Yeah so I said that I wouldn't keep you guys waiting too long, but I just couldn't rush this chapter. There are a lot of moving parts in this one, but hope the content will make up for the wait…
Chapter 11: Look What the Cat Dragged in
A big, muscular guy comes crawling in with a swollen, bloodied face. He keels over on his side in the middle of the floor, clutching his ribs, coughing like the wind has just been knocked out of him.
The funny thing about it, everybody is frozen. Nobody moves a muscle, or speaks a word. The pool table is as still as the couple wielding the sticks. Anita's back is pin straight, while her ass rests in a stool. Embry's hands are stuck on the beer taps.
It's like the man on the floor is the only one breathing in the entire bar. Nobody rushes to help him. Nobody says a word. He's just there, bleeding on the tattered, wooden floor. He came crashing in, out of nowhere.
Only my eyes can move to aid the oozing man. I'm as stiff as a statue. Don't you all see him? Do any of you know who he is? Where did he come from? Who did this to him?
It's only been a second, but it feels like eons pass before heavy footing sounds from the door, and the mood changes to something serious. That unmistakable darkness has come inside, like rain falling under an umbrella. The elements don't fit. The blinding light and the warm, turbulent clouds clash.
"What part of do not step foot on our land, don't you all understand? Are you all fucking with me? Do I look like someone to fuck with?" Jacob's low, grave tone careens around the room and right though our ears. He and his brother have landed in the middle of tumbleweed silence.
Everyone is at a loss for words as we stare at the two domineering figures in the dank lamp lighting. Their hooded eyes are almost completely enveloped in the shadows, deep set in the gloom. If I didn't know Jake, I'd say they had no eyes at all.
"We can end the treaty right now." Sam's hard, booming voice leaves a pang in my chest. I lean back in Edwards arms, allowing my hair to fall forward, hoping to become a part of the grey, contouring Edwards vivid figure.
Judgement has come and I've committed sin by association. Jacob's wiping his bloody hands with a cobalt colored cloth. He must've been the one to deliver the damaging blows. He must've been the one to inflict pain. And I wait with bated breath for him to turn and peek behind the grey, take a closer look at the room, see my indiscretion.
The guy on the floor crawls toward our table as if to point me out in a room full of onlookers. His moans of pain sound more like a whistling signal, a bell that won't stop ringing. 'Where's Waldo … here's Waldo ...I found Waldo …'
I move to get up and slither to the back, but "Aht, aht. The safest place for you to be is right here." Edward's whispering lips touch the hollow point behind my ear, the same time Jacob's eyes meet mine.
His whisper was too loud, my movement too abrupt. Everything is deafening in this moment. I feel like one of those beached sailboats. The high tide has run low and one side of me is exposed to the still air, the other side drowning under Edward's embrace. My hull looks like a glacier carved a chunk out of my dignity.
Jacob's blood stained hands freeze. His violent cleaning comes to a halt as we stare at each other. His eyes narrow before he drops his head and takes a deep exhale. When he looks up again, he doesn't seem shocked or angry. It's like he's looking right through me, not at me. His hands resume their task, this time shaking, like violent tremors. It's like he can't seem to recognize me or my plea.
I try to regain his attention. I try to redraw the contact to let him know; it was a mistake. I didn't know. I promise I didn't know. It's a mistake. I haven't betrayed you. How could you expect me to know? I'm only doing what I was told. I'm just carrying out a favor.
"I see Emmett was dumb enough to get caught on the other side of the boundary line." Edward peers over the table and I'm forced to lean with him, into him.
I feel his hard chest press into my curved shoulder, his arm tightening around my waist. My chest is completely open for him to take a peek through the jumbled gap in my shirt. My discomfort is completely overridden by the scene unfolding before me. What good is my chest, if my head has been lopped off of my body.
I look up from Emmett's tired mass to Jacob's threatening expression. His hands are still shaking with fury, but the rest of him is quite calm.
Edward is giving more attention to my gaping blouse than the bloodbath. He light heartedly chuckles at my terrified expression. And I breathe a sigh of relief as he brings us back upright into the chair.
"Yeah it seems your family has a problem with being told no." Jacob grounds out the words through closed lips.
"It's really not a matter of being told no. It's just common sense. My brother biting dust is of no concern to me. Serves him right. He acted on his own accord. He knew the risks. No one in their right mind would cross that border." Edward's eyes trail down my chest, as he spreads his palms out along my side and back.
He even takes it further by wrapping my arm around his shoulder. I'm even closer to his evenly beating heart. His expression tells me there's no need to worry, but he's just made things so much worse.
Sam takes a step further into the bar motioning for a shot from Embry. "Let this serve as a clear warning. The next time we catch one of you on our lands, your ashes will be scattered there. Your brother-"
"On his own volition, I might add, decides to live his life on the edge… I hope this beating shows a sign of good faith on our part. My father has made it clear to all of us what would happen if we broke the rules."
The air is feeling more forceful and tense by the minute and Edward's offhand responses aren't being taken too well.
Eyes are moving around the room, waiting for someone to make a move.
"Please boys, let's all calm down and have a drink. Did everybody bring a pen? I've got a few if anyone forgot theirs. I thought of some new ways to make things right if-" Anita's voice trails off as her attempt to mediate is ignored.
Neither Jacob nor Sam move to take a seat across from me and Edward. It does not look like anyone came here to talk or compromise.
"Ok then we should at least get this poor baby off the cold, hard floor." Anita scurries over to Emmett and tries to pull him by his shoulders to the old, bony couch along the wall. He cries out in excruciating pain before he coughs up more blood.
Edwards exasperated eyes roll before his huff ends with a demand towards the unsightly struggle. "Leave him on the fucking floor so we can talk business!" The crack in Edward's easy demeanor feels like a break in the tide as his hair moves out of place.
"Yeah, sign on the dotted line and get the hell out of town." Sam leans on the bar for support before he passes a fat envelope to Embry.
It's so much going on I can't keep up. I'm getting light headed and antsy. Edward has me trapped in the middle of a cesspool. He's stuck to me like lent on Velcro. There is no getting up and leaving. I'm being forced to bear the stress as well.
"If only those were the terms we agreed to. You all own the liquor license. We own the bar. Our fathers split it down the middle for a reason. I came here to renew the treaty on my father's behalf. I understand you were told to do the same." Edward's tight lipped reply feels like a death wish.
"Do you see our fathers here?" Jacob's hard rebuttal almost makes the weakly cordial conversation turn sour.
"Anita doesn't have a problem with me owning this property. I'm very interested in why it's of interest to you, decades later. Is there something I should be aware of?" Edward's face turns hard and murderous. I can feel the tendons tense and tighten in his neck.
"The only thing you need to be aware of is the part where we said sign over the deed or there won't be a liquor license to run this shit hole." The strong suggestion comes from Sam pushing off of the bar, watching me with an amused sideways glance. He enjoys watching me quake.
"Hey, this is my bar we're talking about, Sam! Come on, you know me. You know how much this place means to me. Your guys come here all the time. You run shit out the back, no questions asked. Gimme a break here." Anita scuffs the heel of her boot, nearly slipping on a streak of Emmett's blood. "Goddammit, Emmett!"
The bludgeoned brother rolls over to his back with a muted thud. His chest moving up and down in labored breaths, smudges of blood swirling on the wood panels as he scoots further back towards the blond guy. He parts his swollen lips to utter, "Shit, my bad."
"If there's one thing I know, it's that I hate when others try to strong arm me into an agreement." Edward's head flops to the side with a daring tone.
Sam walks past Jacob to smack a stack of papers on our table. "I know one thing, you better sign this fucking deed before Embry finishes pouring my next shot." The force of the papers blow whispers of my hair back.
I look over to see Embry calmly smoking a homemade cigarette, pouring deep brown liquor into a glass. For some reason he seems calmer now that the Wolves are here. His movements are steady and relaxed. He's the only one comfortable enough to cruise around the bar.
"Our family owns the fishing vessels, your family owns the fishing trade. Our family owns properties, your family owns the licensing. We have no intentions on selling the properties we own. Everything will remain in balance. I thought I made that very clear upon our arrival." The blond at the pool table raises his voice above Sam's roaring voice at our table.
Jacob pushes up his sleeves and continues to slowly wipe off traces of blood. "Our problem is that the sole condition to the Cullen family holding ownership, is that we never have to see your faces. So why the hell are we breathing the same air?"
Edward raises a hand to ward off the pugnacious couple at the pool tables. The longhaired blond has a deathgrip on his pool stick, while the pixie looks like she's ready to pounce.
Edward leans his head on my shoulder before lazily answering, "We've been hearing things, hearing things we don't like. And the terms state that we must live on the other side of the boundary line. It says nothing about living in Forks, albeit we're still residing out of town, technically. We have not broken any rules. We've been over this."
"Now how do we know you haven't made a call to Denali." Sam takes a look around, watching all the Cullens' reactions. If his statement is supposed to garner a reaction, it falls short.
"What exactly would I tell them? Besides, I'm not interested in cutting in a third party. We've been here, settled for a nice drink, discussing how you all will continue to mind your own business. I'd hardly call this an irreconcilable difference. Besides, that's unnecessary. I don't make empty threats . When I want something, I take it. End of discussion."
False sugar coated words cut the tension, "Edward, please. You promised to make things work for both families." Anita must have gotten everyone here under false pretenses. I see she has a habit of doing that, making things sound better than what they are.
"Quite frankly we don't give a fuck about the Wolf Kings. We don't need reinforcements. We're not signing any fucking deeds. As long as we're here, this is our territory. I'm wrapped up in the most beautiful woman in town right now and you're trying to ruin it. I own this bar. I own this town." All the tension in my body should be flowing through Edward, but it's not. It's like he's resistant to everything in the room.
"You don't own shit that we don't let you own. If we want to reach out and touch you, we can. Especially when you don't know who you've been wrapped up in. You better watch your step. You are holding what belongs to me." Jacob looks Edward dead in the eyes and gives him the most diabolical stare.
Without looking away, Jacob lightly instructs, "Bella, go get in the truck."
"Jake."
He finally looks at me, his face smooth with softened eyes. "Go ahead. It's unlocked."
"Ah, how could I be so blind. Bella, the honey trap. Not that knowing would have made a difference." Edward looks up at me with beaming ardent eyes. He gives me the most shockingly innocent, sweet smile before murmuring, "It was nice meeting you, Bella."
I gently unfold Edward's arms and turn to leave without looking back.
I walk outside and feel cold air assault my throat. If I thought I was falling down the rabbit hole, Jake just pushed me toward the exit. My numb legs guide me to the passenger side of his Range Rover. And sure enough, it's unlocked.
Sitting on the smooth, black leather feels like I've got a first class ticket to the netherworld. My fingers brush against the shiny buttons and knobs. And there's that unfamiliar incense aroma permeating the entire interior. I take a deep inhale, thinking about this smell, the pleasant smell of Jake. The Jake I just saw wipe the fetor of blood from his hands.
I jump at the sound of the driver's door opening. The cold has been invited in.
Jacob takes off his sweater and tosses it in my lap. "Here, put this on." He's left with a thin white t-shirt, tattoos bathing in the crisp air. Chill bumps raise against my skin.
"I'm fine, I can handle a little chill." I can handle my punishment. "Did you forget I'm from Forks?"
"Nah, but I got a feeling you can't handle those men in there." He looks deep into my eyes, challenging me to disagree.
The deceivingly light sweater feels like a space heater. The natural hues of the yarn and embroidered patterns are beautiful. It feels so warm and cozy poking my arms through the sleeves.
"I thought you said you don't party." I can barely hear his voice over the radio when he pushes the start button ignition.
"I don't. I'm not partying, I'm working."
He jerks the truck into reverse and pulls out of the parking lot.
"Where are we going?" My head whips around the lot searching for a hint of what I missed.
"I'm driving you home." His hands white knuckle the steering wheel.
"Wait, I drove my pick-up here. I have to get my stuff from behind the bar." My rising voice shaking and stirring with the truck's frame.
"Well, you can't drive home when you've been drinking."
We ride the rest of the way in silence. And just like in the diner, I can see him fighting with himself. So many emotions flit across his face until he cuts the engine in front of my home. The deaf ringing silence inside the car feels embarrassing and revealing.
"Let me see your hands." His short diction makes the moment feel unpredictable.
"Why?" Is this like in the movies where they cut your fingers off for going against the family?
He reaches out and catches my wrist between his hands. "Good, no bar rot." He rubs small circles over my hands and warms my fingertips. "Look, you can't work there anymore."
"Well, it's not up to you. Anita has been helping me out since my hours were cut at the diner."
"It's not up to Anita. You can't work there anymore. I don't wanna see you in there, period. No visiting, no partying, no working."
"Who do you think you are? You don't own me."
"No, but I practically own the bar. Bella, it's too dangerous. You're in over your head. This life isn't for you. You're always staring off like you're looking for a way out. This aint it. This is how you get caught up, trust me."
"I've been taking care of myself for a long time. I've been looking out for myself for a long time. I was just doing a favor for Anita tonight that's all. She's a family friend."
He shakes his head slowly back and forth. Bella, do you really think Anita or Edward were just going to let you go home tonight? What if I hadn't showed up? Did you even know who you were there to entertain? You don't know Anita like I do. You damn sure don't know who the Cullens are. And what the hell do you have on? Did Anita tell you to wear that?"
"It was a favor. I was only supposed to serve drinks and act nice. She said her bar depended on it."
"Wake up, Bella. Everybody you know doesn't mean you well. Everyone isn't here to help you, even when they say they are. When I saw you sitting on his lap, I almost lost it. This is what I meant when I said you don't want to get caught up with someone like me. My world leaves no room for weakness and slip-ups. Now, everyone knows I'm involved with you. "
"Fuck you. You're not my dad. I told you why I was there. I had no idea what was going on. I still don't. And as far as getting caught up with you, I think it's a bit late for that." I'm not stupid. I know what I want. I told you. I showed you what I want. I rip the car door open and slam it behind me as hard as I can. Jake surreptitiously follows me inside up the weathered porch and inside.
His hand grabs me by the back of the neck and turns me around to face him, eye to eye. "Don't let any other man touch you. I can't take it." He touches his forehead to mine and I slowly tilt my chin to reach his lips. I slowly kiss him, my tongue begging for entrance, waiting for his arms to hold me.
"Are you mad at me?" I whisper into his mouth, his bottom lip still between mine.
"No, I was never mad at you."
Do you forgive me? "I didn't want him to touch me. I only want you. It only feels right with you." I only crave you. I'm only soft for you. I only bend for you. My arms snake around his neck like locking pliers.
"Bella, don't tempt me. I'm still on edge. I'm not in control yet." His frenzied eyes send electricity to my core, opening up the dam.
"That's part of you." The malevolent aura that builds your vibe. "You keep trying to hide it, but I like it."
His arms finally find my waist and melt my entire body into him. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." I wrap my legs around his hips as he walks us further into the house, lights out, pitch black, and surrounded in his warmth. It's just how I like it on the take down to pleasure.
I really want to know what you guys think about the story so far. I want to give you guys a real plot/storyline lol. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. All of your comments from the last update really helped me write this one. If I held on to this chapter till Saturday, I'd just keep editing and rewriting and overthinking… Anyway I don't want to bore you guys w/details you don't want to read about… Was this meet up what you expected?