I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 25
There were no blemishes…no cracks…not even a cobweb on the ceiling. I had been staring at it for hours, trying to find one, while waiting for my tears to start. I had come in here because I didn't want to break down in front of Edward. But I hadn't even shed a tear yet.
I was starting to wonder what was wrong with me. My mother had just died a horrible death. I should be crying or something. Instead, I felt numb. Edward knocked only once to tell me he was going to the store; it was only then when I was aware hours had passed that I hadn't cried or slept.
There was another soft knock, and I heard the door open.
"Bella, I brought you something to eat," Edward said.
"I'm not hungry," I told him.
"You really should eat something. It has been almost twenty-four hours since you last ate." I heard him place something down on the nightstand beside me.
I turned and saw a bowl of SpaghettiOs with meatballs.
"I talked to your dad. He said it was your favorite thing to eat when you were upset." He gave me a sad smile.
"My dad? Is he coming?" I asked, shifting so I was sitting.
Edward shook his head. "There's been a guy hanging around Forks. Charlie is pretty positive he's with the Costas. He's afraid to lead them here."
"Oh," I mumbled disappointedly.
Edward started back toward the door. "I'll be out here if you need anything."
"Edward?" I called before he could shut the door.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for everything," I told him.
"You're welcome, love." He looked ready to say something else but left, closing the door behind him.
The food was smelling good and my stomach rumbled. I picked up the spoon and ate everything quickly. Edward had even included bread and butter with it.
When I finished, I decided to bring my dishes back to the kitchen. I washed them and then went back to the living room. The tent had been dismantled and Edward was asleep in a chair. His neck was bent in a funny position. I went over to him and gently shook him awake. He jumped, startled, and looked wildly around.
"What's wrong?" He started to get up, but I placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.
"Nothing is wrong. You should go to bed. It doesn't look very comfortable sleeping in this chair," I told him, rubbing his neck.
"I should be taking care of you. Have you slept?" he asked.
I shook my head. He gently tugged on my hand and pulled me onto his lap. I rested my head on his shoulder.
"I think something is wrong with me? I should be crying. My mom died, but I haven't shed a tear," I said.
"There's nothing wrong with you. You're probably in shock." He stroked my hair. "I can't tell you how sorry I am that we failed you."
"What are you talking about?" I pulled back so I could see his face. "You haven't failed me. I only blame one…well, that's not true. I blame a few people, but none of them are you or your family. I wish I'd pushed harder for her to come with me."
"They might have only found you guys faster. I'm sure Dwyer had a tracker on her," Edward told me.
"I can't wrap my head around the idea that I'll never see her again. I can't even go to her funeral, can I?" I bit my lip.
"No, but we'll do something for her soon and when your dad can get here too. Or when it's safe for you to go to him," Edward promised.
"I'd like that." I rested my head against him again.
"You look exhausted. Why don't you go back to bed?" he suggested.
"I don't want to be alone anymore," I whispered.
"Then I'll go with you." He stood and lifted me easily in his arms
"What about your dad? Or Garrett? Shouldn't you be calling one of them or something?" I was surprised his dad especially had been so quiet.
"Jasper is handling all my calls right now." Edward started walking down the hall, carrying me.
Days
I woke up hours later to the loudest purring I'd ever heard. I opened my eyes and was greeted by B.B. As soon as she saw me looking back, she nuzzled my face. I reached out to scratch behind her ears.
"Hello to you too," I said softly.
She proceeded to walk over me, and I heard a groan behind me. I looked over my shoulder to watch her trample Edward's face on her path for the nightstand. Edward grumbled sleepily and pulled me closer to him.
"It's too early," he complained.
"Funny, I was thinking how late it was." I glanced at the clock.
"Eight is late?" Edward yawned.
"For me. I'm usually up and finished with my morning run by this time," I explained.
"You're nuts." He smirked, closing his eyes.
"There's a gym on the floor below Alice and Jasper, right? I think I'm going to go run." I wiggled out of his embrace, making him pout.
"Hold on, I'll come too," he stated sleepily, not even opening his eyes.
"I'll be fine on my own, it's in the secure part of the building," I told him as I kissed his cheek and got out of the warm covers.
"No, I'm coming." He sat up and stretched.
Edward was more awake by the time we got to the gym. I hopped on a treadmill while he headed over to the weights. Running on a machine wasn't the same as the outdoors. It almost felt like I was a hamster on a wheel since the scenery didn't change. I glanced over at Edward. He was sitting at the chest fly machine and had taken off his shirt. I could see from here as his muscles rippled as his arms moved.
Okay so maybe the scenery wasn't as bad as I thought.
He met my eyes, and I turned my head so he wouldn't catch me staring. I took a sip of my water, then increased my pace. I glanced back when I heard a clang; he had moved on to a leg press. Edward was still watching me and gave me a wink.
I tried to ignore the desire I was feeling and focus. The other night, we came so close in the tent. I remembered how his hands felt on me. My steps faltered as I got caught up in my thoughts and I slid off the treadmill. Luckily, I landed on my feet. Edward glanced up at me, and I tried to make it look like I meant to do it. I turned off the treadmill and headed to a weight machine. I bent to adjust the weight, but the pin was stuck.
"Is there a trick to adjusting this?" I asked.
Edward climbed off his bench and knelt next to me. He wiggled, then twisted hard to get the pin loose. He handed it to me, and his finger brushed against my palm.
"Thank you." My eyes took in his sweat covered abs and pecs.
"You're welcome,' he said huskily before he kissed me.
I dropped the pin as I returned the kiss. His hands moved under my shirt and fingered the edge of my sports bra. I stroked his erection through his shorts. As I shifted to straddle his lap, he paused.
"Wait, there's about five cameras in this room. If we are going to continue this we should head back to the apartment," he said breathlessly.
"Then what are we waiting for." I stood, pulling on his hand.
We practically ran for the elevator. I was relieved to find it empty and we were able to ride to his apartment in silence. The closer we got to the apartment the more antsy I was getting, and I could tell Edward was feeling the same way.
We were barely through the door when he pressed me up against the wall. Our hands and lips were everywhere. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist. His erection pressed into me, making me moan. Edward shifted me and started carrying me toward the bedroom.
We fell on to the bed with a bounce. Our clothes quickly disappeared, Edward nuzzled my cheek and placed a soft kiss behind my ear. I raised my hips and he slid into me. I hitched my leg over his hip and his thrusts became deeper. I could feel him throbbing inside me. I buried my face into his neck, and my breathing became shorter and uneven. I reached my climax and gasped, gripping on to Edward's shoulders. He stilled inside of me and moaned out my name.
He rolled off me and cuddled me into his side. "Now that's what I call a workout."
I giggled and rested my head on him. I sighed and closed my eyes as his hands rubbed up and down my arm.
"I didn't rush you into this did I?" he questioned.
"No. Why would you think that?" I asked.
"Your mom just died and—"
"Oh…" My eyes popped open.
I felt a little sick that I'd forgotten my mother was killed only a short time ago. I'd been so caught up in him I was able to evade reality for a short time. I now understood what Edward meant when he said I was his escape from his real life.
"Love?" Edward sounded concerned.
"I think I owe you an apology," I whispered.
"Whatever for?" His concern turned to confusion.
"I understand better what you meant that I made you forget real life," I explained.
He kissed the top of my head. "You don't owe me an apology. I'm glad I could do for you what you've done for me."
It was at those words the tears started to fall. I tried to pull away, so I wasn't crying on him, but he only held on tighter, stroking my hair and humming to me. We were interrupted by his cell ringing.
"Fuck. I told them not to bother us," Edward grumbled.
"Maybe it's something important." I sniffled.
"Someone better be dying," he huffed.
"Edward…"
"Sorry, love." He grabbed his phone. "What?"
I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but it made his jaw clench. "Fine, give her my number and let her call."
He was silent for another beat.
"Why does it have to be in person?" He paused. "Give us a half-hour." He hung up.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Heidi called Rose insisting she needed to talk to you A.S.A.P. It's totes important." Edward rolled his eyes.
"Don't make fun of her," I scolded him, trying not to laugh. "She probably heard about my mom."
"That's what Emmett and Rose are thinking. We're going to meet her in the apartment they have for appearances," Edward explained.
"Okay. let me take a quick shower and get ready. Should I wear a wig?" I asked.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea." Edward nodded in agreement.
Days
"This way." Edward led me through the garage to the main area.
Edward opened a door, and we entered a large lobby. He nodded to someone behind the main desk. We went to the elevators and rode up several flights and then exited out to a normal looking floor with doors.
"Are these doors fake too?" I joked.
Edward smirked. "No. They're real."
He knocked on the second door to the left and Emmett soon opened the door. He stepped aside to let us in.
"Is she here yet?" Edward asked.
"She's on her way up now. You must have just missed her in the elevator," Emmett answered.
Rose was sitting on the couch in the living room. "I know you're probably pissed, but Heidi was so insistent that I thought it would be better to let her come than put her off any longer."
"I'm not angry, only worried this isn't going to end well. I don't trust her family," Edward responded.
There was another knock on the door, and Heidi bounced into the room with balloons and gift bags decorated with baby animals. She handed them to Rose with a smile.
"Congratulations, mama-to-be," she said cheerfully.
"Heidi, you shouldn't have," Rosalie said, accepting the gifts.
"Nonsense. My granny on my daddy's side has always said you totes celebrate every chance you get. Especially when, like, everything is dark gloomy," she said.
"Dark and gloomy?" Emmett said warily.
Heidi nodded her head and turned to me. "I'm so sorry to hear about your mom."
"Thank you," I responded. I still wasn't sure why this had to be done in person and not on the phone.
"Like, there is no easy way to say this, but you totes can't go back to Florida," she told me, blinking.
"Why?" I asked suspiciously.
I was hoping we'd finally find out how much Heidi knew. My gut was telling me it was more than everyone else thought.
Heidi hesitated and played with one the curls of her hair. "I think we both, like, know why."
"I know why, but I'm very curious to know why you know why?" I raised an eyebrow.
"How often do you, like, sweep in here? I hate bugs." Heidi stomped her foot over an invisible nuisance.
Emmett gave her a strange look. "We used the vacuum before you came over."
Edward snickered. "I think Heidi was talking about listening devices. The place is safe. The only one with access to cameras is us."
Heidi's demeanor shifted as she nodded. "I know you know that Costas are criminals. It isn't safe for you to go back. They killed Phil and your mom because he owes Afton Costa a lot of money. His death didn't change that. If you show up it won't be good."
"You didn't say like once." Emmett furrowed his eyebrows.
"That's what you picked up from what she said?" Rose rolled her eyes.
"I had a feeling you knew more than they were giving you credit for." I smirked, looking at Edward.
"You tend to find out a lot when people think they're talking around an airhead." Heidi shrugged.
"Thank you for the warning, but we already figured it was a trap. Is there anything else you can tell us that would help rescue the other girls?" I asked.
Heidi took a seat on a chair, and I sat opposite her. Edward stood close behind me.
"I'd like to help. What would you like to know first?" she asked.
"How—" Edward started before getting cut off by Emmett.
"Why aren't you saying like anymore?" he demanded.
"Seriously, Emmett? Let it go!" Edward said incredulously.
Emmett shook his head. "No. You can't tell me I'm the only one that finds it odd Heidi just had a complete character shift. How do we know we can trust her?"
Heidi appraised him for a moment. "My dad works for the FBI in the organized crime unit. He was deep undercover when he met and fell in love with my mom. His name is Eric, he was her 'E'," she said with a sly grin. "When she was pregnant with me, they moved to Chicago under the pretense they would be Afton's eyes and ears here. However, my granddaddy, Aro, wanted to make sure his family was safe."
"Wait, you're related to Aro? How did we not know?" Edward asked.
Heidi snorted. "You don't honestly think Alice is the only technology genius, do you?"
"But then why are you coming clean to us now?" Rose spoke up.
Heidi turned to her. "Cause you totes are like my family too. I know you spent the last few years thinking you were protecting me from the Costas. You were even willing to give up your E to keep me safe." Heidi looked between Emmett and Rose with a sad smile.
"You knew about that," Rose said softly.
Heidi nodded. "Well, surprise, surprise you're not the only ones working undercover. I'm an agent as well. And I don't agree with my granddaddy to let any of you walk into a trap."
"Whoa, I didn't see you being an agent coming. Wait until Jasper hears this." Emmett looked at her in shock.
Edward gave him an incredulous look, then frowned as he turned back to Heidi. "So, Afton is setting a trap for all of us?"
"Not Afton." She shook her head. "There's one person that stands to gain, once you do the dirty work for him if Afton goes down, because he's next in line to be boss."
"Garrett," I stated.
A/N: Still on a rollercoaster ride. What do you think of Heidi now? Happy Holidays. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Note: Thank you to everyone that comment and voted for my story for the Thirst Contest, The Centennial Secret. I haven't posted it yet because I'm seriously considering expanding it. Look out for in the future.