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CMF

CULLEN-MASEN FAMILY

Chapter 19

As we sat waiting for Shawn and James to bring Paul back, my mind went back over the things Randall had told us. I just don't know how he does it, but he can come in with information none of my other men are able to obtain.

I look up, and tell everyone to go into the kitchen to take a break before they get back. I then turn to Randall asking him if he would like some coffee, or something to eat. We end up getting Mrs. Stanley to bring us in some coffee, and her famous coffee cake. We sit around talking about everything, and nothing. I finally get around to asking him how he is able to get this information no one else can. He jokingly say's if he tells me, he'd have to kill me. But, truthly he is like a ghost. He is able to get into places with no one noticing him, and hears all kinds of stuff.

I tell him I need to see if he can get close to the Calabrese family, and see what he can pick up in the way of information. This threat to the women, especially Bella has got me close to unhinged. He says he will do everything he can to gather more information, and ask to leave once this meeting is over so he can see what else he can uncover.

Everyone starts to drift back into the office, and just as everyone gets seated Shawn, and James walk in with Paul who doesn't look to happy about being here, but that's just tough. He will answer my questions, or not leave this office alive.

I motion for Emmett to move, and then tell Paul to have a seat. Shawn, and James stand on either side of him in the chair with Emmett behind him. "Paul, glad you could come in. I have some questions I need answered concerning information that has been uncovered in this meeting."

"Sure Boss. Anything I can help you with...you know that," Paul replies nervously. His eyes are darting everywhere in the room, noticing the different people gathered.

"Now, it seems we are fixing to have some kind of trouble from the Calabrese family. They are wanting to bring us in on some drug deals, and get us involved with their human trafficking. They are wanting to expand into our territory, and I just don't see it happening in either case."

"Well, no Boss. I had heard of the possibility of some new drugs, but not who they might come from. As for the human trafficking...I know how the Cullen-Masen family feels about that venture, and I totally agree."

"Good to hear. I have also heard there is a new member of the Calabrese family, and they are very close to Caius. Almost like a growth on his side, so do you know anything about this person, Paul?" sounding inquisitive, but watching every muscle in his face. His eyes kind of roaming around, not really looking at any one person, and he has a questionable look on his face. "Do you know of this person, Paul? I want to know..." waiting for his reply. "Don't make me ask you again, Paul. The result will not be favorable for you if I do."

He sits up straighter looking at me. "Boss, I have no idea. Am I suppose to know who it is? I can put some feelers out...see what info I can come up..."

"Never mind, Paul. We already know who it is. You do know your brother quit working for Bella, right?"

"Yes, I know she is suppose to have let him go for no good reason. He got very upset, and even tried to talk to her."

"Yes, he went in talking, accusing her of all kinds of things, and left very mad. He was upset about her dating me. He was acting as if he was upset she didn't choose him over me, or at least that's my impression. Now, the problem is, Paul, he has gone to work for Caius Calabrese. THIS is his new 'buddy', new 'informant', new growth to his side. Would you care to tell me..."

"No way. There is no way he would turn a traitor. Who the hell told you a damn lie about him?" as he tries to stand Shawn, and James clamp down on his shoulders making him stay seated.

"First of all, they are not lies, and I was told by a very reliable source. If need be, I can get surveillance pictures to confirm..." just as Randall hands some pictures to Edward. Paul shoots him a snarly look.

Edward slams his fist down on his desk, "Eyes on me, Paul. You got a problem how I obtain information, bring it to me. I asked for this..." as Edward looks down at the pictures. He then throws them at Paul, "Care to explain. There better be a damn good reason for this. He came to you to work for us, but apparently you turned him away. Care to explain that?" as he paces back, and forth behind his desk. "I'M WAITING, PAUL. SOME KIND OF GOOD GOD DAMN EXPLANATION. RIGHT THE FUCK NOW," slamming his fists down on his desk again.

"You know what, there is no explanation for this kind of lack in loyalty to this family. I'll not stand by, and watch it continue on. I want Seth brought in to be questioned as soon as possible, by any means possible."

"NO, I won't allow you to torture my brother. I'll not..."

"Not what Paul? How are you going to stop me. Get him out of my office right now. Take him to one of our holding areas. He's not to be harmed. I want his brother brought in NOW. Somebody better get on the damn ball. James, you and Shawn keep Paul company until this matter has been handled. Sean, let's do some rearranging of some more able bodied men putting them in place to guard the women. If need be, bring more men in from up and down the coast."

"Laurent, I want some pits readied. If you need to put a feeler out to obtain a massive supply of snakes of the deadly variety, then do it. We'll probably end up putting them in the new pits I got under construction at my new warehouse. Sound good?"

"You got it, Boss. I'll have a major bunch of them by tomorrow night. Is that soon enough?"

"Very soon enough. I'm damn tired of playing. This shit is fixing to end."

"Now, Jasper, Emmett, I need you to set us up some different rooms in one of our out of the way warehouses, with lots of equipment of the torturing kind available. I'm kind of wired up for some fun. Collaborate with Laurent, as I want this place to come equipped with the pits he's going to need."

"Now Sean, I just thought of a few men I'd like brought into this guard detail. Find Liam Hensley, Ant Milton, and Vid Jammyal. Tell them to get here as soon as possible. I want them...I want Ant, and Liam on Bella's guard duty. Put one on nights, and the other on days...inside her apartment, preferably Ant. I want Vid put on detail with my step mother, along with Alistair. Bring in a few more to put one more on each of the other women."

"Now, I need a fucking break until they bring me Seth. I think I'm going over to my new apartment, and then maybe to see Bella. I need to fill her in on what I've learned so there are no surprises. I don't want him just walking in there to see her not made aware. Call me when they get a hold of Seth, alright?"

I get up slipping on a leather jacket, and Cal follows me outside. We climb into my car, and head over to the warehouse. Today I'm driving my Mercedes EV Concept car, and yes, I know concept means it's supposedly one of a kind, and just a model that never made it to the assembly lines. They did make a very limited number of them, and I own one of those. It's an alright car, but not like my Aston-Martin, or even the Mercedes Guardian. It doesn't even come close to the SUV Cadillac I bought to take Bella around.

It is kind of fast, and I like it for it's speed. Anyway, I am dreading telling Bella about Seth. It is not going to go over well with her, his being a traitor, or getting involved with this business. What am I suppose to do! I had no idea he would take up wanting to either work for his brother, or for me. Probably not me directly, but in some position.

Here we are, finally. Looks as if they are working overtime on the fortress, and vault. I liked the idea of incorporating all of it together. A storage area, an interrogation area, a disposal area, and a cleaning area of all evidence. Also, a couple of pits for lots of snakes to use in our interrogations. I like how it's going to turn out. I need to see how much they have done, and how much longer it's going to be until it's complete.

We get on the elevator, which looks as if it has also been redone. We arrive on the top floor, and walk out into the apartment. As we pass through the rooms, I am blown away. Woah, a painting by my baby. Dang, it's beautiful, and pulls all the colors of these rooms together. Absolutely beautiful. Cal likes it even, and that's saying a lot. LOL

We walk through to the kitchen, which is done in stainless steel, grey, and white granite counter tops. I do like it. Lots of space for storage, working area, and multiple cooking areas. Yes, very nice. We also have a pantry that works into the laundry room, that is also done in grey's. I like very much.

We walk into what is my office, that has a gas fireplace, and looks like a load of antiques. The desk is marvelous, and leather chairs. I like very much.

We then move into the bedroom, and I just about fell in the floor. My Bella has done two more paintings, with just a splash of red to them. The rest of the bedroom is done in black, grey, and white. The closet doors are mirrored, and there is a gas fireplace in here, too.

I check out the bathroom, which is also done in grey, with a glassed in shower, and one wall covered with mirrors. Again, I like this very much. We move out down the hall, and find an entertainment home theater room, with seating for nine people. A wall of shelving for movies, and refrigeration, and a small bar at the back of the room.

We then go downstairs via the stairway I had installed. I do believe Bella will be able to descend these on good days. I will look into installing an elevator like hers some where back near the laundry room. We come upon the sitting area for the second floor, and for the employees to use. There is a television mounted, and a small bar with refrigeration for drinks.

We check out each bedroom, and bathroom. Cal picks out the first one for his, and is very happy with it. I tell him to bring his stuff on over, as of this weekend I will be living here. I tell him of my plans to have Bella over for the entire weekend, to show her the apartment.

We head back upstairs, and I go back into the laundry room to check out one more thing. Inside there is a panel beside the washer/dryer that leads to a panic room. No one can enter without a code. Inside there is a room with a small cot, a chair, small refrigerator, and a composting toilet behind a partition. There was also a landline telephone linked to the security surveillance room.

Everything was stocked, except for everything needed in the kitchen. Carrie had gotten all the basic stuff, such as sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, cleaning products, but had not stocked the kitchen. I think she was going to leave it to me. I would see if Bella felt like going shopping later.

There wasn't anything here even to drink, so off we go to see Bella. I ask Cal if he would take the car back, and pick up the SUV, so we could go shopping, and have room to bring stuff back. I told him there was security at Bella's, and we would be fine until he got back.

Once I got in the elevator headed to the top floor, Cal left, but when I arrived no one was here. I went down to the second floor, and found her hard at doing nothing for a change.

They were sitting around drinking coffee, and just talking. But, what was most disturbing was Seth was sitting there with Bella being all sociable. I was not putting Bella in danger, so I walked over saying 'hello' to everyone. I sat down next to Bella taking her hand.

I greeted everyone, and finally turned to Seth. I asked him how he was doing, and he proceeded to tell me about his schooling, and he had gotten a job at an art supply store. That was the reason he had come by, was to see if she was in the market for some supplies, and to look at the company he works for. I just continued to look at him, squinting at him, and I think he finally got the message.

I looked at Felix, and Alec nodding at them, as I had not had a chance to tell them about Seth. I had their attention, and I then turned to Seth, "Did you tell Bella about your other job?"

At this point he looked to be in a slight panic, but he said, "No, I've not gotten around to telling her about that one...yet. Bella, I have another job working with a Caius Calabrese. He has told me quite a bit about this man, Edward sitting beside you. About how he is the boss of the Cullen-Masen Family. The mafia family controlling all the illegal things on the west coast. Has he told you about it? Do you know he's a murderer? But yet you continue to have something to do with him. You make me sick. I thought you were better than that. My mistake," he say's as he stands up. He turns starting to head out, but I motion for Felix, and Alec to detain him.

I call Sean asking him to send someone over to Bella's to pick Seth up. He is pitching a fit, and saying all kinds of stuff to Bella. About the things Caius has planned to do to her. About how he hopes he does all those things, and she pays for turning her back on him.

Bella is sitting there with her mouth hanging open, not believing the things he is saying. I look at her, asking her if she is alright. She just looks at me, shaking her head. "What in the name of god is wrong with him? Is he on drugs, or something? I've never done anything to him, except tried to help him with his schooling. I tried to be his friend, but apparently he wanted more. What the hell, Edward?"

"I don't know sweet heart, but I plan to take him somewhere to question him. I have his brother, Paul also. He's also made threats if I pursue Seth. Well, I guess we'll see how things go down. I don't know what else to do. They have made further threats to you, especially you, and the women in this family. I have got another two people coming over to guard you. They will be here with you, wherever you are. One of them is named Ant Milton, which will be here during the day. Also Liam Hemsley during the night. They are very nice men, but proficient in the use of any type of weapon. Ant is also into martial arts. They should be here no later than tomorrow."

"Which brings me to something I found earlier. There is the matter of the beautiful painting in my living room, but the surprise was the two in my bedroom. Love, they are magnificent. Absolutely beautiful. What are they titled? I know you named them."

"Well, one is titled Work, and the other is More Work. Did you really like them?" looking all demure. I just wanted to eat her up. I pulled her closer, lifting her face, and proceed to kiss her with all I got.

"I plan on showing you this weekend just how much I love those paintings. Now, I've got to go take care of a few things...Seth and Paul being a couple of them. Uhhhh uhhh, now just let me handle this, alright? Whatever happens happens, love. I'm sorry you had to have seen any of this. It was just a misfortune on his part. I'll call you later, alright? I love you, my Bella," leaning down kissing me again.

"I love you, Edward. Please be safe, and call me later."

They sent Jasper and Emmett to help transport Seth. Cal has just gotten back, and we load Seth into the van Jasper and Emmett came over in. Cal, and I follow them in the SUV.

They managed to find one of the older warehouses that still has some rooms, a pit, and electricity. This is where we were headed. They had gotten in touch with Laurent, and everyone else. Jasper and Emmett had a load of equipment in the back of their vehicle. They also had a couple men bringing some more since we knew where we were going.

I was ready...more than ready. Let it begin...

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Now, I really hated to end this right here, but it was getting to long for me. I know you would have been happy with it being a couple chapters combined, but now I know you'll be back to read the next one. Going to be interesting, I promise. Blood, guts, & Sssssssssss...you know I love the use of the snakes. It's Edward's hobby...what can I say.

Now, let me know what ya'll thought.

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

Thanks muches...