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Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. I would like to thank CoppertopJ for beta'ing this story. She is so awesome. I love having her input and help.

There will be about 4 more chapters to this story. Thanks so much for being a part of it.

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Bella-

I listened to the call that came into dispatch intently. "There is some suspicious activity out near the old warehouse on 27. Someone says there is a rig unloading crates."

Why would that be suspicious? Grabbing my speaker, I radioed in. "Emmett, what makes this delivery stand out from all the rest?"

"For starters, that particular location has been out of business since 2008. As far as I have heard, there has been nothing new on this end for years."

"That doesn't necessarily mean it is an illegal activity," I informed the rookie. People started new businesses daily. I didn't have enough time in my day to run to every location that suddenly sprang to life out of nowhere.

"I understand that Chief, but the occupants are very suspicious. One looks too nicely dressed to be waltzing around a warehouse. He's in a brand new Mustang."

"I don't see why that is suspicious. Do you think some pauper is going to start a business?" Breathing a heavy sigh, I shoved the last McDonald's fry into my mouth and pushed away from the desk. "Give me their location, and I will swing out there and take a look."

I jotted down the address and ripped the paper from the notepad. Twenty minutes later, I sat across the street with a set of binoculars spying on what appeared to be a semi unloading merchandise near the docks. The Mustang Emmett mentioned sat near the rear of the trailer.

As I zoomed in on the car, aggravation filled me when I spied a specialized plate. With my free hand, I hurriedly typed in the number only to find the vehicle was registered to Jasper Hale.

Jasper Hale. Why did that name ring a bell? As I contemplated it, I continued to observe the activity. As of yet, I hadn't seen anything peculiar. I was about to lower the binoculars when I saw two guys hurrying away from the opposite side of the trailer and hop into the car.

By the time I raised the lenses back to my eyes, they whipped out of the parking lot.

"Damn it," I cursed as I slammed the binoculars back in place too hard. "Shit."

I would be surprised if I didn't wind up with a black eye. Rubbing the bridge of my nose, I finally managed to get just a glimpse of the man in the passenger seat.

Wait a fucking minute. Edward fucking Cullen. No goddamn way. Thinking quickly, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. Even though they were currently racing away on 27, I witnessed the passenger answering a cell phone.

"Hello, baby. How is work going today?"

"Couldn't be better," I murmured as the Mustang disappeared from sight. "Where has work taken you today?"

Normally, I would try to avoid my suspicions when it came to investigating Edward. I had been hoping for months he would trip up and spill some info, but the ass was always besting me. If I didn't love him so much, I would find it infuriating, yet there was something about being on edge that had me riveted.

"Still sitting in this boring office planning games and events. I really hope your day is more exciting than mine."

"Planning games, huh?" My fingernails tapped on the center console. Fuck it. Dancing around the issue hadn't worked so well. "Actually, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I have a stakeout, and it looks like I am going to be tied up all hours of the night. I might get in pretty late, so don't wait up."

"What do you mean you will be out all night?"

I grinned as Edward's voice filled with annoyance. "You know it happens every now and again. Some smart ass thinks he can pull one over on the law. I don't know if it will lead anywhere, but I was just informed about suspicious activity at an abandoned warehouse close to Decatur."

If I wasn't imagining things, Edward just mumbled a string of curse words under his breath. Perfect. Got your ass now. "Edward, you know I hate staying out all night, but I have to do what I have to do."

"Baby, I don't want you sitting in some rundown location half the night by yourself. Why don't you swing by and pick me up at the office? I would be more than happy to sit with you."

Allowing a slow whine, I said, "Babe, you know I can't put a civilian in jeopardy like that. It's my mission to keep you and everyone in Fort Wayne as safe as possible. I can't do that if you are sitting here next to me."

"Bella," Edward started and broke off. "I would really feel better about this if you weren't alone."

Just to add another nail to his coffin, I yelped, "Gotta go, babe. The semi I'm watching is leaving the parking lot. I have to radio in. Love you."

I didn't give him a chance to respond as I hung up. Now what? It was only seven. How long would I have to sit here before Edward showed his hand?

Rolling down the window, I raised the binoculars and looked over the property. As I scoured the lot for some connection between Edward, and the Dublins, the semi pulled away from the dock. The driver hopped from the cab as he ran to the end of the trailer and secured the doors.

As the semi left the parking lot, I radioed his information to any nearby units to pull it over. Emmett was the first to respond, and so mildly at ease, I sat back in my seat. As soon as the sun went down, I was going over there to investigate. There were half a dozen broken windows, and it would be nothing to get inside.

It was a quarter after ten when I finally determined it was safe to look over the warehouse. Driving across 27, I entered the parking lot, making sure to keep my lights off as I made a slow circle around the building. Parking out of sight, I was just about to push the door open when a tap on the passenger side window caught my attention.

There stood none other than Edward Cullen.

UF

Edward-

My wife looked pissed. Maybe pissed was being mild for how she regarded me. She looked like her jaw was about to come unhinged. While I observed all these obvious signs of her aggravation, it tickled the same spot that was always amused. I tried not to smile, really I did, yet the harder I tried, the wider it grew.

Her gaze narrowed on me as she hit the power button. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"You forgot to tell me you loved me back," I replied, leaning into the open window. When her lashes dropped a fraction, I couldn't resist the urge to laugh. "I mean, if you were in any danger and that had been our last conversation, I would've hated for it to end with a cold click in my ear. It would have been my last memory."

"Just when I think you can't be any more full of shit," she hissed, yet there was a twinkle in her eye. No matter what, Bella couldn't stay angry at me. Her fingertips drummed on the steering wheel as she shook her head. "Just fess up already and tell me what I want to know."

I pulled at the door handle to find it still locked. "Babe, let me in."

When her hand merely hovered over the lock button without pushing it, I said, "Are you gonna let me in?"

"I don't know. Are you going to tell me the truth? How did you know where I was?"

This time I lifted my chin with a stubborn tilt. "I'm not saying anything until you let me in."

In a dark parking lot, with minimal lighting from the highway, we stood there silently observing one another. Finally, I heard the locks click, and without hesitation, I pulled the door open and dropped into the seat. "Babe, I …"

"Don't babe me, Edward. I already know the truth. I sat here and watched you jump into a Mustang two hours ago. When I ran the plate, the car came back registered to a Jasper Hale. Does that name ring any bells?"

I chewed on my tongue as I sat there staring back at Bella. It was true. My wife knew exactly who I was, although I'd never confirmed it. She loved me. There was little doubt in my mind, but what happened when I told her the truth? Did I think she would leave me? Not a chance. Even while I knew this to be accurate, the words seemed stuck to my tongue. "Ah … Baby, just keep in mind all of this was in full swing before we ever met. None of our relationship is affected by what I'm about to say."

"How do you figure that? If the department ever learned the truth, my career would be toast, and we'd both be looking at serious jail time. Say it, Edward. Right now … Lay it all on the line."

What other choice did I have at this point? Clearing my throat, I said, "I would hope you would help derail the department of any suspicion in that regard."

"Whoa," Bella started, her eyes going wide as she stared at me with a glare. "Tell me you are not using me and our relationship to dodge the law."

"No, no, baby. I … this," I said, gesturing between the two of us. "Has nothing to do with your position or mine. The first time I saw you, I knew I couldn't, and I wouldn't live without you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wouldn't trade you for anyone."

As I spoke, I watched the caution melt from her brow. She nodded, saying, "Okay, so tell me the truth."

Gnawing on my lip, I took her hand in mine, relishing the softness of her skin. "First, I just need to know it isn't going to change what we have, Bella." While there had been no indication that she would think differently of me if she heard the truth outright, I was still apprehensive to say the words aloud.

Her hand came up to cup my cheek. Her thumb grazed the stubble on my chin. "Edward, there's no way that would ever happen. If we were to take a fall, it would be together, and nothing can change the way I feel about you. Aside from drugs or trafficking, please tell me you aren't involved in something that could hurt innocent people. There's just no way I could condone something of that magnitude."

Kissing the tip of her thumb as it brushed my bottom lip, I shook my head. "I wouldn't deal in shit like that. Never. I would tear this organization down from the inside out before I dealt with anything like that."

"Wonderful, now stop dancing around the topic, and tell me the truth." She shifted in her seat, her gaze roaming my features as she waited. She whispered, "I love you, Edward; nothing will change that."

Taking a strand of her hair, I wound it around my finger, drawing her closer to me. I tested her theory, dropping a kiss to her upturned lips. Laying my forehead against hers, I released a pent-up breath. With my gut clenched and my chest constricting, I let the words fall from my tongue. "Your assumptions about my career are correct. I am King of the Dublins, and I launder money through the TinCaps."

Her head jerked back, and with a glare holding no animosity, she whispered fiercely, "I knew it. You are such a sneak. And the bus, you put your briefcase on the bus."

"Correct," I announced, a wave of humor causing me to chuckle. "I knew you bugged it, and so I slipped it under the seat."

"You aren't the manager of the TinCaps? And you don't plan events for the city?"

"No," I confirmed. "I am not stupid enough to keep anything that could be construed as evidence either at the office at the TinCaps or my home office. The one at the TinCaps, I rent as a decoy. There's nothing there, and the home office is as clean as a whistle. Everything runs out of Lansing, just a few hours ride, but far enough to keep my home life clean."

"What about the shipment you received this afternoon? A deputy for the Fort Wayne PD saw the semi unloading here. I told them it was probably a business that bought this warehouse, and I would check it out. Maybe you should consider removing it."

"Babe, if I did that, I would be painting a huge red bullseye on my back. Right now, it may look suspicious, but there is no probable cause to search this building, and Jasper owns it. He would never give them permission to search, and even if they did … they would only find air conditioners."

She looked at me skeptically for a long minute. "What would I find if I opened one of those air conditioners?"

"A butt ton of cash," I admitted with a wince. Any minute she would start yelling, or at least that's what I expected.

She took me by complete surprise when she groaned, "Why is it you are so fucking sexy right now?"

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