I had been sat in this godforsaken room, on my uncomfortable bed for hours awaiting whatever my fate may be. Mr Cullen had left last night with no indication on what would happen to me. Dr Gerandy did appear shortly after Mr Cullen left however and as promised, tended to the wound on my leg. He applied a balm to it which instantly eased the searing pain enough to be tolerable. He also gave me several weeks worth of antibiotics and painkillers so I was currently feeling a hell of a lot better physically than I had yesterday. I was hungry though. Had they forgotten me? I had eaten since yesterday morning and was locked in this room with no way to get food. I'd had to resort to drinking the water from the sink as no one had brought me anything to drink either.
When I was starting to wonder if my fate would truly be to sit here and starve to death, I heard the loud click of the door unlocking before it was pushed open and Emmett walked in.
"Hey B, how are you doing this morning honey?"
He gave a tentative smile, handing me a bottle of juice and an energy bar which I greedily dug into.
"Umm… better thanks… The doctor gave me some pain meds so it doesn't hurt so badly now."
Emmett grimaced as he looked down to the angry, red wound on my leg, only made marginally less horrific looking by the white cream smothered on it.
"Im so sorry about that Isabella… I never thought Carlisle would allow it to go that far… I wanted to stop it but…" he huffed angrily, "im just so fucking sorry B…."
I frowned at him. I hadn't expected him to help me. I knew how things were around Mr Cullen. His word was the law.
"Its ok Emmett… Its not your fault…"
He punched the wall next to my head hard enough to make a large dent and causing me to flinch away from him.
"It is my fucking fault! I should have said something – done something! And then I go and make things worse with that fucking bandage… Fuck! Im just useless…."
He turned slightly away from me, I couldn't tell if he was on the verge of tear but his voice indicated that he was. I didn't understand it, but his sudden temper had put me on edge and I reverted immediately back to the subservient Isabella I was usually able to leave at least somewhat behind around Emmett. I addressed him meekly with my eyes glued to the floor.
"It wasn't your fault Emmett.. And im fine. Please, don't worry about me."
I could see him shift his body back towards me. He huffed angrily as he regarded me for a moment. When he spoke again his voice sounded resigned.
"Drink your juice B. Carlisle sent me to get you. Your new…. Owner" he spat the word, "has arrived to take you to wherever the hell you're going to be living. I have to take you to him."
"Is it Mr Volturi?" I couldn't keep the tremor from my voice of the tears from welling in my eyes. I couldn't believe it was happening. The monster that had caused me to be in this situation was now going to be solely responsible for my welfare… For as long as I was alive anyway. The thought made me shudder. I knew that if I was unable to go through with killing myself, James Volturi's "clients" soon would….
"I don't know B. He just said to collect you and deliver you to the bar…"
I nodded before quickly drinking the rest of my juice. I savoured the tangy sweetness of it, not knowing it if might be the last treat 'd ever get. I expected it would be. When I had finished the drink I handed the empty bottle into Emmett's outstretched hand before rising to follow him.
We made our way through the dimly lit corridors of an area I didn't recognise. I struggled to keep up with Emmett's huge stride as my leg was sore and I was limping badly on it, each time the muscles tensed the pain returned tenfold. Emmett noticed my struggle and slowed his pace to match mine, putting his arm around my waist so I could lean on him for support. I appreciate the gesture. It was rare that anyone showed me kindness. I found that I craved it.
We finally emerged into the second bar at the back of the club and I realised we had exited through the storage door. Emmett helped me most of the way across the large space of the dancefloor but set me on my feet and gestured for me to go forward on my own when we got to the staircase. He went upstairs to the offices and I carried on in the direction he had indicated, towards the main bar at the front of the club.
As I rounded the corner, hobbling stiffly, I was shocked to find Mr Cullen sat at the bar drinking a large glass of whiskey with Edward Masen. I froze as they both turned to look at me. Mr Cullen instantly plastered a fake smile on his face. I dropped my eyes to the floor immediately.
"Isabella… how lovely to see you up and about. Come here."
I started to hobble gingerly towards him and was surprised when Edward rose from his chair, coming to my side to help me to the bar in the same way Emmett had supported me. He pulled out a stool next to his and got me situated. I risked a glance up at him and noticed him frowning as he took in the wound on my leg, clearly visible under the tiny denim shorts I had been put in early this morning. His hand reached out and tentatively touched the reddened skin surrounding the wound, his cool fingers felt good against my fiery skin.
"Does it hurt?" his voice was low, almost intimate.
I decided on honesty as the best course and nodded minutely.
"Yes sir."
He didn't respond but I felt his eyes boring into mine as I stared intently at his denim clad legs. His large hand moved to grip just above my knee, squeezing gently. Mr Cullen cleared his throat quietly and I could feel the blush immediately bloom across my face and chest at having completely forgotten about his presence. Edward's hand disappeared from my leg and I immediately missed the contact.
"So, I guess this concludes our business for today Mr Masen", both men stood whilst I remained seated, I assumed I was to wait here for Mr Volturi to arrive after Mr Cullen's meeting with Edward.
"Yes, thank you Mr Cullen… I will be by tomorrow to sign that paperwork".
The two men shook hands, Mr Cullen lightly clapped Edward on the shoulder.
"I hope you enjoy your purchase Mr Masen".
"I certainly intend to" Edward laughed and gathered up his phone and the thick envelope from on the bar. He took a couple of steps towards the exit before pausing. I kept my eyes glued to the floor trying to keep my breathing calm as I tried in vain to control the mounting panic I was feeling.
"Well Isabella….?" Mr Cullen's sharp tone cut through my calming efforts and I flinched back.
"Im sorry Mr Cullen?"
"You are to go to your new home now.. Or are you already going to disobey your new owner?"
Disobey? What had I done? To disobey meant to be punished. I did not want to be punished right now in my fragile state. I raised my head to fix my stare in the general area of Mr Cullen's neck, not wanting to disrespect him any further by looking him in the eye.
"Disobey, Mr Cullen? Im sorry… I didn't mean to… I didn't know what was expected of me.. I thought… Mr Volturi…." My voice was panicked and my words came out in a garbled rush.
Mr Cullen laughed.
"Poor child… so confused. Mr Masen here has decided that he does want you for his very own pet afterall. We have just completed the transaction this morning. There are some minor… details… to be completed. But you will be leaving with him now."
"Edward?" in my shock, my eyes flashed to meet his piercing green stare. I had been sure I would be leaving with James Volturi today.
Mr Cullen immediately stood, grabbing me by the throat and raising me to my feet. His hand was clamped tight under my jaw, cutting off my oxygen and his nails were digging painfully into my skin. In my panic I grabbed at his hand, trying to pull it off me.
"How dare you be so disrespectful Isabella! I did not train you all these years for you to reflect so badly on me… You do NOT call your master by his name…." he was screaming into my face now as the tears streamed freely down my cheeks. I was gasping, trying to pull air into my lungs and clawed at his hands in desperation. "Get your fucking hands off me, slut" he roared, before using his free hand to slap me hard across the thigh, right over my fresh brand.
The pain was immediate and intense, like nothing I'd ever felt before. I couldn't even scream out with Mr Cullen's choke hold on me. My hands immediately left his however, to grab at my searing wound. He let go of me then and I slumped to the floor and curled over myself, trying to protect my abused body from further pain as I sobbed and gasped for breath. Suddenly I felt my entire body being lifted from the floor, and found myself being held securely against a warm, hard body. My brain was still consumed by the agony and my breathing was still frantic so I merely clung to the body holding me, burying my face in his neck. Edward.
"That is enough Mr Cullen. She is my property now and as such, any punishments are my responsibility to dole out."
I opened my eyes slightly to find Mr Cullen and Edward standing face to face, each glaring furiously at the other. Miraculously, Mr Cullen was the first to back down.
"Well, take her then Masen… Im fucking sick of her ugly face anyway".
He sounded like a petulant child as he slumped back on his stool, downing his drink in one big gulp. That was the last I saw of him before Edward turned towards the doors, carrying me out into the bright sunshine.
CHxCHxCHxCHx
Things are looking up for Isabella, right?
Right….?