Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns The Twilight Saga. I own Kappa Sudoku Books.
Chapter 13 – Preparations
EPOV
"What did ya jus' say?" I asked disbelieving my ears.
"I don't want ya to be wondering whether or not I'm gonna stay when we argue." Bella looked up at me, "So, I just wanna make us official and tell you I'm here for you, forever."
I stared into her chocolate brown doe orbs and my heart soared at her declaration.
"I meant what I said on the farm." Bella ran her hand through my copper mess. "I can't live without ya Edward. I love you."
"Even, if I don't save the Blacks?" I asked bluntly.
I had to know where we stood on the matter. She hesitated as if measuring the love she had for me against her love for humanity in general.
"Yea, even if you don't save the Blacks." She sighed deeply. "I won't lie. It will probably take me a while to put it behind me. They are actual people Edward. I can't just forget about it like that." She snapped her fingers.
"Alright," I knew it weighed heavily on her conscience but she was being open and honest.
That was all I could ask of her.
"Promise me we'll work through everything like this?" She asked looking hopeful.
"I'll try." That was all I could offer.
I wasn't exactly the most understanding person on the planet. I never had to interact with a female on this level; to actually take into consideration their views, feelings, wants and needs before I made a decision. But, I wanted Bella to feel like an equal. So, I would try hard to include her in everything I could.
"And when I ask a question you won't say 'I don't have to answer to you?'" She raised an eyebrow, "I have the right to a socially acceptable response."
I never had to answer to anyone but Pop and he didn't ask many questions. People answered to me and when I didn't like their answers they got hurt. Did Bella have to answer to me? Yes. Don't get me wrong I would never lay a hand on Bella. But, I wouldn't tolerate her lying or hiding things from me.
It was definitely a double standard situation. There were things pertaining to the business that I could never tell her for various reasons. It wasn't because I felt I didn't have to answer to her. She was my other half. I wanted to be able to share everything with Bella but for her own safety and to protect the Famiglia I had to keep many things to myself.
"I will give you a socially acceptable response." I said slowly using her words. "If, it's a personal question I will answer but, if it's a question about what I did at work that day or where I'm coming from I might not answer. Sometimes, I will have to leave in the middle of the night. When I come back from those trips, I probably will never answer. The less you know about the business the better it is for you."
She nodded and straddled me. It was very distracting but, I pushed the lust to the back of my mind.
"Are you sure you wanna do this Bella?" I wanted her to say yes but I didn't want to her to get married under a pretense or without all the facts.
"Ye-"
"Wait." I cut her off by putting my finger on her lips, "There are things you need to know. What I'm about to say is true but if you repeat it to anyone or ask me to admit it in public, I will lie and I will deny it. Understand?"
She nodded.
"I am in the mafia but, you would've already figured out this already." She smirked as I winked at her, "I do illegal things on a daily basis. I am a murderer, extortionist and I sell guns but, I've never raped anyone nor am I pimp. Also, I don't touch drugs. I have been shot and arrested before and will probably be shot and arrested many more times."
I watched her for any changes in her expression before continuing.
"The Cullen Family is the biggest crime family syndicate in the five boroughs of New York. I'm very close to the top. Actually, I'm next in line to take over if anything happens to Pop or if he retires. If, we're married when I take over you'll be the wife of the Don. It's huge a responsibility. There are certain codes of conduct you have to respect. Ma will pass that on when it's time. Our children will probably be in this life as well. I won't force them but there is a huge possibility we'll have a little fucking hot-head who will want this. I won't deny him it. It will be his legacy." I paused, "Once you're in … The only way out is a pine-box. You will never be able to leave." I let that sink in. "I love this life Bella. I can't see myself doing anything else." I let that sink in too.
"Do you still want to get married?" I asked quietly fearing that she wouldn't.
"Yea," Bella said simply and I broke out into a huge grin which she returned. "I have one question though."
"What?" I asked as my grin diminished slightly in magnitude.
My mind scrambled to figure out what else she could possibly want to know.
"Can we go to Vegas and elope?" She rubbed my chest through my button down, "I've always wanted to get married by Elvis."
"What the fuck?" I asked looking at her like she was insane.
She started laughing. "You should've seen the look on your face."
"Oh, ya got jokes?" I tickled her side and she started wiggling on my lap trying to get away.
"Stop, stop it, stop it" She squealed continuing to wiggle on my lap.
It felt really good.
"Edward! Uncle! Uncle Edward!"
I stilled my hand and pulled her face to mine. She kissed me.
"Can we still elope though?" She asked licking her lips, "I've never wanted a big wedding."
I wanted so much to be able to give her everything she wanted.
"I'm sorry Bella." I ran my hand through her chocolate locks. "There's protocol to follow. First, we gotta ask Pop if we can even get married and then if we can elope. He'll probably say no to the second one; it's considered bad manners. We'll have to have a huge wedding and invite thousands of people we don't know. Ma will drive us crazy with the planning and preparations."
She looked contemplative before breaking out in a small smile. "I like how you used 'we' and 'us' for every pronoun in what you just said."
I returned her smile; happy that I was doing something right.
"Plus," I kissed her cheek. "No offence baby. But, I don't wanna get married by some greasy, slick haired, motherfucking 'the King' look-alike in a cheesy small chapel without my family." I rubbed her arms. "What would Rosalie say if you got married without her?"
"She'd beat the shit outta me." She gasped, "She's gonna go bonkers when I tell her we're getting married."
"Hold off on the announcement until I get you a ring."
"I don't need a ring Edward." She touched my lips, "I just need you."
"You have to have a ring." I kissed her finger, "When people hear that you're my fiancée and ask to see the ring; I want them blinded by the fucking rock on your finger. I'm going to get Seth to walk around behind you with canes and sunglasses. He'll hand them out to the victims left in the wake of 'Bella's Bling.'"
She giggled and it sounded like music.
"You're pazzo." She slapped my chest. "Alright," She conceded and bit her lip "Nothing big."
"What?" I exclaimed. "Fuck no. It's going to be massive. Your finger will probably break trying to support it. That's just the engagement ring wait till you see the wedding one."
"I won't wear it." She said seriously.
I raised my eyebrows. "You will wear my fucking ring and you're never going to take it off!"
"I'm not trying to hurt you Edward." She held my face to hers when I tried to look away. "I don't want a flashy ring. It's not me."
That was true. Bella was very simple. It was one of the qualities I loved about her. I was sure she wasn't with me for the money. If, anything she was ashamed of all the money I had.
"You want to pick it out?" I decided it would be better if she picked the ring.
"Can I pick it out for real?" Bella's eyes brightened at the suggestion.
"Sure, I'll take you today."
She leaned into me and kissed me soundly on the lips. I outlined her lips with my tongue.
She jerked away. "Um… Edward my butt's vibrating."
"It's probably my phone."
She crawled out of my lap and unto the bed. I pulled it out of my pocket.
B at HB in 1/2 - CC
"It's Pop," I told her while sending off a quick reply text. "I have a meeting in half an hour."
"How long will you be?" Bella was flat on her back looking at the ceiling. "I thought we were going to get the ring."
"It'll probably be all day." I admitted, "I'll be back for dinner at 8:30. When we're finished I'll take you to a store."
"All the jewelry stores will be locked by then."
"You'd be surprised where the name Cullen can get you in." I winked.
"If you say so," She put a pillow behind her head. "Do you have to go?"
"I can stay if you want."
"I couldn't do that." She looked away from me, "You have to work."
"Hey," I covered her body with mine. "If you need me, don't be afraid to call me or ask me to stay. Cause I will. I'll tell Pop to fuck off and lock us up in hea." I motioned to our room.
"No, I'll be fine Edward."
I looked at her. Ever since I got that text her whole demeanor changed. I was worried that she'd spend all day in this room thinking about the Blacks and blaming herself, or worse; run off and do something stupid.
"Don't stay up hea all day okay?" I told her, "Spend some time with Ma and the girls."
She mumbled something noncommittal and I sighed.
"Seth is still your bodyguard. He's here. So you could spend some time with him. "
"Hmmm-Hmmm,"
"Do it for me?" I requested. "Just for a couple hours," I kissed her nose, "You can even tell them we're getting married."
"No. I want us to tell everybody together." She paused, "But, I'll spend some time with them."
"Thank you." I dipped my head and grazed her lips with mine.
She made to deepen the kiss and I pulled away. She pouted.
"I have to go Bella." I said brushing my lips over her pout. "Hey, I love you."
She remained silent while I looked at her expectantly.
"I love you too." She started to giggle, "Fiancé."
After one more kiss I headed out of the room and made a beeline for the kitchen. Ma, Rosalie and Alice were cleaning up the remnants of breakfast. Seth was seated at the breakfast bar munching on something.
"Keep an eye on Bella for me ehh?" I asked the trio of women and Seth. "She's supposed to spend time with youse. Play a game, shop online or some shit like that; anything to keep her mind off-"
"Edward you can't expect her to just forgettaboutit." Ma dried her hands on a dish cloth.
"I don't." I ran my hand through my hair. "I just don't want her to mope around about it all day but, I can't stay here. I have a meeting."
"Maybe some space is just what she needs." Ma looked at me pointedly.
"I just don't want her to be alone at a time like this." I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"We'll see what we can do." Ma promised, "I won't pressure her though."
"Alright,"
Still EPOV
I nodded to the security guards as they opened the gates that led to the Cullen Mansion. Creeping up the two mile drive way, I thought about what I could do to help the Blacks.
First, I would have to find out where they were being held and then I'd have to get them out alive. The former was harder than the latter. Rossi would be very tight lipped about the location of the warehouse. Only a few trusted and loyal goons would have the information.
The Blacks weren't exactly priority hostages. They had no money or power so they were dispensable. Rossi also took the entire family so no one was left to file missing persons' reports. That meant the police weren't aware of the abduction and weren't searching for them. I knew it wouldn't make any difference because I was sure the Blacks weren't anywhere near Tennessee. My guess was that they were in a warehouse in Jersey.
The security on the warehouse wouldn't be heavy; maybe two or three WOPs. Rossi would keep the majority of his team with him for security purposes. He wasn't expecting me to do anything about the Blacks.
Normally, I wouldn't give a shit who Rossi felt like kidnapping as long as it wasn't any of my family or one of my tribute payers. But, it affected Bella and even though she said she'd still be with me whether or not I decided to try to save them; it didn't feel right just leaving them there to suffer.
I never thought I'd see the day you'd go fucking soft on me! The capo mumbled shaking his head.
I ignored him as I parked in front of the house. I headed to Pop's office where I found Emmett, Jasper and Pop waiting on me.
"You're late." Pop observed as he opened a drawer in his desk.
I shrugged before I took a seat.
"Come closer boys." Pop gently closed his desk drawer.
We moved our chairs closer to his desk as he unrolled a map and spread it out. It was a close up of New Jersey. Various areas of the map were shaded in blue and red. Other areas were in standard map colors.
"All our businesses and ports are in blue and all the red belong to the Volturis."
I took another look at the map; the red was larger than the blue which was expected as the Volturis controlled most of New Jersey however, the blue was very substantial.
"Where do we hit first?" Pop tapped the map looking at me expectantly.
I remained silent trying to figure out a way to broach the subject of the Blacks with Pop. As for the attack on the Volturis, I knew he had a plan of his own. He just wanted to see where our heads were.
In a couple years or so we were going to take over and he wanted to us to be ready.
"I say," Jasper leaned forward, "First, we hit his major ports. We know those two-" Jazz pointed to two red areas, "-Pennsauken and Camden are where his most of his guns and drugs come in. Let's disrupt his supply."
Pop nodded in approval and I deduced that he had been thinking along the same lines as Jasper. Pop leaned back in his chair and looked my way.
I spoke up. "Let's do them simultaneously." I peered at the map; the ports were close to each other.
"Good idea." Pop scratched his chin. "So, who gets Pennsauken and who takes Camden?"
"We'll take Camden." Jasper decided studying the map. "You can have Port Pennsauken."
Emmett rolled up his sleeves. "We could travel up the waterway and take the port from that side. It would be more of a surprise than taking it from the land."
"And easier too," Pop turned to me. "What are you thinking Edward?"
"I'm thinkin' of cocktailing the ships and the buildings." I shrugged, "Killin' anything that moves."
He nodded unimpressed but continued to eye me speculatively.
"Maybe, we can steal a couple shipments." Jasper opened his laptop. "That would hurt Aro more than just burning all of it."
"I'm not touching the drugs." Pop stated firmly. "But, I'd like to see what kind of shitty firepower he's importing these days."
"I'll get you a box. But, anymore than that consumes a lot more time and puts us in more danger than it's worth." I shrugged again. "It's not like we need it."
"I can live with that." Pop tapped his chin with his finger before pointing it at me "I figured it out. You want to save the Blacks."
What the fuck?! Am I fucking transparent all of a sudden?
"I was wondering why he was so quiet." Jazz looked at me from behind his laptop, "But, I knew it wasn't Bella, if they'd had an argument he would have been pissed and moping."
"Rosalie asked me if we could do something about it." Emmett said quietly.
"Alice asked me too." Jasper continued to type on his laptop. "She actually knew them."
"We could try to find them." Pop shrugged. "-Shouldn't be that hard. James doesn't expect us to look for them."
I wondered why he was so agreeable to looking for the Blacks. It had nothing to us. They weren't our responsibility nor, were they blood. A couple months ago; Pop wouldn't touch it.
Then it dawned on me. "Ma asked you to."
Pop nodded. "She thinks your Isabella has a good heart and I do too but, your girl needs to stop blaming herself." He paused. "I think you two are good for each other. You'll toughen her up a bit and she'll softe-"
"Fuck that." I grumbled, "I ain't getting soft."
"She'll help you get in touch with your human side." He said rewording.
"Ma's worried, isn't she?"
"She's afraid we raised a cold hearted gangster and to tell the truth this life we made for you fucked you up Edward. Sometimes, you're so fucking harsh with everyone and angry at the world. You were headed to a dark place where nobody could reach you. Isabella's your redemption. She's the only one who can get through to you." He looked at us pointedly. "If anyone other than your girls asked you to save the Blacks would you have let it affect you so much?"
"Probably not," We admitted.
"And just because you start helping people, doesn't mean you're going soft." Pop assured me. "It's actually what I needed to see before I hand over the reins to you. When this war is over-"
"So soon?" Jazz looked up from his screen again. "Are you sick or som'n?"
"No." Pop laughed. "I'm just getting too old for this shit and my wife wants me to retire."
Fuck! There goes my couple of years!
"Let's not talk about this right now." I cut him off and stood indicating that I was leaving. "What time are we hitting the ports?"
"Around 3 in the morning-" Pop took up his phone, "I'll get a couple boats."
"I'll be at Midnight Sun if you need me."
Pop just nodded and waved us off as the person he was calling came on the line.
Jasper, Emmett and I headed out to the club. I told Emmett to get the crew together. After the night I carried Bella to my parents' house I told my crew to lay low until I called for them. They didn't get much time off but, I paid those fuckers a lot of money to be at my beck and call. I didn't need them because Pop had been responsible for security for everyone. I was too concerned with Bella.
After breakfast Sunday morning Seth had carried Sam home. Sam needed some time to recuperate from his leg injury. I told Seth to stay with his brother but, the kid wouldn't listen. He called me asking if I still needed a guard for Bella. I told him to give Sam the phone. Sam begged me to take the kid off his hands. I asked him who would take care of him and run the deli. He said the deli was taken care of and that his girlfriend Emily was going to take care of him. Also that he'd be back in a few weeks.
I told him to take it easy and tell Seth to empty the box before heading over. That's when Seth brought the video.
With Sam being out, Seth on Bella duty and Eric no longer alive my immediate crew was dwindling. Only Emmett, Jasper, Ben and I were available for the hit on the ports. We needed more men. I told Emmett to also call Tiny, Embry and Quil. They would be enough for now.
I stopped off at my apartment building on my way to the club and picked up some artillery out of the safe rooms I had built in on our floor.
Midnight Sun had passed the IRS audit and inspection. They wouldn't be bothering us for a little while. Our club wasn't sleazy like the Pink P which Rossi owned over in Jersey nor was it an elite high class 'escort' service. It was a legal strip club and bar which I conducted most of my illegal activities out of. Business was good; the club paid for itself and then some.
Midnight Sun was also one of the places through which I laundered money. To legalize the money which we collected from bookies, people I extorted, the guns I sold etc, Jasper and I bought and 'operated' businesses. We owned motels, food trucks, grocery shops, rental properties, bars, clothing stores; any cash intensive organization which I could pad the sales with the extra cash I had on hand. I also had shares in various Italian owned and operated enterprises such as Mr. Conti's Pizzeria.
It was a bitch keeping track of it all but, between Jasper, Ben and I, we kept on top of it.
I pulled up to the back of Midnight Sun and went in through our private entrance. It was faster to get to my office as it was closer to the rear of the business. I sat behind my desk and Jasper sprawled on the couch with his laptop. He was trying to hack into the Camden database. Emmett had gone around the side to let in the crew when they arrived and also keep an eye out for anything off until the others came.
I called my person at City Hall and told him to messenger me a copy of the blueprints of the Camden Port in New Jersey. Ben came and after giving me an updated report on our financial position he joined Jasper with the hacking of the Camden database.
An hour and half later I had the blueprints sprawled on my desk and I was studying it. Quil and Embry had taken over security from Emmett who was now cleaning the guns I had brought from the artillery store with Tiny.
They emptied the guns of the clips and checked for any bullets that might be in the barrel. After that, they disassembled the guns and cleaned all the parts individually. They used gun conditioner and special brushes in the bores of the guns. They then lubricated each part, so they wouldn't stick, and checked for defects in the make before reassembling the guns. The last step was to test the guns to ensure they were in proper working condition. It took them about 20 minutes to do each gun.
After they cleaned all the guns they were going to make some Molotov Cocktails and other incendiary devices.
Jasper said a new shipment registered as containers of baby powder would come in at two in the morning. When it was time I would tip off the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) about it and have them intercept it before they could reach Port Camden.
I told Jasper to write down the shipping information on a piece of paper. I would make one of the girls make an anonymous call from a pay phone in another district.
Was I sure that there was coke or heroin in the shipment? No. But, there was a ninety percent chance that it was. Either way I didn't give a fuck. I just wanted to fuck with Aro and Rossi.
This was only the beginning. The time would come when I would kill them all but I planned to take my time destroying their empire from the ground up.
I had Mr. Conti delivery some pizza for lunch and we spent the rest of the day planning and preparing for our assault on the Vultures.
At 7:30pm Jasper, Emmett and I headed to the safe house to have dinner with the family. Then Bella and I headed out to buy her ring.
She had on these jeans that gripped her ass tightly. It looked as if they stitched the pants on her. I had to grope it when she bent over to adjust the straps on her slippers on the front porch. I wanted to bend her over something and fuck her brains out.
"Where'd you get these jeans?" I asked squeezing her rump.
She laughed and told me that Alice went behind her back, conspired with Rosalie and Ma to change the size she put down on her order. So all the jeans she got were as tight as the one she had on. She straightened and I turned her around.
"I like them." I kissed her nose. "Promise me you'll wear them?"
"Maybe," She winked at me and extracted my hands from her behind before heading to the car.
I opened the car door for her and she got in the front. I had Seth and Tiny to shadow us.
She kept her hand on my thigh the whole time I drove her to the store. I was taking her to an Italian Jeweler in New York called Bulgari. It was owned by friends of Pop named Charlotte and Peter. I had called earlier to tell Charlotte that I wanted a private viewing of their engagement collection afterhours. I told her I was bringing my soon-to-be fiancée and that she shouldn't show us anything under ten thousand dollars. Also I asked her to remove all the price tags.
We rode in comfortable silence. Occasionally we caught each other's eyes and she smiled at me. I rubbed the hand that she had on my thigh before I pulled up and parked directly in the spot in front of the store front.
"Ready?" I asked her.
"Yea," She breathed exuding nervousness and excitement at once.
We got out and held hands before we headed into the store. The lights were still on and there were two guards at the door but from what I could see there was no one inside. Seth and Tiny had parked behind us and were now walking on either side of us. The guards let us in and Charlotte appeared from out of nowhere.
She was an older woman with short cropped brown hair. She had blue eyes and her face was lightly made up. A sleeveless blue dress was draped around her body and it fell on her knee. Her red pumps pounded the floor as she neared us.
"Edward," She held out her hands.
I released Bella's hand for a second and greeted Charlotte. She hugged me and kissed my cheeks as my mother was prone to do.
"This is Isabella." I brought Bella closer to us, "Bella, this is Charlotte she owns the store and is an old friend of my parents."
"Ah, hello Isabella-" Charlotte pulled her into a hug, "I see you've caught our little Edward's eyes. Never thought I'd see the day he'd come here to buy an engagement ring. You'll invite me to the wedding no?"
Bella smiled genuinely and stood beside me. "Yes."
"So," Charlotte waved her hands. "Look around. See if you find anything you like. I'll let you try it on."
Bella apprehensively left my side to peruse the selection available. Charlotte and I stood off to the side and just watched. She looked around in awe for a while marveling at the jewelry. If, she wanted it all I would buy out the entire store.
Then her expression changed and she looked pensive as if she was trying to solve some great mystery.
"Why are there no price tags?" She asked lifting her head to look at me expectantly as if suspecting I had something to it.
"Just pick anything you like Bella." I said, "I don't want your decision to be based on price."
I knew if she had seen the price tags she wouldn't want to get anything in this store. Bella rolled her eyes at me before continuing to look at the rings. She stayed in a particular section for a while staring in the case and I knew she had found it.
"Charlotte?" Bella called her over. "How much is this one?" She pointed to a ring in the glass case.
"Edward has asked me not to tell you." Charlotte opened the case and pulled out the ring Bella had pointed to, "I like the fact that you're not flashy. But, he wants to give you something he thinks is worthy of you." Charlotte held out the ring to Bella. "Let him feel good about it."
Bella tentatively took the ring from Charlotte and placed it on her finger. She eyed it speculatively before breaking out into a wide grin.
"This is it Edward."
"Great choice Isabella," Charlotte complemented.
"We'll take it." I said simply walking over to them. "Lemme-see."
"You're not even gonna ask the price?" Bella looked at me crossly.
"I don't need to know the price." I shrugged, "I can afford it."
"Ed-"
"Look Bella." I said annoyed, "It's either you want it or you don't."
"I just-" She sighed as I crossed my arms. "Yes I want it."
"I'll get for ya." I looked at the ring on her finger. "It's perfect. I love it."
It was perfect; simple, classic and beautiful just like Bella.
She grinned at me, "Will you tell me the price later?"
"No."
She sighed as Charlotte and I headed over to the desk where I signed some paperwork and charged the ring to my account.
On the ride back over all Bella did was stare at that ring with a huge grin on her face. She hid it when we passed everyone in the living room watching some new vampire-werewolf movie. But, as soon as we were in our room Bella marveled openly at the ring while we got ready to go sleep.
In bed Bella continued to stare at her ring until she was too tired to look at it anymore.
"I really love it. I can't wait to get married to you." Was the last thing she said before she kissed me and dozed off.
I held her until it was time for me to go.
At one in the morning I got up and headed out to begin my destruction of the Volturi Empire.
A/N: All types of criticism welcome ... In the form of reviews of course. :)
Tell me what you think.
This was sort of a filler chapter for me.
I try to make something important happen in each chapter but, lately Protection's Plot has been writing itself.
Big ups and nuff nuff love to my reviewers, followers and those who Favorited Protection and myself as an Author. :)
I got one Review that really made my day. It placed my writing skills "up there" with some top Mafia Fan-fiction writers that I admire.
I'll update soon. Hopefully after the attack on the Ports we'll get a little fluff and happiness in the world of Protection.
I hope everyone had/is having Happy Holidays.
Chapter 14 on the way.