Posted 2021-07-09; Beta'd by Eeyorefan12

Edward had been kept very, very busy with Aro's organization—or its lack thereof. His first busy days had bled into weeks.

Bella kept herself occupied during the day, making use of the otherwise unused pool and library. She'd also started searching for a job in Boston, though the search was somewhat vague at present. Given that they had no return date, and she had no real plans to settle there, her efforts were more to establish credibility in Aro's eyes than anything else. Edward knew she wanted to communicate more with her father, who still believed her to be in Boston, but he'd cautioned her stateside to expect any communication to be read by someone in the Morandi organization—very likely Aro himself. Given what Edward had seen via his job, he knew this to be true. Bella also made regular exploratory trips into the tiny hamlet of Pogerola and the larger village of Amalfi, though Edward was less happy whenever she left the compound, given the increased danger this exposed her to. While she never left without Franco, along with the tracker-equipped bracelet Edward had asked her to wear, the human protection was still Aro's—and Edward didn't trust Aro.

As he sat again at Aro's formal dining table, he suspected the feeling was mutual.

Bella and he were often left alone for meals, which were supplied by the house kitchen and staff. However, for this particular evening, Aro had insisted on coming together to celebrate Edward's recent accomplishments.

"My thanks to you, Edward. Your work has been excellent." Aro lifted his glass in Edward's direction and he nodded at the man, smiling politely to acknowledge the honor.

Yes, he had done excellent work. If only he could get the people who worked for Aro to make use of it. But he was used to leading men driven by a sense of duty and purpose rather than fear or personal loyalties, which were fickle at best.

His first steps had been securing Aro's networks and user accounts, which had been poorly developed and of shoddy design. While the networks and accounts had been changed, the lackadaisical habits and attitudes of Aro's staff had not. Edward had been ready to shoot somebody when he found the accountant's username and password taped to the man's monitor.

And that was simply on the information technology front. Procedural security was a fucking nightmare.

" . . . show Bella your roses?" Aro said to Sulpicia.

Edward whipped his head up, annoyed with himself for even his brief lapse in attention. He wasn't sure why Aro was asking the women to leave and he didn't want Bella left to Sulpicia's mercies.

"It's late," he said to Bella. "Perhaps—"

Aro laughed. "It's hardly that late. Do come back for coffee though. Edward and I have a few things to discuss."

"I'd actually like a tour of the garden," Bella said, leaning down to kiss him before he had a chance to get up. The look she gave him told him that she could manage. He had to admit, she'd come a long way in the past few weeks. She could handle this.

"Let's sit outside. It's cool enough." Aro stood with his glass of wine and turned toward the doors leading to the balcony.

Edward waited courteously as he watched the women walk away, seeing them around the corner before picking up his own glass and joining Aro. Though the man didn't have formal boundaries between work and home, Aro typically left work for work hours. What he wished to discuss now was a mystery to Edward.

Aro leaned against the balcony railing, gazing over the property and the gardens, giving Edward the impression of a ruler surveying his kingdom. He supposed Aro viewed things that way. Everything and everyone here was nothing but a pawn in whatever game he chose to play. Bella and Sulpicia appeared below, walking slowly along the pathway, Sulpicia speaking animatedly, waving her hands at various plants. Bella looked to be at ease—even interested. Knowing this made Edward breathe easier.

"You're very protective of her," Aro said, not looking at Edward, but keeping his gaze on the women.

How else would he feel? "Of course."

"And you are a noble man," Aro said. "Not that it surprises me, given your father's motivations in starting his business and your own service to your country." Aro swirled the wine around in his glass. "I suppose I should add 'clean' to your list of virtues, as well—you and Bella, both. I don't think I've ever had guests shower more than you two."

Shit.

"Well, I don't think either of us has ever been surveilled quite so much." Edward kept his voice even, though stirrings of uneasiness were beginning to brew in his gut.

Aro finally turned to face him, his expression speculative. "Perhaps not. I concede that it can be less than reassuring, being watched."

You can say that again. He remained silent.

"I'm sure you understand why, Edward. The only secrets in organizations such as ours are the ones that get you killed."

The man wasn't pulling any punches, but Edward didn't have the same luxury. "Do you think I'm keeping secrets from you, Aro?" he asked, keeping his tone mild.

Aro chuckled and shook his head. "I know you have no secrets from me." He cleared his throat. "Isabella seems very at ease here."

It was like someone was slowly driving an icicle into Edward's gut. The skin on the back of his neck prickled in warning.

"But I'd expect as much," Aro continued in his unctuous manner. "A little holiday for her after finishing her schooling, a new romance with a handsome, wealthy man in which to revel—quite heady. I'm sure she feels she can do anything." He sipped his wine, turning away and staring off into the distance.

Edward waited. Cerebrally, he knew he was being toyed with but not to what degree or for what stakes. He actively suppressed the anxiety threatening to muddy his logic. Emotional responses were an indulgence he couldn't afford.

Aro glanced slyly at him over his shoulder. "I would have expected her to also be quite won over by your charms, given your feelings for her."

As in, she hasn't been won over. As in, they'd failed in their ruse.

Still, Edward maintained his silence. No question had been asked, so no answer was required. Only the guilty or inept would feel the need to fill the space with panicked excuses. He would not hang himself or Bella on strings of nervously babbled words.

If we haven't hung ourselves already.

"You've been brought here to secure my operations, Edward, which you're doing very well. And, you've had a few weeks to enjoy your Bella. I wondered if perhaps her . . . novelty had worn off. I wouldn't want you to be bound by something you said in a moment of noble desperation. I could forgive a man who felt obliged to protect an innocent. Reward him, in fact, for his loyalty . . . to me."

There it was. Bastard. Aro was offering him an out. All he had to do was betray Bella.

The idea was unworthy of even a second's consideration. Instead, Edward waited, his body utterly still, every muscle under his control. It was best to let Aro clarify his own thinking.

"I'm not a cruel man. Innocents warrant gentle treatment. Sometimes people go to sleep and don't wake up. It's painless, simple, and secure." Aro turned to face Edward fully. "Though I can see you find the discussion of this . . . difficult."

Air in and air out, Edward told himself, meeting Aro's gaze without flinching. He's guessing. Control your expression. Give nothing away to your adversary.

"There can't be any loose ends, Edward. Even one you've become fond of."

The anger flared up in him so quickly that he barely held his reaction in check. Loose ends? Aro's organization was as tight as a sieve at sea! His downfall would come from within if he didn't turn things around. And he was worried about Bella?

Finally, Edward chose to speak. "There isn't anything 'loose' about her, Aro, in her faculties, her behavior, and especially her loyalty. And if I might give you some frank advice—again: if I were in your position, I'd be looking to my own house for complications, before worrying about a girl who poses no threat to me."

Edward turned to face the garden, not caring to see whatever expression was on Aro's face. Bella's laughter drifted up to him on the off-shore breeze.

"My staff members are very carefully vetted." Aro said this petulantly.

Allowing himself a small and slightly mocking smile, Edward was still not looking at Aro. "Are they." It wasn't a question.

Aro caught the nuance. "They appreciate that there are consequences for disloyalty or incompetence. As should you."

Was Aro trying to convince Edward or himself?

Yes, there were consequences. Not that they were useful. Pietro, Aro's manager of internal operations had been very recently promoted after his predecessor had died in a car accident—one whose timing and circumstances had been incredibly suspect. Now a nervous man with far less than the necessary experience had been thrust into a position he was unqualified for and he knew that if he screwed up, it would cost him his life. Fucking fantastic motivation.

"But, regrettably"—Aro heaved a dramatic sigh—"Bella is not my employee or my business associate."

"And neither is my mother, or my sister, or my brother-in-law," Edward said, more harshly than he intended to. It was a fleeting thought, how easily he could snap the man's scrawny neck, but a tempting one. The idea lasted for only as long as it took to remind himself what was at stake.

Reel it in. Control the narrative.

"They are not," Aro conceded, "but they are also entirely ignorant of what we do, and they have been kept ignorant because it protects them. Bella is not ignorant. Not only has she seen things she should not have, but you have also openly shared information with her about your organization and its dealings."

"I've shared very little. And she's done nothing to prove she isn't loyal."

"Ah, but she's done nothing to prove that she is."

Carefully, so as not to break it, Edward set his wine glass down on the balustrade. The round base was the same width as the railing, and if the wind picked up or he moved his hand the wrong way, it would fall and break, either onto the tile beneath his feet or the ground two stories below. He knew that Bella's existence rested on such an edge at the moment, and that he could just as easily be the impartial wind or careless hand that killed her—or the steady one that secured her.

"She loves me, Aro, and I love her." He turned to the man now, meeting his cold stare with a hard one of his own. "If she knew she needed to, I'm certain she would demonstrate her loyalty in a manner which would satisfy you."

Bella's life was unequivocally in his hands. Beneath the outer calm he continued to project, Edward's mind raced with thoughts of the team he and his father had in place, one text message and three hours away. If need be, he could make a run for it with Bella—but he rejected the idea as soon as he considered it. After this conversation, Aro would be watching for an escape attempt, and the thought of Bella being literally caught in the crossfire of an armed extraction was gut-wrenching. No, that would truly be the last resort.

"Well, it wouldn't mean much if she knew it was being asked of her," Aro said. "And perhaps it isn't her loyalty which is my greatest concern."

Ah, all the cards were on the table now. Edward was almost relieved.

But what the fuck more did the man want from him with regard to Bella? He'd brought her with him to Italy. They were here. They were together. They acted as any couple would, or at least any couple who were aware of the cameras on them day and night.

"If you're so certain of your feelings for the girl, and hers for you, Edward—and to be clear, I do not agree—but if you so strongly believe there is love between you, I would think it would not be a difficulty to convince her to share your bed for more than sleep."

This was about sex? It took every bit of self-discipline he had to keep the emotion from his face, but he held it all in check behind his careful mask. Don't let him get to you. Edward's feelings were immaterial. Bella's life was not.

"Not that it's any of your concern, but she's not ready for that yet."

Aro laughed. "That's a nice lie men tell themselves to spare their egos." His deep sigh was convincingly sad. "My offer stands. If you don't want to know when or how, I understand. Or perhaps you'd prefer to manage it yourself? I would be inclined to view such a choice quite favorably, Edward. In either case, the outcome will satisfy."

Aro gave a small shrug and then looked back at the garden. "They will be coming in soon. Shall we meet them? The coffee will be ready by now." Aro had started walking toward the top of the stairs to wait for the women.

He's going to kill her. A million flickering images were racing through Edward's mind—of syringes, guns, car accidents—and then Bella's beautiful, innocent face, slack and lifeless. Their plan was failing. He was failing her. No. He had made a promise to Bella to keep her safe and to fail was unacceptable. He scrambled for a plausible reply, something to stop Aro in his tracks. What if this were his only chance? Careful, he reminded himself, make it a measured response. Blurting out the first thing that came to mind three weeks before was what had put him and Bella in this mess.

And then the answer came to him.

Edward forced himself to emit a self-deprecating chuckle—one worthy of an Academy Award. "Bella wants to wait for marriage."

Aro whirled around to stare at him. "Marriage?" he asked incredulously.

Edward nodded and forced a smirk onto his lips. He spread his hands in a gesture of feigned helplessness while his heart pounded furiously in his chest. Sell it. Make him believe you. "She's . . . old-fashioned."

"That is . . . I'm surprised." Aro sounded it, too. Perhaps a bit disappointed, as well. "Marrying her is certainly one way of securing her loyalty. Had you planned to ask her here?"

Edward shook his head slowly. He wasn't sure how far he could safely take this line of conversation but he suspected it wasn't a very great distance.

"Well, if you're set on this particular bride, I suggest you buy a ring—quickly." Aro waved to Bella and Sulpicia as they stepped onto the balcony. "How are your roses coming along, cara mia?"

Holy shit. It was working. He barely dared to believe it.

"Are you coming inside, Edward?" Aro called.

He nodded, his mind still scrambling with the ramifications of this escalation of their lie and the logistics which would be required to secure it in Aro's mind. Though his thoughts were racing, his gaze still tracked Bella, and so it was that he saw Aro's hand touch her back as if to direct her somewhere. It startled him from his ruminations and he strode from the balcony, prepared to displace with his own hand the one that could bring about her death.

And then, first thing tomorrow, I guess I'm buying a ring.

DISCLAIMER: S. Meyer owns Twilight. No copyright infringement intended.