BPOV

I was looking around the room and everyone was staring at me. I was getting very self-conscious. "What? Why is everyone staring? I'm sorry for falling asleep, I didn't mean to be rude."

"No, sweetheart, you had every right to fall asleep, you had a traumatic experience and must have been exhausted. Besides, this is your home now. Guys, could you give Bella and I some privacy, we have a lot to discuss and I'm sure that Bella would rather not have an audience." Everyone got up to leave us alone following Edwards request.

Once the room was cleared out, I looked up to Edward, trying to gauge his mood. I had a feeling that he was not the type of person to be on the wrong side of. I was afraid he regretted his decision to let me stay here. "Edward, I'll make this easy for you, I'll get my stuff and leave. I don't know how I'll repay y"

"That doesn't make things easier, I don't want you to leave, I never do" he said that last part so quietly, I almost missed it. "I've never had a hard time articulating myself before. I always know what I want and how to get it, especially with women, but I'm a loss with you. I mean I know what I want, but for the very first time in my entire life I also have a need to put you before myself, to make sure that you are taken care of. I'm a selfish man Bella, I want you, more than I've ever wanted anything. There's something about you that I can't ignore. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were different. You're important. I need to get to know you better, I want you to know me, I need you to be in my life. I want you as my girl. I've Never had a "girlfriend" before, lovers yes, more than I care to remember. But no one has ever captured my heart before, and in these few hours, you have. I know that this is probably too much and too fast, we've only known each other for hours."

"Edward, I know how you're feeling, because I feel it also. You already know most of my history. I've had one "boyfriend" and that didn't end so well, we dated the last half of senior year, and at prom I gave him my virginity. He broke up with me the next morning. He was my father's best friend's son. I don't understand this connection any more than you do, but I can't deny it. In a matter of hours, I feel more for you than I ever did for him, everything was always about him and only him. Even though my parents had a loving marriage, he made me believe that my parent's relationship was atypical and most relationships revolved around the man. I knew deep down that he was full of shit and just wanted to control me, but no one else had every wanted me. I thought that if I allowed him the do as he wanted, he would eventually love me and we could be happy. But there was only one thing he wanted and it really wasn't all that. I just don't get what all the fuss is about."

"He stole your virginity and didn't give you anything in return? And I thought I was a selfish bastard. I may not have cared for any of the women I've been with, but they always left well satisfied! What was this asshole's name anyway?"

"Jacob Black, his father, Billy, was the only person on the rez that my dad trusted not to be involved in the drug ring down there, they were friends forever. My dad was so happy that I w…Why are you laughing, that asshole really hurt me!" He was full on doubled over laughing. I couldn't understand what was so funny.

"Bella, the Blacks are not only involved in the drug trade, they are the leaders of the gang down there! My family has been at war with them for years. In fact, your boy Jacob shot Em the year before your parents were killed. They were trying to steal a shipment of ours and we got in a shootout with them. I know that there are things that you don't know about my family, but I know that you're not naïve and you know who we are. I won't insult you and try to deny it, but I can't go into details yet, but eventually I'll answer any questions you have. What I need to know is: are ready to run far away yet?" Edward seemed nervous asking me this. Silly man, I've never had anyone, other than my parents, treat me with the care that him and his family have.

"Of course, I'm not going anywhere, not until you tell me to leave." I hope that that reassured him!

"Perfect, that means that you'll never leave, because I'll never tell you to."

"Edward, I just thought of something. If the Blacks are the leaders down there, does that mean that they were involved in my parent's deaths? I mean at the funeral, Billy kept telling me that I should move down there, that it's what my parents would want, but I didn't feel comfortable living in the same house a Jacob after what happened between us."

"I'm going to be honest Bella, EVERYTHING that happens on that reservation, Billy and Jacob not only know about but have a major hand in."

"But why? I mean, they were best friends! How could he do that? My parents trusted him." My brain wasn't understanding.

"Bella, have you ever heard the saying 'keep your friends close, but your enemies closer'? Maybe that's what they were both doing, at least Billy since he knew that your father was a cop. We may never know if your dad knew about Billy or not. I don't think he did though, because you said he was happy you and Jacob were together. I will try to get some answers for you, I have a source down there that I trust and he will know something."

"That actually makes sense, and sort of explains why Billy was so upset when Jacob broke up with me. If he was using that relationship to hold over my Dad if he ever got to close. Oh my God, do you think that the Feds knew, and Billy somehow convinced them to make Dad go in first because he was getting to close and Billy had to take him out? Could the Feds be working with or for Billy?" Now I was starting to get pissed.

"Yes, sweetheart, but there again, I have a source in the FBI and will get you the answers you need", Edward vowed to me.

"Why are you doing so much for me? I trust you, and I know that you said that you have feelings for me, but what's in this for you?"

"Bella, again, I really hope this doesn't make you run for the hills, but I meant what I said, YOU ARE MY LIFE NOW! I want you with me forever, and I'm not about to propose hours after we met, but that is the direction I want to move our relationship towards. In my family I am the Boss. There are certain traditions that need to be adhered to and I've pushed them back for too long now. Just this afternoon, my Father reminded me that I have to find a wife, and because of my negligence in doing so, he was going to start looking towards an arranged marriage for me. I begged him for 6 more month and he agreed. Then fate, destiny, whatever you want to call it brought you into my life. I want you to be my wife. Don't say anything right now, I want you to really think about this because you have to understand that divorce will never be an option, and faithfulness and loyalty are not only part of the vows that I took for the organization, but they pertain to all aspects of my life. Let's start with a date, and as long as you know what it is that I want for us, we can take this at your pace."

I couldn't have stopped myself if I wanted to, I moved over to him, put my arms around his waist, and my head on his chest and hugged him as tightly as I could. "Edward, I would love to go out on a date with you. I will think about everything you told me, but just so you know, I want you in my life too. You've made me feel so cared for, accepted and protected."

"So, until tonight. Now, I'm going to get the family back in here, because now we have to let them know what you've told me about the Blacks, the Feds, and your Dad."

Edward and I were sitting on his couch, holding hands when everyone retuned. "Em, you're never going to believe who Bella's exboyfriend is" Edward smirked.