A/N: I don't really have anything interesting or witty to say at this point. I wrote this chapter while nursing a chest cold and hopped up on Nyquil. It is what it is. Thank you for your continued support. It means more to me than you could ever imagine. See ya at the bottom.
Thank you SarcasticBimbo for the great beta work.
BPOV
Today, Sunday, was my last day working in the coffee shop. Somewhere, someone was smiling on me because I was working with Bree. She and I had become kind of close, and it helped that her boyfriend Milo was a friend of Emmett's. She used her job as a cover, because Milo traveled a lot and according to her, idle time and her were a recipe for disaster.
"So, Florida huh? Milo took me there once and I loved it. We spent two weeks on South Beach and it was amazing."
"Yeah, I'm pretty excited. I love hanging out with Edward. He is pretty amazing, and his family is awesome. The way we met was kind of weird and unconventional but, you know, it doesn't matter," I said as I started to wipe down the bakery case.
"How you start doesn't really matter. I mean, if you're happy and he treats you good, what does anything else or anyone else matter? The problem is, a few people around here need to learn to mind their business, or rather, get some freaking business to worry about," she said with a roll of her eyes.
"Well, that's true but, now that I can't be their target, I hope they don't move on to you," I confessed.
"Oh, no, they fucking know better, especially Lauren. She and I have had run-ins outside of work, she knows what will happen to her if she fucks with me," Bree said.
"We should go celebrate tonight. Edward won't be back until tomorrow, he had to go to Chicago with his dad. My apartment is pretty empty, everything is on its way to Jacksonville and I just-"
"No, we should celebrate, and then, you can crash in the guest room at my house. We can go to dinner and then go have a few drinks or something. It'll be awesome," Bree said enthusiastically.
"I wish you would have started sooner, you're really like the only real friend I've had here, Ben turned out to-" I was cut off by Lauren and Jessica dragging themselves in for the mid-day shift.
"Ugh, I'm so freaking hungover," Jessica whined.
"Gag me with a fucking spoon," Bree mumbled under her breath and we both snickered.
We heard Lauren screech from the back room and all turned to watch her come stalking up front.
"The schedule says it's your last day! You're fucking quitting, are you serious?" she hissed at me.
"Yeah, it's my last day. So what?" I asked.
"Where are you going? And now Jessica and I will have to work every weekend. How dare you! That's so unfair," she whined and stomped her foot.
"Deal with it," I mumbled and walked to the back to clock out for the last time. I smiled as I threw my apron and name tag in the trash.
I turned around to see Ben standing by the time clock. The expression on his face was sad and grim.
"You're really leaving? Bella, please don't do this. Stay with me, give me a chance?" he pleaded.
"Ben, back off. I already told you, I'm with Edward. You had your chance, you blew it. I'm sure Jessica is more than willing to comfort you. Now move, I have stuff to do," I said, trying to brush past him.
I cried as out he grabbed my wrist hard.
"I can't let you-I, Bella- please," he said with a tug and we both gasped when we heard the snap.
I hissed out at the pain.
"Bella, oh my god. I didn't," Ben dropped my hand and backed up.
"What the fuck did you do?" Bree screamed as I sank to the floor cradling my wrist.
"I was just trying to talk to her. And then- it was- she cried. I didn't do anything," Ben defended himself.
"Her fucking bone is poking through her goddam skin you didn't do anything? What the fuck is wrong with you?" Bree bellowed as she crouched next to me.
I was all-out sobbing at this point; the pain was like fire coursing up and down my right arm.
"Bella, it's gonna be alright, we're gonna get you to the hospital. Can you stand?" Bree asked me, softly rubbing my shoulder.
I awkwardly scrambled to my feet cradling my arm, anytime it moved I would scream because white hot burning pain would almost make me black out.
"It hurts so bad. I umm, I can't go to the hospital, I don't have insurance. Phil will freak out, I can just wrap it up, it'll be fine," I whined to Bree.
"Uhh, that would be a big-ass hell-to-the-no! I am abso-fucking-lutely sure that fuck-nut over there broke it. You gotta go get it looked at. I'll take you to county, they won't send you a bill," she said. Then, pointing to Ben, "You, on the other hand, better be on the first thing smoking out of town, because I can't wait to tell Edward that you manhandled his woman and sent her to the hospital, you fucking loser," Bree said with an evil smile on her face.
Bree wrapped her arm around my shoulder and led me out the back door to her Lexus. I looked at the car and then looked at her.
"There is obviously something you're not telling me," I whimpered.
"Yeah, there is, but trust me, you'll understand sooner rather than later," she said as she helped me into the car. She gently strapped me into the seat belt making sure it came nowhere near my, now bruising and oddly contorted, arm.
Bree said she was going to take me to county, but she headed right towards Arizona State Medical Center, this place was sure to cost much more than I would ever be able to pay.
"Bree, I can't afford to be seen here, Phil-"
"Bella, do me a favor and just trust me that I have instructions. I can't tell you right at this moment but there is a reason for everything. So, just sit back and worry about us getting your arm fixed and everything else will work itself out."
"I'm honestly in too much pain to try to fight right now. Either way, thank you, Bree, thank you for-"
"Bella, honestly, there's no need to thank me. I consider you a friend, a real friend, something those bitches at work wouldn't know shit about. I appreciate not being judged," she said as we walked across the lot to the emergency room entrance.
The pain, at this point, was unbearable and I was getting dizzy and felt vomit rising in my throat.
We approached a desk where an overly cheerful nurse greeted us.
"Who needs to be seen?" she smiled brightly.
"The one with her arm twisted in a weird angle," Bree snapped, pointing at me.
"Oh my. Sweetie, can I take your temp and blood pressure?" she asked, her eyes full of concern.
At this point all I could do was nod. I was too focused on trying to keep my lunch in my stomach, but the nausea won, and the second I opened my mouth for the thermometer I resembled an erupting volcano. Everything I'd eaten in the last twenty-four hours was making a horrible comeback all over this poor nurse's shoe.
She didn't react, she didn't scream. I mean, she didn't even look angry.
"You poor thing, let's get you back into a room," she whispered and that is the last thing I remember.
Floating back to the surface in a drugged-out haze was quite the experience. I have no idea what happened but I felt a million times better than the last time I was conscious. I was sore and something felt heavy on my right side.
I opened my eyes and the room was dim and there were soft beeps coming from a machine that was next to me.
"Well, hello, sleeping beauty," a young dark-haired girl in a Mickey Mouse smock whispered to me. I just looked at her. I honestly had no idea what was going on.
"Your boyfriend and family are going to hit the roof when they know you're awake. They are all in the waiting room, do you want to see them?" she chattered on.
My brain was in a fog. I was trying so hard to keep up with all the information she was throwing at me and piece together why I was here and what happened.
"Oh, sweetie, the morphine has you confused, it's okay. They had to do surgery on your arm, the break was pretty bad. They have it casted up, but you were so dehydrated and malnourished. That's why it was so easily broken. We have you on IV nutrition and fluids, and also morphine and dilaudid for the pain. Do you need more?" she asked, stroking some hair away from my face.
My eyes must have been full of fear. She smiled softly.
"It's okay, Dr. Cullen and his wife wanted to be notified the second you woke up, and also Dr. Keats, who operated on your arm, wanted to know as well. Your boyfriend is scared out of his mind. I'm going to go get them now, I'll just be outside," she said with a smile.
I just laid there, trying to get my brain to come out of its fog. I smelled Esme before I saw her. I heard her heels clicking on the floor and then I felt her warm hands on my forehead.
"Oh, little princess, what happened? Who did this to you?" she asked as she dabbed her eyes with tissue. Her usually perfect, well put together face was red, splotchy and puffy. She looked like she had been crying. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her not to worry about me, but I still couldn't speak.
"It's okay, momma is here, and we'll take care of you" she continued to speak softly.
"I'm okay," I finally managed to croak.
"Oh, Bella, you're awake and talking, this makes me happy. Edward is beside himself, are you hungry or thirsty? What do you need?" Esme was in full on mothering mode now and I was honestly starting to get tired again.
"Esme, the girl just woke up. Calm down, the medications are gonna have her a little groggy," a man's voice said.
I turned my eyes and saw a carbon copy of Edward, only with blond hair and greenish blue eyes. He was wearing a very expensive suit but his tie was loosened.
"Well, welcome to the land of the living, Isabella. I'm glad I finally get to meet you," he said, touching my hand.
"Hi," was all I could manage to reply.
"It's okay, I'm Edward's father, Carlisle. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, but we'll see more of each other. I just want you to promise me you will focus on getting better, and that you'll take better care of yourself?" he asked with a small smile.
I nodded and a yawn escaped. I was surprised at how tired I was getting.
"The medicine they gave you for the pain is going to make you very tired. It's okay, you need to rest, they had to do very extensive surgery on your arm. It will be okay," he said, softly patting my hand. It felt so fatherly. I gave him a smile.
I started to look around for Edward, I wanted to make sure he was okay, that he knew I was okay.
"Edward is taking a nap, he was up all night. He needed to rest, I promise when you wake up again, he will be here," Carlisle said as I lost the battle to keep my eyes open.
~~~~~I&O~~~~
EPOV
Leaving Bella, naked in the bed we'd shared, this morning, was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do. I'd never been this twisted over a girl before. She had me; lock, stock and barrel.
We hadn't even sealed the deal yet, but basically had done everything but the night before. Right now, I should be focused on the business at hand, but all I could see was her long hair, her naked body writhing on the bed, back arched as my tongue brought her to an orgasm so intense her whole body flushed and she shook uncontrollably. The cocky asshole in me brushed my shoulder off, but the Edward that Bella loves just held her, sweaty and sticky, and we talked until we both fell to sleep.
"Did you hear a word I said?" Emmett's voice broke into my thoughts.
"No, what? I wasn't paying you any attention," I said, leaning my head back against the headrest.
"Get your head out of your ass and back into the game, this shit is serious, man. Dad is on the warpath because that fucker, Phil, is on the run; he must have heard dad was coming for his ass. He cleaned out Bella's account and ran, one of my girls saw him in Chicago last night," Emmett said.
That was all I needed to hear. This fucker had bled my girl dry, and had her living like a fucking street-rat because he couldn't keep his fucked up addictions and habits under control.
"Works for me, I heard he'd basically trashed Bella's house. Mom fixed everything, but she said when her and dad got there it was about a step away from being condemned. There was no water or electricity," I growled.
"Yeah, but you know mom probably made that shit into a palace by now," Emmett said.
"Yeah, mom has taken to Bella, she sees her like the little girl she never had. So I can only imagine how over the top the house is," I said.
We landed in Chicago an hour later and instantly my whole thought process changed. Bella was safe in Arizona. She was supposed to finish packing up her apartment, the movers would be there the next morning. Then, she and I were going to spend one last night together at the bungalow before we headed to Florida together. My mind was purely on avenging my girl and making the asshole pay for bleeding her dry.
"We know where he is?" I asked as we climbed into a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"Of course I know where he is, what kind of cunt do you take me for?" Emmett asked in mock offense.
"Shut up, you know what I mean, asshole. I just wanna get his ass handled and get back to Arizona," I said, drumming my fingers on my thigh.
"Yeah, you're whipped. Welcome to the club," Emmett laughed.
"What are you talking about, dumb ass?" I asked.
"You know what club. The I have a woman now and my balls and man card are in her purse club. Contrary to what fuckers in the street think, I know all about this club, I'm the fucking president. I don't give a shit who knows it either," Emmett said, cocking his head as he turned a corner.
"Speak for yourself, my balls are securely attached and my man card is safe," I said, rolling my eyes.
"So you say, but whatever, we're here," Emmett said, pulling in front of the nastiest, shadiest motel I'd ever seen.
"Fuck, it looks like you catch something walking in the door," I shivered.
"Yeah, I know, the bitches are nasty as hell, too. I don't deal in bitches like this, I just know some fuckers who do," he said as we were buzzed in.
We walked into a back room where a bunch of dudes were sitting around playing dominoes.
"'Sup, Cullen, what's good bro?" a dark-skinned dude with a mouth full of gold teeth and his hair in cornrows asked, sticking out his hand.
"You know, same ole same ole, helping my brother get his girl's shit right. That fucker still here?" Emmett asked, bumping fists with the guy.
"He can't go nowhere, he done smoked and fucked away every dime he had on him and he still owes. He said he got some money on the way. I think he called your daddy, thinking he was gonna bail him out with me or some shit," the guy, said not even looking up from his game.
"Nah, I seriously doubt that, he's on the run from him, that's why he's here," Emmett said.
"He called somebody. He ain't left that room, besides, I got cameras in all my rooms, make sure keep these dudes and these hos in line. You know these bitches can't be trusted," he complained.
"Nah, I don't, you pick up the bottom of the barrel, man. I only deal with high class bitches without cigarette burns and track marks, but for every market there's a product," Emmett said, slapping his shoulder.
I just stood there. I had no interest in the conversation, prostitution wasn't my thing. I didn't have the patience for it, the problems with the women, their fights and issues, fuck that.
"This is my brother, Edward. That's his girl he cleaned out," Emmett jerked his chin at me.
"'Sup bro? Hey, do what you gotta do. I ain't getting no money off his ass, but I'll be damned if he walked out of here," the guy spat.
I pulled a wad out my back pocket and peeled off a few bills.
"Here, man, he's fucked over enough people. You did me a favor, man. I owe you," I said, knowing he would pick up on the meaning.
"I feel you, man, I got you, whenever you in town, it's all good," he said and we left him to his game.
This place was a true shithole in every sense of the word. The smell was making my stomach fucking turn, a mix of rotten condoms and piss.
"Damn, it's fucking rank in here," I said, involuntarily gagging.
"Well, handle this dip-shit so we can get the fuck out of here," Emmett said as he raised his hand and pounded on the door.
Phil opened the door and we could tell from the vacant, glassy look in his eyes he was high as a fucking kite.
"You Phil?" I asked pushing him into the room.
"Who are you, you can't just come-" I backhanded him and sent him flying onto the bed.
"First of all, you don't fucking speak unless I tell you to. Second, you never tell me what I can and can't fucking do. So answer my question, are you Phil?" I said, sitting on a cheap metal chair in the corner.
"Yeah, who are you?" he muttered, reaching for his cigarettes.
"What did I fucking tell you?" I stood up and he cowered.
"I, uhh, I'm sorry, I just don't know-oh fuck." The recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Yeah, you took something from someone that means a whole fucking lot to me. You stole from my father and my fiancée, so basically you stole from me. Do you know what I do to people who steal from me?" I ask.
"Oh, god. Mr. Cullen, please, like I told your father, I'm gonna pay Bella back, I'm working on something right now to get money for her. I'm sorry I-"
"Seriously, your begging does nothing for me, you owe my father close to a half a mil, you've blown through Bella's inheritance, her mother's life insurance and the money left to Bella by her grandparents. Had it not been for you, Bella could have paid off her education and lived pretty fucking good without working. But nah, your bitch ass took it from her. I don't like when people take what doesn't belong to them, put their hands on something they have no business touching," I said standing up.
"I just need time, I swear, I will-"
"Time's up Phil, my father's patience with you has worn out. Especially since he figured out you paid your debt to him by bleeding a young girl's inheritance dry. And the fucked up part about your luck is, that same young girl happens to be the woman I intend to marry," I snorted. Phil cowered more and began to whimper out his pleas for mercy.
I pulled out my knife. I was about to cut off Phil's fingers when the door swung open and I turned and saw a few Irish henchmen which meant only one thing.
"Liam," Emmett and I both said at the same time.
See, typically Italian and Irish mobsters hate each other, but my father and the leader of the Irish clan had a weird respect for each other, and got along and had peace. The battle lines in Chicago were clearly drawn. Territories were evenly split and when someone had to cross over either faction's boundaries, respect was given and a tax was paid. But this, this was gonna change some shit.
"Hey, what are ya doin' here?" the guy demanded.
"My father sent me to take care of his interests, what the fuck are you doing here?" I demanded.
"He's one of ours, he deals for us" the guy cried out.
"Uhh, no, he was dealing for my father, he stole from him and ran," Emmett said, standing to his full height and crossing his huge arms over his chest.
"Oye, this is fucking twisted," the dude muttered.
Emmett pulled out his phone and called my dad, the other dude pulled out his phone and I can only assume he was calling Liam.
"Double dipping, huh? Damn, man, you're fucked. I almost feel sorry for you," I laughed.
"Dad said none of us are to leave. He and Alistair are gonna come to an agreement and will call us with instructions," Emmett said and the other guy nodded.
"You're pretty fucked, boy," the guy said to Phil who was in a corner, his face completely drained of color and he looked like he was gonna have a fucking heart attack.
We all sat around shooting the shit, talking about a few mutual interests we all had when the cell phones rang. Emmett went off to the corner, speaking to whoever he was talking to in a hushed voice. A few of us just stood and stared at Phil.
"A shame such a fucking degenerate got involved with the business of gentleman," the Irish thug said, shaking his head.
"Ain't that the fucking truth?" I rolled my eyes and lit a cigarette.
"I know your father, good man, fair and respectful he is. Does a lot of business with me dad," he said, dragging off his smoke.
"Alistair's your father? He's cool, he's been to our house a few times. I think I remember you from when we were little," I said, suddenly finding him familiar.
"Yah, I think we did, wonder what the old ones are cooking up for this one?" he wondered. We didn't have to wonder long.
"Edward, dad wants you to send him a message about stealing and then he's got some explaining to do to Alistair. He's their problem," Emmett said and I smiled.
I stood up and opened my knife, and immediately he started crying and begging and saying how sorry he was.
"You've only just begun to be sorry. Once they're through with you, what I'm about to do will seem like a walk in the park," I said as I cut off his ring finger on his left hand and his right pointer finger.
He screamed out as blood poured from his hand and we all roared with laughter.
"Nice doing business with you boys. Hey Patrick, if you're ever in Florida hit me up, man, we should hang," I said, jerking my chin at him.
"You do the same, Cullen, and tell yer mother I said hello," he said as we walked out the room.
Emmett and I drove to the docks that lined the Port of Chicago. I tossed Phil's fingers into the water without a second thought, much like he did to Bella's inheritance. He just pissed it away without giving her a second thought.
We were on our way back to the hangar, I wanted to get back to Bella, to let her know that Phil would never hurt her again.
My phone started to buzz so I picked it up and saw I had missed fourteen calls and had a text from Bree, who was Bella's friend and the girlfriend of an associate of my uncles.
Taking B to ASU med, Broken arm ~ Bree
I immediately called my mom, no answer. Rosalie's phone went straight to voicemail.
"Fuck!" I screamed out.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Emmett looked over at me.
"Bella broke her arm, her friend Bree texted me. Something is wrong, man," I said.
Emmett floored it, we made it back to the jet in record time.
"Get us back to Arizona," Emmett demanded.
"Mr. Cullen, your father would like you to call him before we take off," the pilot, said walking away.
I went into my phone and hit the screen to dial my father.
"Edward?"
"Dad, what happened to her?" I demanded.
"She's in surgery, I don't know the details. I only know there was a confrontation at work and her co-worker brought her to the hospital. The girl had to leave, as her boyfriend needed something or other, so your mom wasn't able to get many answers, but your mother and Rosalie are staying there and I will be headed to Arizona shortly. So, be calm and I'll see you in a while," he said and ended the call.
"People just can't leave her the fuck alone," I growled and settled back into my seat.
"Edward, just relax until we get the story."
"I should have beaten the shit out of that group of fucking idiots she worked with the first time I saw them," I growled.
"How do you know it was one of them?" Emmett asked.
"Because I just fucking do, all right?" I snapped.
"Edward, I know that-"
"Emmett, just don't all right? Whoever hurt her is going to fucking pay, that's a fucking promise. I tried to leave it, because she doesn't want anyone to be hurt, but that shit is over now."
Emmett was smart, he didn't say much else. When we landed in Arizona it was well after nine at night.
Bree was waiting for us.
"Bree, what happened to her?" I asked the second I stepped off the plane.
"Ben. He grabbed her arm because she was trying to walk away and then she screamed," she stammered.
I just cocked my head.
"Let me get this shit straight. That little fucker put his hands on her and broke her arm?" I seethed.
"He also dislocated her shoulder, she's having surgery. I wanted to meet you and tell you here, not at the hospital, just in case you needed to walk it off or something," she said.
"Thanks for taking care of her, Bree. Hey do you know where Ben lives?" I asked.
"On campus in one of the dorms, I think, but I'm not sure which one," she shrugged.
"Do me a favor; see if you can find him and those two sluts Bella worked with. If you find them, don't approach them and don't let them know you're around, just text me," I said.
"I will. Hey, when you get to Bella can you just let me know how she's doing?" she asked.
"I will, again, thanks for taking care of her," I said.
"Bella is a nice girl. She has been nice to me from the beginning, and she isn't fake," Bree said, walking to her car.
"Edward, you can't just go off and kill some college kid," Emmett said, wrapping his hand around my bicep.
"I can and I will, but he's the furthest thing from my mind right now. I need to go see Bella" I said climbing in the back of the SUV that was waiting for us.
I just needed to see my girl was okay, and being taken care of. Once I knew she had everything she needed, Ben was going to wish he'd never heard the name Bella.
A/N: I know I cut it short, but I figured making Frick, Frack and Judy pay should include Rosalie, so I think Edward and Rosalie should destroy them together. And trust me there will be an out take of the Irish and what they do to Phil. I just wasn't sure how that would fit, but there is more and there will be a clash between the Cullen's and Alistair and his clan. Trust me, there is a method to my madness.