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We have a wonderful lady, Denise (CoppertopJ) beta this chapter & it made it that

much wonderful. Thanks muches Denise.

CMF

CULLEN-MASEN FAMILY

Chapter 17

E&B POV's

Upon arriving at Bella's warehouse the car barely stops, and I'm out heading for the elevator. Jasper and Emmett come joining me heading for the top floor. I need to find out what the hell happened to Bella, and they better hope she's not hurt in any way.

The elevator stops, I sling the door to the side, and run down to the kitchen where she is sitting at the bar drinking a cup of hot lavender tea. She see's me smiling, and I walk up to her bringing her in my arms. I look for Garrett trying to determine what happened.

Before I can question Garrett, Bella puts her hand on my arm, "Now, before you go ripping him a new ass it was as much my fault as anyone's."

I look at Garrett, and he proceeds to tell me about them going downstairs to take the dogs out for their last time of the night. He then tells me about Bella sending him just a ways down the next warehouse so Cane will take care of business. Apparently, from the time he reached midway of the next warehouse someone had come out of nowhere approaching Bella. They only said...Hello Miss Swan, and then said something to the effect that Edward should beware as it was to easy to get to her.

Before he even has a chance to raise a hand to block the punch, Garrett is laid out on the floor. I was breathing heavily, and looking at Garrett like I was fixing to attack him. I step up grabbing Edward's arm, "No more, this was as much my fault as anyone's. I will not have any fighting over the fact," as she walks over to Garrett looking at his jaw. He is going to have a nice bruise, but he's lucky I didn't put a bullet between his eyes.

A few more people have arrived via the elevator...Cal, my bodyguard, and some other men that had been watching the warehouses.

"Did anyone see this man, or a vehicle?" No one saw anything, and this is so not cool. I tell Sean to call Eric, and get him along with this Damian here right now. I send Jasper, Emmett, Garrett, and some of the other men out to look around the warehouses. Also to check the surrounding area to see if they find any evidence of people hanging around, or a possible place of entry. I want something, now.

I walk over to Bella pulling her in my arms, telling her I will make sure she is protected. That no one else will get to her for even a minute. She wiggles out of my arms walking over making a pot of coffee, and pulling out cups, creamer, and sugar for everyone. She also pulls out a pitcher of sweet tea, and some glasses of ice. The perfect host, and would make a perfect mafia wife.

Let me take care of this mess before I head in that direction. A few men have come back, and apparently they had found a pile of cigarette butts just inside the doorway of the warehouse next to Bella's. They looked around for tire tracks, and a possible escape route, but didn't find anything.

We all gather in the kitchen, and ask Bella if she possibly recognized the man from any place, but nothing. Eric and Damian arrive, and I tell them about the events. I inform them they are to set up surveillance, audio, and visual in Bella's apartment. They will then synchronize everything up with the surveillance equipment in my warehouse across the way.

Bella is just about to put up a fight, but I go to her asking, begging to please let me do everything I can to protect her. I throw some more begging, a lot of pleases, and she crumbles. I explain it is for her protection, and it will also be on all three floors of her warehouse.

There are a few of my men that are also going to help Eric, and Damian with all the wiring, and running of equipment. Bella calls everyone over for coffee, or tea plus she has plates of cookies sat out. I just look at her, smile and shake my head at her. She turns making another pot of coffee, and then looks at me.

"I'm going to go take a quick shower, and change these clothes. I've been working all day, and I'm wearing out in a hurry. You all are welcome to make use of the kitchen, or the living room to continue your discussions." She leans towards me giving me a kiss, and turns leaving the room.

Before anyone can say, or do anything I'm in Garret's face asking him what exactly he saw. He said he never saw the person, except their back as they were leaving. He immediately walked over to Bella pretty much dragging Cane, and pulling everyone into the elevator. He also told me that Bella mentioned he touched her cheek. Fucking bastard.

They are dead, all of them are dead. Touching what is mine. I know right now I need to get a grip on my anger, as she won't want to see it, and it will not help me thinking things through. I step back taking some deep breaths, looking at Garrett acknowledging he at least got the getting her inside the building, and calling me right.

I then decide to move some people around, and pull Alec to guard Bella during the day for a while. I put Garrett on the nighttime guard duty. Let's see if Garrett gets the message about screwing up. He's lucky I didn't kill him.

I stand at the kitchen bar drinking my coffee running things through my head. I got her a gun, got her protection in two shifts, got audio, and visual surveillance coming up. I need to get moved in my apartment across from her as soon as possible. Just as I decide to go take a tour of my apartment Bella comes walking out dressed in some lounge pants, a t-shirt, a sweater, and some flats. She has braided her hair, and wearing it over one shoulder. She looks absolutely beautiful.

I pull her close, and mention going to see the apartment across the way. She said she would love to go, but she would need her wheelchair. I tell her it's not a problem, and arrange for Cal, Sean, and some other men to go with us.

I tell Jasper and Emmett, I want them to go downstairs to the bottom floor to check out where they put the generator for her elevator. I also want them to check if anyone has been hanging around down there. I want it locked up good, and tight. Bella gets her wheelchair from the bedroom, and we head out.

BPOV

Once we enter the elevator, we head up to the top floor. We arrive, and walk out to see what has been done to the place. At first we come upon the living room area. It is very nice, and I do love the flooring they put down. There is a nice big gas fireplace, with a beautiful wood carved mantle. He tells me to wait, and see the one in his bedroom. That his step mother buys this stuff at auctions, and has quite a few in storage.

That's where he will probably put a television. I roll around, and notice the nice long wall going towards the kitchen. That would look nice with a couple of buffets. It is a big painting, and would fill this space nicely.

Edward mentions the bedroom is going to be in black, grey, and white. I look at him, and smile. He wants something with just a touch, a splash of color for his bedroom. I mention I have just the thing. We go into his bedroom, he explains where a gas fireplace will be, with a television hanging over it. He has mirrored doors for his closet, and one wall mirrored in the bathroom. The two paintings I did for Edward will look nice on either side of his fire place.

We go back out towards the kitchen, and he shows me the laundry room. I do like the way everything, even the appliances blend right in. There is also a kitchen pantry waiting to be loaded.

He then takes me down to the second floor via the elevator, and shows me the three bedrooms, and en suites. Then down near the staircase, which I really like, is a lounge area with a television going on the wall. There will also be a small bar, with a mini frig to keep things down here for his help. I believe he mentioned Cal, his bodyguard would be living here in one of the bedrooms, and there was a room specifically full of all kinds of security, and surveillance equipment.

The first floor Edward told me there was still some construction going on. I figured it had something to do with his 'other' business. I didn't push for answers. We all loaded up in the elevator headed for the first floor.

After we got back to my apartment we were trying to decide on dinner. We finally ordered pizza, and some Chinese. Once the food arrived, we all sat down talking, and enjoying each others company. It was nice to learn things about Felix, Alec, Cal, Jasper, Emmett, and more about Edward. It was a very nice evening.

After getting everything cleaned up, we delegated where everyone was going, or staying. Who was keeping a watch, and switching over at a certain time. I left them with the sheets, blankets, and towels for the guest bedroom. I then headed for my bedroom to stretch out, and relax. Edward was apparently very eager to spend the night, and I loved to curl around his warm body.

MEANWHILE, ACROSS TOWN

CPOV

A young man walks in to Caius' apartment, sitting down and commences to tell him how very easy it was to get to Miss Swan. Caius was very pleased, and ordered him to keep a watch on Miss Swan. That at a later date he would want him to capture Miss Swan bringing her to him.

Caius leaves heading towards his uncles house. He walks in their office where Aro, and Marcus are reclining enjoying a mutual glass of scotch discussing the goings' on in their businesses.

"Well, pleasure seeing you, nephew. What brings you to our home? Problems?" Aro say's sarcastically.

"Actually Uncle Aro, I have had a few problems, but I am working it out. I believe once I obtain a very valuable commodity I will garner some much wanted attention..."

"What, the attention of the Cullen-Masen Family? I believe you've captured enough of their attention, Caius. You need to leave well enough alone. They have made it very clear they have no interest in joining us in our interests. Your only gathering the interest of the police, and when they come around here I am sending them to you, directly."

"You do that uncle, and I will become a well of information about you, and your operations. So, please send them to me, but your best option would be to help me out."

Aro and Marcus look at each other, and then tell Caius to tell them just exactly what he has been up too. He explains his venture into bringing drugs from their interests overseas, to expressing an interest to the Chinese about Cullen-Masen importing their drugs, obtaining information to when they are coming in, and the buying of warehouses in out of the way places to bring in humans for their human trafficking industry.

Caius tells them about this past weekend where the coast guard, and FBI had been called in to his human drop off sites. The drug dealers they had struck up deals with turning them away, and the fires at the rest of his vacant warehouses. This past weekend has been a huge bust for Caius, and his uncles sit shaking their heads at him.

Caius goes further telling them about the threats made to the women, and children of the Cullen-Masen family. Also, about the person who got so close to Miss Swan, who is Edward's female interest. Miss Swan is also The Swan, known painter of collectible art pieces.

This seem to garner their attention, as they wanted more information about following her around, her residence, and how he was able to get so close to her.

Oh yes, Caius could see the interest light up in their eyes when he mentioned his capabilities at getting so close to Miss Swan. He just might be able to get them to join him in his pursuit of either striking a deal joining forces with the Cullen-Masen Family, or by garnering their attention when they capture Miss Swan.

I rather like the second option. Miss Swan was very beautiful, even being slightly disabled. This only made it easier to obtain her as his captive. I rather liked the idea...very much.

So, Caius, and his uncles sit discussing trying to arrange a meeting with the Cullen-Masen family. They might have had a change of mind, and I personally doubt they will want to do business with us. Not until I have Miss Swan in my hands. I will let them arrange their meeting, but I will go about obtaining a most valuable commodity from them.

Then, let's see how quickly they bend to our will. We will see how very valuable an asset she is to them.

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Alright people, I know this might seem a little short, but we got quite a lot fixing to happen. I just needed to set a few things up so they could.

Now, please let me know what ya'll thought. I might be hard pressed to getting another chapter out a.s.a.p..

Don't forget to check out the group page for new pics.

Thanks muches...