Hello everyone,

Hope you all are enjoying the story. I will see you Friday for another update:)

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

Please review ...

Bella stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around herself as she tucked it around her breasts. She was still lost in thought over what happened in Edward's study the night before, and she just couldn't shake the encounter from her mind. The thing that really made her curious was her body's reaction in regards to his inappropriate question.

While she'd been aroused on many occasions, never had she experienced this flash of heat from just a look. Edward's deep blue eyes had been smoldering, and while she assumed his reaction was due to the alcohol he'd consumed, Bella wasn't entirely sure that was the only reason. Even now, she couldn't stifle the spear of heat sliding through her gut. Honestly, it made hating him that much more difficult.

His anger at her for barely touching his wife's picture gave her pause, however. Bella stopped in the chore of drying her body off as she considered his response. Either Edward's devotion was incredibly sweet, or it was disturbing, but Bella couldn't determine which presently. After a long moment of contemplation, Bella ran the towel down one slender leg.

She was quite curious to see what would happen when they crossed paths again. Just the thought caused a strange excitement to dance down her spine and the breath to stick in her throat.

This was insane. Edward Cullen was a slime ball and had taken her captive. Even while this was true, Bella couldn't dispute the protection that being here provided. Whatever the case, she had no business being remotely attracted to the man that was essentially holding her against her will.

Bella was just about to throw the towel to the side and head to her room when she heard the door open again. Holding the towel around her trim form, she stuck her head over the threshold to peer into the bedroom.

A little blonde woman stood looking around the bedroom, her wide eyes taking in the mess Bella had created upon her arrival. "What a fucking mess. I can't believe I have to fix this room. Should make that girl pick up her own shit."

Bella bit the side of her cheek as the woman mumbled to herself. Obviously, the little piece of work didn't realize Bella could hear everything she said. Clearing her throat, Bella's eyebrow lifted as she regarded her. "Um… excuse me? What are you doing in my room?"

Jane's head whipped around to find Bella staring back at her. Jane's jaw clenched, and her nostrils flared. "I am supposed to clean up this sty. If I didn't love working for the Cullens so much, I would tell you to pick up this mess yourself. And what happened to all the vases that were here? And the drapery. Fuck, I'm going to have to call Jake to make repairs to the rods."

Bella was astounded by this girl's audacity. Never one to back down from a nasty personality, Bella's chin lifted at a stubborn angle. "As you can see, I am standing here in a towel. You can take your snarky attitude right out of here until I have changed. And then, you can keep your trap shut about what is apparently your job."

Jane's lashes dropped into a glare as she returned Bella's gaze without hesitation. "I can't believe Edward brought you into this house. What could he have been thinking to taint the walls with a wet rat?"

Bella was tempted to forget the state of her undress and plow through this woman without a second thought. Barely she managed to keep control over her temper as it started to rise. Pushing away from the door frame, Bella stood tall as she stepped toward the woman. "If you don't get out of my room right now, I won't be responsible for my actions. Don't come back in here while I am here. Matter of fact, don't come back at all. I will take care of the housekeeping in this room myself."

Jane's eyes went wide. Edward would not be happy if he found out she hadn't followed his orders to clean this woman's room. Shit. Why couldn't she bite her tongue and just keep her fucking head down? Jane wasn't sure what it was about the woman before her, but as soon as she'd seen her, an uneasy feeling developed. Jane's lips thinned, and the apology turned her tongue sour. "I overstepped, and I shouldn't have said anything. If it would be okay with you, I will let you get dressed and come back to clean the room."

A smirk played across Bella's lips as she listened to Jane backtrack from what she'd said moments ago. Seeing no reason to delay this altercation any longer, Bella gave the maid a slight nod. "That will be fine. I should be done in about twenty minutes."

The women stared at one another for a long minute before Jane turned and left. Bella watched the door close behind the girl before exhaling. "What the hell was that all about?"

Shaking her head, Bella rummaged through the drawer to retrieve an outfit. When she opened it, her lashes dropped a fraction as she studied the contents. Someone had been bringing things in here while either she'd been roaming or sleeping. Intrigued, she thumbed through the new items, discovering pants and new blouses. She rocked back on her heels when she opened the top drawer and found bras and panties.

A zing of sensation flashed through her at the thought of Edward Cullen purchasing her new underclothes. Had he? Or had Edward made someone else do it? The oddest thing about it, they were all her size, and from what she could tell, very pricey items.

Bella tapped her toe on the carpeted floor as she considered wearing them. She supposed if she didn't want to roam around naked, she'd bite her lip and put the fucking panties on. The thought of Edward's fingers on the satin or lace so close to her crotch caused a stab of heat to flood her core.

Desperately she tried to ignore her body's reaction to her wayward imagination as she took a pair of lacy panties and a matching bra from the drawer. As the lace clung to her skin, Bella became determined not to think of Edward Cullen as she finished dressing.

Actually, Bella was pretty eager to find that cute little daughter of the crime lord and sprinkle the little doll with all the attention she deserved. With this thought in mind, Bella grabbed the brush … the brush? That brush hadn't been there the night before either. An amused grunt left her lips as she ran the brush through her hair.

Ten minutes later, Bella stepped into the kitchen and migrated toward the fruit bowl. Grabbing an orange, she peeled it as her wandering eye slid over the elegance surrounding her. Every inch of the kitchen sparkled, she determined. The white and tan marble glowed under the rays of sunlight penetrating the windows. The place was beautiful.

She'd just stuck a wedge between her lips and bit into the tangy fruit as Emmett came strolling casually into the kitchen. "You missed breakfast. The cooks made quite a little buffet. Eggs, sausage, French toast, and the works."

Bella's stomach growled at the mention of the feast she'd missed. "Damn. Kind of puts this measly orange to shame. So …"

She finished chewing as her gaze slid over Emmett. Swallowing, she continued, "Are you my new goon?"

"Goon?" Emmett's simple grin made an appearance. "I wouldn't put me in the same category as one of your goons, but am I to follow you around? That would be a big fat yes, compliments of my dear brother."

"I can't express my gratitude." Bella rolled her eyes as she finished consuming the orange. "I'm going to tell you like I told Edward. I don't need a shadow. Even if I wanted to go, there's no place to go. You don't have to worry about me trying to escape. There is no escape from my life."

Emmett detected a note of sadness in her tone. The usual good humor and positivity he reflected daily waned. Running his hand through his hair with no ready answer for her, he merely shook his head. "Well, I have my orders. If you would like to stick it to Edward, however, there is a cute little girl upstairs that's dying to see you."

Bella smiled at the mention of Lily. Even so, she pinned Emmett with a curious stare. "If you know it will make Edward angry, why would you encourage me to spend time with Lily?"

"I think my brother has gotten too comfortable in his anger. He can use a little shaking up, and since no one in this house seems to be able to penetrate that rough exterior, maybe you can. Hell, you have already ruffled his feathers more than anyone I've seen."

"So, basically, you are using me to piss him off for you," Bella laughed as she dug through the fridge and came up with a piece of cheese. Nibbling at the sharp cheddar, she closed the door as she turned toward the hallway. "Perhaps when I'm done, we can find a puppy to go kick."

Emmett was inches away as they climbed the stairs. "As exciting as kicking a puppy sounds, that's a hard pass for me. I prefer my foe to be not quite so innocent."

"Oh, so, you are a moralistic crime lord? Huh? Interesting, considering you didn't give a shit about my innocence while I was draped over your shoulder," Bella speculated with a sidelong glance to the brute. "You even shot me with a dart."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Emmett started, scratching the back of his neck. "But in my defense, and a compliment to you, you put up one helluva fight. Never seen a chick so determined to kick my ass before."

Bella laughed at the reminder of her flaying about. "What should I have done? Lain down and gave up?"

"Never give up. Also, that was a nice offering you tried to give Edward. He needs more kindness in his life," Emmett acknowledged as they continued toward Lily's room. "Ever since Irene …"

Bella's head cocked toward Emmett at the mention of Irene. "Um … about that offering. I think I fucked it up. Something strange happened between Edward and me when I took him the cheesecake, and when I tried to backpedal, I mistakenly touched the picture on his desk. He flew through the roof."

"You touched Irene's picture? That explains the cheesecake on his wall." Emmett grunted as he contemplated Edward's reaction to Bella touching Irene's photo. No one dared even look at the picture. Yet, Bella had mentioned briefly something happening before that. Curious, he cast a wondering look in her direction. "Just for the sake of asking, what exactly happened before you touched the picture?"

Her cheeks flushed as she remembered feeling that heated gaze on her thighs. An involuntary shiver raced through her at the memory. "It's kind of hard to explain, and I believe that would be kind of private."

Now, Emmett wanted to know what transpired. Stifling a million questions gurgling in his throat, he managed to kill the temptation. Another idea struck him as they closed in on Lily's room. Placing a firm touch on her forearm, he stalled her progress. "I am just curious, but when you slipped out of your room, did you happen to unlock the door from the inside somehow? I know I locked it when I left."

Bella's blue eyes dropped to the fingers on her forearm. Deciding not to rip her arm from his touch, Bella merely dropped it to break the contact. Perplexed, her eyes flashed to Emmett's. "No. I'd just finished dressing, and I heard the door pop open. I went to see who was there, actually expecting it to be you, and nobody was there."

Emmett's brow lifted as he studied their prisoner. Now, he was totally weirded out. Instead of voicing his quandary, he shrugged off the unease he started to feel, mumbling, "How weird …"

"What's weird?" Intrigued by his rambling, Bella shuffled from foot to foot. There was definitely a need-to-know expression on Emmett's face. "I am curious to know who opened that door?"

"That makes the both of us," Emmett mumbled as he envisioned that doorknob turning. Another ripple of uncertainty skated down his spine. Shaking his head as a tingle ran over the nape of his neck. "It's nothing."

Bella didn't believe him, yet the opportunity to ask went out the window when Lily squealed in the hallway.

"Princess …" Lily hollered as she ran to Bella. Lily wrapped her arms around Bella's legs and looked up at her. "Did you come to play?"

Bella tweaked Lily's nose as she grinned down at her. "Of course, I did. What do you want to play?"

Edward's mother came to the threshold of Lily's room with a warm smile on her face. "She's been asking for you all morning."

Running her fingers through Lily's hair, she grinned down at her. "You have to be the cutest little girl ever."

Please review ...