Chapter 17

I fidgeted in my seat next to Edward as Charlie sat across from us. We'd just explained everything that had been going on in the last few weeks, and he'd yet to say anything.

I knew my father. I knew his silence meant he was pissed.

"Dad—"

He put a hand up to stop me. "Not now, Isabella," he snapped. "You, though." He pointed at Edward, standing from his seat. "You. Do you know the type of danger you put my daughter in? I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and you fucking drag her into this with you?" he seethed.

I'd seen my dad angry before, but never like this. I wasn't sure I'd even heard him curse before today.

"I made the choice to go along with everything, Dad. It's not just Edward's fault."

"I said not now!" he bellowed before turning back to Edward. "I should throw your ass back into prison for all this shit. Being involved with gang activity is enough—"

"You're right, sir," Edward interrupted, his leg bouncing with nervous energy. I knew the last thing he wanted was to go back to prison. He turned to me. "I have dragged you through so much shit, mami.I'm sorry."

I gripped his hand tightly. "It's nothing I didn't choose. Dad, please, be reasonable. He came here looking for help from you, and he's got information on Royce King. He's trying to do the right thing."

Charlie grunted, the scowl never leaving his face. "That's the only reason he's not in handcuffs in the back of my cruiser. Well, let's hear what you have to say."

—

For the next hour or so, we sat with Charlie while he questioned Edward about everything he had been told and anything else he may have heard.

"I'll definitely be chatting with the detectives that were on both the cases about all this. Are you willing to go in wired if they need you to, Edward?"

"Do I honestly have a choice?"

Charlie sat back in his seat, crossing his arms against his chest. "You have a choice. I'm willing to forget where and how you got all this information if you agree. If not, I can't promise anything. You violated your probation on so many accounts."

"Dad!"

"It's okay, mamita. We both knew I'd most likely have to wear a wire."

"Look," Charlie interjected. "I'm still beyond pissed at the both of you. Bella, I can't believe you'd keep something like this from me. You used me to get information." He glared at Edward. "I can respect your reasons for doing what you did, and I can respect the fact that you listened to this girl and came to me, but fuck up again, and I'll find any reason to get you back behind bars."

Edward gripped my hand tighter. "I never wanted to hurt Bella, or put her in danger."

"No, I don't imagine you did. But regardless, you didn't stop her from getting involved."

Edward smirked at my dad. "Sir, have you ever met your daughter?"

For the first time that day, Charlie cracked a smile. "Point taken. Both of you get out of here. Edward, I'm sure we'll be in touch."

"Bella? You awake, mami?" he whispered as he stroked his fingers through my hair.

I curled in closer to him, laying my head on his chest. "Mm, I am now. Have you not slept yet?"

"Nah, I've been thinking about something and I wanted to know what you think." His tone was serious as he spoke.

"Okay... you're making me nervous."

I felt his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath. "I don't know how long all of this shit is going to take. It could be weeks, or it could be months before they decide to go in. I know I'll be protected, but…"

I sat up, looking down at him. "But what, papi?"

"It's just that I'd feel better going in there knowing que eres mía."

"You already know I'm yours. You basically decided it for me." I smirked.

He sat up, too, taking my hand in his. "Sí, yo sé.I did. I wasn't going to let you go. No soy tonto.But I mean really be mine. Move in here, or I'll move in with you. Marry me, se mi esposa."

My jaw dropped open. "Marry you?" I whispered.

"Sí, mami. It doesn't have to be tomorrow. I just need to know you will. I don't have a ring, not yet. But I will. ¿Casaté conmigo?"

"Yes. Me casaré contigo."

He grinned at me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me down on top of him. I gripped his face in my hands, kissing him roughly. "You sure? You really want to marry a chancho like me?" he murmured against my lips.

I rolled my eyes. "Definitely."

"Man, if you're dad didn't hate me before, he sure as hell will now."

"He'll live."

"No sé, there's more."

"More than me marrying you?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I want to get the fuck out of Seattle once this is over."

"What about your probation?"

"It'll be over in a few months. Did you like Chicago?"

I thought about it for a moment before answering. "You know I'd follow you anywhere, right?"

"Right. But…"

"I think you're right. I think we do need to get the fuck out of here. But how about somewhere warm, and not so far from everyone? What about California?"

He rolled us so he was hovering above me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "I think we got some time to figure it all out."

"Do we, though?" I suddenly felt as if the room was too small and the walls were closing in on me. I loved the talk of marriage and of getting away from here, but what Edward had been asked to do was dangerous. He'd be protected, but things always had the potential o go wrong.

"Yes, we do. It's gonna be fine. I'm gonna be fine. This will all be over, and then we'll get married, have babies—oh, mami." He stopped, noticing my tears. He positioned us so he could hold me against him. "Don't cry."

But I couldn't help it. It had only been a little over half a year since we'd been together, but the thought of not having him in my life shattered me. "Please, papi, whatever they ask, please just be careful. You have to come home to me."

"I've told you before, Bella. There's no other option."

—

Spanish:

Que eres mía - That you're mine

Se mi esposa - Be my wife

Casaté conmigo - Marry me

Me casaré contigo - I'll marry you