Twilight isn't mine, but the idea is. I was inspired to write this after a marathon of Fast and Furious. All the songs on the soundtrack helped me create this, so you should check them if you don't know them.
Many thanks to my dear friends m0t0b33 and TeamAllTwilight for the pre-reader and beta work.
And to you, my readers and followers, thank you! I wish I had the time to answer you, but we can discuss stuff in my facebook group. ;)
The party at the restaurant was lively and fun, but it quickly become dull for Edward and Bella. They were the only teenagers, and the newlyweds simply forgot about them, being surrounded by their friends. Edward's parents were on the other side of the room, talking with Emmett's parents, laughing and having a good time.
"Want to get out of here?" Edward asked, playing with his fork, twirling it between his fingers.
"What about dessert?"
"Fuck it. It's boring in here. Come on." He stood, pulling her to her feet.
"Are we saying goodbye to them?" Bella gestured toward where Rose and Emmett were sharing a glass of champagne. "It's only polite, Edward. He's your cousin, and she's part of the family now too."
Groaning in frustration, he nodded in agreement and led her to his cousin.
"Edward, my man!" Emmett was definitely tipsy. "You having fun?"
"No." Edward scowled.
The answer sobered the groom. "Oh? Join us here."
"No, Em. These are your friends, I get it. Look, I'm going over to Jasper's. I miss him."
"Your 'rents are looking for you," Rose joined the conversation, nodding toward Mr. and Mrs. Cullen.
"We better go." Edward dropped Bella's hand and shook Emmett's before kissing Rose's cheek. "Have a good marriage…or whatever the saying is."
"Congratulations," Bella told them, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend.
"Thank you, Bella. I hope we can become friends one day," Rose said quietly, kissing her cheeks.
"Come on, I want to go home with Mom and Dad. We don't have a ride." Edward rudely tugged Bella away from her hug with Emmett. "Bye guys! Have fun on the honeymoon."
They were already making their way toward the exit, not hearing Emmett's complaint about no honeymoon. They had decided on a summer vacation, which was months away.
"There you are!" Esme exclaimed, bringing Edward into a hug when he reached his parents. His mother smoothed his hair and straightened his collar. "Are you coming home with us?"
"Yes, but only to get Betty. We're off to Jazz's. I promised I'd drop by."
Carlisle gave him a speculative look, narrowing his eyes. "Remember what we talked."
"Yes, Dad."
The quarto made their way to Carlisle's Mercedes. Bella and Edward piled in the backseat and his parents in the front.
"It's good we're going to your house. I'd like to change out of this dress," Bella whispered, leaning into him.
"Yeah, I want to look normal when I meet my friend. If he saw me like this—" He gestured to his dress shirt and suit. "—he'd have a field day…and never let it go."
"Yeah, this isn't me." Bella smoothed the hem of her dress which was reaching mid-thigh now that she was sitting.
"I like it." Edward winked, covering her knee with his large warm hand. "But in this crazy weather, I'm surprised you're not cold."
"I am," she said, giggling.
"Oh." He frowned and opened his suit, hugging her close, enclosing her in his warm jacket. She was instantly engulfed by his scent and his warmth. Her own coat had done little to keep her warm. Edward rubbed his hand over her thigh. "Dad, can you turn up the heater?"
Without answering, Carlisle complied. Esme turned to look back at them and smiled at the sight that greeted her. She'd never seen her son so worried about anyone besides himself. He had never cared for anyone. She was aware he might have had a girlfriend before Bella, though she never met them, but it was clear that her boy was smitten.
Carlisle's phone buzzed loudly and it seemed to be connected to the car's system. "Cullen," he answered stiffly.
"Sir, we have a problem," a small, squeaky voice said in a rush.
"Ricky, you're on speaker." It sounded like a warning.
"The fish got caught."
Edward and Bella exchanged a look. Edward always hated their coded words.
"Caught?" Carlisle inhaled sharply.
"Caught, Sir. Oh and someone knows about…background…Oh, fuck it. I can't talk like this. The pizzeria façade has been discovered."
"What?" Carlisle shouted, exchanging a horrified look with his wife. "Where are you?"
"At De Marco's. The pizzeria is still working. They have no idea of the raid upstairs." Ricky sounded worried.
"Fuck."
Edward knew when his father cursed it was really bad.
"Don't let anyone in. I need to drop my family home. Damn, Emmett's day is ruined." He hung up, speeding toward their house. "Esme, call your father. Edward, if you go to Jasper's, I'd like you to stay overnight. It's only a precaution."
"What's going on?" Edward asked, confused and worried.
"Only a small problem at the pizzeria."
"Dad. Ricky said raid…and what the hell was that all about the fish caught?"
"Not now!" Carlisle growled, meeting his eyes through the rear-view mirror. He parked in front of the house, but didn't shut off the engine. He turned to talk to his wife, instructing her on what to do, while Edward pulled Bella out of the car. "Edward," his dad called, motioning for him to come to his window.
Bella and Esme made their way inside the house.
"Son, if you choose to tell your girlfriend something, be careful."
"She knows everything," Edward said truthfully.
"Does she know about my business?" His eyes widened.
"Oh. No. That…"
"That. What I do is very serious."
"Can you tell me…?" Edward put his hands on the rolled window. "Dad, what happened?"
"I moved most of my business from the docks to your mother's pizzeria. You can't be that blind, Edward. I'm sure you know what I've been doing above the pizzeria."
"Oh. I thought…there was an empty apartment."
"Not exactly empty. Damn. I wonder who's the rat." Carlisle rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Go to Jasper's, you'll be safe there if someone decides to go after my family."
"Dad, you're scaring me. What about Mom?" Edward's legs shook.
"It might be nothing. The police love to trash places from to time just because they're bored. I hope it was the case. Your mother will be safe with her parents. Now, go."
"Let me know," Edward whispered.
Carlisle nodded, rolled up the window and peeled off, making a sharp turn before speeding away.
Holy shit. Edward had never thought of the implications of his father's business. He'd seen mafia movies, but never thought how it was in real life. He'd really been blind. His father really was like Corleone.
He went inside on shaky legs, and poured himself a glass of water in the kitchen.
"Everything is going to be okay." Esme was behind him, rubbing his back. "Carlisle is clean. They have no lead to him with anything."
Shit. His mother was just as much involved. "Why have you never told me? I knew of Dad's business but…you too."
"The name of the pizzeria…" She gave him a raised eyebrow.
De Marco. Edward shrugged. But the longer he stared at his mother, the clearer everything was. "Grandpa?"
"Yes, honey. He initiated your father into this."
"Holy shit. I really need to stay at Jasper's and mull this over. So me racing and robbing stores is nothing compared to Dad's hazardous hobbies?"
"Edward, it's not like that!"
"Mom, I remember when I was younger and he kept taking me with him to different places. I sat in the car and he went inside—there were always suburbs… Fuck. He dealt with drugs and killed people, didn't he?"
"Why don't you talk to Carlisle when he's back? Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Edward nodded, emptying his glass. "I'm going to pack and take Bella away from this crazy fuckery."
"Call me if you need anything. I'd tell you to come with me to your grandparents but it's probably too much."
"Way too much."
He rushed upstairs where Bella was packing for both of them.
"It's not just you. Your whole family is crazy."
"Apparently, I'm the most sane. I'll tell you everything, I promise. You'll probably be on the first plane back home, away from the madness."
"Right now, I think you're right. Come on. What else do we need?" She stepped away from the bag, biting her lip.
"A change of clothes, toothbrushes and…chargers for phones and laptops. I think."
"All that is in."
"Good. Let's go." He zipped the bag and threw the strap over his shoulder. "Oh, and this." He grabbed the car's key.
Bounding down the stairs, Edward stopped abruptly when he found his mother in the doorway.
"You were leaving without saying goodbye?" She asked reproachfully. "Here." Esme cupped his face and kissed him soundly. Twice. "I love you, Edward."
He sagged and hugged her tightly. "Love you too, Mom. Be careful."
"You too." She turned to hug Bella.
Edward opened the garage door and walked to Betty. Opening the trunk, he threw the bag there then slid behind the wheel. Being back in his car was bittersweet. He's missed her so much.
Bella opened the passenger's door and got in, whistling. "Nice ride."
He chuckled. "Seatbelt, please. God, I missed her." He stroked the dashboard. Taking a deep breath, Edward turned the key in the engine and shifting it into gear, they rolled out of the garage. Hearing Betty's purr relaxed him and made him put away the recent events. "Don't touch anything," he warned Bella as she stretched her arm to the radio. "I don't think it's working. I'll have to check. Another time."
Bella folded her hands in her lap. Seeing her in jeans and boots, reminded Edward that he hadn't changed out his dress clothes. It seemed insignificant compared to what he'd learned.
The ride to Jasper's was spent in silence. Bella kept thinking of what kinds of stuff Edward's father could be involved, and Edward basked in the pleasure of hearing Betty purring, taking away all bad thoughts.
Jasper's garage, conveniently across the apartment building he was living in was closed. It was early evening, which made him wonder why the doors were closed. Though looking at the neon letters above the doors made him smile—like always.
Cars got Jazz
And scrawled over the metal doors in graffiti was written:
Who you got?
"Is that his garage?" Bella asked, stifling a smile.
"He's got a wicked sense of humor," Edward answered, grinning. He parked in front of the garage so he could see his car from Jasper's window. He truly loved her.
They made their way across the boulevard and toward the metal door. Edward quickly pushed some numbers in the device next to the door.
"Yeah?" a small voice came through the speaker.
"It's me. Edward." He grinned big, squeezing Bella's hand.
A loud squeal came from the speaker then the buzzer sound as the door opened. Edward went to the elevator, allowing Bella inside first.
"Is this thing safe?" she whispered, fear constricting at her insides.
"Yeah." Edward closed the doors, pushed the button for the fifth floor and stepped back tapping his foot. "You'll like Alice."
"You keep saying that."
"She needs a girlfriend. She only has Jazz and me. Kids at school mock her." He pursed his lips.
"Is there something wrong?" Bella asked in a small voice.
"Wrong? She's kinda… Well, I'll let you discover. You won't judge."
Bella couldn't wait to meet this Alice. Jasper had spoken highly of her, but then again he was her boyfriend. He might be biased. Just like Edward, who was her best friend.
They came to a halt and Edward opened the doors. They only had time to step out of the elevator when Alice zoomed out the apartment and into Edward's arms. She was clinging to him like a human koala, kissing all over his face, telling him how much she'd missed him. Then suddenly she stopped, her eyes finding Bella standing awkwardly behind them.
"You must be Bella! I heard so much about you!"
Bella giggled nervously. "Yeah me too, about you." She didn't flinch when Edward put Alice down. She was on the small side with short, chopped dark her and huge blue eyes. Bella was short herself, not like Alice but she knew all about how it was to be mocked about her height. "Nice to meet you."
Alice beamed at her, shaking hands. "Come in. Jazz's in the shower."
"Why's the garage closed?"
"Pete's got the flu and Jazz well…he wanted to be here and greet you."
They went inside the smallish apartment. Bella immediately felt the homey feeling it represented to its inhabitants. The small kitchen had a cluster of dishes on the counter and table. The living room floor was scattered with magazines, the small TV was running on a news channel, there were pictures everywhere with Jasper and Alice, some with Edward too.
"I like it," Bella told Alice.
"I'm a horrible host. It's a mess! Do you want coffee or something?" she asked, going to the kitchen.
"Coffee?" Edward scoffed, toeing his shoes off and making himself comfortable on the couch. "Don't you have a beer?"
"That's my beer!" Jasper's amused voice floated in the room. He looked freshly showered, wearing a pair of black flannel pants, a towel around his neck, his blond hair dripping. "Heya, Bella!"
"Hi." She waved awkwardly.
"Share your beer, man," Edward pleaded with him, tilting his head over the back of the couch to look at his friend. "Please. Emmett kept me away from alcohol."
"With good reason too." Jasper smirked.
"Are you joking? I want a drink. We used to drink beer since I was sixteen."
"Fine, keep your hair on. But you're not driving back."
"I'm not. Can we crash here? My parents kicked us out."
"Edward!" Bella admonished him. "They had trouble with…something." She shrugged.
"Something?" Jasper asked confused, bringing two beers. "Sit somewhere, Bella. Anywhere." He offered Edward one bottle. "So what's up?"
"Dad's in trouble. You were always right about his business behind the pizzeria."
"So the Five-O's got him?" Jasper looked worried.
"Nah. I hope not." Edward shrugged. "Shit. I've been blissfully unaware of all this! He took me places where he'd leave me in the car and he'd go in…dubious places…fuck."
Bella, more confused than before, went to Alice who was working on fixing cocktails for them. She was rather surprised, but didn't object when she was offered a red glass.
"Any idea what they're talking about?" she asked Alice, leaning against the counter.
"Edward's father's business." She waved her hand about. "Tell me about you."
Alice led Bella to her bedroom where the mess was bigger. For a brief moment, Bella wondered if sitting on the bed was safe. She'd never seen such mess in a house. Alice flopped on her back on the bed.
"So you're going to Edward's school now? I'm thinking of dropping out."
"Uh, I don't know." Bella mumbled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Alice rolled on her side, searching on the nightstand for something. "You smoke?" She held up a packet of cigarettes.
"No." The last time Bella tried, she didn't like it, and James nearly bust a vein.
"You're so quiet," Alice mused, lighting her smoke. "I see why Edward likes you."
Bella blushed, and took a sip from her glass nearly spitting it back. "Did you put any juice in this, at all?"
"Some. I like it strong."
As she stared at the girl sprawled on the bed, smoking and sucking on the straw of her drink, Bella wondered how could Edward think she'd befriend her. They were total opposites.
"ARE YOU STUPID?"
Both girls jumped, startled at Jasper's loud voice. Sharing a look, they quickly rushed toward the living room, but Alice stopped Bella at the door, pressing her finger to her lips.
"I have to, dude!" Edward hissed.
"You don't."
"I do! You know what will happen if I don't compete. And as angry as I'm with Jake, I'd hate anything happening to him or the others. I have to go back and be done with this madness."
"No." Jasper had a hold of Edward's shirt. They were almost nose to nose. "I will personally kill you."
"Not too long ago you and I made a great team in racing. Please, I have to do this."
Bella's heart was in her throat. He wanted to compete. She still had no idea what could happen if he said no. What was the big deal?
Suddenly Jasper turned his head to the doorway, glaring. "Ally, for Christ's sake, you're a horrible spy."
The girls stepped into the living room.
Edward looked horrified to Bella, as Jasper pulled Alice close. He nodded to Edward.
"Fine, if you must. But we'll do it the right way. Once whatever happened at De Marco's is cleared, you're having a family meeting and you're telling them everything. You're going to win that race and hopefully, the police will never find out or else you're busted for good, man."
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