Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended

A/N:Okay everyone let me first start off by saying that I am sorry that this chapter took so long in updating. I had every intention to do so at Christmas but found to my horror that I lost everything that was on my hard drive when I returned home from a long day of work right before Christmas. Unfortunately I did not have this chapter saved to a backup drive and lost it along with a lot of other important things. So needless to say I had to start this from scratch, and couldn't find the time with all the holiday activities and visiting of friends and family to sit down and try to rewrite this chapter in a timely manner. In saying that I hope this chapter will be to your liking, happy reading…and Happy New Year!

Chapter 10

A Demanding Proposition

(Two days later)

JAMES LUCAS FEARED that Jacob Black might be too weak to deal with the issue at hand when it came to the Cullen's especially when he found out that his precious ex-girlfriend Bella Swan was involved. Yet Black needed money, and since he'd dated Bella Swan and knew her so well, he seemed the best person to keep an eye on Cullen's mistress.

Speaking of mistresses he'd found out through his mole that Cullen apparently kept a harem of them. Or he once did until the Swan bitch came into his life. His mole informed him a few months before that he'd overheard a heated discussion between Cullen and his latest mistress. Cullen had made it clear that he no longer wanted her in his life and dumped her like she was yesterday's garbage.

Because of the sudden dismissal of her from his life, The Stanley woman would do anything to get back into his good graces or for that matter seek revenge. What better timing on his part to use that against him and bring her to his side. To devise a plan of seduction, revenge and betrayal one that most likely would not end well for Cullen. He fingered the pendant that hung around his neck and smiled as the devious plan played out in his mind…if it worked and the Stanley whore did what he wanted…than he just found a way to separate Cullen from his new bitch. That's if Black wasn't able to win the Swan woman over first.

He smiled darkly as an overwhelming sense of power flowed through him and wondered how he was able to avoid detection beneath Cullen's very own nose. Though unfortunately his luck was limited if he ever faced Cullen in a one-on-one confrontation he wasn't sure who would walk away. That's why he'd been biding his time trying to stay out of radar, attacking his enemy in indirect ways using others to do his bidding.

It seemed that his phone calls to the police had felled on numerous occasions and if they continued to do so he would go to any means to use the Swan bitch or anyone else to get what he wanted. It was a little after one in the morning when Jacob Black pulled up beside him in an abandoned house's driveway situated deep into the forest of Forks. He made sure to have a few extra henchmen with him because Jacob was getting on his last nerve of late, always whining.

Jacob rolled down his window and gave him a nod. James raised a brow at his haggard appearance, for his face looked like it had been used as a punching bag.

"What happened to you?"

Jacob snorted, "Had a run in with Cullen and his goons."

"Why did they let you go? Something don't seem right," James said harshly, and wondered what Cullen was up to. Especially having a hit out on the both of them for five million dollars, it wasn't like the Cullen's to just let someone walk away, he thought.

"Beats the shit out of me…though he made sure to rough me up, for talking to his girl," Jacob spat out the last word as if he had something vile tasting in his mouth.

"Does that mean you made a move on the Swan woman like I asked you to do?" James asked.

Jacob eyed the three men standing around James's limo, unsmiling, "Yeah, but she was unwelcoming of my advances."

"Well try harder…I need you to win her over get her back on your side and away from Cullen."

"I don't know, seems like that might be harder than we thought. Do I get extra compensation for the trouble?"

Money, money, money, that's all Jacob seemed to think about. But with more than money at steak James could not find fault in him for his obvious greed, "No I am paying a lot already considering you haven't done anything yet."

"Fuck you, Lucas. I've done what you asked, you want more you got to pay up or no deal."

"The deal was to do whatever I asked. If the occasion arises I may need you to kidnap the woman and bring her to me."

"Kidnap her?" Jacob frowned. "What you planning on doing with her?"

"That is not your concern," James said, he also could see that underneath all of Jacob's tough guy exterior he still had a soft spot for the bitch. To keep him interested James quickly pulled out his wallet and grabbed a handful of cash, "Here take it, there should be three thousand, and there's more where that came from if you do what I ask of you."

Jacob took the money from his hand but looked none too happy. He found himself wondering again if Jacob would follow through with his plans, or was this Swan bitch a bigger pain in his ass than originally thought.

"Fine," Black muttered.

"Also we need a new location for the center of operations," James said stiffly. Not happy with the way things had gone down four weeks ago when the Cullen gang had made an unexpected visit to La Push beach.

"What yah mean?"

"The Cullen's ambushed the illegal operation we had at the warehouse; I am now forced to find a different location, for those activities."

Jacob gave him a weird look, "Why can't we still keep it there?"

"Because you idiot they burnt it to the ground!" James snarled at him, "Be happy we were given a heads up by my spy on the inside or you and I might be dead…they left only one witnesses to give me a message from Cullen."

"Fuck…Cullen," Jacob snarled, "I'll look into that for you."

"While you're at it keep close to the Swan woman."

"Whatever, I'll take care of it."

James laughed, "See that you do…I've got more than enough trouble to deal with, without you making any more mistakes with the woman."

But Jacob didn't hear him, he was still whining, "I still need more money."

Fucking imbecile, he was so pathetically desperate for money. But Lucas didn't have the time and wasn't in the mood to deal with him any longer. He had one to many pressing problems to deal with. "I have no time for this."

Jacob's eye that wasn't swollen shut narrowed, "Then give me what I ask for."

"Go fuck yourself!" James shouted, finally at the end of his patience. "I told you get me results and then you get your money until then that's all you get," James said before rolling up his window and staring straight ahead. Furious as well as nervous James didn't give Black a second look as his driver pulled away from him. If Jacob knew what was good for him then he wouldn't want to get on his bad side. Then again maybe he just needed to take care of this himself.

He rolled down the window separating him from his driver, "Cane, get a hold of Volturi."

Cane made eye contact in the rear view mirror, "Sure boss you going to tell me what about?"

"I need him to find the Stanley woman and bring her to me." James answered.

Cane gave him a nod before letting the window slide back into place blocking him from James view. Now all he had to do was abide his time until he could get Jessica Stanley on his side….

…...

(Around the same time in Port Angeles)

Edward SAT IN his office brooding over the last few weeks activities when

A knock sounded on his office door. He didn't acknowledge the person that entered but sat glaring unseeingly out the tall, long office windows, aware when they moved to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

The sound of a throat clearing brought Edward out of his dark thoughts. Clenching his jaw in anger he turned slowly to face the man whom dared to disturb him.

"What do you want," Edward sneered at his grandfather, giving way to the dark mood he'd been in since he last saw Bella at Eclipse two nights ago.

"I have just been informed by Emmett that we had an enemy in our midst, an enemy that you let go." Alistair began in a nonchalant tone.

Edward stiffened, "Get to the point or get out."

"Explain to me why you left a threat to our family go? I thought this Black character had a hit out on him because you wanted him dead."

"Yes I did…do," Edward said stiffly.

"Explain, before I decide to take matters into my own hands. I don't know what has come over you in the last few months Edward. But I am beginning to think you're not cut out to be the top leader of this family. I want to be able to step down…retire, but every time I think you're ready of late you pull another stunt like this," Alistair ranted. "So I ask you again why Black was let go."

"I had my reasons," he said belligerently.

"Quit playing games with me, boy. I am not your father!" Alistair barked angrily.

Edward smiled arrogantly, "To get to Lucas. I think he's using Black as his lap dog to do his bidding."

"Still I don't see why you left him go."

Edward narrowed his eyes as he leaned forward, to stare directly into his grandfather's eyes, "I had a sudden realization, while beating the shit out of Black that he could actually be more useful to me…us alive."

"A sudden realization?"

Edward sat back in his chair and started chuckling, "Well if you must know," he said with wry amusement. "While I was trying to get answers out of Black, beating him within an inch of his life it came to me. If Black is Lucas's lap dog…following him around, meeting up with him; it would be beneficial to me to use him instead of just killing him. So I decided to have Carlisle implant a tracking device on him while he was rendered… unconscious."

"So you kept him alive to help you get to Lucas? And just where and when did you do this?"

"The tracking device was planted in his back between his shoulder blades, two days ago after he stupidly fell into our clutches." Edward hissed at his grandfather, "I am now able to track his every move and it should pay off by leading us to Lucas. The stupid dog is none the wiser, it's almost pathetic that it comes down to being this easy… getting closer to bringing Lucas down."

"He would have been better off dead."

"Yeah maybe, but I need him alive right now. Though don't think for a second I won't hesitate to kill him once he serves his purpose." Edward said darkly as thoughts of Jacob trying to make a move on Bella two days ago sparked the jealous rage that was festering deep inside of him. There would be nothing he would like more than to end Black's life.

"This plan of yours better work."

"Oh it will mark my words…it will," Edward said breaking out into peals of laughter to the point Alistair actually gave him a strange look. This only made him laugh harder. Maybe he was starting to lose his mind after all because he only seemed to be sane when he was with Bella.

Bella.

Just thinking her name was enough to sober him up, and stop him in his fit of hysterical laughter. His face fell back to a sneer and his eyes darkened with the ominous mood that washed over him once again. "Was there anything else you wanted?" he asked darkly.

Alistair shook his head with a smirk, on his old wrinkled face, "Yes…as a matter of fact there is," he paused gauging Edward's reaction. "As I have told you in the past I have set up a meeting for you and the Denali Princess to meet. That time will be in two days."

"What?"

"In two days Edward you will meet Miss Denali."

"I don't have time for this right now," Edward thundered.

"Then make the time!" Alistair thundered back. "I will not take no for an answer, Edward. Do not make me tip my hand; you will not be able to control the outcome if you do."

"*Dio! Spare me your pathetic threats…you know they have no effect on me," he mocked him not caring in that moment about anything now that Bella may be permanently out of his miserable life.

"Really Edward you should know better than anyone that I do not make empty threats, especially when it concerns family matters." Alistair said smoothly then rose from his chair, and started toward the door, he paused to look upon his grandson, "Two days Edward," he said before walking out the door.

Edward sat staring at the empty doorway and ran his hand frustratingly through his mussed hair.

"Fuck!" he whispered under his breath, as he wondered what the hell he was supposed to do now.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

ON SUNDAY MORNING, Bella stood in the small backroom of Alice's stock room watching her as she busily unpacked another shipment she received in that morning. In the little time that she'd gotten to know her Bella was very pleased that they were able to get along so well, being that Rosalie was unavailable most days since meeting Emmett she'd not had anyone she could sit down and talk to like she could with Rose…that was until Alice came into her life. The two of them had become close, though Alice being Anthony's sister made Bella fear that Anthony would try to use Alice to see her. Until she figured out she was ready to be with him, she didn't want that to happen.

"So what's the verdict?" She beamed as Bella stood there in front of her ringing her hands in agitation.

"About-about what?" Bella asked hesitatingly, snapping out of her thoughts.

"About quitting your job at my uncle's restaurant and coming to work for me?"

Bella looked around the room, though tiny, looked a deal lighter and more spacious than the first time she'd seen it, "I don't know…by the way I like the new color."

"Yeah so do I. Bella I think you would really do well working here with me, though I understand if you are nervous."

"I am nervous, it's a big step, and you know trying to do something I might not be good at."

"Come on, Bella it couldn't be that big of a disaster."

"No more than the disaster of my so called life," Bella said, and tried to turn her words into a joke with a chuckle. But her laughter sounded forced and she turned hastily away from Alice's sharpening glance.

"Why did that sound as if you meant that?" she said quietly after a moment, "What's wrong, Bella?"

"Wrong? Nothing. What should be wrong?" In spite of her efforts to keep her voice casual, there was a high note to it that quivered. She was aware of Alice coming closer to her, and then felt her small hands on her shoulders. She turned her to face her.

"You don't fool me, Bella," Alice said quietly. "Even if I have only known you for a short time, I still feel like I know you. You can tell me, Bella if you want to, or you can tell me to mind my own business. But please don't try to tell me that there's nothing wrong."

Bella shook her head, feeling the tears that she'd tried to keep at bay for weeks now hot in her eyes. She looked down and saw one fall on her hand, and knew that Alice had seen it too. How was she supposed to explain what she was thinking and feeling to the sister of the man she was so emotional over to begin with? She took a deep breath, Oh well here goes nothing, she thought.

"Oh, Alice," she wept, "Everything is such a mess. And I can't tell you-I don't really understand it all myself. All I know is that Anthony doesn't-doesn't really love me." And the tears she had held back for so long overwhelmed her.

"Hush, now," Alice soothed as she led her over to where a sofa sat to the left of the room and pressed her gently back against the cushions. She sat down beside her and didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around her in a comforting hug. "That can't be true." she waited, still holding her, while she wept and sniffled. "Bella, you've got to be wrong. Of course Anthony loves you."

"No," she said dolefully, "He doesn't."

"How do you know that then?"

"He-he couldn't say the words."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked and wondered if this had something to do with the fight the two of them had at Eclipse.

"I told him how I felt…I gave him a chance to tell me how he felt and he couldn't."

"Why not, for goodness' sake?"

"I don't know. I just don't know the reason he had for not telling me."

Alice was silent for a moment, considering this information. Then she asked the question Bella had been asking herself ever since she'd met Anthony. "Then why did you agree to keep seeing him, spend time with him if you thought he might not love you?"

Bella shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I just don't know, and it is making me confused as to what to do." She stared up at Alice and then continued when she saw the frown mar her brow, "I-I mean I was the one to tell him I only wanted to be friends. To start out slow…I was so frightened of the instant attraction, connection between us; I've never felt that way before. And before I realized it he swept me off my feet…I-I didn't have a chance to even catch my breath, before, you know." Bella said becoming shy all the sudden.

Alice just hummed her understanding, and she continued, "I was so confused, frightened I wasn't sure what I was feeling. But what I hadn't counted on was falling so quickly and deeply in love with him and it hurts to think that he doesn't feel the same for me."

"So you're scared because you think that he doesn't want you?"

"Oh he wants me all right. I'm just not sure that he loves me, and I don't know if I can be with him knowing that…and-"

"And what?" Alice asked, gently.

"And I-I have this feeling that he's keeping something from me."

Alice stiffened slightly, "Like what?" she asked cautiously. Already knowing the answer to her question, but was unable to tell Bella the truth about Edward or the rest of the Cullen family. She hated lying to her but knew she had to…until Edward was ready to let it be known who he really was. She just hoped that when that day comes, Bella would understand and give him a chance.

"I'm not sure….it's just this feeling I have."

"Maybe you need to wait until he's ready to tell you." she paused when Bella blew her nose. "My brother is a very private man when it comes to his emotions…he just might be scared of his feelings for you."

Bella gave a soft snort.

"Bella, come on, I've seen him when he thinks no one is watching; the way he stares at you with that look in his eyes."

Alice's words triggered a memory from a past conversation she'd had with Anthony on the first night they'd met. She remembered him saying something similar to what Alice had just said….

(Flashback)

"Sometimes my job consumes everything," he said. "I find myself not being able to share my responsibilities, and can't get emotionally attached or involved. So I have learned to distance myself, and let it spill into other areas of my life."

"So you don't let yourself get involved emotionally with anyone?"

He shook his head, "No…I-I never do."

"That sounds like a very lonely existence, Anthony. No one should have to subject themselves to that way of life."

"I agree…it can be lonely at times, but usually I'm too busy with the job to think much about it."

"I'm sorry," she said with sympathy. "It must be hard for you?"

"Yes."

(End of Flashback)

Even remembering there past conversation wasn't enough to convince her of Anthony's feelings for her, "I-I don't think so, Alice."

"Have you talked to him about this?"

Bella shook her head, "No, I-I."

"I think you should….talk to him. Is that why you rushed out of Eclipse the other evening because you got into a disagreement over this?" Alice asked trying to fish for more information as to what happened between them, being that her brother wasn't so forth coming.

"Well...sort of."

"Give him a chance to explain his side of things. I can tell you this much my brother's just as miserable as you seem to be, though he has a dreadful way of showing it. Talk to him, Bella. Please…for me?" Alice pleaded giving her a pout and the puppy dog look.

Bella contemplated Alice's words. Maybe they did need to sit down and have a talk. Maybe she needed to give him a chance to admit his love for her, and if not come to an understanding as to where they stood? Because she knew where she stood…knew that she was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him and that would not change. But what would she do if he admitted that he didn't love her? Would she be able to handle being in a relationship with him knowing he only wanted companionship and not love? Could she give that kind of selfless loving to him knowing he wouldn't be fully invested in her the same way? And last but not least…Was she strong enough for the both of them? In that moment, everything became clear to her and she knew the answer to her own questions.

Yes!

Bella took a deep breath, as she pulled herself upright and away from Alice. She gave her nose a final blow, wiped the last few tears away and lifted her chin. Her mouth was set with determination, "I'll try and talk to him."

"Good that's all I ask."

TWO DAYS LATER

As the small procession entered the living room, Edward's attention was drawn toward the open doorway. The woman that entered matched the photograph of Tanya Denali; his grandfather had given him earlier that morning. The photo had not done her justice. For one thing it was only a head shot and didn't reveal the fantastic body that went along with that gorgeous face. There was no doubt about it,

Tanya Denali was sex on legs.

Edward thought and wondered if that was the reason his grandfather thought she'd be a good match for him. Though Edward found her beautiful he realized that his body did not react to her as it would have before Bella came into his life. He waited for it, but there was nothing…absolutely not a flicker of attraction for her what's so ever. All he could picture was a pair of deep sparkling chocolate brown eyes, set in a beautiful heart shaped face, beautiful long flowing brown hair, and porcelain pale skin that was like fine silk when he caressed it.

Bella

His heart fluttered as thoughts of her evaded his mind causing his body's immediate response to thoughts of her. It had been almost a month since he'd seen her at Eclipse and that thought was hard for him to stomach. There had not been enough time…to talk to her, to touch her, kiss her….

He couldn't for the life of him understand why he acted like a dick when he was around her. It was as if all the commonsense he had flew right out the window. He never said the right thing, never made the right choices, and because of it he had to endure this, this separation between them. Though he kept watch over her ready to step in if she needed him, it still killed him to be away from her…he was trying to be patient give her some space but he didn't know how much longer he could do so. Damn it if only he'd had enough balls to tell her the truth from the get go…he wouldn't be in the predicament he was in now. He took a deep breath to break the tightness that suddenly pulled across his chest, but it didn't help much. He snapped to attention, quickly dismissing his personal thoughts and becoming all business like when his grandfather stepped forward to greet there guests.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Denali…so good that you could join us this evening," Alistair said in greeting.

Inwardly Edward rolled his eyes but gave nothing away as to his true emotions. It wouldn't be wise to let them see how much he was fuming over this meeting with the Denali's. He sat here now enduring this for the sake of keeping his grandfather off his back and away from Bella.

Mr. Denali stepped forward to shake Alistair's hand in greeting, "Yes, Mr. Cullen I thank you for having us as your guests." He turned to introduce his wife and daughter, "I would like you to meet my wife Charlotte, and my daughter Tanya."

Alistair gave a small chuckle, and extended his hand out to kiss Mrs. Denali's hand along with Tanya's. He then turned to give Edward a pleased look that indicated that he was especially satisfied with the woman he'd chosen for him.

Edward narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw, before getting control over his emotions, and masked his face into one of boredom.

"Ah, yes than let me introduce you to my son Carlisle and his wife Esme. My granddaughter Alice," he said motioning to each one of them. "And this is my grandson, Edward," he said gesturing in Edward's direction.

Edward made no move to stand up and greet there guests, just sat there glaring at his grandfather. He wasn't in the mood to be polite, and was in no means going to make this easy for the old man.

"Edward," Alistair warned sharply.

With an irritated grunt Edward raised the whiskey glass in his hand and gulped the remaining liquid down in one swallow, then slammed in down onto the coffee table before standing, "Welcome…it is nice to meet you Miss Denali," he said smoothly, but the tone of his voice made his grandfather stiffen at his side.

He defiantly stood his ground and eyed Tanya up and down in a very ungentlemanly way. "The pleasure's all mine," he said insultingly and gave her a wink. There was a loud clearing of a throat and caught the angry glare coming from her father; he smirked like the rude bastard, he was.

Edward was surprised when Tanya glared at him, before reaching out to shake his hand. "I'm sure it is, Mr. Cullen though will just have to see about that, now won't we?"

Edward grinned devilishly, "Hmmm." he hummed taking her hand in his. He was pleased to see there was no attraction toward him on her part as well, and if he didn't know any better he'd say she was putting on an act just as much if not more than he was at the moment, he thought as he stood there with his gaze locked onto hers.

With a slight frown Tanya looked away from him and quickly pulled her hand from his grasp, "Father…must I do this?" she asked as her arms folded across her chest.

Yes why must we? Edward thought with wry amusement.

Her father ignored her and turned his gaze on Alistair, "Since it appears that our children are going to fight us on this I don't see the necessity of going through with the formalities, do you? Let's get down to the real reason we are here tonight shall we?"

Alistair laughed and motioned for them to sit, while Edward and Tanya stood there glaring at one another as well as the family members. He was surprised when he saw her nervously glance around the room then back en forth between her father and Alistair. When her gaze fell on him for a second or two, he creased his forehead in concentration. She appeared to be searching for something, unease marring her delicately sculpted features. It wasn't an action he expected from someone who'd just glared at him defiantly a few moments before, and wondered why she was suddenly uneasy.

Could it be that he was right. That she didn't want to be here as much as he?

He moved to sit back down when he caught Alice's angry gaze from across the room, and knew what that look meant. When she'd found out why she had to attend this meeting this morning she'd been upset, and in no certain terms made it clear as to what she thought of this situation.

(Flashback)

"Edward I can't believe that you agreed to let grandfather bully you into meeting with Tanya Denali. What about Bella? I thought you liked her?"

"Do you think I want this?" he asked, then took the look on his sister's face as his answer, "I can tell you it is the only way to keep grandfather from going after Bella."

"What do you mean?"

"Alice I have already told you he knows that I have been seeing her, he knows that she's the Police Chief's daughter…and he wants her out of my life."

"NO! You don't mean-"

"Yes! He has threatened to remove her, and I can't let that happen." Edward said running his hands through his hair.

"So that is why you're meeting with the Denali's tomorrow, because you're trying to protect her?"

"Yes! Alice, as I have done since the beginning."

"Are you going to marry Tanya?" Alice asked with a horrified expression.

"Hell no, Alice, I will not be marrying anyone especially her."

"But you just said-"

"That I won't be marrying her; Think about it, if I let Alistair think that I am attracted to Tanya, that I am thinking of marrying her it will get grandfather off my back and away from Bella, that's all I want."

"I just hope you know what you're doing. If Bella finds out about all of this…Or worse her father finds out…I don't know Edward but I hope she will be able to forgive you. I don't want to lose her; she's becoming a very good friend to me."

"I don't know what else to do."

"Well you better think of something. Because letting grandfather dictate that you are to marry isn't the answer." Alice replied crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well unfortunately for me that's how it's going to be. I have no other choice right now."

"We always have choices, even though we don't always make the right ones."

"What's that supposed to mean, Alice?" Edward asked narrowing his eyes.

"I think you already know the answer to that question."

(End of Flashback)

He came back to the present and gave a slight shake of his head, and hoped that she didn't draw attention to them. He understood she didn't agree on his decision about meeting Tanya this morning but what else could he do? Bella's safety was the most important thing to him besides family, and he was willing to do anything to keep her out of harm's way. Even if that meant going along with this stupid charade to keep his grandfather happy.

"As Don's we have wanted to unite the Denali's and Cullen's together for a long time. Being that we have the perfect opportunity now that my daughter and your son and grandson are of marrying age, I see no reason why they should not be united in marriage." Mr. Denali said once he and his wife were seated.

"Yes, it would be beneficial to all of us to do so," Alistair agreed.

"In saying that I would like this marriage to be as soon as possible," Mr. Denali said.

Edward stiffened in his chair, what the hell! He didn't like that Denali seemed so eager to marry off his daughter. For some reason he didn't trust him, he sensed that there was something else going on…something underlying in his intentions, and he didn't like it. Being one to never turn down a challenge he would find out what Mr. Denali was hiding, for he'd be damned if he'd let anyone put his family and people in danger.

He knew there was a reason he never liked the man…he just wasn't sure why.

"As soon as possible," Tanya gasped. "Father I can't believe that you-"

"Be quiet girl," Mr. Denali barked.

Tanya shrank back into the cushions of the sofa and glared angrily down at her hands resting on her lap keeping quiet with difficulty, and Edward frowned wondering what was going through her mind at the moment.

"Yes, I agree they should be wed quickly," Alistair agreed.

"Why are the both of you so eager to marry us off?" Edward asked not caring whom he pissed off. He may be in a predicament right now but he was still a grown man and didn't appreciate when someone tried to make the decisions for him.

"We just explained why," His grandfather grated out.

"That's not a good enough answer for me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Father," Carlisle spoke up for the first time since entering the room. "Why don't you give them some time to get to know one another? It's not right to just marry them off without them at least being familiar with each other."

"I don't think that's necessary," Alistair said.

"I agree with my husband," Esme said. She hesitated when everyone's eyes fell on her, "I-I mean, we should let them date for a while…then become engaged before setting a date for the wedding. After all the last thing we want from this union is a divorce."

Edward gave his mother a small smile; leave it to her to think of something like that. He was happy that she didn't agree wholeheartedly with this union either. He appreciated that she was trying to help him by buying time.

"Or a war, among the other crime families that do not approve of this union," Alice said stiffly.

"That is preciously the point my dear," Alistair said. "This union would make us a stronger front. The Cullen and Denali names bring respect and fear amongst other crime families. Imagine the power we would have, to be able to rule not only Washington but Canada and Alaska as well."

"At the expense of what, hurting the ones you love for this new found fear and power?" Alice spat.

"Enough!" Alistair roared, silencing Alice. "I care not for your display of disrespect. Edward and Tanya will be married." He said.

"Alistair we understand all that, but I still think you need to give them some time together before pressing them into marriage," Esme said again coming to her daughters defense.

Alistair glared at Esme, and looked to be contemplating her words. A frown crossed his face before finally he relented with a nod of his head. "Alright my dear… if Peter is in agreement we will let them have some time to become familiar with one another."

You could have heard a pin drop in the room at Alistair's sudden change of mind. It still amazed Edward that his mother was the only one that seemed to be able to get through to the old man, and within a blink of an eye had him agreeing to give them time to date before becoming engaged.

Edward watched as Mr. Denali's jaw clenched, and it was clear he didn't like this new turn of events. His suspicion from earlier was back in full force. The man was hiding something…and he needed to get to the bottom of it. He was also thankful for his mother influencing his grandfather's decision to let Tanya and him date, instead of marrying right off. It gave him a chance to get out of this situation…he just hoped that Tanya Denali would be willing to go along with what he devised. He was not ready to get married and settle down, start a family especially with Tanya as his chosen wife to be.

"Yes my wife and I agree as long as it is short," Peter said.

"The mobster's ball will be held in October that will be long enough. Their engagement will be announced during the ball."

Peter nodded his head in agreement.

The tension knotted Edward's stomach as he looked around the room his gaze falling on Tanya. The uncertainty of how to proceed weighed heavily on him because he wasn't sure how to go about getting himself out of this situation… acting like he cared for this woman when all he could think about was Bella. There was no way he was going to be able to pull off this charade to try and trick his grandfather into thinking that Bella was out of his life…by no means was this going to be easy.

Alistair laughed in glee, "Then so it begins. As of this moment Edward and Tanya are officially dating. Do I make myself clear?"

Edward closed his eyes and prayed for patience, before opening them to meet his grandfather's gaze. No! His mind was shouting, I do not agree to anything!

Instead he answered, "Crystal."

A/N: Okay I hoped you all liked chapter 10, I know that it wasn't as long as some of the others but don't worry that will change in the next chapter. I look forward to your reviews.