Hey guys: I do realize it has been a hot minute since I updated, blame it on personal illness and school. We have had Homecoming this week and it was ran me into the ground, but I was able to turn this out tonight; hopefully there will be some more this weekend, but I can't promise anything, I can't even promise a regular update, which I am terribly sorry about, but thanks to those who have checked out this story. (: Anywho, mood music: "Cheater, Cheater" Joey + Rory and "Womanizer" Britney Spears.

Chapter 8

BPOV

Gelato and the New York skyline.

That was how my night ended. He brought me back to his apartment building and he had the roof set up just for us. It was magical; I couldn't have imagined a better date and I couldn't have imagined a better guy to go on it with. Edward was amazing, charismatic, beautiful, talkative…did I mention beautiful? He made my blood run hot and butterflies swarm my stomach and infect my body; I loved it. He wasn't even that straightforward with his advances, which was a welcomed changed from what I was used to. He made simple advances, like holding my hand and a small goodnight kiss, but for the most part, it was all very innocent.

"Are you being serious? He didn't try anything?" Alice shook her head as we walked through the doors at Starbucks. "Nope. Not a thing. I'll have a grande caramel macchiato. It's not that ridiculous, Alice, it was nice to be treated like a lady." I shook my head at her as I walked towards the order station.

"I know, I know. It just surprises me. He strikes me as the type who would be all about some first date action." Alice winked at me as she bumped her hip against mine. I knew she was just being ridiculous with me, but it was unnerving nonetheless.

We collected our orders and ushered ourselves out onto the patio. It was nice weather, perfect for coffee and good friends. "Do you have any plans for lunch?" Alice blew into her cup as she inquired.

I felt my lips twist into a smile as I nodded, "Yes, we are going for pizza." I couldn't believe how giddy I was about Edward. No matter how much I told myself that I wasn't falling for him, I could tell I was and I knew that it was silly to get wrapped up in a guy so fast, but I couldn't help it, something about Edward made me feel whole. I hadn't had a serious boyfriend in quite a while and Edward was like a cool breeze on a warm night, chilling and wanted.

We finished our coffee quietly, enjoying each other's company and the atmosphere. That is something that I loved about the city, it could be quiet within ear shattering loudness and I was in love with that. We talked about everything from work to movies to the most recent fashion trends, but we didn't talk about Edward much after that, there wasn't need for it. Alice could recognize how I felt, sometimes even better than I could and that was something I enjoyed about our friendship.

As we made our way back to the apartment, I suddenly changed gears to what outfit would be appropriate for a pizza parlor…

EPOV

The air billowed through the car and over my heated body; the city was always sticky and his occupation required that I be dressed to the nines every day, all day. Of course I would have preferred to wear shorts and a nice shirt, but that would be unprofessional and that was something that was not tolerated by my family; my family being literal and figurative in meaning. I rubbed my temples and exhaled as I observed the comings and goings of the city. My gaze landed on a young boy and his mother, the boy was struggling against the pull of his mother's arm as she continued her brisk, determined pace to her destination. I couldn't help but smile; I remember being dragged along behind my mother to do various errands quite fondly.

"Ah. To be young again." My voice was low as I focused my attention elsewhere. I was no longer a little boy, no longer was I young. I am harden, aged, and experienced in my dealings with others. The world has polluted me, has created a vicious monster that desired everything for me and myself. I have seen too much bad to consider that there was any good. Why should there be? Good was losers, nice was for losers, and he was by no means a loser. I won at everything he tried and he never came in second. I am a Cullen, they didn't fail, they conquered.

"Ayo, did you say something?" Jasper looked up from his paper, probably obsessing over statistics of various sports teams, but I didn't expect anything less from him. That was his job, he was a numbers runner for the family, and it was good to see that he was keeping on the up and up for us.

I shook my head as I leaned my head against the seat, we were on our way to Atlantic City for a business meeting and the ride was becoming unbearable. As much as I hated to admit it, I was missing Bella. She had a seriously calming effect on me, and that was something that I desired. I couldn't believe how taken I was by her. I wasn't typically like this with other girls; however, Bella had shown me last night that she wasn't most girls. She most defiantly wasn't the type to have a one night stand with, hence my behavior when I dropped her off. I tried to be on my best behavior, even though every fiber of my being wanted to rip off her clothes and take her for mine, but I clearly resisted and gave her a simple good night peck, very reminiscent of middle school.

"Do they know why we are coming?" I slowly opened my eyes and nodded, "They understand this is not a social visit and that the outcome is crucial to their survival."

"I don't understand why we just don't fucking bust in there and fucking blow their brains out." Jasper threw down the paper in haste as he pushed his fist into the leather seat.

I laughed along with everyone else in the car as we made jokes about the act of murder, but my mind couldn't help but wonder to and from Bella. The topic of my profession only made an appearance once, and she had accepted my answer without any hesitation, but how long could a charade go on? Days, weeks, months, years? How do you break that to someone? Hi, my name is Edward and I am in the Mafia.