Hours later, I was sitting on Edward's sofa, watching the activity swirl around me. His apartment was packed- uniformed cops, detectives, the building's security- and I had kind of retreated into myself. Edward had convinced Kate and Irina to spend the rest of Labor Day weekend lounging around the pool at his parents' house in New Jersey. He didn't want to alarm them so he gave them very little information, blaming the commotion on a work issue. They both hugged me before they left; I smiled and kept the conversation light.
"It's about time Eddie got a girlfriend." Kate said as she slung her overnight bag over her shoulder.
"I'm sure Edward has had many girlfriends." I quipped. I mean, come on.
"Maybe…but he never looked at any of them the way he looks at you." She responded, smiling slyly.
After they left, we went to the security office to look at the footage of the lobby at the time the package was dropped off. It took several minutes for the video to cue up.
"There he is, right there!" Seth exclaimed, pointing at the screen. The courier was a young guy, no more than sixteen, in a baseball cap, jeans, t-shirt and converse sneakers.
"Do either of you know this guy? Do you recognize him at all?" Detective Uley asked as we watched the teen enter the front door, walk directly to the front desk and hand the package to Seth. Paul, the head of security, paused the video, zooming closely on the boy's face. I shook my head. I had never seen the boy before. He was very nondescript. Tall, but not too tall, average build, dressed casually, no piercings or tattoos. He looked like a million other boys his age. I saw that Edward was shaking his head as well.
"Miklos probably paid this kid to deliver the package." Detective Call remarked. Call had introduced himself to us as Uley's partner. He was tall and a bit stocky, with cropped jet black hair and looked to be about ten years younger than Uley.
"You're probably right." Uley said, his mouth disappearing into a thin, frustrated line.
After that we went back to Edward's apartment. The uniformed cops dusted the box and its contents for fingerprints and bagged the evidence. I tried not to look at the cat, its eyes still open, obviously beheaded alive which made me sick to my stomach. How cruel. The detectives questioned Seth closely, and he began to get defensive. I felt bad for him; it wasn't his fault. He had probably accepted hundreds of packages at that desk, how was he supposed to know that a madman had sent this one?
They questioned Edward and me as well, asking about our whereabouts and whether we had shown any public displays of affection. When Edward told him yes, that we had kissed and held hands, Uley explained that Aro probably saw Edward as a new rival.
"I don't give a fuck what he sees me as; I am concerned about the fact that he sees me at all. Does this mean he is back in New York and is following her?" Edward pressed the officers for answers.
"Probably." Call replied at the same time Uley said "Maybe not."
We all looked at Uley and waited for him to elaborate.
"He seems to be a very smart man. He might have people working for him that are following her and keeping track of her for him. We really can't know until he makes physical contact." Uley explained.
"Jesus Christ." Edward muttered. He went to the kitchen and poured himself two fingers of the bourbon he kept in the cabinet.
There was a lot of discussion between the police and the apartment security about camera placement and other logistics. I began to feel incredibly guilty that because of me all of this was going on. I had brought my drama to Edward's front door, literally. And now he was a target.
"Wait." I said, a thought coming to me suddenly. "So he or one of his people could have been watching me when I was staying at Alice's and watching me when I ran errands with Rose? Does that mean that they are targets, too?" I asked, panicked. Everyone in the room looked at Uley, waiting for him to answer.
He contemplated my question for a few moments before answering. "From my experience, I would say that they are not targets. He sent flowers to your job, not to your friends' apartment and he didn't make any further contact until you were seen with Edward."
"But he probably knows where they live." I concluded.
"Yes." He answered honestly, looking me in the eye. Edward's eyes were on me as well, filled with concern.
"Do you have any information on this fucker? Does he have a record? Any past history of criminal activity?" Edward demanded.
Call and Uley looked at each other before Uley responded. "We did find something."
"And?" Edward persisted.
"The records are sealed." Uley admitted quietly.
"Fuck! I'm calling Mike." Edward said, pulling out his cell phone and walking into his office.
"The only way we can get them unsealed is with a court order. And we don't have enough evidence yet to get a judge to sign off on it." Call told me. I just nodded. There wasn't anything left to say. Aro clearly had the advantage.
Mike showed up a few minutes later. Apparently, after moving out of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend, Mike moved into Edward's building with a recommendation from Edward. I had heard Edward talk about Mike many times, but I had never met him.
"Izzy, this is Mike Newton, an old friend from law school. Mike, this is Izzy." Edward introduced us. Mike stuck out his hand and I shook it. He was several inches shorter than Edward with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes that were mischievous.
"Nice to meet you." Mike said, his eyes betraying his confusion before quickly returning to neutral.
"Nice meeting you, too." I said quietly. Edward caught Mike up quickly on what was going on.
"How would someone get their records sealed?" Edward asked him. Mike was a defense attorney.
"A lot of money and a good lawyer. More than likely he was never convicted of whatever he was charged with. How old is this guy?" Mike wanted to know.
"Fiftyish." I told him.
"No one starts this kind of behavior at this age. I am sure he has a history." Mike said, reaching the same conclusion that we all had. Mike and Edward looked at each other and something passed between them silently.
"Izzy, I think you should stay here. There are cameras inside and outside of the building and security can watch for any suspicious people or activity." Uley told me as he rounded up his officers. His tone was a bit harsh, probably because he had told me to stay there before and I hadn't listened.
"We will begin to do an hourly patrol of the premises, just to check any areas that the cameras can't pick up." Paul added, shaking Edward's hand. "The safety of our tenants is our utmost priority." He added, looking at me.
"Seth's not in trouble, is he?" I asked. Paul grinned good-naturedly.
"Nah. He's a good kid. If any packages come for Mr. Cullen in the future, we will call the police immediately, now that we are aware of the situation."
"Thanks, Paul." He said as the large group filed out of the apartment, everyone except Mike.
"Izzy, I'm going to talk to Mike for a few minutes in my office. Will you be okay for a little while?"
"Yeah, I'm going to take a bath." I said, before remembering that I didn't have any clean clothes at his place. "Do you mind if I wear one of your T-shirts?"
"Of course not, baby. Whatever you need." He said, kissing my forehead before closing himself up in his office with Mike. I went into the bathroom and began to fill the tub with warm water, dumping in bubble bath from Philosophy that I'd left in his cabinet. I sank down under the fragrant suds and tears of frustration and anger and guilt began to break free. I didn't stop them from sliding down my cheeks and splashing into the water one by one. Drip. Drop. Drip.
Edward knocked on the door. "Izzy, can I come in?"
"Yeah." I answered weakly.
He came in and sat on the closed toilet. My nude body was covered by the abundance of bubbles.
"Is Mike gone?" I asked.
"Yeah. I came in to check on you." He said, eying my tear streaked face and puffy eyes.
"I am so scared that something is going to happen to you or my friends and it's going to be my fault." I admitted.
"None of this is your fault, Izzy! That fucker is crazy." Edward assured me.
"I just feel so powerless. Aro is pulling all the strings and we can't do anything."
"Not within the law." He conceded. "But there are other ways…"
"What? No, Edward. I don't…"
"Izzy, I will do anything to protect you. Anything." He emphasized. "I swear on my life that he will never put his hands on you ever again. Okay?"
I nodded, watching as the fury in his eyes dissipated and became calm sea green again.
"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked. I shook my head. He took off his clothes quickly, revealing his lean chiseled body. We both laughed when water sloshed over the edge of the tub and onto the tiles when he climbed in behind me. Edward squeezed a dollop of body wash onto my bath sponge and gently cleansed my body from head to toe. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the warm suds and his sure hands.
I returned the favor, sitting on my knees and turning to face him in the tub. I watched his eyes as I soaped up his body achingly slow. He began to grow thick and hard under me and he closed his eyes with a low groan, resting his head on the white tiles behind him. I knew I shouldn't compare, but I couldn't help but notice how similar Edward and Emmett were below the waist. They were both pretty much the same size and color. But where Emmett had made me feel unsure and undesired, Edward was helping me to feel more secure in my sexuality. Pleasure between us was exchanged freely and I felt no conflict when I leaned down and took him into my mouth.
"Izzy…" he breathed, his mouth hanging open in bliss. I took all of his thick cock, slurping as I moved up and down. I swirled my tongue around the tip.
"Fuck, baby." He hissed. Since I couldn't use my hands-I had to balance myself with my left hand and my right hand was still out of commission- I sucked as hard as I could, hallowing my cheeks. I relaxed my throat and let him slide all the way in. His surprised moan echoed through the bathroom.
"Baby, let me see your eyes." He begged. I looked up at him as I sucked.
"Good girl. You look so good with your lips wrapped around my cock." He told me. I hummed around him.
"That feels so fucking good, Izzy." He groaned, his eyes hooded. I could feel his body tensing under me and I doubled my efforts, moving faster and running my tongue along the underside of his cock.
"Baby, stop…stop." He groaned. He stood up and pulled me up with him and out of the tub. He sat me on the edge of the vanity sink, maneuvered himself between my legs and devoured my mouth until I was breathless. My hand found purchase in his damp hair as our tongues fought for dominance. His wet thumbs caressed my nipples until they were stiff and then pinched them. I cried out at the painful pleasure that traveled straight down to my pussy, causing it to ache with need. His lips moved down my jaw and to my neck where he nipped lightly.
"Edward…" I wrapped a hand around him and put him at my entrance, surprised at my own boldness.
"Izzy, wrap that arm around my neck and don't let go." He instructed. I did as he said and he held my legs up and open as he slid into my warmth. Feeling him inside of me without any barrier was intense. We had talked about it the previous night and he told me that he hadn't been with any other women at all since the last time he was tested. I had been tested at the hospital and I hadn't been with anyone else since then, obviously. And I had been on birth control since I turned eighteen. When he was seated all the way in, his lips found mine and he began to move, slowly and deeply, in and out, as our wet bodies smacked together rhythmically. I was so sensitive and swollen, every stroke made me cry out and very quickly I was on the edge of release.
"Edward…I'm gonna come…" I whispered against his lips.
"Already, naughty girl?" he crooned. He slid his hand between us and circled my clit.
"That feels so good!" I cried.
"Come for me, baby. Then I'll take you in the bedroom and give you some more. Is that what you want?"
"Yes…yesssssss!" I wailed as the coil snapped and my orgasm flashed through my body, my toes curling in ecstasy. He held me tight as my body shuddered.
"Good girl." He said and nibbled my bottom lip. He scooped me up and carried me to his bed as promised. He sat on the bed with his back against the headboard and pulled me on top of him. I stiffened immediately.
"You don't want to be on top?" he asked, noticing my uncertainty.
"I just…I don't…" I stuttered. Emmett and I had never done that position; with him it was either missionary or doggy style. Well, we had tried it once and he said that he couldn't get off.
"Relax, baby." He whispered. "Slide down on me…just like that….mmmm Izzy, you feel incredible." He groaned, squeezing my ass with his large hands. I grabbed the headboard for leverage and began to grind my hips against him, rotating them in a spiral. My head fell back. Fuck, this felt good. Edward closed his lips around my breasts, sucking and licking as I rode him. I began to speed up as my inhibitions fell away and pleasure overtook me.
"That's it, baby. Ride my dick." He encouraged, and then he slapped my left ass cheek before rubbing the sting away. I was shocked by his action and completely astonished that I fucking loved it.
"Oh Edward…again." I moaned loudly. He slapped me again, even harder, and my hips moved on their own, swirling and grinding rapidly as I chased my orgasm. Edward thrust upwards and groaned. His jaw was tense and his mouth hung open as he breathed harshly. I knew he was close.
"Izzy…so hot…shit…"
"Fill me up." I whispered.
"Ungh!" he grunted as he slammed me down onto him over and over. I fell over the edge with his name on my lips and he growled mine as his thrusts slowed down and he released warm spurts into my depths. We clung to each other as our bodies relaxed. I buried my head into his neck, kissing his ear and whispering to him how good he made me feel. He rubbed the small of my back and told me how beautiful I was and how much I meant to him. We pushed our worries aside and stayed in our bubble for the rest of the night.