Disclaimer- As always I don't own, I just thought of the plot to combine SM characters with the ones from Secretary.
I didn't get a chance to answer the reviews, but please know that I appreciate and love each and every one. I may not get a chance to reply to reviews again with this chapter… reasons why on the bottom. I also appreciate all the Fav's and Alerts that I get each and every day. They put a huge smile on my face.
This has been seen by both Pre-readers Cecile and Ginnie, and they know exactly how much I love appreciate them both. But its not beta'd my sweet J'me is still recovering from her surgery and didn't get a chance to look this over. I hope she knows how much I miss and love her. And I hope she recovers soon.
Ok enough out of me… there is more on the bottom… Enjoy.
****TCBS****
Bella opened her bedroom door quickly knowing that the soft knock could only come from her brother. "Seth, Hey! Come in, come in, tell me everything! I want to hear all about this girl.
Seth chuckled at his sister's eagerness. It was really the first time he'd seen her that way, in all the years Bella had lived with them she'd always been very quiet and reserved. The change showed him that the therapy she'd gotten at the center as well as the one she was getting from the private shrink Sue told him about was definitely working.
"Feeling better after your shower?"
The blush that spread across Bella's face was a dark, intense shade of red. The shower had not only refreshed her but helped her release the dull, needy ache that was still present between her legs. But there was no way she could or even would reveal that bit of information to her brother, so she just nodded her head.
Choosing to ignore the curiosity that manifested itself in his head due to the blush and sudden shyness, Seth asked about her job. "So tell me more about this job. Tell me about your boss, about what you do all day, just tell me anything, everything. I'm curious, I've been away for so long and mom just gives me little tidbits here and there."
"There is not much to tell, really. I type up letters that my boss, Mr. Cullen, dictates, many of them are explanations of judgments, or thank you letters for hiring him for a particular job. There are also the occasional rejection letters if the case is something that he does not have the time to do, but those are only if the client is referred from some agency or is not really local. I also have to do some filing and answer phones," Bella grimaced at the reminder of having to pick up the phone. She detested having to answer it some days, especially when she was stuck with some boring telemarketer or wrong number collections agency. They never seemed to understand that they weren't calling the person they were looking for, which caused Bella to waste lots of time trying to explain they'd reached a business. "Anyway that's about all I do. Like I said it isn't much at all."
"And what is your boss like?"
"Mr. Cullen, well… he's a little... hmm... strange… I guess?"
Seth chuckled lightly at Bella's hesitation as well as her description of her boss. "I heard he is a hard ass and no one wants to work with him."
"I don't know about all that, what I do know that he is good with me. Is he strange? Yes, he asks me to do some of the oddest things at time, but I've learned that everything has a purpose." Seth noticed the way that Bella not only blushed but also talked about her boss. He was suspecting that she had a bit of a crush on him, but Seth would never speak of it out loud to Bella. He would mention it to his mom in the future if he noticed that the this crush could become harmful to his sister.
"Ok, enough about me and my boring job. You came up here to tell me all about your new girl. So talk to me, you've been gone for far too long." Bella asked, steering the conversation away from herself to avoid spilling something that she shouldn't.
"Well, what can I tell you... We met at school, she was in one of my classes, then, became part of my study group. We have been friends for almost 3 years. She just graduated the Nursing program at the University of Oregon and has gotten a job at the Seattle Children's hospital."
"Is she the reason why you changed the last of your classes and came home?" asked Bella. She knew there had to be more for her brother to decide to come home a semester early. He was almost finished with his Journalism degree after all.
Seth rubbed the back of his neck not really wanting to admit to his sister that she'd pegged the real reason from him. "In a roundabout way yes, I also came back because I missed the family so much. After coming home for the wedding, I had trouble concentrating long enough on what was going on around me to get any real work done. I was worried about Mom, Charlie, you, Leah and Jake and noticed how much I missed being home. It also made me realize why I was avoiding coming home for break so much. I always left here worrying about everyone. And after what happened at the wedding, I knew I couldn't stay away knowing that my favorite big sister was hurting so much." Seth confessed. Hearing her brother reveal that she was one of the biggest motivators for him to return made Bella feel slightly guilty. She knew he'd taken her cutting situation hard, but him not being home to see how bad things were for her, always made her feel better about it. Now she knew it was impossible for Seth to imagine knowing she was in pain, which made her love him even more.
"I really don't know what people are talking about, little brothers are not annoying, they are the best. And I was blessed enough to be given one of the most wonderful ones out there. You really didn't need to worry about me but I appreciate it very much, and I love you for it." Bella reached over and hugged her brother as tightly as she could. Had this conversation occurred a few months ago, Bella wouldn't have been able to do this, but now thanks to Alice and Edward's help, she was able to let her full emotions show.
The action did not go unnoticed by Seth, as Bella rarely hugged anyone and when she did it was always a brief semi-hug, definitely not one as tight and long lasting as the one he was currently receiving. But he dared not say a word for fear of having her revert and retreat into herself.
"Okay, enough of this sappy stuff, what's her name? You've told me all about her but you've yet to mention what the woman who has captured my brother's heart's name is," Bella said with a quiet laugh.
"Her name is Bree, well not really Bree, but Breeann but she likes to go by the shorten version more," Seth replied, in a quiet shy voice.
"And when am I going to meet the pretty Miss Bree?"
"Soon, I hope. I'm going to settle down here first and let her settle as well, and then I promise to bring her around."
"Deal."
Bella and Seth talked a little while longer before they were called down to enjoy dinner with the rest of the family.
****TCBS****
Edward awoke early the next day, he was anxious to call Jenks to get started on researching what he could about Marcus and who he was.
"Jason Jenks," the tracking specialist Edward kept on retainer answered after a few rings.
"Jenks, it's Edward Cullen. I need your help to find information about someone. This won't be easy as I only have a first name."
"Sure Edward, I will try my best to find what I can. Just give me all the information that you can and I will do the rest. I will put my best guys on it." Jenks explained.
"The person I am looking for is named Marcus; he used to live in Phoenix about ten years ago. He used to date a Renee Swan or Higginbotham, H-i-g-g-i-n-b-o-t-h-a-m, but she now goes by Dwyer. I'm not entirely sure what name she went by when she was with him.
"Is that all you have?" Jenks asked.
"For now. If I can get more information I will get it to you the instant I know. Oh, and Jenks? The only person you are to give any information that your men find out is me. Do not leave any messages with my secretary. This is of the most importance, anything and everything is to come to me immediately." Edward hoped that he was making himself very clear about the importance of this request to Jenks.
"I completely understand Edward. I will get on this right away," Jenks said before hanging up.
With that out of the way, Edward was able to concentrate on what he needed to do for the rest of the day.
****TBCS****
The weeks that followed were both slow and uneventful. Thankfully, Bella hadn't had a real flashback and seemed to be progressing in the right direction with her therapy. Edward also began to notice that she was making an effort to show him that she could follow all his directions exactly as he liked. There were even times when he'd see her purposely do something incorrectly, he suspected it was her desire to be punished for the infractions, which put a smile on his face when she wasn't looking. He liked the fact that she was trying to show him that she enjoyed being a submissive and did not always need it for the emotional release.
It'd been about three months since Bella had revealed her past to Edward and he'd called Jenks to find out information when he received a call from the PI.
"Jenks, what did you find out?" Edward answered without preamble.
"Edward, I need to ask you, why do you want information on this guy?" Jenks answered with a question of his own.
"Not that it is any of your business, but he hurt someone I care about, Jenks. Now tell me what I want to know."
Jenks took a deep breath trying to calm himself before informing Edward, "the man you are looking for is Marcus Volturi, as in Volturi Developing. After his wife Didyme passed away he fell off the radar for a few years. He then resurfaced five years ago, when his brother Aro and Caius tried to buy him out. Marcus refused to let his brothers take what he and his wife had worked hard to build."
Edward let the information he had just been given process through his mind for a few moments. He knew that Volturi Developing was responsible for the building of many of the shopping centers throughout the country. It'd originally started off as a small construction company that got lucky with winning a bid to build Mall of America, and when subcontracting needed to be handled, the owners brought in Marcus' brothers to do it.
Now with this information, Edward knew it was going to be impossible to bring charges of child abuse and molestation against him and keep them quiet. The press would get ahold of the charges and the accuser's name before Edward could protect Bella. He needed to come up with a plan to protect Bella before doing anything.
"Thanks Jenks. Keep an eye out about where he is for a while, for me. I need to decide what I am going to do with the information you just gave me."
"Will do Edward. Give me a call if you need anything else."
Edward ended the call just to pick up his phone again to call Alice.
"Jasper be a good boy for me and prepare the playroom while I talk to Edward," Edward heard Alice order before coming on the line. He groaned not really wanting to hear that. "What the fuck Edward! You're the one calling me at four-thirty on a Friday evening. You know damn well this is my playtime. Now what do you want, I have a very naughty submissive waiting for me to punish him."
"Fuck Alice I really don't want to hear about you and your husband. I got enough shit on my mind."
"Just fucking tell me what the fuck is so damn important that you have to call on a Friday evening."
"It's Bella-"
Edward didn't get to finish before Alice cut him off, "is she alright? Do I need to run over there? Did she have another flashback?"
"Relax Alice she is fine. She is getting ready to leave for the day, but I still needed to talk to you about her right away. Jenks finally called me back. I know who Marcus is."
"Why do I feel like you're about to drop a huge bomb on me right now?" Alice asked wearily.
"That's because I am. Marcus is Marcus Volturi from Volturi Developing…" Edward heard Alice's quiet 'shit' before continuing, "…my thoughts exactly. There is no way I can have charges brought upon him and not turn Bella's world upside down, but I can't just let that scumbag get away with what he did to her either."
"I agree Edward, but we will have to prepare Bella before doing anything about this. I also think that we should bring Bella's dad in and tell him. He might be able to help us when we talk to Bella about all of this. He will also be able to watch her at home. I will be honest with you Edward, I'm afraid that this could very well undo some, if not all, of what we have done to help her." Alice hoped that Edward understood that everything she was telling him was coming from her as a friend and therapist not as Bella's therapist.
"I was afraid you would say that. I asked Jenks to keep an eye on him for a while, at least until we decide what to do. I don't want to run the risk of him disappearing again. In the meantime, I will call Mr. Swan and arrange for him to come in to see me."
"How are you going to get Charlie in to see you and not tip off Bella?" Alice asked curious on how Edward would handle that.
"I will call Emmett, have him bring Rose by to meet Bella. She wants to learn all she can about being a submissive, and I think Rose would be the perfect mentor for her. Rose can relate on how it is to come into the lifestyle without any prior knowledge."
"That's a good idea. What day do you want to get together?" Alice wondered.
Edward thought about it for a moment then answered, "Let me call Mr. Swan and see what day he is available and I will let you know. I will make sure not to call you for the rest of the weekend. I will plan it out for some time later next week."
"Sounds good Edward. Now I gotta go, Jasper is up in the playroom waiting on me, and it's been a long week. I need to have some fun with my pet."
"Ugh... Just go Alice, I really don't want to hear about your playtime." Edward shook his head as he hung up the phone, not giving Alice a chance to say anything else that would put images of one of his best friend going at it with her husband in his head.
Edward's next call was to Emmett who readily agreed to come by the office with Rose on whatever day Edward needed him to. Edward felt so lucky to have friends who were so willing to help him at the drop of a hat, with without any questions asked. Edward also knew that Emmett as well as Rose was eager to teach someone new about the lifestyle. Since his and Edward's years as mentee's under Alice, Emmett had enjoyed teaching as many women and men as he could about his life choices, but the most important and significant one was teaching Rose.
The final call for the day was the hardest for Edward to make. He had to figure out a way to explain to Charlie that not only did he know about Bella's past, but that he went in search of the pedophile himself.
"Hello?" Mr. Swan answered, confusion about who could be calling him clear in his voice. He only had Bella's office number and hadn't ever gotten Edward's cell phone.
"Good evening Mr. Swan, this is Edward Cullen. Isabella's boss," he introduced himself.
"Oh, yes Mr. Cullen. Is everything alright? Did something happen with Bella?" Charlie answered, worry immediately beginning to build in his mind.
"No, sir, everything is perfectly fine with Isabella. I was actually calling you because I need to speak to you about something. Would you be available to come by my office next week?"
"Um... sure. Are you sure that everything is okay with my daughter. She hasn't gone back to hurting herself again has she?" Charlie could not just let the doubt and insecurities go unanswered.
"Yes, Mr. Swan. I promise that everything is fine with Isabella. And I want to keep it that way, that is why I would like to speak to you about something of somewhat importance. But it is something that should not be discussed over the phone. So just let me know what day and time is best for you and I will make myself available to you." Edward hoped that Mr. Swan wouldn't ask him for more details than those that he was already giving him. He really needed the time to try and figure out how to answer the questions that were sure to come out of Mr. Swan at the meeting.
"I'm off on Tuesday, I can come by around ten in the morning. Does that work for you? Or should I come with Bella? I can drop her off at work at the same time."
"No, ten in the morning is perfect. I would actually prefer not to have Isabella present or for her to know about this meeting at all." Charlie was baffled and beginning to get a little irritated with all of Edward's secrecy and cryptic talk.
"And how will you avoid having Bella there? Are you going to give her the day off?"
"Not exactly sir, I have asked a good friend to come along with his wife and take Isabella out for some things I will need around the office as well as a long lunch."
"Well, fine I guess. I will see you then." Charlie said before hanging up the phone.
Edward sat in his office after the call and just took a few deep breaths to try and relax. It'd been a long day and he still needed to spend the weekend preparing for his now hectic week up-ahead.
****TBCS****
AN: I know that Mall of America was built by The Triple Five Group and its associates so please don't castrate me for taking creative license and making Volturi Developing the company that built it. It just helped for the plot. Thanks for your understanding.
As my prereader Ginnie pointed out Alice is bound by a lot of HIPPA rules and confidentiality issues, but remember she is not doing this as Bella's therapist but as Edwards friend. She is also taking her knowledge as a psychologist to help Edward with this task he is taking on. Also remember Alice is not the one that searched out Marcus or did she tell Edward about Bella's past, Bella did all that. So she has yet to violate any confidentiality issues.
Now with that being said….
There are a few things I need to let you all know. I will be taking my monkeys (kids) to Disney World next week and hopefully having dinner with my PR Ginnie, so the next up-date will be late. I am writing an OS for Fandom 4 premies… This cause is very special to me for a number of reasons. And over at the TFA group on FB we are hosting a April Fools contest… check out Twilight Fanfic Advocacy on my fav authors to get more info. I would love to see some of you entering it. So as you can see I will be very busy the next couple of weeks… but I will try to get writing in as much as I can… Maybe I can do some writing after the kids fall asleep at Disney… Let's see what happens.