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

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There seems to be a little confusion among my readers as to who Edward's parents are. His father is Edward Cullen Sr., and his mother is Elizabeth. Esme and Carlisle are his Aunt and Uncle. They will appear a little later in the story.

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Chapter 18

When I return, I find Rosalie sitting on the bed beside Bella. She's still asleep and Rosalie is gently stroking the top of her hair.

"How is she?" I whisper.

"She hasn't woken, but her sleep has been uneasy. She's very restless, and she's actually been crying out for you. I wouldn't have believed that if I didn't hear it for myself," she says still sounding a bit shocked.

"Don't get a big head because she's calling out for you. You know she's only wanting you because you're the only one she's known for awhile," she growls unpleasantly.

"I know," I snap at her. "I'm smart enough to figure that out for myself."

"We should go for now," Emmett whispers and places a hand on Rosalie's shoulder.

"I want to know what happened," she demands.

"I'll tell you everything," Emmett tells her. I don't even argue with him because I know it will be pointless. He does tell her everything.

"Be careful with her Edward, and call me and let me know how she's doing after she wakes," she says as she walks toward the door.

"I will," I promise.

I know I will be calling for Rosalie. Bella will need some female companionship and someone who understands. Rosalie has been there and if anyone can help her through this, she can.

I lock the door, and then I change into some sleep pants and a t-shirt. I'm able to lie down on the bed beside Bella without jostling her.

She begins to whimper.

"Edward," she cries.

"Shh, baby, I'm here," I coo to her as I pull her closer to me. She seems to calm down immediately and almost instantly is back in a deep sleep.

I've got to try and come up with some answers and soon. Someone is either out to get me and is using Bella or someone wants to get Bella. I have a feeling it's the latter.

I can't believe my father is involved, but how else can Bruno be explained? Why would Bruno take such a chance at getting caught by my father and me unless my father was behind it? He had to have been paid a lot to take that kind of risk. Or did he just come on his own because he wanted her himself?

Did my father purposely call me over so that Bruno could come to my house? If so, what in the hell kind of message was he trying to send by having him rape her? Well, attempt to rape her since I shot the bastard.

Or, did Bruno overhear my father's phone conversation with me and go on his own to have his way with Bella?

There are a lot of questions that I need answers to. I just have a feeling that they're not going to come easily.

I will protect Bella at all costs. Now that she is in my life, I have to make sure she stays there. I know I'm going to have to change my tactics. I've got to do something to show Bella that I care for her and her well being.

As my thoughts scatter due to my tiredness, Bella's sleep becomes more uneasy. She begins tossing and turning which soon turns into thrashing. She begins crying out for help and doesn't seem to be waking up.

I gently try to shake her awake, but that only upsets her more. She starts crying out.

"Please don't touch me!"

"Bella!" I call out loudly, being forced to raise my voice in order to get her to awake.

She quickly sits up, and puts her hands over her chest. I can tell she's trying to control her breathing, so I wait for her to calm down and talk to me.

It takes several minutes for Bella to get herself under control.

She stops and looks over at me. "I'm sorry."

I carefully move closer to her, gauging her reaction. She doesn't seem to mind me getting closer, so as I move up beside her, I slowly reach my arm around her and pull her down gently to the bed so we are lying down.

"It's alright sweetheart," I say as I pull her head underneath my mine.

"You've been through a lot, but I promise you that you will never be put in danger like that again," I tell her sincerely.

She just nods her head and puts her arm around my waist. She surprises me with her boldness, but it's probably part of some savior complex she sees me in as of now. I want to be her savior, but I want to be so much more. However, now is not the time for that. As Rosalie said, it will take time for her to heal, and I must allow her that.

After about ten minutes I hear her breathing even out, and I know she has drifted off. I fall asleep with her still in my arms soon after.

At 10:30 my phone rings. It's my father and he says he needs my help, and that it concerns one of his employees. It's not hard to guess that this is about Bruno. I'm curious as to what he will say. I agree to come over, but I tell him it will be after lunch as I have a few loose ends to tie up.

What I really need to do is call Emmett and Rosalie and see if they will come and stay with Bella. I'm not taking any chances. I'm still highly pissed at my staff, and I'm finding it hard to trust anyone right now.

I wake Bella up and we get dressed. Breakfast is brought up to us and set up on the coffee table.

Soon after our breakfast dishes are cleared away there is a knock on the door.

I open the door and Emmett and Rosalie come inside.

Rosalie walks tentatively over to Bella and sits down beside her. "Bella, how are you doing?"

"I'm alright," she answers glancing sideways over to Rosalie as she sips her coffee.

"Bella, I have some business that I have to take care of. Rosalie and Emmett are here to keep you company while I'm gone," I say, carefully gauging her reaction.

"You mean they're babysitting me," she replies in a monotone.

"We just want to visit with you," Emmett says as he slowly approaches and sits in the chair on the other side of Rosalie.

"Yeah, ok." She doesn't sound upset but there is an air of trepidation.

"I'll be back soon," I promise her as I head out the door.

She just nods and turns to look out the window.

I hope she's not upset that I'm leaving. I certainly don't want to leave, but this is a great opportunity to feel my dad out, and I'm sure that's why he wants me there as well.

Twenty minutes later I am walking in his office door.

"Edward thanks for stopping by," my father says as he motions to me to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"You did say it was important," I remind him.

"I'll get right to the point. One of my men is missing … Bruno Balducci. Have you heard anything?" He asks all while keeping his poker face, giving nothing away.

"No. When did he go missing?" I ask returning the poker face. My father has taught me well.

"The last we heard from him was yesterday morning."

"Did you send him out somewhere?" I know he's going to lie to me.

"No, I haven't seen him since the morning meeting. He was due back in my office by six that night."

Yeah, sure he was.

"Maybe he just took off." I shrug my shoulders and try to relax my posture.

"You know as well as I do that someone in his position does not just take off." He seems pretty annoyed with my answer.

Good.

"He's your employee, not mine. I don't really know the guy," I say in defense.

"Well I do know him, and he wouldn't just leave without contacting me. He's one of my best men." I can tell by the way my father is eyeing me that he's trying to decide if I'm hiding something from him.

He should know that I will give nothing away.

"What is it exactly that you need me for? Aren't your men working on this?" It's not hard to put the annoyance in my voice.

"Of course they are. I just need you to talk to your men and see if they know anything." He's looking pointedly at me as if he expects my cooperation.

Of course, he will think he is getting my full cooperation. I don't need to tell him that Bruno is in the bottom of the lake.

"I'll ask them, but my men don't generally fraternize with yours," I remind him. It happens to be true. I've never really trusted my father as much as you might have expected me to. I prefer to keep my men away from his, and now I'm glad that I do.

"Maybe so, but I would appreciate it if you did talk with them." He leans back and clasps his hands together. "So, how's Isabella doing?"

If he was going to provoke me, it would be with that question right there. By the way he is assessing me I can tell that he has some type of involvement with this. Now there is no doubt in my mind. However, as hard as it is, I play it cool.

"She's doing very well." I offer no more.

"Hmm …" he contemplates for a moment and then continues, "I'm surprised you're not having a harder time with her considering her past."

He's definitely testing me, but I will not take the bait.

"She always surprises me," I reply and carefully watch his reaction. I know with my hot temper that he is expecting me to overreact and thus give myself away. I know all his tricks. He can't fool me.

"If that's all, I need to check on tomorrow's shipment."

"That's all. Just find out what you can about Bruno. It seems as if he may have met an untimely fate," he says knowing full well that Bruno must be dead.

Yes, he has met his fate. He will rot in hell, and if I have anything to do with it so will my father.

I get up and casually walk out. I want to run out and rush back home, but I can't let my father grow more suspicious then he already is. I just want to get back to Bella. I know she's safe, but I feel much better when I can see her with my own eyes.

I walk back into my bedroom to find Rosalie and Bella in deep conversation on the sofa.

"Where's Emmett?" I notice he's not in the room. I prefer him to have been in here to keep an eye on Bella, but I guess he decided to give the ladies some privacy.

"He's in your office," Rosalie says and then scowls at me. "Do you mind?" She looks pointedly at the door.

Normally I would fight right back with her, but Bella probably needs to be with a woman, even if it is Rosalie.

"Fine, I'll leave you two alone." I make eye contact with Bella to make sure this is alright with her to which she returns with a half smile. I guess that's a 'yes'.

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"What did dear, old dad want?" Emmett asks as I walk into my office.

"Officially, he wanted me to help him find Bruno. However, in actuality he was just fishing, wanting to find out what I know. He asked about Bella." I flex my jaw, finally being able to allow myself to show my displeasure with my father.

"Oh? And what did you say?"

"I told him she was fine. I know he was just trying to provoke me, but I didn't fall into his trap," I tell him as I blow out a breath and sit down in the chair next to his.

"What are we going to do about him Edward?"

"We?" I question.

"Yes, 'we'. I'm in this Edward, like it or not. Bella is innocent and doesn't deserve what has happened to her and what may happen. She's like the little sister I never had, and I won't see her get hurt. Rosey supports me one hundred percent."

"Ok," I concede.

To tell the truth, I'm glad Emmett's in this with me. He has a surprising amount of insight, and he's also good muscle to have around. You want a guy like Emmett to be on your side.

"The first thing we are going to do is find a way to tail dad. He's definitely in knee deep."

"How are you going to accomplish that?" He asks skeptically.

"Very carefully."

"Yeah, no doubt," Emmett nods his head. "What else?"

"We've got to find out who else is involved. Aro, obviously, but someone else has to be the center of this. I've just got to find out who it is."

"Do you have any ideas?" Emmett asks as he scratches his head.

"Someone that both dad and Aro want to please. It's just not usual for dad to go to these lengths for anyone, so they must hold the key to something for him." I tell him as I rack my brain trying in vain to think of someone.

"So, how was Bella?" I want to know what's gone on while I've been gone.

"She just sat silently for the longest time. Then, eventually she got up, grabbed a book and read for a little while. I could tell Rose could barely stand it. Finally Rose asked me to leave them alone for awhile, so I guess she wanted to try to talk."

"They seemed to be engaged in some type of conversation when I entered the room," I relay to him.

"Good, maybe she can help her," Emmett says with an encouraging smile.

"I hope so."

"Why don't we get something to drink while we wait on the girls," Emmett says as he stands and claps me on the shoulder.

"Yes, I guess we should give them some more time," I say as I stand up and follow him downstairs to the kitchen.

I hope Rosalie can help Bella. I have to find something I can do to show Bella that I care about her and more than just as a sex object.

But how?

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Edward's wising up! Please let me know what you think. :)