Chapter 11
Diamond Man
Edward and Bella rushed into the dressing room but Edward stopped when Bella closed the door.
"What's wrong" she went to kiss him but he pulled back his eyes were glazed over remembering the words which were spoken between the two the other night
"When I asked him what he meant by more people he said to ask you"
The attack on Alice, his auntie…and Rosalie
He looked down at Bella; he could imagine her crying face, the bruises on her face instead of Rosalie's. Edward thought back to what his father had told him
"When someone hurts you or your friends, it's a sign of war, and you've got to be as dirty as they are"
Edward sighed "Sorry doll, I've gotta scram"
"What?" Bella looked at Edward and saw he was frowning "What's wrong?"
He shook his head "Nothing, but I've got some business to settle"
She crossed her arms and glared at him "More diamonds?"
"No, something bloody"
She looked at him with questions in her eyes, he couldn't tell her what Maranzano had did, he knew she would blame herself and go rushing to him knowing what he would do, but she couldn't know, not now or ever. Emmett was right all along.
"DO YOU KNOW WHY JOHNNY FUCKING MARANZANO IS FEARED!"
"Because he deals with people who piss him off, he deals with people who mess up what's his"
Maranzano considered Bella as his, well he had another things coming, he was going to bring down Maranzano, one day at a time. But he had to get someone he trusted to look after Bella, as soon as the first sign of blood shed on the Chicago grounds Johnny would know it was Edward and he will go after Bella personally.
Bring on the war baby
When Edward left Bella was left flustered. She opened the door and saw a man, wearing a brown hat and a smart suit
"Bella?" his smile grew wider
"Yes"
He took an intake of breath and then spoke again "I'd just like to say I think you're the cats meow" Bella chuckled and he carried on "I work for the Chicago times and we'd love to do an article on you"
"Really?"
"Yes"
"Ok then"
"Thanks" his smile beamed at her "Tomorrow, 10:00? Will a photo shoot be ok?"
"Of course"
Edward managed to get Emmett, Jasper, Elezer, Samuel, Benjamin, James, Laurent and the only female killer in their group Victoria. Everyone started to walk out to their cars outside. Edward grabbed Jasper and Emmett's arm when everyone went outside
"Before we go I want you two especially to know why I'm doing this" they nodded "The other night Johnny went to see Bella and said if she didn't agree to his terms more people would get hurt, when she asked what did he mean by more he replied to talk to me about it"
"Are you saying…" Jasper trailed off
"The attack on my Rose" Emmett's hands clenched and unclenched
Edward nodded "You were right Em, about me losing my hard-boiled image, we're going to show everyone not to mess with us"
They nodded and he could tell they were now geared up then before
"Ready" they nodded and they got in Edward's car and drove to one of Maranzano's business
Bella entered her apartment with a tired sigh; she looked and saw Michel was leaning on the counter with a scotch
"How are you baby girl?"
She smiled weakly, he swayed over to her and she laughed shutting the door behind her "Your drunk"
"You're sexy"
She laughed again, Michel was always like this when he got tipsy
He looked her over and then placed the glass on the side and grabbed her hips gently before swaying
"You've got a great chassis"
She rolled her eyes again "Thanks"
He leaned down and kissed her lips
Edward walked into the bank; this was well known to be Johnny's this was where the illegal money came into and from.
"Spread out" Edward grabbed Emmett's arm and he looked at his boss "don't take any wooden nickels" Emmett nodded and walked away. Even though Alice was hurt also and Edward had to look after Jasper also, Emmett was already a hot head god knows what he's capable of. Edward walked up to the cash register with a smile
"How can I…"
He didn't get a chance to finish because Edward shot him in the head, let the blood roll.
Bella pushed him back and wiped her mouth
"What the hell Michel?"
He rolled his eyes and still held her hips tight "Don't be a flat tire Bells"
He pushed her on the couch
Screams of the bent employers bounced from the walls, Edward wanted blood and he was getting a hell of a lot for it.
"Boss" James shouted from the room above them "Come here" Edward climbed up the ladder and was gob smacked, Emmett, Jasper and the rest of his crew were behind him
"Look at this" he handled it in his hands "giggle water, Indian pop, dope"
We smirked at each other "Let the money making begin"
Michel lay on the couch while Bella glared over him, after he pushed Bella on the couch she kicked him where it hurts and pushed him down
"Lay off Michel"
"Sorry" he slurred "I didn't…"
He was asleep within minutes
Johnny walked into his apartment to see he had a visitor; she wore a see through nightie which got him hard in an instant
"Come here" he jumped on her and ripped the dress off her.
Edward brought the merchandise back to his warehouse, if Maranzano wanted to get back at Edward no doubt he'd get the pigs to check out his joint. .
By the time they had finished it was morning, James and Victoria headed to their joint to…well you know, Emmett and Jasper went back to their partners and the rest just went on with their business. Edward drove passed a flower stand, he thought he needed to make up with his doll, so he pulled up and picked up blue and white roses for his girl with yellow sunflowers. She picked up some chocolate and went to her apartment.
He knocked on the door and was greeted by Bella dressed in a pale pink dress, nothing sparkled on the dress yet it fit her perfectly, hugging her waist and she had tied up her hair.
"You look beautiful" he indicated to the flowers "I'm really sorry doll, but after your singing tonight I'm taking you out, no mess, no worries just good old fashioned fun and romantic"
She smiled and took his hat off before placing it on her own head, she kissed his cheek feeling he hadn't shaved yet and smiling
"No problem, come in" Edward saw Michel lying asleep on the couch She placed the flowers in a vase
"Does he live here now or something?"
"Don't get in a lather" she brought him closer and kissed him on the lips, he trailed his tongue over her bottom lip and she immediately opened up for him, she sat on the stool and he stood in between her legs
"Let's pick up where I rudely stopped" Edward whispered on her lips, he made his way down and lightly bit her neck, the irritation from his unshaven face made her shiver. They heard a groan from the couch and Edward nearly pulled out his gun and shot the fucker.
Michel looked to Bella guiltily
"I'm sorry about last night baby girl"
Edward looked to Bella clearly confused by what he meant. Bella excused herself and Edward looked to Michel
"What happened last night canary boy"
Michel rolled his eyes "It was the giggle water, I made a pass at Bells"
So quick Michel couldn't blink Edward was hovering Michel and punching his face
"You get out of her life now" Edward spat, he felt his anger rising, how dare he kiss his girl
"Level with me can you blame me?" Michel reasoned
"Level with you?" Edward dragged him up and then threw him to the opposite side of the room
"Relax, she ice mitt me"
"Dead right she did"
"What the hell is going on?" Bella came down with curlers in her hair and her housecoat
"Nothing doll, Michel was just leaving" Edward glared at Michel which would result in first degree murder. Michel stood up
"Not yet, I've got a show to do tonight and then I'm leaving" Michel looked to Bella "You know I don't feel that way for you baby girl, I was like that with Veronica remember? And me and her were friends"
Bella nodded and smiled "I know Michel, just don't do it again"
Johnny was sat on his desk
"So let me get this straight" he held a gun in his hands making the people around him be on edge "Cullen managed to get my merchandise, kill me workers, get my dough and" he spread his arms out "no-one knew about this"
No-one talked, they just stood and listened
"WELL?" he shouted "Do you have any fucking idea what this means?" silence "It means not only is Cullen on top he has now made a fool out of us"
Maranzano rubbed his chin "Here's what we're going to do"
Edward drove them to the club; he parked up and ran to Bella's side to get her door
"Thank you" she held his hand and they walked in.
"Make yourself comfortable" she whispered to him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek she rushed to the stage, giving her coat to Mike who quickly went to get Edward usual drink, and Bella started to sing in her blue flapper dress with white at the end, her lips were ruby red and her eye make-up was light. Edward sat at the back table and was joined by a man with a camera he smiled up at Bella and Edward frowned, his attention to the man was quickly resented as Bella started to sing
Underneath the city lights
There is a world few know about
Where rules dont apply, no
And you cant keep a good girl down
She going through the club looking for a good time
Gonna make that
Shake that
Money on the dime
Dont need a sugga daddy
Shell be working it just fine
Up on the table
Shell be dancing all night (hee-eey)
She winked at Edward way and that caught the gentlemen sitting opposite him
Babydoll just come alive
Under the spotlight
All the girls wanna fall in line
We say
He-eh-eh-hey
Here come the ladies bout to give a little show
He-eh-eh-hey
Here comes the boozie gonna show a little more
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
"Hi, Riley Biers"
"Chicago Times I know, you did the article on the Diamond Man"
"Yes, well I'm doing a photoshoot with Miss Bella tomorrow, she's just…wow"
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
A little bit of naughty is a little bit nice
Shes a whole lot of glam, take sugar, take spice
Shimmy, shimmy, strut, strut
Give a little work, what
Up on the table
Well be dancing all night (hee-eey)
"How old are you?" Edward asked indicated for the waiter to come over to him and get Riley a drink
"24, I didn't catch your name" Riley stuck his hand out
"Edward Cullen"
Riley's eyes widened
Everybody just come to life
Under the spotlight
All the boys wanna fall behind
We say
He-eh-eh-hey
Here come the ladies bout to give a little show
He-eh-eh-hey
Here comes the boozie gonna show a little more
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
"Is Miss Swan your moll?"
Edward smiled "Sure is, my doll looks gorgeous tonight as she always does"
Riley nodded in agreement Edward didn't know how to take that, was he attracted to Bella in a sexual way, but who was Edward kidding all men were attracted to his girl.
Ok girls, lets show how its done
It aint over till we say
And weve only just began
Lemme hear you say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Say yeaah, yeah yeah yeah
Say yeah yeah yeaah
Say yeaah yeah yeah
"I was wondering Mr. Cullen if we can do an article on you also, people admire you but I have to ask you something"
Edward smiled
"Why don't we leave that for the interview" Edward clicked his glass with Riley and Riley's eyes went wide
"You'll do the interview?"
"Yes"
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
Hit it up, get it up
Wont let you rest
Hit it up, get it up
This is not a test
Hit it up, get it up
Gotta give me your best
So get your ass up
Show me how you burlesque
"Thank you" Bella had finished her song and bowed, everyone cheered and whistled, Riley took a few shots of her and then finished his drink, reaching into his pocket to get the money but Edward stopped him
"Leave that Riley, I'll pay"
Riley smiled and gave Edward his card to call him, Riley would get a big pay check for this, no other paper had been able to get an interview with two of the most talked about people in Chicago.
Edward's hands tightened as he saw Michel come on stage, Bella walked off and went to sit on Edward's lap which surprised him, she usually walked into her backstage dressing room, he smiled and kissed her neck, she leaned her head on his shoulder
"You were brilliant tonight Bella" she pulled back and pecked him on the lips
"Thanks, can we start on that no problem date"
He smirked "Sure"
Michel started to speak "This one is called Sway"
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
Bella grabbed Edward's hand and dragged him to the dance floor
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak
I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak
Edward twirled her around and other people started to get involved with the song and started to dance
I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
He dipped her and kissed her throat "Your such a flour-flusher"
When marimbas start to play
Hold me close, make me sway
Like an ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
Everyone cheered and Bella and Edward looked into each others eyes
"Ready"
She nodded eagerly
Michel was holding the club tonight when Bella and Edward left. It was 10:00 at night and everyone had left, it was just Michel now drinking his scotch, but his head was smacked down harshly onto the table and then pulled back to see 6 men and Maranzano looking at him
"Where's Bella?" Johnny snarled.
Chapter End Notes:
Cats meow – great
Chassis – female body
don't take any wooden nickels: don't do anything stupid
flat tire: a bore
floorflusher: an insatiable dancer
get in a lather: get worked up, angry
giggle water: booze
hard-boiled: a tough person
icy mitt: rejection
Indian hop: marijuana
dope: drugs, esp. cocaine or opium.
lay off: cut the crap
level with me: be honest