A/N: I am so so sorry for the long wait. Here's a long awaited and much deserved chapter!

I knew the answer to my question before I asked it, yet it stung to hear anyway. Yes. Edward and I had only known each other a handful of days. The man was a wealthy CEO, and I was a college student who studied out of used textbooks. But he thought I was beautiful. He'd said as much in the coffee shop that day. Yet, as beautiful as I was, he didn't want to be romantically involved with me. Not because I wasn't good enough, but because his previous attempts had failed. And surprisingly, I was more than a little angry. The nerve of him to make me pay for someone else's mistakes.

Without warning, I downed a PB&J shot and quickly finished my second BKOTB (Blue Kids on the Block). I could tell that Alice wanted to say something, maybe let me know that it wasn't personal. But maybe that was my problem. He'd immediately lumped me in with these disloyal women who couldn't possibly have a brain without considering who I was as a person. And right there, in that moment, as I felt the alcohol settle in my stomach, and felt the warmth spread through me, I decided that if I wasn't going to be considered, I wouldn't be considering him either. Standing quickly, I began to walk out of our section and to the bar situated right in the middle of the space for dancing.

Rose seemed to be fastest to her feet.

"Bella, we can get anything you want brought here."

I almost regretted my next words to her.

"Not if it's man."

I expected her to scold me, or somehow defend her brother. She did almost the exact opposite. With a nod of her head, she was back to sitting. The sudden movement had caught Emmett's attention, and he was at her side a few moments later.

"Baby, Bella wants to dance. Keep an eye on her. I'll get Marcus to get a bouncer to guard the section. Don't intervene unless it's paps or unwanted attention."

"Rose, do you think it's the best idea? Ant's gonna be mmmaaaaadddddd..."

"Alice, she's an adult and he's got to suffer the consequences of his actions. If she wants to go, we can't stop her. Bella, be careful."

With an acknowledgement of Rose's statement, I was gone and ambling my way up to a bartender. Thanks to Rose and Alice's styling, I didn't need to adjust anything about my hair or outfit. I know I looked good. And some guy in a Hawaiian shirt obviously agreed. The guy wasn't my type at all. Who wore Hawaiian shirts in the winter in Chicago anyway? In accordance with their throwback theme, Headquarters seemed to be partial to throwback video games and throwback music. I bobbed my head to the music playing while I watched Hawaiian shirt gather the confidence to come and talk to me. The alcohol I had already consumed clearly played a role in my confidence.

"Hi. I'm Alec. I saw you from across the bar earlier. I was wondering if-"

"I think we both know what you were actually wondering. How about we start with a drink instead."

"I can do that. PB&J shot or Stoli?"

"Neither. Tequila on the rocks. Two lime wedges and a glass of water."

I watched as a quick surprised look crossed his features and he went to flag down the bartender for my drink. I took a deep breath. People ordered that right? People on television drank it straight all the time. My internal monologue aside, I wasn't about to appear out of control here. I had never even ha straight tequila before, but no matter how it tasted, I was going to finish it. And maybe if I could get Hawaiian shirt here to dance with me, sorry. Maybe if I could get Alex to dance with me, I'd end the night feeling some sense of accomplishment.

I could see Rose and Alice peek their heads out from their section, and to the shock and awe of no one, Emmett was just down the bar. I could feel myself chew my bottom lip in anticipation. Before I knew it, Hawaiian shirt guy was back and I had a drink in front of me.

"So. Tequila huh? Most of the girls here like the sweet stuff."

In that moment, I saw red.

"Tell me Alec. How would you know what most girls like?"

"I's just an expression."

"What it is, is an assumption, and you hardly know me to make one of those."

"Look. I'm not trying to get to know you. I just thought you might like to have a little fun."

I rolled my eyes at him and downed my tequila. The stuff was awful, but there's no way I wasn't going to finish a free drink.

"So, cutie. Wanna have some fun?"

Here I was, drinking tequila in a crowded bar with a guy I didn't know because I was angry with someone else. This wasn't me. I didn't make choices like this.

"I don't think I do. Have a nice night, Alec."

I'd had too much alcohol and not enough food. I wanted to head back to Rose and Alice's section. Standing slowly I squared my shoulders, but before I could make a step, I felt a hand around my upper arm.

"I paid for that drink. The least you can do is pay me back for it."

"I'd be happy to. Just let me go and grab my wallet."

"Money isn't what I had in mind."

I was slow to understand, but once I caught his meaning, I wasn't any more comforted.

"Sorry sugar. Money's all I'm offering."

"You'll offer whatever I like. Now let's get out of here.

He had at least a foot on me in height, and probably at least 100 pounds. He'd have me out of this bar before I could scream.

"I don't think she'll be doing that. Short stack, I leave you alone for five minutes and you get up to trouble?"

Emmett didn't appear to be mad, at least not at me.

"So. You think those Hawaiian shirts are gonna help you get lucky or...?"

"Man fuck off. We're busy here."

"Not anymore. In fact, your evening here at Headquarters HQ is over. You can either leave on your own, or I'll be sure to have Marcus get a couple of bouncers to remove you. If I have to take you out, it'll be with the trash, and I can promise to break a few bottles and a few of your bones along the way. Let her go, and figure out your chosen method for leaving."

With that, Emmett was ushering me back to Rose and Alice.

"Thank you. I didn't think he'd take no for an answer."

"Short stack, you need to have a higher regard for our own safety. If you can't do that, I'll talk to Ed about getting you a protective detail. You're our responsibility now."

With that, it appeared the subject was closed. Before we made it back to the section, there was a flashbulb and Emmett was stepping in front of me. I was literally blinded by the light and didn't notice the barstool in front of me. It all happened so fast, Emmett was yelling, I was face planting into a table of drinks and I felt and smelled myself being covered in alcohol. I'd need a shower, and I was pretty sure I had just had my first run in with the paparazzi.