Chapter 31: Uninhibited

Edward's POV:

Hearing Alice and Jasper's story was enough to piss me off and turn my stomach. It signifies even more in my mind that we have to do whatever it takes to collar these bastards once and for all. As we get ready to meet the devils in their own playground, little is said. I think each of us is mentally preparing for it….solidifying the game plan internally. We know what's on the line. Tonight is the first test. The silence between us seems to be the catalyst to center us on what steps we need to accomplish our goal.

I can't even count the number of times we share looks…looks of fear, looks of wanting, and looks of determination. I try not to notice the way her skin ripples as she dresses. I feel a sense of loss as she tugs the black fabric up over her ass and fixes it into place. It takes everything within me not to pull her to me as her slender feet slide into those 'fuck me' heels. The groan emitted from my throat can't be contained as she shakes out her dark hair back over her shoulders.

The need to feel her against me is overwhelming. I don't even second guess myself as I softly grip her arm and turn her to face me. Her eyes go wide an infinite second before we're kissing. My lips mold against hers as my tongue slides into her mouth and is rewarded by her wanton moan. Her hands slide into my hair, scratching lightly against my scalp in the way she knows makes me weak in the knees.

I feel her curves pressed intimately against me and in this moment it's all I need. Right here, right now nothing in the world matters but her. The way she feels in my arms, her mouth against mine kissing the life out of me. It feels right and honestly, and it scares the shit out of me.

We break apart, each of us gasping for breath and as our eyes search each other, we both smile. It's a smile of promise and of being on the same page. We can't know exactly what we're walking into, but her smile concretes my need to do it. We're in this together.

"You ready sweets?" I murmur, smoothing her back from her face.

"Yup, let's do this." She says gently.

Xoxoxoxoxo

The ride to the club is tension filled, to say the least. I can count the number of words spoken on one hand. Alice's eyes flit to each of us as she wrings her hands constantly. Her intense fear is palpable and her worried glances break my heart for her and Jasper all over again. I don't even think as I reach across the seat and squeeze her hand in hopefully a comforting gesture. She smiles in a small way, blinking away the wetness glittering in her eyes. One shimmering tear escapes making a track down her cheek and my thumb wipes it away gently. Jasper watches the exchange with a worried look.

"Shhh, we'll take care of this Alice. You'll never have to be afraid of these bastards again…I promise you that." I murmur and her timid smile through her tears is enough to fuel my determination to make this right.

Xoxoxoxoxo

The bouncer's salacious smile as I give him my 'assumed' name is enough to up my level of tension tenfold. The club itself reminds me of a throwback to the heyday of the Rat pack in Vegas. It's all elegant lines and subdued opulence. Even the serving girls seem capable of breaking into a showgirl routine at any given moment. It reeks of class and snobbish confidence.

I feel Bella close on my heels and I don't give a shit what 'rules' I'm breaking as I grip her hand to anchor to me. I watch Aro approach with a sinister smile, rubbing his hands together in a fucking creepy way.

"Edward, so nice to see you again. So glad you and the beautiful Bella accepted our invitation." I try not to flinch as he embraces me placing kisses on both of my cheeks. Bella's face gives away nothing as he repeats the same treatment to her.

"Aro, we're honored to be here as your guests. Thank you for the invitation." I say, pulling Bella back against my body to break his hold on her.

"We're so glad to have you. Ah, Jasper and the lovely Alice. You've been so scarce lately…tsk, tsk, tsk." Aro says darkly as he shakes Jasper's hand and places a kiss on Alice's cheek. She can't suppress the full body shudder as his lips meet her skin.

"John, a bottle of our finest Cristal for our friends please." Aro says, eyes searching each of us.

"Sealed please." I say, remembering Jasper's words. "I'm sorry, I have trust issues. You understand, don't you Aro?"

Aro's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Of course, my friend, sealed bottle John." He calls out over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving mine. I can't look down or away, I will not show this greasy little shit any weakness.

"Much appreciated…..friend." My eyebrow arches at the term and his cold smile is sinister. You want to play, punk ass, bring it. It's going to be such a pleasure to know that I'm going to be an intrical part of making you Big Bubba's bitch for a very long time. The thought of that brings an echoing smile to my own face.

John returns, as instructed, with the tray of glasses and unopened bottle. I open it myself and pour the glasses for each of us. I am even nice enough to hand the pompous fuckhead his, see I can play nice in the sandbox. Small talk is made over various things, such as my 'business' and incidental facts about mine and Bella's lives together. We've been over the case file so much; it's seamless as the lies roll off our tongues. Aro even engages Jasper and Alice in our conversation. To any outsider looking in, it would seem that we were old friends catching up over an albeit perverted night on the town.

The first bottle disappears rather quickly and a second one is delivered, again unopened. After refilling our glasses again, I carefully sip at mine….I'm nowhere near buzzed even, but I need to keep a level head. I have this inkling that something unexpected is going to happen and I hate surprises.

Bella giggles a little and I have to wonder if the champagne bubbles are going to her head. Her face shows the slightest flush and her eyes are twinkling with the unspoken knowledge between us. Aro insists on showing us around and leads us through several open corridors, various scenes playing in each room, with couples reclining in expensive chairs surrounding the 'stage' in their own somewhat private alcoves. It reminds me an upper-crust version of a peep show, without the glass and the cum-stains on the seats. My eyes dart around fortuitously taking in every detail of the floor plan, each exit and the security placed at each. I store each fact deep in my brain because I know at some point and time in the very near future, I'll need this information.

"Ahhh, Marcus….Caius, there you are. Come meet Edward and his Bella." Aro's voice practically slithers over me as I watch the two men approach us. One is statuesque, towering over my stature by at least two inches; his strong facial features look positively bored as he pushes his lackluster long curls from his face. The other instantly causes my hackles to rise. He stood only 5'9" or 5'10", but he oozed predatory dominance. His nearly white blonde hair is parted severely and falling to his shoulders, but it's his eyes that I notice first. Nearly black in the dim lights, you can almost see the sadism from those depthless orbs. Bella, unconsciously, steps closer to me as his eyes sweep over her. His grin is spiteful and malicious as they in turn sweep over Alice and the fear radiating off of her small frame is palpable. Jasper's jaw clenches as do his hands at his sides.

"Well, well….fresh meat. My absolute favorite." The blonde bastard's voice oozes over me like slime, immediately bringing forth the feeling of degradation and danger. He's the one….the one we're after. While Aro and his sleazy demeanor are distasteful, this is the bastard I want to see weeping and crying out for mercy. He's the dangerous one, the one that will do whatever the hell he pleases and fuck the consequences.

"Caius, now…now. Show our new friends some hospitality, yes?" Marcus sighs, eyes wandering around listlessly, hand waving around dismissively. So, this is Caius. Will be my pleasure to rip you limb from limb asshole….you'll look perfect bent over serving every asshole in that prison. When I'm done with you, you'll be begging for the needle.

"Caius, this is Edward Carter and his lovely, Bella. Of course, you know Jasper and Alice." Aro said, clapping his hands together in glee like a happy child, nearly bouncing on his toes with excitement.

"Pleasure to meet you, Caius….Marcus. Thank you for allowing us to be here." I say, gripping each pale hand determinedly and firmly, maybe exerting a little extra pressure on Caius hand. Sue me, I'll do anything I can to hurt this little fucker.

"Pleasure is ours, Edward. Aro told us about witnessing your little rendezvous with your lovely and was quite impressed. Although my tastes run a little more primal than most, I thought it warranted a trial here. I'm looking forward to seeing your little dog and pony show this weekend." His smirk is condescending and it pisses me off to no end, the little gnat….but it doesn't show.

I smile and meet his gaze head-on. "Well, I hope we can keep your interest Caius. I tend to be a bit more sophisticated and firm with my sub, so a heavy hand isn't needed. I find a Master who uses his own strength and the subs fear to control her to be a bit elementary. I have no problem having Bella obey my every whim with merely my voice. I could give you some pointers, if you like." I know I'm goading him and that I'm being reckless and stupid, but I can't help it. The little turd gets under my skin.

Caius loud laughter startles us all. "Oh, Edward, I think I'm going to like you and your smart tongue. It's refreshing to have someone actually have a backbone around me. Well, I must go prepare. Stick around Edward; you can give me those 'pointers' after my scene." His hand taps me on the shoulder several times, as he walks away chuckling.

Marcus glides away with a casual flick of his hand and Aro's loud clap is followed by his uncontrollable giggles. "Oh, that was just splendid, wasn't it? I'm so glad Caius was pleased with you Edward. We're equal partners, of course, but Caius is the hardest to please."

"Well, I'm glad you're pleased, Aro." I said, hopefully sincerely and really hoped I wasn't staring at his odd behavior like a slack-joweled yokel. He was a freaky little fucker.

"I have your seats reserved for Caius' scene. Bella and Edward are here and Alice and Jasper, you're seated to their right." Aro says excitedly as his hand sweeps to an alcove to his left and the 'reserved' sign is removed by a mountain in a black suit.

"Aro, I need a word with Edward for a moment, if you please." Jasper's voice is tight with tension.

"I need the facilities, please." Bella says quietly. Aro jumps at the chance to please.

"Oh, I'll escort you myself, dear Bella. Edward, I'll have John bring you a fresh…unsealed bottle, of course." Aro chuckles, and leads Bella away before either of us can give any kind of objection. Bella's eyes find mine over her shoulder, and the silent confidence I see there eases the pounding of my heart being separated from her here.

'Really, Edward? You're baiting him? Do you know how fucking stupid and dangerous that is?"

"I'm sorry, Jasper. I know….it's just something about that guy just gets under my skin. I couldn't help it; he needs to be pulled down a rung or two, pompous bastard." I say seething.

"I understand that, E, believe me I do. But for God's sake, don't make the dangerous situation any worse. You don't know what he's capable of, of what I've seen firsthand that he can do. Rein it in, yeah?" Jasper says in a huff.

"Got it. Yeah, you're right. Hey, do you think Bella is okay with him?" I look back toward the restrooms, nervously.

"She won't let him get her off to herself. She'll be okay. Listen, Alice and I are going to mingle. I won't put her through watching Caius scene. It's too much. We'll meet you at the bar over there afterwards." Jasper says calmingly and I nod as I look again toward the bathrooms. No sign of Bella yet, but it's only been a few moments.

I relax in the plush seat, sinking into the velvet expanse and nodding at John as a fresh tray is placed on the table. I view the stage, noting the expansive wooden table in the center…no padding in sight, with hooks and O-rings littering the sides. The table off to the side holds a top laden with implements, none of which look the least bit pleasurable. The music changes to a low, screaming male voice and the stage is instantly bathed in red light. Caius makes his way forward, clad in only black leather pants and heavy black boots. He pulls roughly on the thick chain leash attached to the blindfolded naked blonde.

I startle as Bella slides gracefully onto my lap, the waves of her long hair secluding her face. "I was starting to worry." I say against the side of her face.

She giggles lowly and tucks her head against my shoulder, whispering "Sorry". I'm shocked to see that the blonde on stage has no collar on, the chain making deep red welts against the paleness of her neck. Caius isn't gentle as he tugs relentlessly, and chuckles sinisterly each time she whimpers. In the blink of an eye, his pants are undone releasing himself and pulling her hair roughly slams himself into her throat, holding her struggling form there choking and gagging as saliva pools over her chin. My body tenses instantly wanting to go to her and save her from this sadistic bastard, until he finally releases her as she chokes and gasps for breath a second before he rams his dick back down her throat, roaring with laughter as her body struggles for air.

Bella begins to turn her head toward this macabre scene. "No!" I growl, tucking her head back against my shoulder and away from this disturbing event. She doesn't need to see this, hell; I don't need to see this. I hear the slurs he's throwing at her, vile things that should never be spoken to another human being.

Bella's hands roam over my chest and her lips attach to my neck, licking and sucking at the skin as my pulse rages beneath it. My hand smoothing over her hair keeps her face turned away from the stage, but I'm sure the whimpers and screams of the girl up there don't escape her ears.

She wiggles suggestively in my lap, and given what I'm witnessing before me, I'm man enough to say that it isn't doing a damn thing. What I'm seeing is in no way sexy, there's no pleasure for the woman, there's only sadism on steroids. A soft whimper from Bella's throat as her tiny teeth grip onto the skin of my neck and suck has my hand wrapped in her hair, pulling her gaze to mine.

I look into her glassy dilated pupils and the soft, almost sleepy look on her face. She's blinking lazily with a curling smile on her lips. Oh no! Fuck no!

"Bella, look at me Bella. Sweetheart, did you eat or drink anything while you were away from me?" I ask, getting only a lazy smile and bright eyes.

I shake her a little watching her head bobble like one of those goofy dolls. "Bella, baby, answer me, did you eat or drink anything while you went to the restroom? It's important, can you tell me?" I ask, and the perspiration breaks out on my forehead as the blonde screams in pain before us.

"Nooooooo, the nice lady who gave out towels in the bathroom watched my drink for me. Isn't that nice of her? I gave her a….a…..a tip!" She giggles quietly and my world collapses. Oh fucking hell! I pull my cell phone out of my pants pocket and try to contain the wiggling mass of woman on my lap. I press in a couple of keys holding the phone to my ear.

"Jasper. Fuck, Jasper, we have a problem!"