2brown-eyes reads!

Mistakes are mine!

I jerk awake at the sound of Edward's booming voice, and I throw off the blanket as I hurry to grab my robe. By this time, I can tell there's a female tone in the mix, and it's obvious this is a sibling issue. I pause with my ear against the door, unsure if I should intrude. Footsteps pad down the hallway, and I rush to the other side of the room to pretend I'm taking in the morning view.

The door slams, and I turn to an angry Alice. "The nerve of him!"

I already know the answer, but I play along. "Who has you all worked up this morning?"

"I don't know how you put up with him," she rants, pacing back and forth. "He may very well be Boss one day, but that doesn't give him a right to tell me what to do."

"Oh, no." I keep my voice low, sympathetic. "I've always admired the boundaries you guys have as a sibling unit. What happened to change that?"

She stops her pacing and looks at me, arms crossed in a huff. "He thinks he can tell me who I can and can't spend time with."

"Wow." I'm hesitant to say too much because I have no place in the middle of this argument. "He doesn't usually do this, I take it?"

"Of course, I don't," Edward snaps as he stalks through the door. His green eyes are lit with fire, and they're pointed directly at me. "But she usually isn't sneaking around with a Capo from a rival family!"

My eyes widen as they pan to Alice. "Jasper?"

"It's only been a few times." She waves it off like it's nothing, and I can practically hear the steam roaring from Edward's ears. "Besides, I told you I think he can be useful."

"That's not your job, Alice." Edward's body is as rigid as stone, and I wish I could crawl back beneath the blanket and pretend this argument isn't happening—in my room no less. "You've chosen life outside the family business; therefore, Jasper Hale is off limits!" Edward's yelling now, and I want to slink away. This is not how I saw the day before our wedding unfolding. "As your big brother, I frown upon someone trying to interfere in your life, but in this case, I must put my foot down. There will be no more secret dates!"

"Fine." Alice stomps across the room, tiny compared to her brother as she stands before him. "I'll invite him over for dinner, then."

"Absolutely not!" Edward thunders, his eyes snapping to mine. "Talk some sense into her, Bella." He's out the door, slamming it behind him.

"Alice," I whisper-shout, walking toward her. "What the hell?"

"Oh, come on, B," she replies, flopping down on my bed. "He's a decent guy, you should know."

"What's that supposed to mean?" It feels like an accusation.

"Nothing." She raises her head, brows furrowed. "Do you think he isn't?"

I sigh, settling down beside her. "Jasper has never treated me any way but kind, but I was hardly a loved one from the rival family. There's no way you can trust him not to set you up."

She lifts her chin. "I think I can."

"Alice." It's not my place to tell her what to do, but she's going to get him killed. "Edward promised me he wouldn't kill Jasper, but I'm afraid this might push him over the edge. Is that what you want?"

She gasps, her soft brown eyes connecting with mine. "Why would you say that?" She's up and pacing again. "If anything, it would protect him even more. Edward might be angry, but he'd never kill someone to stop me from seeing them. Do you think we're that barbaric?" She's stopped now, glaring at me.

"Of course not." My face burns. "But be reasonable, Alice. Have you ever dated someone from the Swan Mafia?"

Her entire being deflates before my eyes, and a tear slips down her cheek. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am being naïve, but poor Jasper reminds me a lot of you. He was born into a life he had no chance of leaving. He's trapped."

A bubble of emotion swells in my chest, and my own eyes burn. "Why don't you talk to Edward about that instead of being stubborn?"

She sniffles. "He just makes me so angry."

I rub her forearm to soothe her tears. "Why don't you go back out there, sit down, and explain that to him? My guess is he'll at least be open for a discussion."

"I hope so," she says, standing. I copy her, and she throws her arms around my neck in a tight hug. "Thanks, B. You're the best."

I'm not so sure.

I feel slightly guilty, but I did the best I could. I don't think this is a good idea for Alice or Jasper. It's a modern-day Romeo and Juliette, if it's even real. Do I think Jasper would set a trap involving Alice? I wish I didn't, but there's no way for me to be sure. Charles Swan is out for blood, and I don't think he cares which Cullen it comes from.

Whatever becomes of it, I don't ask when I see Edward for dinner. In fact, we don't do a whole lot of talking at all. He's probably still weighed down by the encounter from this morning, and I definitely don't want to dig into it.

I'm focused on tomorrow.

We'll be married at two in the afternoon and on our way to our honeymoon location by dusk. A private plane ride where we'll have all the privacy we want to explore whatever we feel like exploring. His exact words, and they make me nervous-excited.

"Are you ready, my Bella?" He's relaxed back and pushed his plate away, cool and casual. "After tomorrow, you'll be tied to me for the rest of your life."

My stomach flutters. "I think I can live with that."

"Good thing." He smirks, his eyes roaming my face. "We'd be in trouble if you couldn't."

"I'd be in trouble if I couldn't," I say softly. "You'd be just fine."

He purses his lips, huffing through his nose. "Bella," he says softly. "Surely, by now, you know that you're free to not enter into this marriage, even with a signed pact."

My brows climb into my hairline. "I didn't, actually."

He scoffs, shaking his head. "I'd never force a woman to marry me, and at this point, I'd even provide you with all the tools needed to live a quiet, peaceful life." He stands, pushing in his chair, and comes over to squat before me. "I care about you, about your happiness. That's all I want for you. You deserve it, whether it's with me or off on a Caribbean Island with a new name."

My heart pounds against my ribcage as I absorb his declaration. Is that what I want? Would I be happy if I walked away and left Isabella Swan and her family behind? Along with this complicated, enigmatic, caring man and his intrusive but loving family?

Tears prick my eyes, and I cup his cheek. "I want this life. With you."

His hand covers mine, and his eyes are glassy when he speaks. "I want this too, Bella, and I promise to make you happy."

"I know you will."

He blows out a steady breath, pushing up with his strong thighs so he's standing again. He holds out his hand. "Can I walk you to your room?"

I take his offering, unable to hold back my smile. We don't speak as he guides me down the hallway to my room. About halfway there, I begin to realize that this might quite possibly be my very last night in here. Nerves erupt in my belly, but I try to hide the slight shake of my hand.

"I guess this is goodnight," he says, pausing in the hallway. "I won't see you again until you're coming down the aisle."

"Oh, wow." I'd forgotten. "I guess so."

He leans down and presses a kiss on my cheek. "No reason to worry. Alice, Angela, and the team will make sure your every wish is granted tomorrow."

"Things are about to change, aren't they?" Nervous anticipation bubbles inside me.

"Like you wouldn't believe." He winks, sending those nerves into overdrive. Leaning forward, he whispers, "But I promise, it'll be for the better."

Heat creeps up my neck and settles in my cheeks. "I hope so."

He tosses his gorgeous head back and laughs loudly. "Good night, Bella."

I wait until he's halfway back up the hall before I open the door. And just as I go to enter, I take one last glance. He's paused near the end of the hall, looking back with a soft smile.

Giving him a little wave, I disappear into my room for what should be the last time.

Welcome to another chapter of virtually nothing!

I wrote one, so you get one!

You may get another Monday, or more likely, Tuesday!

We shall see :)