Posted 2021-06-16
Not wanting to engender undue curiosity on Alice's part, Bella didn't say anything to Edward's sister about not putting up her hair. She sat at Edward's desk, which served as a makeshift vanity, surrounded by Alice's dauntingly large collection of cosmetic supplies.
"You have the most beautiful skin," Alice said. "Are you sure you won't let me highlight that?" Alice gave her a pleading look in the makeup mirror in front of them.
"She already said no, Alice," Edward called from the bathroom where he was shaving.
"I was just checking," his sister grumbled, adding under her breath, "I should've known he'd side with you."
Bella bit the inside of her cheek, not wanting to offend Alice by laughing. "I'm not a makeup girl, sorry." She'd already agreed to a touch of mascara and lip color. Anything more felt unnecessary.
Alice fluffed out Bella's hair, sighing. "No problem. We'll just focus on the hair, then." She began lifting pieces, holding a few in place at the side and then the top of Bella's head. "Maybe we can try doing a chignon." Alice suddenly stopped moving, her gaze fixed on Bella's neck. When she spoke again, it was a little faster and half an octave higher. "But you do look lovely with your hair down, too. Perhaps we can try half up, half down?"
"Sure. I'm easy." And because Bella was feeling so nervous, she struggled to suppress a chuckle at her own double entendre—until Edward's short bark of laughter from the bathroom made her lose the battle.
"Oh my God, you two," Alice muttered good-naturedly, rolling her eyes as Bella giggled. She began brushing Bella's hair, setting it with pins and clips. But mostly, she smiled widely.
Seeing her expression made Bella's gut twist with guilt. It was going to be a big disappointment for Edward's family when she exited stage left. Mentally, she gave her head a shake. That wasn't her problem, and Edward had made his bed with this, after all.
Are you feeling bad for the people who abducted you, Swan?
But Alice and Esme hadn't been a part of that.
She focused on watching Alice work, impressed with her skills. After a few minutes, most of her hair was elegantly curled around her neck, part of it rolled up in a neat chignon. "Wow, that looks awesome," she said, genuinely impressed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Alice sprayed something over Bella's hair, patting one of the locks back in place. "All right. I'm going to go and get ready myself." She turned to Edward, who had finished in the bathroom and was seated on the bed, scrolling through his phone. She pointed a warning finger his way. "And as for you, Big Brother, you've caused enough trouble. Do not ruin this between now and dinner—save that for later."
"Yes, ma'am." He gave Alice a mock salute. Even though he managed to keep a straight face, there was no hiding the mirth in his eyes.
Yes, Bella thought, she liked Alice—and she liked her influence on Edward too. He was so much more relaxed around his little sister.
Decidedly less stern and serious. Definitely less mobstery.
As they headed out for the long walk to the dining room, Edward said, "You look lovely. I won't say I know a lot about color, but whatever you'd call this shade, it suits you."
"Thank you." She looked down at the dress. The light shimmer to the coffee-hued fabric had intrigued her. She liked even better that the shoes that went with it were flat.
They kept walking down the long hallway, and Bella made herself take regular, even breaths. This felt a bit like marching onto a battlefield.
"One more day," Edward murmured, probably sensing her disquiet.
One more day, indeed. The thought made her almost giddy, but she reminded herself to remain in the present. They weren't free and clear yet. She kept herself focused by trying to learn more about his family. "So, this dressing up for dinner is only when you have guests?"
"My God yes, and I will be so glad when they're gone, even for just that reason alone." He tugged at his tie and collar. They were unusually off-kilter.
"Oh, your, um—" She gestured toward his neck.
"Thanks," Edward said, letting go of her hand and fiddling with his tie. Without the benefit of a mirror, he still hadn't straightened it when he'd finished.
"Hold on," Bella said. She stopped and turned to face him, tugging the knot into the right position, something she'd occasionally done for her dad.
Only once they'd resumed their walk did the realization and consequent blush catch up to her. It had been such an offhand but intimate gesture. Not that they hadn't already shared an even greater physical intimacy, but this—it had been so natural, so genuine, it left her feeling off-balance.
Does it really matter? Keep your head in the game, she chided herself.
"Thank you," Edward said softly.
"You're welcome." She cleared her throat before seeking to inject some humor into this awkward moment. "I have to say, I'm surprised. Don't marines get like a million push ups for not being dressed properly?"
Edward chuckled as they neared the staircase. "Dress infractions. Yes, in boot camp especially, pushups and laps in full gear. Those are fun. Can't say I'm complaining about being a civilian these days."
She wondered if she should ask more about this. Given that they were supposed to know each other well, she presumed it would be permissible to indulge her curiosity to a small degree. As they carefully descended the first flight of stairs with Edward holding her elbow, she asked her question softly, unsure if he'd be willing to address the topic. "What did you do in the Marines? If you don't mind me asking? Or, if you can talk about it at all . . ."
"No, it's okay."
When she glanced at him, his face had hardened into that stoic expression that always left her feeling unsettled.
"Counterintelligence," he said after a pause. "I worked mainly in counterintelligence."
She chewed on the word, trying to match it with what she imagined were the appropriate military activities. "Like . . . spying?"
"Some of what I did was undercover—building trust with assets, gathering and processing sensitive data. My primary responsibilities were to identify and de-escalate enemy threats."
She was still unclear and curious. "So, you had informants, like cops do?"
They had reached the first landing and as they turned to start down the second flight, he said quietly, "Sometimes I was responsible for extracting information from people who were . . . reluctant to share it."
Holy shit. She didn't need to mull over that phrasing. He meant torturing people, didn't he? Was what he did to Felix just par for the course in Edward's worldview?
"Oh," she said, clearing her throat.
They had reached the ground floor. Edward stopped walking and turned to face her.
"It wasn't"—he shook his head—"I was an interrogator but no, not in the way your expression tells me you're thinking. I didn't do—I wasn't involved in . . . that." He reached up and mussed his hair with his hand, then blew out a breath. "I became aware of it, though." He was quiet for a moment longer before clearing his throat. "I think that might have been more than you wanted to know," he said, indicating that they should continue on. "Sorry. You look a little shell-shocked right now. Do you need a minute?"
She could only imagine the expression on her face, but she had asked and he had been forthcoming. It was one of the things she had come to know about Edward: he might use misdirection occasionally but he seemed the most comfortable with the truth. He'd also found this particular truth difficult to talk about, and that made her wonder.
But she was here for another reason this evening. She could spend time musing about the enigma of Edward Cullen later. Right now, she shook her head in answer to his question. "I'm good."
And then they were at the entrance to the dining room and he squeezed her hand as they walked through the door. She surprised herself again by returning the gesture.
Aro was fairly quiet during dinner, even though Bella and Edward sat closer to him than the night before. For much of the time, Aro engaged in conversation with Carlisle about his interest in new medical developments. Apparently, Edward's dad liked to keep up with the research. Dessert had arrived before the star guest turned his attention to Bella and Edward.
"So, Isabella, it would appear the weekend visit with Edward's family has been a success. It must be gratifying to feel so accepted here."
The comment was so oddly-worded and his use of her full name so surprising that she wasn't quite sure how to respond. Esme, who had apparently overheard him, saved her the trouble.
"We're very happy to have Bella here! She's welcome anytime," Edward's mother said warmly, clearly unaware of any subtext Aro may have intended. "We love her already."
"As does your son," Aro murmured, taking a sip of his wine.
Edward said nothing, but out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw him nod in Aro's direction. Bella smiled in a way she hoped was convincing just before Edward leaned in and placed a light kiss on her cheek.
Aro lifted his glass higher, drawing the attention of the rest of the group. "A toast, then, to il nuovo amore di Edward. To Edward's new love, Bella."
There was an awkward moment while everyone scrambled for a glass of whatever they were drinking and raised it. "To Bella," came the scattered but enthusiastic responses.
Bella could feel her cheeks flaming with embarrassment and she could only stare into her lap. Edward leaned closer. "Sorry," he mumbled.
She nodded again, not looking at him.
Aro's voice rose above the chatter that had continued around them. "I am pleased, Carlisle, that our organizations have done quite well together. I've been thinking of ways we might extend our cooperation."
A tense and noticeable silence descended on the table at Aro's words, quickly filled by Esme asking Alice about her latest designs.
"We can discuss that later," Carlisle said quietly. Though his tone was diplomatic, it was firm, too.
"Oh, my friend, please don't worry. I would never break your rules. I'm merely suggesting we expand our connection. My associates and I will be returning home tomorrow. Given that it has been so successful to have some of my men here as valued personnel, I wonder if you would consider sharing some members of your association with us in Italy."
"I'd be happy to talk to you about this after dinner," Carlisle said. How the man still had a congenial smile on his face, Bella didn't know.
Aro ignored him, leaning back in his chair, wine glass in hand. "Surely your family is aware that you employ people—and whom you employ. It is hardly business to discuss this. In fact, I think you'll find my proposal quite . . . familial in nature."
Bella could sense Edward bristling beside her. She laid her hand on his arm, pressing it in question, wishing he could explain to her what was happening right now. They were so close. Please, she begged silently, wishing he could read her mind, tell me it's going to be okay.
Carlisle sighed, clearly expressing a note of resignation. "And who would you propose?"
Aro smiled slowly—slyly. "Am I allowed to choose?"
Edward's arm tensed under hers. Aro must have incredible sway, Bella thought, if Edward was reacting this way. It made her stomach lurch, the way the man looked like he was toying with them all, as he had done just moments before with her. He liked doing so.
Carlisle's words confirmed Bella's suspicions. "Of course, Aro. We have a . . . close relationship. I like to believe it is one built on trust."
"Why then, my choice is simple: I want Edward to join me in Italy. And of course, I wouldn't be so cruel as to separate him from his lover. Bella will come too. They will stay with me as my guests. What young couple wouldn't enjoy the beauty and romance of an Italian spring?"
Someone dropped their fork. Bella didn't dare turn her head to see who. She felt like she would need to scrape her stomach up off the floor. She did catch Rosalie arching an eyebrow in her brother's direction. When Bella glanced sideways at him, Edward's eyes were still on Aro.
"Oh, you lucky bum!" Alice exclaimed, oblivious to the mood at the table. Bella watched her grip Jasper's arm. "The fashion shows! The shoes! Bella, I'm so jealous!"
Carlisle looked down at his napkin for a moment, fiddling with it in his lap and then speaking in measured tones. "My son is quite integral to the operations here, Aro. He is my second in command. It would be—"
"Very helpful for him to share his expertise with regard to our European ventures, especially with his experience in . . . security measures." He tittered a little, appearing almost proud like he'd discovered a secret.
Bella wondered how much Aro knew about Edward's military background. That kind of thing wasn't public knowledge, was it?
Aro directed his next words to Edward. "It would a 'working vacation', as you call it here, but I would make sure you have time to enjoy your lovely Bella while showing her the sights."
Carlisle looked to Edward, the two of them locking gazes as some silent communication passed between them. No one said anything for what felt like several long moments. Then Edward nodded to his father and spoke, his voice so smooth and guileless that Bella had no grounds upon which to base any disbelief. "I'm honored by your request, Aro. We'd be delighted to visit, wouldn't we, Bella?" He turned to look at her, laying a hand over hers where it rested on his arm, and she struggled to decipher what she saw in his eyes—concern, a sense of urgency, and perhaps a reflection of the incredulity that must be in hers.
She gaped at him.
No! Bella thought, her mind racing. I've done enough. I've done everything he's asked me to and I'm finished.
Various scenarios played out in her head, the most notable involving her saying yes in the moment and then running for the closest police station. Or—she had her cell—she could call them. Just dial 911 and someone would come.
This would all be over.
But as she looked around her at the faces of people who had welcomed her into their home with open arms, several of them as innocent as she was, she quailed. If she said no right now, there was a very strong chance she would be killed. But if she found a way to run, most of the people around her could die in her place. This included Edward, a fact that troubled her far more than it should have. With this maelstrom of thoughts still spinning, she finally remembered to close her mouth and attempt to speak, babbling the only reason she could think of that she couldn't go. "I—um—don't have a passport."
Aro laughed. There were a few nervous chuckles around the table, but louder guffaws from Aro's entourage. Beside him, Carlisle smiled politely at his business partner.
"That will not be any kind of impediment, I assure you," Aro said. "A passport." He chuckled into his wine glass, the slight shake of his head expressing how ridiculous he found her concern.
With her heart hammering in her chest, Bella felt the press of Edward's hand atop hers as he spoke. "Well, I guess we don't need to start looking for an apartment right away."
"I guess not." She was back to being the hapless deer, this time facing a predator with all the goodwill of a wolf. Across the table from her, Aro smiled at her in an all too knowing way.
This cannot be happening.
With everyone's eyes on her, Bella realized that more words were expected of her and she struggled to force out, "Wow, Italy. I've always wanted to go." She hoped to God her enthusiasm sounded real enough. What was she going to tell Charlie?
Plastering on a fake smile, she turned to Edward and willed him to read the expression of desperation on her face; all she could see was what looked like a far too genuine smile on his.
Is he seriously okay with this?
Her ire rose, though she kept her facial features frozen in place. There was nothing to indicate any kind of panic or reluctance on Edward's part. He looked so calm.
Why the fuck did he look so calm?
Disconcerted, Bella barely registered the loss of Edward's touch as he released her hand and folded both of his together in front of him. When she saw his mouth moving, she realized that he was conversing coolly with Aro, but she heard none of what was said.
Blinking rapidly, she held back tears of fear and betrayal, absorbing the one truth of which she was certain: Holy shit, I'm screwed.
Beta'd by Eeyorefan12, who adds: Did someone say adventure? ;)
Author's postscript: This ends Part One of the story. Yes, the rest is all written, and I'm shooting for the same posting schedule, but it feels like a bit of a milestone getting to this point. Thanks for journeying with us, Folks!
- Erin
DISCLAIMER: S. Meyer owns Twilight. No copyright infringement intended.