Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, quotes, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners and are simply used under 'fair use'. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement intended. This story is written for the legally recognized adult population. According to the e-mail response I received from them, FF doesn't allow gratuitous descriptions of sex and extensive graphic violence.
Authors Note: Hi everyone sorry I'm running so late and the file got corrupted as I uploaded to FF, I had to reload. Repeat, 13's up next week, we're heading home on Sunday, thank God. ILAW for the Mobward lovers will also be up next week.
Quick queries/replies, JC, Jared's last name is Cameron.
Thank you to everyone who reads. I can't tell you how much I love writing for you. I owe thanks to JustJJ and awesomella my 2 D&D queens and BE1965 because she is just amazing and sweet.
Dine and Dash
*~*~* Chapter Eight – Resistance Grows Futile *~*~*
"It would be nice to redefine ourselves - at the moment we are drowning in diversity. That's not a bad thing, it's just going to take a while before we refocus." (Harvey Fierstein)
We were riding too quickly, in the wrong direction. My hair whipped around me from the places it peaked out the helmet. The flying strand made it difficult to see and I was dying for information. My hands however refused to let go of their modest but tight hold on his shoulders for fear of falling over.
"Tyler!" I yelled, "Tyler!"
It was useless trying to get his attention, my voice wasn't nearly as loud as I would've liked.
Muffled by the helmet and drowned by the deadly roar of the bike if he heard me he was doing a good job of ignoring me.
We rounded a corner, the bike tipping low to the ground before it picks up again. God, did
Edward, have to hang out with maniacs! Wait— Edward is a maniac. Far bloody worse!
That muscle in my chest treacherously fluttered again, a fast flash of his smirk before he closed the door flickering in my mind. It died off just as the bike came to a stop. Tyler pulled over, leaning the bike by his foot on the ground, he waited as I peeled off the helmet and stared at the building we were in front off.
"Where are we?" I asked, trying hard to sound casual and keep my fear subdued.
He smirked with his eyes, but his cold scowl remained on his recently wounded face. Maybe he couldn't smile because of the busted up lip.
"C'mon," he ignores me, "this place ain't safe for you."
I stared after him as he slipped off the bike and walked. My feet followed him with no arguments whatsoever. What choice did I have? Foreign place. I'm alone. Gang member just informed me
I'm not safe here. Follow Tyler little lamb, follow Tyler.
The building was looming in the darkness of the newly born morning. There was no paint on the red and black brickwork; I could see it go up about eight floors high or thereabouts. Outside each apartment there where balconies. The wrought iron rails of them a foot or two high. I rubbed my good arm along my torso as we walked in. It was cold, or maybe it was just chilling following Tyler into this haunting, vacant looking building in the dead shadows. We walked up a small flight of stairs. A loud scraping noise sounded as Tyler pulled open an elevator gate. He waited till I got in and sealed it shut, the scrape followed by a definitive slam this time, locking us in.
The silence was filled with tension. He hit the button for the last floor and the elevator groaned and shook as it pulled us up. I could see the very top his Shadow Fang tattoo peaking up from his jacket at the back of his neck. It was a wonder really that I'd never known he belonged to Edward's gang before today. He'd always been a loner at school. Guess I knew why now. Most people were scared shitless around a Shadow Fang and Tyler didn't look like he was a people's person on any day. He must fit in swell with Edward's crowd.
The elevator grunted, shuddered and came to a stop. I watched him wrench open the gate again and allow me out. I walked with tentative steps, adjusting my hair now in the dim light so as to cover my forehead. Freezing against a hall wall as I waited for him, not knowing where we were going and lords knows what would await us. To my surprise he rapped against the door closest to us, the first one on the floor.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest at all the possibilities of who could be on the other side of the neat white framed door. It terrified me. Light footsteps patted against a carpeted floor then a latch was pulled back.
To my utter shock Rosalie swung open the door.
"Damn Rosie, how many times we got to tell you, check the muthafucking door ma. Don't just be letting people in. Edward will grill your ass," Tyler said as he strode in.
"Edward told me you were coming." Rose answered seemingly not taking offence to his tone, "Come on in Isabella," she said holding the door open.
I walked in, relief flooding me hard and fast. Edward had sent me to his cousin's house. I could take that. It was way better than the places my mind had run off to. Tyler collapsed on the sofa of her lounge. The place was pretty now that we were inside. Lots of blue and green covered the area. The walls were painted white, the sofas and coffee table were royal blue and the remaining
TV cabinets and small dining set were a dark green. It was comfortably small, it was warmly beautiful.
Tyler was flipping through some channels on her flat screen and Rosalie and I were still standing at the now closed door.
"Your house is amazing." I spoke when a long silence stretched between the three of us.
"Thank you," she smiled at me. A real smile. It was tentative as usual but wider than I was used to being on the receiving end of. I was ridiculously pleased that I'd said something now, it would've been way too awkward to be trapped in this place with them and not say anything. "Well, make yourself at home," she offered, clearly not sure what to do either. "The bathroom's through there, kitchen's that way, rooms this way and— you know what just come with me." She concludes, shooting a glance at Tyler.
He remained unaffected, ignoring us as he watched a rerun of a motor show. Wordlessly I followed her towards where she had indicated the rooms were. The color scheme didn't change through the house. We walked past a window and the darkness outside caught my attention, my mind drifted off to the building I'd left two warring gangs in. My insides felt like jelly.
"They're big boys they can take care of themselves." Like she could read exactly what I was thinking from my face, Rosalie said out of nowhere while she hurriedly tried to straighten up what I assumed was her room.
My mouth opened to deny any such thought but the words died out on my lips. She probably could read it on my face. She gave me a look as if to say don't stress over it.
"Soooo, you stopped by to see my cousin…"
"No, I didn't," I answered with conviction. I had most definitely not had any plans to see her cousin until I woke up to him in my bed.
"At the restaurant Isabella," she clarified, "I've got a pretty good idea what happened through the night…" she said sounding mildly remorseful but not by much.
She was used to far worse I'm sure, I had a gang family too. I couldn't blame her.
"Edward's methods are unique to his crowd, but overall he's a good guy," she said trying to defend his actions despite not having exact knowledge as to what it was he had done. Her face looked thoughtful for a second then she laughed, "Well no, he's not good. He's most part evil. But for you, he's good for you. Don't worry."
I chose to subtly ignore the words, pleasantly happy to find it worked. "Does Edward live here?"
I asked.
"God, no! We'd kill each other. He lives in casa d'ombra," she chuckles at her own joke.
Where?I would've asked but she already turned and continued neatening up the dresser also strewn with clothes. It looked like she'd been rummaging through her draw looking for something she really had no idea if she'd actually be able to find at very late notice.
"Edward crashes here whenever he wants to though, sometimes some of the others drop by as well." I looked toward the door and she shook her head. "No, Ty's just watching us until Edward gets here. The neighborhood's kind of dodgy and there are lots of people here who are bound to know you're with the mu— Wolves," she caught herself just in time.
I opted to ignore the almost slip up, I wasn't too fond of the Fangs for a while there myself. My breath caught at my line of thinking, since when had I stopped hating the Fangs? Thankfully, she went on, unwittingly distracting me.
"Plus the Wolves are in Forks, if they get wind that you're here and storm the place, I'd be mincemeat," she said, telling me it wasn't safe for her tonight here either because of my guys. We're even.
I licked my lips, they were dry and chapped from worry. "Do you think the guys got out okay?"
She laughed again, still not looking at me, busy shoving away some clothing items. "I was talking about the Fangs. I'd vote against the Wolves."
My heartbeat sped up. "Edward said- "
She shook her head cutting me off. "He won't do more damage than they do on a usual day."
Greeeeat Rosalie, that's comforting….
"How old's he?" I asked out of nowhere. It surprises both her and me. I laughed nervously. Way to fill the silence Bella.
"Edward?" she chuckled, "He's 19. He'll be twenty in a couple of days," she looked at me her face void of any emotion. "You're…" she trailed off.
"I'm 16."
"Yeah, I thought so," I didn't follow her thought line but it didn't matter, finding what she was looking for she walked over to me. "Here," she said handing me some clothes off the hangers and a sealed toothbrush.
A red shirt, dark blue jeans and some underwear with the tags still on. They were definitely hers.
"He'll be here once they're through at the garage. You're Wolves won't be in Hell for too long," she informed me.
The garage? That answered one question. But what's it got to do with Hell we weren't at the
court?
"You can go to sleep if you want, the spare room's always made."
"I'm not really tired," I said warily. My mind still running through images of the people in that garage.
"There's no point worrying. They're gonna do what they're gonna do. Grey Wolves and Shadow
Fangs," she says this time, "Just go to sleep, it's the next room. You can wear those tomorrow, they should fit. He'll take you to school when it's time," she gestured with her head to the clothes.
That was news to me. I swallowed and nodded a couple of times, okay. As I walked out I saw some pictures hung on the wall, visible from the new direction of her room. There was one with Rosalie alone. Another, with her on a dark haired guy's back. One with her and Edward and to the left of that one was a photo with her with random people, some I recognized from Edward's gang others I didn't. The fifth was of her on Emmett's back, she looked like a smurf on him. The last was of her, Jasper, James and Edward. They were random photo's that you could see weren't posed for. The last one took my breath away, Rosalie was looking at the camera with a smile but beside her Edward, Jasper and James weren't, they laughing at some joke. Edward looked so normal in that photo, his dark air was visible in his undertones but the grin on his face as he laughed at whatever the joke was with James and Jasper, was kind of relaxed, simply beautiful. He looked amazing. It confused me as butterflies erupted in my tummy.
"You came down to the restaurant to check up on him didn't you?" Rosalie said coming to stand beside me and identifying the photo that had caught my attention. I turned to her, she had on an undecipherable expression like she was going to say something she probably thought she shouldn't. She folded her arms casually, "Thank you."
Two simple words but it was enough. I smiled. I felt a little burden fall off my shoulders.
"He's killing me." I spoke the words without thinking and I wanted to slap my hand over my mouth immediately but it felt nice now that they were out. Who could I say it to? Leah?
Rachel? Jake? That would result in all kinds of unnatural disasters. Lee would probably faint on the spot. Rach would throw large sums of water on my face and try to break a nonexistent fever. Jake— Jake would throw us both over a cliff, hoping the fall would knock some sense into me.
Rosalie looked at me patiently. Now, that I was face to face with her, she looked about 18 or 19
herself.
"Trust me, Edward's not going to kill you anytime soon," her small laugh under her breath spoke volumes.
"He calls me really strange things. I don't even know why he bothers so much with me."
If she was shocked by my rambles she didn't show it.
"He calls you strange things?" she made a face, bewildered.
"Yeah. Cupusomething and ani-gemmie-God-knows-what," I clarified telling her the ones I remembered.
Her face contorted and suddenly Rosalie threw back her head and laughed. It was sight I'd never thought I'd see in my lifetime. It was genuine and loud but not unkind.
"He's Italian Isabella," she said with a smile, wiping the corners of her green eyes, her laugh still ringing in the air, "Edward's Italian."
"Oh…" That made sense. I recalled him having little conversations with some of his gang. "Jasper and James?" I asked recalling them outside my window.
She shook her head, "James, just speaks it. But Jazz is Italian too. Jasper's father, my mother and
Edward's father, are siblings. Edward's part Greek though from, Esme's side."
Part Italian, part Greek. Fantastic! Of course he was, his parents came up with a recipe for bloody magnificent just so he could mess with my head! Great! Getting back on track I asked, "Esme? His mom?"
She nodded.
Esme. The name was pretty. "Wow," I absorbed the information hungrily. "What does it mean? The names," I clarified.
She laughed, "Cupusomething and ani-gemmie-God-knows-what?"
I shrugged I didn't remember the full thing but apparently she knew what I meant anyway.
"I think I get it. But you're gonna have to ask him," she said and my mouth opened to disagree but she shook her head, "Think of it as conversational material. Judging by this, I'm thinking you don't handle heavy silence too well," she joked.
I grimaced. You think? In my defense it's simply because of the situations I recently find myself placed in, compliments of your cousin by the way. "Ha… yeah, maybe you're on to something."
"Don't be nervous around him Isabella," she said after a beat. "Edward's—" she paused again, like she was having that internal debate about how much to share again, "He's not someone you should stress over trying to please. He'll never ask for anything," she said being as vague as possible.
I didn't have a clue what she was talking about but nodded anyway because I was kind of content knowing that it felt encouraging. "Good night, Rosalie."
"It's Rose," she says.
I'm not sure if I had somehow passed a test or had done something to gain acceptance but it felt unexpectedly nice. I wasn't going to ask any questions! I smiled, wide.
"Night Bella," not waiting for me to extend the same courtesy she said with a small grin.
She and he looked so similar in that moment, ridiculously striking green eyes and wicked smirk, the only thing Rosalie lacked was a menacing aura but that was replaced by an intimidating presence. Well it had been intimidating until now I guess. I laughed pleasantly in disbelief, shaking my head as I walked to the next room. I heard her door shut just as I entered the spare bedroom. Not bothering to switch on the light I walked over to the silhouette of the bed, placing the clothes Rose had given me on the headboard and toeing off my boots, I lay down. Sleep immediately welcoming me.
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
A hard body moved under my palm. Warm and with a scent that called to my nostrils more powerfully than fresh brewed coffee would on any other day, it electrified my body as it coursed through it in my blood vessels. I pulled in quiet lungful after lungful, my subconscious already knowing who I was laying in bed with.
"Wake up Bella," his voice whispered huskily into my ear. His breath danced against the shell of my ear, his nose skimming my jaw line. My breath caught and I felt him chuckle under me, "You've got about an hour before jail time at Forks High."
Knowing I was caught, I sprang up. Good thing too because I was having a heart attack. An hour? There was no way I'd be able to shower, dress and get to school on time. I'd already missed one day on his account!
"Why didn't you wake me up!" I whisper yelled at him.
Unfazed he relaxes himself, wearing his new battle scars like a champion, rough scratches on his forearms and a cut on his brow. He had probably only been here for a short while, he was still clothed and had no sign of sleep on his face as he sprawled out on the bed looking at me comically. I frowned in curiosity, wondering what was funny? He laces his fingers together and rests them on his torso. I notice his lips are dark pink and wet, then I focus again. Not a care in the world, he's enjoying the show I'm apparently putting on.
"I was trying," he deadpans, gesturing to where I had been lying on his chest, "You jumped me."
I flushed, a brilliant scarlet, even my nose felt hot red under his gaze. My eyes darted to his slightly swollen and moist lips again on impulse and he grinned widely, I felt an uncomfortable dampness gather in my underwear.
"You part of a gang too?" he asked, dropping his smirk in favor of mock seriousness. "If you are, they've trained you well. I was scared for my life for a second there." He says licking his plump lips and popping them, baiting me.
I realize I'm staring at his lips again. He grins lopsided in response. I groan, oh Lord what had I done in my sleep? He's having way too much fun. I grab at the clothes from the headboard, his eyes never leaving me and hurry out before he can say anything else. I hear him laugh, husky and loud, the sound filled with mirth just as I get into the bathroom and shut the door.
I hear him call after me still sober. "Or are you starting one?" he says thoughtfully, "That'll be sexy too, you could call them The Shadow Dames, I won't mind. You can lease the reputation 'til your one builds up."
I growl and slam the door. I pant against it unsure of what I'm feeling. I just woke up in bed with Edward. All things considered… it didn't feel bad…Puffing my cheeks I release a huge breath and run a hand through my hair. I groan longer when I recognize it as something I've been thinking about doing to his hair.
I think back to the bed. He had definitely just gotten in not too long ago. He looked rough, fresh out of a fight and sleep deprived, but dear God was it a good look on him.
I'm thinking about him again!
When I get out the bathroom my hairs still damp and left loose. Edward's sitting with Tyler at the table, toying around with shiny silver machine pistols.
I stop dead in my tracks.
Head lowered, a few strands of hair falling into his dark green eyes, they dart to me without him moving. Gun still held in front of him, pointed to the table, he runs them over me from head to toe assessing me in the clothes provided by his cousin. It's an oddly arousing sensation, the fear I feel for him coupled with the heat of his gaze. His eyes are darker by the time they reach my face. There's a slight wet yearning burn in my belly, it makes my still bare toes curl against the floor. His eyes drop to my injured hand when I flex it. His face never gives away what's going on in his head but his eyes flash.
He stiffly nods in my direction, telling me to carry on there's nothing to worry about, then he goes back to switching the magazine of the gun he's wielding, the one that had startled me in the first place. I swallow allowing the tension in my body to release and walk quickly to the room I'd slept in.
I hear Edward and Tyler talking about an 'arrangement' sometime this week. I don't know what it is but somehow I don't want to either. I hurry and put on my shoes, comprehending only then that I don't have any of my books. I race out the room taking both of them by surprise.
One point Bella!
"I have to go home!" I say knowing I must look either hysterical or crazy to them. Probably both.
Edward seems more relaxed when he hears that this is my problem.
"Why?" He asks going back to his gun like it's of little importance.
"Edward, we've got to leave now! I have to go home and get my books before school, I'm gonna
be late!" I say, expecting him to grab his keys and make like Superman out the door but he remains laid-back and shifts the automatic.
"Come on Edward!" I yell, stomping my foot.
He glances at me then. To my foot quizzically. Then my face in amusement. Before giving me a
look to say— Shut up, relax and sit the fuck down.
I can't relax. I've got to get to my house across Forks and back to school in less than 30 minutes!
"I'm. Going. To. Be. Late! Which part don't you get, Cullen!" I'm getting hysterical. I don't give
shit. My Harvard life's over if I don't make it to that building in time. I can't afford college. Frequent lists of absconding are not going to be added there if I can help it. I can't tell dad I missed school again.
"No, you're not," he dismisses with an amused smirk, his gaze focused on the gun he's toying with. His fingers working it with natural precision, too familiar with the gleaming weapon for it to go unnoticed. When I don't move I hear him chuckle, Tyler does the same. His velvet voice is soothing. "Bella sit down. You'll be there in plenty of time."
"No I won't!" I yell like a banshee, "I'm not crazy!"
I'm fully aware that I'm not exactly doing wonders for that statement with my behavior. But I want to grab him and shake him so bad.
"I know how far away from both destinations we are! Too far!"
I didn't how long it took us to get here yesterday but I knew enough to know that with both trips, we were over a bloody hour away from where I needed to be!
"I can't miss school because of you again! Move—" I bite my tongue so fast to force my words back that I end up tasting a hint of blood.
He leans back on his chair, fingers laced together behind his head, automatic still cradled in his hand now pointed at the ceiling, he's the picture of relaxation.
"How was it my fault?" There's a knowing smirk in his eyes as he questions me, "Last time I heard. You were on your way to school but ended up in Nell' Ombra." He grins then quirks a brow in an exaggerated light bulb moment. "But wait, then you decided not to go to school. I really don't see how I fit into any of it." he shrugs nonchalantly.
I nibble on my lip and remain defiantly silent. He's being an ass. He knew full well I went there to check on him. He just wanted me to say it out loud, admit it. I wasn't going to.
"Bella, we'll be okay. Leave everything to me. I'll take care of it." He jabs his head to the kitchen directing me to what I'm sure must be breakfast but I storm forward and grab his hand.
I'm shocked!
He's shocked.
I'm yanking him.
He wakes from the chair which I'm grateful for, there's no way I could get him to move on my own. Tyler and he acknowledge each other with upward guy nods. He tucks his gun into the back of his jeans as I pull him to the door. He's allowing me to drag him. And I'm sure it's simply because I grabbed his hand...
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
We're in Forks High with 15 minutes to spare. I keep looking at my watch thinking I'm imagining things. The place is a ghost town. We're the only ones here. Edward's still leaning on his bike casually, a smirk on his face.
"Told you we had plenty of time."
I gape at him from where I stand a few feet away on the wet ground. He lights up a cigarette, taking a pull and my eyes follow the action somewhat crazed.
"Give me some of that," I demand, still zoned out on the fact that Edward got me to school in 15 minutes my filter's shot to hell.
Head still lowered his brow rises almost burying itself into his disheveled hair. If he's shocked he hides it pretty well. "Come and take it," he says, letting out the smoke through his nose.
I can sense the double meaning but I've already said it and I'm frustrated so with large annoyed strides I walk up to him. He watches me the entire time not reacting. Taking another pull as I reach him. Even as I raise my hand and reach for the white bud from him he doesn't look away from my face. I can barely feel the body of it before he pulls his hand away.
"No."
My eyes dart to him in shock. Then I'm startled by how close we're actually standing. He hasn't moved at all. It's my face that's inches away from his. Even in his slouched position against the side of the bike he towers me, almost dwarfing me he's so tall. He's still annoyed from yesterday, none of it has faded. It's there in his eyes even though he doesn't let it come to the forefront. It's churning in his green orbs and I've apparently now only added to it. The hidden storm behind the calculated calm.
His eyes flash darker but his jaw is set firmly, making me wonder if it's in agitation or the fact that I'm this close. I gulp. His hand brushes some off my hair out my face, tucking it behind my ear, an undecipherable look in his eyes though his face remains expressionless, he picks the cigarette back to his lips and pulls in deep. So deep that the long remainder of it burns away rapidly leaving a stem of ash, ash that grows extensive and heavy, and starts to break and blow away in the wind, until the whole thing is gone. He tosses the glowing filter over my shoulder and lets out the smoke slowly and easily through his teeth, it makes him look more lethal than he usually does.
I gaze at him incredulously, a million butterflies attacking my abdomen. I step a fraction away from him on unstable legs, needing the space between us. He lets me go. The distance never lets the electricity die.
It's cloudy out and chilly, I watch him place his palms flat against his bike on either side of him as he looks at the school building with utter boredom. His knuckles are bruised, no doubt from his earlier fight.
Only now a stress-ball of questions flooded my head. Did anyone get hurt? I hadn't even asked! Idiot I am! What took him so long to get to his cousins house? Did they fight through the whole damn night? No that's insane.Was he burying a body before he got to Rose's? No that's—
"What are you thinking?" he asked, still looking away from me. His eyes dart toward me and he smirks.
"What took you so long this morning?" I asked inquisitively.
He raised his eyebrow, "That's what you're wondering about?"
"Were you burying a body?" I ask before my filter can kick in.
His face breaks into an amused smirk and he laughs out loud shaking his head, I'm pretty sure it's at me and not as an answer to my question. "No," he replies. His lopsided grin returns and turns wicked, "Not this time."
My jaw drops and he dips in and brushes his lips against mine hard and fast. Snaking his tongue into my mouth before I can protest and running it once around the insides. Then he pulls out before I can get into it. He straightens up a little, now out of my heads reach. He smirks down at me and I realize I'm pouting.
Wow… You know when you put your mind to something Bella, you really stick to it. Good job, Idiot! I quickly wipe it off my face and turn around.
The first sight I catch is of the tree in the distance. Begrudgingly I look at it. How fitting,I think to myself. I'm currently stuck dead center of Crapville. Confused out of my mind about the guy standing next to me. Mind you, just my luck, my first encounter with a guy I do—I mean I could— I mean I could maybe— I mean I could never— Oh fuck me, I have no idea what I mean!
A guy I could 'never-almost-maybe-grow' to like, just has to be the arch enemy of Jake's gang. So yeah, please, let's highlight the humor that is my life by showing me the Lovers Tree, the blasted tree that mocks me every time I look at it. What a circus, I think, a mother who hates me, who maybe didn't hate me, but then decided she did hate me along with absolutely everything and everyone in our lives? The feeling of confusion builds up then falls into bland bitterness.
It's probably heredity, I think to myself. I wonder if it's contagious. Should I step further away from, Edward?
Wouldn't want him to catch it.
"Lovers Tree," I scoff under my breath hoping he didn't hear me or the venom.
I don't know how long I've been staring at that tree but when I turn back to him he has a dark look on his face.
"Lovers Tree," he says with disinterest following my gaze.
"What a joke," I shake my head at no one in particular.
His eyes are normal. The usual burning intensity, fiery dangerousness, the all knowing menacing calm. He sees the hate I feel towards it. I don't like it, it unnerves me. People shouldn't see what I don't want to show.
I try to think of something to change the subject and by grace of God Rosalie flashes through my
mind.
"What does that word you call me in Italian mean? The one that starts with an 'A'?"
I provide the alphabet, careful to omit my earlier description to his cousin. The 'gemmie' part can't change the meaning too much right?
I look away restlessly and wring my hands. He doesn't answer. He doesn't even acknowledge the question. He's watching me. His gaze never faltering. I can feel it without having to look at him.
In his usual calculated calm, he reaches a hand out and fingers my palm. Tracing the scab of my cut. It's intimate and personal and it sends fire through my body and for some unknown reason I want to cry so badly... He's the only one that see's. He's the only one that's always managing to
see. He see's too much!
The light touch is sensual and knowing, but also questioning. It's an odd feeling of complete contradictions, just like he is. But somehow I understand it too well. Without words he's telling me he knows. He's telling me he's waiting for me to tell him. The ball's in my court. He's giving me the choice. He's telling me he sees through the bullshit story I gave him. He's waiting for an answer. And with the slight tension I can feel burning in his gaze even as I look away from him, I know he's hiding piercing anger.
"I won't do it again." I say hastily. My voice hoarse, a fast desperate need to get away.
It's a relief. It's a regret. It's an avoidance. It's an admittance that only he has ever gotten.
Shame hides itself in my voice, not able to be heard but I can feel it burn my throat making it close. I don't have to voice out what we're talking about. He already knows. Like he could see right through me. There were no excuses that would work. He distinguished. He made out himself, what no one would be able to notice without me showing them. And I never showed them. They never saw…
I shook my head from side to side. A tremble to it as I tried to say something, anything!"I just— It was— It's not anythin— I won't do it again."
He squeezes my fingers lightly. I pull it away. Rejecting the feeling of someone knowing.
Embarrassment, shame, disgust, self confusion and a creeping sadness at the mess I'm making.
The mess my mother mystery is turning me into. The mess I've turned myself into...I feel it all this second and I know my face will show it if I wait. I hide my face away discreetly, behind my hair and turn further away then I already am.
I don't know what he looks like, I haven't looked at him as yet. I can't make eye contact, so I don't have any inkling to what he feels or thinks. But I never do when it comes to him. I can still feel his unwavering gaze on me. Intense and unbreakable. I can picture in my minds-eye his unreadable face that expertly hid all his thoughts from the world. Mysterious and beautiful. All seeing and soundless. The strong silent gangster. A dangerous, notorious leader of the murderous Shadow Fangs, Edward Cullen. It was like it was his DNA.
Leaving him there, I turn fully and walk away, moving towards the school. My hand rises up without my conscious thought and I wave him goodbye still facing the other way. I don't want to turn around to look at his face. I don't want to know how he reacted to it. I just allow a small rueful smile to tug at my lips at the simple act that had felt so normal to me when it shouldn't.
Just as quickly my smile fades away, along with the saliva in my mouth. I hear whispers around me and realize too late that people have begun pouring into school and they've seen us together.
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
Whispers and stares follow me all through the morning, it annoys me. In fact it disturbs me. I don't even want to know what everyone is saying. Rumors are flying and I'm not sure how much Edward has seen this morning as I walked into school.
My eyes dart to the tarmac outside watching the spot that Edward and I had been standing at beside his bike just this morning. It's raining outside now and Edward's bike is gone. I knew he left. I knew because I had checked the same spot through the past first 3 classes, the only difference being I was looking out a new window each time.
I felt a tiny hole in my shield. A hole, that had part of me wanting to see him there. I turned away from the rain streaked window and faced Mr. Banner. He liked Bio too much if you asked me.
The seconds ticked on and I looked at the textbook on my desk. The textbook I had found in my locker when I went to fish out my stash of Marlboro. My cigarettes were missing but I did see books. The books I would need for today's lessons, save a couple of extras. Textbooks with, Tyler's, name scrawled across it. Guess I now knew why Tyler hadn't been at the garage with them when Edward got him to take me away.
I was slowly realizing when Edward did a job he did it thoroughly. It made me kind of want to
smile. Edward plans out a kidnapping but gets a guy to break into my locker and drop in all the books I could possibly need for school the next day.I can't decide if it was ludicrous or amazing. In the end I decide it's Edward.
Tyler's not in school. I know this, because for the first time in my life I find myself looking for Tyler Crowley in the hallways as I walk. Going so far as to look at the bleachers, where he's usually found, he cuts class so often.
My pencil stubs into the wood of the desk. I'm looking out the window for Edward. I'm glancing at corners for Tyler. God, what was he doing to me!
The bell sounded and I ran out the class before anyone could stop me. Angela, Jessica, Mike and
Eric, all had biology with me and I didn't want to know if they heard any rumors. If they had, I sure as hell didn't want to explain.
As I walked by them people's voices dropped down to whispers. Small groups turning to watch me blatantly. I ignored them. It annoyed me but I ignored them. At least I tried…
Walking into the bathroom, I fish out the lone cigarette I had managed to find jammed in the back of my locker under an old test copy and the box of matchsticks I snatched from Biology. Moving into one of the stalls I shut the door and lean against the wall. My leg bounces nervously and I don't want to admit it but I know it's really because it's getting to me, the whispers, the stares. It's getting to me because I probably already know what the rumors are. What's the Wolves girl doing with the Fangs? It scares me shitless. I don't like it. I'm used to no one daring to look at me. They're not afraid of me, but of who I know. They know I'm the Wolves sister and they're afraid my brother's will kill them in their sleep. The brothers I'm slowly starting to believe would kill them in their sleep. I'd been so sheltered around Jake, Sam, Seth, and the rest of the guys. But the more time I spent with the Fangs the more I realized just how deep this gang business went. Were the Wolves only showing me the surface to appease my curiosity, but protecting me from the rest? The nights they'd left me at home and came back busted up, had they left someone dead as well? Was this all just some way of protecting the innocence of the girl they adopted into the family?
There it goes. The build up of bullshit. Questions I don't want to ask but can't help but wonder
about.
I pull deep on the cigarette. The nicotine, just barely, making it to calm my nerves. Too soon, my demon's out. I flush the filter down the toilet and walk out. Washing my hands, I head out just as the bell rings. The hall floods and I can't stand it. The buzz of nosey people around me. Was it really spreading like wild fire? Dumb question, of course it was. Today they found Bella Swan
with the wrong gang. The leader of their own towns' gang. The same Edward Cullen everyone
warned each other about.
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
I was at my wits end. It had gone on the entire day.
On top of my ridiculous work load with all the extra classes I take, the buzz around me just never died through the whole damn day.
I just wanted it to stop. I was tempted to tell them all to mind their own bloody business and fuck the hell off on more than one occasion. But there was nothing I could do this time. Saying anything would just start more gossip. Worse, saying something could get word out to the Wolves, right now I knew the students were too scared shitless to even make eye contact with the Wolves but if I gave more reason to talk maybe I wouldn't be so lucky. This was one thing the Wolves couldn't protect me from. What could they say? Fucking shut your traps about Bells and the Shadow Fangs bitches before I dislocate your fucking jaws!
Yeah, see… unlikely.
By the last class I was hoping I'd see Tyler. I wanted to grab his books that he'd loaned me and go and do my work on the bleachers with him. No one would dare say something around Tyler right? All he had to do was sit and look sinister like he usually did. They wouldn't blink in our direction and Tyler could easily ignore my presence. I wouldn't bother him.
Good Lord, the day had come when I'm desperate for Tyler Crowley's presence just so I get two seconds of peace from the new circus I find myself in. Haha must be a cold ass day down there in Hell huh, Devil?
I shake my head and continue with my math problems until the bell rings. As I walk out the room, I run straight into Angela. She adjusts her glasses that rode down her nose at the jolt.
"Sorry Ange." I say quickly and try to make a beeline for my locker.
She grabs my arm. "Bella, I've been trying to track you the entire day. Your friend called me today asking to talk to you."
That halts me dead in my tracks. "What friend?" I ask quickly.
"I don't know. He said you left your phone at home and he wanted to get hold of you," she looks at me passively.
"What did you say?" I ask, trying hard to sound casual.
"I covered for you," she says with a small smile, "I'm not sure if they believed me. I wasn't sure what you told him so, you know, I tried to be vague."
My thoughts run a mile a minute trying to find various scenarios that could be in play without me knowing it back home and the possible solutions for them. I nod at her. "Thanks Ange. I'm sorry you were the first person I thought of—"
"It's okay," she says quickly, "it was important right?" The question is built on hope, I can see it in her eyes. She's heard the rumors and she wants me to dismiss them.
"It was important…" I answer, not wanting to elaborate.
"Bella what's going on?" she asks quietly, "Edward Cullen—"
This time I cut her off, "It was important, I swear." I'm being truthful in a way. Getting kidnapped to me sounds important. I'm not sure how it feels to others but you know to me it ranks somewhere up there with a rival gang breaking into your house while your mom sleeps in another room. Oh, wait, that happened too, imagine. Yeah… Ange I'm gonna stick with my answer, important, it was important!
"Okay," she says.
I'm grateful. I'm so grateful. I know she has questions. She was with me at the car wash too. That reminds me.
"I didn't say anything to Jess, don't worry," she says seeing the shadow ghost over my face.
I want to hug Ange. Jess finding out would be bad, she doesn't mean to blab, she just does. Jess is obnoxiously lovable in that way. To us at least.
"Thank you." I repeat for what feels like the millionth time.
She nods at me hesitantly, "Bella if something's—"
"I'll tell you," I answer immediately, knowing sadly full-well that it's a generous offer that I'll never be able to take her up on. Ange wouldn't understand. I've been around the Wolves and some of their other gangs, both friends and rivals, long enough to know that our world is different from everyone else's. You need to be exposed to it in order to understand it.
She smiles accepting that answer. I choose against going to my locker. My books are home anyway. I grab the one book of Tyler's I'd used for last period and decided to just take it home with me.
My mind suddenly jumps to a random thought. I'm undecided but I ask Angela if I can borrow her phone anyway. With a quick, 'Yeah sure', she hands it over.
My hand automatically types out a text not even looking at the screen. I don't know if I should do this or not. The number that burnt itself into my mind gets entered into the screen and as we step out of the school building and I catch sight of that puddle across the tarmac where we had stood just this morning my mind seems to make itself up. I press send… ~Someone might know. Be careful -Bella ~
I delete the text of the phone memory and hand it back to Ange, hoping to God Edward won't try and contact me back. She hugs me goodbye and runs off towards her mother's car parked just outside the school yard, shielding her head against the rain with her backpack.
I tuck Tyler's' book into my— into Edward's hoodie, grateful that I'm not weighed down by my backpack today. Throwing the hood on, I'm about to walk towards the bus when I stop, my attention attracted to a fairly large crowd of people, buzzing at something across the yard. My interest peaked, my curiosity gets the better of me and I begin walking through the rain towards a small gathering.
It's pelting outside and they're standing there, it must be something big, despite my wariness of the gossip crowds since today I can't help but walk in their direction. To my astonishment as I got closer and people began to notice me, they slowly stopped speaking altogether. They turned and stared until eventually the buzz itself began to noticeably die out. Every step closer I got, the crowd split, allowing me through easily. It was so different from the treatment I'd gotten previously today. They looked at me in wonder, some in astonishment, a few girls with jealousy but what surprised me was that regardless of which category they fell into, they all had one thing in common— underlying fear.
This was a whole new type of 'wary' than I was used to being on the receiving end of. This was different, far closer to home, way more intense.
The buzz died out completely by the time I reached the source, my feet stopped dead in front of the tree.
There scratched, deep and dominantly, above my parent's farce was something that filled me with trepidation while making my insides tingle.
"Edward Cullen & Isabella Swan"
Written so bold and larger than any other names it was a statement, a declaration, a promise— a loud warning.
And they listened.
The crowd said nothing. Kept all comments to themselves and they dispersed. Most of them didn't breathe until they were a safe distance away. Leaving me alone for the first time today. I stood at the tree I fervently hated just this morning. I stared at it in wonder for a moment still trying to wrap my head around it. I remained standing there even when the large gathered drops of water fell from the burdened leaves above me and pitter-pattered on my exposed part of my face cleansing it with its purity. His earlier words echoed in my head and I found myself believing him. A full smile played on my lips… We'd be okay… I'd leave everything to him…
Even as I got home the feeling didn't leave me. I'd barely walked through the door before I called Angela and told her to text a message to a number saying that she'd be dropping me off at work today. It was Sam's number this time, in no way dangerous to her. She easily and gladly covered for me not bothering to ask me who it was to.
I sat cross legged on my bed, looking across the room at the mild rain as it fell on the other side of the window. My calculus was long finished but the book still remained open on before me. I'd never been motivated to finish homework so fast in my life.
The weather was dismal but as I watched the digits on my clock inch closer to 6 I felt my eagerness rise. I'd never felt like this before. It was a feeling at the forefront of my mind. It felt nice. It made me want to smile for no particular reason. I didn't have a name to put to it but I'd never felt like this before...
It was like giving in, losing a battle, but taking the prize?
I laughed to myself at the ridiculous of it, that made no sense. It was a foreign feeling. It was dominating my every thought. It felt both, profoundly amazing and absolutely confusing.
My alarm had barely blinked the digits, 17:58 when I heard an unfamiliar roar outside followed by a horn.
I ran towards the window and as I drew back the curtain I saw Edward arms crossed waiting for me at the end of the drive, leaning against a gorgeous black Mustang. I find myself smiling. Then my feet gravitate towards him, this time consciously. I pace myself to keep me from running to the door. His dark jeans, blood red shirt that was slightly darkened by the rain, his messy hair as he looked to down to the ground at his feet waiting for me, kept playing in my head as I ran.
Your honor I chose Edward Cullen today. And I liked it. Guilty as charged…
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
He smirked as I walked out, I'd changed out of Rosalie's clothes after showering but I still kept his hoodie over my new outfit. He said nothing. No, greeting. No, nod. Just a hooded glance under his dark lashes as the front door opened, lifting his gaze without raising his head. Arms still folded as he ran his dangerous eyes from my feet slowly crawling up my body until that smirk graced his face. Just as quick, he fell into his usual poise. Unlocking the passenger side door he'd been leaning against as he kicked off from it, he moved to the drivers' side getting in.
Making my way to the semi-ajar door, I slip in as if it's second nature. The door's barely closed behind me before he puts her into gear and backs out my driveway doing a full turn at a ridiculous speed that makes me grab the dash out of instinct to steady myself. I gape at him and he feels it, his eyes never leaving the road, he grins, chuckling under his breath. There's a devilish glint in his green eyes as he shifts gear. I wonder if he always looks this way when he's driving one of his babies, I've never seen his face when he rode the bike but then I don't have time to think anymore, he's flooring it down the road towards Nell' Ombra leaving a cloud burning tire smoke and flying asphalt in our wake.
It was silent the entire ride. The beautiful beastly hum of the engine filling the quiet around us. The flashes and blurs of the outside world as we flew past it. The tensing of his muscle as he stepped on the clutch. The tautness of his forearm as he changed the gear open palmed. The gorgeous vein that beat as he concentrated on something else while he drove, thinking seriously, his jaw locked in place. I wanted to ask what it was? But watching him seemed so much more appealing. His movements were fluid as he navigated us at well over double the speed limit. A contradiction, fluid and tense. Beautiful beast. Like watching a predator in captivity. It was impossible to tear my eyes away.
He pulled toward Nell' Ombra cutting across the road without breaking his speed, the car gliding across smoothly. My hands gripped tightly at my seat and I saw him laugh silently again. To my surprise he drove through the lot to the side of the building. His open palm spinning the wheel, he leaned relaxed in his seat and made a sharp right. I yelped thinking we were going to hit the side of the building wall when suddenly we dipped driving into a lowered level beneath the restaurant. The engine hummed then cut off as he parked. Grabbing the keys out the ignition his other hand reached blindly and unlocked my seatbelt, I was astonished at how easily he did it in the dark, from his driving I doubted he'd ever worn one himself. It was ridiculously dark.
"Nell' Ombra, 'In the Shadows'." The words sound like velvet as his lips wrap around them in the darkness, his voice deep and low.
I slide from my seat and out the car following his lead. Walking around the car he placed his hand on the small of my back and steered me through the dim light, if you could call it that, towards a wooden staircase that I presumed lead up to the actual restaurant. I didn't look around, the place kind of creeped me out so I made a point of staying close to his side as we walked. He must've noticed because his hand slipped from my back to around my waist. Fire erupted in my tummy. Looking up at the door he guided me up the staircase. My brows furrowed a bit, he was definitely edgy, the thug in him itching to unleash itself. The second he cracked the door open our ears were assaulted by the drone in the restaurant.
Customers chatting away, waiters scurrying about and loud music. Edward navigated straight towards his gang at the far end of the floor his arm never letting go of me. As we approach Jasper, James and Caius look up. They've got various new cuts and bruises, I cringe hoping that I'm looking at the worst of it from all parties involved in the night's brawl. They stop speaking and their eyes glint wickedly when they see the position Edward and I are in.
James runs his blue eyes down noting that I'm tucked into Edwards' side and coo's in mock seriousness, "Well if it isn't our personal little trouble maker."
I blush and feel Edwards' chest vibrate with mirth against my shoulder, I don't have to look up to know his condescending smirk is back.
"You look better Fainting Beauty?" James continues straight-faced, pulling on a joint in plain sight of the entire restaurant.
I fight hard to keep my eyes in their sockets as he nonchalantly leans back, against the wall one leg propped up on the table he's seated on top of. Poor fish, I think as I watch the lone thing swimming in its ring in the table. I then notice that Jasper's got one too and Caius is in the process of rolling his own. Smirking without a care in the world they make a point of looking at me until I answer. Finding great amusement in seeing me fidget.
"Oh yeah, I'm peachy," I drawl out at his jab, it feels a bit easy now but very, very slightly. I still make myself look at the glass half full, its progress. It's just this quality of theirs, it's like a plague that they catch from their leader, and it surrounds every male in Edward's circle. The Shadow Fangs are innately terrifying. They're playing, they're hiding it but I can tell they're playing. As if answering my question, my sarcasm only makes them grin wider. Intrigued. Wicked. Amused. They continue to stare me down. Very uncomfortable, not used to them, I unconsciously fist the back of Edward's damp shirt tightly. He slips his hand from around my waist easily down into the front pocket of my jeans, it feels like a marking of me for the rest of the restaurant behind us to see. He straightens his arm a bit causing my jeans to drag slightly down, his thumb slips onto the skin of my newly exposed hip bone and rubs the flesh soothingly in reassurance. It works. It feels… amazing.
The Fangs don't react at all, I'm thoroughly relieved, their eyes never stray below even though
I'm sure they're aware of Edward's hand buried in my pocket. It's one of those things to them. Yet another indication to me that this is for the restaurants benefit.
"Good to know, darlin'," Jasper drawls, joining in with James, letting out smoke through his teeth, his never fading leer looks even more menacing now in the cloud of grey.
I wonder if they do it intentionally. It wouldn't surprise me if they scared Satan while still in their sleeps. With that happy thought I swallow and make myself hold his gaze.
"It's a nice change," he continues in his accent, taking another smoke, "you know see'n you vertical an' whatnot."
James chuckles from his perch as does Edward. Jasper shoots his eye to Caius to see if he's into this game too. The other blonde, however, returns the grin and holds out his arms palm up in surrender.
"The fuck if I saw her one way or the fucking other. I was having a fucking ball remodeling." Caius chuckles grinning widely and taking a swig of his beer, looking at his hands exaggeratedly like they belong to friggin Picasso.
James snaps his fingers, proficiently keeping the joint safe between them, and calls out loud like it's a cry of champions. "Fuck man! And what a bitching future you have in that fucking field!
Shit was beautiful," his voice is humor filled with a hint of malice.
Even in his high state I know from his smirk and sarcasm at Caius he's not talking about one of their houses… I swallow hoping they're not talking about what I think they're talking about.
Caius sneers. "Fuck that shit. I wanted to rearrange more than the muthafucking crib."
There's a threat in his voice, it's buried but it's definitely there. Edward must feel me tense. I suddenly hear his voice fill my ears oddly it's instantly calming.
"That was yesterday," there's a pleased grin in his voice but it quickly disappears, the tension I'd sensed in the car is back and slipping out to the surface.
All humor leaves the table at his next sentence and they've got their game faces on. Serious. Lethal. Deadly. Their faces matching his voice.
"What about the shit for today, yeah? It's supposed to be fucking done by now. Where the fuck is he?" His control is firmly in lock. I can feel the tension rolling on his back where my knuckles touch his shirt covered spine. It's a thin line and he's forcing himself not to snap it. I swallow.
Jasper shrugs his face expressionless. James looks around the room for someone and comes up short, he shakes his head, his brow quirked as he takes another deep pull.
Caius lifts his brow, "We got time Ed. Wan' me to figure something out?"
Edward shakes his head once in the negative. "I told him to get it done. He'll finish it." his voice is direct and firm.
I don't know what they're talking about. Quite honestly I don't want to. I turn away and pretend to look around the restaurant. It's the first time I've actually noticed anything since walking in. The place is fast building up its evening mad-rush crowd. I wonder if I should excuse myself and tell Edward I need to get to work? It's already getting late. And well… if they're talking about a 'job', my plates already full, I've been mindfucked with drama for a while and I don't wanna hear more of it right now. I want to enjoy my confusing amazing, blissful, high since I left school this afternoon. A single thought of the tree and Edward's words ring in my head again. 'Leave everything to me. I'll take care of it.' I smile. There's suddenly no such thing as drama right now. I'm safe right now. I'd leave everything to him. He'd take care of it. I knew he would… It made my heart feel lighter. Less burdened. It felt amazing. Freeing. It felt like I didn't have to be strong for anyone else here, here I was allowed to lean on someone, someone was stronger than me, someone was strong for me.
Still talking with his three members Edward's thumb never stops running up and down against my hip. Now it makes me slightly flustered. His nails scrape at my skin dragging down. I picture the bark of the tree as our names were scratched in. My breathing hitches and he does it again. And again… My heart is pounding.
The unfamiliar feeling coils in the pit of my stomach that I want his full attention on me. Not part of it. His aware ministrations as he talks business, isn't enough. My eyes move towards the bar behind us suddenly and the first thing I notice is Tanya coming out the storeroom, ignorant to our presence. She's still here. It irked me a bit but I didn't say anything. I felt a strange contraction in my stomach that made me want to hold Edward's shirt tighter. Before I could though, she looked up, feeling herself being watched. She saw me, her dark eyes blazed with hateful fire, stronger than I had witnessed from her before. Then it was like I disappeared to the back of her mind. I watched, as if, in slow motion her eyes automatically darted to the arm fixed around me, following it all the way past his tattooed arm, to his shoulder blade, to up his neck and to the back of his head, as he debated some plan with James and Jasper.
From the corner of my eye I saw him accepting an unlit joint from Caius, his green eyes locked on the table of his members uninterested on anything except the corner we were in, completely unmindful to Tanya's presence. I turned my attention to her, watching her register his presence and then watched in utter confusion as her face fell, a memory I wasn't privy to turning her white as a sheet, even from where I stood I could see her eyes turn watery. It was alarming how fast she spun away and ran into the storeroom before anyone could see the hurt and fear etched out on her face.
I looked from the storeroom to Edward and back again. Then repeated the process. I didn't like Tanya. Tanya didn't like me. But that was just weird. What the hell just happened?
Done with his conversation Edward turned and touched his other palm to my back, jolting my attention back to him. How long had I been staring at that door?
"C'mon," he whispers into my hair. Directing us across the floor from behind me, his hands never left as we walked. His breath fanned out across the shell of my ear sensing my surprise when we moved past the bar, "You're not working baby," he wasn't asking.
I swallowed. He applied the slightest more pressure to where he held me and my breath caught. I could feel him smirk even as he stood tall and towering behind me. I don't know how but I just could. It disturbed those butterflies residing in my torso again, they fluttered around wildly.
His face grew expressionless again and he fast reached past me and swung open his office door with a force. The palm still planted firmly on my lower back steered us in. I didn't have time to question him. My attention immediately turned to Rosalie as she jumped out of Emmett's arms.
Edward stood menacingly still I couldn't understand the look on his face.
"King's out already. Where the fuck is he?" he meant business, his eyes stayed on Emmett as he spoke.
Rosalie hurried out not saying a word. Edward remained motionless. His tall, dark threatening frame looming as his tinier cousin raced away, mindful to not look up at anyone. His cold eyes followed her as she bolted past him, then to Emmett as she shut the door behind her leaving the three of us in the office. I wondered if I should do the same, I wanted to.
"It has to be taken care of muthafucking soon. What's the hold up?"
It wasn't an actual question. It was hard and it was dark. Much like everything about him in this moment.
Emmett nodded firmly once, I could recognize that anywhere, respect. "I'll get the shit sorted by tonight man. We'll be able to go ahead with it as planned. There won't be any fuck ups. He'll get here clean."
Edwards jaw stayed locked in place. His head nodded stiffly once, accepting that answer. Emmett walked, a nod in my direction and he was out the door too. Silence filled the room.
Edward was tense. Upset even, but his collected, controlled nature menacingly held it back. The storm behind the calm.
"I saw Tanya outside." I say without thinking. Kicking myself mentally.
His attention snaps back to me, surprised by my attempt of icebreaking.
Jesus Bella! Way to break the tension. Real smooth. Just freakin' stab yourself next time! It'll be bloody smoother!
His eyes dance with amusement as he watches me reprimand myself psychologically. A condescending smirk stretches along his face. "Where'd you expect her to be?" he asks baiting
me, folding his arms, his large muscles popping and flexing at the action.
I hold and challenge his stare but remain quiet. What can I say that won't sound presumptuous?
He grins wider and cocks a brow arrogantly, "Did you think I'd fire her?" he asks. He wants to get a rise out of me I can hear it in his tone. "Maybe kill her?" he makes his face serious, his gaze dropping down the length of him gesturing to me what I see. He wants to scare me. "Gangster that I am and all." He continues finding amusement in each scowl or blush he's met with. It feeds him. He likes it. He licks his lips, stepping towards me bowing his head to look at me. "What are
you to me?" he asks his eyes darken right before me and his voice drops low.
He's standing so close I have to crane my neck to look at him. His entire presence is overwhelming. I swallow. He looks dangerous, his face is intentionally cold, his stare is so hard it threatens to turn me to stone. He's still upset with me for running, for what he knows I did to my hand but the glint in his eyes tells me he's exaggerating the level for his own benefit. He knows why I'm here today. He reads me like a book. But he wants me to say it. I don't know what to say? Calling him my boyfriend makes me sound stupid. Did Shadow Fangs have relationship titles? And even if they did, was he my boyfriend? If I said it would he think I was naïve? It was an excellent question. What was I to him?
"You tell me," I say folding my arms and jutting out my chin defiantly. "You're the one who put our names on that tree."
His smirk widens liking all the fire he's being met with.
"The Lovers Tree," he repeats my earlier words.
So he had heard me.His palm takes hold of my hips, keeping me still as he brings our bodies together. He towers over me easily and dips his eyes to my mouth when I take a sharp breath. His voice is low as he whispers down at my flustered face. A smile creeps across his face showing his enjoyment, the seriousness fading out.
"Lovers," his head dips down, "is that what we are?" he teases huskily, his nose running along my face but not making contact. My breath catches as his tongue snakes out and licks a line up my jaw line, slowly, torturously, to my ear. My heart races wildly as he speaks directly into the shell of my ear answering his own question. "We're everything Cappuccinetto."
And then I'm kissing him. He's not surprised by my actions. He's inviting like he's been waiting for me to do this since he began. Waiting for it all this time while I had resisted him. His lips smolder and mold mine to his. Dominating and passionate the kiss is searing and wild. There's palpable fire blazing brightly between us and it's threatening to burn us alive in a kaleidoscope of colors. His hand runs up my back, pressing our bodies together as his tongue pries its way into my mouth. I moan at the taste of him, smoke, mint, cinnamon, Edward. I smile and immediately feel his surprise. Slowly my hands lift up and bury themselves into his hair. Giving in… Telling him I'm giving in... Not wanting this to end…
He growls and suddenly I'm not touching the ground anymore. His hands grab tightly at my thighs lifting me up and I instinctively wrap my legs around him not wanting to break the kiss as yet. I can feel him, thick, hard and straining, against his jeans but it doesn't scare me this time. If anything feeling his dick that prominent makes me feel braver. I like the feeling of what he feels for me. It repeats in my head. We're everything…
He lowers me to the soft leather sofa. A place I've become familiar with. My fingers run through his messy hair relishing in the feel of it. Soft and spiky it tickles my palms, soothing my cut. He crawls between my legs, the sofa dipping under his weight and I tug at his hair. His tongue curls around mine, wrapping it and then pulling back. His teeth nip at my bottom lip bruising it and I return the favor with his upper one. He growls and grinds into me. I whine loud as he causes friction between my legs. I want to stay like this. But breathing becomes a problem. Reluctantly I pull at his hair telling him I need a moment. He breaks away from me and starts trailing kisses down my neck. Sucking and pulling at the skin.
I pant wildly beneath him as his fingers skim up his hoodie covering my body. His eyes fly to me when his fingers meet bare skin. I blush furiously knowing that I hadn't expected to be in this position when I didn't use a shirt under the hoodie. His eyes follow my blush and he dips his head back down sucking my neck. His fingers dance in slow circles and I know where this is headed. The memory of his hands on my boobs flooding my mind. I intake a sharp breath as he reaches my bra. I yelp when he bites down on my neck as he snaps the hooks on them. "Take off your top Bella," he says.
I shake my head. My body wants me to. My mind says, too fast. Then my heart takes over…
"Trust me Cappuccinetto."
I'm lost in the sincerity of his flashing dark emerald eyes. His words since I met him play in my head, finally making sense to me. The first day I'd met Edward, James had told him I was in Forks. James had told him intentionally! Relax, I don't wanna hurt you, Edward had whispered to me when the skittish kitten in me reigned supreme and tried to bolt when he told me his name. Even the day I had been caught dine and dashing his restaurant, James had made a point of chasing me down not the others. He'd done it again, caught me, kept me for Edward. I remembered how firm Edward sounded to Laurent when he said, I'm interested in her. When I'd joined Nell' Ombra even in his anger he had told me, I'm a Shadow Fang, I am dangerous, I won't stop fighting because you ask me to. I'm not one of your 'puppies' that will back down when things get rough. I fight. I hurt people. I've got a temper that's fucking toxic. People are afraid of me... Because. They. Should. Be. You're going to have to deal with that amore mio. But I will never hurt you…' Every single thought rushes at me all at once. Wordlessly I lift my arms and he peels it almost completely off me. I blush and want to block myself but I'm frozen under his gaze.
His eyes are locked to mine. Never dipping lower. His fingers cup my breasts and I squirm, it feels nice… really nice… Still looking at me his thumbs rub at my nipples. My breaths grow more uneven as he assaults my breasts. His broad hands covering them, massaging the flesh, claiming ownership as his fingers tweak the now pointy buds. He rolls them with a feather like touch with the pad of his thumbs and I cry out softly. He dips down and his lips meet mine slowly and softly, a sweet kiss equal in ecstasy to our first.
I feel myself growing wetter as deep emotions start to swirl in my chest. I kiss him back with light touches, my gasps as he rubs my breasts dancing off his perfectly soft but unyielding lips. He swallows and I hear his Adams-apple bob. He looks down at me with such intensity that I want to kiss him harder.
Watching me, sensing my growing ease with his ministrations he lifts his head away from me lowering them to my chest. His eyes are pitch black as he stares at my exposed breasts heaving beneath him, drinking them in hungrily. I meow as he touches his lips to the harden peak of one of them and I feel him chuckle against it. His tongue sneaks out to taste the flesh and he hisses low. My legs still locked around his waist tighten in response. He dips and covers my breast with his mouth sucking and biting as he rolls my other peak. I gasp out his name but its faint and weak as his teeth bites down hard against the top swell of my breast. He pulls on the skin sucking the flesh into his mouth roughly and pulling back.
I'm panting wildly. So is he. My chest heaving right before his face. He looks down at the dark red mark he's left on me and smiles. Climbing back up me, his strong arms locked on either side of my head, tense and deliciously flexed without him having to try.
He kisses my lips once, twice, thrice, and stares down at me. He slips the material of his hoodie back down my torso, covering me up gently.
"It's almost time for you to go home…" his voice is raspy.
I'm shocked, how long had we been at this. He must see it because he smirks, a playful glint flickering in his eyes.
"Am I gonna have to track you down tomorrow?" his nose brushes against mine his eyes serious. "Because I will."
I lift my head and kiss him. "I know."
His gold dogtags slip out from the neckline of his shirt. It clinks and dangles just above my neck.
I look to them and his eyes follow suit before darting back to me.
"What are you thinking?" he asks.
We're still breathing heavily. I lick my lip and my hand slips between us to toy with the dangling metal. I like the fact that he lets me. His eyes follow the movement of my fingers on his chain.
"Nothing," I say then my mind does that rambling-mess thing. It starts of amusing because I think dogtags— then I link it to dog— then bitch— which immediately makes me think of Tanya, go figure. Ha. But then I lose the humor. My next link is her face before she ran off. "Tanya was crying." I say out of nowhere.
His attention snaps back to my face incredulously. "Who gives a fuck?" His voice holds slight confusion, his breaths still uneven as he looks at me still panting lightly under him. "You seriously want to talk about this now? Let her fucking cry."
I almost feel bad for her. He tries to make me understand.
"Always been around. She's a permanent fixture, taken care of as a favor to one of ours. And now she can cover your fucking shift and free up a fuckload of time for me with you," he dismisses her very life presence callously as part of the Nell' Ombra furniture. His voice filled with disinterest but his eyes burn into me how serious he is about what he says. "She's not your problem. Not anymore 'kay?" It's not a question, he doesn't wait for an answer.
"But you," his green eyes paints my face scarlet the way he's now looking down at me, "you anima gemella," something alters as he looks at me, "anima…"
More intense he changes his words, choosing now to answer my question. The way he says it is scary. It's cold. It's hard. It's unending. Unyeilding. I kind of love it. It's him.
"You're my soul."
My heart beats wildly. I can't tear my eyes away from him. The dangerous edge of him seems like home to me right then. For the first time in my life someone's looking for nothing in return. I don't have to do anything. He's making me aware of a fact, he's right there, with me, he's here. Plain and simple. It feels nice. It feels freeing. It feels like a dream. And for the first time in 13 years I don't want to ever wake up…
~.~.~ Thank you for reading. Love and God bless: Kat;) ~.~.~
Prompt Status CH8: Full chapter posted here.