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There aren't any taxi services this far out, and the lone Uber driver in the area took one look at us and sped away. We clean up as best as we can in the mall's bathrooms and are about to try to steal some clean clothes when we see blue and red flashing lights signal the arrival of at least two cop cars-no doubt called on the two lunatics covered in blood.

"Shit, I was hoping we wouldn't have to do this...come on, let's get out of here," Edward says, pulling out his cracked and nearly dead phone. He lets out a long-suffering sigh, then dials a number, bracing himself.

"Rosalie?" he asks once she picks up. "Hey...yeah, I know. I'll explain everything later but we need a ride..Bella's with me...we're at-" he pauses, glancing in the distance as we make our way out of the parking lot and into one of the fields nearby. "-I think it's called the Outer Limits Outlet Mall? If you have any towels, you might want to bring them. Okay, see you soon, thanks, Rose."

He puts his phone away and grabs my hand as we wade through the tall grass, hopefully out of sight of the police. I wonder silently if they'll find our path of carnage.

"We're only an hour away from the city," Edward explains. "She said she'd be here in forty-five."

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"What the fuck is going on?" Rosalie demands, throwing threadbare green towels at us. I'm glad she didn't bring nice ones, though the blood is mostly dry at this point, I'd hate to stain anything she owns.

We cover the backseat as best we can and pile in while Rosalie peels away with a screech back onto the main road. Though it's dark, I can see the worry etched into her features illuminated by the car's dashboard.

"I haven't been able to get ahold of you and you didn't show up to work and-" Rosalie's voice breaks and Edward places his hand on her shaking shoulder.

"We're okay," he assures her softly. "Everything is okay."

"Everything is not okay! You're-you're covered in blood!"

"It's not mine," he says quickly.

"Most of it's mine," I add with a shrug.

"But we're both okay," Edward cuts in, looking at me sideways. "We just want to go home."

"Tell me...tell me everything," Rosalie urges, her knuckles white on the steering wheel.

"We might want to wait til we get back to the house," he says, hesitating. "You know, when we're not going a hundred miles an hour."

I swear the car accelerates.

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It takes Edward showing off his too-bright eyes for Rosalie to start to really believe our story, and once the initial shock wears off, her confusion is replaced with something close to anger.

"I can't believe you never told me any of this," she seethes. "We're best friends! A secret life with super powers is like, definitely something I should know! God, I should've guessed. Goddammit I can't believe I'm last to know. Would you have even told me if you hadn't needed a ride?"

Edward hesitates, not sure what to do with her growing frustration and I'm glad none of it is aimed at me as I sip tea in the kitchen and try not to pick the flaking, drying blood off of my skin. I really want to shower, but it seems rude to do so when the shit is so clearly hitting the fan.

"Actually, yes," Edward says finally. "I only didn't tell you because I didn't want anything to happen to you-Rose, you're so important to me, you've been the only person I could count on for so long and I need to be able to count on you for just a bit longer."

She scoffs, but waits for him to continue.

"I want you to take over as CEO of Cullen Industries."

"WHAT?!"

"There's no one else I trust to take care of what my parents built."

"And where does that leave you?"

I'm paying total attention now, slowly edging my way into the room. Where does that leave him? And where does it leave me?

"I'm going to be stepping back from the company for a while," he says slowly.

"To do what?" Rosalie demands, her cheeks blooming red. "I don't know the first thing about running a company, Edward."

"You'll be great at it, Rose. You've practically been shadowing me since we finished school. We learned everything together. In the meantime, I don't think we've seen the last of the Faction and I don't want to keep drawing them here. I'd rather find them first."

The only thing I can think of is that he's going to be leaving and I can't stop the strangled sound that escapes my throat. They both finally turn to look at me, and both of their expressions soften.

"What about me? You're just going to leave me here? Alone?"

Edward's eyes widen in alarm and he closes the distance between us, taking my hand in his.

"I was getting to that part," he teases. "I was hoping that you'd come with me, Bella. I don't think I can be away from you anymore. I don't want to be away from you."

I try to stop the tears, but they fall anyways, even though I'm laughing. Edward shakes his head and pulls me close.

"You keep acting like I'm trying to get rid of you," he murmurs. "You're stuck with me. Kind of forever."

His eyes flare that bright green I love and I know mine flash silver in response.

When he kisses me, I swear the whole world burns away, aside from Rosalie's ugh and call me tomorrow and slamming the front door.

And finally, we're alone.

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A lil more is comin, but we're nearing the end.