A/N – Another one for you! Enjoy!
Chapter Thirty
EPOV
The following day Bella and I both arrived at the police station and were immediately separated to give our statements. It was a long a gruelling three hours before I was reunited with her again. I could see the exhaustion clearly on her face. Her bloodshot eyes told a tale of a thousand tears making my heart clench in my chest painfully. I never could see her cry. Or in pain. Or upset. Anything other than happy really.
My statement had been pretty much straight forward as the department already had my previous one from the first shooting. I was informed that Jacob and Jared were due to be taken to the courthouse the next morning for their bail hearing. The one thing the police seemed most interested in was hearing about how Renee was involved in all of this mess. Because Jacob had pretty much confessed it all to me and subsequently Josh through my open cell line; they were now arranging to have Renee brought in for questioning. The order had been issued for a search of her property and Mack has dispatched two of his finest to bring her in. I knew that I needed to get Bella out of here before Renee was brought in so I tried to usher out to the foyer. But alas, when has my luck ever been that good?
Just as Bella and I made it past the reception desk the doors opened and in trudged the two officers that were sent to bring Renee in and no one but the devil herself. She looked sullen as she quietly trailed behind the first officer as the second brought up the rear. As soon as she raised her eyes and spotted us her eyes widened almost comically and she did an extremely good imitation of a gaping fish. I felt Bella stiffen beside me and brought her body in closer to mine. As always, my touch relaxed her immediately and she leaned into my side.
"YOU!" Renee bellowed out as she pointed in our direction causing all those in our vicinity to freeze and look towards us. Renee broke away from the two officers before they could make a grab of her and strode towards us, coming to a stop in front of my fiancé.
"This is all your fault! Why do you have to be so damn stubborn? Just like your father, you are. Good for nothing, stubborn ass that he is. How could you do this to me? I raised you, fed you, clothed you and held you as you cried a river for this lousy twit standing beside you and this is how you thank me?" Renee snarled directly in Bella's face. I felt Bella tremble and tightened my arm even more.
"Renee, yo-." Renee cut me off before I could go any further.
"And you! How dare you interfere in business that has nothing to do with you! She is my daughter and if I choose to sell her to the highest bidder that is MY decision. Not yours!" Renee shouted at me. I felt Bella recoil slightly before she straightened up and stepped right up to stand chest to chest with Renee.
"You. Have. No. Rights. Over. Me! I am a person, not a possession! I've told you time and time again, my life is mine to live as I want it. You have no say in it whatsoever! Edward has more right than you do. How could you do this to me? And all for money?" Bella yelled back.
"That money should have been mine! She was my mother in law!" Renee screamed.
"And she was my grandmother!" Bella replied in a calmer tone, "Had you just simply asked, I would have given you anything you wanted. Money, property, the entire lot. I would never had put more worth on that than our relationship." Bella finished quietly. I pulled impossibly closer - feeling her sadness as if it were my own.
"No you wouldn't. No-one would give up seventy million dollars without expecting anything in return. Just look at Jacob! I had to offer him ten million just to get him to agree to be with you!" Renee sneered hatefully. I heard Bella suck in a sharp breath and I looked down at her to see tears shining in her eyes. My anger rose at the sight of them and I was barely hanging on to my sanity by a thread. The only reason I didn't speak up is because I knew that Bella needed to do this for herself. I would be there to gather her scattered pieces afterwards, always.
" Then that's where I differ from Jacob and even you. I put relationships above wealth. Goodbye Renee." Bella answered in an even, steady tone before turning to look up at me, "Take me home, honey." She asked softly.
I nodded down at her before I leaned down and kissed her gently, lovingly. Pouring all of my love and support in that brief chaste kiss. I heard Renee scoff but ignored her as I pulled back and looked at my beautiful girl with pride. She had stood up to her demons and done it with grace and poise. Not once did she stoop to their level and for that I felt my heart flood with overwhelming pride and love for my future wife. I tenderly stroked her cheek, wiping away the errant tear that had fallen from her eye.
"Your wish..." I murmured. I turned back to look at Renee, who was staring at us in consternation, "I pity you, Renee. Bella is an amazing woman and I am the luckiest person on earth who will get to share her life. You, on the other hand, will not." I paused to take a deep breath, keeping a tight lid on my rage, "Do not come near her again, or so help me God, I will not be held accountable for my actions. I will not allow you to hurt her more than you already have. She is mine to protect and cherish and I intend to do so for the rest of my life." I growled warningly. I watched as Renee's eyes widened in fear and she took a step back from us, allowing us passage around her.
The next few weeks were calm and settled compared to the months that came before them and no doubt the weeks that will follow once the trial starts. We later found out that Renee had confessed to conspiring with Jacob to blackmail and coerce Bella into marriage. She also confirmed Jacob's statement that she had been behind the entire plot to kidnap Bella and force her to marry Jacob in order to access the money locked in trust for Bella. Jacob was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to steal, attempted murder on two counts, violation of the restraining order and being in possession of an illegal firearm. Renee was charged with conspiracy to blackmail, kidnap and endangerment. She was looking at atleast seven years behind bars. Jared was charged with conspiracy to kidnapping, attempted murder on two counts, violation of the restraining order and possession of an illegal firearm. Jacob and Jared were looking at a longer sentence due to the attempted murder charge and both had pled guilty, hoping the DA would cut them a deal. So far, no luck.
Renee – of course – pled not guilty and claimed to have temporarily lost her senses. Yeah, we all laughed when we heard that. Including the DA.
Bail for Jacob and Jared had been set at $75,000 with the restriction of staying within the city limits. They had both also stay at least 200 feet away from both Bella and me. Renee's bail was set at $50,000 again with the city limits restriction and a 200 feet restraining order. Billy, Jacob's father refused to pay his bail so he was still in jail. Jared's family similarly refused to pay bail and was keeping Jacob company in a 6'x6'. Phil, however, paid Renee's bail so she was sequestered at their eight bedroomed mansion on the outskirts of Manhattan. Phil was not happy with Renee and had informed her that he would be contacting his lawyer to start divorce proceedings. Renee blamed Bella for her latest misfortune. Of course.
She had managed to swipe Phil's cell long enough to call Bella and scream at her for 'ruining her life again' before Phil found her and wrestled the phone away from her.
The trail was set to start on December 12th and the day was growing closer along with Bella's nervousness. I tried futilely to elevate her nerves and calm her but to no avail. Not that she didn't appreciate my efforts. We had gotten the all clear from the doctor to resume regular 'activities' a while back and taken full advantage of our release from restriction; sometimes several times a night.
I had just arrived back from my last site survey and was in my office when a knock sounded on my door. I looked up to see a medium height, slender woman with fiery red hair standing- no, draping herself – against my door frame. She might be considered pretty to most people, but she did nothing for me.
"Yes? Can I help you?" I asked curiously, feeling uncomfortable under her obvious perusal of me.
"Mmmm... I hope so." She purred in what – she thought – was a seductive tone. It still did nothing to me or for me.
"Excuse me? Have we met before?" I enquired, still confused.
I watched as the woman strolled confidently into my office and came to lean proactively over my desk, giving me full view down her blouse – if you could call it that. She was wearing what looked like a satin camisole with lacing at the top of her ample breasts, which was similar to what Bella normally wore to bed at night and a short black skirt that looked like a cheerleaders skirt.
"I bet that's a line you use on all your new female clients. My name is Victoria Strum. You came highly..." she paused to trail her icy blue eyes up and down my torso again, "recommended. I have need of your services." She continued with a devilish smile.
I stood from my chair and watched as her eyes widened in appreciation and lust at the sight of the rest of my body. However flattered I may be, I was still uncomfortable with her attentions, "Please to meet you Ms Strum. How can we be of service?" I asked politely as I extended my hand to shake hers. She did not shake but did grab my hand and stroke her thumb over my knuckles suggestively. I pulled it back hastily and pointed her to one of the guest chairs in front of my desk. She folded herself into the chair on the left and crossed her legs, giving me a show. I shook my head to clear the disgust I felt and sat back in my chair and smiled politely.
"I have just purchased a penthouse on Central Park South and it is in awful need of updating. I was told you would be able to help me with my problem?" she said as she started to play with a strand of hair. The double meaning behind the word 'problem' was not lost on me, but I chose to ignore it.
"I do not deal with residential properties; that would be my partner, Mr Hale. Give me a moment whilst I check his schedule." I said as I pulled up Jas's calendar on my desktop.
"No! It has to be you. I know you don't normally deal with residential, but can't you just do this. For me? Just this once?" she asked as she slowly rose from her seat and prowled closer to me. I stood and backed away, trying to put more distance between us. I saw her flicker her gaze to my door, which was still standing open and then back to me.
"I'll make it worth your while, Mr Cullen." She whispered.
I backed away even more and held up a hand to ward off a touch from her already raised hand, "Ah...Ms Strum, I apologise but I will not be able to help you. No amount will change my mind. I simply do not take on those projects." I stammered as I continued to back further into the wall behind me.
"How about a favour instead?" she countered.
"A business does not run on favours, Ms Strum. Again, I will have to refuse I'm afraid." I replied more confidently as my ire started to rise.
"But pleasure does." She retorted in a playful tone.
I straightened up to my full height and glared down at the red haired tempest, "Ms Strum, I can't be sure, but it sounded like you were attempting to seduce me into doing your bidding and correct me if I am wrong, but as I have informed you repeatedly that I cannot help you I can only assume that you are either deaf or simply choosing to ignore my rebuffs. Are really that desperate to refurbish your new apartment?" I fumed quietly.
She blinked up at me in surprise for a moment before grinning lavishly at me, "Playing hard to get, hm? Oh, I do like a challenge!" she cheered as she clapped her hands in glee.
"Is he not speaking English? Because I think I clearly heard him say no. Twice." I spun as I heard the most beautiful sound come from my doorway. There standing in a black two piece trouser suit was my gorgeous fiancé with a scowl on her face – which thankfully was aimed fully at the redhead and not me.
"And it is any of your business because...?" redhead asked mulishly.
"Oh believe me, sweetie, it's more my business than it ever will be yours." Bella snapped back.
I stepped around my blockage and quickly crossed the room to stand behind Bella, using her as a shield as I wrapped my arms around her from behind, sighing in relief at my escape. Redhead scowled at our position and shot daggers at Bella.
"Look, honey. No offense but he is way out of your league. Let the adults chat whilst you and your off the rack business suit go and fetch us some coffee, Mkay?" redhead replied in saccharine tone.
Bella stiffened in my arms and my own body reacted similarly. My ire from before flared into full blown anger, "Now wait just a minute. This is my office and if she was my employee then only I would have the right to send her for coffee. But since she is not my employee I will be doing no such thing. You need to leave Ms Strum. I don't believe we offer the services you require here at Cullen and Hale." I barked at the knock off Barbie in front of us.
"Dipping your pen in the company ink never works out for the best, you know? I'm sure I would be better at everything than she would be." Redhead scoffed.
"Listen, you knockoff Barbie! Get out and be sure to allow the door to hit you as you leave too!" Bella shouted, finally having lost her patience, I gently rubbed my thumb over her hipbone to soothe her and rocked slightly from side to side.
"Shh baby, she's not worth it. Calm yourself Kitten. No need for the claws." I murmured into her ear before I kissed her sweet spot lovingly. She immediately melted into my arms and brought own hands to rest over mine.
"Seriously? You'll take that over me? I mean, what is she?" redhead asked in disbelief. I looked up at her and glared.
"I'll thank you to speak of my fiancé with respect, Ms Strum. In answer to your question, I would take over a thousand you's. She is everything." I growled menacingly.
Redhead scoffed once more before storming past us and out of my office, slamming the door behind her. Thankful for small favours I breathed another sigh of relief and gently turned Bella in my arms to look at her. Her breathing was heavy and her face was flushed. I worried for a moment that her feelings were hurt until she titled her face to look up at me and I read desire and want in her depthless brown eyes. The look sent a shot of lust through me.
"Baby?" I whispered in askance.
"I need you." She answered breathily. I sucked in a sharp breath and groaned at the sound of want in her voice which awakened my own need for her swiftly.
"I love you." I murmured before I crashed my lips to hers, sucking on them forcefully. I slowly backed her towards my desk without breaking my kiss, my hands clutching her perfectly round ass. My tongue traced her lips before I pushed it into her slightly parted mouth and moaned at the taste of her. Her answering moan hardened me further and I pushed my hips into her urgently. I broke away from the kiss to breath but couldn't bring myself to remove my lips from her fully. I trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat and sucked at her flesh. She moaned and pressed herself closer to me. I felt the edge of the table against my hands and removed them to allow her purchase.
Before I knew what was happening, Bella had unbuttoned my shirt and my own fingers had nimbly opened hers in return. I pulled away from her and looked down. I had left the apartment before her this morning, so I had not had the pleasure of seeing her dress this morning. I groaned at the sight of her sheer midnight blue bra with rose detail over her nipples. The underside of the cups were a smooth satin whilst the majority of the bra was a see through net - like material.
"God baby, you are so beautiful. New set?" I asked huskily.
"Yes. Like it?" she whispered in a gravelly voice.
"Love it." I moaned just as she trailed her hand down to cup my throbbing erection.
"Wait until you see the panties." She continued whilst rubbing my length in a torturously slow pace.
I growled in blatant desire and pulled her hand away from me and flicked open the buttons on her trousers with the other hand and shoved my hand down to her pussy. I hissed in overwhelming lust as all I felt was the smooth skin of the place where I wanted to be the most. My siren of a fiancé giggled breathlessly.
"Oops, did I forget to mention that I left those on your side of the bed at home?" she teased. I growled. Again.
"Yes, my love, you did. So you were planning on this, were you?" I snarled playfully as my finger traced her lower lips and my lips ghosted over hers. She titled her head back and whimpered at my ministrations.
"Yesssss...Oh God!" she hissed out just as I pushed two fingers inside her wet heat and curled them to rub her g-pot.
"What do you want? Tell me what you want, kitten?" I asked urgently. I needed to be inside her and soon but I needed to hear her say it first.
"Fuck me." She whispered.
"What was that? I didn't hear you." I whispered back.
"Fuck. Me!" she demanded loudly before she grabbed the back of my head and crashed her lips to mine. I yanked her trousers down her legs and she opened my own before giving the same treatment. I felt her wrap her hand around my cock and pull it out of my boxers. I broke away long enough to groan at the sensations and to push my boxers down my hips and legs to join my trousers around my ankles. I stepped away to allow Bella to step out of her own trousers and took a moment to gaze at her luscious body.
"Turn around and bend over, baby. This is going to be hard and fast." I ordered as I guided her to face away from me.
I took another moment to gently stroke her exposed behind and feel the softness of her skin before I could wait no longer. I stepped back towards her and grabbed her hips before spreading her legs wider with my own. I settled behind her and trailed my right hand round to her front and down to her sex. She was so wet. For me. Using my two fore fingers, I opened up her lower lips and gently guided myself into her with my left hand. I threw my head back and moaned at the feeling of her tight, wet heat wrapping around my cock and as always, the feeling of home washed over me. I started a gentle rhythm of small thrusts in and out. I brought my right hand back up her body to cup her right breast, rubbing my thumb over her pebbled nipple.
"Oh fuck. That's good. That's so good. More." Bella moaned out breathlessly.
"More?" I returned in an equally breathless voice.
"Yes, more." Bella demanded.
"Your wish..." I trailed off.
I pulled out almost the entire way, leaving just my head in her and waited for a moment; adjusting so that my left hand gripped her hip tighter and then slammed in forcefully causing Bella to moan loudly. I pulled out again and thrust in harder with each following stroke. My right hand continued to trace circles around her right nipple and my left hand pulled her back to me as I pushed into her. I felt the beginnings of my orgasm in the tightening of my balls and my pace turned frenzied. I released her nipple and trailed my hand back down to her pussy to press on her clit. I needed her to cum as I was not going to last longer. Her sighs and moans were spurring me on, causing me to slam into her heat harder and harder with each thrust.
"Fuck yeah. Right there! Harder, Edward! Give it to me harder!" she shouted out.
"I'm so close baby. So damn close." I whimpered back.
I could feel my cock throbbing with the need to release, lengthening it. Her walls were contracting around me so I knew that it wouldn't be very long before she came around me and I was desperate to feel that. I stepped up the pressure on her clit, rubbing in furious circles and without warning her walls squeezed me tightly as she orgasmed. I slowed down to experience the ride with her. There was no other feeling in the world than the feel of her cumming around me. As soon as her orgams subsided I pulled out of her and turned her around to face me, another idea coming to me. I kissed her as I stroked my length, loving the feeling of her juices coating me, helping me. I kissed her hungrily as her hand joined mine around me. Pumping me.
"Cum for me, honey. Cum on me." She whispered against my lips and I felt myself harden even further at her words. She knew what I wanted. She always did.
"Oh fuck, Baby! Fuck yeah! Oh yes!" I grunted with each pump and squeeze of her hand, my own falling away. I thrust my hips against her and watched as she leaned back on the desk, exposing her pelvic to the line of fire from my cock. She trailed her free hand down to her pussy and traced her labia and clit; rubbing her cum around herself. The sight was enough. With a guttural groan of her name, I came. Hard. I watched as thick streams shot from me onto her pelvic bone and the top of her mound. I moaned at the visual before me. It was the most erotic thing I had ever experienced.
It felt like an age before my orgasm subsided, leaving me trembling and feeling spent. I grasped the table on either side of Bella and leaned forward to rest my forehead on her collarbone, breathing deeply to regain control. I felt Bella place a soft kiss on my neck.
"I love you, Tiger." She murmured gently.
"I love you, Kitten." I replied softly.
"It's always been you." She whispered. I raised my head to gaze into her beautiful eyes. I saw nothing but love and devotion and for the millionth time since we had reunited, I felt like the luckiest man alive.
"It'll always be you." She whispered again.
THE END
A/N – Oh my God. I can't believe that I actually typed those two words. Two years and months of writer's block and I've finally done it. Finally! There's just an epilogue to go, which should hopefully be posted later this week and then we say goodbye for good to Tiger and Kitten. Yes, I'm crying...wouldn't you if you had fight as much as I did to finish this?
Let me know what you guys think. Did I give it a good ending? Or have I missed anything that you want addressed in the epi or re-write (if it comes to that!).
One last time, folks – As always R&R!