Chapter 15

It's Time

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Alec POV

When Edward came into the lobby, I barely recognized him. He looked like shit; hell, he even smelled like shit too.

His gaunt appearance confirmed what I had read in his arrest report.

Edward was abusing drugs.

According to the report, high levels of cocaine were found in his system. When I had seen the numbers for myself, I had said a silent prayer of gratitude that my grandson was even still alive.

Many had overdosed taking much less.

"Thank fuck you're here," Edward said scrubbing his hand over his lower jaw. "Where in the fuck is everyone at? Did Pops send you? Did he find Eleazar? Isabella?"

"Let's get out of here and then we'll talk," I replied before putting my hand on his lower back and guiding him toward the limo I had waiting.

Once we had slid into the backseat and the driver had shut the door, I turned and scrutinized his face. He looked haggard and worn. Dark circles encased each of his eyes and he had to have lost a good ten pounds since I had last seen him.

What in the hell was wrong with my son? Carlisle had to have noticed the signs. How could he have allowed this to happen?

"So what in the hell is going on? Do you know where Isabella is?" he asked ending my examination. "I need to get to her, and find out what the fuck is going on."

The last thing he needed was to be around Bella, and if I had my way, that wouldn't be happening for a long time.

"She's fine," I finally said. "Everyone's safe."

"Well, are you going to explain what's going on or what?" he spat in response.

I knew the boy was exhausted and more than likely suffering from withdrawal, but that didn't mean I was going to put up with his disrespect.

Grabbing him by the chin, I looked him straight in the eye. "You need to watch yourself," I hissed, "you might be my grandson, but at the moment, that means shit."

Edward became paler as surprise etched across his face. I had never spoken to him in such a harsh tone, and even though he was being a dumb fuck, he was smart enough to shut up.

He remained quiet for the rest of the trip. When we arrived at the airport, he once again found his voice, asking, "What are we doing here? Where are we going?"

"Italy."

"Italy?" he questioned. "Can I even leave the country? Don't I have a court appearance next week?"

"That's already been taken care of," I answered. "It cost me a pretty penny, but as of this morning, all of your charges have been dropped."

Edward gazed at me and muttered, "Thanks, Nonno."

"You can thank me by never letting it happen again," I said. "Because if there is ever a next time, I'll let your sorry ass rot in jail."

Once we boarded the jet, I sat next to Edward. "We have a nine-hour flight ahead of us. After takeoff, go scrub that nasty stench from yourself and try to get some sleep."

While Edward was in the bathroom, I could hear him getting sick. I knew most of the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal were psychological, but I'm sure his body was feeling the effects as well. I prayed he could get some rest during the flight.

When he finally fell asleep, I thought about the events of the past week. Never, in my wildest imagination, would I have guessed things would get this fucked up. Thank God Carmen was wise enough to read the writing on the wall and follow her head, unlike Eleazar who tended to follow his heart.

At this point, I wasn't even sure there was hope for Edward and Bella. Only my grandson could have royally screwed up the best thing he would ever have before he even had it.

Now we had an even bigger issue to deal with; Edward had obviously been sampling the company product.

In all the years of shipping illegal drugs, not one single Cullen had become victim to its lures. Not even my prick of a father.

But somehow, Edward was on the verge, if not already battling a serious addiction. As soon as I had read his arrest report, I had made arrangements for him to enter one of Italy's top-rated treatment centers. Once we arrived home, that boy was in for a rude awakening.

Once we landed, we went straight to the villa. As soon as we entered the house, Gianna noticed Edward and his current condition. Her sad eyes met mine.

I know, Tesoro. I thought as I gazed back at her.

"Hello Nonna," Edward said before giving her a warm hug.

"Oh my sweet boy," she sighed as she relished his embrace. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you as—"

"Hello, Son. Babbo."

"Pops?" Edward's shock was evident. I hadn't told him his father would be joining us.

"Carlisle," I walked over to my son and greeted him. "When did you get in?"

"Early yesterday."

The four of us remained quiet until my lovely wife spoke.

"Why don't I get this one fed," Gianna gestured toward Edward, "while you and Carlisle catch up."

"That sounds like a good idea—"

"But, I'm not hungry. I want to know what's going on with Bella," Edward interrupted.

Before I could say anything, Carlisle ordered Edward to do what he was told.

Once Edward followed Gianna out of the room, I led Carlisle to my study.

After we sat, Carlisle released an exhale. "So what's so damn important that you made me fly halfway around the world without any notice? Don't you realize how busy I am?"

"Are you fucking serious right now?" I seethed. "Did you even take a look at your son out there?"

"Of course, I did. He looks like shit. Who wouldn't after being in the joint for five days?" he replied as he ran a hand across the top of his head. "And was it really necessary to leave him in there for so long? I don't think you realize how inconvenient that was for me. He left a fuck ton of unfinished work at the office."

Sometimes, I forget what a self-absorbed asshole my son can be.

Instead of answering him, I slid an envelope across the desk. Carlisle removed its contents.

"Th-this can't be right," he stammered after reading over Edward's arrest record.

"That's what I thought at first, but unfortunately, it is."

"Did you talk to him about it? Maybe somehow he ingested it accidentally."

"Get real. How do you accidentally ingest that much coke?" I scoffed. "We have to accept Edward has a problem."

Carlisle stood and walked over to pour himself a scotch. He quickly downed one glass before pouring himself another. "Well, maybe it was a one-time thing. He's young and these things happen. I'm sure you're making a bigger issue of it than it really is."

I was becoming impatient and didn't have time for his denial. "The signs are clearly there, Son. The weight loss, violent behavior, and hell, he's had at least three nosebleeds in the last day alone."

"Sure he's lost some weight, but he's been busy working. He's probably not eating enough," Carlisle began rationalizing, "but violent? Come on, he's had a rough couple of days the past week, but he's far from violent. Hell, I wish the boy would toughen up. Compared to me, he's a fucking pansy."

Shaking my head at his refusal to see what was plainly in front of him, I said, "Oh? Was that someone else who beat the shit out of two Chicago police officers last Friday?"

"He was angry, sure－"

"And what would you call this?" I asked showing him the photographs of Jacob Black's mutilated corpse that Mike Newton had sent me.

"Who in the hell is that?"

"Oh, just some college kid who asked Bella out on a date."

"And Edward did this?" Carlisle asked startled by the gruesome pictures before him.

"Yes. In fact, I've already spoken with Jasper. He's confirmed that Edward has been using for quite some time."

"And where in the hell is Jasper? He was supposed to be with Edward."

"He's at home with his parents recovering from surgery. He had to get his nose reconstructed. It seems Edward broke it during the hotel room incident."

Laying the photographs back on the desk, Carlisle said, "Well, I'll get him some help when we get back to Chicago. Now, what's going on with Eleazar? Where the fuck is he?"

"No, Edward's staying with me."

"What the fuck, Babbo?" He's my damn son. I said I'll take care of it, and I will. Anyway, I need him back in Chicago. We're in the middle of several very important business transactions."

"Edward's staying with me," I repeated. When Carlisle opened his mouth to argue, I slammed my hand against the desk, "you might be running the business, but let's be clear about who runs this family."

It sure as hell wasn't him.

After Carlisle and I came to an understanding about Edward not leaving, he brought up Eleazar once more. "So will you tell me where my brother is and why he ran off in the middle of the night with my son's soulmate?"

"Eleazar was acting under my orders," I stated to the astonishment of my son. "Edward is in no condition to be around Bella at this time. In fact, I'm forbidding him from having anything to do with her from here on out."

"You can't keep them apart! It's wrong!"

"No, what's wrong is the way you and Edward have attempted to control every aspect of her life. In fact, it's sickening." I spat. "I'd be surprised if she ever wants anything to do with him in the future."

"Babbo, anything Edward or I ever did for that girl was in her best interest," Carlisle said. "She's had a good life thanks to us. The best education. A loving family."

"Do you really think she sees it that way? What about her actual family? We all know what a piece of shit Charlie Swan was, but to Bella; he was her father."

Carlisle snorted. "What a father. He offered her up to me more than once to pay off his debts. Like I had some use for a little girl." Barking out a laugh, he added, "You should have seen that fucker's face when I told him that instead of accepting his offer, I would just murder her and pin it on him. No wonder he told her to stay away from us."

I had always known Charlie Swan was a bastard, but Carlisle never before told me this. The realization that Bella's own father had offered her up like some sacrificial lamb disgusted me beyond measure.

"The funny thing is, I even considered doing it right before Edward announced she was his soulmate."

A wave of nausea crashed through me knowing how close Bella had been to losing her life.

When it came to murder, my son never cared if his target was man, woman, or child - it made no difference to him. If he believed he had been wronged, he had justification in his mind.

I had no problem with killing when it was necessary, but killing a woman or young girl? Personally, I couldn't stomach that shit.

Even though I hated to admit it, what bothered me the most was how much Carlisle's nonchalant attitude reminded me of my father.

But unlike Carlisle, Marcus lacked any moral compass and killed just for the mere sport of it. He needed no reason to shoot someone in cold blood and often fired his gun for no reason other than his personal amusement.

After Carlisle and I finished our discussion, I asked Edward to join us.

"So, is someone finally going to tell me what the fuck is going on?" he demanded after sitting on a leather sofa that sat across the room from my desk.

"Son—"

"What's going on," I interrupted Carlisle, "is tomorrow morning your ass is going to a treatment facility for your cocaine addiction."

"What? You can't be serious!" Edward yelled, standing to face me.

"Oh, I'm more than fucking serious," I hissed, "and you will remain there until I say you can leave."

"This is fucking crazy. I don't even have an addiction," he argued. "Have I done a few lines here and there? Sure, but who hasn't?"

"A few lines?" I scoffed. "Please don't insult my intelligence more than you already have."

"Pops!" Edward looked to his father. "Say something! You know I'm clean! Tell him!" he pled. "You can't let this happen."

"Save your breath," I responded. "There's no changing my decision, and no one is going to be helping you. Your ass is stuck with me until I see fit."

Edward continued looking at his father for help, but Carlisle just shrugged his shoulders and nodded in agreement.

Edward sat back down and stewed over what he had been told.

Carlisle glanced at his watch. "As much fun as this has been, I need to catch my flight home." He stood and walked toward the door. "I still have a business to run, and it seems I now have the added task of finding a replacement to cover Edward's position for the time being."

"Pops! You can't mean that!"

Standing, I threw my full glass of scotch at the wall next to Edward's head. After it shattered, I screamed, "Sit back down and shut the fuck up!" At the sight of Edward's astonished face, I wryly added, "Surprised someone else can throw shit around?"

After saying my farewells to Carlisle, I returned to my desk. As I massaged my temples with my fingertips, I glanced wearily at my grandson and said, "Now, let's talk about Isabella Swan."

AN:

And the lesson from today's chapter is … don't mess with Nonno Cullen.

We also learned a bit more about Charlie Swan. I know some of you thought he was a good father to Bella, but if you look back at everything Bella has ever said about him - he never really was.

In Chapter 16, Nonno lays down the law, and we catch up with Bella.

Some of you may have already heard, but I had the amazing experience of meeting Rob in Savannah two weeks ago! It was surreal and I was completely stunned. I barely spoke because I was in such shock.

I had purchased his shirt from Remember Me at an auction last year and was toting it around with me on the slight chance that I would run into him! He was so gracious and signed it for me! If anyone is interested in seeing some of my pictures or videos from Savannah, I have posted them in my group - Honeymoon Edward Fics on Facebook.

I did happen to capture a short video of him laughing, and it is adorable! :D

Thank you to Fran, Gabby, AllTheWayIntoTwilight, and DICATAKADD for helping me with this chapter!

And thank you to my wonderful readers! Your continued support amazes me! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Until next time,

HE