I'm still waiting, come through the door

I'm killing time, you know, bleaching your clothes

I'm roasting marshmallows on the fire

And what I'm burning is your attire

I'm getting restless, I'm getting tested

And I can't believe he's always out every night and never checks in

Is he cheating? Man, I don't know

I'm looking 'round for something else to throw

I'm breaking dishes up in here, all night

I ain't gon' stop until I see police lights

I'ma fight a man tonight, I'ma fight a man tonight

I'ma fight a man, a man, a m-a-n

A man, a man, a m-a-n

(Rihanna-Breaking Dishes)

Bella and I exchanged glances. I saw a male body and a female body, but I couldn't identify either mob members for sure. Bella's eyes told me she was thinking the same thing.

"Well, well, well boys. I just knew this whole merger thing I heard around town was a rumor. Everybody around here knows Masen and Swan have never been the best of friends, but the two of you, working together on something? That sounded like plain old hogwash to me. I couldn't believe it until I saw it with my own two eyes."

I heard Jasper's voice from somewhere further away from the immediate scene.

"I didn't know they let the dogs out of that pound you guys call home very often."

Someone standing to the left of Black snarled and somewhere, I heard the unmistakable click of a gun and I began to get worried. It wasn't that I couldn't shoot. I just felt uneasy because I couldn't see Emmett. He was the muscle behind the operation. I hope no one could see it in my eyes, but I was starting to panic. That male unidentifiable body, that click I heard. It was all just starting to add to that worry.

"What's the matter Masen? You look like you're scared just because me and some of my boys might be packing a little heat."

I heard some members of his overgrown gang snicker, and I watched a seemingly triumphant look cross his face.

"Black, nobody has used the phrase 'packing heat' in a matter of years. I just went back to HQ to grab some more ammo. Surely you don't think we didn't come prepared for this."

I watched Emmett walk out of the crowd and toward Bella and I. He stood directly in front of her, and the piece he handed me was heavy enough for me to realize he'd placed it there, but light enough that I could quickly switch it out for the one in the band of my jeans. I felt my worry leave me. Bella was protected. Check. There was enough ammo to kill the entire Pack if we wanted. Check. Emmett was alive, and so was that blonde girl Emmett seemed to like so much. Check. Now, I just needed to get Black the hell away from here and keep all of Le Belle Re and Bella ma Mortale from getting shot. I'd introduced the deal to ma Mortale. I needed to make this situation go away.

"Black, the way I see it, you have two options. You can continue to stand here tonight and cause problems for me and my gang, or you can leave with your tail between your legs. You choose. Choosing the first one will get the entirety of the Pack with at least one bullet in their skulls. I don't know about you, but cleaning up after bloody, dead dogs gets to be a little tedious and I can't speak for the members of your little wolfpack here, but I'm pretty sure you'd like to remain alive. Now, here's where that second option comes in. If you walk away from us, your little ego can remain intact, and I swear, I'll only tell some of your suppliers how you ran home screaming like a little girl. Let's be honest. You are a coward. You waited until you heard through the grapevine that there was trouble in paradise and then you pounced. Cute. It won't get you anywhere. I suggest you pick an option and stick with it. I'm not in the mood for fun and games tonight."

I saw a brief look of defiance flash in his eyes, and then, he gave some sort of hand signal for his group to leave. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and briefly looked at Bella.

"I would reevaluate the people in your life. I found out from someone where everyone would be."

"Chi te l'ha detto?" Who told you?

"Royce King. But before you go killing him off, you should probably stop and wonder here he got his information from."

"Non sprecare il mio tempo. Chi ha detto il re?" Don't waste my time. Who told King?

"That live-in no account excuse you have for a boyfriend. Mike Newton. I'd watch what I said around him if I were you."

With that, everyone watched as the Pack got on their refurbished motorcycles and left.

"Why does Black feel at liberty to give you advice so freely?"

Emmett had a good point. I watched Bella closely. The look on my face clearly told her I expected an answer.

"We grew up together."

She was clear and concise and I could tell she wasn't going to bother elaborating. I made eye contact with her and then shook my head.

"I don't care if his head was permanently glued to your ass. I want him dead."

Please R&R

Lots of love,

-V