Author's note: Welcome back and thank you for your patience. I hope you all enjoy chapter 28! I do plan to finish this, but again I am a full time night shift nurse and I've really been trying to enjoy the holidays this year. You all are so appreciated, as always. Let's get to it!

Disclaimer: Unedited.

…

I can see you starin', honey

Like he's just your understudy

Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me

Second, third, and hundredth chances

Balancin' on breaking branches

Those eyes add insult to injury

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending"

Exile - Taylor Swift ft Bon Iver

…

I've always been known as impulsive growing up.

I acted on my feelings and didn't give much thought to what the consequences could be.

Renee hated it because it only meant I was more like Charlie than her and instead of teaching me how to not be, she berated me.

Unmanageable, unhinged, and uncaring.

But the fact that I am flying a helicopter in the middle of the night with people I have never met to go to an underground trading game after Edward and Jasper told me not to show that she wasn't wrong.

Fuck.

My Angel, my Devil and my Confidence are pacing in my head. They spew different ways tonight could end and every single one ends badly.

This was not a good idea. The amount of danger I've put not only myself in is almost sickening and I am second guessing my decision to come after Edward.

But if Aro is the one who is requesting me, would I even have a choice? Demetri and Alec are decent sized men and if needed could take me against my will.

I know it won't matter, Edward is going to be pissed.

Jasper already is, he hasn't looked my way since I told him I was going with Jane regardless of what he said. The only way I was going is if he was going and Alice had no plans on staying behind either. So now all three of us are sitting in the middle row of an expensive helicopter flying over the state.

The only communication is between the pilot and Demetri about where we are and any control changes he makes.

Jane and Alec sit behind us and I feel like I am being watched the entire flight. I ignore the urge to turn around to see if they are in fact staring at me. Instead, I focus on the tiny houses and cars below us, lighting the land of a city night.

We land forty five minutes later on a lakeside helipad next to a cream white mansion that sits on a hill. Once we are cleared to leave, we file out of the helicopter one by one.

Jane leads the way with Alec and Demetri on her flanks again. Alice walks next to me and Jasper follows us.

"You two will not leave my sight," Jasper whispers behind us.

I can see Alice roll her eyes but she nods and so do I.

We walk through the backyard that is decorated with lights, flowers and fancy food tables. The music is loud but the conversations about who will win the game is louder. I hear Edward's name multiple times, making me turn in the direction every time.

"Look," Alice points to the right of us where a large projector screen sits in the middle of the party. There are multiple people surrounding it and I understand now that they are betting for or against Edward.

On the screen is Edward sitting at the table with his cards. His face is stern but he is calm as he places his cards down on the table. The image switches to a blond male that I assume is Edward's opponent.

I feel out of place and underdressed in my jeans and oversized jacket as I walk through the crowd of party guests. They are dressed in designer dresses and suits with expensive accessories to show off in front of their friends. Even Alice and Jasper are somewhat business casual.

What I'm wearing doesn't really matter. I am only trying to keep my mind off of what Edward will say or do when he sees me.

I know he is going to be pissed but I couldn't sit back and wait for him to come home because who knows when that would be? It's too dangerous for him to be here alone and I had truly planned to stay and wait until Jane showed up.

We walk through the rest of the house where the party continues and a second large screen with the card game playing.

Alec and Demetri stay behind while Alice, Jasper and I follow Jane down a long hallway with multiple paintings on the parallel wall until we reach a door with two tall men standing outside of it. One of them wears the same black jacket as Jane, Alec and Demetri.

"Felix." Jane acknowledges the man.

He nods at her then looks behind her eyeing Alice and Jasper until his eyes finally land on me. He looks back at Jane with a raised eyebrow.

"Only Bella will be allowed in." Jane turns to us unsmiling.

"Bullshit," Jasper steps forward.

The man she calls Felix also steps forward. They glare at each other, sizing each other up. Felix towers over Jasper but that doesn't seem to phase him.

"It wasn't a question." Jane is unbothered by the increased level of testosterone.

Alice is close behind Jasper, one hand wrapped in the back of his shirt tugging on it as if it was enough to pull him back.

"Is Edward down there?" I'm trying to process everything that is happening right now and I almost forgot the entire reason I am here.

"Yes," Jane says without emotion.

"I will be fine." I try hard to convince Jasper and myself that what I am saying is true. Jane doesn't seem like the one to waste time so I doubt she is lying about what is really behind that door.

Jasper doesn't look like he believes me but he stands down, knowing that causing a scene won't help anything. I have to go alone no matter what he does or says, the only option is to agree with them.

"Find Tanya," I whisper, turning back to Jane and Felix.

She rolls her eyes and turns toward Felix who steps to the side and opens the door for us. I take one last look at Jasper and Alice who hold onto each other but say nothing as I walk in. I can see the concern in their eyes but there is nothing they can do but to go find Tanya.

Edward is down here.

And I will be safe when I find him.

At least that's what I tell myself.

Felix shuts the door behind us and we are immediately greeted by another man wearing all black.

A bouncer.

Jane steps forward, spreading her arms. He gently pats her down for weapons then motions her to keep going and me to come forward. I follow suit, lifting my arms up and trying to keep balance as he barely touches me then tells me to keep moving.

I follow Jane down the stairs and I immediately spot Edward.

He sits tall and confident, holding his cards in one hand while the other taps on the table. Seeing Edward playing and being in this atmosphere doesn't feel the same.

The dealer tells Edward and his opponent to show their cards. I can't see them from here but it looks like Edward wins this round. It almost makes me sick to watch the crowd of people cheer for the game.

Edward smiles but it isn't the same cocky smile he used to have when he was winning. He wants the game to be over.

Fuck.

Edward finally spots me and I want to stop dead in my tracks but keep following walking down the stairs holding onto the railing for dear life. I watch as he lifts his hands and rubs his face, choosing now to stare directly at the back of Jane's head.

I try my hardest not to look back at him but I can almost feel his eyes burning into my body. I can feel him watch me as I follow Jane quickly through the crowd.

She finally slows down when we get to a table where three men, all wearing the same black suits, sit. They all have long hair brushed back and look like they could be related.

"You must be Bella." The one sitting in the middle speaks first. He grins almost wickedly and moves to stand up. "I'm Aro, these are my brothers, Caius and Marcus. Please follow us."

I don't know why but I choose now to look back at Edward.

His anger is evident and he is shooting daggers at Aro. I want to tell him that I am okay and that he needs to focus on the game but I doubt he would listen. He is smart enough to not make a scene in the middle of the game.

I quickly turn back to Aro and his brothers.

I nod because I know I don't have a choice.

Jane and Felix follow along with me as Aro leads us into another room. It is decorated in dark brown with red accent furniture. There's a wall of books, two seating areas and a fireplace.

I am most surprised to see that the wall with the door we just walked in is actually a one way glass. I can see the crowd of people we just walked through but they can't see us.

I watch as Edward holds up a "T" for time out and the dealer nods. Her voice echoes as she notifies everyone that Edward has asked for a timeout and the current standings. Edward is in the lead with twenty five billion and while I am not surprised they are winning, I am surprised they are still playing.

"What's the number?" I ask, watching as Edward gets closer to the door and feeling a small panic beginning to form.

"One trillion," Aro announces.

…

Author's note: Edward and Bella are finally in the same place and about to be in the same room. How do you think this is going to go? Leave me a review and let me know! See you all next chapter.