Hello everyone,

I am not sure how many chapters are left for Forbidden but it is winding down. I have appreciated everyone's love and support for this story, and it has been my pleasure to write.

I want to thank Denise Wilson for her beta'ing skills and Sassy for prereading, and keeping this story on track.

Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

Please review …

Bella was floating on cloud nine as she wandered the halls. Lily was with her grandmother, Alice had left for the afternoon. A spot of envy shot through her breast at her friend's ability to freely go to a damn mall. As happy as she was starting to feel being here, the fact Alice could come and go on a whim left her feeling a tad restless.

Edward informed her last night that he'd be preoccupied with meetings throughout the day, but his promise of her freedom loomed on the horizon.

Soon—soon she would be able to live her life as she chose, and come and go as she pleased. She was nearly to the stairwell when she heard Charlie's voice echo down the hallway. The gruff tone stopped her in her tracks, and while she knew she was safe here at the Cullen's, fear curled on her gut.

Cautiously, she peeked around the corner to spy her father paced into the foyer. He must've felt the weight of her stare because his dark eyes, laced with so many secrets lifted and connected with hers.

Stubbornly, she tilted her chin, refusing to admit he scared the crap out of her. Only when she heard Edward's clipped response did she relax. No matter what—with Edward there—Charlie couldn't do shit.

Her father surprised her when his chin dipped in acknowledgment. "Bella. I'm thrilled to see all is well."

She couldn't disguise the anger tightening her chest, fire burning in her lungs, her nostrils flared. "Like you really give a shit."

"Bella, I—."

"Don't speak to my wife," Edward growled, stepping in her line of view. His gaze collided with hers as he continued, "Anything and everything you do pertaining to Bella will go through me."

Feeling more confident than she had moments ago, Bella straightened, feeding on the strength and power her husband exuded from every fucking pore. While she had Edward, she didn't need to hide from anything.

"Isabella." Edward motioned for her to come downstairs. "I have many things to discuss with Charlie. Why don't you come on down so we can finally put this shit to rest?"

Charlie shifted awkwardly as his daughter descended the stairs without another glance in his direction. For the first time in years, his daughter looked semi-happy. A smile bloomed across her delicate features as she stepped beside the mafia king.

Charlie's gaze floated between the pair, recognizing the lightness that entered Edward's eyes as they focused on Bella.

Bella avoided looking at Charlie. Hanging close to her husband, they led the way to Edward's study, where Emmett waited in the corner. When Edward rounded his desk and pointed to the chair across from him directing his attention to Charlie. "Sit."

A chill raced down Bella's spine, hearing the command in Edward's tone. If she was his enemy, she would've dug a hole to crawl into, the hatred in his tone more than obvious. When his arm extended and he beckoned her close, she hurriedly skirted Charlie to ease into his side.

She loved the slight widening of Charlie's eyes as Edward's hand curled around her hip.

"I called this meeting because I have devised a plan to deal with Winthrop." Edward's hold tightened on Bella knowing his next statement would fluster her beyond reason. In hindsight perhaps he should have informed her of the plan before this meeting to avoid any misunderstandings.

He would just pray she would trust him. "I married Isabella a few nights ago, as you are aware. She is my wife in every sense of the word. I will kill anyone who tries to take her from me. With that said, Winthrop owes me a great deal of money, via you. You owed me the money but intended to collect the funds through selling Bella to him …"

"I told you I didn't have a choice," Charlie threw in squirming in his chair, his gaze darting to Bella. "I told you all about it."

"I am aware of what you proclaimed. I've hired an investigator to look into all of that. The problem is, my investigator has come up short-handed. So far in his diggings, he hasn't found anything that can be used against Winthrop." Edward shifted in his seat, looking up at Bella as she tensed up beside him. "But in the meantime, I've devised a plan to keep Bella here with me and collect the money I'm owed. It'd crossed my mind to disregard the sum, but why should I? It all belongs to me."

Bella stepped back. "What is going on, Edward? How do you propose to collect the money and keep me?"

Edward gnawed at his cheek, really not wanting to answer that. Even if she trusted him, so many things could go wrong, and truthfully, he was apprehensive about it. Still, as the leader here in Missouri, he wouldn't just lie down and let Winthrop win. One way or another the motherfucker was going down.

His voice dropped an octave as he studied Bella long and hard. "Do you trust me?"

Bella didn't even need to consider his question but there was something deeper at play, and apprehension soared to new heights. Nervously, she licked her lips and slowly nodded. "You know I do."

"We will make it appear as though I am delivering you to the scum king. It will be a very public setting, and there will be no chance for anything—anything at all to happen to you." Edward hated the fear twisting her beautiful face and the way her skin paled several shades. Even while worry swirled in her eyes, he squeezed her hip, willing her to hear him out. When she didn't interrupt he proceeded to explain. "I will set it up on Friday. We will meet Winthrop at the church, where he will deliver my money in exchange for you."

Edward caressed her with affection hip, his lips twitching, he stared long and hard into her eyes. The extraordinary trust she placed in him caused his chest to swell. The longer he studied her, the harder his heart pounded. His hold on her tightened when her eyes glistened, moisture leaking out of the corners, he sought to ease her fears.

"Baby … I'm not letting you go. I swear on everything. Emmett, Laurent, James and I will all be there. I swear if he even looks at you wrong I will rip his throat out. I swear it."

Bella fought the sting of tears. She really did. Just the prospect of facing Winthrop left her a ball of nerves. Then there was nausea climbing her throat, threatening to choke her. "I just don't understand why I would need to …"

"This is about humiliating him and gaining control. He will most definitely be forced into retaliation, and when that happens, I will wipe him out." Edward glanced across the desk at Charlie. "I need you to tell Bella what you know. Everything."

Edward listened intently as Charlie recited the story he'd told him days ago. By the time he'd finished, tears ran in rivers down Bella's cheeks. Edward's fingers slid under the hem of her shirt, searching for her warmth, and hoping to offer her comfort. When she started shaking, he pushed back from his desk and pulled Bella onto his lap.

Angrily she faced her father, feeling more broken than she had when this all started. "Are you telling me there is a chance my mom is alive? Or that Winthrop may be responsible for killing her?"

"Bella, I don't really know. He has been threatening me for years and I always tried to look out for you the best I could."

"By keeping me, prisoner? By having goons follow every step I took. I never had a normal life. Why? Because you were scared of an old man," she was so furious tears welled in her eyes. They dripped down her cheeks. "I will never forgive you for being a coward."

"For what it is worth, I'm so sorry, Bella," Charlie pleaded, empathy filling his eyes. "I would've …"

Bella gritted her teeth. "Your sorry isn't worth spit."

Pressing a kiss to her temple, Edward whispered into her ear. "Winthrop needs to go down in every possible way. He will lose face in front of the public, be several hundred thousand of dollars poorer, and it will give us leverage to find out what really happened to your mother."

When she burrowed her nose into the side of his neck, he continued, "I swear, he will never have an opportunity to hurt another innocent person. Ever."

When Edward felt her nod, he turned his attention back to Charlie. "While Winthrop is occupied at the church it will give you time to investigate his property …"

Charlie gulped. "I can't search his property without probable cause, Cullen. Don't you think if I had some I would've already done so?"

Edward held Bella close with one arm wrapped around her waist and slapped the smooth surface of his desk with his open palm. "Create it! You've been prancing around for years breaking the law. Don't you think your wife and daughter deserve the same loyalty?"

Edward's lethal glare pinned Charlie to the chair. "I suggest you find whatever you can and plant the shit. Find a brick of coke and put it under his Goddamn pillow. I don't care what you do, but he better go down in flames permanently when you do. If you don't take the bastard out, I will take you both out."

In all the time Bella had resided here, she'd never heard Edward sound so deadly. A chill zipped across her skin making the hairs there stand on end. Even as dangerous as he sounded and appeared, she never climbed from his lap, simply soaking up his protection.

Once the meeting came to a conclusion and Edward rose to escort Charlie out, Emmett hung back. Several glances darted toward the door. "Bella, you don't have to do anything. If you don't feel comfortable facing the mayor then we can find another way. I will make Edward find another way."

Bella crammed the anxiety she felt into a deep dark hole, her hands digging into her pockets as she fought for composure. Chewing her lip, she rounded on Emmett, her emotions getting the better of her. "Oh yeah? What other options are there?"

"Say the word, Bella and I will get you out of here. I love my brother but sometimes he can be pretty erratic. Don't let him catch you up in one of his schemes." Concern lined Emmett's face, his solid blue eyes looking tired. "I mean it."

She smiled softly back at him. "I know you do. I appreciate your concern and worry, but I trust Edward to do what needs to be done."

Emmett stepped closer, his hand coming to rest on her lower back. "Bella, I don't know what Edward's game is but he doesn't need you to get his money. Trust me, that man is devious and can go toe to toe with the devil. What makes you follow him so blindly? Is it his wounded soul routine? You just wanted to fix a broken man?"

"Emmett, back off. I know you think you like me, and want to protect me. The truth is, you don't really know anything about me. We never shared more than banter." Bella pulled away, breaking Emmett's connection. "Emmett, this is more than fixing a broken man. I love him, and I don't think I had any say in the matter."

Emmett shook his head pacing several feet away before turning to face her. His normally handsome features contorted in what appeared to be pain. His entire body was taut as if he were fighting an inner demon.

Sympathy filled Bella when he said, "I know you are warm, caring, and want to be better than this lifestyle. Right? You wanted to be a teacher, move away, far away. We could go together."

Bella was blown away. When had she ever given Emmett the idea something deeper laid between them? Her belly fluttered as a wave of unexpected nerves battled in her gut. She hated the idea of hurting anyone, yet there was no way to put this lightly.

"No! I don't know what makes you think I would ever … Emmett, I didn't marry Edward because he could save me. I married him because I love him." She passed him a sympathetic glance. "Just hang in there. There is someone out there so much better for you than me. I have to go find Edward."

Please review … Head over and check out Campfire. Another steamy ride is in store for our couple and it is just starting. Thanks for reading.