Hello everyone,

Things are definitely spicy up between our stubborn couple. I'm so glad you all liked the last chapter. It was a special one.

Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following. It is truly an honor to entertain you all.

Thanks to CoppertopJ for beta'ing and Sassynoles for prereading. She is very good about keeping me on track, lol.

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Charlie threw his cruiser in park in front of Mayor Winthrop's mansion. He let out a long, ragged sigh as he glared at the lavish estate, running his hand through his hair. He had no idea what the hell Henry wanted, and if there were any chance Charlie could have ignored his summons, he would've.

Once upon a time, Charlie had thought of leaving Missouri and all the dark, dirty secrets behind, yet once the mayor had his hooks into you, there was no way to hide—nowhere to go. Charlie glared at the oaks towering next to the mansion.

Since becoming sheriff of this one-horse town, Charlie had been under the mayor's fucking thumb. Years ago, he'd attempted to fight back, but Henry ensured that wasn't a possibility. Not only had he paid for his association with the town official with his career, but his family life as well.

The thought of family brought Bella to mind. She was currently in the clutches of mafia overlord Edward Cullen; in a way, relief was his primary emotion. At least she was away from the deviance of Henry Winthrop. The problem was there was no telling what his daughter was being subjected to. Hell, for all he really knew, she was locked in a cage. Still, yet, better than being in that sicko's hands.

Charlie scrubbed his hands down his face as his thoughts turned to family life. He really had no grasp on family. His wife had run out on him years ago and was semi-responsible for the predicament he currently found himself in, and Bella … Bella hated his fucking guts.

He knew what she thought of him, and some of those assumptions were fact, although just as many weren't. The 'goons,' as she referred to the detail he'd placed on her, were to ensure her safety. He grunted with a shake of his head as his thoughts turned to the guards he'd found run off the road earlier this week. Both had been shot point-blank in the head, and Charlie knew exactly who was responsible for those assassinations.

Edward fucking Cullen. Damn, he was caught between a rock and a hard place. The mayor on one side, and the Cullen's on the other, neither of which he could face without bringing mayhem on this whole damn little town.

With little choice, Charlie pushed the squad car door open and stepped out onto the neatly paved drive. The only sound was his cuffs as they dangled from his belt as he jogged up the stairs and pushed the doorbell. Vaguely, he heard the chime of the bell, and promptly the doorman answered.

"Good evening, sir. The mayor is on a call at the moment, but if you would like to wait in the drawing-room, he will be right with you."

Charlie barely managed a nod, as a man from what looked like the nineteenth century spoke to him as if he were royalty. Even after years of dealing with the blood-sucking leech, Winthrop, Charlie was still astounded by the formalities these people used right here deep in the thicket. For Christ's sake, Charlie thought as he followed the servant to the sitting room.

"Would you like a beverage while you wait?"

Charlie scoffed as his gaze skated around at drapery that probably cost more than his mortgage. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. "No, I'm good."

Charlie pushed his hands in his pocket as he glanced around after the doorman left him. Polished cherry wood glistened with fresh lemon oil, and two winged chairs sat before a large picture window. Wandering more profound into the parlor, his hazel gaze roamed the shelves built into the walls, scanning expensive vases and pictures of random family members. He started to step closer to one in particular that caught his attention, but the sound of approaching footsteps had him swinging around to face the door.

The second Mayor Winthrop entered the parlor, tension gripped Charlie and refused to relinquish its hold on his muscles. It was an all too familiar phenomenon where Winthrop was concerned. Shoving his hands deeper into pockets, his lashes dropped a fraction as his pupils dilated. "Winthrop, what is this meeting all about? I have rounds to make."

"Really?" Henry asked with a disbelieving chuckle. "There's barely any people in this town. There's two bars. Where would these rounds be?"

Charlie gritted his teeth as he studied Winthrop. What he wouldn't give to bury this guy in a dark hole. Of course, if he'd been smart, perhaps he would've paid the Cullens to get rid of the town official eons ago. "Just spit it out. The sooner you do, the sooner I can be on my way."

The old rascal enjoyed wielding whatever measly power he had over people, which, to be frank, Winthrop was in everyone's pocket. It wasn't the money Henry thrived on; however, it was authority he exerted over those around him.

Henry's gaze narrowed on the sheriff. Gritting his teeth, his thoughts turned to the girl that had eluded his grasp. He'd been days away from claiming Isabella Swan, and Cullen had swooped in and stolen her. Fucking rat bastard and her father was even more of a louse. If Charlie had properly guarded her, maybe she'd be sitting before him now, or better yet … just the thought of her awaiting him in his bed caused his frazzled old flesh to leap with excitement.

By the force of sheer willpower, Henry managed to pull himself back to the present, regretfully leaving his fantasy world for later thoughts. "April fifteenth, there is a shipment of firearms arriving in Little Rock. I need you to secure those guns and have them delivered to Branson. Alvarez is paying top dollar for those crates. Over two hundred AR-15s, and several eager customers …"

"Are you shitting me? Because of the last debacle, I just about lost sight in my eye." Charlie seethed hatred. "You insisted I give you the funds and profits from the last shipment, and that bastard nearly beat me blind. And then, he kidnapped my daughter …" Charlie gritted his teeth as the last statement slipped from his mouth. "And your fiancée, I might add."

"Sometimes that is the price of the business we find ourselves in the middle of," Henry shrugged, not caring about the hardship he caused Charlie. He'd just wished he had taken Isabella before things had taken this particular turn. Sure, he could turn Edward in for all the shit that man was involved in if he wanted to be found floating the very next day, he surmised. "That's not really important. What's important is I need the money from the shipment to pay off your debt to Cullen."

"I only have that debt because you insisted I pay you to keep those ludicrous accusations to yourself," Charlie ground out, wanting nothing more than to rip this man's head clean off his body.

"Tsk, tsk … you wouldn't want old bones to be discovered, now would you?" Mayor Winthrop grinned with a meaningful stare.

Charlie's mouth clamped shut, seeing absolutely no way out of the situation. It was the same old song and dance over the years. Charlie knew things, yet he couldn't prove shit, and God help him if he tried. His head dropped several inches on his shoulders at a complete loss. "Just tell me where and when."

By the time Charlie slipped out of the mansion, he had a pounding, fucking headache. Breathing deeply of the fresh spring air, he glanced around at the shadows lurking over the property. Charlie slipped into the driver's seat and stared blankly out the window.

Maybe he should just pack his fucking bags and get the hell as far away from Missouri as he could. The more he thought about it, the more appeal it had. He could do it. He knew people who crafted fake documents, and with the money from this shipment, he could just vanish. His daughter's face came to mind, and regret so strong it clobbered him with its intensity engulfing him.

Despite his devious actions, Charlie couldn't leave her alone to deal with the fate she now faced. If he could somehow get Cullen to protect her … fuck. He was barking up the wrong tree. Cullen wasn't known for his compassionate nature.

Feeling defeated, Charlie started the car and circled out of the driveway. Some days he just wanted to point the car to the river and drive right into the murky depths.

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