A Ceathrar Déag (14)
A/N: Well, here it is. The Gala chapter. This is a long chapter, and it is chock full of info. There are a lot of questions answered. Hope you guys enjoy it! You can thank LaMoMo and Midnight Cougar for this early update! Thank you once again for all your reviews and your words over on FB. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and talking to you. Thanks to BitterHarpy, Maplestyle, AGoodWitch, 2 Brown eyes, and SassyNoles. These ladies go beyond prereaders and each one of you are so amazing and supportive. Thanks to Mel C for her beta skills and listening to me and my crazy idea, you my lady are amazing and smart! Now onto the chapter!
On Saturday afternoon, we all holed up in Alice's bathroom to get ready for the gala. It wasn't until that evening, but apparently this was one of those things that took preparation. It was definitely an undertaking. Rose asked if she could do my makeup, and I let her because it was her thing. Then Alice wanted to do my hair. I honestly was happy they wanted to help because the dressing up thing was not something I was really good at or cared about much. Once they finished with their own hair and makeup, we all got our dresses on. Since it took all three of us to get each other dressed, it seemed we should have done hair and makeup after getting dressed, but I was told emphatically no.
I wasn't about to argue with them because I knew that I would lose. When we finally were all ready and dolled up, we went downstairs to meet the guys. Seeing Jasper and Emmett in tuxes was so weird. I still didn't know Jasper very well, and even though his leg was healing fine, he was still taking a cane to help him if he got fatigued. He looked like an old time gangster, and it made me laugh and relax. We were all standing around talking when Carlisle came in wearing a tux followed by Edward.
Even though I saw Edward in suits almost every day—really that was all he seemed to wear, though sometimes he'd loosen up and forego the tie—nothing could have prepared me for the sight of Edward in a tux. The crisp black jacket, fitted pants, paired with the white shirt. The bowtie accented his sharp jaw and Adam's apple. I realized that I had sucked in a breath and held it when he came into the room and I was starting to get light-headed. I let the breath out in a whoosh as he made it to my side.
"You look beautiful, a phaeta." He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips.
I smiled, wanting to swoon a little bit. "You're not so bad yourself, dathúil."
Edward broke out into a wide grin when he realized I had called him handsome in Irish. Alice winked at me because she had taught me how to say it. I gave her a thumbs up when Edward turned away from me. Jasper caught this and chuckled after looking at his smirking fiancée. We were all going together, so Carlisle had hired a driver to take us to and from the gala. Emmett, Rose, and I were all staying at the Cullens' tonight afterwards, at Esme and Carlisle's request.
Alice had told Rose and me that a gala usually had drinks, dinner, an auction, and dancing. There was a lot of schmoozing and networking being done as well. As we were all getting out of the car once we arrived, Edward pulled me back to talk to me alone.
"Bella, there is a good chance that the Italians will be here, and I'm not going to explain what that means, but I need you to stay near either me, my dad, Emmett, or Jasper tonight. It is imperative that you're not alone. They are all aware of this so if they are being clingy, know there is a reason for it, and Emmett will most likely stick to Rose's side."
"Is there any way that you can explain to me what is going on?" I searched his face for any answers.
He shook his head. "This would fall under the category of 'you don't want to know.'"
"Got it." I had told him when this all started that I didn't want to know more than I needed to know about what was going on with the family business. I wasn't part of it and I assumed that it would put me in more danger to know than to remain in the dark. Apparently that was no longer true. I nodded my head. "Okay, I will make sure not to try to shake my shadows or give them too much trouble."
In a move that was still surprising, he grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me to him, his forehead resting against mine. "It's my job to protect you, mo grá. This is where our worlds collide."
I nodded, not looking away from his eyes. He kissed my forehead, and then with his hand at the small of my back, he led me inside. I was immediately surprised by the grandeur of the ballroom we had entered. It was obvious this was an event for wealthy people that had money to throw around, and they wanted it to be thrown at their organization. This was a new collision of my and Edward's worlds. He came from a world of money and wealth. I still was half a million dollars in debt and had an old clunky car. I was suddenly very uncomfortable and felt like I was just playing pretend—dressing up and trying to act the part of a sophisticated woman. I shoved all the insecurities and baggage down. This was a room full of people who didn't know the first thing about me, and they would only know what I told them.
The gala started with drinks and small little appetizers as everyone mingled. I had met more people in twenty minutes than I could count, and having to keep the smile plastered on my face was starting to make it hurt. I whispered in Edward's ear that if he valued my sanity, he would get me something stronger than wine. The smirk he was trying to keep off his face tugged up the corners of his lips, and soon Rose was handing me a gin and tonic. I took the glass from her, mouthing a silent thank you. Emmett chuckled and the man talking to Edward continued on with his boring spiel.
Carlisle and Esme came over to steal me because there were some people I needed to meet. Edward followed, but Rose, Ali, Jasper, and Emmett stayed put. I met the people that were "friends" of the Cullens, and I knew exactly what that meant, but I still was friendly and charming, not giving them a reason to question or second-guess me. While Carlisle, Edward, and one of the other men conversed, my attention started to drift.
Being all the way on the other side of the room, it was hard not to seek out my sister. I saw her, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice all still standing together. What was immediately noticeable was they all looked like couples. Jasper was running his hand up and down Alice's back, seeming like he just wanted to touch her and let her know he was there. Emmett had his arm around Rose's waist, and she was leaning into him. They also all looked happy, completely content regardless of the environment. I also noticed that Rose and Alice were seen as accessories. When people came up and talked to them, they only shook hands with Jasper and Emmett, ignoring the girls.
If Edward and I ever got our shit together, I wondered if that would be my role. To stand there and be quiet, 'cause honestly, that wasn't my style. Sure, Edward and I were here together, as each other's date, but he wasn't touching me, and we spent more time talking to other people than each other. When I had imagined us here together, it was more like what was happening across the room with my friends, 'cause at least they looked as if they liked one another. I, however, wanted to be anywhere but where I was now. I excused myself, told the people that were standing there it was nice to meet them, and then I informed Esme I was going back to my friends. She smiled warmly and I headed in their direction.
I was halfway to them when I realized I had made the mistake that Edward told me not to make before we walked in here. I was alone, and I was stopped by a taller, lanky man. He had dirty blond hair and electric blue eyes. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you are with the Cullens. My name is Caius." He put his hand out for me to shake, and even though the look in his eyes was intense, if he knew the Cullens, I didn't want to be rude.
I grabbed his hand and gave it a shake. "I'm Bella."
"Bella. I think I've heard your name before."
"You don't look familiar to me, sorry."
I felt a hand on the small of my back, and I looked up to see Edward standing by my side. "Bella, there you are."
"Edward, how are you tonight?" Caius asked. His tone was polite, but the look in his eyes was cold and empty.
"I'm fine, Caius. How are Aro and Sulpicia?" Edward asked in a courteous but indifferent tone.
"They are good. They were unable to make it tonight. They send their greetings." Caius looked back at me, refusing Edward his attention anymore.
Edward pulled me closer to his side. "Well, my dad would probably enjoy talking to you. Bella and I are going to join our friends." He started to lead me away.
"Il dottore della mafia. That is where I have heard your name before, Isabella Swan."
Edward stopped short at that and I was confused.
"What does that mean?" I asked, as we turned back again to face Caius.
"The mafia doctor," Edward whispered in my ear. I looked at him in shock. How did this guy know what I was doing?
"I sure hope that they told you what happened to their last doctor before you took the job, Bella. It would be a shame for such a pretty woman to meet the same fate." He had a hard glint in his eyes that belied his concerned tone.
I looked at Edward in shock. Was this a secret he and his entire family have been keeping from me this whole time? I will admit that Edward had a great poker face, giving nothing away, but when he stood in front of me, pushing me behind him like he was shielding me, the tension surrounding us shot up a notch, and I saw they both looked ready for a fight.
"Back off, Caius. She's of no concern to you. Now, my father is waiting to speak with you. We will be going."
Caius chuckled. He tried to look around Edward to see me. "Do you know who he is, sweetheart? I think from the look in your eyes, you don't know your boyfriend as well as you think."
Edward and I both ignored the label he gave us because at that time, Carlisle spoke up, signaling that he had joined us. Esme and Eleazar had joined us too.
Just like he always was, he was calm and collected. I didn't pay attention to what he was saying, but he was undoubtedly smoothing things over. Esme wrapped her arm around me, and Eleazar escorted us over to our friends and family. I looked back at Edward as I was being led away from him and his father. I knew that Alice had caught the confrontation because her concerned eyes locked with mine when we made it over to them. I smiled at her, trying to convey that everything was okay as far as I could tell.
I knew that it really wasn't the time to bring it up, but I had to know. "What happened to the doctor before me?" I asked Alice, trying to speak in hushed tones.
"I can't tell you, Bella. I don't know the whole story, and I think that Carlisle and Edward are going to be your best bet to get the full story. Also, no one in the family will speak about it without the okay from them. Just don't let people like Caius get to you. He is with a rival family, so he has nothing good to say about us."
"Edward warned me about the Italians before we came in tonight. Is he one of them?"
"Yes. That's all I can tell you. I'm sorry."
I sighed and looked over to where Edward was again, and I finally saw him break away from his dad, and he came over to my side. "We need to go," he said through gritted teeth.
"But they haven't even started the dinner yet," Esme stated.
"You guys are staying, Ma. Bella and I are leaving."
"Why?" I asked.
"We need to talk, and we can't do it here. My dad told me to talk to you about what Caius said, so we are going back to my house. Not my parents' house, but my house."
I nodded, and after bidding everyone farewell, with hugs and a look from Rose and Alice that made me weary, I followed Edward outside. There was a new driver with a different car waiting for us. Edward gestured for me to get in first, and I slid in the back seat of the car, followed by him. We didn't say anything as we waited to arrive at our destination.
When we pulled up to what I assumed was his house, I could say it wasn't what I was expecting. It looked like it was two stories with the garage sitting beneath that. It was shaped like a rectangle tipped on its side, and the front door was set back and almost off to the side of the house.
I followed Edward out of the car and up to the front door. When he unlocked the door and disarmed the alarm immediately as he stepped inside, I realized that the house was so unassuming from the outside, but inside it was gorgeous.
Stepping in the front door, you could see all the way to the far wall, showcasing a completely open floor plan. Edward gestured for me to go sit in the living room, mumbling that he would be right back. I walked past the stairs and to the living room which was directly across from the kitchen. The spaces just transitioned from one room to another with no walls in the way, and it was something I loved, but wasn't used to. The duplex I lived in was an older style, so there were walls separating every room—it was suffocating.
After sitting on the plushy couch for a few minutes, taking in the amazing view right out the window, Edward came into the room dressed in sweats and a t-shirt. I almost fell off the couch. I would never imagine that he even owned sweats. It was an amazing sight, the pants slung low on his hips and the t-shirt hugging his chest. He handed me a bundle of clothes. He pointed out the hallway bathroom, and I conceded that if we had to talk, it would be more comfortable in the sleep pants and shirt he gave me than my expensive ball gown.
When I was done changing and hanging my dress on a hanger, I hung it over the shower rod, keeping it from touching the floor, and made my way back out to the living room. Edward was already sitting, so I sat down where I had before, on the other couch. There was a cup of coffee, made to my liking, sitting there waiting for me. I took a drink and wrapped my hands around the mug, soaking in its warmth. I put my elbow on the arm of the couch and rested my chin in my palm, looking at Edward expectantly.
"You have questions I imagine?" he asked, not looking at me, and the melancholy that surrounded him seemed so out of place.
"Of course I do, but I don't understand what is going on. I told you from the beginning that I didn't want to know more than I needed to. I appreciate that you have honored that, but it seems to me that I don't have the luxury of being in the dark anymore. I would like to start off by wanting to know why I wasn't told at any time that something obviously horrible happened to your previous doc?"
"That was my dad's call. I thought we should tell you, but as has been told to me several times, I'm not to have an opinion when it comes to you."
"What? Why?"
"Because my parents aren't idiots. Bella, you're beautiful, smart, kind, and feisty as hell. You and I being attracted to each other is a complication. Why do you think I'm always such an asshole? I can deal with unrequited feelings, so I had to push you away. I'm just too selfish to keep fighting, no matter how much I should."
I sighed, threading my hair in my hands. I felt bad for sidestepping his declaration of his feelings for me. We already had discussed that the night we watched movies. "Why are you telling me this now then?"
"Eleazar and my dad feel that the situation has changed. After the meeting you and I had with my dad a few days ago, he told me that I needed to decide if I wanted to tell you everything or not. I told him yes, Bella. You're my one."
My head snapped up to look at him, and the breath caught in my throat. I remembered the conversation we had about the one. It was in the context of Rose and Emmett, but I should have known that he was using it to tell me how he felt. "I should have known, especially with what you told me about Emmett and Rose. Ed—"
"I know. It's not the time for that conversation right now. The man you met tonight is Caius Volturi. He is a member of an Italian crime syndicate. His dad, Aro, was the boss, until he retired, which caused Caius to take over the mantle of Boss. I am in the same position as he was. My dad is the boss of the Irish family, and when he retires, I will become the boss, and Emmett will be my advisor. This will cause Jasper to take over my role as the underboss."
I sat there looking at him, mouth agape and eyes wide. I knew they were Irish mafia, that wasn't in question, and I knew Carlisle was in charge, but I thought that was just over this family. I had no idea that he was the boss of the entire operation, and that Edward would be taking over his role someday.
"Holy shit," I murmured. Not the most intelligent response, but it was the best I could manage at the moment.
Edward ran his hand through his hair, groaning. "A pheata, you gotta start talking. Tell me what you're thinking." He looked at me, his eyes pleading to give him something.
"I...I… fuck, Edward. I knew that your dad was important and like in charge, but this—I don't even know what to say. I mean, it explains a lot, but it doesn't change my feelings if that's what you're worried about. Except for the fact that I will worry about you a lot more when you leave to 'take care of business.'"
Edward got up and started pacing. "Bella, I'm not a good man. I have done things that—"
I held up my hand to stop him, standing as well, coming toward him. "I don't want to know. I know you love your sister and would protect her to the bloody end. I know you love your mother and respect your father. I know that Emmett is your best friend, and Jasper is like a brother to you. In the beginning, maybe I wouldn't have been able to handle this news, but I see your family and how everyone loves each other and has your back. I don't care what you've had to do to people who threaten that."
Edward took two strides to me and then pulled me into his embrace. His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb dragging to trace my lips. He pulled my lips to his, and the fire ignited immediately, causing my hands to fist in his shirt, pulling his body closer to me. I felt like I understood him better, and I knew that he was serious about me, about us. I was still scared—how could I not be—but when his arms wrapped around my waist, I felt like no one could touch me. I was his, and anyone that threatened that would rue the fucking day they tried to mess with him.
When he tried to pull away from the kiss, I tightened my hold on him. "Agra, we have to stop. There is more to talk about," he explained, his lips struggling to talk while still pressed to mine. I loosened my grip and then stepped away from him. He kissed my forehead and guided me to the couch and pulled me to sit with him. I started to drink my coffee again, as he started to talk. "The night that you helped me and Em with the wreck was the beginning of the retaliation. The person that picked us up was Dem, and he took me to our current doctor. He checked me over and said that your assessment was right. I had a concussion and he gave me some pain killers.
The Italians were retaliating because their top soldiers had been killed, and they thought it was us. We had to find the individual in the family responsible for the wreck, which caused some feathers to get ruffled. They cornered our doctor and had their own doctor perform a little surgery to send a message. I won't go into detail, but it was brutal and probably painful as hell. He didn't survive it. We found out who hit my car, and they were dealt with. My dad has been trying to talk with them throughout all of this to keep it from turning into an all out war, but he isn't confident it will work. That's another reason you need to know what's going on. Jasper is telling Alice tonight and Emmett is telling Rose everything. A war is coming, a phaeta, and I don't think we can stop it." He fisted his hand in his hair.
I knew that he was stressed out because I was just hearing all this information. I was on overload, so I took any distraction I could think of. "Okay, I'm all talked out. You need to show me this amazing house of yours."
Edward gave me a soft smile, and just like that, my Edward was back. He stood up and grabbed my hand. "How rude of me, a tour should have been given the minute we got here."
I giggled and followed him as he led me through his house. There was more talking coming, but for now, we both needed a break.
A/N: Well, now Bella knows…a lot more than she did before. Did you feel the shift between these two? Drop a review and let me know what you think about all the info I just threw at you. You guys are all lovely and so awesome! Until next time!