Chapter 8

Edward POV

I couldn't sleep last night after Bella hung up on me. I tossed and turned trying to decide if I should just call her back or show up unannounced at her house. I could hear the fear in her words after I told her I didn't send her any tulips. Someone obviously had, and that someone wasn't me. The worry for her overrode the jealousy that someone knew her well enough to send her tulips, her favorite flower. I woke up early and immediately started researching her life. I had made a call to one of our intel guys, Jenks, he was supposed to have some information for me at the end of the day. I just didn't know if I could wait that long.

I walked downstairs and opened the door to my gym. I heard the weights hitting and didn't even look in his direction.

"Morning, Bro." Emmett said happily.

I handed him his hundred bucks back.

He smiled. "I told you, E. What did that Bells have to say when she called?"

He looked at me and frowned.

"Aww, man. I'm sorry. What happened?" He asked.

I wanted so hard to tell him it was nothing, and that I had it handled, but I couldn't. Any and everything that had to do with Bella left me weak. I hated that about myself, and I thought it would be different now but it wasn't. I wanted to ignore the fear and worry that had been keeping me up at night, and I wanted to call Tanya and get laid and go about my business. My want to keep things like the way they have been, and my need to protect the only woman I ever loved battled those few seconds as I looked up at Em.

"I need someone to keep an eye on Bella." I said.

He automatically tensed up.

"What's going on Edward? She's a doctor. That's a pretty safe occupation. Why does she need protection?" He questioned.

"Look, it's a feeling I have. She is carrying a gun. Someone's sending her flowers, and she seemed freaked out by it all. I know something's not right. I would do it myself, but I…." I stopped talking.

"Are you sure it's not just your jealousy working overtime. I know things with you two are intense right now. You think this worry is just misplaced?" Em asked.

He had every right to ask, but it just pissed me off. He looked at me, and then answered.

"I'll check it out. I have a date with Rosalie today. We are meeting up later. I'll be discreet and find out what I can." I knew he was excited about his date, and I hated having to interfere with whatever him and Rose were building, but I had no choice.

"Jenks is looking into a few things. I just having a bad feeling, Em." I quietly said.

I sat down on the weight bench and Emmett came to spot me. We didn't speak anymore after that. No words were needed.

BELLA POV

I hadn't slept well at all since hanging up on Edward last night. I was scared to death. I called Jacob as soon as daylight broke. Any type of reassurance would help at this point. I didn't want to let Rosalie in on what I was thinking. I knew it would scare her. I still remember the day she should up at the hospital. My face was unrecognizable. I had two black eyes, a swollen lip, and a broken wrist. I hid out for weeks after that. I had taken an extended leave at work, and I only came out of hiding until I finally got a restraining order. Rosalie moved everything out of our apartment by herself, and after much resistance from me, she made me promise to move home. She wanted me somewhere safer. She wanted me to come back to Forks. I really didn't know if he would still be here, but Forks was my safe place. It was the one place he didn't know anything about or so I thought. I knew it wasn't a coincidence the phone call and the flowers. He knew where I was, and that scared me more than anything. I was meeting Jacob at the annual carnival. He was working, but promised me that he had time to talk.

I had showered and set the security alarm. Before I left the house, I grabbed my gun and stuck it in my purse. I never carried it on me, but I felt with the recent developments that I might need it. I had got in my mustang and headed to the main part of town. It was a twenty minutes later when I literally ran into my least favorite Cullen. My purse fell and scattered. I quickly bent down to recover everything, when an extra pair of hands met mine.

"You might want to hide that better?" She said pointing to the gun in my bag.

"Thanks for the tip." I said sarcastically and a little embarrassed. I am a doctor for God's sake, and here I am walking around with a piece in my purse like some kind of… I wanted to say criminal, but Cullen came to mind first.

I grabbed my purse and stood up meeting Esme's beautiful face.

"What brings the good doc to the town carnival?" She asked.

"Just came for the festivities." I lied.

"Well, make sure you stop by our booth. The proceeds are going to the Fork's aftercare program." She smiled.

I believed her. She was lethal, but ask anyone in Forks about Esme Cullen, and they would tell you she was a saint. She gave to the most charities, and always helped out her neighbors. If they only knew what kind of hidden agenda that sweet angelic face was harboring they wouldn't be so smitten with her.

"Edward should be here shortly." She said.

I knew she was waiting for some type of response from me, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

"Tell him I said Hi!" I said and walked away after spotting Jacob.

I quickly made my way over to him.

"Hey, Bells. How's it going?" He asked casually.

"It's going Jake. Look I don't mean to bother you, but I really need to know if you found anything out." He motioned for me to sit on a nearby picnic table.

"It's no bother at all, Bells. Look I made a few calls. The restraining order is still in effect. If whoever you got it on comes within one hundred feet of you they can be picked up." He must have seen the relief on my face and grabbed one of my hands.

"Why don't you tell me who you got this restraining order on. I can look into it. I can help you." He said squeezing my hand.

"Jake, it's fine. I am sure its nothing." I lied and scanned the crowd to see if anyone was watching us. I noticed Esme looking right at me, and I couldn't help but wave. Maybe this would help get her off my back.

"I understand that you aren't ready to tell me, but you can talk to me when you're ready. I'm here, Bells. We're friends and I want to help you. Look why don't you stay. I'm going to be working the hamburger stand in a few minutes, come get one." He motioned towards the police booth and I looked and instantly froze.

Standing there waving a spatula, working the grill was the man I was running from. He smiled at me, and my skin crawled. I wanted to throw up. Jake waved back obviously thinking he was waiving at him.

"Look Jake I appreciate everything you are doing for me. I promise when I'm ready I will talk." I said weakly. I stood up and almost ran from the grounds. I noticed Esme on my way out and it almost looked like she was concerned for me. I didn't stop and headed straight for my car.

I started the car, locked the doors and grabbed my cell phone. I sent a text as fast as my fingers would let me.

-I NEED YOU. CALL ME- B

EDWARD POV

I pulled into the hotel parking lot little after noon. I looked at my watch and groaned. My mother was going to kill me I was supposed to be meeting her in fifteen minutes to help at the carnival. Esme was nothing but if not a stickler for being on time.

I walked to our familiar suite and knocked on the door. I had a key, but only thought it polite courteous so I always knocked.

She opened it wearing the skimpiest lingerie imaginable. I shook my head and walked in. I wanted to ask her if she even looked through the peep hole, but decided not to.

"Tanya, look I'm sorry about last night." I said and sat on the bed. It probably wasn't the smartest move I made.

She instantly straddled my lap.

"No worries. We can just pick up where we left off." She started kissing my neck. I had come here with the complete understanding that I was going to end this, but with her propped up on my lap and grinding on me. My thoughts became a little mixed up. I grabbed her hips and met her mouth. I am not sure how it happened but we both ended up completely topless and going for our bottoms when my phone rang. I sat up, and Tanya knew her part. She groaned and rolled over. It was my mother.

"Where the hell are you Edward Anthony?" She asked pissed.

"I'm taking care of something, Ma. I'm on my way." I said watching Tanya shake her head at me and pull her bottoms off. I mentally thought shit.

"Look Ma, you think you could handle it without me?" I asked, adjusted myself in my boxers while eyeing Tanya's naked and waiting body.

The phone was silent for a second.

"Sure, Baby no problem. You know I think I might just go and see if Detective Black will help me. I know how great he is with helping women. In fact, he was just helping himself to Bella a minute ago. They sure looked quite comfortable holding hands." My mother said and hung up.

"Fuck." I said angry and stood up.

I saw Tanya flinch and back up a few feet.

"Look, I'm sorry Tanya. I gotta go. We really need to talk though, I'll call you tonight." I said pulling up my pants.

I was putting my gun behind my back when she spoke.

"Don't bother calling just come back." She said smiling.

I looked at her, and wanted to feel bad for what I was about to do, but I didn't. She knew what she was getting herself into when she met me.

I threw the hotel key I kept in my wallet on the bed.

"I'm gonna call you tonight. I promise." I said and made my way over and kissed her cheek.

She looked at me and then at the key and I could see the realization of what I was doing on her face. Before I could face the wrath of Tanya Denali, I was out the door and headed to the carnival.

I had made it there in just fifteen minutes speeding my ass off. I instantly scanned the fairgrounds for any sign of Jacob Black or Bella, but I only saw him. He was standing next to some guy I had never seen before. I was well aware with all law enforcement in the area. It was in my best interest to keep tabs on things like that.

After coming to the conclusion that Bella wasn't here anymore, I walked straight to my mother and she greeted me with a kiss.

"Glad to see you were able to make it after all, baby. Why don't you grab some more raffle tickets for me?" She asked and pointed towards a box.

"Was Bella even here?" I asked wondering if she made the whole thing up.

She looked at me and rolled her eyes.

"Of course she was here. She pretty much ran me over. I see that her clumsiness is still in tact." She smiled. "You know she really shouldn't be carrying a loaded gun out in public like that." She said.

I knew Bella had a gun, but the last time I had seen it was at her house in a drawer.

"What gun?" I asked already knowing about it.

"The gun that she isn't doing to good of a job hiding." She frowned.

She pulled me over to the side and whispered.

"I don't know what kind of trouble Bella's in, but I don't want you getting involved. Do you understand me?" I was looking at Jacob talking to that new guy.

She grabbed my face and made me look directly at her.

"I'm serious, Edward. Something is up with her and I don't want you getting hurt." She said and I knew she was only looking out for me, but I could take care of myself.

"I'll be right back, Ma." I said and walked towards Jacob.

We had a few Forks' policeman in our back pocket, but not Detective Black. He knew we were running some illegal operations, but he was never able to get close enough thanks to our contacts.

"Hey, Black can I have a word." I asked interrupting his conversation.

"Sure, Cullen." he said, but turned back to the guy he was speaking with. "Edward, I would like you to meet Agent Riley Biers. Riley Biers, Edward Cullen." I nodded and he just stood there staring at me.

Jacob walked towards a bench, and I sat across from him.

"So what can I do for you?" Jacob asked me.

"What's going on with you and Bella." I asked point blank. "I don't think that's any of your business." He said back to me.

"Bella is and will always be my business, Black." I said seething. My fists were clenched tight into fists.

I knew Jacob and I knew he wouldn't tell me if I didn't give him something.

"I'm worried about her." I told him honestly.

"Is this about the person she has a restraining order on?" He asked. "If it is, look I told her that it was still good. If whoever it is come in this state it's still legal."

I didn't want him to think I didn't know about the restraining order.

"That's good. I just want her to be safe." I said.

"What's up with the Agent guy?" I asked probing for more information.

"He is working a case." He answered unhelpfully.

I was going to have to check into him with our contacts.

I turned and saw my mom watching our conversation. With a frown on her face and a shake of her head, I knew she was unhappy. I decided that was all the information I could out of Black so I stood up.

"I'll let you get back to work." I said and walked away.

I walked back towards my mother.

"Got all the information you needed?" She asked angrily.

"Nope, but I am working on it." I said back just as angry.

Bella was definitely hiding something from me. She was going to Jacob for help instead of me. I was jealous, angry, and pissed not the best combination for me.

"Who's the guy next to Black?" My mom asked me.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she noticed him too. She was always good with her surroundings.

"That would be Agent Riley Biers." I answered.

"Agent?" My mom asked puzzled.

"Yep, why?" I asked curiously.

I could see the contemplation in her eyes. She was deciding if she should say anything or not

"When Bella left earlier she seemed spooked or something. She looked over at that booth, and all but ran out of here." She said.

I had to get out of here, I needed to speak with Jenks now.

"Ma, I got to go." I said.

She looked like she wanted to argue, but thought better of it.

"Okay, Baby be careful." she said.

"Hey Ma." I said walking away. "Keep an eye on our new friend over there." I said.

"You got it." She smiled.

Before I got to my car I was already on the phone with Jenks.

"What have you got for me?" I pretty much yelled into the phone.

"Not much." He said and it just added to my fury.

"Well you better fucking find something FAST. I need more information. I need it on an Agent Riley Biers, and I want to know who the hell Bella had a restraining order on in Arizona. Got that?" I asked.

"Sure thing, Boss." He said and I hung up.

My phone beeped alerting me to a text. I read it and jumped in my car. I was getting fucking answers from someone, and I was getting them today.

SO I HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG…..IT'S MOTHER'S DAY HERE, AND I HAVE A VERY ENTERGETIC 2 YEAR OLD…PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK? IF YOU LIKE IT, WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT IT? AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN. I LOVE READING YOUR REVIEWS AND I TRY TO RESPOND TO ALL OF AGAIN! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHER'S OUT THERE.