"It's like heaven taking the place of something evil."—Lana

EPOV

I spent the next three days showing Bella places that were worth to visit here, in Havana. She really loved it. Everything about the city. The scene, the people, the food. Looking at how her eyes lighted up every time we were strolling on new street, I wondered why she had not yet begged to stay a lil bit longer. I didn't blame her, though. This city was like a fresh breath of air for her. Because, well, we knew Tampa sure as fuck didn't leave that nice impression to her. If I were her, I would hate it with passion too.

Even though I totally enjoyed our time together, I admitted I felt a bit off lately. I tried to tell myself that I was exaggerating, but I knew I wasn't. Something wasn't right. But I couldn't figure out what. I had to ask Paul a hundred times a day about the business because where else this bad feeling came from, right? But, no. Nothing out of place. Paul had made sure of that. And Jamie, well, he got everything covered.

Soon as my guard was down, it hit us hard. When I thought everything was perfectly handled, the news broke. I almost wanted to kill someone the moment I heard it. What mistake did we do now? The shipment was gone wrong. Again. It was the second time in a fucking month, damn it. The cops had never made it this far before. Not since I took control the business. I didn't know either they grew smarter or we just became more careless. One thing obvious was this shit made me look like a complete idiot.

"How could this happen, J?!" I tried hard to tame my temper, but it was no use. My hand ran over my hair in frustration. This was disaster. We used to be untouchable.

"The fuck I know! It happened so fast, Edward." He yelled back. "Uley is behind it again."

"That persistent fucker." I cursed. "How many of us were killed?"

"Many. They are interrogating Jas and Em now. I know they won't talk shit, but still."

I knew what he was worrying about. Of course, the cops were trying to connect this with us. They just intended to get enough evidence. Those fuckers.

"Someone's providing the info for the cops." I stated, matter-of-factly. It had to be. There was someone talking behind our backs.

"Yeah, about that."

"Have you found the motherfucker?"

"No. Not a single fucking clue…" I wanted to yell at him to search harder when I sensed a 'but'. So, I kept my mouth shut and waited. "I don't know if I should mention this to you." He tsked, unpleased by what he was about to say next. "But some may think it's your girl."

And by some he meant Rosalie. Her father was once my father's consigliere. Now she thought she could play a wise adviser. I called that bullshit.

"What do you think?" I asked, inhaling deeply because somehow I needed his opinion.

He was silent for a moment before replied. "Nah. I trust her."

Hell, I did too.

My mind was at chaos. Thoughts jumbled and I began to doubt myself. This shit was confusing. But the more I was thinking about it, the more I was bothered.

Her? Really? Was that even possible?

"What's wrong?" she asked the other day when she caught me staring. Again. I had been watching her a lot lately for signs. Any signs to prove me right or wrong. I needed to know whether this suspicion shit was totally stupid.

"Nothing you should worry about." I smiled. But even she could see that it didn't reach my eyes.

"Business?"

"Yes."

"Okay." She ended it at that.

We stayed in Havana for another week to lay low, just in case. Jamie would arrive here tomorrow. Our fight was put behind, forgotten for a while. It wasn't the main focus now.

Later around midnight, I got out of the bed, leaving her naked form with the warm sheet and cold side. I grabbed my pajama pants and put it on. The scotch was needed in this type of time. I was restless to the point I wanted to sit her down and asked those fucking questions. I was a second away to lose my mind.

Paul was there, sitting on one of the couches with a book in hand when I made my way to the bar. He stood up immediately the moment he saw me.

"No. Don't bother. I just need a drink." I said, pulling out the bottle and poured the fluid to the glass. He sat back, but the book was put aside.

"You okay, Boss?" he asked after a pause.

I gulped down my drink before turned to him

"What do you think about this whole situation? Bella. What do you think about her? Give me your judgment." I didn't know why I asked him this. It wasn't like his opinion mattered. I usually believed what I wanted to believe. But now I felt like I wanted to hear him out. He had stood by my side for a long time.

"Is it about that…speculation?"

Everyone knew now because Rosalie apparently had a big mouth.

"Yeah."

He was hesitant at first. I thought he wouldn't answer, but he surprisingly did.

"Everything's possible. You demand privacy in your house, so the cctvs are just at some limited spots. Anything could happen. I wasn't always there to watch her, though." I wasn't gonna lie I really wanted to punch him when he talked about her like that. But the sanest part of me said that he was just being objective and honest. He sensed my temper, of course, because then he said. "Sorry, Boss. I didn't mean to be disrespectful."

"No. It's okay."

It was clearly not, but I let it go.

"No way. This boy is loser. There's no way he's the one who fucks up my business." I scowled. Because, really? Embry Call? Was he even worth to mention? He was way too young, way too inexperienced. No chance in hell. He wouldn't have the guts.

Jamie looked like he agreed with me. We were in my office now. He just landed fifteen minutes ago. But fuck that, right?

"He's new in the crew and there's evidence—"

"False evidence." I rolled my eyes. "Uley leads you to him because he needs a pawn. Come on, J. You're better than that. This boy knows nothing. He shit his pants when he met me."

It was true. The theory was getting ridiculous.

"Why does Uley feel the need to use him as a pawn?" he frowned, didn't like the idea that we kinda messed up.

"To create chaos. I don't fucking know. Either that or to protect the real motherfucker."

I wanted to throw things right now. This shit didn't go anywhere.

"I bring him to Havana, though, just in case you want to interrogate him." He said, pulling out his cig to light one.

"Alright. We'll talk to him tonight."

She got her hair loosely braided to the side and her favorite white dress on. I was taking her out for dinner. She looked beautiful, tempting. A distraction. I was angry for thinking about that, but it was like I couldn't help it. This shit really got into my mind. I didn't know how to say this without sounded like an asshole, but fuck. What if I put my trust wrong?

Dinner was the worst. Tensed, uncomfortable, awkward. You named it. It never happened before. I didn't even touch my food. She barely did, too. There was this heavy tension between us. Unspoken words. But I didn't want to start first. So she did.

"What's wrong?" it was a question I got used to hear. She had been asking it a lot lately.

We were staring at each other for a moment.

"Do you love me, bellissima?"

Love. That word surprised her. Hell, it surprised me too. But I needed to see her reaction. To hear her answer. She had to convince me that this suspicion was nothing we should worry about.

She tilted her head. "Does it matter?"

"It does." I was staring at the storm behind those browns.

"Why?"

"Just wondering why you stay after all the shitty things I've put you through." That was harsh and I knew I was being an asshole. Again.

"You doubt me." She pointed out. Because she was clever like that.

The thought was eating me alive.

"Prove me wrong."

I really hoped she did.

The warehouse. Nothing good ever came from this place. I could tell Bella was uncomfortable. Because the last time she was here, she watched someone die. And the other time she was here, well, let's say it was always a bad memory.

Jamie was surprised when he saw her here. Those eyes narrowed as if asking me what the fuck I was thinking. I gave him a look. It was just not the right time.

"He's talking?" I asked instead. Even though I already knew the answer.

"No. He said he doesn't know anything."

Of course, he didn't. Like I assumed before, he was just a fucking pawn. That boy was too weak to become an undercover shit. Uley was definitely not working with him. If I were him, I would not, too.

"Let's make him talk." I said, making my way to one of the rooms in the basement.

Jamie glanced briefly at Bella. "She's coming with us?"

"Yeah." I warned him to shut up. And to stop playing a protective ass. That didn't fucking suit him.

He didn't say anything. But my cousin had known me for my whole life. He could sense I was planning something evil.

We walked in. Everyone in the room turned around. Embry was tied to the chair. And the poor boy looked like he was pissing his pants the second our eyes met.

"I swear I don't know anything, Boss! I swear!" he cried out all of a sudden like his ass was on fire. One of my men punched him in the stomach.

"How do you know Uley?" Jamie started, trying to dig the info.

The boy shook his head weakly. "I don't know him. I swear to God…"

I turned to Bella. She looked like she couldn't handle the sight.

"Do you know him, baby?" my question seemed to surprise everyone. Jamie was looking at me like I was crazy.

But she replied without missing a beat. "Not at all."

I chuckled because she was adorable. "Do you even know who I mean?"

She gestured towards Embry. "Him, right?"

"No. Not him. But Uley. Sam Uley. Do you know him?"

Her expression was hard to describe.

"No. Who is he?"

"Someone who's obsessed putting us in jail." Jamie replied for me as I took too long to answer.

My mind was busy thinking, trying to detect the lies. This one was pretty hard, though. God knows I could never be objective about it. In my eyes, she seemed cool. Normal. Real. No signs she was faking it. Faking all of this. Fuck. This was confusing as hell.

I cut whatever they were talking about.

"Do me a favor, bellissima?" she was now wary. Either at how cold my expression had become or at the gun that was being pulled out. But maybe it was just my next words. "Kill him for me?"

Jamie was ready to fight for her, of course. "Come on, brother. You don't have to do that. Let me take care of him." He nodded to Embry who was now pale as ghost.

"No one asks your opinion, J."

He glared at me.

"She was clueless about—"

"I want her to do it." I said firmly. Looking at her in the eye. Those browns gave nothing away. Again, hard to describe. One thing I knew I saw was a determination.

The silence was maddening.

But then, my girl held out her hand and said. "Okay."