AN: I just wanted to make note that I am viewing your reviews. However, I update before and after work then go about my day so I read the reviews on my phone. For whatever reason, FF isn't letting me reply with my phone. IDK. Anyway, please keep reviewing. I flove getting them.
"And where are you going again?" Jacob asked for the fourth time in an hour. I turned my back just to roll my eyes without him seeing.
"Out for drinks with the girls," I lied, for the fourth time, as I bent down to put my shoe on. Luckily, the girls were already out, and since he didn't have either of their cell phone numbers, he couldn't validate my story.
"Where though?" he asked, clearly annoyed.
"I told you, I don't know. Wherever they want to go."
"Where are they now? How come they're not here?"
"What the hell, Jake? The last time I checked, my father was fucking dead," I sneered at him. "You remember that, right?" That shut him right up. He thought I was clueless and under the assumption that he had nothing to do with his death.
He was an idiot, and he was as good as dead. With or without Cullen help.
The only way I could describe Salvador's was a fancy dive. It wasn't surprising that Edward choose this place to talk business. It was casual, but offered enough privacy with their overly large booths. The most attractive thing about the place, though, was that the owners, staff, and most of the patrons knew to look the other way.
Reservations weren't needed at Salvador's, but they certainly helped. However, I'm not sure which route Edward had gone. If he had a reservation, he would have been seated quickly, but if he didn't, I'm sure he would have been seated just as quickly.
I limped up to the hostess and asked if a Mr. Edward Cullen had arrived. She gave me the once-over before asking me to follow her. I rolled my eyes but followed regardless. I'm sure Edward would not appreciate it if I made a scene by telling the hostess to go fuck herself and that I could find him on my own.
The ache in my knee had lessened, but it was still there, and it was still bothering me. I honestly thought the stress of everything was affecting my ability to forget about it. It didn't help to see all three Cullen brothers and my two sisters already at the table tucked into a dark corner.
The three Cullens stood when I finally approached the table. Rose and Alice both looked at me with concern, but Alice quickly looked away with distain. She was obviously still not talking to me.
"Hello," I greeted awkwardly. I waved at Rosalie and gave Alice a passing glance.
"Isabella," Edward greeted.
"Mr. Cullen." I offered a smile and nod. "I thought this was going to be a private meeting," I whispered, though they probably all heard.
"Surely, you didn't think I'd entertain your request without discussing it with my family. It affects all of us. As for why they're here," he said, jerking his head to my sisters, "Emmett and Jasper insisted on bringing dates." He shrugged.
I nodded slowly. "So … you all have a thing going on?" I pointed between the four of them. Why the hell did they agree to seeing the men that had held them at gunpoint only days ago? They must have had a dormant masochistic gene that recently presented itself.
"Does it matter?" Alice spat at me. "At least we know what kind of guys they are. They won't kill us out of nowhere."
"Don't be so sure," I mumbled into my water glass. I could see Edward's narrowed eyes in my peripheral.
"So, I see your knee is acting up again," Rosalie cut in, trying to lessen the tension.
"Yeah." I shrugged. "I don't have anything 'planned' for the next few days, so it's alright."
The waitress came then, taking everyone's food and drink order.
"Let's get to the point of this gathering, Isabella. Please explain to my brothers what you asked of me earlier," Edward said.
I sat straighter, higher. "I approached Edward earlier about helping me take care of the Jacob situation," I began.
"Oh, that's rich!" Alice exclaimed. "Have Edward clean up your mess."
"Listen. You. Fucking. Bitch." I finally snapped. I was under an intense amount of stress and I didn't need her attitude at the moment. "You want to be mad at me-blame me for Daddy's death? Fine, but either shut the fuck up or get the fuck out. You're pissing me off, and I'm two minutes from snapping your neck. I'm taking care of it, all right? I wasn't the one who wanted you here."
The table was eerily quiet save for the snickers Edward was trying to suppress. Alice looked ashen. Never had I spoken to her like that, or threatened her life. I think what made it scarier was that we both knew that I could kill her before she had the chance to blink twice. I chanced a glance at Jasper. He had a look between astonishment and fury. I arched an eyebrow, daring him to speak or do something. He knew it was a family matter, and it was wise to stay silent.
"Okay, Xena. Keep going," Emmett laughed.
I took a deep breath. "I wanted Jacob's name out there as a person of interest for the Cullens. Jacob has a serious gambling problem so it won't be a surprise that he borrowed money from the wrong people. When he is found dead, people will believe it was a Cullen who did it," I explained. "I'll leave evidence to suggest it."
Jasper let out a sarcastic laugh. "Do you realize what you're asking? You want us to take the credit for your kill? You're whacked out." He shook his head in disgust. "Why can't you just man up and take the fall for it?"
"I have to agree with Jasper," Emmett continued. "This could cause a lot of problems for our family."
I looked to Edward, sure he had something to contribute, but he remained quiet.
"I understand your concerns, Mr. Cullen. The fact of the matter is that Jacob's gang is nothing compared to your 'thing'. None of them are stupid enough to go after you. They'll take Jacob's death as a loss and move on." I shrugged. "And it's not about not manning up, but saving my own life. They won't go after you, but they won't hesitate to kill me if they knew I did it, and I can't afford to go into hiding. This is simply about having Jacob dead. I don't care who they think did it."
Then again, this family wanted to kill me only a few days ago, so most likely they really did give a shit about entertaining my request.
"And what happens if your plan doesn't work, Bella?" Rosalie asked, her voice clearly indicating that she did not like the idea.
"I … I don't know," I answered honestly.
"I can answer that for her," Edward finally spoke. "If we agree to this and it fails, Isabella is dead." There was a loud gasp from both Alice and Rosalie. "I'm sorry, but that's the way it has to be," he continued professionally. "I can't have her start trouble, a possible war–despite the size and relevancy of a group–and walk away like nothing happened." He shook his head. "It is the equivalent of borrowing money and not paying it back. You want my men–my family–to basically put their necks on the line for you."
"When you put it that way, then yes, Mr. Cullen," I agreed.
"Then you're putting your life up as collateral. It's the only way I'll entertain the request with my father."
"No! No way," Rosalie answered for me.
"Excuse me," I admonished her. "Exactly who do you think you're speaking for?"
"Bella, you can't be serious right now. You're willing to put up your life to take Jake's. That's fucking insane, even for you," she argued.
I narrowed my eyes in anger at her. "The only way this could kill me is if I fail. Are you saying I'll fail? Or are you like Alice? Secretly hoping I will and pay with my life."
"Oh, screw you, Bella," Alice spat from across the table. I couldn't help but notice that she didn't dispute the allegation.
I turned my attention back to Edward. "Tell Mr. Cullen if those are the terms he'll accept, then I'm okay with that. If any other issue is to arise and he, or any of you, needs to speak with me, then I'll make myself available."
"Sucking up won't help your case, Black Swan," Alice interrupted. "Calling everyone Mr. Cullen." She snorted, shaking her head.
"It's called respect. Something our father instilled in some of us." I looked between her and Jasper. "But I guess when you're fucking someone, you've probably moved on to a first name basis."
I saw the slight movement of Jasper's arm, but I was quicker. I had my gun positioned to shoot him between the eyes a second before he had his aimed at me.
"Mr. Cullen, this has nothing to do with you, so please refrain from attempting to kill me in Alice's honor," I tried to say as politely as one could when pointing a gun. "We both know her virtue isn't something that needed to be protected," I quipped.
Jasper narrowed his eyes and, unbelievably, two more guns were pointed at me. Was I seriously about to die because I made a joke about Alice? Was she a part of their family already?
"I think we're done here," I said, holstering my gun. Sides seemed to have been taken, even though I didn't know this was a matter that called for it. As it stood, I was flying solo. "Thank you for your time. Have a good night." I nodded a farewell to everyone at the table and stood to leave as the waiter approached the table with the food.