A/N: A huge thanks to my ladies, Paige, Sherry, Tiffany & Cristina xx

Chapter 20

I gripped onto Edward's hand as I watched my parents being lowered into the ground of the family plot. I couldn't believe that this was it. This was goodbye. I so desperately wanted to breakdown and cry, but I knew that Edward was right. I had to hold it together, at least until later. I could feel the eyes of everyone on us from the moment we had left the car. Several people had already attempted to approach us, but Edward's men had made sure that no one had gotten close.

I actually felt safe and secure, even though I knew the Russians were still out there. I knew that Edward was doing everything in his power to keep me safe and would do whatever it took, as would his men. I was a protected woman now. I had my dad to thank for that, even if I didn't agree with his methods. I wasn't sure things would have ended up so well for me had he not married me off. I would be more than likely dead too.

I stepped forward now that they had both been placed in the ground, tossing a white rose onto each of their caskets. It had been my mother's favorite flower. My father used to buy them for her every anniversary. I thought it would be a fitting way to say goodbye to them both. Kate also had one for each of them, but I wasn't sure where she was right now. I glanced up to find her and saw her in Garrett's arms, crying. Do you know? I had barely seen her shed a tear since they had died. I was beginning to wonder if she even loved them as much as I did. Perhaps, she had just been trying to be strong for me?

I turned my attention back to my parents. I silently stood there, telling them how much I loved them and how much I would miss them. Life just wasn't going to be the same without them there. I wasn't sure who I was going to turn to for guidance anymore, or who would hug me and reassure me that everything was going to be alright. I wasn't even sure if I believed that everything was going to be alright. Would the Russians still be after my family? Would Edward's family end up at war with them because of what they had done to my parents, and would I survive this marriage? Sure, he had been nice to me since my parents had died, but I wasn't naive enough to believe that our marriage would be all sunshine and roses from now on. He was a dominant man, used to getting his own way, a criminal, a killer. I was just grateful that he appeared to have a soft side too.

Edward came up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "It's time to go," he whispered. I nodded, allowing him to guide me towards our car. I was thankful for the reprieve from the prying eyes. To be honest, I couldn't wait till this day was over. I couldn't wait to leave New York behind and head home. It felt strange, thinking of Detroit as my home now, but it was all I had. It was the only place I belonged, and it wasn't as if I really belong there either. The only ties I had to the city was my marriage.

As soon as we got in the car, I removed my sunglasses and dabbed tears away from the corner of my eyes. I had done my best not to cry, and I had done better than I thought I would have, but a few stray tears had still managed to escape. I just hoped that my makeup was still presentable as I wouldn't be able to wear sunglasses at the wake as it was in our hotel.

"I'm proud of you," Edward stated, looking over at me. "You've held yourself together well today."

I nodded. "Thank you." It felt good knowing that I had pleased him. "Though I am not sure I would have coped without the Valium. It has really helped."

"Valium?!"

I turned around to look at Edward. He looked confused… he didn't know. Shit! I had just assumed that they had come from him, or at the very least that he had known. I hadn't even thought to ask Rosalie if Edward knew, and she had never said. He didn't look pleased so I thought it was best to try and play it off. I didn't want anyone to get into trouble because of me. "I found some in one of the bathrooms in our suite."

"You're lying," Edward stated.

"I'm not," I protested, perhaps a little too much. "I saw them sitting there and I helped myself to a few. I remembered that my mother used to take them on occasion and I thought they would help me. I didn't want to let you down, Edward. I wanted to be strong for you."

Edward didn't look like he was buying a word I said. "Tell me who gave them to you, Isabella."

I sighed. "No one gave me anything. I honestly don't know why you have to make this into a big deal."

Edward grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. "Tell me."

I pushed him away from me. "Don't touch me," I hissed.

"Goddamn it, Isabella!" Edward roared, startling me. "Tell me who gave you the fucking pills."

I was beginning to get worried that I was trapped in the back of the car with him, with nowhere to go and he was close to losing his temper. Would he hurt me to find out the truth? I glanced out the window and saw that we were only a few blocks away from the hotel. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I took a deep breath and turned to him. "No one gave me the pills. I took them of my own accord."

"Then whose name was on the bottle?"

I shrugged. "I didn't look."

"Isabella, I don't want you messing with that shit."

"It was a one-time thing. There is no need to get your panties in a twist."

"It had better be."

As soon as the car stopped I jumped out and marched towards the hotel, ignoring Edward's calls. I heard someone running after me, but I never bothered looking around to see who it was. I had half a mind to go upstairs to our suite and miss the wake, but I wouldn't do that to my parents. They deserved better than that. Instead, I marched to the restroom, where I knew he wouldn't follow me. At least I hoped he had the sense not to follow me.

I walked over to the basins and stared at myself in the mirrors behind them. I looked a mess. My eye makeup was all smudged, and I hadn't brought any with me to reapply. I don't why, but the mere sight of me made me cry. I gripped onto the corner of the countertop as I crumbled, my knees going weak as I tried to keep myself upright. I just felt so empty, so broken.

"Isabella?" I jumped at the sound of a male voice. I turned around expecting to see one of Edward's men, but instead, standing there was someone I didn't recognize, although, at the same time, there was something familiar about him.

"Who are you?" I mumbled.

"I'm Jacob Black, Billy is my father," he said, smiling at me.

I instinctively took a step back. I knew it was the wrong thing to do. I didn't want him to know that I was frightened of him, but I was in no condition to fight and I hadn't brought my gun.

"I'm not here to hurt you," he said, holding his hands up, as if to show me that he meant me no harm. "I came here on behalf of my father. He wants me to tell you that he is innocent."

I shook my head as if finally coming to my senses. "Billy doesn't have any children."

"He does, he just chose to keep us secret, to keep us away from the life." I stared at him unsure whether to believe him or not. "He said this wasn't the life he wanted for us and now I can honestly understand why."

"For us?" I questioned.

"My sisters and I."

"Why should I believe a word you say?" I asked. I found it hard to believe that Billy had a secret family, a family that my father never even knew anything about. They had always been so close. It would be impossible to keep something like that secret, if it were true.

"Because you know my father, you grew up with him. You know he wouldn't hurt your parents. He loved them, and you know he would never do anything to hurt either you or Kate."

"Isabella!" Marcus shouted, knocking on the restroom door.

"I better go," Jacob said, walking in the opposite direction. "I'll be in touch soon." He walked out a second door at the other end of the long restroom, mere seconds before Marcus came in the door to my right.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes scanning the restroom.

"I'm fine."

"Who were you talking to?"

I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about," I stated, barging past him and heading towards the elevator. I knew I needed to go back to the suite to freshen myself up.

I also knew I should probably have told him what had happened, but I knew if I told him about Jacob they would all go looking for him. Perhaps they would hurt himand if he was honestly telling the truth, then he didn't deserve that. I would make my mind up about him after our next meeting.

"The boss is looking for you," Marcus said, following me.

"Let him look," I said, pushing the call button for the elevator. I was still royally pissed at the way he had behaved in the car, and I wasn't about to go out my way to appease him. He was a dick and if he wanted to find me, then he could come to me, as I sure as hell wasn't going to him.