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CMF
CULLEN-MASEN FAMILY
Chapter 10
The date was wonderful. We spent a majority of the day in the park, ending with us coming back to my apartment. I showed Edward how I had things set up with the rooms, and he loved it. They were just about ready to start putting furniture in his, as soon as they got through installing the stairs going from the top to the second floor. He explained he had bedrooms, and a small lounge downstairs, along with a bigger conference room. He also had additional room for another bedroom if needed.
I told Edward I was having a small elevator put in the back of my apartment taking me down to my studio. That stairs, and I were not compatible. He asked if I had any information on a company that could do it, and I told him it had just come to me in the last week, or so. He said he could do some asking around, and get me some info if I would let him. I told him that would be great as I had a lot to do in my paintings.
We sat in my living room for a short while talking, just getting to know each other more. We also did our fair share of kissing, but it finally came to an end. I sent him home around ten at night, and I retired myself after having spent a wonderful day with Edward.
The next day came with a rousing thunderstorm waking me. I made my morning trip to the bathroom doing my usual ablutions, and made my way into the kitchen for some coffee. I got it to making, and went in search of Peaches, and Cane's soother jackets. They did not fare well with storms, and thunder. Afterwards I fixed them some breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, and made a toasted bagel to go with my share of the eggs.
I gathered my computer, some more coffee, and went over to my desk. I looked up the weather for the day, and it was not going to get any better. I then searched for a small elevator that could also handle a wheelchair. I needed to make sure it would also operate in case of a power outage. I found two different companies, and gave them a call. They were going to send someone out to do an evaluation, and a cost estimate.
I then went to my bedroom to get dressed, and ready to go down to my studio. It was kind of cool, so I got jeans, and one of my work flannels along with a t-shirt. I got my work boots on, went into the bathroom to brush and plait my hair. I also got me a couple of pain pills; one for now, and one for later.
I got my wheelchair ready, along withPeaches, and Cane. We headed down to my studio in the elevator. Once down there I fixed them some fresh water, some dog food, their blankets on the couch, got some water, and rolled down the hallway looking at my work. I had been getting a lot done, and my muse was itching to come out.
Angela came over from her apartment, and I asked her to turn the fireplace on. I really needed some heat. She then went to make some coffee, and I pulled my chair over plugging it up to continue to charge.
I got my arm braces, and did another walk through. I stopped, pulling my phone out, and called Gianna. "Hello."
"Gianna, it's Bella. Is there a possibility you can come in this morning?"
"Umm, sure. Can you give me an hour, and I'll be over."
"Sounds good. I'll see you then," hanging up I then walk it again seeing I need some more canvases hung, and possibly...
I call Gianna back, "Gianna, would it be possible to get your boyfriends help? Maybe with a friend of his? I've got one of those big canvas I want to see about getting hung."
"Well, sure. He just happens to be standing here. He said he would be glad to help, and to let him make a call to one of his friends. We'll still see you in about an hour, alright?"
"Alright. Tell him I said thanks," hanging up again, and walking my way through. I make it to my small kitchen, and Angela has us some coffee waiting.
EPOV
Meanwhile, across town..."Hello."
"Yeah, Boss. I'm going to be getting introduced to Bella today. She's needing help with something in her studio. I'm also taking Garrett with me. She's needing a big canvas hung, so that will be another one we'll get worked in with her. You still want it to remain unknown about my working for you, right?"
"Yes, for now. You are still to keep an eye on her regardless. Call me when you get through over there though. Let me know how things go, alright?"
"Got it, Boss. Talk to you later."
I walk back into my office where Sean, Emmett, and Jasper are waiting. It seems we might have a problem in a couple of my bars. It appears the nephew to Aro, and Marcus Calabrese is trying to extend his ventures into my territory. He is making numerous visits to Chill, and Envy with quite a few men with him. The bar help said they hang around for two, or three hours then leave.
"Sean, call in David Doyle, and Giulio Bennetti. See if he can come meet us this evening. Let's meet at Snake around seven for dinner, and then we'll go to Midnight Sun to my office. I need to discuss this nephew. Just tell them dinner at seven...at Snake. Also, while your at it Sean call Eric in here for me."
"Emmett, Jasper for the next few hours see what you can come up with on the street. Contact some of your people to see what they have heard about this guy, or the Calabrese's doing anything. Meet us at Snake around seven, alright?"
Emmett, and Jasper head out as Sean comes back in with Eric. "Yeah Boss, what you need?" taking a seat across from my desk.
"I need you to see if you can get any info online, contacts, anyone, anywhere on this nephew of the Calabrese's, and what he's got planned. There has to be something to have slipped out. Just see what you can find. Also, plan to meet us at Midnight Sun around nine tonight. Have me something by then, understood?" raising an eyebrow as I look at him.
"Got it, Boss. See you later," as he heads out the door.
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Later that evening across town at Chill in the back of the bar there is a table with about six men sitting there watching the crowd. Mario Nolan, manager of Chill picks up his phone, and proceeds to call Edward.
"Hello."
"Mr. Cullen, this is Mario Nolan, your manager at Chill. I figured I'd give you a call to tell you of a meeting going on with that group of men. They are at a back table right now, and at the moment there are six of them. They are looking around, but mainly in a big discussion."
"How long have they been there, Mario?"
"Just going on an hour, sir."
"Thank you for calling, Mario. Call me if more people show up, if there is a disturbance, or when they leave, please."
"Will do, boss." Mario spends an excessive amount of time working in the bar keeping an eye on the group of men. No one else shows up, no disturbance, and they left a couple of hours later. The young man who seems to be the head of the group gave me a nod when they left. I immediately called the boss to let him know.
Later that evening in the office of Midnight Sun another group of men gathered. They were trying to determine what the nephew, or possibly the Calabrese family might be up to.
Everyone gathered in the lounge area, as a waiter sat to fixing drinks. They sat waiting for Eric to boot up his computer to show us the information he had obtained on the new developments involving the Calabrese family.
It turns out their nephew, Caius Calabrese is trying to spread his wings. To show his uncles he is quite capable of working for them in their endeavors.
The uncles, Aro and Marcus Calabrese seem to have an interest in some warehouses in the shipping area. They are wanting to use them for drug, and human trafficking shipments. The first problem with that would be this was Cullen-Masen territory all along the west coast, from Seattle to Los Angeles. This belonged to us, along with the fact the majority of warehouses on the coast line belonged to our family also. The second thing being, we did NOT deal in human trafficking.
Eric was able to uncover them trying to purchase a large sum of warehouses along the whole west coast. They were sticking to smaller cities, and had been able to purchase quite a few already. There was word of them offering large quantities of drugs from China, and Vietnam. They were setting up runners from the smaller cities to deliver the drugs into Los Angeles, San Francisco, Reno, a couple places in Portland, and Seattle. They were putting out 'Tasters' of their product to bigger dealers at a cut of 80/20 to 60/40. The less it's cut the higher it will cost them. They were supposedly receiving a lot of interested parties.
I was sending David Doyle, and Giulio Bennetti into Los Angeles to contact some of our sellers, and dealers to see if they had heard anything along with possibly receiving some of their product. I wanted them to also check in San Francisco with some of my people. I told them I would be making some calls to notify them I had someone tracing the Calabrese's movements in my territory. Also, their help would be greatly rewarded.
I was then looking to send Shawn O'Connell to Reno to check out their moving into that area. I had a few more people I was sending down to Portland to check out my businesses there, along with the warehouse district. I was fixing to put out feelers to quite a few of the smaller cities, and the warehouses in their shipping ports.
I was not going to have them gain one inch of my territory. If they want a war, then so be it. I am quite ready to oblige.
I called Felix Lock to make sure he kept a tight watch on Bella, and if needed to pull in Garrett to help. I would not have her harmed in the least. If it did, there would be an all out war. I swear it. No harm to my Bella.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
I am so very tired. I got a lot done in my studio. With Gianna, and her boyfriend's help I was able to really get things set up good...more to my liking. Dang, this guy Felix Lock was built like a mack truck. He kind of scared me at first, but to watch him with Gianna. He was so gentle, and so friendly. I ended up really liking him. He was also a tremendous help. His friend, Garrett wasn't to little his self.
I am so tired though. I'm just taking a quick shower, and climbing into bed.
I got my babies already settled, and Cane really surprised me...he quite liked Felix, and Garrett. Hummm...
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I received some very interesting help from a 'Guest' review, and it made me stop, and think about some things I continue to do in my story. I DID take some of their advice, and I've tried to implement it starting with this chapter. I took my time, taking a couple days breaks in between my writing bouts. I had started going back to reread my chapters before posting them in the last three or four. I have managed to catch quite a few flubs.
Thank you for your suggestions. Not all 'Guest' reviews are bad. I appreciate any help, as I want to entertain you all the best I can.
Please let me know what ya'll thought.
Again, thanks muches...