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Chapter 5

Edward didn't break stride as he jogged up the stairs of the city's Town Hall building. Emmett and Laurent flanked him as he pushed through the double doors and purposefully turned toward the elevator. Pulling the wool trench from his shoulders, he handed it off to Laurent, ignoring the wide-eyed stares that floated in his direction. The people waiting for the elevator car spied him with curiosity, and without any prompting, they stepped back for the King.

Edward cut in front of a group of businessmen like a man who knew he owned the town, which was pretty accurate because, figuratively speaking, he did. As soon as the doors parted, Edward stepped inside with Emmett and Laurent on his tail.

When the elevator reached the floor Edward was seeking, his small party strode toward Mayor Henry's office, and without even checking in with the receptionist, they barged in through the solid oak doors, coming to stand before his desk.

A smirk played across Edward's lips as his gaze connected with the dinosaur sitting in the swivel chair. The thought of the woman holed up in his guest room sharing a bed with this fossil caused his stomach to go sour. "Henry, long time, no see."

"Cullen, I wasn't expecting you until around four," Henry stated meaningfully. Dropping the pen he held, Henry turned his attention to more pressing matters. Two days ago, Swan had informed him, Cullen had taken Bella captive. She was a prime piece of flesh, and he was unwilling to allow this mongrel to taint his soon-to-be bride. "You're early."

"You get me, when you get me," Edward glared down at the fool, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I only work on my schedule, Winthrop. You of all the people in this town should know that."

"Let's cut to the chase, Cullen," Winthrop stated, sitting back in his seat, his gaze darted to the goons flanking the known mafia lord. If it were possible to turn the Cullens in for their dealing without jeopardizing his standing, Henry would do it in a heartbeat, as faint as they might be these days, he decided. "You have something that belongs to me. Swan says you are refusing to release my fiancé until you receive payment of the debt he owes you."

Edward's molars ground together as his gaze willed the old coot to croak where he sat. If it weren't for the security the mayor provided him and his family, Edward would've shot him where he sat. However, the problem with killing the bastard was that Winthrop would be replaced, and God only knew who would take his seat. The last thing Edward needed riding his damn coattails was a politician out to make a name for himself.

Edward's eyebrows rose, the only indication from his stance that he'd actually digested the mayor's statement. "Swan owes me a helluva lot of money. I'd be a shitty businessman if I just let my collateral walk out the front door. That's not how I operate."

"You are putting me directly in the middle of your dispute with Swan, and let me tell you, Cullen, I don't appreciate being pulled into a feud that has nothing to do with me. Now, I am under obligation to pay Swan's debt to obtain what is rightfully mine."

"You are one sick bastard," Edward glared through shards of indigo ice. "You are talking about buying a human being like she was a thoroughbred. How does that even seem plausible? I didn't put you in the middle of shit, Winthrop. Swan did that shit when he offered you his daughter for purchase."

"Money is money, and assets are assets," Henry shrugged, licking his lips as the thought of Isabella's sweet flesh on his tongue played through his mind. "Let's just say; I consider Miss Swan quite the asset. And I need her back as soon as possible."

Edward's gut flopped as Winthrop's intentions became clear. He could see the hunger etched in the other man's face, and his nostrils flared as he attempted to withhold the anger thundering through him. Despite the distaste curdling his blood, Edward's chin lifted with arrogance. "You will see her when I get the five hundred grand Swan owes me and not a moment sooner."

"One of these days, Cullen, I am going to watch that empire crumble at your feet. I promise before they put me in the ground, I will be there to see your castle wither to nothingness, and the only thing people will remember about you is that you were a King who lost his kingdom."

Edward didn't miss a beat in his hasty response, and his upper lip curled in a snarl. "The day that happens, Mayor, and your squeaky clean reputation will go with my kingdom. Me and everyone you have corrupt dealings with will get in front of a camera and tell the whole world what you are. That I promise you."

The mayor huffed as he fidgeted in his seat. The son of Carlisle was not a man to mess with because he meant every word he spewed from his demonic mouth. He had learned that the hard way when Edward had personally thrown his secretary into the Mississippi. Of course, Henry couldn't prove it. That was the problem with the Missouri Kings—there was never any proof.

Seeing little option to him, Henry leaned forward in his seat and pointed a crooked finger. "Just make sure Isabella is intact. I am not paying for used goods. As I told Swan, it will take me some time to come up with that type of loot without drawing attention. I want all of her—if you get my drift."

"I'm not a rapist, and I'd cut the cock off of any man that dares to touch that woman. Hell," Edward began, considering the mayor through a narrowed gaze. He continued, "I would love to cut yours off. I mean, if you were even thinking about touching my daughter, I'd flay your fucking nuts, and I would make sure to do it while you were alive."

Edward was more than pleased when Winthrop's eyelashes fluttered at the thought. Promptly, Edward turned and signaled for his men to follow suit. "You have until the end of the month. After that, all bets are off, and I might send you pieces of your lovely fiancé."

Edward draped his trench over the back seat of the Silverado before climbing into the passenger seat next to Emmett. "Head over to Caruthersville. I have to see a man wanting a loan. Said something about a sure win, and I definitely want in on that action."

"I think we are up to our ears in action, Edward. You keep making shitty deals with people who cannot fulfill their obligations." Emmett started the truck and turned it toward the highway. The casinos were just a jaunt away—thirty minutes max, yet all of Edward's business was just small drives around the surrounding area. By the time Emmett finished carting him around, sometimes there wasn't any daylight left. "That's not smart business sense. It is very ignorant ac—-."

"Are you really calling me stupid," Edward wanted to know, his blood pressure rising as his temper soared. Slapping the center console of the seat, he glared over at Emmett. "Do you have any idea how many houses and other property I have accumulated from my ignorance?"

"Not exactly …"

"That's right," Edward acknowledged; propping his elbow on the door, he nibbled his thumbnail. "So, shut the fuck up and drive the truck. I made more money last year than you could fucking spend. Not that Alice doesn't give it a shot."

Thankfully, silence ensued for several long minutes. Edward's tired eyes watched the blur of trees beginning to bud. It was a finicky time of year. One minute there was a brisk, chilly wind, and the next, the sun would burn a hole straight through one's jacket. Edward's mind wasn't on the weather or the rise and fall of temperature; rather, his mind was preoccupied with his rascal of a prisoner.

There was no telling what that hellcat was up to. All he could think about was the way she'd boldly stared him in the eye and slapped that fucking soap dish against the window. She had more balls than men three times her size. While a part of him was fascinated by her tenacity, the bigger part was highly annoyed and pissed. The sooner someone gave him his money, and he watched Isabella walk out of his house, the better. Since she'd stumbled into his life, Isabella had turned his peaceful existence into a thing of the past.

Now, he was practically at war with everyone in his fucking house. More than once, Edward had to battle different siblings over reasons for keeping Miss Swan locked in her room.

Even while these were all reasons to say a quick goodbye to the woman upstairs, a wiggle of something weaseled its way into his soul as the Mayor came to mind. His gut clenched at the thought of Winthrop touching Isabella. Perhaps she was better off as his prisoner than the wife of that decrepit snake.

Emmett must've been reading Edward's mind because just as the thought entered his mind, Emmett spoke up. "Are you really going to give the girl back to Winthrop?"

Edward threw a sidelong glance in Emmett's direction, his fingers lifting as he contemplated the question. "What the hell does it matter to me? The woman means nothing to me or anyone in this family. Why shouldn't I give her back to Winthrop?"

"Edward, as much of an asshole as you are, I don't believe for one second the idea of handing the girl to that man doesn't bother you to some degree. We don't sell people for profit," Emmett reminded him, his fingers gripping the steering wheel as he spoke. Edward's decisions might be questionable on the best of days, but Emmett refused to believe his brother was that far gone. "The thought of her landing in that man's hands is beyond disgusting."

"Yeah, well, the second the money is in my palm," Edward shrugged, watching the scenery around him whir by in a flurry. "Perhaps Isabella Swan escapes, and only God knows where the witch will be."

The corner of Emmett's mouth lifted. He knew there was a smidge of humanity left in Edward's body. Even while Edward's response amused Emmett, he couldn't help but wish they could get past Irene's death. Simply put—Emmett missed the man Edward had been before they put her in the ground. Even while they hadn't been extremely close, there hadn't been this type of division between them either. Just to confirm there was a human in that shell of a man, Emmett found himself asking, "Are you saying we take her somewhere safe?"

"Emmett, for fuck sake, shut the fuck up," Edward growled. Edward pinched his brow, his eyes closing as he prayed for solace. Why wasn't an inch ever enough? The last thing Edward wanted to do was think about Miss Swan. Irene's image sprang to mind as he glared at the trees lining the road.

It was getting harder and harder to remember the sound of her voice. Every once in a while, Edward found it difficult to envision her smile or hear her laugh. His chest constricted at the thought. Most of the time, unless he was staring at the picture on his desk, he forgot the specific shade of her hair. This troubled him more than he would ever admit, but there was this gnawing ache etched in his soul Edward just couldn't get rid of.

~*~

"Princess?" Lily whispered at the door. She didn't understand why her daddy kept the princess locked up. He must truly be a monster, Lily thought, darting a look down the hallway. Scratching the door, she leaned her mouth against the wood where it met the floor. "Princess. Wake uuuup," Lily sang. "I brought Sasha and Kitty to meet you."

Lily juggled her Barbie and stuffed the kitten in her arms. All night Lily had laid awake thinking of the princess locked away, and she'd leapt from her bed the second light streamed through her window. Right after Nana had given her breakfast, Lily had grabbed Sasha and Kitty from her room and hightailed it straight to Isabella's door. When the princess didn't answer, her tiny pink lip puckered on a pout, and she was just about to turn away when she heard, "Hello, Lily, how are you today?"

"I'm ok," Lily whispered close to the door. "I brought Kitty and Sasha to meet you. I wish you could come play with us. A tea party would be so much fun. Probably Nana would play too, and she loves tea parties."

"Does your grandma live here too?" Bella wanted to know, sitting next to the door. Bella's gaze coasted around the room; while it was a beautiful prison, she was getting tired of looking at it minute after minute. Of course, she should be grateful; every second she was locked away here kept her out of the hands of Henry.

While she was pretty sure she could kick his ass if he dared to touch her, Bella wouldn't put it past the creep to have her tied to a bed. The mere thought caused her to shudder. Bella had no idea how she would find her way out of this whole predicament, but there had to be some solution. She might not want to marry Henry, but she didn't want to stay captive either.

"Yep," Lily whispered, stroking the fur on Kitty's head. "She is working. She said I can't be in this hallway, but I sneaked anyway. I always sneak when daddy isn't here."

Bella's ears perked up at the mention of Edward being gone. If she were going to try and escape, this would probably be the best time to do it. If she were to find her way out of this room, where the hell would she go? She had no clue. She had no real family or friends in these parts. Huffing a breath of frustration, Bella wiggled closer to the door. "Lily?"

"Yes, Princess?" Lily's sweet little voice murmured through the door.

"Do you know where your daddy keeps the key to this room?" Bella's chest tightened at the lie she was about to tell the little girl. Lily sounded like she craved the attention Bella provided, and she hated having to deceive her. "If you help me find the key. I will come out and play with you."

"I don't know," Lily replied with disappointment evident in her tone. "He keeps a bunch of keys in his pocket, but he doesn't put them down."

"What about in his office? Are there extra keys in there somewhere?" Bella wondered aloud, twisting her shirt around her fingertips. She had no idea how she would find her way out of this place. From the looks of the mansion, it was as big as any mystical castle and looked as if it stretched for miles. Ok—maybe the miles was an exaggeration, but then again, maybe it wasn't.

She'd lived in the same city as the king all her life and never imagined the place as big as it was. Perhaps it was because she lived down the river—way down the river and had only seen the property from a distance. Whatever the case, Bella highly doubted she would be able to navigate the layout.

"Daddy doesn't let anyone in his office. Said it was the last piece of Mommy he had," Lily explained softly. "And he doesn't want anyone to touch it."

Bella's heart pinched at the announcement. She didn't tell Lily, but Edward's statement about having only the study left of his wife was far from true. He had this sweet little girl on the other side of this door, and from the sound of her voice, she was incredibly lonely. Suddenly, Bella wished Edward were standing before her now to tell him exactly what was on her mind.

Edward Cullen didn't realize what he had in the palm of his hand. Of all the people in this country that feared the words Missouri Kings, this little girl would pledge her devotion without hesitation, and he brushed her off. Hell, the poor thing referenced her father as a monster. How much sadder did it get?

"Oh, well, it's okay," Bella stated as she settled her back against the door. "We can talk just like this."

"Do you know your numbers, Princess?"

"Yes, I do," Bella smiled. "Do you know your numbers?"

"I can count to twenty. Do you want to hear me?" Lily asked with excitement.

"Of course, I want to hear you. And when you get to twenty, maybe I can help you count to thirty."

"You are so cool," Lily giggled as she started to count. "1-2-3-4-5 …"

As promised, when Lily reached twenty, Bella helped her get to thirty. "25-26-27-28-29-30. We should practice your ABCs. Do you know your ABCs, Lily?"

Bella wasn't sure how much time passed, but a significant period had because the sunlight beaming through the window started to fade as Bella shifted into a more comfortable position. "Let's hear you repeat your ABCs."

"A-B-C-D-E," Lily sang slowly as she tried to remember the next letter.

"F," Bella provided with a smile.

"Oh yeah, F-G-H-I," Lily continued to sing. As she stumbled on J-K-L, she fell silent. "Nana is calling. I have to go. Bye, Princess."

"Bye, Lily," Bella whispered back, and she heard the patter of little feet as the girl raced away from the door. Slowly, she climbed to her feet and made her way to the bathroom. As much as she hated being a captive, the spacious room and connected bathroom were far more extravagant than anything Bella had ever seen.

That garden tub was screaming her name, she decided. After two days here, she'd resisted its allure longer than she thought she could. Wandering closer to the tub draped in vines, Bella's gaze landed on three different jars of bath salts. Each one she lifted to her nose had a floral scent. Roses, Lilies, and lilac, now she just had to decide which one to use as she crossed the marbled floor to the linen closet.

"Holy shit," Bella murmured as she spied the plush cotton. "He probably spent more on these towels than I paid for rent."

Taking two from the shelves, she turned to the extravagant mirror spread before the double sinks, her gaze racing over what appeared to be gold faucets. Bella couldn't help but roll her eyes. Millions of people were starving in the world, and one man spent more on decor than she would see in ten lifetimes.

Pushing the world's injustices from her mind, she slowly stripped, wincing as the ache in her muscles throbbed to life. The bruising, compliments of daddy dearest, were starting to fade, yet the discoloration made Bella grimace. Once she was finally bare, she turned toward the deep tub and started the water. When it was half full of steaming water, Bella climbed inside and sunk into the shallow depths.

Immediately the tension eased from her sore, achy muscles as she sprinkled a few handfuls of lily scented salt around her. Her mind willed her to relax and soak up the warmth seeping into her bones. For a brief moment—for just a second, she laid her head against her knees and turned her attention to the rolling hills outside.

Bella couldn't help but wonder what life would be like when Winthrop came for her, and he undoubtedly would. If a man was willing to cover whatever Charlie managed to rack up, she was up shit's creek. Honestly, she would rather die here in this prison versus marrying that old coot. It was an option, she thought suddenly, as a deep cloud drifted through her thoughts. What was the sense in trying to escape, to wind up in that leper's hands?

She could do it. She could just put an end to all the manipulation and control she'd endured every single day. Her vision blurred as she considered the unmentioned option. Bella's throat constricted as she fought the wave of emotion. She blinked back tears of utter helplessness and swallowed the fleeting idea. She survived up to this point, and she would be damned if she caved now.

With determination, she lifted her head and washed. Rinsing off, Bella finally stood from the bath and let the water swish from her sleek form. As the cool air enveloped her, goosebumps raced across her skin, and Bella wrapped herself in a burgundy towel that might as well have been a blanket as big as it was.

Feeling fresher than she had in years, she dried her hair as she strode back into the bedroom. Bella rooted through the dresser drawers and pulled out a hoodie and sweatpants. She was just pulling the sweater over her head when a click resonated through the silent room.

Thinking the beast was here to deliver dinner, she whirled around to face the door, only to find it slowly and eerily creeping open. A shiver ran down her spine as a chill settled into her bones. What the hell?

Ever-so-slowly, Bella wandered closer and took hold of the knob. To her surprise, no one stood on the other side. Hesitantly, she crept into the hallway and looked around to find not a soul in sight. The place was huge, she noted, her gaze jaunting toward the ceiling, and doorways just lined the massive space indicating several rooms. "Holy crap," Bella mumbled, dropping the towel as she felt the urge to flee consumed her. Without a second thought, Bella ran down the hall, her gaze darting all around as she deciphered which way to go.

Each doorknob she turned as either another bedroom or locked, and with no other choice, Bella hurried to the staircase. Listening carefully, she heard no sound to indicate anyone was around. Barefooted and far from caring, she gradually made her way down the stairs and tiptoed through the foyer. The entryway was big enough to sit her whole house inside, filled with lavish marble and carpets large enough to cover a damn car.

She could've spent hours exploring all the secrets this old castle had to offer. Unfortunately, Bella wasn't afforded that type of time. Hurrying to the front door, she was just about to pull it open when a beep next to her ear sounded, bringing her attention to the security system. "Shit … fuck."

There was little doubt if she opened this door, an alarm would fill the quiet house. While the temptation was more than she could bear, she also needed to strategize her escape. The second this alarm went off, she would have a very pissed-off King on her tail. Perhaps the front was not the way to go, she decided, creeping toward a darkened hall.

Like a stealth ninja, Bella navigated the tricky floor plan until she came to what looked like a backyard or side yard. At least if she went this way, she wouldn't be in plain sight. With this thought in mind, Bella cast one final look over her shoulder before shoving the terrace doors open and jetting outside. As the sirens whirred to life behind her, Bella shot across the lawn as fast as her legs would carry her.

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