A/N: Holy hell guys! I was blown away by the response to this story, still wrapping my head around it. Thank you so much for all your reviews and fb comments. So here we are with the second chapter. This one is a beast, lots of stuff going on. Thank you to my pre-readers: Maplestyle, SassyNoles, 2 Brown Eyes, BitterHarpy, and AGoodWitch. Thank you also to my insanely awesome and lovely beta Mel C. She seriously rocks. Alright, onto the story.

A Dó (2)

It had been a week since the patch up I did for Emmett, and I hadn't heard from or seen either him or Edward since. I was starting to think that I wouldn't see them again. I hoped that Emmett was healing fine, but I couldn't exactly call him. A day or two after they left, I counted how much Edward had given me and it was four thousand dollars. I had to count it three times, assuming I had counted it wrong—I hadn't. Since then, I tried to be responsible and pay some bills early and eat more than Ramen noodles.

Shortly after I had returned from the grocery store, my phone started ringing. I smiled when I saw Rose's name on the caller ID. "Hey, I was wondering when you were going to call me back."

"Oh, please. You knew it'd take me a few days. It always does," she said, laughing.

Rose was my stepsister. My "mom" wasn't my birth mom, but she was the only mother I knew. My biological mother left when I was six months old, and I never heard from her again. My dad had told me she never tried to contact me. He remarried when I was two years old. Lilly was my mom from that moment on, my dad was hers, and Rose and I were sisters. She was two years older than me, but she had a much younger spirit. Where I was logical, calm, and quiet, Rose was impulsive, outgoing, and loud. Together, we kept each other in check.

"So, guess who is moving back to Seattle?" Rose announced.

"Well, I know it's not you. You've been saying that for two years."

"Yeah, I had to wait for my house to sell, Smart-ass, but I got a real estate agent who can handle the selling of the house even while I'm gone."

"Ro, did you check this real estate lady out? Like she's not gonna run off with your money, is she?" I asked. As I said, she was impulsive.

"Of course, I checked her out. She is legit, I promise."

"So, when are you supposedly coming now?" I asked, still putting away my groceries.

"Um…I'm kinda on my way now."

"Are you kidding me?" I laughed. I really shouldn't have been surprised.

"I was hoping that I could stay at your place?"

"How far away are you?" I threw the last of the plastic bags away.

"I'm in your driveway."

I laughed and hung up—definitely the impulsive one. I rushed out my door, and when she was out of her car, I gave her a bruising hug. Pulling away from her, I took in her appearance, relieved to have her in my sights, and I noticed one huge difference right away. "You changed your hair?" I said, realizing her usual long blonde wavy hair was a rich brown color and pin straight.

"Oh, yeah," she said while reaching up to touch her hair. "The blonde was getting boring. Wanted to give myself a change."

"I love it. It looks good on you." She looked beautiful regardless of the color of hair on her head but seeing her hair more closely resembling mine made me feel special, one more thing we had in common amongst our many differences.

Rose's eyes scanned my face, just as I had done for hers, and she sounded shocked as she asked, "You're wearing makeup?"

I shrugged and linked arms with her to walk to the duplex. I usually didn't wear makeup daily, but I found myself making excuses to put it on every day recently. Once we got inside, we sat down and caught up. I hadn't seen Rose since the funeral for our parents, which was almost eight months ago. They had died within days of each other, so we had a joint funeral for them.

Rose had moved to Chicago after college, and she had regretted it ever since. For the last two years, she had been preparing to come back to Seattle. We hated to be so far apart, and since our parents passed, the distance felt further.

She grabbed my shoulder and turned me toward her. "So, really, is it okay if I stay?"

I hesitated for a minute. It would never have been an issue two weeks ago—I loved my sister and spending time with her—but I had two people who were unpredictable that knew where I lived.

She noticed my hesitation and I could see her face fall in disappointment before she spoke. "I can get a hotel room. I know you didn't expect me to just show up."

"No, I just…uh, I have something to tell you, and I really don't know how you're going to react."

"Bellsy, how much stupid shit have I done in the past? Nothing you tell me could phase me."

I laughed humorlessly and launched into the story of the past two weeks. I told her about the car accident, the flowers, the gunshot, the arguments between Edward and me, and the money. When I finished the story, I was met with only silence. Rose looked like she was processing my story and then she started laughing.

"Oh my god. Only you could get caught up in some shit like that. So, you like this Edward guy?"

"Out of all the stuff I just told you, the guy is the one you pick up on?" I asked her in disbelief. She just arched one of her eyebrows at me. "Look, the guy is undeniably gorgeous, but he is such an arrogant ass…"

"Bellsy, how many times have I told you—you're kinda intimidating. You're a fucking surgeon at twenty-nine years old; you're gorgeous, kind, sassy as hell, and smart. That's all incredibly intimidating. That's why you are still single. Not because you wanted to be a doctor. He may be an asshole, and that may be just him, but maybe give him a chance."

I tucked my hair behind my ears. "I'll think about it, Rose. I don't know if I'll even see him again. I haven't heard from either of them in a week."

"So, who's this other guy?"

I laughed and told her about Emmett. I thought she would like him. He was the type of guy she always seemed to pass up for the guys that ended up being all wrong for her. Rose was as unlucky in love as I was. Where I had very few guys, she had way too many, and they all ended up being disappointments.

Rose brought in her luggage from the car and then we hung out the rest of the night and made dinner together. We opened a bottle of wine and ended up talking until late into the night. She told me about the last guy she had just been with, and I told her that she always went for the wrong guys. We ended up giggling at midnight and couldn't stop, so I knew it was time to go to bed. I made the guest bed for her, and we both passed out in the middle of the bed, still talking. The evening showed how much I had missed having her around, and I was overjoyed to have her back in the same zip code, to have someone who I could laugh and talk and just be around.

A few days later, I was woken by a familiar sounding pounding knock. My heart about jumped out of my chest, and I was honestly thinking about not answering. Of course, Rose took that option away from me. She walked past my room, eyes barely opened.

"Who the fuck is pounding on your door?"

I jumped out of my bed, trying to cut her off before she got to the door. The pounding sounded again.

"Fuck! Do you really need…" Her voice cut off as she opened the door. Emmett was standing there, and Edward was behind him, a cigarette in his mouth. Emmett took in me and Rose half-dressed and broke out into that dimpled grin.

"So, Bella, who is your lovely companion?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at me. Despite myself, I laughed and shook my head.

"Emmett, this is my sister, Rosalie Hale Swan. Rose, this is Emmett… I don't know your last name."

"McCarty. Pleased to meet you, Rosie."

Oh, shit, I thought to myself. Rose hated to be called Rosie. She'd chewed out a few guys for calling her that. That was why I was completely shocked to see that my sister gave him a blinding smile and took his outstretched hand. He kissed the back of her hand, and I rolled my eyes. I felt like I was in some romance movie.

"The pleasure is all mine, Emmett," Rose answered, blushing.

They just continued to stare at each other until I couldn't take it anymore and tried to break their spell.

"Emmett! What's up? You guys can come inside," I told them.

"Actually, we're wondering if you could come with us?" Edward interrupted, pointedly looking at my sister.

I gestured to my attire. "Do I look like I'm ready to go anywhere? Come inside and I will go get dressed," I said, before turning around and going to my bedroom. Once in my bedroom, I heard the front door close and Emmett's and Rosalie's voices filtered through the wall of my bedroom. After I finished changing out of my pajamas, I walked out into the living room, but Edward wasn't there.

"He's still outside, smoking," Emmett said, seeming to know I was looking for Edward.

"Oh, so where are we going?" I asked.

"Um…" he said, looking at my sister.

"She knows what happened. I don't keep secrets from my sister," I told him.

"Shit, Bella, I really wished you hadn't done that," Emmett said, grabbing the back of his neck.

"Why?" I asked. I couldn't fathom why it was a bad thing. "She's not going to tell anyone."

"Let's just talk about it in the car," he said, blowing my question off.

"I'm starting to get a little bit freaked out. Why won't you tell me where you're taking me?" I asked, all my red flags raising.

Shaking his head, he said, "I can't."

"Then I can't go with you." I crossed my arms and looked at him with complete confidence that I was staying right there.

"Bella…" He started.

"No," I interrupted. "I don't know shit about you or Edward. I'm not getting in a car with you guys, alone, with no info of where I'm going."

"You don't trust us?" Emmett asked.

I pursed my lips and raised my eyebrows. "You haven't given me much to build trust on, and you're being evasive, so that doesn't help at all."

"Okay, so what can I say to ease your trepidation?"

"Tell me where you are taking me."

"That I can't do."

"Damnit, Emmett!" I said and went to the front door. I opened the door and Edward was standing in the driveway, still smoking his cigarette. "I think you need to leave. Tell whoever sent you here to fuck off."

"Bella, what's the big deal? I don't understand what's going on," Rose finally spoke up.

"Rose, don't…" I started to argue when I was grabbed around the waist and hauled over someone's shoulder. I realized it was Edward when I fisted my hand in his hair and pulled. That just seemed to spur him on. "Put me down!" I screamed. My fist pounded on his back as my legs swung wildly, my kicks failing to land more than they did. A well-placed one got him in the knee, causing him to drop me on my feet. Before I could capitalize on his slip, he pushed me against the SUV, using his hand to cover my mouth and cut off my protests.

"Get in the car. I can tie you up and force you, or you can do it willingly," he said, the barely contained anger evident on his face. I glared at him as he wrenched open the SUV door and I sat in the back seat.

He rubbed his knee and glared at me. "Fuck, that hurt. You need to stop acting like a petulant child." He closed my door and went around the vehicle to get in the front passenger's seat.

"Are you kidding me right now? A child? I'm not stupid, which means I'm not just jumping at the chance to get in a car with virtual strangers who want to take me 'somewhere.'"

He turned in his seat to look at me. "Do you really think that's an issue? We've been alone with you, in your house. We know where you live, and we assumed you lived alone. Regardless, if we wanted to hurt you, we could have, and no one would have known," he explained calmly, turning back around.

His words sent a chill up my spine. I hadn't thought of it in that way before, but now that he had said it out loud, I realized how reckless this whole situation had been from the start. "Well, when you put it that way. I guess, no," I replied. This situation was so fucked up, but did I really think he would hurt me? I didn't think Emmett would. Edward? The jury was still out on that. The SUV door was wrenched open again, and Rose was standing there with Emmett, and she looked like she had been crying. She threw her arms around me.

"Bellsy, are you okay? Do I need to call the cops?"

I glanced quickly at Edward. He still looked angry with the tense set of his jaw, and the look in his eyes told me the cops would be a bad idea. "No, Rose. It's okay. I'll be back soon, right?" I said, deferring to Emmett. He glanced at me with his mouth hanging open and nodded when Rose turned her head back to him. She sighed and looked back at me. "I'll be fine, promise." My words seemed to reassure her because she nodded and followed Emmett back to the house, the echoing of the car door being shut ringing in my ears.

"Is she younger than you or older?" Edward asked.

"Older, but she is very different from me."

He scoffed and I bit my tongue. I was tired of fighting with him. He sighed and turned to look at me again. "Look, I get that you are confident or whatever, and in your profession, you have to be assertive, but where we are going there is a hierarchy, and you don't even register on the food chain, so please try to control that mouth. They won't tolerate it as I have, and that's only because you saved Emmett's life."

"So, what happens if I'm unable to control it?"

"Not anything good." I rolled my eyes at his clipped words. "And don't roll your eyes," he said, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

We locked eyes and he was giving me that intense look again. I looked down, just to break our stare.

Emmett opened the door to the vehicle, getting in the driver's side. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" He hissed at Edward. "You shouldn't have grabbed Bella."

"She wasn't getting in the car. You weren't handling the situation, so I did."

"Yeah, and you completely freaked her sister out. She almost called the cops. I had to calm her down, let her see Bella was okay, and we have two hours to get her back or she is going to call the cops."

The corners of Edward's lips upturned slightly as he looked at Emmett. "Taking orders from a woman now, Em?" Edward's voice was full of sarcasm and amusement.

"Oh, and there's an issue with him listening to Rose? I wouldn't mess with her; she's a biter," I said.

Emmett chuckled. "Did you tell her…"

"I took care of it, Emmett," he interrupted Emmett, his tone leaving little room for argument.

"Are you guys going to tell me who you are? Where we're going?" I asked.

"You'll find out soon enough, Bella," Edward said, his tone clipped. He was staring straight ahead, and he didn't even acknowledge me by looking or glancing at me.

The remainder of the drive was spent in relative silence. Emmett tried to start a conversation with me, but I was too focused on where I could be headed to really engage. I saw Edward's eyes lift to the rearview mirror a few times, but I refused to meet his gaze. I wondered what he was looking for. Was he afraid I was going to bolt? Not likely. I had no idea what I was walking into, but I was going to face it head on, with my head raised high. Before long, Emmett parked the SUV into a garage next to a large office building. They both exited the vehicle, and my door was opened by Edward. My feet had barely touched the asphalt when Edward stopped my movement, not allowing me to walk toward the building.

He lifted my chin to look him in the eyes. "You look like you're walking to the gallows. Everything will be fine, just remember what we discussed."

"Yeah, don't be mouthy," I mumbled.

He chuckled and let go of my chin. "More or less."

I followed Emmett, and Edward walked behind me. I knew why they were doing this, trying to keep me from bolting. As we walked inside a building and down the hall, I got more nervous. Taking a deep inhale, I rolled my shoulders and neck in an effort to calm my nerves. Edward's quiet chuckle echoed in my ear, and despite the harrowing situation, I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips. Emmett opened a set of large double doors, stepping aside to let me in.

Once I had passed the threshold, my eyes took in the large conference room before us—a large matte black table filled up the bulk of the space. There were eight chairs around the table, and only five were currently occupied. Emmett pulled a chair out, all business, no smiles to be seen, gesturing for me to sit, which I did. When he went and sat on the other side of the table, I was mildly disappointed. Edward walked over to the only female in the room. She looked a lot like him with her caramel chestnut hair and the exact same green eyes. He kissed her on the cheek, and she whispered something in his ear. He nodded and she smiled a warm smile at me. I felt a little more at ease from that gesture alone. Edward sat on the other side of the brown-haired man who was seated next to the female. I figured they were somehow related to Edward because the resemblance was definitely there. There were two other younger men at the table, and one that was the brown-haired man's age.

The brown-haired man regarded me with his hazel eyes, and I sat up straighter in my chair, my spine stiff as a rod. I looked right back at him, like I was waiting for him to start talking. "Isabella Swan, I presume."

"Yes, sir," I said politely.

The man gave a little half-smirk that Edward had perfected, and I had my answer. This was Edward's dad, and the female next to him was his mom. "Isabella, do you know why you're here?"

"Please, sir, just Bella, and I don't have any idea why I'm here."

Edward looked like he was trying to stifle a smile.

"Something funny, son?" the man asked.

Edward cleared his throat and composed his face. "No, sir."

"My name is Mr. Cullen. My wife, Esme," he said, indicating toward her.

I smiled politely. "It's nice to meet you."

"Has Edward told you what he does?" He regarded me with a stare that gave nothing away.

Trying not to shudder at the emotionless look in his eye, I glanced toward Edward, before meeting his dad's eyes again. "Edward and I haven't had very many conversations, about much at all, Mr. Cullen."

He glanced at Edward. He smiled, shook his head, and continued. "Your father, Charles Swan, was a police officer, is that right?"

I felt my breath catch in my throat. Why on earth was he bringing up my dad, and how did he know that.

"Bella?" he questioned since I had failed to answer him.

"I'm sorry, but how do you know that?"

He took a file folder and handed it to Edward and gestured to me. Edward got up and walked over to me, placing the folder down in front of me. I opened it and gasped. Right there, held to the left side of the folder with a paperclip, was a few surveillance photos of Rose and me since she had returned to Seattle. The right side had a stack of papers filled with information about me and my family. I looked right at Edward, my eyes burning, I bit my bottom lip to keep from losing my temper, knowing I needed to hold my tongue. He ran a background check on me. The fucker.

I shook my head. "Yes, my father was a police officer. He passed away eight months ago."

"I have been told by Edward and Emmett that you're a surgeon. Your background check shows you graduated high school at sixteen years old, graduated magna cum laude from University of Washington, continued med school there, where you also graduated with honors, and after your five-year residency you received a job at Virginia Mason Hospital, as a trauma surgeon." Emmett and Edward both looked really shocked at this information, like they hadn't been aware of that.

"That's correct," I said, shortly. There really was no need to rehash all that. I had been there. I assume the information was for the benefit of all those present in the room, as they all looked more intrigued now.

"So, you're good at your job?"

"Yes, I am," I said, simply.

He smiled again. "Bella, we are looking for a doctor. We need someone who can be available for any medical needs that may arise. Now as you know from your encounters with Edward and Emmett, there are some circumstances where we can't go to the hospital."

"So, you want me to be like a personal doctor?"

"Yes, what do you think?"

"No disrespect, sir, but you really haven't told me anything so why should I accept?" I said, realizing it was the wrong thing to say once the words were out of my mouth.

He stood up, and his jacket slipped open, showing a holster with a handgun nestled in it. Oh fuck. He walked over toward Emmett, and the harsh glint in his eyes scared me more than a little. "Well, I can see how pretty your sister is from those pictures. I'm sure Emmett wouldn't have a problem getting close to her. It would be a shame if something happened to her. She is the only family you have left, right?"

I stared at him in shock, suddenly having a hard time drawing in enough air. I felt like I was about to hyperventilate, and I was seconds from a full-on panic attack.

Esme glanced at Mr. Cullen, got up from the chair she was sitting in, and came to my side. She gently pulled me to stand by my elbow and led me from the room. She took me to a set of sliding glass doors, and I walked out with her onto a large balcony with an amazing view of Seattle. I heard her quiet humorless chuckle.

"God, love him, but my husband is as subtle as a brick wall," she said, giving me a warm smile. "I know how this may all seem, Bella, but this isn't any different from a regular family. The fact that you even know Emmett and Edward puts you at risk, which unfortunately also puts your sister at risk. If you decide to do this, you will be part of our family, and we protect our own."

I sighed and shook my head. I didn't even understand what was going on. "I'm so confused. He just threatened my sister."

Esme came over to me and cupped both my cheeks with her palms. "He is used to getting his way. Just tell me that you will listen to what he has to say, and if you need some time to mull it over, tell him that. He can respect that. Decisions don't have to be made tonight. Can you do that?"

I don't know why, but the vibe that Esme was putting off made me think of my own mom, and it made the tears well behind my eyes, so I blinked, and they fell. She got a sad look on her face and gave me a short comforting hug. I nodded and she pulled out a Kleenex so I could wipe my eyes, helping me fix my makeup that had started to run.

"I'll give you a few minutes," she said.

I nodded and she went back inside as I thought over all the information I'd just gotten. They had a lot of information about me and I knew very little about them, putting me at an extreme disadvantage. They all carried guns; I was sure of it. I saw Mr. Cullen's and I felt something when Edward was leaning into me after he shoved me into the SUV. Emmett had a gunshot I had to fix. The car accident they got in looked pretty fucking intentional and their being unconcerned about calling the cops, which should have raised all sorts of red flags. They couldn't go to a hospital for simple things. The only thing that made sense was something illegal. The illegal things usually involved the cartel or mafia. All the mob movies and the tv show Narcos came to me, and while I knew they were exaggerated for drama, I was still dealing with dangerous people, this I was sure of.

Edward came outside, pulling out a cigarette as he did. I watched him as he lit the tip, the light hitting his features and the purse of his lips as he pulled in the smoke. I looked away when he raised his eyebrow at me.

"I had no idea you graduated at sixteen," he remarked, sounding mildly impressed.

"Yeah. I grew up in Forks, a small-as-hell town. Whenever I was bored, I did homework and studied because there was nothing else to do. Plus, school made sense, not the other shit my classmates cared about," I explained.

"Explains why you're so young. I couldn't figure out the math," he answered.

"So, I'm too young? That explains why you dislike me so much," I questioned.

"I didn't say you were too young, just that you're young for your profession. Besides, I don't dislike you. I don't even know you," he replied.

"What, so this warm and friendly demeanor is you on a good day?" I asked, my tone laced with sarcasm. "You seem kinda like a dick."

He smiled, with no trace of humor. "Believe me, Bella. You don't want to see me angry."

I looked at him and I could say that knowing his dad was interested in my assistance, I wasn't so worried about him hurting me, now. "I'm not scared of you."

He gave me a humorless smile. "You should be." He flicked his cigarette off the balcony and turned around to go back inside.

I rolled my eyes for probably the last time tonight and followed in after him. As I sat back in my seat, I caught Esme's wink. I looked straight at Mr. Cullen: all traces of fear gone. "I apologize. Please continue, sir."

He studied me for a moment with that calculating look. He seemed to be looking for some sign as to whether or not he should continue. As I gave him no indication that I was anything other than interested, he handed a bound folder to Edward, and Edward slid it down to me. I caught it as it made it to me, giving him a raised eyebrow and Edward gave me a smirk. I opened the booklet and looked at the plan he had put together. "We will set you up in a clinic which will essentially be your private practice. You will see patients as you and your team see fit; I suggest Family Medicine. When one of us needs your medical expertise, then we will visit the clinic and our visit will be off the books. You will also need to be on call if something should come up after hours. You are to make every effort for you to be the doctor our people will see."

I nodded, following along with him.

"You will need to turn in your resignation with the hospital as soon as possible. Our compensation plan is on the next page." I looked up at him and then turned the page. When I saw the figures on the next page, I was a little overwhelmed. Not only were they going to pay for the facility I would need as a surgeon, but I also only had to share one-quarter of my profits with them, and I would make three times what I was making at the hospital right now. That amount of money would pull me out of debt, and I'd be caught up on my student loans in three months. I could move out of my shitty apartment, and I could get a car that wasn't on its last leg. I was so tempted to ask where I signed but something held me back.

"What do I tell my sister?" I asked.

"About?" he questioned.

"All of this. She lives with me for the time being, and I'm a really bad liar. I don't know what to tell her."

"Tell her that an unnamed party was impressed with your record and decided to fund a private practice for you, with the agreement that there would be a share of profits. Whatever you decide to tell her, don't name any names." The warning was clear in his tone; he'd follow through on his threat to harm Rose if I gave her any details of this arrangement.

I nodded as I read through a little bit more of the info, then looking up at him and in my most firm and confident tone, I told him my answer. "Mr. Cullen, this all looks amazing, and honestly more than generous, but I need some time to think about this."

Esme winked and smiled at me. Mr. Cullen looked a little stunned and maybe…impressed? The older male smiled and looked at him.

"You have forty-eight hours to contact me with your decision. I will warn you, Bella. I don't like to be kept waiting."

"Understood, sir."

Mr. Cullen stood from the table and walked over to me. I stood as well, and he shook my hand. "I assume that my son didn't tell you where he was taking you, but next time, it will be a business meeting, understand." I could feel his eyes looking at my outfit.

Had someone said something I wouldn't be wearing tight black skinny jeans, a burgundy t-shirt that was fairly short, but luckily my skin was covered by the black denim jacket I was wearing over it. I nodded. "He didn't. Otherwise, I assure you, I would have dressed appropriately. My apologies."

"I blame him. You're off the hook." He gave me a real smile, and I totally saw where his son got it. It made him seem more friendly, so I gave him a genuine smile back. "Don't let him pull any shit with you, Bella. You worked hard to get where you are, and that demands respect." I nodded. "His position demands it as well, but don't let him steam roll you."

"Sir, do you know something I don't?"

There was that half smile again. "Just an observation, Bella." He turned away from me. "Gentlemen, I believe we are about to hit our time limit, so we need to return Bella to her home."

Edward and Emmett turned to look at me, and Emmett winked and gave me the dimpled grin behind Mr. Cullen's back. I giggled and shook my head as Edward lightly smacked Emmett on the chest and turned when Esme came over to me and gave me a brief hug. "Nice to meet you, Bella."

"Thank you, Esme."

She patted my cheek before I was escorted from the room by Emmett and Edward.

No words were exchanged between us as we walked to the garage. My quickened stride had me beating them to the SUV. The doors unlocked with a chirp, and I fumed as I slid into the back seat. Twin sounds of the front doors closing signaled that Edward and Emmett had gotten into the car as well.

"A fucking background check, Edward. Do you want my fucking measurements or when I lost my virginity too?"

"I don't know why you're so surprised, Bella. It was to protect us as much as it was to protect you."

"Oh, so someone spying on me and my sister was for our protection? I'm touched, really. Fuck. Do you know how creepy that is? How long have you been watching us?" Edward and Emmett exchanged looks. My anger burned white hot. "Stop the car, right now." Emmett must have heard the dangerous shaking of my voice because he pulled over. Without a word, I flung the door open, and I got out of the SUV before he fully stopped the vehicle, then started walking.

I heard a car door shut and Edward speaking. "Get back in the car, Bella."

"Fuck off, Edward." I threw the words over my shoulder and kept walking. Edward's footfalls could be heard over the roar in my ears, and when I glanced briefly over my shoulder, I was startled to find Edward right behind me. My steps faltered suddenly so that I wouldn't crash into him. His fingers surrounded my throat, flexing loosely, the gentle pressure a clear threat that if he chose, he could squeeze, and I'd be left gasping for air.

"Let's have this out right now, Bella. Yeah, I ran a background check on you, after you helped Emmett. I wanted to make sure you could be trusted. My dad became interested in you when he got the report, because it went to him before I saw it. Which led to the meeting tonight. You're being given an opportunity." With his hands still around my throat, he pulled me closer. "Don't waste it."

I refused to let myself cry. I bit my bottom lip. "Why didn't either of you tell me what I was walking into tonight? I looked like shit for a business meeting."

"That was my fault, Bella. I should have told you to dress up," Emmett spoke up from behind us. Edward let go of my throat and I turned to look at Emmett. He looked like he felt really bad about not telling me.

"Enough about your fashion crisis. This isn't the time. You need to get back in the car now. Same rules apply as before—I can tie you up or you can go willingly."

My anger was starting to burn out and I just felt exhausted. I wasn't someone who was scared easily or intimidated often, and I never submitted to anyone. Edward brought out every single one of these feelings in me, so I got back in the SUV without argument, and we headed back to my house. Edward handed me a fancy business card. "My dad, Emmett, and I are all that card. When you have made your decision, call one of those numbers and another business meeting will be set."

I nodded and put it into my pocket. When Emmett pulled into my driveway, I got out of the car before either of them could move past unbuckling their seat belts. "I'm fine. Goodnight."

I walked straight to my door without looking back. Rose looked up from the TV show she was watching, and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I rushed past her and shut my bedroom door. Feeling crushed under the weight of the information I had received that night, I didn't even have the energy to walk to my bed; I just slid down the door and let myself cry.

A/N: Bella is a strong character but she is a little overwhelmed now, yes? How are we feeling. I love Esme so much in this chapter. We got some more Edward. How do we feel about him? Also, I love Rose, though Bella seems like the older sister often. Let me know what you are thinking and leave a review. Just a general note and I will only say this once. I welcome constructive criticism and if this story isn't your cup of tea, that's fine, but nasty or rude reviews will just be deleted. Be an adult, click the x and move on. Thank you so much to everyone who has helpful things to say or people who just love the story. I love all my readers and everyone who takes the time to read my words. Until next week lovelies!