Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Beta'd by HollettLA

Shout out and HUGE thank you to Cara No for - once again - helping me with a chapter. Please remember to thank her!

And THANK YOU to everyone who left encouraging words/reviews for chapter 24! I read them all, and they've kept a smile on my face ALL week :-) Love youse!

HAPPY FRIDAY! Here's tomorrow's update. I'll see ya again on Wednesday. Now there's a nail-biting chapter. (snort) No, ch26 isn't angsty at all, but I am nervous about it.

Riders on the Storm

Chapter Twenty-Five: A Hard Place

EDWARD POV

Like a bat out of hell, I shot out of the house as soon as I heard the garage door open. Bella made eye contact with me before she took off, and I'd never seen that look in her eyes before. I recognized it, but I usually only see it when I'm staring at myself in the mirror.

Knowing exactly where she was going, I followed speedily, although she was several blocks ahead of me. Even when I swerved in and out of traffic, trying to peep my whip she was driving, Bella was still on a mission—drove like someone was actually chasing her.

"Fuck!" I hit my steering wheel, stopping short at a red light. Traffic zoomed across the avenue, and there was no way around this. I had to wait for it to turn green. "Pick up!" I shouted at my cell phone, calling Bella; meanwhile, I doubted she even had it with her.

All of this seems like a fucked-up nightmare, one that also brought me to tears again. Lauren, that vile cunt, violated my son? When he was a kid? Bella and Amelia said he was thirteen, but then Sonny said something about Six Flags? Counting and thinking back, Damion was fourteen, not thirteen, but that didn't make a fucking difference. She hurt my kid, and so she'll die for that—pay for it with her life, no matter who her kids are or who she used to be married to.

Now, as I drove, my mind spun with all the different ways to kill her. She was mine, and I felt selfish—that I wanted to take that from Bella. I'm sure the wife wants to shoot her.

My eyes widened, my heart stopped for a brief second when I heard Bella shouting, "…EVERYONE HERE WILL KNOW THAT LAUREN MALLORY IS A PEDOPHILE!"

"Fuck!" I barely stopped the car before I pulled my keys out, running up to Lauren's apartment. Whatever Bella wanted to do was dead in the water now. While on my way, I saw several people poke their heads out of their cribs. I don't do witnesses, and they obviously heard Bella. "Relax…I'm a cop." I flashed someone my PBA shield quickly. That's about the only reason I even carry a wallet.

"That was fast." The old lady had a cordless phone to her ear, and then she went back inside.

After taking another glance around, I saw that no one else was looking, and I pulled out my nine—loading it—approaching Lauren's spot.

"Fuck you!" Bella shouted, and it didn't even sound like her. Upon turning into the apartment, I saw the place a mess—things broken, the coffee table in pieces. Bella was on top of Lauren, choking the fuck out of her, and that dude—the guy Lauren brought to La Bella Italia that time—was in boxers, closing in on my wife.

He yanked on her fucking shoulders. "Lady—"

My body was in motion, before I even had a single thought, I blitzed him with my heat, and he keeled over, knocked the fuck out.

"Bella…" I knelt down to her side, seeing Lauren seconds away from passing out. "Baby, stop…" I kept my voice soft.

She shook her head, tears everywhere. "You fucking nasty bitch!" She increased her hold on Lauren's neck.

"You don't want to do this." I honestly had no idea if she'd feel guilty after. The look in her eyes said no, but I didn't want Bella to carry that burden—even if she truly wouldn't, just the possibility.

"This isn't who you are." She's my wife, and she has the biggest heart, a forgiving heart. Bella's done some things, things she had no control over, things she's had to do. Yet, she's a total mom in every sense of that term—that title. Ever since Bella gave birth, she changed—she's been this loving and understanding person since the day Sonny was born.

She's not like me.

She's not a killer.

"Bella." When her face turned a deep red, her knuckles white from squeezing so hard, I pulled her off of Lauren.

My wife collapsed within my embrace, crying her eyes out, her heart breaking in a way I couldn't describe. I know the feeling, because I was going through the same thing.

We were just as guilty for what happened.

We didn't protect him.

It's the worst feeling in the world, although I couldn't explain it even if I tried.

"I've got you," I soothed, petting her head, hugging her close.

My hold wasn't tight enough. Bella let out a whimper. Before I could stop her, she grabbed my nine from my waist. "You fucking…!" She pointed it to Lauren's head, her voice trailing off, swallowing a sob, and her hand was shaky.

That bitch's eyes went wide as she continued to try and catch her breath.

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't!" Bella screamed.

"Baby…" My tone was hushed in her ear. "You can't do this now." If I wanted, I could grab the nine before Bella did anything stupid. But I thought I'd try and talk her down instead.

"Why not?" she shouted at me, toughening up suddenly, and I got a kick outta that.

"Because…" I turned to see Lauren's boyfriend stirring awake. "You gonna clip him, too?" My nine didn't have a silencer attached at the moment either.

Bella briefly looked down to homeboy, back to me, and then to Lauren. That was when we heard the sirens. I bet one of Lauren's neighbors called five-O, that old lady probably did it—after hearing the shouting and whatnot. Who the fuck knows.

"Someone called the cops," I said.

Bella gulped, bending low to place the gun to Lauren's forehead, right between her fucking eyes.

"Don't," I warned.

The visual alone excited me, and a large part of me wanted to see my wife blow that bitch's head off.

But I knew better . . .

And if Bella did it, there'd be no way I could do it.

"Please." Lauren rasped, pleading on her hands and knees, a position she's used to. She pestered Aro for years, even after their divorce. She wanted bigger tits when she should have gone for surgically-implanted kneepads.

"She's not worth it." I placed my hand on Bella's shoulder.

My wife spit in Lauren's face. "This ain't over—count your fucking blessings!" she yelled.

"Gimme this." I tore my heat out of her hands, placing it back into my waist before I pulled my sweater down and over it. "Let's go."

With one last look at Lauren—whose days were numbered—I yanked Bella into my side, turning for the door.

The cops were already trampling up the stairs, and there was nothing we could do. If we ran, they'd just run after us—only the guilty run—but we were lucky, or so I thought. Will Varner, a cop I have on my payroll, was here with his partner. I don't recall his name, but I was no longer worried.

"Mr. Cullen." Will reached for my hand as he peeked into Lauren's apartment. "Uh…"

"We were just heading out." Regardless of knowing this dude or not, I half-shielded Bella with my body.

"What happened here?" his partner asked.

"Arrest her!" Lauren's voice was hoarse.

"What?" I shouted, taking the two steps to face that cunt again. "Excuse me?"

"We got a complaint about a disturbance," Will said.

I put my hand in his face, indicating he shut his mouth, as I stared Lauren down. "What'd'ju say?" I went to walk back into the apartment, but Bella actually held me back.

Lauren was holding her neck, trying weakly to stand. "I said—arrest her. She—she almost killed me."

"Are you kidding?" I thought she was the dumbest bitch alive. "You're serious?"

"Hold on!" Will waved his hands and arms. "Someone tell me—"

"My wife didn't do shit," I said.

"She tried to kill me!" Lauren cried, throwing herself at the police officer I didn't know.

He grabbed a hold of her arms, gently pushing her back.

"She tried to kill me—choked me." Lauren showed him her neck.

"My husband didn't do anything. It was all me." Bella shrugged.

"Shut up." I spat at her. "This is a misunderstanding—"

The other cop, who was already in the apartment, was helping Lauren's boyfriend stand. "And what's your story?"

Gil—I believe his name was—locked eyes with me, and I silently wished he would, just so I'd have a reason to ice him, too—not that I'd need a reason. "Low—low blood sugar." He held his head. "I, uh, I didn't see—I don't know what happened." He's a smart man.

"She's lying." I pointed to Lauren. "The women had some words—that's it. We were just leaving." I ushered us out of there.

"Hang on." Officer Dick Face came walking back over to us.

"Frank, I know this guy," Will said. "Let's just—"

"Look at her neck." Frank was eating Lauren's tears right up. "Did you do this?" He looked to Bella.

"Don't look at her." I pushed my wife behind my back. "And don't you say a word," I whispered to Bella.

"Her name—her name is Isabella Cullen. She-she assaulted me." Lauren pointed.

"You're insane," I told her. "Or, the dumbest bitch alive. You hear me, Mallory? Just wait." Everything inside of me—everything—was going to pieces. I was ready to explode, my body stiff, yet shaking.

"Was that a threat?" Frank asked me.

I shook my head, gritting my teeth together.

"Edward—look at me," Bella whispered, in my face now.

"You'll have to come down to the station with us while we sort this out, ma'am." Frank reached for his cuffs, and then Bella—who had wide eyes—was pulled away from me.

I didn't move.

I was scared to move.

If I did, Lauren, her boyfriend, and both cops would be dead, and then I'd go to prison for the rest of my life.

Yet, my wife was pretty calm—confused—but calm nonetheless. "Edward, call Carlisle," was the last thing she said to me before she was escorted out of the apartment.

"You'll have to come down, too," Will informed Lauren. "Put shoes on…another squad car will be here to take you shortly."

A low growl escaped my lips, just staring at that cunt.

"Skip…" Will came back over to me. "My partner—" He massaged the back of his neck. "He does everything by the book. Uh—the boys'll get a kick out of it. They'll never let him forget it. Trust . . . arresting your wife."

I had nothing to say to him, and I peeked out into the hall—able to see the street. My wife was placed in the back of a cop car.

"Look, if she has no priors…if this one drops the charges, she'll be out in an hour." I felt Will touch my arm. "Just your luck—the only guy at the Six-Eight you can't buy," he whispered under his breath. "I'm sorry, man."

"And if she doesn't." I turned to see Lauren putting shoes on. "If she doesn't drop the charges?"

He raised a brow. "She'll be booked—sent to Central Booking until she can be arraigned. It's a holiday weekend—"

"My wife—my fucking wife—will not be spending the weekend at Riker's Island." As someone who's been there before, there was no fucking way that shit was happening. "You serious?" I asked Lauren. "Bella—you'd have her thrown in jail?" It was suddenly the funniest thing I'd ever heard. "Bella . . . you molest—fuck our son—he's thirteen, fourteen, doesn't make a fucking difference. And you have her hauled off to jail?"

Lauren's eyes widened. "I don't know what you're talking about. She came here—she choked me. She almost killed me! And I refuse to live in fear." It was actually a smart move.

Now, if she disappeared, authorities might know where to look—point the finger.

I pointed mine. "You think you're so fucking slick—"

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Will said. "Call your brother, have him meet you at the station. Go 'head."

I nodded.

And I didn't say any more.

Bella had her head down in the back of the squad car, and I tapped the window—mouthing "I love you" before I saw another pig mobile roll up. That was when I peeped Will leaving Lauren's spot. "Get ahold of your brother, meet us over there," he hollered out to me.

As I ran to my car, taking mine instead of Bella's minivan I arrived in, I called Carlisle. He was quick to apologize for Anthony coming over. But I told him to shut the fuck up about that shit. Of course, Anthony heard something about Damion hurting his mother. I couldn't blame my nephew for losing his temper, storming into our crib. That was niente—unimportant as far as I was concerned.

He was just as shocked as I was to find out that Bella had been arrested.

Carlisle also said he'd leave right away—be at the precinct within five minutes. That was cool—good enough for me. He'd keep an eye on Bella, as I wasn't heading there right away.

My foot was heavy on the gas as I speedily drove to Aro's crib. Then I stopped short, parked partially on the sidewalk, before I ran up to his door.

"Open up!" I banged with my fist sideways, waiting, about to kick the fucking door down.

Aro was fast to tear open the door, nine in his hand, wide eyes. "What's up?"

I called him with my finger. "Come outside."

He put his heat in his waist as I backed up the walkway. "What's going on?" He looked around me. "Who drove you?"

"No one—"

"Everything okay?" He was worried, and then Lisa, AJ, and Lisa's sister Carlotta poked their heads out the door. "Get back inside!" Aro shouted.

I balled my hands into fists, ready to lose my shit again.

"Daddy?" It was Katie now, peeking out.

"Get back in!" Aro told her.

She did as he said, closing the door after herself.

"You need to come with me," I said.

Aro put a hand up. "What's going on?"

"Bella was arrested."

"Fuck—for what?" He dug his keys out of his pocket. "We'll take my car—"

I stopped him, our chests nearly touching. "We found out some shit today—shit your cunt-ex-wife did."

"Whoa…what?" He looked confused.

"When my son was fourteen, when Damion was a kid, she raped him—"

He jumped back, shocked. "What? What the fuck you talkin' about?"

"How or why Bella did what she did isn't important. Okay? She had—Lauren had Bella arrested. My wife went to her crib, choked her out, and neighbors called the pigs. They arrested her, and I need you to go down to the precinct—tell Lau to drop the fucking charges." My stomach was in knots, ready to swing at Aro just for marrying and having kids with that bitch—bringing her into our lives.

Aro wore a grimace, slightly shaking his head. "Why—"

"Listen to me." I brought my voice down. "Listen close, 'cause I only plan to say this once." I placed my hand on his chest. "You better get Lauren to drop those charges, or else," I laughed. "You get that bitch to drop the charges, or I'll rain a shitstorm down on your family, like you've never fuckin' seen. You hear me?"

He gnashed his teeth together, staring into my eyes. I'm sure he didn't like what I had to say, but I knew he'd respect it. Plus, he cares—possibly has more love for my wife, than he ever had for his ex.

"Do you understand?" I asked him.

He nodded. "I do."

I patted his back. "I'm glad."

From there, we got into my car and drove to the police station while my mind whirred.

Truth be told, I was scared. Forget about what I'd do if Lauren didn't drop the charges. I just didn't want my wife to be away from me—her staying in that fucked-up place for the weekend, being brought in front of a judge, the whole nine that comes with being arrested. Not my wife—not my Bebella.

I know more than a dozen cops.

I know quite a few F.B.I. agents.

I know law enforcement from all sides of the spectrum that help me out, look the other way, and tip me off.

Fuck. I also have a few judges in my pocket, a couple politicians, too.

But no one, no one could help get Bella released quick enough—unless Lauren just dropped the charges.

"She fucked up," I muttered as we turned down Third Avenue.

Aro nodded. "She did that, though?"

"Damion—why he's so messed in the head. Your wife was molesting him."

Aro shook his head. "You're serious?"

I nodded. "You know—"

"Regardless—"

"Regardless, nothing. Get her to drop the charges, and then we'll take it from there," I said. "Nothing you can say will change my mind." He knew she was dead. It's just a matter of when now. Deep down, Aro didn't give a fuck. He contemplated doing it himself a few times, seriously, too. After all the shit she put him through . . . I still expected him to argue it, though. Aro may not always do the right thing, but he's always trying to look like he is.

"She might run to the Feds," he sighed. "That's still the mother of my kids."

"I understand that." I nodded. "She'll disappear—save them the heartache of having to go to her funeral. We'll leave it at nobody knows shit—she took off. She was never a mother to them any-fucking-way."

He huffed out a breath, massaging his forehead. "You'd have to wait a while. I'd personally appreciate it if it happened after Katie had the baby. I hate that they're so close, that Katie believes her lies, but my daughter loves her mother."

I nodded.

"And in the meantime, she might go to the Feds."

"With what?" I asked. "What the fuck does she know? Once she drops the charges . . . what the fuck does she know, Aro?" Now I wondered how well I could trust him, or what he might have told that cunt while they were married.

"That shit—Alec?" He turned to me. "It was a while back, but she saw—she helped me clean that shit up. She could have me on Murder One if they gave her immunity."

"Then we sit on her." I shrugged. "I don't know how Marcus handled that shit back in the day. But I know he was approached about Alec's murder. I think he said—dude had beef with some people up in Harlem, which wasn't far from the truth." I didn't give a fuck about that shit. "You talk to her—you go in, act concerned, but convince her to say she don't know what happened. She got scared, blamed Bella, and I don't give a goddamn. She drops the charges, we have someone watch her—one wrong move, she's gone. We deal with the fallout as it comes." I wiped my hands clean.

"And—" I patted his back. "Unless they exhume Alec's body—unless Lauren can come up with proof, evidence? It's just her word against yours. Does she know anything else?"

Aro gulped, shaking his head.

"Look…you don't gotta be afraid—"

"I'm not," Aro said. "This shit is just crazy. She fucked Dame?" He jerked his head, pulling into a parking spot. "When was this? How could she do that sick shit? He was a baby—"

"Don't worry about that shit." I brought my cell to my ear after hitting Brando's name. He's an associate of mine who's on C-bag's crew. He's always looking to move up, work with me or do work for me. "You just get to talkin' to her."

Brando picked up on the second ring, and I was quick to tell him his next assignment. Knowing Brando wouldn't have a problem icing a woman, I told him he was to go sit by Lauren's apartment. She wasn't home yet, but I wanted to know her every move. If she was to leave after she got home, he was to follow her. If she went toward any federal building, he was to kill her before she could step foot in the place.

It was simple.

The precinct was very active despite the holiday. Drunks, prostitutes, cops, and lowlifes filled the place. The sounds of people talking, crying, screaming, and telephones ringing echoed through the space.

And my head whipped every which way looking for my wife, Lauren, or the cops who brought them in. I actually found Carlisle first, and he was talking to a crying Lauren.

"You listening to this bitch's sob story, too?" I asked my brother.

He put a hand up, indicating I shut my mouth.

"Where's my wife?" I stared down at Lauren, who was quick to cower away from me.

"C'mere." Aro yoked Lauren up by her arm. "What the fuck did you do?" He shook her, and then a cop intervened. "I'm fine." Aro backed off, showing everyone his hands. "This is my wife."

"Ex-wife!" Lauren spat.

I groaned, just staring at her, wondering what she'd look like without a head, or maybe just a slit across her neck.

"Edward." Carlisle held my bicep and dragged me away from them. "Let Aro talk to her."

Gazing back, my buddy had calmed down and pulled up a chair—seeming like he was being attentive to that bitch.

"Where is she?" I was still looking everywhere for Bella.

"She's in the interview room. Out of respect to you, because of who she is, they didn't put her in the cage," he said.

I let go of a gust of breath. "Cool."

"She's chillin', drinking coffee. No one wants to see her go down to Central Booking. Relax." He patted my back. "No charges have been filed, she hasn't been fingerprinted—no one's booked her at all."

I massaged my forehead. "I wanna see her."

"Just give it a minute." He squeezed my shoulder. "She knows not to talk to anyone. No one is asking her anything either. Be glad the Feds didn't get ahold of her. They'd be trying to sell her a split-level in Idaho or some shit." He snickered. "Trying to get her to rat you out . . . but she's not saying shit, all right?"

"I don't care about that!" The nerve of him, I thought. "I trust Bella. They could offer her the moon, and she still wouldn't sell me out. I just wanna make sure—"

"She's fine, but if you go in there…Come on, it's Bella. You know she'll get emotional if she sees you. Just relax. They wanna sort out this mess with Lauren first. She's writing out a statement. And all we can do is wait." He walked over to a chair and sat down. "Have a seat." He gestured to the one next to him.

I couldn't sit.

"Worse comes to worst, we finagle a deal with one of these pigs—we write a check," he whispered. "Or . . . I'll call Sonny, have him come down with some cash."

"Don't say shit to Sonny." I didn't want anyone to know Bella got pinched—least of all Sonny, any of our kids.

"Alex, then. She knows how to get into my safe. I'm just saying. We'll talk to someone, pay 'em off. Have it so Bella can turn herself in Monday morning. She won't have to spend the weekend down there. If Lauren presses charges, they'll have no choice but to book her. We might be able to stall the process, though. Bro, there's little I can do until I know—"

"Fuck that." I'd sooner skip town with her, or make Lauren, and thus this problem, disappear before Monday.

No complainant, no charges.

"If she turned herself in early enough on Monday morning, she'd be brought in front of a judge by lunch—we pay her bail, which will be pennies—and she'd be home in time for dinner." He put his hands up. "That's all I'm saying. She gets a court date, and then she's done—we'll deal with shit as it happens."

I shook my head. "Then she'd have a record—she'd be booked. That's not happening."

We couldn't even talk with ears everywhere. All we could do was wait while I paced. On occasion, I'd peek into the main, like, clerical area—where Lauren sat at a desk. Aro was saying a mouthful; his mouth moving rapidly while Lauren kept shaking her head. She looked like a fucking bobblehead doll that I wanted to smash with my shoe. Then she'd touch her neck every so often. It was sickening, and I wanted to choke her out myself.

Actually, no. I wanted to stab the fuck out of her, round up as many fucking douchebag men I could find—have them do some shit to her, have her raped, torn the fuck apart, then—as soon as she died, I'd spit on her soul as her eyes emptied, piss on her dead body, and then wear a smile as I placed piece after piece into the meat grinder. Fuck, just killing her. I wanted her to suffer—like I'd never wanted anyone to suffer before.

"Stop staring," Carlisle said.

I stiffened, wanting to punch something.

"Relax," my brother whispered. "Don't you do something stupid—get your ass locked up." He was absolutely correct.

"We gotta get the fuck outta here." My voice was strained.

He sighed, squeezing my shoulder again.

"Or, I need my wife. I'd—I'd feel a lot—a lot better if—"

Carlisle nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

When Aro nodded, straightened out and left his seat, I walked to meet him halfway. "She wants to file a restraining order against you and Bella—that's it." He chuckled. "I just—I don't know." He shrugged. "She's buggin', but says she won't press charges—was hell-bent for a while, though."

"Go get a cop—someone. Get Bella released," I told Carlisle.

He didn't reply, going over to Lauren, and then ushering them over to a large counter.

/=/=/=/=/

Twenty minutes later, we were home. Unfortunately for Bella, I wouldn't let her out of my sight, and my temper was still flaring.

It's odd. I finally knew what Bella must have felt like . . . all those times the Feds would haul my ass in. Those times I actually was arrested, and those occasions I did actual time, whether it was a few days, weeks, or years. Since we've been together, I've had many experiences with the law . . .

The minute she was free, I hugged her the tightest I could, nearly in tears.

But when we got home . . .

Like one of the kids, as soon as I knew she was all right, I couldn't help but be angry with her.

Those instances I mentioned earlier, Bella would kiss up on me and love on me when I was released, all before she'd started waving fists and smacking the crap outta me.

I was going through the same stages, and I couldn't wait for this current feeling to pass.

"Screaming, storming in there—do you know how fucking stupid that was?" I shouted, pacing in our bedroom. "It was the dumbest fucking move ever!" So far, she'd been taking it, just sitting on the bed, tearstained cheeks and her head down. "Bella!"

"I made a mistake!" she hollered back. "What do you want me to say? I fucked up, but only because the cops showed up." She widened her eyes.

I bit my lips to keep from smiling, my frustration dissipating.

"You can keep yelling like an ass, but I'm not sorry." She folded her arms across her chest and looked away from me.

"Look at me!"

Her gaze found me again.

"You scared the fuck out of me, all right?" Shouting, laughing, on the verge of fucking tears. Was there an emotion I wouldn't feel today?

"That…I'm sorry about." Her mouth pulled into a lopsided grin. "I feel a little badass, though."

I shook my head, rubbing the sting out of my eyes.

"I'm kidding . . . I keep being pissed and then . . . I don't know," she whispered. "Have you heard from Damion? Has Sonny found him?"

For the first time since I'd arrived at the station, I checked my cell. "No…he hasn't called me."

Bella wrang her hands together, and then let out a groan. "That bitch is dead!" She stood up and pointed at me. "The cops, fucking F.B.I. . . . She disappears, fuck it! If there's no evidence, there's no fucking case—fuck it!" She waved her fist at the ceiling.

"I'll take care of it—"

"No!" she laughed. "That bitch is mine—fucking molest, rape my fucking son." Her hand touched her chest, her voice full of emotion. "He was a young fourteen. I know you had sex at—"

"Shhh." I pulled her into my arms.

"No!" She pushed me away. "Do you have any idea how much he's hurting right now? He's probably still so fucking confused." She covered her face, sobbing into her hands.

"I'm going to take care of this." I kissed her forehead. "I promise . . . Lauren will . . . She'll get what's coming to her. They don't call karma a bitch for nothing, right?" I felt my chest get tight, but I tried to ignore that feeling. "Karma."

"I—"

I smiled. "Don't pull any silly stunts . . . I'll have eyes on you, too. If you're not with me, someone else will be watching your every move. Just because you can't see them, don't assume no one's watching. Bet the motherfucking Feds get wind of this shit . . . start sniffing around," I lied, truly doubting the Feds would give a fuck about this.

"Edward—"

"It is what it is." I shrugged. "I won't risk you going away, or being pinned with a murder rap. We'll run before that happens. And I know you don't care—shit—I hardly give a fuck. But we gotta be careful. Lemme handle this." I lifted her hand to kiss her palm.

Bella swallowed, staring at me with a softness in her eyes. "You were scared?"

"Petrified," I admitted. "Being kept from you . . . a fucking weekend away, not having the choice, not knowing what would happen." A groan escaped me as I pulled her into my arms. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She sniffed my chest, which made me smile. Then she sneezed, and that made me cringe. I hope she wasn't getting sick. "Shit." She backed away. "I think I'm getting sick—I can feel it…" Fuck. I grimaced, selfishly hoping I wouldn't catch it.

It was best for all of us if I didn't get it, lemme tell you.

"Maybe some whore down at the police station breathed on me."

I couldn't help it; I cracked up, and Bella kept muttering as she headed to the bathroom.

"The world's full of 'em—no goddamn respect," she mumbled.

I followed her, my fingers itching to touch her.

"Bitch better hide, 'cause I've had it." She started to fill the tub, and my dick took notice of that shit. "I've had it!" She spun around to face me, fire in her eyes. "Tell me there will be justice." She punched her palm.

I raised a brow, mildly amused. "Trust." Advancing slowly, I let my eyes roam over her as she undressed.

This woman—my wife, who was all heart…she was also ruthless if her babies, our babies, were in harm's way. I remember the look she had in Lauren's apartment. Those eyes, that crazed expression was so sinister . . .

Yeah, I had no doubt. Bella wouldn't have stopped if I hadn't arrived. And right now, Bella was giving me one fucked-up ride. Not the good kind—well, not yet. But the kind where I couldn't get a grasp on a feeling and fucking stick to it.

One second, I wanted to laugh. Another, I wanted to cry. Then I wanted to grab her, shake the shit out of her, make her understand that she's not allowed to scare me that way. . . and then I wanted to fuck her.

"You're staring at me," she whispered, peering up at me.

I swallowed, my arms limp but fists clenching. She was too fucking beautiful, all naked and exposed—even after all these years, the things she did to me—how she made my body react. . .

Jerking my chin at the tub, I said, "Get in."

She kept my stare for a beat, but then she obeyed without a word.

I pushed off my own clothes, not giving a fuck where they landed.

Once in the Jacuzzi, I gathered her in my arms, her back to my chest. I sighed in relief. At the same time, my chest felt tighter? I couldn't explain that shit, though one thing was for sure. If I wasn't allowed to let go of the feelings surging inside of me soon, I'd explode.

The hot water felt incredible, but the humid air made it more difficult to take deep breaths.

"Edward…" She tilted her face and looked at me, eyes welling up. Her bottom lip quivered, too.

"Stop." I nipped at her jaw. I almost wanted to…I don't know…fucking sink my teeth into her. Hurt her, then love her harder. "Don't cry." She shook her head. I smiled a little. "You were always my moosh-monster." That was meant to be sweet, I think, but Bella's eyes only welled up more. Just my luck, right?

"Quit it." I laughed through my nose.

When she trembled in my arms, I squeezed her to me—wanting to hold her even tighter, gnashing my teeth together, my body stiffening—and I wanted to consume her.

"I love you," she whimpered. Squirming around, she finally settled on top of me, her legs straddling me. "I love you."

I nodded and bit her nose. "To stupidity, right?" I grinned. "I love you, too."

She giggled but sobered quickly. "Are you mad at me?"

That she even asked that question. . .

"Like you wouldn't believe," I chuckled darkly. My jaw flexed as I gripped hers. "Don't you ever pull that kind of shit on me again." I could barely contain my anger or look at her; meanwhile, my cock was hard and wanted her right this fucking instant. "We clear on that?"

I was so full of shit. After all, she wouldn't be my Bebella if she didn't do something crazy on occasion. One day, I think my wife will give me a heart attack—that's how much she matters, how violently she makes me react. Her and the kids…they're all competing, I bet.

"Yeah," she breathed out, pressing her tits against my chest. She licked her lips, a movement I caught. "Edward—"

"Shut up." I crashed my mouth to hers, overcome with need. I'd reached my breaking point as well. Bella wasn't the only one who was fed up; I was, too.

Sliding my hands down her wet body, I gripped her hips firmly and rocked her against the cock. I groaned and pushed my tongue into her mouth.

I spat out a curse when she took me inside of her.

Needing to be in control, I guided her over me. Water splashed around us when I pulled her toward me at the same time as I thrust upward, into her. Fuck. I went deep. Long strokes. She cried out; I kissed her again. She fucking clawed at me, making me hiss. In return, I squeezed her even harder.

"Christ, yes," she moaned, rolling her hips. I bucked mine, and I slid in even deeper. That made her gasp. "Oh, fuck—more… More, Edward." She kissed me frantically, her arms around my neck, her tits smashed together between us. "Please."

I released a heavy breath. "Get up—into the bedroom." I couldn't move the way I wanted to in here.

Bella didn't waste any time, but she did stop to grab a towel.

"Fuck that." I threw the towel on the floor and ushered her back to our bedroom.

After dropping a wet kiss on the spot where her neck met her shoulder, I pushed her onto our California King. She let out a squeal, looking fucking gorgeous, and I smiled.

Slowly, feeling like the predator I actually was, I crawled over her delectable body, still wet, fucking soaked.

"Open." My voice was gruff, husky as fuck.

She spread her legs for me.

Humming quietly, I kissed her inner thighs.

"Don't be a tease." She tried to pull me toward her pussy, but I swatted her hands away. "Edward!"

I grinned up at her and got comfortable between her legs. "Didn't I tell you to shut up?" She actually flipped me off. "OH! Well, fuck you, too."

She giggled. "Can't you just…oh!"

She didn't continue, since I buried my face against her wet pussy.

I ate that pussy good—like only I know how to.

When my fingers pushed into her, all while I sucked on her clit, she got a little religious, started shouting out for God and shit.

I reminded her that calling me Edward was just fine.

"Edward! God—fuck!" she cried out, rubbing against my face. "Oh, yeah! Get it!" The way she was gripping my hair kinda hurt, but I'd get her back soon enough. "I need, I need—take me home…" I curled two fingers upward, and I watched as her mouth popped open in a silent scream. Her pussy tensed around me, and I moaned into her flesh, continuing to eat her out. It wasn't until she was pleading for me to stop that I removed my mouth from her.

"Shit!" She was panting, chest heaving, and cheeks flushed. "That was…"

Kneeling between her parted legs, I pointed down. "My turn." I wiped my chin, horny as hell and still wound up so tight.

"Mmm." She hummed and sat up. Her hands slid up my thighs. "My fatty." She kissed the tip.

"Suck it," I gritted out.

Blowing out a breath, I tugged at my hair, reining it in—my uncontrollable hunger.

A blowjob wasn't going to cut it, but it was a good start. My Bebella needed a good fucking pounding—hell, I needed to give her that. But as she wrapped those lips of hers around my cock and sucked me in, I figured I could hold off for a few.

Maybe.

"That's it." I let out a moan and threaded my fingers through her still-wet hair. What she did, it always felt so fucking amazing, especially when her heart was really in it—like it was now. Her tongue swirled around the head before she suckled me. Her hand came up to massage my balls, and when I pushed deeper into her hot mouth, she just hummed and kept going.

In the end, I was fucking her mouth, and she made these sucking noises that were driving me in-fucking-sane. I was mad with lust. "So good," I groaned. But, unfortunately, it still wasn't enough, and I wasn't about to come this way. So, when I was getting there, to that point of no return, I yanked on her hair and told her to get on all fours.

Watching her as she scrambled into position, I tried to calm down.

I took deep breaths through my nose.

My chest heaved.

I felt desperate.

Then my cock found her fast. My fingers dug into her hips, her soft and smooth flesh, and I slammed into her.

"Fuck!" I spat out, setting a fast pace.

And this was what I needed.

My head lolled back, and I just focused on rocking that pussy. From behind, I took her hard, grinding deeply. Bella needed this, too; I could tell. She pushed back, causing her luscious ass to slap against my lower abdomen. It was a hot motherfucking view.

Carnal, feral—we were both overzealous, but I didn't see an end in sight. I swear…each push, each goddamn shove, I felt the pressure on my chest lift.

"Ow," she whimpered, and I guess I was squeezing her too hard. Still, she continued at the same pace, kept pushing when I did. "Shit—Edward, it…"

"Take it," I panted and pounded into her. "Just…" I swallowed and then groaned in pleasure. "Fuckin' take it."

"Oh, yeah…" My wife squeezed the hell outta my erection. "Yes!" she hissed.

When I got too close again, I flipped her over onto her back.

Claiming her mouth, I kissed her stupid. She was amazing. My wife has the tendency to infuriate me at times, make me wanna pull my hair out, but…I wouldn't change a thing. Not really. Just like I drive her nuts, she still loves my sorry ass.

"You want it?" I gripped my cock and slid it up and down her soaked slit. "Look at that." Seeing how wet she was, my mouth watered. I jacked my cock slowly and cupped her crotch. "I own this."

"Yes," she whined and tried to pull me closer. Her legs went around me, her feet digging into my ass. "Fuck me, Edward. I need it."

I grinned and sniffed my hand, now damp with her arousal. The scent was heady and addictive, and I licked it, wanting more from the source. But it was my damn turn. So, I hovered over her and rammed my cock inside her slick pussy again. Just as fast, but even harder now. I was pushing her deeper into the mattress, the headboard quaking.

"I love you," she cried, thankfully there were no tears in sight.

I could barely breathe. "Christ." I screwed my eyes shut and dropped my forehead to hers. Our legs were all tangled; we used them for leverage.

Pushing, pulling, sliding, twisting, grinding. "Baby…"

She kissed away a bead of sweat from my temple.

Her fingernails dragging along my back caused a shiver to shoot through me. "Almost," I moaned, letting out a shuddering breath.

My abs tensed, insides coiling in anticipation—fuck—I could feel it everywhere. I ground deeper, stimulating her clit, which made her muscles clamp down on my throbbing cock. And…when I opened my eyes again and looked down at her face…that face… She was close, too. So close. Almost there—I was gonna take her home one more time.

"Let me feel you, baby." I breathed shallowly in her ear. "Come on. . . Give it to me."

Her back arched fiercely, which pushed out her tits, and I had to…I licked my lips, starved. I dipped down and sucked a nipple into my mouth, feeling it constrict between my lips, between my teeth.

"Now!" she screamed breathlessly, throwing her head back, digging it into the pillows.

I was done for.

With a final thrust and a guttural groan, my orgasm shot through me like a goddamn fire. My spine tingled, my balls tightened, and I'd chased down the release I needed. Through lazy, instinctual bucks of my hips, I spilled my come deep inside of her. And Bella's own orgasm made mine last longer, 'cause she milked the fuck outta my cock, almost pulsing around it. Fuck me, I think my toes curled. I couldn't be sure. I wasn't sure of anything. Only that this was indescribable—something I'd store away to think back on later.

"Can't breathe," she wheezed out in a chuckle, making me realize that I'd collapsed on her.

"Gimme a minute," I panted and nuzzled her neck.

"I'm—I'm—I'm gonna sneeze!"

I was off her in a flash, and she rolled to the side and sneezed into her arm.

Feeling a bit concerned, I left the bed and walked into the bathroom to grab a towel. If she was getting sick, it probably wasn't best to fall asleep with soaked hair.

"Lift your head, baby." Back on the bed, I flipped her pillow over and laid out the towel. She giggled as I sorta cocooned her head in it. Only her face was visible when I was done. Then we got under the covers. "Let's rest." I kissed her on the forehead.

"Mmm." She hummed and scooted closer to me. "Are…are we okay?"

I grinned against her cheek. "We're always okay, Bebella. You just gotta stop bein' stupid."

She mock-punched my chest, causing me to laugh. "Says the stupidest of them all," she grumbled. "Mr. FuckStupid." She peered up at me with a teasing grin.

I laughed harder and bit her cheek. "Shut up—that's Mr. FuckHot to you."

Thank you for reading.

Please leave me your thoughts.

Special thanks to Cara No for the fuckhot lemon!