Thank you all for reading and for your support. I am deeply appreciative. A huge thank you also to my beta, Fran. She's wonderful and makes everything better. Any mistakes left are mine.

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Chapter 3 – The Best Looking Man Left Alive

Since last night turned out to be something straight from a horror movie, nothing felt normal. Nothing was normal. The events played over in her mind, on a continuous loop.

Her daddy's broken arm.

The relief when she found her parents alive.

Law enforcement officers asking rounds of questions - had anyone threatened her recently? Did she see anything suspicious backstage?

The blood on the ground, more blood than she had ever seen, or hoped to see again.

Shit, why couldn't she stop thinking about everything?

She rubbed at her temples. Waves of exhaustion threatened to take over, but Bella couldn't sleep well. The room was either too hot or too cold. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten. Her eyes ached from crying so hard.

Her torn dress was hanging over the door, a reminder of the tragedy. Bella took the damaged garment to the adjoining bedroom. Although it was her favorite, she had an overwhelming urge to throw it in the trash, but that wasn't an option. Renee wanted to keep all of Bella's gowns for some reason.

There was a bathroom that connected the two rooms. Pausing, she looked at her reflection in the mirror before grabbing the boar's hairbrush.

More thoughts came to mind.

Why did some maniac feel compelled to murder people last night?

What was his reasoning?

Was this person trying to kill her?

The brush fell out of her hand and onto the floor. Bella was tired of crying, and of the discomfort it caused. God, all she wanted was for someone to hold her until the crushing pain went away.

While her parents could give her the compassion she wanted, Bella longed for someone who would understand her need for safety and comfort.

Oh hell, she was ready for him, for the right man to come into this very room at this very second, and scoop her into his arms. Then he would take her away from the nightmare, maybe to the beach house. He'd take care of her, hold her when the thoughts became too much.

Bella shook her head, chiding herself for having useless escape fantasies. At any given point in the past, there would have been boys lining up at her door, like a kissing booth, but she wouldn't have chosen any of them. Her standards were high; there was no chance in hell that she'd settle. The annoying inner voice that suggested she was a mess needed to shut its mouth.

Bella had come from a long line of southern women who had faced impossible situations. Their blood ran through her veins. Southern women didn't just sit by and let life roll over them. They get back up and show everyone what fight like a girl means.

She was confident and able; she'd proven that fact. Last night's massacre did not get the better of her, damn it! While it was reasonable and normal for someone in her position to feel frightened, this had gone on long enough. It was time to get off the floor, dry her eyes, and move forward. A shower and some self care would do her a world of good.

The Swan's sprawling mansion on Hampton Hill lacked sufficient security. Anyone with enough motivation and a nugget of intelligence could pick the deadbolt on the front and back doors, possibly in under three minutes. Tutorials and websites were dedicated to turning the average man into a professional. Breaking into this house would be child's play; the average criminal was lazy by their very own nature. They want to put forth only so much effort to reach their goal.

Since the house was this large, Edward knew that if someone were to break in, they'd need to know the layout. Such as someone who spent some time in the house - perhaps a friend, a housekeeper, or a family member.

His mind was working at a quick pace that was quick as he walked around the periphery of the house. Aro had reminded Edward that this situation only required one person for the job. While he wasn't about to second-guess his boss' decision, it wouldn't hurt to have a detailed security system in place. As wealthy as they were, Edward was surprised that the Swan's hadn't invested in some form of personal protection.

And considering the fact that they hired private protective services to guard Bella, it would take little, if any, persuading on his part to prove the necessity.

As the old saying went, money was no object for the Swans. That was made evident the moment the enormous wooden door opened to reveal a house worthy of a magazine.

Delicate crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The walls of the front room were covered with silk shantung wall paper in a brown and turquoise paisley pattern. Flowers large and small were tucked in vases that decorated tables. Photographs and other silver sentimental objects were nestled into dark bookshelves.

The Swan's obviously had class, but they were not as pretentious he initially imagined.

Renee greeted him with a smile, a glass of ice-cold sweet tea, and a hug. Charles let him know up front this was his house, and to let them know if he needed anything. They were relieved he had arrived.

Edward wasn't expecting the warm welcome since they were presently living in a state of chaos. Most clients only let him know where his bedroom was and gave him information on a need-to-know basis.

Instead, they gave him tea with enough sugar to rot his teeth and permission to roam their mansion.

What more could he ask for?

After examining the grounds, Edward was more than ready to get out of the insufferable heat and into the icy cold house. Yeah, Chicago was hot but this place had a level of humidity that covered like a blanket. His shirt was drenched in sweat. What he really wanted was a shower and a few minutes to log the details. This assignment took him out of his comfort zone, which was actually where he thrived.

Though Edward still had yet to meet Bella, her image was burned into his brain, and he couldn't shake it off.

Spidey sense be damned!

There were pictures of her throughout the house - a young girl posing ladylike on a swing in one, while another was of a college graduate. Pageant photos of her wearing formal dresses hung on walls. Each one drew him in, heightening his curiosity.

As much as her physical beauty intrigued him, Edward wanted to know the woman with the hypnotizing brown eyes. What did her voice sound like? Was the cherry red convertible in the garage her car? What was she studying in college? A freaking civil war was going on in his mind. Even though he knew it was not a good idea to get involved with a client personally, that rule might have to be thrown out for this assignment.

How could it hurt to know the details of Bella's life? And just who would it hurt?

Then it hit him like a brick. She might be one of those women who only want a professional relationship with her protective detail. That would solve the problem. He'd simply think about her night and day while waiting for the assignment to finish.

If Edward thought that would work, then he was already crazy from the heat.

He stood in front of the door to her bedroom, and a slight smile formed across his face. Pearl Jam was playing, one of his favorite groups; he knew the lyrics by heart. Who knew that Miss South Carolina liked this kind of music? Even though he was a hot mess, would this be the right time to knock on her door, to finally come face to face with Isabella Swan?

Well they had to meet at some point. Time to throw caution to the wind and all that jazz.

After knocking, the music paused, the door opened, and brown eyes met green. Edward swallowed hard and could only think of one word – beauty.

Her eyes were wide with curiosity, drinking him in like a tall glass of water. Broad shoulders that she would love to lay her head on attracted her interest. This man was tall, handsome, and so pale. His hair was slightly disheveled; Bella contemplated how it would feel between her fingers, among other things. The sound of his whiskey- smooth voice brought her back to the moment.

"Pearl Jam, huh? Have to say I'm surprised we'd have that in common." Edward stuck out his hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. "Your pictures don't do you justice." She stared at their connected fingers before he lifted hers to his mouth and stunned the hell out of her. The gesture was unexpected, old-fashioned, and well liked. If he listened closely enough, Bella was certain he would hear the pounding of her heart.

"Do you do this with all of the women you guard?" It was a genuine question. "It's just that Daddy told me he hired a bodyguard, but I wasn't expecting someone like you."

He dropped her hand and took a deep breath. "You're right, Bella. I'm Edward Cullen, and for lack of better words, I'm here to keep you safe. Who were you expecting your father to bring in?"

She laughed, and it was the kind of laughter you hear while riding in a convertible.

"Maybe I've watched too many movies," she began before her feet started squirming. A deep burgundy color on adorable toes caught his eyes. "Aren't y'all supposed to show up just for public events? I mean, how many women open their bathroom door and see the best looking man left alive standing there?" A small palm covered her face much to his displeasure."Please forgive me, Edward…for being so…forward. I'm sure you're just as embarrassed as I am." She turned away, and he gently pulled her back in his direction.

"Bella, you have nothing to be embarrassed about, I promise, okay? I have a policy of being open and honest with people." He chose his words with precision. "And I happen to find you exceptionally beautiful. You don't need some fancy crown on your head to announce to the whole world that you, Bella Swan, are a beauty. Hell, an invisible one's been there ever since you were a little girl."

Bella contemplated if it was possible to die from blushing.

Before she made a comment, Edward pointed out that he had already seen multiple pictures of her. Charles and Renee gushed over their darling daughter. Bella visibly relaxed after his comment.

"I'm used to everyone talking about the way I look, but you're not like the others. Thank you, Edward."

He nearly forgot about needing a shower when she stepped forward to hug him. That picture perfect smile, and the fact that she fit so well, or that she brought out his harder side didn't help.

"Go take a shower, and maybe we'll talk some more," she whispered.

Reluctantly Edward pulled away to tend to his business. Silently he prayed that she hadn't noticed the effect she had on him. A cold shower was the only thing that could help him now.

Bella closed the door behind him and rested against it. She wanted to burst with excitement. This was better than winning the finals in six beauty pageants.

Her grin was ear to ear.

There was no denying she got to him.

"That man…Edward Cullen…oh God, oh my God…he's my bodyguard!"

She felt secure when he briefly held her, not to mention turned on. Was it possible that this was the man she had longed for? And their bedrooms…holy shit, they were only a few feet apart. So many questions ran through her head.

Bella sat on the chair in front of her dressing table. Since he was protecting her, did that mean they weren't supposed to be involved personally? From the way Edward behaved, she was under a different impression. Their attraction was mutual, to say the least. He didn't talk to her like other men had in the past, like a sex object. Could it be that Edward saw beyond the tiara? If he didn't yet, then she had a goal to reach.

"You haven't seen anything yet, ," Bella thought as she smiled.

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