Disclaimer: All characters are the express right of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement intended.
Edward watched as Bella sifted through the smoking rubble of what was left of her business. He was waiting on the call from Emmett to report on the damage to Newton's store. Although there was no proof they were the ones to set this fire, Edward made damn sure they felt the heat.
"Edward?"
He turned his head and saw Garrett next to him. "What's up?"
"Newton is across the street trying to blend into the crowd. I think he's here observing his handy work."
Edward nodded discretely and told Garrett to circle around behind him and grab him. When he was gone, Edward turned back to Bella. "Hey, Bells...anything salvageable?"
Bella shook her head and shrugged her shoulders as she surveyed what was left of her equipment. When the fire spread to her darkroom, that was it. With all the chemicals she had in there for developing, the place went up fast and there was nothing the fire department could do to stop it.
"There's nothing left." Bella's voice sounded defeated. She knew she could always start over. That wasn't the issue; it was the principle behind it. Bella turned with tears in her eyes and gave Edward a weak smile. "Just please tell me we're gonna get him."
Edward walked to her and put his hands on her cheeks. "I already have the ball rolling. Let's get you out of here and into some clean clothes." He took her by the hand and led her over to the waiting sedan. Once they were settled, Felix drove toward the house while Edward and Bella sat in silence in the backseat.
**UYH**
Garrett hedged his way around the building next to Bella's, and came out right behind the sniveling bastard responsible for the damage. He quickly and discreetly incapacitated him, and drug him to Emmett's waiting car.
"Let's go!"
The tires squealed as Emmett peeled away from the curb. "Where the hell are we gonna take the fucker?"
"I don't fuckin' know! Call the boss and ask him," Garrett suggested.
Emmett pulled out his phone and pressed the button to speed dial his brother. "Hey, Bro. We have the package. Where are we going with it?" Emmett listened and then hung up. "We get to take him back to his place and wait for further instructions."
"Fan-fucking-tastic!" Garrett growled.
**UYH**
Once the car came to a stop, Bella got out and ran inside, heading straight to her room. She ignored Edward's shouts and immediately turned on the shower before quickly stripping and standing under the hot spray. She picked up the loofa and scrubbed her skin raw. When she felt she like she was clean enough, she sank to the floor and let the sobs overtake her. She didn't know how long she was in the shower, but the water had long run cold when Edward found her.
"Shit!" Edward grabbed a bath sheet and wrapped it around her shivering body. "Bella, come on, Baby." He picked her up and carried her out to her room, where he settled her on the bed and wrapped the comforter around her.
"S-so c-c-cold," Bella shivered.
"I've got you." Edward wrapped himself around her and held her until the shaking stopped and her breathing evened out. When he was sure she was asleep, he quietly slipped out and went to change his own clothes. He then went to the kitchen and made Bella a hot cup of tea and carried it up to her.
Brown eyes watched him enter the room. She stared at him as he set the cup down and brushed a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what, Sweetheart?" Edward asked gently.
Bella sat up, holding the sheet to her naked form. "For breaking down and being weak, for running from you and what you told me. The list goes on."
Edward shook his head. "Bella, I don't want your apologies. I know I shocked you with my feelings, but I can't keep them to myself any longer. As for you being weak and breaking down? Babe, after what happened I wouldn't expect anything less."
Bella nodded and took a deep breath. "I'm going to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me. Can you do that?" He nodded so she continued. "Do you have him?" Again, he nodded. "Then I am going to get out of this bed, and you are gonna take me to him. I want to know what the fuck he was thinking."
Edward grinned and got up to let her get dressed. "We're leaving in fifteen minutes."
Bella dressed quickly and headed down the steps to go with Edward. She wanted to confront the little shit who had destroyed her business—a business that she had started with her own blood, sweat, and tears; Mike was about to pay with his own.
**UYH**
Mike sat in the chair, sweat dripping down his spine. He tried not to look at the two men who were keeping him trapped in his own home. He couldn't believe the direction his life had taken in the last few weeks.
"Whatsa matter, Mike? You scared?" Emmett leered at him.
"Fuck you, Cullen!"
"Nah, I like my pussy on women."
Garrett laughed. "So, Mike...where's the piece you stole from Edward? Oh, wait, he didn't care."
"Who knows where the hell that bitch is? Probably spending my money..." Mike muttered under his breath.
Emmett and Garrett just laughed at him, but sobered quickly when they heard the sound of a car door closing. Game on!
**UYH**
Edward sent Emmett a text while he was waiting for Bella. He wanted to know what the weasel was doing.
Tied to a chair...waiting ~Em
Be there in a few. Have a surprise for him. ~E
Awesome! ~Em
Edward chuckled at his brother's enthusiasm.
"What's so funny?"
Edward looked up to see Bella standing in the doorway. "Emmett."
"Ahh," she chuckled.
"Ready?"
Bella nodded and followed Edward out to the waiting car. The ride was silent until they were about five minutes from the apartment; Bella finally spoke up, "Edward, I need to know you're not going to interfere with how I handle this. I know you are the boss, but I need to deal with this myself. He did this to me."
Edward sighed and reached over to take her hand. "Bella, I may be the boss, but you have just as much control over this family as I do. If you need to do this, I'll stand back. I will jump in, though, if I see that you need me."
"Okay."
When the car pulled up to the apartment, Bella felt her pulse speed up as adrenaline rushed into her system. She squared her shoulders and followed Edward inside.
Edward moved immediately to the dining room and flipped on the light. Mike sat in a chair, his head bowed, and a sheen of sweat was visible on his skin. He turned and noticed Garrett and Emmett eyeing Bella with trepidation.
Bella ignored the looks coming from her brother and Emmett and walked to stand in front of Mike. She kicked the leg of his chair to get his attention, and when Mike's head popped up at the vibration, she almost giggled at the relief that flitted across his face.
"Bella, thank fuck! Baby, can you please tell your brother and the bozo to let me out of here? I didn't do anything."
"Shut up! Do you think I couldn't see you lurking around while my business was burning to the ground? Why'd you do it, Mikey?"
"Don't call me 'Mikey', you little bitch..."
Any other words he would have said were cut off as Bella's hand cracked across his cheek hard enough to turn his head. "Mind your tongue. My brother and Edward only have a certain amount of restraint. Now, answer my question."
"What fuckin' question?"
Bella reached down and grasped his chin in her hand, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Don't play dumb with me, you little shit. Why did you burn down my business?"
"Go to hell," Mike growled at her.
Bella looked over at Edward, an apology in her eyes. She watched as he cocked his head to the side, observing her actions. Bella turned away from him and knelt down in front of her former fiancé. "Mike, sweetie..." She waited until he looked in her eyes. "Just tell me why you burned my building down, and I will make little Mikey very happy." She caressed his sweaty cheek, all while trying to keep the bile from rising.
Mike shrugged his shoulders. "I needed the money."
Bella scoffed and stood back up. "Why would you get money if my business burned down?"
"You never did pay very close attention, did you? I took out an insurance policy that named me a benefactor in the event of a fire or other emergency."
Bella laughed at that. "You are the dumbest mother-fucker ever. Did you think the insurance company wasn't going to check into your policy? They called me, you stupid shit. I told them I was sole owner, and you had nothing to do with it."
"WHAT! Then what the FUCK have I been paying for all these years?"
Bella looked at Edward and grinned. She watched his face as she stepped closer and got in Mike's face. "Thanks for the shoes."
Mike used his legs, gained some leverage, and tried to get to Bella, but she stepped back just as Edward, Emmett, and Garrett jumped forward to stop him.
"You fucking bitch! I want all that money back; I'll fucking sue you for every penny!"
Edward and the other two laughed at that. "How?"
Mike just glared at them and then turned to look back at Bella. "My mother was right about you. You are a frigid bitch."
All the laughter quieted as Edward looked to Bella for permission. She nodded and watched as he walked over to defend her honor. "I think it's time to shut this pussy up!"
Edward got in the first blow, and then all three of them traded off until Mike was unconscious. Bella sat down and wrote him a little note, then pinned it to his shirt so when his mother or Jessica showed up, they would know what happened to him. The four of them then cleaned up the mess on the floor before turning their backs and leaving as quietly as they had come.