And here we go with the repost! I really hope you like how I've expanded it a little (I added over 10k, I think) and changed it from a drabble-fic.

Please note:

This is fiction.

It's not all sunshine and roses.

Edward isn't exactly a nice man.

It's a HEA.

Bella has been to hell and back.

Prologue

I killed the engine of the car, just out of sight from my destination on the edge of town. This was safe enough, considering they were keeping an eye out for me. If I hadn't been so on edge, I wouldn't have forgotten shit. I hated to feel this, despised it.

This was it. As hard as I knew the next few days would be, I just had to keep telling myself it was worth it; everything was worth it. Breathing in until my lungs could fill no more, I thought about what my actions would cost me if tonight went wrong. Who those actions would affect.

I was on edge enough being here unarmed, not one person by my side, but if things went south, I wouldn't be just alone in my suffering. My family, work, and friends could become targets.

Most of them knew what I was up to tonight. They were, after all, behind me one hundred percent, but I was still nervous. That was an emotion I had very little understanding of. On a normal day, I wasn't a man to be scared or intimidated by anything. This, though, was on a whole other level. Too much was at stake.

I knew having her would change everything in my life, but I needed her more than anything else. No matter how much she'd hate and despise me, it would be worth it. She didn't even have a clue I was so close to her, that she was so close to freedom. What will she think of me? The girl didn't even know me, although I knew almost everything about her, from where she received her schooling, to the map of scars on her body. Her likes and dislikes, I knew them all… and she didn't even know my name.

The ice-cold wind made me gasp in shock when exiting the car. I wouldn't mind getting away from the weather, that's for sure. Warmer breezes and the occasional hot day were what I was used to. Not these frigid winds and near-freezing rain.

The robe I'd forgotten earlier was in the boot of the car. I put it in the passenger seat and got back in the car, then drove around the corner to my destination, the nerves hitting a little harder. I'd come too far to back out now. Knowing this didn't stop my thoughts, though. The rest of my life would depend on how tonight played out.

The gravity of the situation hit hard when the mansion came into view.

It was an impressive size building that seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere, but in truth, it was nothing more than a big house on the edge of the city. Pure white in color, it screamed money, and I grinned. I happened to know that the person who owned the place was on the edge of financial ruin.

Money meant nothing if you didn't know how to control it, use it to your advantage. Make it work for you.

I punched in the seven-digit code I'd been given and waited for the compound to open. Once I was let through the wrought iron gates, I pulled up at the front of the building by the black front door. Two men searched me, and the car before I was allowed to go any farther. Within moments the guards gave me the all-clear, then led me into the huge building while I watched another man drive my car away to the garage at the side of the building.

Scanning the interior, it pleased me to see it matched the blueprints I'd memorized just hours before. I also noticed how bitterly cold it was inside, almost as bad as outside. Everything was done in blacks and reds, with heavily lacquered furniture to match. It was clear Ms. Maksimov liked to make things dramatic, that's for sure. The house screamed opulence and expense. Not a fingerprint was in sight, or an object out of place. Including the security cameras.

There were seven in the atrium alone.

No doubt Ms. Maksimov didn't want someone like me hanging around, leaving me hopeful this would be over and done with as soon as possible.

The rules of my purchase had been clear; cash transfer with used notes, and I was not to discuss any of this with anyone. If I grew bored of the girl, I was to return her, with no refund. That was a point Ms. Maksimov had insisted on. If a problem arose, she wanted to be the one who dealt with it. This was the second time the girl had been back under Ms. Maksimov's 'care' - if one could call it that. Third time lucky would be with me, however; because she sure as hell wouldn't be coming back here.

Footsteps drew my attention to Ms. Maksimov walking down the impressive staircase at the end of the atrium. Her red heels clicked in time with the sway of her hips, trying to come across as sexy, I'm sure, but I wasn't fooled. The woman could be dangerous. Just not as dangerous as me. She stopped so close in front of me, I could feel the heat of her body radiating out, her overbearing perfume coating the air. I had to force myself not to grimace when she looked me up and down like a piece of meat.

She wore a pinstripe suit, and her fake blonde hair was up in a tight bun, pulling at her features. It was clear she'd had work done to her face and, of course, her tits, but I knew it was best not to say anything. She kept just as silent as me while she led me to what I assumed to be her "office."

She wanted the transfer done without the beady eyes of her staff watching, for which I was grateful. The less people to see me, the better. I didn't give a shit about anything else as long as I could get the girl and get out of here.

Not being in control was despicable to me, and I hated this simpering excuse for a woman was calling all the shots. Most of all, I hated knowing that when this all went down, it wouldn't be me firing the kill shot.

We managed the exchange swiftly and silently. I handed over the bag filled with cash. Maksimov flipped through the notes, counting them up until satisfied, and then locked the bag in her desk drawer. That done, she led me through the house and to the basement, of all places. When I raised a brow to her, she laughed, and it was chill-worthy.

"Can't let this one escape now, can I?" This time her cackle was haunting.

The woman seemed to be made of pure evil. At least with me, I had morals. I was a nasty bastard, but I drew a line, most times.

"She's given me nothing but hassle from the moment I got her. I debated ending her life, but I need to recoup the money she's cost me, and a dead body isn't worth shit these days. She'll keep you on your toes, that's for sure." The last words came out as a sneer.

"Let's get this over and done with, I want my fun with her," I hissed in return as the key creaked in the lock.

Maksimov pushed open the heavy door and steered me in. "Have all the fun you want. But if you break your toy, you have to bring her back here, even if she's in itty-bitty pieces, or you face the consequences."

"Of course," I growled.

"I'll give you a moment to introduce yourself," she said and stepped out of my way.

I went through another old door, which the bitch shut behind me. The room was ice cold, surprising me the girl hadn't died in here. That she was actually still alive.

Though the room was dark and damp, the small window above the door let in enough light for me to see her. She was bound to a cross at her wrists, elbows, and upper arms. Ankles, knees, and thighs, too. A chain was around her waist in addition to a leather strap around her neck, and a cloth rag around her mouth. The girl's head was bowed down, chin to chest. Her wild hair was dirty, full of knots, and her bare body was clothed in nothing more than flesh-colored knickers and a strapless bra.

Ms. Maksimov was going to die a very painful, slow death for this.

And I would be there to watch every damn second.

Don't judge on what you see. Edward may be a bit of a dick, but when it comes to Bella, he's a totally different man. If you didn't read the story the first time, please give him time to explain. ;)

See you tomorrow!

xx