RiNo ~ Part 2 (B-POV)

and

RiNo: The Devil's Turn to Dance (E-POV)

Please read:

This is the second part to RiNo.

This chapter is broken into two parts: a Bella pov and an Edward pov. Although I tried to keep it tame for readers, both contain sensitive and at times graphic content.

Everyone is different. I don't personally find anything within the chapter to be 'too much' for the genre but then again, my feelings/thoughts can be 'twistier' than most.

That being said – read with discretion.

I promise no rape.

Xx

~C

For those that complain about the violence, drugs and Edward's whoring ways (which is before Bella, I'd like to point out)….Really? What kind of mafia movies are you watching?

RiNo Part 2

BPOV _

I didn't really want to say good night to Edward. And on that note, I may as well just say it, hell yes, I'd rather be going back to his place.

But alas, duty calls and here I am.

Going out without Edward just sucked.

For me dancing has always been fun. But dancing for Edward was the fucking hottest thing e-ver!

E-VER!

Feeling his hips pressing his hard member against me was fucking mind blowing!

While I love dancing, I love Edward more and would never disrespect him by dancing with other guys. And I truly hope he knows that.

Without a doubt, I know I would fucking crumble and die if he was rubbing up on some tramp. For me the saying 'it's only cheating if you're naked is a fucking load of shit. It's a cop out - something people say to try and right a wrong. They want their cake and they're gonna make sure they get a taste too.

I don't play like that.

Jessica's sister was getting married and it was so close now. She decided to skip the whole 'wag your dick in my face' experience for a night of dancing and drinks. I had agreed to this months ago, before my sexy Wednesday regular even had a name, and there's no way Jessica would just let me skip out now.

In the back of my mind, I knew Edward wouldn't be ok with me going. I wouldn't fault him for that. And yeah, I'll say it – I'd fucking hate, and I mean HATE with caps if roles were reversed here.

I wouldn't lie to him, that's just not even an option. I did, however, prolong giving him the full itinerary for as long as I could.

My reasons were simple.

One, with Jessica you never know – things are always changing. One minute you're oiled up and ready to soak up a healthy dose of skin cancer and the next she's dragging you're now greasy ass clear across town to test out some fucking mattresses. Sometimes she's like a rat on crack – zipping around in crazed circles from one thing to the next.

And that brings me to number two: why am I going to cause ripples over something that might not even happen anyway?

Long story short – he wasn't happy.

He was teetering on that narrow line, somewhere between irked and extremely fucking irritated.

I couldn't be sure which one was winning out.

Edward appeared calm - but then he always does.

It's something about his eyes, though; when he's pissed he gets an unnerving look to them. They're crazy intense and it feels like he could burn holes through your forehead.

It was those piercing green orbs and twitching jaw that said otherwise.

Pissed or not, though, somehow Edward always stays cool.

I love Edward. Even if he had nothing – I'd still love him. I don't want his money and most of the time I don't even know what to do with all that he gives me. Minus a few dollars here and there, I keep it squirreled away in a wooden music box my grandma gave me when I was like seven or something.

My grandma saved everything – from plastic containers and random lids that fit nothing to unused sugar packets and napkins from restaurants. She used to say 'Without a penny – you can't have a dollar' or something like that anyway. So, stashing the money in the music box my grandma gave me just seemed fitting – like she'd be up in heaven smiling down at me because I was following her words of wisdom or something.

I've had to use a little bit on rent and a little bit on groceries and that's it. Everything else is just sitting in that box, waiting for a rainy day I guess.

Tonight, was going to be the one exception.

Edward was right - it was a special night for Jessica's sister and should be celebrated.

"You like?" Jessica came out, spinning in a circle to give the full effect.

Not missing the steep pitch on her heels, I asked, "I thought you were going to wear the shiny ones?"

She curled her nose up and shrugged. "Eh….they make my feet kinda stinky-ish." Lifting her foot she circled her ankle a few times. "These are ok though. Right?"

"Yeah, those are fine. But let's rewind for a minute here - you forget I live here and have actually witnessed and somehow managed to survive the green haze that seeps out of your beloved shiny black shoes." I grimaced and shook my head. "Kinda stinky - doesn't even come close."

"And as her sister, I can confirm that. It's more like a small animal died up in here when you free those bad boys."

I laughed thinking I have spoken those exact same words to Jessica before. "And riddle me this: How many times have you come flying home like a rabid bat straight out of hell cursing those damn stink traps for being cock blockers?"

Jessica laughed. "Yeah – no, I know. Believe me, I know. I can't help it, though. I like those shoes too much to just pitch."

"Yeah I guess-" I looked down at all the thin black straps – winding around her feet now. "Just so you know, I'm not piggy-backing your ass home – I don't care how much they hurt."

"No worries – I got it covered." She smiled mischievously. "Alcohol, alcohol, and more alcohol! That's all I'm saying."

Oh. My. God.

This night was going to be everlasting.

Although, drunk Jess is hysterical – so there's that.

"Come on-" Jessica grabbed my arm and yanked me off the couch.

We made our way to the parking lot, waiting for the cab.

Tonia dug her heel into the sidewalk and circled her foot around. "Where's Sabrina tonight? I thought she was coming, too?"

"She's probably out with that fuck hawt man of hers." Jenna answered and I wondered about her very enthusiastic emphasis on 'fuck hot'….isn't she getting married?

Jessica shook her head. "Nah, she's pissed at him. Some whore was taggin' his shit up on facebook – apparently Mr. Perfect's got a little sumthin~sumthin on the side. You know what I'm sayin'?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I saw that on there too – he's probably out wining and dining one of his tramps now."

Tonia pointed a single red manicured nail in the air. "Don't even get me started on Facebook. I swear – the root of every argument can somehow be traced right back to that fucking Facebook."

We watched the cab roll on up and we started to pack it in.

I was thankful Jenna took the front seat – really I didn't care who took it as long as I didn't have to. Sitting in the front is awkward – I never know what protocol is. Do you talk to the driver or not? I'd rather just avoid the whole uncomfortable scenario all together and I could careless if I had to sit on someone's lap to do it.

Jessica ducked her head and slid in across the backseat, leaving room for the rest of us. "I'm sick of Facebook. The day Facebook adds a "Who cares?" button would be the best day ever."

Tonia bent over to squeeze in next. "You know Ryan Gosling?"

"Oooo, I love the Notebook!" I said to Tonia's ass while waiting to squeeze in myself.

Jessica dug through her purse looking for fare as she put her two cents in. "I never thought he was much to look at – he's so fucking annoying in Breaker High BUT after watching little snippets of Crazy Stupid Love….fuck yeah, I'd hit it!"

"You and me both!" I agreed.

Sorry Edward.

Ryan is my movie star boyfriend and that is just the way it is.

The taxi was zippin' along – missing most of the stop lights.

We stopped at the convenience mart per Tonia's request for Red Bull.

A dark car pulled in just then and I pointed past Jessica's head. "Hey - didn't we see that gray car earlier – when we were leaving?"
Frowning, Jessica looked over. "I don't know – not that I noticed but there's lots of gray cars like that."

I couldn't swear it was the exact same car and even if it was – what? We're the only people making a pitstop tonight? I looked back over at the car. "It's too dark – I can't see the driver."

Jessica squinted her eyes, trying to see beyond the reflections in the windshield. "I have never seen that car before, Bella. You need to worry less. It could be anybody."

Jenna chimed in, "I didn't see it before either, Bella. Try and relax – have fun tonight." She smiled big and I forced out a half smile.

I swear if I didn't have to work, I'd have turned into a hermit by now. I'm fairly certain my destiny is to grow old and become the neighborhood's crazy cat lady.

Tonia got back, she climbed back over me and sat further back in her middle seat drinking her Bull. My eyes were glued to that car. The cab pulled out of the lot and I held my breath waiting – wondering if the car would follow suit.

It didn't.

I kept rubber necking behind us.

No gray car and I felt stupid.

Finally, I blew out the breath I was holding and felt ten stress points fall off my shoulders.

We paid the fare and moseyed on over to the long, long line and waited. Of course, I had to do a few more looksies and no gray car.

I am officially crazy – and that is that.

We entertained ourselves by taking selfies, people watching and more talk but it wasn't really that long until the bouncer nodded us in. A lone guy from the crowd tried sneaking in with us but the bouncer grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

Apparently, that guy wasn't being too slick.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa – where're you goin?" Barked the bouncer.

The guy nodded over at us. "It's cool. I'm with them."

The bouncer laughed. "Yeah – right." Then he shoved the guy back to the line.

Jessica spoke up, "Hey! That's my boyfriend – what the hell?"

The guys eyes widened in surprise then he tried to play it off. "See? I told you."

I think the bouncer knew Jess was lying through her teeth but he nodded the guy through. "You want him – you can have him."

Jessica grabbed his arm, pulling him close to her as we walked through the large crowd. She pulled him lower and whispered something in his ear before parting ways.

"First round and second rounds on my new boyfriend." She announced – happy with herself.

There were crowds of people blocking the stairs and completely blocking the flow of foot traffic.

It was hard to shimmy between the flocks of people standing, trying to hear over the loud techno music pulsing from every corner. We wove through the masses like a snake, trying not to get stepped on or spilt up.

It was a feat but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

A tall table in a back corner had just been vacated and we took over.

Jessica ordered drinks.

We drank.

She ordered more.

Jenna tilted her head back and sighed longingly. Then with a wistful look in her bright eyes she took everyone in. She was shouting over the blaring music and still she was hard to hear. "I miss this –miss us, just doing what we do best." Contemplation darkened her features and strained her eyes as she pulled her words together. "I don't know what I'm doing – if this is right." She looked so sad now. "I thought this is what I wanted – husband, nice house the 2.5 kids even a fucking dog…now I just don't know."

I waited for the server to set the drinks down and leave before asking, "Isn't it the guy who supposed to get cold feet?" I was having serious doubts about this wedding happening. To start Jenna had been a beast. A god damned beast - to everyone. She was so ridiculous and so freaking difficult I'm surprised Jess didn't rip her throat out. Then there was the date cancelation and now this.

I'd be willing to bet this wedding is a no go.

Jessica waved her hand in the air. "Whatever – marriage is like some kinda milestone…think about it, for you – forever gone are the days of bad lays."

"Amen to that". Tonia agreed.

Jessica nodded at her sister – trying to be encouraging. "Ok, I'm gonna be a bitch for a minute – you can look but don't look, look - okay? See that guy over there by the bar? He's in the gray jacket."

"Yeah, ok -so what? Who is he?" Jenna asked.

Tonia peaked over then. "Oooo, he's fucking hot – I wanna sit on his face."

Jess scoffed. "One-hump – as in that's all he could do before busting his nut. That night ended and my right nipple had been sucked raw and my new pants stunk like beer." She made a face. "Or no even better– see that tall one in the corner over there with the scruff on his chin." She discreetly pointed. "Yeah? You see him?"

We all took a discreet peak.

"He's a lazy fucking asshole – just lays there with his hands behind his head enjoying the show. The whole time and every time. That's what's out there." Jessica looked over at her sister and shrugged. "I'm just sayin, is all. We girls have it bad…" Jessica paused and smiled big as she looked over at me. "and then there's our Bella."

Edward was definitely no one hump chump and I smiled big and wide in agreement. They didn't need the details – although they did get the complete soundtrack earlier. They could use their imaginations for the rest. Edward rocked my world and I swear he's turned me into some kind of wanton fiend, horny all the fucking time. All he has to do is smile that sexy crooked grin and wet panties are dropping.

Jenna pinched my cheek. "Yeah, yeah we know – look at that big ass smile." She picked up my left hand. "So is it serious?"

Edward and I hadn't talked about the future us.

I know I've thought about it, dreamt about it, fantasized about it….well you get the picture.

"We figured we'd take it slow for now – see where things go." I think that's the standard reply.

Giggling like a school girl, Jenna referred to earlier. "If that's you taking it slow…" She had too many giggles to finish.

"It's all relative." Like I know what I'm talking about.

Tonia was next to try and offer Jenna supports. "Your sister is spot on, girl. I have a friend at work that told me this…she met a guy on line…"

"Like ?" Jessica asked.
"What?" Angie asked distractedly then continued on without missing a beat, "Yeah, yeah..maybe – I don't fucking know, it doesn't matter – just listen, ok?"

"Alright, already! Get on with it!" Jessica prompted.

"So, they're out on something like their third date, or forth maybe, whatever, who the fuck cares…" She waves her hand dismissively. "…so anyway, they head back to his place. She's really into him and you know, she's thinking the whole time, 'I'm gonna be getting' me some play'."

"So, they get there, they're on his couch, making out and messin' around when it happens: the dirty talk. He leaned in and whispered in her ear: "I wanna lick your vagina."

I snorted out a laugh. "Eew! That's just wrong on so many levels."

Giving us the girl's version of dirty talk gone wrong, Jessica turned and kneeled on her chair, wagging her ass in our faces and mock panted over whiny pleas. "Please, oh please could I have your penis in my anus?"

Pulling back and scrunching up my nose at the tail she was showing I gave it a big crack with the back of my hand. "What the fuck, get your ass outta here! "

Tonia redirected. "I'm not done – listen, listen this is the best part. Ok so now she's thinking the whole time 'how the fuck do I get outta here when he decided to rephrase. Making his voice all sexy and shit he tries again, this time whispering…" She lowered her voice, giving it a deeper throaty sound but the words that followed were a complete contradiction to anything remotely sexy, 'I want to taste your roast beef slices'.

Forcing the laughter down to avoid choking – I sat there frozen for a second teetering between erupting in vicious snorts and swallowing the alcohol sitting in my mouth. With great effort I managed to finally swallow the clear liquid I had just sipped without spraying the whole table. "Oh my God! Who the fuck says that?"

Angie kissed the tip of her pinky and held it up. "Honest to God's truth! Who the fuck can make up shit like that?"

Jenna composed her laughs enough to add. "There's a code, right – like some weird, some not so weird but that's just-"

Jessica's eyes went big. "I know! How do you hear something like that and not burst out laughing! What the fuck did she do? Tell me she did not spread the bread for this creep?"

I had to chime in, "Right? When you start referring to a woman's anatomy as deli meats, you've got fuckin' problems! Big fuckin' problems!"

Here's where I had trouble with dirty talk.

Anatomy parts.

Particularly girl parts.

I hated saying all those words.

All of them.

None of them ever sounded right.

There are only so many ways of telling Edward where to put his dick without actually using any of those words.

While avoidance is a great strength, creativity is not my strong suit.

I'd settle for pussy before any of the others.

Vagina – sounds too much like high school health class.

Cunt – I loathe that word. I'm not offended by it. You want to use that word, more power to you. I just hate the word itself – if that makes sense.

So, what's left then – deli meat metaphors?

I snorted more laughs thinking about the expression I'd get from Edward if I tried out some of duck-boy's lines on him. I may just have to for fun.

Tonia snapped her fingers, hard then added, "I'd tell his ass 'you ain't tasting pavement - get the fuck outta here and take your hard salami with you! Fucking dismissed, mother fucker'!"

Although there's absolutely no way I'd ever admit to borrowing Mrs. Cope's dirty Harlequin novels for a sexy talk tutorial – I can honestly say you don't need a novel to tell you that is just plain bad. "That's just as bad as a girl saying 'I wanna twiddle your tube steak'." My hand quick covered the laugh snort that had involuntarily erupted.

Jessica came up with the next, "Or, no listen to this one, 'Oooh baby, I'd love it if you stuck your big Willy Wonka between my Oompa Loompas!" Tears were rolling down my eyes as I laughed at this shit. I thought I'd wet myself I laughed so hard and Jessica kept at it. "Get him really hot and go for something a little more hardcore now like, 'I'm aching for your big purple-headed womb ferret, baby'!"

Tonia looked to Jenna, "Girl – listen to your sister. That's what's out there."

Jessica cleared her throat. "Alright, I've got a confession to make." She took a drink while the rest of us waited for details on this new development. She swallowed and took another sip before beginning, "I fucked a fat kid- well not kid, but you know what I'm sayin'?"

Three sets of laughing snorts responded at once.

I wiped the wetness from the corner of my eye. "Please let there be more to this story…"

"Long version or short?" She asked.

My eyes grew wide. "The version that explains how you ended up bumpin' uglies with McFatty!"

"Okay – yes." She looked over the small round table. "But first more drinks." She ordered another round then I interrupted. "How is it I'm just hearing about this now?"

"You weren't home that night." She scratched her temple. "I think that was the night you made up with Edward." She wagged her eyebrows at me. "And I'm still waiting on those details – so…"

"Mmmmm…" I hummed remembering that night precisely. "Those are some pretty fan-fucking-tastic details. But this is your five minutes so – come on, out with it."

Jessica giggled. "So, I was drunk – like blacked out drunk, ok? And when I drink tequila I get horney-"

Three voices chimed in together, before bursting into a fit of laughter, "You?"

"Hmm tequila, Jack, Jim Beam, oh and Captain Morgan…." Half laughing Jessica cut me off. "Oh my God- shut up, bitch." She threw a crumpled napkin at me. Still laughing, I swatted it across the table back at her. "Truth hurts – doesn't it?"

She scowled at me and I chuckled a little more. Then a little more. I thought I had it in control but then some more giggles still. "Can you get it together?"

I didn't dare open my mouth. Biting my lower lip, I nodded and Jessica continued her story. "He's sitting down on our couch…."

"Whoa, hold the phone. Reverse – reverse. This is at our apartment?" She didn't have to nod, I already knew the answer. "Eww." I said. "I sit on that couch, too."

Jessica quirked an eyebrow. "You really wanna go there right now?"

I suppose that was a fair play. "I don't want to go there ever." I half joked in regards to the couch.

Jessica gave me a funny look then redirected back to her story. "Ok….where was I? Oh, so I get naked and get in his lap. Now you know that naked Duck?"

More snorts erupt and my watering eyes go wide glancing sideways at Jessica. "Uh…"

"You know, the naked one – " Oh my god my ribs fucking hurt from laughing so hard. "…from the fucking cartoons you perverts!"

"Daffy?" Tonia suggested.

"No, the other one- he like wears a shirt but goes around letting his shit hang out. " Jessica clarified.

"Donald?" I frowned wondering how farm animals fit into this story and silently vowing to never, ever sit on that couch again.

She snaps her fingers in the air. "Yeah that one – fucking Donald! Okay, so he says, 'You're bringing sexy back, baby' – and he sounds just like the mother fucking duck – all nasally and shit!" With her eyes rolled way up she made her tongue thick between her teeth then tucking her chin into her neck she mimicked her best Donald voice, "'You're bringing sexy back, baby."

"Oh my God, you're spitting all over!" My words came out between fits of laughter as I wiped the wet off my arm.

Jessica clamped her hand over her mouth and wiped off the extra moisture. "Oh, shit-sorry!"

Tonia asked what we were all waiting to hear. "So, while he's doing cartoons, you actually fuck him – we're still waiting over here…"

"Tequila, horny - remember? So, I get his triple X briefs down, climb aboard and get to it, when he looks down and squeezes my boob like it's some kinda bicycle horn." She brought her hand up to demonstrate. "You know, honk. Honk. Honk!"

"Oh my God! This is hysterical!" The laughs kept coming and I was now holding my side – my ribs hurt too much! "Shut up! He did not add the sound effects!"

"Fuck, yes! And I'm just there like, 'what the fuck just happened'? There ain't no amount of tequila gonna make that shit sexy." Jessica proclaimed followed by another sip of her drink.

That reminded me of something I had read. "Just don't let him lick your nips – fucking kiss of death." I shrugged. "For the girl anyways."

Jenna knew what I was talking about. "Yeah, yeah – I saw that, too. It's like all the sudden he's morphed from warty old toad to prince charming and you've got big heart bubbles looming and cupid's arrow sticking straight outta your ass."

Jessica wasn't buying into it. "To each his own. If I'm getting naked – there better be some sucking." She gestured over to the hot guy she talked about earlier. "Now, not to the point where I'm sucked so raw, I can't even wear my bra – but definite sucking. That's all I'm saying."

"It's like the making of a bond – like a new born with its mother." That was the best I could do to explain – the article said it better.

"Now that's some twisted Freudian B.S. right there." Tonia wagged her pointer finger. "It's the kissing that does me in."

I really have to agree. Edward has some talent in those perfectly sexy lips of his.

I used to fantasize what it'd be like kissing him.

I may have even pretended my pillow was Edward.

Possibly that may have happened a time or two.

And believe me – those fantasies were pretty fucking fantastic.

But let me just say - not even close to the real deal.

When his lips touch mine, there's this electricity that sparks and a wave of white heat that just radiates from somewhere deep within. The effects run right through my very center, awakening and opening something I never even knew existed. It's like a current of lightening that makes my heart flutter and my head spin; my thighs quiver and my girl parts just pulsate.

It's the same every time and it's so freaking intense.

I often wonder if its like that for him, too?

Well the guy version of that anyway.

Just then the bartender delivered a tray of drinks. "From the gentleman at the bar." He explained as he set out shots all around.

We looked over but there were too many people to see anything.

Jessica looked perkier. "I see my new beau is living up to our arrangement." A mischievous glint twinkled in her eyes.

I smiled at Jessica's cleverness. "Cool."

"Perfect timing, too." Jessica smiled, lifting her glass to the air. "Okay, come on, come on…" With her palm turned up Jessica impatiently wiggled in a silent demand. "get those glasses up." The lips turned up on her shiny lips as she took sideways glances around the table. "A toast." She smiled bigger. "This one is to all of us, ready?" Clearing her throat, she made a big show of straightening her back and sticking out her generous tits for anything with a dick and a wandering eye. "Ok, here goes it…" With exaggerated delicateness she fingered the nonexistent stray hairs off her forehead and smoothed down the sides. "Remember, wine is fine. Brandy makes you randy. Whiskey makes you feel frisky. Now being off the market might be sad. Especially with all the men you've had. Take time to remember all our fun and to the good times still to come."

"Cheers!" We clanked our glasses and downed the shot.

Taking Edward's suggestion, I excused myself from the table and made my way to the bar to order the bottle service.

We indulged in another round while waiting for the service I had ordered to arrive.

Seriously though, I had to slow it down.

I think we each squealed when it was delivered.

It was so cool – it came with sparklers, but not your regular kind. It literally looked like a rocket ship was getting ready to blast right off the shiny silver platter.

The oooh's and aaaah's of the crowd all of a sudden took over the low mumbles and anyone that wasn't paying attention before was now locked on and staring at the display set before us.

Ehh – not so cool anymore. In fact, I was beyond mortified now. I really hated attention, and somehow even more so when it involved some huge asinine display of obnoxious jackassery.

I could feel my body making itself as small as possible in my seat while Jessica's was getting taller; sticking her boobs out making her own display.

I was definitely tipsy at this point and thankful for it.

The sparkler show went over well.

I felt obligated to give Edward his due credit.

"Very cool of him." Jessica nodded approvingly. "I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't say it – so, you do realize how awesome you have it? Right?"

She was right and that was that. "Yeah – I know."

Tonia pulled the extra-large sparklers off and opened the champagne bottle.

She poured and they drank.

I started to feel wonky so I just barely sipped. In fact, I'm not really sure I sipped at all. I think my lips just touched the cool liquid before I set it down. The flute felt like it weighed twenty pounds in my hand and it was too heavy to keep holding. My movements were clumsy and I tipped my glass, spilling some. "Shit!" I grabbed some napkins and blotted at the table.

Jessica licked her lips and looked around. "Ok – who's dancing?"

Just suddenly I didn't feel so well. A faint headache paired with a bit of the dizzy – not a good combo for dancing.

"Eh – you start. I'll be out in a minute."

I rubbed my head trying to make the dull ache go away. It was warm in the club, too warm. With very little luck, I tried to use my paper napkin as a fan but the back and forth movement just made the dizziness worse. It was warm but my fingers were like icicles as I wiped at small beads of perspiration trickling down. Then I rubbed my chest. My heart hammered away feeling as if it would thunder right through my ribcage.

I didn't hear my phone ring so much as I felt the vibrations right through the dark wood of the table. I jumped at first feeling edgy all the sudden.

"Hello?" No answer. "Hello?" No answer. "Edward?" No answer.

I blinked hard to clear the blurriness then looked at the caller id and dialed the unfamiliar number back. It rang several times then went to voice mail; hearing my name in the greeting caught me completely off guard and it took me a minute to wrap my head around what was happening.

It was hard to catch the words over the background noise so I had to strain to listen. I was sure, positive even that I heard my name – which really doesn't make sense.

The recorded words were partially drowned by muffled voices and the blaring beats of the music.

I tried to move further still from the main dance floor but truly the music beats from everywhere. I had to wiggle my way through the continuous sea of sweaty bodies; squeezing through small gaps and flattening myself along the outer wall as best I could. Finally, I made it to the back; near the broad staircase leading upward to a second dance floor. In between dance floors, it was as quiet as it was gonna get. Which wasn't really saying a whole lot.

I hung up and dialed again – listening closer this time.

'We all have our limits, Bella. I've reached mine. Now I'd love to see what yours are…I've waited patiently - are you gonna play nice this time?'

That ragged voice in mocking tones of sweetness…I knew that voice. It was a voice that would be forever burned into my memory, right along with the iciness of his stare and hard hands.

The message ended and when the line beeped waiting for a response I stood there frozen. Too warm was long gone. Cold set in and seeped through my core now, penetrating even my bones. Chills rippled up the back of my legs to the nape of my neck leaving an icy path in its wake. My head was clouded as my rapid heartbeats viciously drummed, drowning out everything else. It was like a waterfall rushing through my ears. The music seemed secondary now, like it was blocks away rather than at my feet.

How many minutes had passed now?

I don't know.

Has it even been minutes?

My eyes couldn't focus – couldn't find Jess.

Couldn't find any of them.

It was like the crowd just swallowed them whole.

My phone vibrated again. I blinked back tears but could not see the numbers lighting across the screen.

My only audible response - the shallow breaths that my lungs squeezed out as my fingers pushed the end button.

I didn't want to hear anymore.

Seriously, I physically couldn't anymore. I was positive my heart would spontaneously combust at any second now. It was harder to breathe. I found myself almost gasping for much needed air.

There was a war in my dizzy head.

One that I could feel raging loudly in my ringing ears.

I wanted my feet to run. I wanted to scream.

I knew I needed to find my friends.

But nothing moved.

I stood there soaked in fear and paralyzed.

The tickling vibration in my hand made my whole-body jump.

With the realization looming like a dark cloud, my stomach sank, unleashing violent waves of dread with each vibration the ringing phone made.

Forcing my lungs to swallow down the thick air, my fingers reflexively tightened, clenching the shiny object so tight.

I stood frozen, hands at my sides and unable to bring myself to look down.

My curling fingers ached from the strain and with each new jolting vibration against my palm my heart thundered beats of panic against my chest.

I looked for Jess in the crowds – any familiar face but there were too many people; I couldn't focus, my mind was reeling too quickly to process anything and my feet felt like they were being swallowed by a spongy floor.

The strobe lights pulsed, illuminating the chaotic movements on the dance floor. For a brief second the bodies were frozen in time, like a snapshot before the darkness swallowed it whole.

The people were there one second and the next gone.

Lost somewhere to the darkness.

Refusing to look at the vibrating object I brought it to my ear but said nothing.

I tried to force words out of my closing throat, but nothing.

There was silence accept for the deep music beats now pounding in stereo. It wasn't so much a sound to me at this point as it was a violent reverberation of concussion beats that vibrated through my core. I felt sick.

My eyes roamed the moving crowds in vain.

Figures were frozen, vanishing against the blackness then flashed bright in tainted hues of neon.

"Meeting him was just like going into a toy store for the first time, wasn't it?"

There was another long bout of silence as I waited; the only part of my body I could move was my eyes and they darted across the populated dance floor.

Scanning and searching for refuge.

His breathing filled the silence. "Everything shiny and new and all you had to do was reach out and grab a hold of the goodies. But how long will it take you to figure it out – or have you already?"

Just for a brief second, I thought I had seen Tonia but before I could truly hone in – I lost her to the dancing masses.

My mind was foggy and I couldn't keep up. "What are you talking about?" They were the only words I could squeak out.

"That the toy was you. Lovely to look at, especially in black, thrilling to hold but nothing so useless as a toy grown old."

Trying hard to hide the terror coursing through my veins, I manage to string together some coherent words. "I'm hanging up – stop calling me."

"Don't! Don't you hang up on me." I had already started pulling the phone away from my ear, my finger hovering over the end button but something stopped me. His words replayed in my head as I spun around in circles frantically searching the crowds of people once more.

This time for an entirely different reason.

The music seemed to be playing in slow motion – words bleeding into nothing and drowning against the hammering in my chest.

There were more words coming over the phone. I couldn't quite hear, so, like it's a snake or something, I hold it cautiously as I listen a little closer this time. It's so hard to focus. "You look so sexy tonight."

Realization set in at that moment.

What I couldn't put my finger on before was now so obvious – like it was lit on a neon sign.

I swallowed hard then forced my eyes to look down – at my dress.

Black.

My blood turned to liquid ice and I closed my eyes in resignation. My head pounded. "Where are you?" Oddly enough my words came out with a calm I was not feeling.

"Turn to your right, Bella."

I turned, the groups of dancing people bumping into me, jostling me on my unsteady feet as I anxiously scanned the crowds.

Fear and trepidation rushed in like an icy tidal wave, its frozen waters washing over my entire body.

The people flashed against the darkness and seemed to loom in – circling and closing the distance around me.

Bright rays of purple flashed then pulsed into pink before fading into blue then green – the rapidly changing colors bounced on the floor, off the walls; the colors illuminating faces into sickly hues.

It was getting oh so hard to breath.

The fluorescent lighting played tricks on my tearing eyes.

People were everywhere and nowhere all at once.

There was no escape as they circled closer.

The liquid building in my eyes made the neon colors swirl and smear across the distorted faces. The people – they looked monstrous, hideous even in the bouncing lights.

It was too warm.

"I said your right."

I turned again grasping at my neck and fighting the feeling of suffocation.

The air was so thick.

I truly was not well.

Faces blurred, morphing into something more even sinister under the bright purple rays.

Bodies flashed ominously like blackened silhouettes.

Closer and closer, I felt cornered. My lungs were so tight – it was so hard to breathe.

"You're not a very good listener, I said you're right."

Spinning again to the right my eyes searched over the ever-blurring faces. It felt like the floor was shifting, tilting beneath my feet as I stumbled forward.

Faintly I could hear the bitching of a stranger – someone I bumped into.

I tried to face the stranger – apologize but I couldn't focus. There was nothing but smears of color to see. My feet constantly trying to keep up with the unsteady floor.

I was so dizzy.

The floor tilted again – left this time and my feet tripped over themselves to sidestep down the steep angle. My hands blindly grabbed on to anything they could find to catch my fall.

Quicker and quicker my feet moved as the floor sloped back to the right. I couldn't keep up – everything was moving too fast.

Further and further I descended down the sharp incline, until a tight grip on my arm kept my feet from moving further. I was yanked upright and turned to face a hulking dark form.

My startled scream was drowned by music and cut short as my body slammed into the solid form standing in front of me.

My head jerked up, brown starring into brown.

Without thinking, without seeing I thrashed and pushed against his chest.

I kicked and the pointed toe of my shoe made purchase. His grip immediately loosened allowing me to quickly back away; bumping into more people as I slowly escaped.

The crowd was too much.

I rubbed at my eyes, trying to focus – trying to see around me. I couldn't bring myself to push my way through the masses, instead I fled to the back to seek out refuge in the shadows.

So hard to breath.

Air.

I just needed air.

My hands gripped the brick walls, scrapping against their roughness as I used them to balance myself and gasped for a much-needed breath.

Vibrations buzzed against my palm and I leaned my head against the cooler bricks to ward off the dizziness threatening to overtake me. I squeezed my eyes tight and still the neon colors continued to pop off – first explosions of colors then thinning out into veins that spread across the backs of my eyelids like furious tributaries.

The constant motion – I felt sick.

Woozy even.

My lungs felt like they were being squeezed so tight.

Forcing more air passed my burning throat and swiping away the free-flowing tears I found my feet and moved them onward – deeper into the back.

Throwing myself into the black double doors, they swung open too easily causing me to stumble forward.

Ignoring the sudden gasps and random onlookers seated in the quiet lounge area I focused in on the back of the small area. With tunnel vision my unsteady feet surged forward fighting the gravitational pull of the shifting floor. With hands held out for balance, I leaned far into my zigzagged gait and gracelessly navigated towards the aluminum door.

A red exit sign hung like a halo over the abused metal keeping me housed in this cage.

I slammed my body into the door and felt the tingling pains shoot through my wrists from the force I had hit it with.

I used more force this time and the door flung open. I leaned against the door, letting it support my weight. With certainty, this door was the only thing keeping me from face planting right here on the pavement. Reveling in the cooler air for only a few moments, I finally pushed off the door and let it close behind me. There in the back alley the much cooler night air filled my burning lungs with a false sense of relief.

I was exhausted and hesitant to move for fear of collapsing. There was no other choice, so I rested my weight against the backside of the door, doubling over from the fatigue my oxygen deprived body felt.

My phone buzzed again but I didn't look.

Instead I succumbed to the tears that didn't manage to dry out.

Resting my head against the cool metal, I shook my head trying so desperately to focus on the many thoughts flying through my brain.

I couldn't go back in there.

The people, the lights, and the ridiculous heat – it was all too much.

In a daze I looked down the darkened side street seeing nothing but the blackness of the night staring back at me.

Unable to take my eyes off the emptiness of the alley, my hands slap at the door in search of the handle.

I have to look away from the night and down at my clawing hands.

My eyes widen with the realization and lock on to the spot where all handles should be. My hands reach out just in case my eyes are playing tricks – but the door is as smooth as can be and completely inaccessible from this side.

No fucking handle.

Feeling the familiar dizziness crash down on me, I take a single step back and blinking away the fast-moving tears. It's like a movie - the door is right there, larger than life one minute, then with the beat of a second it shrinks a size smaller and is just a bit further out of my reach.

Another second and another size smaller.

Another second still and another size smaller.

More seconds have passed and with each one I find myself further away from the door.

Maybe a total of five seconds have passed and I feel like I'm looking far down a dim tunnel at a door that's so far out of my reach.

I rub my pounding head.

Logically I know if I reach out the door will be there but it does nothing to ease the feeling of helplessness.

The cool lake air in combination with my building fear sent goose bumps rippling down the flesh of my bare arms and I find myself unable to control my still trembling hands as they fumbled to dial Jessica.

One ring.

Two rings.

Three rings, then four.

Her voicemail picks up, 'Hi this is Jess. Leave a message and I'll get back to you A-SAP, I swear. Bye-ee!'

I can't help but feel her cheery words are taunting me as I stand alone against the night and all that lurks within it.

I end the call and look to my surroundings.

It literally takes all my energy to focus.

"Ok" I breathe out. "This is the back of the club." I say to absolutely no one.

The alley leading to the street and to the front of the club is just around the corner.

Giving myself a pep talk, I walk out of the safe glow of the club's lighting and follow the uneven pavement towards the alley.

The back area is wide and the lighting is dim here. I pick up the pace anxious to get away from the isolated blackness.

My quickened footsteps loudly echo off the red bricks of the club.

Each step clicking in perfect time with my racing heart and filling the surrounding silence.

My thoughts are still slow – hazy even.

I think about the drinks we've accepted tonight and curse myself for being so stupid.

Charlie's words - echoes from the past make it past the thundering in my ears. His cautions to never leave a drink unattended; to never accept tokens from strangers – I, of all people, should have known better.

The fast-moving clicks are eerie against the stillness and I find my still-wobbly legs trying to move a little faster.

As I begin to close in on the alley, even with my heart thrumming loudly against my chest, I can hear the quiet purr of an engine behind me. The soft murmur makes my stomach drop and washes an icy trail of terror through my stiff limbs.

And despite my silent pleas, I can feel the car slowly advancing as the back of my neck prickles with fear and bile begins to rise in the back of my throat.

The bright white of his jimmy light is blinding and it abruptly freezes my steps.

Unable to look back, I look down to my ringing phone with dread. My white knuckles ache from the constant death grip. I close my eyes begging God to send me a guardian angel and I swallow hard before pressing the talk button.

Hesitantly I bring the offending object to my ear but say nothing.

My silence doesn't deter him. "You…" He groans into the phone. "God, you look fucking edible." I don't answer and his heavy labored breaths are the only thing breaking the silence.

Praying for fucking courage to anyone or anything that might be listening I end the call and force my feet forward.

I don't look back.

I just move forward.

His jimmy light monitors my movements like a spotlight as I cautiously advance down the narrow back street. Too afraid to move faster but too desperate not to, I continued to press forward - side stepping the empty boxes and trash that littered the alleyway.

Then just like that - the light is gone.

The dark is blacker somehow – swallowing everything in its wake.

My eyes strain to focus but everything has faded into black.

Like a curtain has been draped over the tall walls everything has disappeared.

I freeze in the blackness enveloping me.

It's impossible to see my own hand in front of my face let alone the random obstacles that had been discarded out back.

Temporarily blinded, I freeze in the darkness and slowly turn to look back as I let my eyes adjust. I squint against the white fog left from the brightness of the light; it plays in front of my eyes and I stumble on my steps as my eyes make a great effort to focus.

I'm close to rounding the corner to the alley.

But not close enough.

My current state is a great handicap.

I hear a car door quietly shut and footsteps shuffling along.

Frantically my eyes try to search the darkness – but nothing. I count four very slow steps before there's silence again. My heart feels like a caged bird against my chest fighting for survival.

The brightness of his jimmy light returns and the suddenness sends a shooting pain through my eyes as red and black spots fill my vision effectively blocking out everything else.

Stumbling forward to catch my balance, I instinctively raise my hand to shield my eyes from the offending light. The alley fills with laughter; a sick, maniacal laughter that boarders on something more feral.

The temporary blindness has me momentarily incapacitated and I find my other senses are working overtime to compensate.

I'm alert to every sound no matter how small. The rustling of the discarded newspapers, the crackling glass beneath my feet, the far-off voices and traffic – it's all too much. I find it hard to orient myself and I begin to feel dizzy again. I step back as the lights blink on and off again and this time I'm unable to catch myself when I stumble.

Pain shoots through my hands and knees as they meet the concrete and skid across the glass littered surface. I can feel the warm moisture trickling down my palms as I frantically palm the glass covered ground to get back up. Under my weight my knees feel every bead of glass embedding itself into my skin as I try to stand.

The taunting voice calls out, "Babe, where ya going?" The crazed laughter that follows is enough to make me sick.

Oh, fuck – not now. Please – not now.

In the darkness my burning hands find the brick wall and use it for support.

Just for a moment I rest my spinning head against the cool bricks.

The rough texture of the bricks snags and tears my opened wounds as my hands desperately claw forward. With my eyes now able to focus I move faster towards the alley.

"You can run Babe – but you can't hide." His laughter is further in the distance now and I don't look back as I finally round the corner.

I made it to the alley.

The sound of passing traffic on the cross street is quieted by the tall brick walls encompassing the filthy gangway and the moving cars that pass the narrow entrance move in blurs of dark and light and seem so far away.

I feel like I'm on the threshold of hell so far removed from civilization and with that thought it occurs to me that if he wanted to kill me right here right now there's nothing stopping him.

His partner's strong arms snake around my waist as he leans low and presses his mouth against my ear. "Where you going? Hmm?" Holding me firmly against his body he squeezes my arms tight as he turns me towards the back of the club once more.

With very little effort he tosses me over his shoulder and heads back towards the secluded darkness. "Hey, I think I found something that belongs to you!" He calls out into the blackness. I squirm against his tight grip. I don't trust my voice and barely manage to get a whisper out. "Please…you're hurting me."

Once again at the rear of the club, he drops me to my feet. I stumble back and the force he uses to pin me against the wall knocks the breath from my lungs as the back of my head crashes against the bricks. Stars burst before my eyes in bright whites. The stars are so vivid, so explosive in their color - I'm sure no heavenly angel could shine brighter and I can't help but wonder if this is how it all ends.

What they say in movies – about your life flashing before your eyes before you die.

Nope.

There wasn't even the comfort of familiar faces to hold on to.

My fucked-up head drums up an image of the headlines in tomorrow's edition of the Trib – 'Female; Found Dead on Northside'.

He ignores my pleas and squeezes my arms tighter. He leans his head in and his nose skims along my jaw. "You think maybe James will share?" I feel my stomach begin to roll.

His words make my heartbeat faster still and I have to fight back the pool of tears that's continuing to blur my vision. I watch helplessly as James's large form slowly approaches. "Please…just let me go."

His partner just laughs at my pleas. Holding my wrists above my head and squeezing hard he once again slams his thick body into mine knocking me silly.

I can feel wetness at the back of my head now.

James has closed the distance and takes over his partner's position. He leans low to look me in the eyes. "Go where babe?" I wince when he roughly grabs a handful of hair and makes me look up at him. "Go back to being the big mobster's whore?" His hard eyes, so dark, bore into my own as he jerks back on my hair. "Hmm?"

I squeak out a trembling sound.

He yanks on my hair to punctuate his words. "I asked you a fucking question."

My whole body is shaking with fear. My words come out slurring and stuttering. "You…you…. D..d…d..don't want to….to…want to….to… do this. I'm…I'm….b…b…b…begging you." My throat is hoarse and dry, my voice fading to whispered pleas. "Please, please, James, please – just….just d..d..don't."

James becomes distracted momentarily. He releases me for the moment and I sink to the ground. Tears flowing freely. Ignoring the ache in my hands, I begin searching the ground – feeling for something, anything I could use. He's on his phone but keeps an arm's length between us. It's then that I realize that his partner has retreated. He's somewhere – possibly around the other side. The car is gone – maybe he's moving it.

My eyes scanning the ground, find purchase in a glass bottle. It's further than I can reach. Slowly I begin to creep – he's still on his phone - listening now.

Completely out of options, I move as fast as my current state allows.

Barely away, in no time he reaches out grabbing my arm – and it fucking hurts. His grip is so hard as he pulls me back, knocking me to the ground. He's slowly stalking over now as I try to slide away. Putting his phone in his pocket, he then reaches down and grabs my ankles pulling me closer. I can feel the pavement, like sandpaper against my bare back. Again, I try to scramble back but all my attempts are in vain.

He lies on top of me, eyes boring into mine. His nose skims along my jaw and then he whispers against my ear, "You still my girl?"

His hand is squeezing my thigh so tight.

I am positive I am going to vomit.

Ignoring the hot breaths along my neck and clavicle, I arch my body and stretch as far as I can reaching above my head. Just my fingertips make purchase – its not enough.

James is lower now, his weight a little less as he runs his nose along my side making it easier to reach a little bit more.

Nothing.

I cannot get that fucking bottle.

His weight shifts again, as he moves lower still and all at once I bring my knee up with as much force as I can muster, effectively smashing his nose. A string of profanities – mostly directed at me cuts through the silence. He's stunned for a moment but its enough to just grab the bottle before being yanked back. The back of his thick hand comes out of the darkness and cracks me right across the cheek.

Again, the back of my head is bouncing off the pavement and I drop the bottle.

His body is pinning me in place once again and he's saying something I can't make out. His face comes closer and I press my thumbs into his eyelids. I press and press so fucking hard. He screams and tries to move back, freeing my legs. My knee comes up once more and I knee him in the groin this time. He doubles over groaning and swearing and finally I have the bottle. I bring it down over his head as hard as I can. I feel the pieces shatter around me. There is no time – no room for error. I have this one shot. Eminem's words come out from nowhere, 'feet fail me not.'

My shoes, I kick them off and run.

I run like hell.

-E-POV

The Devil's Turn to Dance

RiNo ~ Part 2

Putting a twenty in the valet's hand, I followed Jake through the blue velvety ropes sectioning off VIP from the crowd waiting in line at the door.

I hadn't yet made it to the door when a small blur came stumbling out from the alley. I watched in what seemed like slow motion as she ran while looking over her shoulder. The odd angle caused her bare feet to trip; she tumbled forward, her hands frantically clawing at the ground to catch her fall and her feet scrambling to propel her forward faster. Her eyes were behind her again as she continued to run. She didn't see me in front of her and crashed hard into my chest. "What the-" I frowned looking down.

Her hair was a mess, covering her eyes and her path. She didn't see me and screamed when her body made impact. Her bloodied hands fought against me, hitting my chest and my hands instinctively wrapped around her arms to pull her off me. I was ready to hand her and her damn hysterics off to the bouncers when she shrieked again and clenched on to my shirt. Annoyed, I looked down at the bloody stains smeared on my clothes, pissed someone else's business was keeping me from my own – when I realized it was Bella.

My heart fucking stopped.

There was blood everywhere, making it impossible to tell where she was hurt. Even her tear stained cheeks were smeared with blood.

Jake went to handle the approaching bouncers. When she needed them what the fuck were they doing? And I sure as fuck didn't need them.

The valet was now approaching. "You want me to do something – like call an ambulance or something?"

Not taking my eyes off Bella, I barked at the valet, "I need my fucking car – leave it right there and keep it running-"

"Sure, yeah, yeah I got it - no problem."

I was torn between holding her close and pulling her away to see the damage that had been inflicted. "Christ, Bella – what happened?" Every second that past that she didn't answer a thousand scenarios played though my head – none of them good and each one worse than the last.

She was shaking and hysterical, her body wildly struggling against me trying to escape my grip. My own heart was beating frantically as pulling her close won out. I pressed my lips to her matted hair, "Baby, tell me." My voice was raw as I fought to keep it together.

She squirmed away, her eyes were wide with fear and somehow not seeing me – they were somewhere else and almost looking through me. She kept pushing against me while looking over her shoulder – looking back at the dark alley. "Where's Jessica? What were you doing back there?" She didn't answer but I knew whatever happened, happened back in that alley.

Leaving Bella was not an option, so I nodded Jake off to check it out. Afraid to squeeze her too tight, I directed her chin towards me. "Bella?" Gently I wiped away the wetness under her eyes and slid my jacket off to put on her. "Talk to me. What happened?" Taking her trembling hand, I turned her bleeding palm up, now seeing the small fragments of glass glittering under the streetlights. The same was true for her other hand.

Her eyes finally connected to mine – not looking past me this time. "Edward?" It was the only thing she got out before she held me tight and sobbed into my chest. I was going insane not knowing what happened to her.

Her body convulsed against mine so I wrapped my arms around her and held her to me. She called out for me a few more times and I told her I was right here and held her tighter. At this point, with my mind continuing to shoot out one sickening possibility after the next, holding her close was to comfort myself as much as it was her.

I pressed my face into her damp hair and inhaled deeply. "Bella, you're fucking scaring me. Say something – please." Looking back at the empty alley, my mind was stuck on the worst possible scenario.

The bruises, the torn clothes – Christ, the fucking blood.

I could barely even think the fucking words let alone say them.

"Jesus Christ – what happened?" That was as close as I could come to asking and even those words rolled off my tongue like fucking acid. The idea of someone else's hands on her literally made me sick. Time seemed to stand still as I waited for her to answer me and when she didn't, I demanded a name. "Just tell me – who?" She made no attempt to respond. "Christ, Bella – just give me a name." She cringed at my clipped tone and with an extreme amount of effort, I forced myself to rein it in.

She trembled so I wrapped my arms around her and listened as she stuttered out some kind of response. Her words were thick and between the deep sobs I couldn't make out what she was saying. Her words escaped me – all except one.

The name.

It was the only thing I needed to know.

I swallowed back the black rage, barely able to keep it below the surface. The only thing that kept me standing here was her. She needed me and she would come first.

Jake jogged back, her heels dangling in one hand, her purse clutched in the other. "There's nothing back there." He looked over Bella's trembling form with a pang in his eye. "How is she?" Even though she despised what she referred to as 'Jake's babysitting duties' they had become close. Jake, too had a soft spot for Bella and was currently at war with his own demons.

I shook my head because I didn't have an answer for him. Other than the 'who', I still didn't know anything more. She was spent.

Picking her up, I looked down and saw the same small fragments embedded in her knees and sparkling a blood red in the light. She rested her head against my chest and never looked up as I placed her in the back seats. Then to Jake, "You're driving."

She sat quietly, facing me but not really looking at me. I ran the pad of my thumb softly down her bruised cheek – still wondering and silently going crazy as each minute passed.

She looked down, her hand rubbing at her forehead. That's when I noticed the dark blood stain on the headrest. She let me look. Her har is dark, I didn't notice at first. Excessive bleeding comes with head wounds so you never really know but it didn't look good.

My heart fucking ached.

She let me hold her close but I remained mindful of the glass and bruises.

Her words were soft, I could barely hear and had to lean closer. And even still I wasn't catching everything she said. It was faint and robotic, ghostly even.

When she finally got her story out – I was fucking seething.

My mind was being pulled in a dozen different ways at once. It took an extreme amount of effort to be as patient with Bella as needed when everything inside me was screaming to hunt this fuck down.

Jake's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. He knew I was close to losing it and hanging on by a bare fucking thread. For my next maneuver, it didn't matter that I still didn't have the full account.

He was there and that's all I needed to know.

For the first time since getting in the car, she snapped her head up, squinting to see the street signs as they passed.

I was anxious to get Bella home, where I could take a look at her wounds more thoroughly.

I'd never take her to County Hospital – too many patients and too little doctors. We were headed to my house; I had a guy on the side that's more reliable than the quacks they pass off as doctors. My guy is used to late night calls and best of all he makes house calls – no questions asked.

Bella's hands clawed at my shirt, leaving smears of blood as she pleaded, "No, I have to go home, please. She's my baby - please Edward, please…"

Jake pulled up to my place and quickly left to unlock the door.

He turned the lights on and waited with his hand on his piece. He was ready for anything that might come.

"Bella, stop… Look at me." Trying to still her, I carefully held her wrists, bringing her frantic hands to my chest. She wasn't thinking clearly – not that I faulted her for that. "Think about it. It's the middle of the night – she's asleep. Seeing you like this…" I pulled back and felt a pang in my chest as I looked over her marred features. "you don't want her to see this." Honestly, this would scare her – Bella would have already thought of that if she wasn't near a panic attack herself.

Without argument, I carried her limp body straight to the bathroom. Jake paced the first floor, stopping only to briefly scan the street from the windows.

Under the brighter light, the bruising was more apparent.

It occurred to me then that Bella didn't really have anything of hers at my place, so I sent Jake to grab some of my clothes from my room. It didn't matter what, everything would be too big anyway.

He returned with two sets; one for Bella and one for me.

She let me remove her torn dress, revealing more bruises on her upper legs and hips. My eyes were stuck– just starring at her skin and the deep purple bruises resonating on her thigh. It looked as if his handprint had been branded into her flesh.

Cuts of varying sizes were just – every fucking where.

She grabbed the extra shirt Jake had brought down and slipped it over her head. She yanked it down, over her bruises and crossed her arms. I noticed the extra caution she used when moving – she was feeling the effects of the night.

I sat back on my heals and just looked at her – my heart literally fucking aching.

She titled her head as she wrapped her arms around her midsection, hugging herself tight. "Your eyes, they're so dark. They look black."

The weight of my stare made her fidget. She didn't look back – she kept her eyes low, trained on the creases her fingers were now making in my shirt. "You're pissed." She observed.

"Pissed?" I chuckled with zero amusement as I worked to even my own breathing. "You think I'm pissed?"

That was fucking laughable.

I could think of a slew of things Bella does that pisses me off on the daily but I didn't go there. "Pissed is when you're stuck in fucking traffic when you needed to be at meeting ten minutes ago. That's fucking pissed." She still didn't look up. "See the difference?"

Pissed didn't even come close to the enraged charge dominating my every fiber. The tides of burning rage were powerful and caustic as they tore through my veins leaving a smoldering trail in their wake.

Once more, I found myself at war. Struggling to swallow the burning wrath that had come home to roost.

And again, close to losing my shit, I turned it off. I was in a fog of my own. Don't kid yourself, though. With great effort, I pushed it down, somewhat detaching myself for now but it still had a life force of its own. The flames of fury continued to wickedly lap beneath the surface, scorching everything along the way while waiting for an opportunity.

I cracked my knuckles, took out the rubbing alcohol and every bandage I could find then turned on the water.

Grabbing a washcloth, I gently began wiping away the dried blood from her cheeks. After an eternity of silence her raw voice croaked out, "Please, Edward – if anything happened to her...I could never, I would never forgive myself. Please…"

Kneeling before her, I palmed her cheek. "Do you think I'd let anything happen to her?" Her dark brown eyes were filled with needless worry as she scanned my face and tried to process what I was telling her. "I promise you, she will be safe." I turned my attention to the cuts on her legs now, first blotting the blood away then lightly rubbing the spots where the blood had dried. I could see several cuts filled with remnants of glass and I was fairly sure at least one of the cuts would need a stitch or two.

She shook her head to argue as I dabbed the cuts with alcohol. "Mrs. Cope can't do anything – if he shows up, there isn't anything she can do!" Her words were rushed, barely keeping up with the thoughts racing through her mind. The panic had renewed itself. "Oh my God, Edward, he'll take her. He'll do it this time!" Her shaking hands clenched my shirt with a strength of desperation. She wasn't feeling any pain with the adrenaline spiking through her body. "Please, I have to go home."

"He isn't going to do anything." I brushed the damp hair off her forehead, holding it in place as my other hand held her cheek. "Felix and Demetri are on their way – nobody is gonna get through that door, Bella – nobody."

"Felix and Demetri-" She repeated their names as her worried eyes looked back to mine. Her frazzled mind couldn't make the connection.

"I promise you, they will keep her safe. Let me get you patched up as best I can and I'll go get her – but you have to calm down."

Her pleading eyes snapped back to mine while hope rang out in her now raw voice. "You…you'll get her? Oh, please, Edward, please get her. I can't…" Her upper teeth bit into her bottom lip as fresh tears filled her eyes. "I –I just-"

I grabbed her chin. "Hey, look at me-" Getting her attention to stop her unwarranted worries. "I wouldn't have it any other way." That was the truth of it.

"I just can't think. Without her …Edward please just go now. I can't – I..I feel sick. I just can't do this."

She buried her wet face in my shoulder, shaking her head from side to side. "Please, Edward, please…" I could feel her arms tighten around my neck, begging in their own way. Her continued pleas broke my heart. She didn't need to beg – she never even needed to ask, getting Adrianna before I hunted that son of a bitch down was always next.

Hugging her shivering form to me, I pressed my lips into her matted hair. "It's going to be fine –" My words were interrupted when out of nowhere she pulled away and smacked the alcohol out of my hand. Meekness was replaced with a deep feral growl – her eyes wild like a demonic possession of sorts. "I don't give a fuck about my knees!" Then she collapsed, curling up into a ball on the bathroom floor, she buried her face in her hands again pleading with me in between broken sobs. In my heart I knew the baby was safe but I could no longer deny her. Lifting her up off the floor, I carried her to my bed – bloodied knees and all. She rolled away from me, taking the same position as in the bathroom and continued to sob.

My heart was torn. Leaving Bella in this state was not ok with me; on the other hand, I'd feel more relaxed if the baby were here too. I didn't lie to Bella, realistically I know nothing will happen – it would just give me greater peace knowing she was here too.

Leaning over Bella, I kissed her hair and pressed my face against her neck. "I'll be back. Try and be calm." There was no response. "Jake's here – just downstairs, if you need something." She let out a puff of air but still wouldn't turn to face me.

Without another word, I walked out and shut the bedroom door behind me.

My phone vibrated and I looked to see who was calling.

Carlisle.

I let it go to voicemail.

Jake closed up his phone when I came back out into the living room. "Skip – we got a problem."

I chuckled darkly. "Shit tends to come in threes and not the holy trinity kind. Out with it."

"Fingers is gone." Jake ran his finger across his throat. "Nicky and Riley were coming in from a couple of jobs they pulled and spotted his car. Found him all sliced up still sitting at the wheel."

"This…" I tapped my pointer finger hard against the counter. "…this fucking ends tonight. " Jake nodded in understanding while I dumped Bella's purse out and snatched up her keys.

Leaving Bella tonight was not something I wanted to do, it was something I had to do.

My phone went off again.

And again, I ignored it.

"What do you want me to do?" Jake asked – ready for anything.

"You stay here. Call the Doc." Again, I pulled out my phone and hit ignore, then looked Jake in the eye and motioned towards the second floor. "Just – just keep her calm." I looked at my watch. "I'll be back in a half hour."

I was gone.

The streets still had a fair amount of traffic. Weekend traffic. Even at this time of night, most clubs are just getting started.

My phone vibrated again. I answered because in an hour or so, I want to be distraction free.

"Where are you?" Carlisle asked.

"I can't do this right now."

"How is Isabella?" He asked with genuine concern.

News travels fast. "She's with the Doc – I think she'll be fine but we gotta wait and see what he says to know for sure."

"Esme wants you to know that she's happy to have Adrianna." There was a pause. "You can bring her and you know if need be – she can stay here with us until…"

"I'll let you know." There was another pause as I lit a smoke. "Right now….fuck." I took a drag. "Just tell Esme thanks."

"Edward –" There wasn't much he could say over the phone and he knew without equivocation how this night was going to end.

"I know." Bella wormed her way into that old buzzard's heart just like she does with everyone else. He didn't need to say it. I truly did know.

"Here's some advice: 'Don't hit at all if it's honorably possible to avoid'. You know who said that?"

"No." And I could care fucking less.

"Theodore Roosevelt. Great fucking man."

"Carlisle –" I warned not in the mood for history lessons.

"There's more…. The rest goes, 'you never hit soft.' You hear me? You don't hit soft, Edward." Carlisle's way of reminding me that I had his support – not that it made a fucking difference to me. "I live by those words – believe in them."

"Tell Esme thanks – you know for the offer. I'll call her tomorrow, let her know what's going on."

We hung up and I parked my car.

Felix and Demetri were parked right out front as directed. Demetri rolled down the window when I knocked. "What's up, Skip?"

"We're going to work." I looked to my watch. "Yous two are gonna get outta here and pick up the work van." I paused thinking I saw a shadow in Bella's apartment. "Pick me up at the club – I'll let you know the timeline in a bit."

Reaching behind my back, I rested my hand on my gun and made my way up to the second floor. Bella didn't live in a security building, making it easy for anyone to go wherever.

At her door, I waited and listened.

Nothing.

I took out her keys and quietly let myself inside, ready for whatever or whoever.

Jessica cautiously peeked from around the corner. "Edward?" Her hand rested over her heart and she flipped on the lights. "Oh, my God! Shit - you scared me." Jessica frowned looking past me, a large kitchen knife in her other hand. "Where's Bella?"

I walked towards her and removed the knife from her hand. "Go pack a bag for Bella – " I couldn't think of specifics. "Just – whatever for a couple of days. The baby, too."

"Yeah – so where is she?" She asked suspiciously.

"Now you're concerned?"

"Of course – she's my friend and she just up and left. No warning – just nothing. So – is everything ok?"

"She's at my place. I'll have her call you tomorrow."

"But is she okay?"

"I said I'll have her call you tomorrow. You get that bag packed, now." I had already turned to leave for Mrs. Cope's.

Bella had called Mrs. Cope so she was expecting me when I knocked.

Adrianna barely woke as Mrs. Cope handed her off with well wishes for a speedy recovery. I thanked her and assured her I'd pass along her kind regards to Bella.

"Seriously Edward – what happened?" She rested her hand on her hip. "Why isn't Bella answering her phone?"

"Bella will call you tomorrow. The bags. Now." I snapped my fingers as a barometer of my patience, which was fucking non-existent at this point. I swear if I have to say it one more time, I'm going to wrap a bag around this broad's fucking face. That mouth. Never. Fucking. Stops.

"Yeah – here." She was quick to hand them over.

When I made it back, the Doc hadn't been there yet and Bella was just quietly staring off at the wall. She whispered a 'thank you' as I set the baby next to her.

"How you doing?" I worried.

"You should see the other guy." She joked for my benefit.

I forced the corners of my mouth upwards and hoped it didn't look as forced as it actually was. I could understand the gesture to lighten things but I was too far gone to joke. I didn't need humorous commentary – what I needed was to hear this guy scream.

"I'm gonna run out." I moved a wisp of hair from her forehead. "Jake will stay."

"Promise me you'll come back?" The tone of her voice carried a sort of desperation that I was hearing for a first time. I felt every string of my heart being ripped at. With every quiver of her voice, I knew this guy's fate was becoming more and more painful.

She looked up at me with big round eyes. Kissing her forehead gently, I took in the scent that is Bella. It was sweet and pure and for a brief moment, peace washed over me. "Of course, I'll be back, baby."

As I shut the door behind me, that wave of peace quickly turned to an anger even I have never felt. Every fiber of my being was instantly programmed to make this mother fucker scream in agony. I wanted him to be fully aware of his painful ending until the moment his body just fucking quits. He'll get no help from me. I'll watch as his lights go out on their own while he writhes around in every pain hell could invent.

"This – this is mine." I walked over to the safe and pulled out a clean gun. "I'll take care of him myself. I want him to see my face before-" Jack had spent countless hours following him – looking for opportunity, a weakness. Then he went low, holed up wherever – but tonight I will take my pound of flesh. I don't care if I have to burn the city to ash to find him. He has been running on borrowed time and time is up.

On most hits, you have a plan in place and you try and isolate your victim. I once waited ten hours in a freezing car in the middle of fucking January for the target to show up. The cold makes it easy – it keeps you awake and alert. Tonight I didn't need the cold to stay alert. I had enough fucking adrenaline coursing through my blood to keep me going for days.

I felt like a live wire.

Tonight wasn't planned and I could give a fuck if I find him in the middle of crowded Daly Plaza or alone and asleep in his bed. Either way when the credits roll they'll be wrapping up the same story.

There have been a few occasions I've had to hit a guy in public – not what I would have preferred but sometimes you're left with no choice. I walked into that restaurant where my guy is sitting, calmly walked over to him, calmly pulled the trigger, then turned around and calmly walked out.

In a case like this – where you have an audience, I use a piece that's gonna make a lot of noise because I want everybody in that place diving under tables. I had to laugh watching the news later that night – 11 different witnesses and 11 different descriptions of me and not one was totally accurate.

The black utility van was easy to maneuver through the city's streets and came to a screeching stop in front of his house. He was half out of his car, when Felix pulled up, blocking his drive way.

I didn't bother trying to hide the gun and had it trained on this piece of shit as I quickly began to close the short distance.

I packed flat nose bullets because I wanted him to fucking suffer.

Even at a short range they won't kill you, but they will inflict the greatest amount of damage.

The flat nose will punch a big enough hole through the target to keep 'em bleeding as they proceed to carve their way through flesh and tissue and smash their way through bone.

Just a regular bullet through the leg muscle fucking hurts like hell – but one can keep going.

Break the femur and you're going nowhere.

I'm a good shot and I know where I'm going to hit you. When I come for you - you are going to die.

No one has lived yet. I have steady hands, sharp eyes and experience.

Our eyes met and I could see the exact moment the realization hit home.

There is no question, he knew it, I knew it – he was going to die tonight. It wasn't going to be quick or painless – I was going to drag this out for as long as he held up.

He turned and ran down the gangway, the light was dim but I could still make out his dark form like a shadow ghost retreating in the night.

He could run all fucking night for all I cared.

That was it – his only move.

And it was too little too late.

I jogged back to the van and Felix hit the gas. The van leapt to life while its spinning tires screamed, protesting against the abuse. Felix flew down the quiet, sleepy streets, blowing past stop signs and disregarding the one-way street signs. He took a middle position in the road to quick cut a left then continued to bulldoze his way down to the next intersection. He sailed up several streets before cutting over again – tires again screaming against the pavement.

I had him pull over, past the street light and kill the engine. From the shadowy corner, I emerged from the van, bat in hand and waited.

And – fucking clockwork.

There he was.

Running into the broadside of my bat.

The impact was hard, knocking him flat on his back.

I stood over him, tapping my bat against his chest while waiting for his confusion to lift.

His eyes were squeezed tight ad he groaned and rubbed his head.

His eyes finally opened; locking on to mine - and there it was.

I could smell the fear pouring off him in waves. If you've ever wondered why an animal attacks someone who's afraid of him, it's because the fear just pours out of him – creates an odor, causes frenzy.

I saw it.

I smelled it.

I loved it.

I loved his fear but I loved the power I held over him more.

I stood over him, watching his pathetic form roll around on the concrete.

I was enjoying his pain but I was far from finished.

Without warning I yanked him up and slammed my gun across his left cheek, repeatedly. My own breath was labored from the force I put behind the beating and after a few more belts I let go of his collar and let him hit the cement. He rolled over and spit out a wad of blood – and maybe a tooth. His body squirmed away seeking some kind of refuge.

"What? You think I'm done?" I shouted and let my foot crack his ribs. "We're just getting started." His hands immediately moved to his injured side – I could give a fuck and kicked him again, most likely breaking his hand in the process.

There he was.

On the ground beneath my feet; squirming like a fucking toad.

My gun was pressed up against his right temple.

My fingers itched to pull the trigger.

It was a testament to my own fucking will.

The stench of death so close and heavy in the air - like a thick fog.

I could fucking taste it, too.

Every beat of my heart demanded it to be so – willing my finger to do it. To pull the trigger.

An eerie calm had washed over the fury leaving in it's wake a hunger like no other. The monster had been unleashed and reared its sinister head from deep within. The monster – he was far from satisfied; craving something darker. Something to keep the fire burning through the cold dark nights to come.

Felix helped me throw his ass in the back of the van.

James had been knocked out by the time we pulled up to the warehouse so we dumped him on the concrete floor and went out for a smoke. We didn't bother tying him up – he wasn't going nowhere.

There wasn't nowhere to go – even if he tried.

The short narrow staircase creaked under my weight as I descended to the basement. With each step I made the aged wood groan. I ducked my head around the bare bulb hanging from the low ceiling and made my way to my tool bench. Felix already had a thick plastic tarp laid out – makes for an easier clean-up.

We sat him up and tied him to the chair to keep his limp body from falling over. The back of my hand made contact with his broken cheek. The crack against his skin echoed off the skeleton walls. "Wake up!" I smacked him again making him grunt.

"Hello, James…" His head hung low in defeat and barely moved to acknowledge my presence. "I'm your date tonight and we're about to get to know each other real well."

"See these are my insurance policies." I unrolled the tan cloth to reveal the tools. His face was swollen and misshaped but he paid close attention nonetheless. "They'll ensure that you understand – tell the truth…"

"Fuck you!" Blood sprayed from his lips.

"Shh… listen." Cupping my ear, I leaned to the right. "You hear that?"

He took a minute – trying to hear what I was talking about. "What?"

"Exactly – there's not a living soul for at least 10 miles. " I took great satisfaction in fucking with him. "So you can scream as much as you want – but in the end I'm all there is." I held my arms out wide for emphasis.

"I'm a fucking cop."

I scoffed - as if it mattered. "You're a cop – a cop who stole a lot of fucking money – not to mention all the drugs." I shook my head. "Not good James – not good." I tisked shaking a finger at him. "When you end up gone – missing, it'll confirm what they already know. You see you play checkers my friend. I play chess."

I smiled. Sitting back I took my time lighting up a smoke and blowing a cloud of smoke towards the ceiling. "You like the new Camaro?"

"What?" He was confused by the change in dialog.

"The commercials - they did nothing for me." I took another drag. "I thought it was a pussy car. Those car lots, they're smart though." I hit my cigarette again before continuing. "To let people take test drives, I mean. People come in, see it's not all bullshit – sales go through the roof. My opinion on it didn't change until I took one out one day."

"That fucking commercial could play all day long and I'd still say it was a pussy car. Words are just words – and they don't mean shit until their not words anymore." I paused letting those words sink through his thick skull. "You see what I'm saying?"

He didn't respond.

So I continued to clarify my point. "I couldn't appreciate the power behind it until I had a demonstration. A demonstration – now that's different – more memorable than just words. A demonstration gets the point across –and isn't something you're likely to forget. A demonstration helps sort out the bull shit from the truth. Agree?"

His expression was either daft or dazed – maybe both. "You're fucking crazy! What the FUCK?!"

I couldn't help the laugh that erupted from my core. Now this…this was fucking funny. "Still not following? That's ok – " Leaving my cigarette hang from the corner of my mouth, I yanked his hand up and tested the wire cutters out on the tip of his pinky. The snip was so quick he didn't even see it coming. "See?"

He jerked his hand back, squealing from the pain, blood pouring from his newly damaged appendage. He cradled his wounded hand and doubled over. "Oh GOD! Oh SHIT! What the fuck is wrong with you?! SON OF A BITCH!"

I felt have crazed with glee. "Now am I right or am I right?" I sat back gleaming over my handiwork and enjoying his screams of agony.

Fucking priceless. His screams were a beautiful melody to my ears. One I could listen to all night. And will.

When his deafening screams became less animalistic, "What the Fuck!" He roared looking up, his glassy eyes glowering with a deep-rooted rage.

I turned away "Now you know I'm not fucking around." I sat back and stubbed out the cherry on my smoke. "We're about to get to know each other real well-" With mocking tones, I added, "like old friends."

Now with his renewed attention I calmly continued my demonstration.

"And by the time we get to this…" I smiled over at him and aimed the blow torch just past his head, squeezing the trigger and burning half his ear off in the process. I continued through his shrieks of hysteria. "…you and I will be like brothers."

I ignored his continued screaming and torched the nub I left for a pinky, too.

Wouldn't want him bleeding out on me.

"Now, we get to this one…" I lifted the serrated saw up and examined the sharp gleaming blade under the dim lighting, before directing my eyes to his, "…you'll be confessing your every sin."

Felix lumbered by then paused to sniff the air. "Smells like roast piggie." He taunted and laughed as he collected the gas cans to fuel the wood chipper.

"I'm not saying shit!" He spat out. His words sounding more garbled as his body shook convulsively. A combination of horror and shock consuming every fiber of his being.

Ignoring his stubbornness, I remained upbeat. "See, now that's the wrong attitude." Grabbing his index finger I jerked it back, snapping it at the joint.

"Mother Fucker!" He hissed out through gritted teeth. "You're fucking crazy!"

My head fell back as I laughed. "You - You're calling me crazy? No, what I am is pissed."

"Where did Bella's father fit in to your game?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's too bad-" Grabbing a hold of his wrist I clipped off another finger and stuck his hand in a bucket of vinegar letting it bite at the gaping hole.

His screams were useless – nobody could hear.

Even if there was someone lurking around and close enough to hear, any sounds would be drowned out by the freight trains.

"You're gonna kill me anyway!"

"True-" I walked over and got my staple gun, loading the staples as I walked back. "but I'm giving you a choice: you can tell me what I want to know and I can put a bullet in your brain or you can keep up with the amnesia routine and I can keep you alive all fucking night." I shrugged. "It's that simple and the choice is yours."

Tearing open the front of his shirt, I stapled a large and thick piece of sheet plastic to his chest. "Now, I'm not gonna lie - that wouldn't be right. This is gonna hurt- probably a lot." When I lit it up with the torch it shriveled and stuck to his burning skin. His eyes bulged as he gritted out a string of fucks. The plastic melted into his charred skin and the heat it had absorbed would continue to keep him burning long after.

His body lurched forward and instantly spewed his last meal. A reaction to the pain no doubt.

"Charlie wasn't on the take!" He finally blurted out. Desperation clung to each of his words. It did him no favors, I enjoyed each shaking syllable and was encouraged to hear more.

Walking behind him, I tore his shirt off the rest of the way and stapled another sheet of plastic to his back. His body jerked and twisted, more screams and half sobs now. "I swear – fuck! I swear – he wasn't a part of it!" I lit his back up and watched the plastic mold to his backside. "FUCK!" He sobbed more, his head hanging in defeat. "Just fucking do it – just kill me." Jerking his head up, his eyes dark with hatred he demanded absolution. "Kill me, you mother fucker!" His desperation was clear.

I pulled out my gun and set it on the table. "You want something from me – you're gonna have to do better than that."

He shook his head the sobbing relentlessly distorting his words. "He knew – he knew what was happening! He had the evidence to put us all away!"

I lit another smoke. "What evidence?" None of this was new. I already knew – and pieced together the rest. I just wanted to hear it from him.

His breathing was labored as he sat with his head drooping low. His voice was raw and thick as he spoke softer now. "He had witnesses, pictures, fuck – he had a book with names, places , dates – he had it all!"

I nodded already knowing all of this. "How did you come about this piece of information?"

His anger returned and with it a deep voice resonating from deep within. "He fucking came to me! Used it against me, blackmailed me into not seeing Bella anymore!"

Hearing her name out of his mouth just added more fuel to the fire I had raging inside of me. Ripping up the pipe that was laying on the ground I stalked over to him and on instinct I yanked his head back by his hair exposing his sensitive eyes to the exposed bulb hanging above. I squeezed his hair tight and put my face in his, raising my voice for the first time tonight. "You do not get to say her name!" I was seething and took it out on his kneecap, cracking it with the heavy lead pipe. His screams did nothing for him. He would not receive my mercy.

It became increasingly difficult to not rip his heart out by the roots – ending him on the spot. I forced myself to remain focused – to finish what I had started. "Why didn't he want you to see her?" I cracked his other kneecap when he didn't answer. "Why!" I demanded, barking in his one good ear.

"Because – he fucking hated me! He was gonna go to the DA, turn over everything if I didn't stop seeing B-" I tilted my head waiting for him to say her name again. "-stop seeing her."

"And you killed him?" I stabbed his thigh with the pipe, breaking the skin and pushing deeper.

An animalistic shriek came out of his bloody lips. He doubled over as far as the ropes would allow, a string of profanities mixed between. Once more he spoke with words that were carried from deep within – his voice taking on distorted and darker sinister tones. "You're damn right I did! He took everything from me – my own fucking parents turned their backs on me. I put a bullet in his head and it was easy. It was so fucking easy! All this time that stupid bitch thought he left her. She was supposed to come back to me!" His body violently twisted against the ropes. "ME!" He made a fist and pounded his still burning chest for emphasis. "The courts took away her house – she was supposed to come to me!"

No longer pushing the rage aside, I let it come to me. I let it in with its full force. I felt it boil over – the tipping point reached long ago and now finally unleashing the wrath without prejudice.

I purposely chose the words he had used with Bella earlier. "You wanna play anymore?" I cracked his skull with the butt of my gun. "You wanna play, you cocksucker?" Yanking his hair, I forced his head back. His eyes were squeezed tight, his jaw locked and his body was still convulsing. "Open up you mother fucker." Squeezing his tear stained cheeks hard, I pried open his mouth. The barrel of my gun clanked against his teeth as I forced it in. "You wanna play anymore?" I laughed and looked to Felix. "He can't speak - he's crying like a fucking baby." I could feel his teeth chattering against the metal of my gun.

"He fucking wets like one, too." Felix motioned to the pool of wetness that had formed under his chair. "That's disgusting – that's what that is."

"Correction, this is Checkmate." I answered Felix but spoke to James.

I turned my attention back to James. I spoke low, surprised at how animalistic my own voice had become. "Let me ask you something now?" Holding his head in place with my free hand, I moved my mouth closer – directly over his good ear. My voice even lower still. "You've been my bitch for a little over an hour –" I pulled back to gage his reaction then leaned low to his ear again, "tell me, how does my dick taste?" With the barrel of my gun down his throat – I pulled the trigger.

Before leaving, I cleaned up – burned my clothes and showered in the utility stall. Felix already had the body wrapped in the tarp. He would take care of the corpse so on that note I headed home.

Another couple hours and the sun would be coming up.

Jake was sleeping on the couch.

Bella was sleeping, too. Adrianna sound asleep right next to her.

I already knew the Doc had come and gone from Jake's texts. The good news was she didn't have a concussion.

Bella was stubborn but for once that hard head of hers finally came in handy.

There were prescription meds on the nightstand.

Demerol.

The opioid was on the stronger end of pain prescriptions.

Bella wouldn't be feeling a thing.

In fact, she could walk across hot coals in her bare feet and still be smiling.

Xanax.

The inscription on the bottle directed to take half a pill near bed time.

I was fairly certain Bella had experience with benzo's already.

Either way – between the two, she'll be carefree and floating somewhere over the fuckin rainbow.

I sat at the foot of the bed watching her sleep hoping her dreams were better than her night.

After a while, I shoved off to the spare room to fucking collapse.

It couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes and the door slowly opened. Bella had woken up and still wearing only my tee shirt, crept into bed with me.

"You should be sleeping." I whispered.

"I just want to be close to you." Her soft brown eyes looked back at me. "Do you mind?" She nervously licked her lips. "Just for a little while?"

"Not at all." I kissed her forehead and pulled back the covers. "I stopped at your place – Jessica packed a bag, if you want your own things." I wasn't sure what Jessica had packed – I hadn't looked. In fact, I had been preoccupied and her bag was still in my car.

She shook her head her eyes taking on a dreamy look and at that point I wasn't sure if it was the drugs or something more. "I like wearing your clothes –" She buried her face into her shoulder and breathed deeply. "They smell like you." She sighed and hugged herself tight. "It's like being wrapped up in you."

Those words cut deep.

Not because they were filled with malice or viciousness just the opposite, in fact. Her sweetness was like a stab to the heart. To know that I was going about my daily life – just doing everyday things and that created the vulnerability needed. I kept replaying in my mind what she told me of tonight – picturing her in that filthy ally and the brutality of it all. It makes me physically ill – even now and even after having had taken the opportunity to eliminate his existence. To know that me not being there was the one opportunity that made this possible – and yet she still felt safe wearing my clothes. If I could torture and kill that son of a bitch a million times over – it still wouldn't be enough.

Anyone of those variables, just a slight change in any one thing – the glass hitting an artery, her hitting her head on the pavement a bit harder, anything - and we would have been looking at a whole different set of funerals.

It was an uneasy realization.

For the first time, I realize how much power she has over me.

If fate would have taken a different twist, and Bella were taken from my life, I knew I'd be going right along after her. Not that I had any disillusions about the two different directions our souls would journey, but I could at least escort her to her destination and guarantee she made it safely.

She scooted closer, her soft brown eyes gazing up at me. I slid down a bit lower, closing the short distance between us. "How you feeling?" At this range, only a whisper was necessary.

Her pointer finger lightly traced over my lips as she softly answered. "The doc has me doped up pretty damn good – so…" She was quiet then – reflective for the moment. "You were gone so long." Her bare leg snaked over mine and her fingers lightly traced along my chest.

"I'm here now." I removed her hand from my chest and kissed her palm right over the bandage.

We laid still for a few minutes, our breathing the only audible sounds in the house. Something in her expression though….I couldn't quite pinpoint and before I could think on it, she took me by surprise and kissed me. Her lips were warm and soft as I kissed her back, slow at first. My hand came up and palmed her cheek and she let her hand rest on my hip while our pecks turned into longer, softer caresses.

It was nice – simple and sweet.

Bella pulled back, her hand now at the nape of my neck while her dark eyes peered at me in the dimness. She looked like she might say something but never did. When she broke eye contact and dropped her hand to her side, I poked her nose to get her attention back.

Her eyes snapped back and her arms snaked around my neck, pulling me closer. Her body was pressed firmly against me as her lips locked to mine. Her pink tongue slipped into my mouth, deepening the kiss and I reluctantly pulled back. "Whoa –" I paused to brush her hair back from her face. "Bella, this -…" I shook my head at a loss for words. Then titling her chin up and ignoring her frown I reminded, "Doc said rest." Most of the wounds were superficial but a couple stiches were still necessary for a few. Having them ripped out only hours later is counterproductive.

She hummed, running her fingertips over my chest.

"Bella –" I warned, stilling her roaming hands once again.

She leaned in, her lips hovering over mine and I could feel her shallow breath wash over me. Her eyes were dark and hypnotic, drawing me in further and I could feel the rhythm of her heart quicken – racing even.

The pull to Bella is unreal. And it's always there – like a magnet and against my better judgement, I relented and moved slightly to meet her half way; gently brushing her lips with mine. She let out a sigh as she slightly parted her lips for me.

As I pressed in, she let a soft moan escape. I love the noises she makes. I let my left hand move cautiously up the back of her neck – under her silky hair and she tilted her head back ever so slightly granting me further access. My hand, with a mind of its own, slid down her body and slipped underneath her tee shirt to rest on her hip. Her skin was soft and creamy and as my hand made its way to her backside it was apparent that somewhere between her room and my room, were a pair of panties she had Houdinied out of.

Mother of God

Her teeth bit down on her bottom lip as I, well aware that this was not a good idea, pulled back.

She might not be feeling the pain but I guarantee you it's there.

Her eyes were sparkly, glowing with a mischievousness and extending an open invitation that my dick was unable to ignore. At this moment, everything about her body screamed for me to take her and I had to make a conscious effort to resist the sweet temptation.

Having her so close – half naked in my bed, her scent all around.

It was fucking torture.

"Bella-" I began but I was quickly interrupted as she moved slower this time, more deliberately while inviting me into her mouth with the tip of her tongue. My tongue responded willingly as she reached up under my arm with one hand and rested it on my back. The other hand reached up and combed through my hair. I fucking loved when she'd play with my hair and at that point, I knew that I had to put a stop to this.

I was at the cusp of no return – close to saying 'fuck it' and burying my throbbing dick deep inside her.

With great effort, I pulled back from a breathless Bella and chastely kissed her forehead.

She rubbed her thighs together making her hips swivel as her mouth hovered over my ear, "Edward –" She panted breathlessly before gently biting my earlobe. "I just want to be close to you tonight." Her fingers once again combing my hair her wide eyes looked to mine and, as if I didn't get it, she clarified. "I want to feel your hands on my body."

Fighting my own needs, I shook my head and with a more innocent intent, kissed her nose. "We can't– " My palm rested on her cheek and I let the pad of my thumb gently rub along her cheek bone. "-not tonight." Her lips pouted and whether it was intentional or not, it was fucking sexy. I wanted to bite that bottom lip and claim her mouth once again. She was becoming harder and harder to resist, and without question, she needed to go back to the other room – now.

With tremendous strength, I swallowed down my own desires and with efforts equally as painful, I ignored the pulsing between my own legs and reminded, "You're supposed to be sleeping." My voice was low and raw, sounding deeper than usual even in my own ears.

"I can't – " She let out another soft moan as a wave of warmth spread through my body. "Please-" She whispered and as if she wasn't impossibly irresistible enough, she left a trail of soft kisses down my neck.

I tried to be the voice of reason here. "There's no rush - my dick isn't going nowhere." That did nothing to appease Bella.

She had a one-track mind tonight.

"You know, I can still feel you from earlier." Her voice was low and sultry as she closed her eyes and slightly lifted her tee shirt, giving me a full view of her finger dipping between her folds.

And that fucking did it.

She blew my mind back at her apartment.

The stark contradiction between shy and sweet mixed with a little dirty.

It's a lethal combination.

Hours after – my mind still re-played her words and my dick still reacted to them.

She is my weakness.

With certainty, I will live and die by those words.

Her fingers dipped lower and she hummed against my neck. "Jesus – Edward you feel so good – even now."

Her mouth may as well have been on my dick at that moment. He was upright at full mast now begging to be released. To ease some of the pressure, I rubbed him through my boxers, my hips involuntarily moved forward seeking more friction.

It wasn't nearly enough.

Not with Bella so close and so ready.

My eyes were fixed on her glistening fingers, as they continued to glide between her slick folds. Her soft moans did nothing to yield the current of electricity steadily feeding into my throbbing dick.

"Christ –" My resolve was weakening.

Diminishing with every passing minute.

Fuck – I'll be honest, it was long gone.

It had been stripped away leaving a stronger surge of energy in its wake. She watched intently as her hand ghosted over mine then traced her fingertips lightly over my palm. That's where it started - I could feel it crackling like static from my fingertips to my toes. It was like an energy with a life force of its own had taken over and with it a new determination.

I'd take care of Bella and later I'd take care of my own need.

It was a simple enough solution.

I kissed her mouth – harder this time and swallowed her breathlessness. I pulled back to look at her. "You're so sexy." Locking on to her eyes, I took her hand and sucked the juices off her fingers. "You like it when I put my mouth on you?" I asked sliding her shirt up and kissing her tits before tonguing her nipple. Keeping my weight off of Bella, my teeth grazed her stiff peak then gently bit down and pulled. Her moans became throatier while my tongue circled around her nipple making her body arch upward – seeking more. I spent time tonguing her other nipple then proceeded to make my way down her flat stomach.

She whimpered in response, fingering my hair as I made my way lower.

"Mmmm, Edward…." She arched her back once more and another moan escaped. "I love it when you do that." I let my teeth graze over her hip bone again and earned myself another moan. Softly, I blew air across her navel and watched the goosebumps rise as her hips swiveled seeking a release.

My tongue teased her navel and I had to hold her hips still. I moved lower again, hovering over her hip bone and whispering against her soft skin, "Open your legs for me."

Complying, she brought her legs up and let them fall apart, moaning as I moved in and kissed her thigh. Her hips angled up, begging me to come closer as her hand fisted my hair tighter now. Resting my right hand on her stomach and with my other hand draped under her leg, I kissed down her inner thigh, closer to her center. I lapped at the juices that had escaped while listening to Bella's shallow pants for air.

My tongue circled her entrance several times before plunging in deeper. Just for a second, I pulled back, "You taste so fucking good." Then I continued licking at the clear juices leaking from her pussy. It wouldn't have taken much to bring her over the edge, but when I moved to take her clit in my mouth, Bella had other ideas.

"I wanna taste." Her hand yanked hard on my hair and I complied, leaving a trail of kisses behind. I continued to keep my full weight off of Bella, as she kissed me deep, sucking my tongue and nipping at my bottom lip.

Bella was full of surprises tonight. I wondered what else she might say. Pressing my lips to her neck, I whispered, "What do you want me to do to you?"

"Mmmm-" Her head rolled back as she let out a moan. "I want you to make me cum."

I fucking growled as my mouth claimed hers, swallowing her pleas for more. My hand easily slipped between her legs, firmly stroking her slick folds and letting the tip of my finger just barely penetrate her center. Her hips rocked in response but once again, before I could get to her clit, Bella was shaking her head, her hips shifting in the opposite direction. "Not like that –" She peeked over her shoulder. "This is your pussy –" She rolled back stretching upward, looking more feline now then she let her teeth barely graze along my jaw line. "you need to take care of her." Her lips pressed against my jaw as she spoke, her words sounding more like a soft purr before she gently bit down on my earlobe and tugged.

She turns me into a fucking animal – again I growled against the soft skin of her pulse point and she pressed her chest into mine.

Bella's body is always hyper sensitive to my every touch and I fucking loved it. Trying different things – seeing how she reacted was hot.

It wasn't necessary for me to penetrate her to make her come.

But, again, Bella had other ideas.

Doc said take it easy for a few days.

There weren't specific restrictions.

'I could go slow' – my dick was furiously vowing during this internal battle.

And he was presently winning.

If this was gonna happen, we were doing it my way and I would keep it in control, being mindful to her injuries. I gave myself a minute, closing my eyes and breathing her scent then, "Come here." I kissed her nose, then, "Turn this way–" I guided Bella to her side and she pressed her perfect ass against my throbbing dick and I groaned against her bare shoulder.

She wouldn't make this easy.

Her fluid movements were exaggerated and deep as her hips continued to sway back and forth. My dick stood tall begging to be in her warmth. Her hips pressed deep again and he strained to get closer – to be rammed right through her center and buried balls deep. With my eyes squeezed shut, I fought to block out the sensations she was creating and the burning need to spill my load. My shallow breaths mirrored hers as I pressed my lips to the back of her head and spoke through clenched teeth. My warning was low and strained as I continued to hold back. "Keep that up and I'm gonna cum. And then what?"

She finally stilled, our breathing the only sounds breaking the quiet of the night.

Kissing her neck and collar bone, I raised her leg and placed it over mine. It was easy to slip my dick between her legs and let it glide against her soaked pussy. "You wanna cum on my dick?"

Bella left no room for interpretation. "I want to feel you cum inside me."

Her pussy was ready – soft and wet, so I pushed into her, entering from behind and holding her hips still for a moment. "Is this ok?" Still adjusting to the sensation of being inside Bella, it was only a raw whisper I managed to grit out but I had to ask.

She breathed deeply as her insides wrapped snuggly around me, "Mmmmm….you feel so incredible." With my hand on her hip, I began to move back and forth. The pace I set for us was slow, but it felt amazing as fuck.

"Jesus, you're always so tight – so perfect." I kissed her shoulder. "I fucking love it." As if Bella wasn't tight enough, she had a way of tightening her muscles on the out stroke, making her pussy tighter still. She literally milked my dick with every thrust. It's like she was made just for me - she fit like a tailor-made glove and whether designed in heaven as a gift or created in hell as a curse – I didn't care. "You're so wet and you feel so fucking good." My hand slid down the front of her body and in between her parted legs. My thumb swirled around her clit easily, prolonging and heightening the sensations.

"Mmmm…..please, Edward." She begged between ragged breaths.

The urgency for my own release was bearing down, coming on fast like a locomotive. "You like it when I put your hand here?" She let me place her hand on her clit and she moaned. With my hand over hers, our fingers entwined, I guided her fingers up and down now. With my dick ready to explode inside her, she had won and didn't object to the attention I was now paying to her clit.

"Mmmmm…I'm gonna cum." Her moans were becoming more intense and her walls were beginning to tighten as she neared her climax. Then she switched it up - rolling her hips counterclockwise and I nearly blew my load. "Edward -I'm so close." Her pants were short and her words were rushed - filled with a desperation that I too was feeling. "I can feel you pulsating inside me."

There was no more holding back, my own climax was ready to explode. "Christ-" I pulled her closer and my dick slid impossibly deeper as her arms snaked over her head and into my hair. She easily met my faster pace now. "Cum for me, Baby." My fingers worked faster, massaging her clit, then a gentle pinch finally sent her over the edge. Grunting with each thrust now; her climax pulled me over, too and I spilled everything I had deep inside her.

She turned to face me and I could feel her heart still racing.

"You good?" Again, I had to ask.

She nodded. "Better than good." She purred back. "Incredible even."

Although I wasn't referring to the sex, I lifted her chin and she looked up at me. "It was amazing for me, too." I kissed her forehead as the realizations of the night began ebbing their way back. My heart literally cracked seeing Bella in such a state tonight. And there wouldn't be any relief - ever. As long as Bella was a part of my life, there'd be dangers to her from every which direction. Everyone – anyone who wanted to get to me would have an easy target.

My sole weakness.

James wouldn't be the last and it'd never end.

A vicious cycle that keeps repeating.

"You're quiet – are you still pissed?" She grimaced. "Or sorry - still very-very pissed?"

"I was never upset with you." I held her tight. "You had me worried tonight."

"Because you worry too much." She always tries to lessen things and I find it irritating.

I scoffed. "I worry because I care – because I love you."

"I know." She admitted. "Me, too." She was quieter, more reserved, making it harder to read where her thoughts were.

Free of James now – free of me she could walk and have no more worries. She could live a peaceful life without having to look over her shoulder. I found myself rubbing at that damn pang in my chest again. "Even after knowing all that I am – you're still in?" Bella wasn't stupid – she didn't ask about tonight but she knew where I had gone when I left here and she knew, minus some details, the outcome.

"That's only how you see it – how you want to see it." She pulled back some and I missed her warmth. "For me it's everything else you choose to ignore. It's the 'you' that I get to see, the one that only I get to have. The you that's mine."

They say that love is being able to let them go.

Now that's some bull shit, if I ever did hear any.

There were two things I was sure of: One, I did love Bella. And, two, I could never let her go. Loving her from a distance, letting someone else love her is just not possible and it would fucking eat me alive. This is not speculation - I do know this first hand.

"You cant just pick parts-" I was going to point out it's a package deal when she interrupted.

"You're just irked because you can't control that – how I feel." She poked my chest. "It's one of the few things you don't get a say in and you don't like that."

I chuckled. "Now I'm bossy?"

She made a face with big eyes. "Have you actually met you?"

"I'm bossy and now short sighted, too?" I was having fun with her now. "You sure know how to flatter a guy."

"Then yes, you're bossy, short sighted, nosy and a know-it-all….."

"Ouch-"

She held up her pointer finger – she wasn't done. "And – I love you. And that's all the truth there is."

"So there's truth…"

"And we have us…" She pointed out.

"We do have us." I agreed then kissed her nose. "I'm liking this us."

"Which us?" She wondered.

"The us where we're in my bed…" I kissed her neck. "each night." I poked her nose when she smiled. "And waking up each morning…." Her lips crashed into mine then – they were wet and sloppy kisses.

"I don't know what to say." She fidgeted some. "I want to but….."

"Say – yes." It was a logical solution. It wasn't like I could tie Bella up and keep her locked away from the world but having her here, with me, would alleviate some of the problem. Here she'd be closer, easier to get to if need be.

Bella didn't sound convinced, though. "But what about you?"

"Hmm…" I hummed distractedly.

"Having a baby running around – messy times, my friend."

A good point – one I hadn't considered. Bella's apartment always looked like a tornado had ripped through. "So, we'll clean."

"And what about how she gets into things. She's everywhere."

And a second good point. Though one I had considered. "I'll lock up the guns – whatever else."

"When do you see this happening?"
I was all for the now. The sooner I had Bella here – the less worry. "I'll send Jake to get your things tomorrow."
"Jake?" She sounded annoyed. "I'd rather just do it myself." She shook her head. "It's not like there's a whole lot anyway."

"You can't – Doc said. Jake can – Edward said. End of discussion."

She knew I was right. "Fine." She smiled up at me. "So – we're really doing this then?"
"Yup." I was one happy mother fucker.

"I have to see Carlisle tomorrow and go over a few things. I have a few stops – I'll get you a key made in between too, but all in all I shouldn't be too late."

I woke up in the morning to an empty bed. Bella must have gotten up sometime during the night and went back to the other room. I flexed my knuckles several times. They were stiff – slightly swollen from last night.

My phone vibrated.

Esme.

I ignored it.

I hadn't had a chance to talk with Bella yet. I wasn't sure how she'd be feeling or what she'd want to do.

There was literally no food in the house, so I picked up breakfast. There's a pancake house not too far, they're open early and have decent food. On days Marcus is out this way, we usually meet there. Emmett is a big fan, too – although in his case, it's not just for the food.

I got back and set the bags on the counter. "You need to call your roommate." I pulled out silverware. "I told her I'd tell you."

Bella nodded. "Yeah…" She sighed and scrunched up her nose. "What do I tell her? You know about moving and….well moving?"

"You say, 'Edward asked me to move in. I said yes'. What more is there?"

"It's not that easy."

"Just like taking candy from a baby." It occurred to me that it was short notice. "Plus – you can tell her that I'll pay your rent for the next year, unless she gets a new roommate before then." That seemed decent.

Bella scowled at me.

She didn't approve.

Whatever

"Listen – think about what you'll say. I'll run out and buy some things." I pointed at Bella. "Make a list. I'll bring Adrianna with me – it'll be quiet so use that time to make your call."

"I might just use that time to sleep. My head feels so foggy." She rubbed at her frown lines.

"That reminds me – Esme offered to take her for the day, the night if you want. I told her I'd see what you wanted to do."
"For the day? That sounds amazing. I feel like I've been hit by a bus today."

Half joking, I shook my finger at her. "See? What'd I tell you last night. Rest."

Emmett and I hit up the supermarket.

"Carlisle needs to go back – this time get an EKG test. They want to see how much stress the hypertension has caused – what effects it's had on the heart."

I nodded listening and following along. "Those pills – they working for him?"

"He has to take them for them to work." Emmett chuckled. "He's pissed about his restrictions, too."

"Yeah, I bet." I chuckled, too.

"Skippy?" I looked down at the cart. "I have to go potty."

I wasn't sure what protocol was here. "Can you wait until we get back?"

She shook her head.

Emmett thought this was hilarious. "The little girl's room is over there." He pointed towards the far corner.

"I'm not sending her in there alone."

"Then the little boy's room is on that side." He pointed to the other far corner.

"What's the matter with you?" I was definitely not taking her into the John.

"Come on." I picked her up and carried her to the bathroom just as the door swung open.

"How ya' doin?" I held the bathroom door for the older lady who looked me over suspiciously as she walked past. "Little girl here has to use the bathroom, that ok with you?"

The lady never looked back.

I craned my neck around the door frame – it was clear so I walked in and set Adrianna down.

"Alright…." I had no fucking clue here. "So, do you know how to go?"

"I know." She marched into a stall and I waited on the outside, holding the door shut.

"Ok – I'll be right here."

She didn't answer and I rubbed my temples with my free hand.

She was so little. I started to worry she'd fall in. "Everything ok?"

"Why?" She asked.

"Why what?" I was confused.

"Why did you ask me that?"

"To know if you're ok." I thought it was fairly obvious.

"Well don't'." She scolded. "I'm always okay." She shouted back.

"Oh! Don't be sassy. Your mom wouldn't like it." Bella had said Adrianna has become very testy lately. This is the first I've seen of it.

"I don't like that word!" She complained about the word sassy.

"You don't want to hear it – then don't make me use it." Seemed logical to me.

The toilet flushed and I felt a tug on the door then. "I'm sorry." She said when I released the door. She looked so woeful. "Are you gonna tell mommy?"

"No." I steered her towards the sink. "Come on – we gotta get going."

She washed her hands and I helped her reach. Then I carried her back to the cart. She rubbed her eyes and yawned big.

We checked out and went home.

From there, Emmett and I switched gears and headed out.

My day was going to be full.

Hope Everyone had a Happy Black Friday…..oops I meant Thanksgiving!

~Xx

C

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