Here is the next chapter. I didn't have any homework tonight, so I treated myself and you guys to an update. (: Mood music: Game's Pain - The Game and Irreplaceable - Beyonce. Alright, we are coming to a cross hair in the story, clearly I set up this chapter for Bella to discover Edward's true profession, so it's about to get interesting. Anyways, enjoy.

Chapter 9

EPOV

I had loosened my tie hours ago but I was still feeling strangled as I rubbed my collarbone. The room had been in a constant haze of cigar smoke for hours and a slow murmur of voices could be heard at all times. Tensions were high, and everyone seemed a bit on edge.

"I don't understand why this is such a hard fucking concept for you. We want the contract, we can handle the contract." Emmett hit his chest for effect. "We have had the concrete contracts in this city for I can't tell you how long, and now all of a sudden, this is up for discussion? I don't fucking think so." Emmett took a long drink from his glass as he eyed the party across the table.

"This isn't about tradition. This is about what is right for our family and what is right for us is no longer cutting corners on our contracts. Fuck tradition, fuck the way it's always been done. I am here now and we are going to do it my way!" Primo shot up and slammed his fist on the table causing glasses to tumble and voices to be silenced. "This is my fucking family and I want my fucking money!" Primo's veins were clear and defined as he spoke his very confident statement.

"Primo, Primo, calm down. We are all friends here, there is no need for such hostility. We want what's best for both parties." I stood up, attempting to reassure him as I made an effort to move towards the center of the table. I was clearly the mediator of the family that had always been a role of mine, especially in tight situations like this.

"I am done. We are done. The concrete contract is ours and I am not moving on that. What part of that do you not understand?" Primo's face was so close to mine that I could count his pores if I was so inclined. His constant stubbornness was starting to wear on my nerves. I gritted my teeth as I tried to be calm, "You have to understand that our family has interests here too; for twenty years, we held those contracts and clearly met the requirements to keep them. You have gotten more than your fair share in my opinion and the only thing that should be up for debate today is your percentage the profit." My voice was monotone but the threat of violence was clear. Emmett was hot headed and clearly displayed his irritation; however, I was the silent danger most people were not aware of.

In a split second, guns were drawn and everyone was in a defense stance. I took a minute to breath, signaling everyone to decrease their awareness, but everyone remained where they were. I rubbed the bridge of my nose and slowly reopened my eyes. "Alright, alright. Have it your way, but it won't be pretty, and you won't enjoy it." I folded my arms at my chest; I could play this game too.

"Are you insinuating a war? Ha." His voice was light and airy, as if he doubted me.

"You think that I am kidding, however, I have never been more serious. You want to play old school bullshit, we'll play old school bullshit. I'll fucking murder you, Primo, fucking paint the town with your blood." I leaned into the table, my knuckles grinding into old peanuts as I held my gaze on him. I wanted him to know that I was speaking with the upmost seriousness.

Primo licked his lips as he thought; it was as if I could see the wheels in his head turning, thinking about what the next logical step was. He nodded as if he had concluded that war was the next practical step in our conversation. I could tell I was getting to him; he was starting to show signs of agitation. He had beads of sweat that were pooling at his temples, and his breath was coming more erratically. He knew his family would be wiped off the grid if he went to war with us. Sure, it was a drastic step, but it was something that had to happen and I understood that. It was purely business, nothing personal. I smiled as I nodded, "That's what I thought. Now, let's discuss this contract business. You will take 15 of every contract we receive and you will provide any assistance deemed necessary if asked for it. If this is a problem for you, we have a clear alternative." I cocked my head to the side, allowing him a moment to collect himself.

Primo shuffled backwards a little and leaned close to one of his many goons, too many if you ask me. They provided nothing but show and unwanted hassle. Their lips moved at rapid pace as they unpacked my deal I had offered them. It didn't matter what they wanted in the long run, Primo was slated to be killed soon and the contracts and 100 of the profit would be all ours. Of course, he didn't know that, so for him, this deal was all or nothing.

"I will not be bullied into this, my friend. I will not." His voice was shaky and I could tell I made him nervous. Primo was substantially older than I was, and I was everything that he aspired to be. I was young, charismatic, and was next in line to be the boss. I was the oil to his water, we just didn't get along.

I smiled as motioned to my guys, "Then, it looks like war."

BPOV

It was one of those cries that racked your body and made your cries sound like shrieks and made your words come out as stutters. It wasn't a pretty cry; I was too far gone from those. I knew what I must have looked like when Rosalie, Alice, and Angela walked into the room. I was pretty sure that my mascara was running and that my face had a severe degree of puffiness to it, but I didn't care.

"Darling, I brought you some water." Alice slinked down beside me on the plush carpet. I allowed her to comfort me, but I was not in the mood to be babied. "We heard what happened. We thought we should come check on you." Alice was clearly the spokeswoman in this situation, with Rosalie and Angela waiting off to the side. Alice clearly held the mothering instinct of the three, and she instantly turned it on when she was caring for me.

"You can't be too upset with him. This is something he's never done before. You know you really like him; maybe he got tied up at work?" Alice's voice sounded reassuring, but I couldn't be sure, Alice was trying to play neutral, but sometimes, she wasn't very good at hiding her feelings.

"What?! Are you being serious right now, Alice? I can't be upset with him?" I was exasperated on this topic of my feelings towards Edward. I was fully capable of making my own decisions and deciding on what I was feeling. I needed no one to tell me that.

"No, no. I am just saying that this is a new experience for you and you shouldn't jump to conclusions. You haven't been in a relationship in a long time…"Her voice trailed off and her expression was changing into irritation, which didn't surprise me.

I sucked in my breath, Alice was right, she was right. "I know Alice, but I just don't understand. How hard is it to pick up a phone?" My head was starting to hurt and this discussion was wearing on my nerves. I could tell that this discussion was wearing everyone thin, so I decided to be the bigger person, "Look, I know I haven't been in a relationship in a while, I know that. I think I am just going to lie down for a while and then deal with everything later." I was mentally exhausted from this and denial is always the best policy.

Alice, Rosalie, and Angela all nodded in agreement. As they were leaving, I tried hard not to cry. I didn't think that introducing a boy into my life would be so difficult, but I could tell I had been fooled. Edward was no more than another loser who clearly didn't understand what a prize I was. It was his loss, not mine. The more I pepped myself up, the easier the rejection was to deal with, but the sting was still there, lingering in my soul, waiting for chance to slap me in the face again.

As I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but think everything would have much easier if he would have just said he didn't like me…