Bella

"What the fuck do you mean Felix is dead?" Aro shouts into the phone as I peer into his office.

Alec sighs. "I mean, the fucker shot him. We should have sent a team. Apparently, this guy is former military, not just a doctor."

Edward, I think with a smile. Finn must've found him like I intended, and I'm happy for the first time in so long. I'm sure Aro will take this out on me, but my baby girl is safe with her dad.

I wasn't sure if I could trust Embry, but he did exactly as asked.

"Do we know where they are now?" Aro asks, seething.

Please say you don't, I think.

"His last cell phone location was in Seattle, so I'm guessing he ditched it. I'm going with Jared to try and track them down, but this time I need a team when we find them. James said they didn't go to a safe house, and he hasn't used his cards except to pull out money from a few ATMs. The guy is smarter than we thought."

Aro pounds his first on the desk. "I want them both dead! And then I want that kid's body back here to show Bella there's no getting away from me."

I quickly turn and run down the hallway to the bedroom I'm now forced to share with Aro. Everything changed when Finn escaped, but I'd take the abuse ten times over as long as she was safe. I've tried for years to figure out how to get her out of here and when it was obvious Embry was uncomfortable with Aro's actual business dealings, I had to take a chance.

On the outside, Aro is just a successful businessman. He works in technology and has made friends in high places. But underneath, he's a cruel man who sells human beings. I was supposed to be sold, but in some sick way, he fell in love with me. I'm his in every way, and it's been a hard fifteen years. But he let me keep Finn. I promised never to try to leave him and be a doting girlfriend. Keeping up the charade has been difficult, but I could handle it as long as it kept Finn safe.

Now that she's free, I don't care what happens to me.

I sit on the bed and wonder what Edward must be thinking. For years I hoped he moved on with someone and found happiness. I even told Finn that it was likely he had more kids. But, of course, part of me hoped he was still looking for me. I know Aro's men made my kidnapping look like an accident, but I also know Dad would never stop looking if they never found my body.

When I was a teenager, a boy in town went missing, and I asked Dad if it would be easier for his parents to move on. He told me he'd never stop if it was me, and I believe him.

"Isabella!" Aro shouts, coming into the room. He looks furious. "Where would your husband take Finley?"

I stand up, taking a deep breath. "I don't know."

He slaps me, which has been more common lately. "Bullshit. He's somewhere in Seattle. Does he know anyone there? I want a list of his friends and family."

"He wouldn't put his family in danger."

He snarls, pacing the room. "I saw you listening."

His voice sends shivers down my spine. Of course, he saw me. He probably cracked the door, so I would look. "You see everything, but you didn't see her running."

His eyes narrow. "I thought her mother had taught her better, but . . . I suppose we're all wrong sometimes. I should never have let you keep her in the first place. I probably could have gotten quite a bit for her at that age. She is so beautiful, after all." He walks towards me as he speaks, finishing his sentence as he touches my cheek. "Just like her mother."

His hand goes around the back of my neck, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking it back. His face is within an inch of mine and red with anger. "I'm going to get her back, but I'm not going to kill her right away. That will be done very slowly."

What happens next has happened more times than I can count. By the time Aro leaves for his study, I'm halfway to the bathroom. The only good thing about living in the main house now is the hotter water. It leaves my skin nearly burned, but it doesn't hurt the way it should. It's because I imagine the pain as a way of cleansing my body; of washing away the fact that he ever touched me. I watch as he swirls down the drain, and I'm left slightly lighter—at least for now.

Tomorrow I'm going to wake up again and do everything all over. But as long as Finn is still free, it's worth it.

. . . . .

Aro is packing a bag the following day, which isn't all that unusual, but something feels different. He won't even talk to me—not that I'm complaining. He goes away a lot, mainly spending only weekends here, but this time is different. Usually, he tells me when he's leaving. All I can do is pray they haven't found Finn. I can't imagine he'd get his hands dirty, but it still worries me.

I go out to the garden once he leaves, tending to my plants like I always do. Finn used to love helping me after she took care of the animals. We spent every day together, and I feel a little lost without her. I have no desire to play Aro's sick game anymore, which has ended with more abuse, but I can't seem to care. I'm so glad she's free, but I miss her. I miss her sweet smile and soft voice, her innocence even in this corrupt and dangerous place, and the way she called me Momma.

"Nice day to be outside."

I drop the garden trowel in surprise, whipping my head around to find Caius watching me. Aro scares me, but I know what to expect. He's a creature of habit. Caius is different. You can't read him, can't imagine what he might do to you because it's always different, and he's on the verge of taking over once Aro steps back. With him in charge, everything changes.

I sigh, nodding. "Yes, it's lovely. How are you, Caius?"

He grins like a snake. "Oh, you know. Life is good. And how are you, dear Bella? Have you heard the news? I imagine you're rooting for your girl, hoping she can slip throughAlec's grip. Unlikely, as I'm sure you know. I must say, though, my brother is angry—possibly more so than I've ever seen him before. He's even told me that I can handle her punishment. And well, talking to the feds . . . that alone means death, but pissing Aro off this much? Her death will be incredibly slow."

I bite my tongue, wishing so badly that I could grab the trowel and smash it into his disgustingly vile face. As much as I would enjoy hurting him physically, it's the one thing I've never attempted. Aro would never protect me from Caius if she crossed that line.

Instead, I narrow my eyes at him. "My daughter will never be yours again, and when she brings the federal government here, I'm going to enjoy watching them throw handcuffs on you. I might ask if I can do it myself."

He backhands me without missing a beat, but I expected no less. If he'd done nothing, I would have been disappointed. But a reaction means it gets to him. Finley is truly worrying them, and I can only hope Edward has her somewhere safe.

Don't own Twilight.

Thanks to May, Brier, and Mary for prereading. And thanks to Fran for beta'ing.