Chapter 19

Choices

For the first time in a long while, all nine Cullens are together in the same room. Bella has had a couple of good days, and she's spending her Renesemee time at the big house with the rest of the family. The mood is the most jovial I've seen it since I've been here. Jasper can finally relax.

Renesmee and Edward are entertaining us with a lively duet on the piano. The baby savant is sitting on her mother's lap next to her father. I'm thinking about slipping outside. The Cullens have been more than hospitable, but I'm not part of the family, and I don't belong in this scene. I don't know where I belong. Besides, the song is way too peppy. It's starting to get on my nerves.

Before I can make my move, Carlisle's phone rings. He steps into the other room, speaking quietly and returns after a couple of minutes. His eyes fix on me while he continues talking into the phone.

"Oh, the pleasure was all mine, Viktor. Let me get Elie for you." Carlisle says.

The piano music tinkers on. Edward, Bella and Renesmee are oblivious to my special circumstances, but six other anxious faces watch me as I take the phone.

"Hello Viktor," I say with false cheerfulness.

"Beta, good to finally hear your voice," he says silkily.

"Yes, Viktor, same here."

"You're a difficult woman to track down, Beta."

"Good," I say, trying to give a normal, Elieish response.

Viktor chuckles, then delivers his ultimatum. "I need you home, Beta. We have something very important to discuss. When can I expect you?"

"There's only a few flights a day out of Seattle Tacoma International. The earliest I could hope to be back is mid-afternoon tomorrow."

"Perfect. I'll see you then."

Gulp. "I look forward to it," I say, and we hang up.

Nobody says anything. The music has stopped. The musicians have picked up on the strain in the room. I don't know what I'm going to do. What does this mean? I need to get in touch with Gregorio. I'm about to ask Carlisle if I can use his phone, when it buzzes with a text message. He takes it from me, looks at the screen, and says, "I believe this is yours."

I grab the phone and read it. It's a single word. Not signed. It's from Gregorio.

'Come.'

That's all it says. Come.

I'm going to Romania.

I start gathering my things. I didn't bring that much, so it amazes me how widely dispersed my stuff is throughout the large house. Alice helps me, shooting me odd looks the whole time. I hope she doesn't say it.

I have everything, and I zip my backpack shut. Emmett's booked me a seat on the 2:55 flight, so I'm all set to go. Just before I say my goodbyes, Alice says it. She blurts it out, like she couldn't stop herself.

"What if this is a set up? What if Gregorio is deceiving you?" Alice says with a small amount of hysteria building in her voice.

My head jerks toward her. I know it's what we've all been thinking, but this is the first time any of us has said it out loud. I see in Alice's concern that this is what she believes is happening. She's the only one who's seen the vision. She'd know better than anyone. If my body was capable of manufacturing tears, my eyes would be swimming in them. As it is, I turn my dry, tortured eyes away from her as I answer in a choked whisper.

"Then I'd want to die, and I'll welcome any punishment Viktor decides to give me." I say simply. It's true. If I find out that the loyalty Gregorio pledged to me in that forest in Alaska has so quickly dissolved, something inside me will die. That man has quickly become as important to me as my own life, or undead existence, or whatever this is.

Every adult head in the room nods in somber agreement. They know exactly what I mean. They're all with their mates, and if one of them deceived the other, their worlds would be shattered. I envy them at this moment. They all have what I don't seem to be able to hold and keep for very long.

*****

I only manage a half-hearted, "Come sta?" to Vladimir and Stefan as I pass them on my way through the ruins to the headquarters entrance. They stiffly ignore me as usual. Jump down, breath on stone, walk through the long, frigid corridor into reception.

Nicole (yep, same Nicole) says, "Viktor's waiting for you in Conference Room B." As if the whole uncertain return to Romania wasn't already feeling unpleasantly familiar enough - did it have to be B?

I turn into Conference Room B. Viktor is in there. With Gregorio. This time the Italian is the first thing I notice. The sight of his tall, impeccable figure and his dark waves smoothed back from his chiseled, ivory features makes my immobile heart leap. But it's that tiny, silvery white bump of a scar, cutting into the red of his mouth that sends goose bumps running up my arms. Even though everyone else in the world is perfectly able to see it, I somehow think of that scar as belonging to me. Only me.

I give Gregorio a hard look before turning my attention over to Viktor. Gregorio returns my gaze steadily, if emotionlessly. I take this as a good sign. He surely wouldn't be able to look me in the eye if he was about to do me in.

As I flick my eyes to Viktor, I notice that the lighting in the room is rather dim. The blinds on the glass wall to the corridor are closed tight, and Viktor has motioned for me to shut the door behind me. No one can see in.

"Beta," Viktor says warmly, coming over to take my hands.

"Viktor," I say with equal warmth. I'm not entirely faking. He can be an evil bastard, but I can't deny the innate affinity I feel toward him. It's strangely good to see him.

"You've been a busy girl," he says, tilting his head and examining me. "I began to fear we'd lost you to the world again."

"Viktor," I say with feigned impatience. "Haven't we been through all this before?"

He smiles an imperious smile and places his hand along the side of my face, cupping my jaw. "You can't blame me for missing you. Now tell me, what were you doing at the Cullens? Are you planning a sequel to your book?"

"Actually, my research there had nothing to do with vampire diet," I say easily. I'd prepared myself for this question. "Their newest member is experiencing a delayed reaction to her transformation. She could potentially yield new data for our existing research in this area. And have you heard of the werewolves they've befriended? They're fascinating, and I was able to interview two of them. If you have time later, I'd like to discuss an idea I have for an expansion of the archives."

"Oh," Viktor says, looking slightly disappointed. "I had rather though veganism was a specialty of yours." He drops his hand from my face. "I'm surprised you'd give up on it so easily." He gives me a piercing look with his marbled eyes, like he's trying to look through my very flesh to see what I'm thinking.

"I'm here to serve B.I.T.E., Viktor," I say quickly. "Wherever I see information that can benefit the organization, I go."

He chuckles. "Always such pretty words, Beta. Half the time, I actually believe you." He sighs and keeps his gaze locked on my face, gauging my every reaction. "I've read your book," he says. His eyes flick over my features, looking for a note of surprise or dismay.

"I hope you enjoyed it," I say, trying not to let my voice shake.

"It was more than an informational study, Beta. It was virtually an instruction manual for the vegan lifestyle. Why, at one point, you practically had me considering it."

I'm having trouble keeping eye contact with him. I see where this train wreck is headed, and I'm starting to panic. Viktor turns his hand to trail the back of his fingers along my cheek, beckoning my eyes up to his. I stare into the cold black and gold. All of my energy goes toward fighting the snarl that wants to curl my lip. I inwardly recoil at his silky touch and the gentle, fatherly look he's trying to give me. A father would never do this to his child.

"My dear girl," he purrs. "I've reviewed all of your work while you've been gone. Everything you've done since your return to B.I.T.E. You're not fooling us anymore."

Oh shit. Oh shit! This is really happening, and Gregorio is not doing anything to stop it. He's not stepping in. Is he smiling right now? I can't bring myself to steal a glance at him. As long as I don't see him smiling, he's not. Until I know for sure that I've lost Gregorio, I'm ruled by my instinct for self preservation. How am I going to get out of this? Running will do me no good. Viktor will have me before I make it to reception. I already know what I have to do. Alice told me. I'm going to grovel. It won't change Viktor's mind, but it will buy me time to figure something out.

I drop to my knees. The only thing that feels good about it is that Viktor is no longer touching me. Why isn't Gregorio doing anything? Or is he doing something? Is he smiling? Is he really smiling? I can't look. I bend prostrate to the ground and search for the words that will carry weight with Viktor.

"Beta, what are you doing?" Viktor asks irritably. His voice has lost all of its greasy smoothness. His uncharacteristically nonplussed tone throws me. I don't move until he commands, "Beta!"

My head snaps up. Viktor's eyes flash with irritation. I inadvertently catch a glimpse of Gregorio on my way up. He's biting back a smile. I give him a second glance. He's recomposed his face, but his eyes still dance with amusement. What the hell is going on?

"Good God, Beta. I'm trying to give you a promotion and you're on the floor…on the floor…what is it exactly you're doing on the floor?" Viktor demands.

A promotion? Is he serious? How was I supposed to get that out of all of his rigamarole? While these questions are bouncing around in my head, Viktor is waiting for an explanation of my behavior.

"I…uh…my earring. I dropped an earring. They're my favorites," I shrug, sitting back on my feet and looking sheepishly up at Viktor.

"How many ears do you have?" he asks sharply. "You're wearing two earrings."

"Really" I say, reaching my hands up to my ears. "That's weird." I try to chuckle while I steal another surreptitious glance at Gregorio. He's ever so slightly shaking his head at my pathetic attempt at nonchalance.

Viktor holds a hand out to me. I take it and pull myself up. As I do so, Viktor keeps his eyes on me, but turns his head and says over his shoulder to Gregorio, "You're going to have your hands full with this one."

What's that supposed to mean? Did Gregorio tell him about us? My hopeful glance is answered by a warning flash in Gregorio's dark eyes. He's still keeping that a secret. I'm going to stop surmising. I'm getting everything wrong.

"What's this about a promotion?" I ask, sticking to what I know I heard.

"As I was saying," Viktor says somewhat impatiently, "You have been holding out on me. You've always downplayed your research, but a closer look reveals that your work here has been nothing short of superb. You've obviously given your heart and soul, so to speak, to B.I.T.E. That type of dedication deserves to be rewarded.

"Things are changing around here, Beta, just as things are changing in the world around us. It's all happening under the surface, so you may not be aware of it. You see, our friends in Italy have fallen decidedly out of favor in the wider community. Sympathy runs high among vampires for innocents who are finally standing up to that elite organization, such as your American research subjects as well as others.

"This all puts us at B.I.T.E. in a rather precarious position. We've maintained a healthy working relationship with the Volturi since before you were born, but have always been careful to keep a distinction between our two organizations in the public eye. Now it appears we're being forced to make a choice – align with the Volturi in a very public way or sever all ties. It's an extremely difficult decision to make, and it has weighed heavily on me for these past months. Each day seemed to point in a different direction.

"I foolishly left my trusted friend Gregorio here out of the loop for too long. I was afraid that his ties to both organizations would cloud his judgment and keep him from being objective. It was a mistake I will not make again," he says, turning and planting an admiring hand on Gregorio's shoulder. "His counsel has been invaluable, and he's proven himself to be able to think quickly and clearly in any circumstances."

Gregorio's soft, black eyes seem almost humble as they peer out at me from under his half-lowered, lush eyelashes. Seeing him like this and hearing the praise that Viktor is heaping on him makes me tingle in places that have rarely tingled before. I'm entranced by Gregorio, but I still listen raptly to every word Viktor says.

"Together, the top level of B.I.T.E. and the next generation of leadership," he says, giving Gregorio's shoulder a firm shake, "have devised a brilliant plan. On the surface, it will look as if we're supporting the Volturi as usual – we've already helped them quash scattered, irrational uprisings – but in the background, we'll be working to discredit their authority, replacing it with ours. Our kind needs leadership, after all, or everything's up for grabs. It's become clear that the Votluri's rein has run its course. It is now our duty as Romanians, original royalty of the vampiring world, to quietly step back into power.

"Our master plan has many legs. The one that concerns you – and the only one you need to know about – requires you to continue on with your work in the area of non-human consumption. I realize that you're eager to move on to new things, but I believe you will find what we have planned for your current field of study very exciting. We're taking it beyond the level of standard research. We want you to go out and encourage vampires around the world to try out the vegan lifestyle.

"We think B.I.T.E. should become proactive in this area for a few reasons. First of all, doing so would clearly separate us from the Volturi; veganism among vampires is something they've strenuously objected to over the years. It's a way to discreetly encourage vampires to thumb their nose at the Volturi. Secondly, such a move will prove that our research has real life applications, show that it's not just a pile of papers collecting dust. It will passively assert our importance to the vampiring world. Lastly, directing vampires toward a path of peace will make leadership a more palatable prospect for those in the organization that are reluctant to slip into power.

"After reading your book, I have the utmost confidence that you are the right person for the job. There's no one else that we have in mind for it. So what do you say? It will be a full time job, and I'll have to ask you to at least try to give up humans – practice what you preach, as they say - but it means a significant increase in salary, and if you meet with success, a much higher profile at B.I.T.E."

I couldn't care less about those last two points, but full-time, openly living and promoting the lifestyle with B.I.T.E.'s blessing – hell yeah, I'm in!

I give Viktor a slightly more tempered response. "Viktor, this is …this is very unexpected. I appreciate your confidence in me and would be honored to take up the challenge."

A bright, genuine smile lights up Viktor's face. He pulls my shoulders into a hug and says, "Welcome aboard my dear, dear girl. We're going to have such fun reclaiming the empire together."

When he steps back, he pulls his face tight. He's about to deliver me some bad news. I should've known this was all too good to be true.

"There's one thing more I need to explain before I'm off to another meeting - always hopping these days. Your leg of our overall plan is one of the largest and most important. While I have all the confidence in the world in you, it wouldn't be prudent for me to set you loose without close supervision by a high-level executive, at least at first.

"I know you two haven't always gotten along, but I'm sure you'll understand that Gregorio seems to make the most sense to work with you on this project." My eyes lock on Gregorio's as Viktor continues. We keep our steady gaze emotionless but strong. "I understand that he worked in an editorial capacity on your book, and that he often kept tabs on your research in the field, so he's in an excellent position to hit the ground running. He's agreed to set aside his differences with you for the sake of the cause. I hope that you can find it in yourself to do the same, Beta."

I narrow my eyes at Gregorio and grit my teeth. I've spent so much time hiding my revulsion around this place, now I'm forced to disguise my delight. "I'll try Viktor, for you," I say, turning my unreadable gaze to my creator.

"Ah, Beta," he says, touching the back of his fingers to my face again. "I knew I could count on you." This time I don't recoil at his touch. I want to jump and wrap a huge hug around him for what he's just told me. I'm going to travel the world with Gregorio, doing exactly what I want to be doing. This is unreal. Out of this world, crazy unreal.

"Well, I'm off to the next piece of business. I'll leave you two here to start laying the ground work. We'll touch base again in a few days," Viktor says and leaves, shutting the door behind him. Gregorio and I are alone in the secluded, private conference room.

We look across the six feet that separate us. I am beaming at him. I cannot believe that he pulled this off. His red lips stretch in a smile across his face, and his black eyes light up. He likes watching my surprise. The complete surprise that he orchestrated. The surprise that he could have told me about earlier and spared me truckloads of anguish.

"You know, if I wasn't already technically dead, I'd probably have dropped of a heart attack with all the stress I've just been through," I teasingly berate him. "Come. Come? You couldn't have said something like – 'Don't worry'; 'All's well'; 'No one's going to chop you up and burn you today?' Come!"

Gregorio chuckles. "That was for your little trick with the passport," he says.

"Ugh," I groan and let my body relax as I look up at the ceiling. I should've known he'd get me back for that one day.

He laughs. I can't really work up any anger, because the news was too good. The strange thing is, I can't seem to work up a proper amount of jubilation either. I should be turning cartwheels around the room right now. I should be all over Gregorio, thanking him for what he's worked out. But I'm not. I'm staying in place, perfectly still, smiling mildly at Gregorio. I don't have any inclination to move toward him. I'm staying where I am, keeping the six foot buffer between us. Maybe it's because I still don't quite believe it. It hasn't sunk in yet. Or maybe it's because the residual anxiety of not knowing what to expect still lingers.

Gregorio steps over and puts his arms around my waist. "Welcome home, darling," he growls and bends down to kiss me. It's a perfectly acceptable thing for him to do, but I reflexively push back on his chest, keeping my lips out of his reach. He cocks an inquisitive eyebrow at me.

I suddenly realize what's bothering me. "You've really got it all, don't you, Gregorio?" I state. It sounds like an accusation the way I say it.

"It doesn't appear as if I have you at the moment," he says carefully.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Oh, you have me. You have me for as long as you want me," I say. My last comment is stated as a challenge.

"Elisabeta," he says, dropping his hands from my waist and stepping back. "What is this about?"

"It's about you, Gregorio, and the way you so masterfully manage your life. Always making sure that you never have to choose between me and your precious career at B.I.T.E."

He flashes a confident smile and says, "Brilliant, aren't I?"

"Brilliant," I respond in a tone that is clearly unimpressed.

"Would you prefer that I'd worked out some other arrangement? Such as recommending that B.I.T.E. join forces with the Volturi and wage war on all vegans?" he asks facetiously.

"Of course not," I admit. "But what if you did have to choose between supporting B.I.T.E. or supporting me?"

"But I don't have to choose," he says, looking genuinely baffled as to what I'm trying to get at.

I huff in frustration. I don't know how to explain my pointless hang up to him.

He studies my disturbed face and comprehension seems to creep into his features. "You can't possibly be questioning which I would choose," he says incredulously.

The wide, worried eyes that I watch him through tell him that that is precisely what I'm questioning.

"Elisa," he says fervently. It's the first time he's ever called me that. That's what Father Pawel has called me all these years. I like the way it sounds in the rumble of Gregorio's voice. He steps up to me and holds my face close to his with both of his hands.

"Don't you know that I will always choose you…" he tells me quietly as he softly kisses the bridge of my nose. "…and you…" he continues, lightly pressing his lips to my forehead. My eyes close. His voice and his delicate touch cascade through me like velvet. "…and you…" he says tenderly kissing a closed eyelid. "…and you," he concludes, laying his lips on the other.

He keeps his hands on my jaw and rests his forehead on mine. His fingers delicately trace up and down my cheek. I'm surrounded by his touch and his alluring, musky scent.

"Now, can you please stop this silliness and kiss me?" he asks.

I am trying desperately to turn off my brain. My eyes stay closed, and my face pinches with the struggle. I bite my lip. I will myself to stop thinking and kiss this beautiful, wonderful man who loves me. Kiss him and let all thought drift away. Throw away these senseless worries. Why can't I do that? Why? Because my idiot brain knows that all of Gregorio's marvelous, welcome words will mean nothing if it ever comes down to it. It's easy for him to say this now. It's not reality. No one is forcing him to actually make a choice.

"You're killing me," he groans as he waits for my answer.

My eyes fly open. I know what to do. I reach up and pull one of his hands from my face and hold on to it. I step back and say with weighted words, "I'll kiss you Gregorio. But not here."

I lead him out of the room and through the maze of hallways to the executive wing. I sniff the air for Viktor's piney scent and stop in front of a glass-walled conference room. These blinds aren't shut. We can see everyone in there, and everyone in there can see us. Viktor's in there.

"Here," I say.

"Here?" Gregorio asks as a corner of his mouth turns up. He doesn't think I'm serious.

"Here," I repeat firmly. I raise my eyebrow, daring him to do it.

Gregorio presses his lips together with a touch of consternation as he realizes that I've never been more serious. He inhales deeply, and then exhales just as dramatically. Without a word, he slips his hand out of mine and threads it through my hair, gripping the back of my head. He grasps my waist with his other hand and dips me all the way back. His movement is so swift and abrupt that I instinctively kick my knee up to his side for support and grip his shoulder blades with my hands.

He gives me a dirty smile and then plants his mouth on mine in a movie-style kiss. One taste, and I'm instantly lost in Gregorio. My eyes roll back, and I close them, pulling myself tighter to him. I don't care whether we're in an institutional hallway in Romania, on a snowdrift in Greenland, or at a beach in Madagascar. I'm with Gregorio. I'm exactly where I belong.

He straightens up, and I follow, bringing both legs around his waist so that he's holding me up. Our faces stay plastered together during the whole transition. My mouth is stretched as wide as it can go, yet I pull my fingers coarsely through his thick waves, trying to bring him impossibly closer. How does he manage to be this delicious every single time?

"Ahem," we hear from the conference room doorway.

We reluctantly break lip lock and turn blearily toward the noise, keeping the sides of our faces pressed tightly against each other. The noise was Viktor. Oh yeah, Viktor. Sort of forgot about him. I feel Gregorio's grip tighten protectively around me.

"You've both been provided with private rooms for this type of thing," Viktor says curtly.

Is that it?

I turn disbelievingly toward Gregorio. His eyes are just as wide as mine. "Your rooms or mine?" I ask breathlessly and smile.

"Uh, yours," Gregorio answers uncertainly. I don't think he believes that we're actually going to get off this easily.

We turn toward Viktor again. Gregorio is still holding me up with my legs wrapped around him. We must look ridiculous to everyone in the conference room. Viktor starts to retreat back into the room, but pauses and turns back to us.

"I'm glad to see you're warming up to your new boss, Beta," he says. "You'll go far with an attitude like that," he adds with a wink and then returns to his meeting.

Gregorio and I turn to each other and exchange a look that most definitely says, 'Let's get the hell out of here before he changes his mind.' Gregorio carries me all the way to my rooms. On our way, he keeps his lips touched to mine. Through them, he mumbles, "You, my dear girl, are a lot of work."

"Worth it?" I ask hopefully, keeping our light lip contact.

He responds with a low, sultry chuckle that I know means 'yes.'

We reach my rooms, and I slam the door behind us. We fall onto my bed and celebrate our good fortune. I suppose we could have gotten to this a lot sooner if I hadn't been being such a pain in the ass, but now I have no reservations. I realize that Viktor only thinks Gregorio and I are having a meaningless fling, and he might very well have an entirely different reaction when he finds out how committed we are to each other, but Gregorio hadn't known how the kiss would work out, and he did it anyway. He did it big, and he did it bold. He chose me.

.

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NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This may read like the end of the story, but let me assure you - tisn't. I simply can't bear to leave off with quite so happy an ending, so there will be one more chapter. Plus, we still don't know how Gregorio got that damned scar, do we? Any theories? You'll never, never guess, but it does relate to something that happened earlier in the story……you'll never guess.