Chapter 29

EPOV

While the last few months with Bella have been great, at the fundraiser last night I felt as if we had turned a corner and were headed in the right direction, together. We have been out in public several times over the last two months but not to this degree. We were expected to show up here together, not out randomly. I noticed the looks on more than a few of the men's faces, they were disappointed that I was with her. I, however, could not have been more proud to have Bella on my arm and I am sure the look I gave those men let them know I planned on her staying there for a very long time.

At first I didn't understand why she was feeding me to the wolves by allowing all the old ladies to grope me while pretending to dance, after the third partner her reasons hit me. First, the groping was good natured and second, they used it has a form of approval. Each one of those ladies told me how glad they were to finally see Bella happy again and thank god I had apparently pulled my head out of my ass. I was going to take their acceptance any way I could get it and if the positive press this morning was any indication I was beginning to gain their acceptance.

I was also gaining the acceptance of the businessmen of Chicago. When I first opened my office different executives from the Swan and Sinclair companies would stop by and invite me out to lunch. Bella swore she wasn't setting them up but I was sure she had put the word out that it would be a nice thing for them to do. I have to admit they served their purpose. They broke the ice with other executives and I made a few friends and helpful contacts I would not have been able to from Seattle. I have to admit, while it took some getting used to, it felt good to be out on my own. Was it a bad thing to take some smug satisfaction out of forcing the old goats that preferred to deal with Carlisle to come to Chicago for their meetings? Probably but I didn't care. I was tired of them insisting Carlisle sit in on meetings and looking to him for confirmation of any and everything I said. I think he also felt some vindication by being able to tell them to see me first. He always said he didn't doubt me but we didn't want to lose their business either. It was a fine line we no longer had to walk.

As we drove to brunch I realized I was also getting along better with my family than I had in a very long time. If you would have ask me before the move what my relationship with my family was like I would have said great and let it go at that. It took moving for me to see that while I did have a good relationship with them it was mostly on a work level, that is what I felt most comfortable discussing with anyone aside from the standard social gossip. It took a few weeks to realize that I had no idea what was happening in their personal lives and that if I wanted to know I would have to ask. Judging by their surprise, it had been a long time since I had asked. The truth was, before Bella it hurt to ask. I was envious of their happy lives, they had something that I had become convinced I would never have. Then I did have it and through my own stupidity lost it. Now we are back on track and it helped to be able to talk to them about things, the men anyway.

I chanced a glance at my mother and she appeared to be nervous. Bella was nice to everyone at the fundraiser last night but it was obvious, to me at least, that she became more guarded around my family. She was most comfortable with Emmett and Jasper because she dealt with them through business often, and as I expected, she was cautious with Esme. We had discussed my family before last night and Bella said she completely understood why Esme reacted the way she did, however, that didn't change the fact that she would have a hard time trusting her. Heaven forbid if something should happen again would she react the same way? Mother swore she knew she would have to earn back that trust but I don't think she knew how hard that may be. Bella didn't trust easily to begin with, to have to earn it back, I wasn't sure how that was going to work.

I was brought out of my musings when we pulled up to Yolk, where we were meeting Bella for brunch. The original plan was to have brunch at the manor but Bella called this morning, there was a problem at the estate and ask if we could meet here. I tried questioning her about the problem and was assured she would tell me about it later. I was surprised to see William and Grey parked in a car across the street. After the problem with Jacob was settled they continued to track Aro but her security had been set back to her normal level. Something had happened to cause them to increase it again. I hoped someone had not breached the manor.

I was relieved to see her already seated and then I noticed Stephen and Anthony at the next table. They were close, very close. What ever happened was serious. She stood as we approached.

"Good Morning everyone, I hope you were able to find it okay?" Bella asked as she gave me a hug and acknowledged everyone else.

As everyone was taking their seats I let me eyes drift to the table Stephen was at and felt Bella squeeze my hand. When I looked at her she was talking to my father but shook her head slightly to let me know not to alert anyone to the fact her security was so close to her. I squeezed back to let her know I wanted answers later.

When I found a condo and office we talked about security for them and agreed to have CCTV installed in both of them. Normally I left the cameras off unless she was with me but I had a feeling I would need to activate them when I returned home. The feed from everything was linked to the security room at Swan Manor. I had never asked Bella if someone was close enough to respond, honestly I assumed there was and that was fine with me. The closer the better, especially if she was with me.

Brunch was going well, the topics were safe and Bella was relaxing around my mother until Emmett asked what should have been a mundane question.

"So Bella, what are your holiday plans this year. I know we are pushing to have Hope House in San Diego completed in time and it should be by early December but is there anything else going on?" He asked innocently. I knew her general plans for the holidays but we hadn't discussed what we would be doing for Christmas yet.

"It will be a busy time, besides opening Hope House I have the standard company parties and Sinclair picks an organization each year associated with children and hosts a big holiday party for them. This year I believe it will be Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chicago and that will be held at the manor one weekend. Swan always works with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, we choose a hospital or large city and make as many wishes come true as we can. I believe this year it is St. Jude in Nashville so I will be spending the time right before Christmas there. The dates are being finalized over the next two weeks." Bella had barely finished speaking and I heard a fork clink harshly on a plate, my mother had dropped her fork.

"Edward will you be traveling with Bella to Nashville?" Esme asked in a too sweet, not entirely nice way.

"I'm not sure at this point. We need to finalize all the dates, there is the Cullen company party to add in to the mix and then we will decide. Bella and I both know that it will be impossible for us to attend everything together. We feel it would be unfair to ask everyone to accommodate us so we will go together when we can and by yourselves if we have too." I thought I had defused the question nicely until she spoke again.

"But you will be in Seattle for Christmas, correct?" She asked me the question but I saw her glance Bella's direction also. "We host the open house every Christmas Eve and I know how you love that." She added and you couldn't help but notice the quiet that came over the table. The truth was Bella's thing in Nashville was over on the 23rd and we had planned on going to Seattle for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I didn't like the way my mother was handling this, it was almost like a challenge.

"Maybe I was hoping you all would come to Chicago and spend Christmas here with me? Start my own tradition." I said knowing exactly the can of worms I was opening. Her response was priceless. I have never seen my mother sit anywhere with her mouth open and at a loss for words. Knowing that laughing would be a big mistake I looked at her and waited for her to compose herself. The rest of the family looked at a loss too and Bella was trying not to laugh. With a light slap to my arm Bella spoke up.

"It is not nice to tease your mother Edward. Of course he will be there Esme." I didn't miss that she said I would be there and not we. I didn't like that but I chuckled and told her I was sorry even though I didn't mean it. Once the tension broke we continued brunch as if nothing happened. My family was flying back to Seattle today after brunch, so Bella returned to the manor as I took them to the airport. I did notice that William and Grey pulled out and followed me instead of Bella, something had definitely happened.

As much as I didn't want to, I knew I needed to clear up the holidays with my mother. "Mother, I want to tell you that Bella and I had planned on spending at least Christmas Eve and Day in Seattle. She has an open house on New Year's Day and we will be in Chicago for that but we had planned for several days in Seattle. I also want to say I do not appreciate being put on the spot that way, especially in public." The car was quiet with Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett looking anywhere but at either one of us and my dad looked as if he was trying to hold back a smile. I didn't understand his reaction and my mother looked insulted.

"I wasn't trying to start anything Edward, the talk had turned to the holidays and I wanted to clarify that you would be home for Christmas." She stated defensively.

"Then maybe I should clarify for you that my home is wherever Bella is. I will not spend Christmas without her." She tried to talk and I stopped her. "No mother, listen to me. You didn't even invite her, you didn't say we but talked as if I was the one invited. There have been times Alice has gone to visit Jasper's family or Emmett Rose's and an issue has never been made to my knowledge. Accept the fact that I want Bella to be my wife and treat her accordingly. I would never expect you to choose me over dad for something and that is how it should be, don't expect me to choose you over Bella. I don't think you will be happy with how that would turn out."

"That is not how I meant it Edward. Of course Bella would be coming with you, I understand that."

"It sounded as if you were trying to enforce some prior claim mother. You need to either invite her or speak as if it is a foregone conclusion she will be there. My first loyalty is to Bella mother. You need to remember that at all times, now more than ever." She nodded and the rest of the ride was quiet but peaceful.

I was surprised to receive a text from my father a short while after dropping them off. It was short and to the point. Well done son. I was glad he wasn't upset, he had been telling me to stand up more to my mother. That I would need to spell things out before she understood. I hoped he was right. I released the driver and car I had hired while they were in town and climbed in with William and Grey and asked them to take me to Bella. I had a feeling something had happened but they refused to talk about it with me. My suspicion was confirmed as soon as we turned into the gates of the manor.

BPOV

I felt terrible for having to move brunch to Yolk but I didn't have a choice, the manor wasn't secure and I didn't want to just cancel altogether. The second Edward's gaze moved over me and to the table next to ours I knew he had seen them outside too. I was pretty sure my message this morning about brunch had put ideas into his head and now they were confirmed when he realized my security had increased. Thank heavens in anticipation of his family's visit we had already discussed the need to keep our security measures private. No reason to upset his family unless we absolutely had to. So I was not surprised when Stephen informed me that Edward had released the driver at the airport and was on his way to the manor with William and Grey. I was ready to explain what was happening when he arrived, I was not prepared for exactly how panicked he was.

"Please tell me the increase is in anticipation of a perceived threat and not because something has happened?" He asked as he stalked into the house and wrapped me up in his arms.

"Yes and no" was the only reply I could give him and he did not look happy about it.

"Yes and no Bella? I have never seen this many men on the grounds, in the open, and did I see a sniper on the roof of the house?" I heard the tremor in his voice, as much as I know he tried to control it.

"Yes and I will explain everything. Thank you for not bringing it up at brunch. Carlisle should be informed once he returns to Seattle but you need to know now." I told him and moved us into the living room so we would be more comfortable. Stephen joined us and I nodded for him to start.

"I assume you have been kept updated on the hunt for Aro Volturi?" Stephen asked, looking at Edward.

"Yes, I receive copies of the updates Carlisle gets. I know he was still in Europe two weeks ago."

"That is correct. They always seem to be three steps behind him and obviously he has access to funds or he would have been caught by now." Edward nodded when Stephen paused. "Five days ago he disappeared."

"What do you mean disappeared?" Edward asked.

"All the leads dried up. It was rumored he was in Rome and that is where any trace of him ends. He just vanished or so it seems." Stephen answered.

"Do you think he is dead? Where do you think he is going next?" Edward was starting to panic and I couldn't blame him.

"No I don't think he is dead. With the type of connections he has in Italy I think he has disappeared with the help of the organization. I expect him to surface in the U.S. actually, if he isn't here already." Edward's eye's went wide as he listened to Stephen.

"Why? He has to know he has more people here after him than in Europe."

"Yes but he also has more support here. Plus it looks as if the charges against Caius will have to be dropped." Edward looked as if he was going to interrupt and Stephen raised a hand to ask him to wait. "They just don't have enough on him. He wasn't as high profile as Aro or have the connection to your company that Marcus does. Kevin Preston talking to the authorities is the only thing that is keeping Marcus behind bars."

"Preston is talking?" Edward asked.

"Yes he made a deal to keep himself in a minimum security federal prison. He has given them information on two of the brothers but insists that Caius kept out of everything and so far that is proving to be true."

"What prompted…this?" Edward asked circling his hand, as if to encompass the entire estate. He had just finished speaking when an alarm sounded.

"That has been happening since 3am." Stephen said and every bit of the frustration he was feeling could be heard in his voice. "There isn't an actual breach. It is as if someone is testing the system to find a weakness. We have found cats, remote controlled cars and all sorts of things but not an intruder. The fact that someone is going to these lengths tells me they are definitely going to try some type of assault. If they think we will get tired of it and turn the system off they are crazy."

"Have there been specific threats against Bella?"

"No, not yet. You should probably consider keeping the surveillance on in the condo full time Edward. We ran someone away from there this morning. They were noticed loitering in the foyer so we sent a delivery up and he left quickly enough. I also went ahead and had your foyer swept for listening devices and it is still clean. We don't know what he wanted. I also have a request." Stephen looked to me nervously. "This is just a request. I asked Bella and she said you needed to give us approval." He paused again and looked at Edward. "I would like permission to place security inside your condo when she is there, at least two men and if she stays so do they." Edward and Stephen both looked as if they just wanted this conversation over with.

"That's fine, whatever it takes to make her safe. Not to invite myself but wouldn't it just be easier if I stayed here those nights."

"Yes it would but Bella wants you to be as comfortable with her as possible and we will be tightening security at the manor." It was time for me to take control of the conversation.

"For starters I am sure you noticed the addition on the roof." He nodded. "We also have more dogs on the way from the ranch, which is where they are trained. There will be dogs on the grounds and in the house at all times. We are also activating the CCTV so it will run 24/7. The only place they won't be running is my bedroom unless I push the panic button, it will bring a whole new meaning to lack of privacy. Lastly, while they won't be visible the number of guards is being increased also, just in case." Edward looked shocked.

"What prompted all of this? And don't tell me it is just because you lost Aro's whereabouts." Stephen and I looked at each other before I nodded for him to continue.

"We are fairly sure Aro is now aware the Bella knows much more about Edgar's dealings than he ever thought. What we are not sure about is what he plans on doing with her and this information but he definitely wants Bella. The one thing I am sure of is at this point he doesn't want her dead, she is of no good to him dead. I am sure he wants money but if he wants to blackmail her or gain her cooperation, I don't know and to be honest Edward I don't care. I will not allow him to gain access to her and I need your help to keep her safe." Edward moved closer and wrapped me in his embrace.

"I will do anything to keep her safe Stephen, anything. Do you have any idea how Aro found out now, it has been over three years since Edgar's death?" Edward was looking between Stephen and I for answers. I motioned Stephen to leave before I explained.

"Last week there were some discrepancies noticed in the billing for the Swan Project, they turned out to be nothing, a few transposed numbers. But the accounts payable person from Cullen faxed us more than what we asked for. I don't know if it was laziness on her part or if she just didn't know how to get only our information. Either way I ended up with a lot of papers to sort through and that included cellphone bills." He looked at me confused. "I was curious and looked at James Damon's bill. He has made several calls to someone in the Seattle office of the FBI and since they know I was the one to warn you to look at Aro, I am sure James passed that information to him. That is how we think Aro may know. He may just have suspicions at this time but I can't take that chance." Edward looked shocked.

"And that explains why this is happening now." Edward added.

"Yes, I think it must be someone new to the case but has access to all of the files. I would also bet with the fundraiser this weekend Aro thought it would take my security longer to get up to speed than it has. He has never understood or known a quarter of what they can do."

"Why are you so sure he doesn't want to harm you?" Edward asked and as much as I didn't want to worry him, I knew I needed to correct his assumption.

"It isn't that he doesn't want to harm me, he doesn't want to kill me. They are very different statements Edward. Personally, I think he will try to blackmail me in order to keep Edgar's reputation intact. Sinclair is known and praised for its community and charity work, if it was made public that Edgar was a black market dealer that reputation would be gone. People would assume I knew and the goodwill towards Swan and myself would probably disappear also, not to mention the investigation that would start into the companies and myself." I gave Edward the moments he needed to absorb and process what I had just told him.

"Aro must not know you very well if he thinks you would bow to anything he wants?" Edward said and it almost looked as if he was trying not to smirk.

"He doesn't know me at all really. As much as I do not want any of this to become public, Edgar would have thought of this scenario. Should something happen and I need to access the file he left on his dealings with Aro, I would bet all my money something is in there explaining how he pulled out and that I had no acknowledge of any of it. Edgar would protect me at any cost, that I am sure of." I watched Edward process everything he had learned. We had made great strides in the past months and it showed. Edward from before would have a hard time getting past the fact that Edgar put me in this position at all, now he was focusing on dealing with the problem. His jealousy and insecurity where Edgar was concerned seemed to have disappeared, at least for now.

"So we are cautious and keep you safe while we wait for Aro to do something stupid?" He asked and pulled me close to him.

"Pretty much, you know I will be careful." I don't think he was listening to my answer as he pulled me close for a deep kiss that let me know he had no intention of stopping there.

As he moved his lips to my neck I tried to bring up the other points I wanted to discuss. "Edward, we still need to talk about brunch."

"Later" he whispered as he nipped my ear and ran his hand down by back. Damn he is good I thought as I fisted one hand in his hair.

"And that accounting report…" I tried again as he squeezed my ass and pulled me in for another heart stopping kiss.

"Later, much later" he said when he pulled away and was moving us to lay back on the sofa. "You are so beautiful. I can't lose you Bella, I just found you." He was kissing my neck again and scrambling my brain.

"Edward, remember the…" I moaned out as I felt his erection grind into me and talking became less important.

"I remember Bella. Let me feel you, taste you…please you." He said and I loved the feel of his body pressing me into the couch. It had been too long and I wanted him.

"Yes" was all I could say. Why was I trying to stop him again? I ran my hands over his stomach under his shirt as he started to unbutton mine. I couldn't wait to feel all of him again or to see…to see…crap! "Edward we need to stop." I said pushing on his chest.

"Belllaaa" he groaned but stopped trying to grope me. I pushed on him again. "Okay, okay, just give me a minute here." He was trying to control his breathing and I couldn't help but laugh. He looked at me like I kicked his puppy and started to stand.

"Edward wait" I said and pulled him back to me.

"Its fine Bella, I understand and am willing to wait until…" I kissed him to shut him up.

"I am ready Edward." That was all I was able to say before a huge grin crossed his face and he leaned towards me. I put my hand up to stop him.

"No fair teasing me Bella." He kissed my neck. "I want you Bella, I need you, need to feel all of you." He said softly and I felt his hand graze my breast.

"And you can have me Edward, all of me. I am just trying to remind you that the cameras are functioning in this room. Do you really want to give the security guys a show?" I said with a laugh.

"Fuck no, you are mine baby. Only I get to see all your hidden treasures." He said as he stood and threw me over his shoulder and ran for the stairs as I squealed. "Nothing can save you now Miss Isabella." He said with some accent I couldn't recognize as he slapped my ass. "Fighting will get you nowhere now wench. You are my prize and I plan on finding all your treasures. I am the great pirate, Captain Edward, and I have you at my mercy." He announced as he ran up the stairs and threw me in the middle of bed before going back to lock the door.

"You won't ravish me will you Captain Edward? I am untouched and promised to someone." I said scrambling to my knees. "Are you going to hurt me?" I whispered looking at my hands.

"I could never hurt you Isabella." He said and lifted my chin up. "I promise to be very gentle with you but I will have you Isabella, when I am done you will forget all about this other man. I am going to give you much pleasure Isabella and I have a feeling you are going to be a lustful wench." He said and I ran my hand over his hard cock. "A very lustful wench indeed."

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.

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