this man, and put things into play. Also, don't let Bella out of his sight.

EPOV

Upon reaching home I go to my office pouring a hefty drink of scotch, and sit down at my desk going over what Randall has just laid on me.

I get up walking through the apartment, and find Bella already in bed asleep. I walk back into my office, and pick up my phone calling Paul. I ask him if he's able to come over to my office in the apartment. I need to discuss some things with him. He say's he'll be over in about an hour. I tell him to give me a call when he arrives, and I'll send the elevator down.

When he arrived we adjourned to my office, where I explained the meeting with Randall. I told him of everything he had uncovered, and what his plans were. Randall also said I could bring in one person I trusted above everyone else at this point. I told Paul he more than proved himself the last few times we have been together. I also told him how impressed I was with his abilities. I then offered him the position of Caporegime along with Jasper, and Emmett. I told him I would be honored if he would take the position.

Paul sat looking at me for a few minutes, and finally agreed he would be honored to take the position, and would not let me down.

I made up my own ceremony for the time being...we cut our palms, and grasped each others hands making us blood brothers of this family. It kind of made us both teary eyed, but neither one of us would admit it.

Now, I also told him about his increase in money, and I would look into setting him up in a more permanent apartment close in. I explained my debates over extending this, and possibly a few other ideas I was throwing around.

I then told him I was waiting on Randall to call me either tonight, or the next day. I would let Paul know, and we would arrange to meet with him.

I sent Paul home to get some rest, as I felt we were going to be running short on it in the next few days.

I then went into the bedroom, slipped on some pajama pants, and joined my wife in bed. I pulled her close, nuzzling in her hair, and fell into a deep sleep.

BPOV

I don't really remember when Edward came to bed last night, but it was so hard to get up from the warmth. It felt so good wrapped up in his arms, safe from all the world was trying to throw at us.

I knew I needed to get up though, start some coffee, and get ready to try to talk him into letting me go work some. I needed to get ready for any new event coming my way.

I also needed to work on either renovating these two warehouses, or looking for something more substantial. With what I just made off the sell of my paintings at the gallery showing, I could buy us a very nice home. Of course, I had to take into consideration the security Edward would want installed, or to make sure nothing could obtain entry on us.

I will gather some properties, and hope he can give me some time later to show them to him.

Now, first things first...bathroom, clothes, coffee, breakfast, and then arrange to go do some work.

Grabbing some warm cloths, my boots, my babies Peaches, and Cane, we went into the kitchen where I put on some coffee. I then reach into the frig pulling out stuff to make some scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, milk, juice, and set out to work. Angela comes in joining me preparing things. She pours us both some coffee, and pulls out a big coffee maker. I look at her wondering why, and she just looks over her shoulder.

I find quite a ew people watching us. I just smile, and tell them to hold on. That we'll have some more made in a little bit. Angela takes over fixing biscuits to go in the oven, and then starts on scrambling the eggs. I tell her I forgot to get the cheese for them.

I finish up with the sausage, and then start on making sausage gravy. I have a nice pair of arms circle around my waist, and they lean in to give me a warm kiss. He then works his way over to get some coffee, and pouring us some more.

They all sit down at the bar, or the dining room table waiting on breakfast. We start piling things up in bowls, platters, as Angela get's plates, silverware, napkins, juice glasses, seasonings. I set the food on the counter holding up my hand for them to wait just a couple minutes for the biscuits.

We get everything poured, more coffee making, and we pull the biscuits out of the oven. Angela grabs a big basket lined with napkins, and we put them in. Then we set them on the counter, and they attack like they've never seen food. Thank God we thought to make a small batch sitting to the side waiting for us.

I fix Edward a plate sitting it down in front of him, and then commence to make my own. I've been craving biscuits, and gravy for a few days now, and it is wonderful. Everyone is trying it, and I do believe I got a winner.

After breakfast I am greeted by Mrs. Stanley coming in to do some light house work, and commences to clean up the kitchen. I follow Edward into his office to discuss my going across to do some work in my studio. He looks up, and I give him a big smile.

"Alright Bella, for what do I garner more of your attention this morning? What are you wanting?" looking at her with my eyebrow raised. I already have a feeling I know what it is, but I had hoped for a bit more time.

"I want to go across to work in my studio, Edward. What do we need to do for me to be able to do that for a while? I'm not fighting you on whatever I need to do, to follow, but I want to go work some."

EPOV

I sit looking at her gaging her mood, and finally come to the point I know I can't keep her a prisoner. So, I look at Sean to call in Ant, Felix, and Tom to go inside with her, and then to call in some additional men to station in the garage. I also want them to make a sweep of the whole building to make sure no one has gotten inside.

I then pull Bella to sit in my lap, and I explain the precautions I am going to make, and she has to do exactly as Ant especially, but Felix, and Tom also. She must follow their orders if there is trouble, as I can't loose her. I lean forward kissing her, and run my hands through her hair. We just sat enjoying each others company until the men came back informing me of things being alright.

Within an hour they come back telling me everything is fine, and they even went around turning on the heat, as the place was very cold. I looked at her knowing what we went through the last time she got severly cold, and she assures me she is going to take precautions with thicker clothes, sweaters, thick socks, and also some flannel lined jeans she bought. I got Felix to call Gianna to come in, and help her also. She was going to take her wheelchair for backup, if she was over there for an extended period of time. I was still going to worry until she was back with me.

Bella went to get ready, saying she would leave Peaches with me, and I better take care of her. She was taking Cane bcause of his becoming more protective. I was happy with that, but would still worry none the less.

I needed to discuss some things with Sean, Jasper, Emmett, and Paul about the upcoming move we were going to knew I was tired of playing around with Caius, and wanting to put an end to it.

When we went looking for him, or any of his men they were no were to be found. Now, the incident at the gallery no one could believe the gall of his actions. He only made me more determined to end him. I would kill him for all the threats he has made towards the women of our family. That was just a rule we abided by...women, children were untouchable.

I had additional eyes on my businesses by putting people inside. They done surveillance on suspicious people inside, and if necessary they followed them. No one was coming up as working for Caius, or his family. I also had people keeping an eye on incendiary devices in my businesses. This might be harder to detect, to find, but it wasn't because I was not trying. I didn't want anyone hurt because of their carelessness.

Jasper, Emmett, Paul, Cal, Giulio, James, Shawn, and a few other men arrive. They tell me of the plans set in place up and down the coast. Mrs. Stanley brings in coffee, and everyone compliments on her croissants. It's the kind of day I want more of. No mass confusion, no fighting, no shooting, nothing. Just peace, and quiet to a degree.

But, that was not to be had. Suddenly there is mass confusion. Apparently Eric has spotted something going on outside, and some people are attempting to gain access into the warehouse Bella is in. Suddenly, all hell breaks out as I watch, and flames come shooting from the back of the building. I grab my guns, and start for the elevator. Cal stops me, handing me a vest. Paul is right beside me, and they make me take the time to put it on, along with everyone else.

Someone has got the elevator waiting on us, and we head down to the garage. Before anyone comes out, a few men go through the bottom floor looking for anyone suspicious. They motion for us to come out, and we head to the opening ready to cut across to the other warehouse. I see our men just inside with their guns drawn, and there is some shooting. A few men I see running around with fire extinguishers.

Suddenly someone motions for us to come across, and I run towards them, guns drawn, ready for a fight. I make it to the elevator, but decide to go through to the other one on the bottom floor. I'm going to check the panic room, and then go up on the elevator inside. Sean, Paul, and I go through checking things out. There is no fire down here, or smoke. We make our way over to the panic room, and it is still closed up tight.

We call the elevator down to us, and Sean, Paul and I board it going towards the top floor. Cal, Jasper, Emmett, and some other men took the other elevator towards the top floor. We arrive at the second floor where Angela's apartment is, and Bella's studio on the other side. We find Angela hiding in her apartment, behind her washer & dryer. She has a little place set up back there.

She tells us Bella had a visitor waiting that attacked Ant, Felix, and Tom as they came out of the elevator. He has Bella, and she doesn't know if they are still here. Felix told her to go hide, and they would try to take care of things. She said that all hell broke out before she could even grab Bella to come with her. Sean pulls her close, giving her a kiss, and tells her to stay behind the machines. He hands her a gun, and we go forward, towards Bella's studio. We come to the door leading inside, and I can hear growling, and barking. Cane is apparently standing his ground.

We push the door open, and find Cane has been locked inside the bathroom. We look around further for Bella, and there is no sign of her any where. I pet Cane making him stay with me with a few commands. He looks like he got hit on the side of his head. I'll have to get him checked out. He did try to protect her, but to no avail.

We sweep the floor, and don't find her anywhere. We find all three of the men guarding her knocked out by the elevator. Ant looks the worse, as we are able to rouse the other two. I get them to call for some medical help for Ant, as he is not responding to us.

I start outside towards the back of the building looking for a vehicle, tracks, something to tell me how they got her away from here. They have managed to get the fire out with not to much damage. I find some tracks a couple buildings down, and their just heading towards the highway.

I get everyone to head towards the conference room in the underground headquarters. I walk in, and the room is packed. Men standing around waiting to find out what has happened, and our course of action.

"Alright, I need everyone's attention. Now, I could throw things around, scream, shoot some people, but that's not going to bring Bella back. Now, I found tracks two buildings down from the back of her warehouse. Apparently they made the fire as a diversion tactic, and set some men to infiltrate the inside. They managed to knock out the three main men guarding her, and they attacked her dog, Cane." Taking a deep breath, I start pacing back and forth, running my fingers through my hair. I need to find out where they have taken her, and get her back.

Suddenly I stop, "I need some men to go see if you can find 'Ghost' for me. He has some inside information to where some man was planning to take her, keep her some place, and was setting things up for an extended stay. NOW! DON'T COME BACK WITHOUT SOME KIND OF INFORMATION, OR MY DAMN WIFE.," as he falls into his chair. "Find my Bella, please."

A bunch of the men head out telling Sean, and some of the other higher up men what they plan. They tell them they will call as soon as they hear anything.

Now we wait.

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Dang, it just hit me...I left a cliffy. hehehehe

Alright people, I hate to leave it there, but it was getting kind of long. Got to hold over some action, and I promise it is going to be good.

Now, please let me know what ya'll thought. I'm fixing to work on the next chapter.

Don't forget to go to the group page for some new pics.

Thanks muches...