Disclaimer - SM owns Twilight but I make them ride or die.

Thanks to everyone. I have been very very busy, I apologize for the late post. I'll make it up to you. Enjoy!

"You can get much further with a kind word and a gun then you can with a kind word alone." - Al Capone

Esme's POV

Aro had driven us outside of town. He pulled down a dirt road and parked at the very end. He walked around the Range to my side, opening my door.

"Come on." He said smiling at me. It wasn't his usual cocky smile, it was more like a I can't wait for you to see this smile.

I took his hand and climbed out glad I had slipped on flat boots instead of heels. Aro never let go of my hand, walking down the tree line. We were slowing climbing uphill. Aro was silent as we walked so I stayed silent, too.

My eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness when we came to a stop at the top of a hill. The trees cleared out and it was a beautiful little round shaped meadow. In the middle was a blanket and a picnic basket. It was so romantic.

"Oh Aro." I was speechless.

"What? Oh this, this was nothing." he grinned walking over and pulling candles out of the basket lighting them. They cast a glow over the blanket as he spread it out. He sat down and gestured for me to do the same. I said down tucking my legs under me and watched as he pulled things out of the basket.

"I just nabbed some things from the fridge. I don't cook as you know," he said pulling out fruits and a meat and cheese plate, laying them on the blanket in front of us.

"Last but not least!" He said pulling out a bottle of Merlot and two glasses.

He opened the bottle and filled our glasses. I took a sip enjoying the taste. This couldn't get any more romantic.

"Esme, I brought you here tonight so we could be alone. I wanted to talk to you about some things."

I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"After everything that happen, it made me see you in a new light. I've always thought you were beautiful, but you were Edward's little sister. He is my best friend. I don't want any beef but I want to be with you openly. I planned on talking to your father soon, getting his approval. Like I said, I don't want any beef but if that's what comes with it, then I'll deal. You had my bag, you covered my ass. You protected yourself and the other girls. You have everything I could ever want or need."

I sat there watching him with the biggest grin on my face.

When I hadn't spoken yet, Aro scooted closer, taking my hand in his.

"I want you, Ma." he said looking into my eyes questioningly.

"I want you, too." I said leaning over and placing my lips on his. He grabbed my waist pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. We laid there for awhile, cuddling, kissing, and talking. After an hour or so his phone rang.

He leaned up and looked at the screen.

"It's Edward." He said sitting up and answering the phone. "Yea?"

While he was talking to him I was poking him in the side trying to tickle him. He was trying to fight me off without making too much noise. He was tickling me while he was talking which made me giggle. He smiled and put his finger up to his lips telling me to be quiet.

"I'll meet ya in an hour at the club." he said.

"Aro, get off the phone!" I whispered. My wine was kicking in and I didn't want to share his attention.

"Wait, is that my sister you fuck?" I heard Edward shout through the phone.

Oops.

Aro hung up, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry." I told him placing my hand on his arm.

"It's good. I'll deal with him. Let's get you home. You have school tomorrow." He said kissing my forehead. I felt guilty that Aro had to go off and face my crazy trigger happy brother while I was going home to bed. On the other hand it was hot that he was taken care of everything.

"Will you be there tomorrow?" I asked him hoping he would say yes.

"I got something to do." He replied not looking up from picking up the food.

I didn't say anything, instead I picked up the blanket and folded it neatly. We blew the candles out and made our way back to his truck.

On the way home Aro had the music on low. He had his fingers entwined with mine never letting go. When we got to my house he gave me a deep kiss and saw me inside. I waved, smiling as he pulled off.

I fell asleep with a big smile on my face.

Isabella's POV

I had finally wrapped my mind around everything that had happened in the last coupld of months. I had fallen into a routine. School all week, party with my friends on the weekend. They always had bodyguards with them, but I was getting used to it. What is normal anyway?

My father hadn't said much about my new friends and my mother went on about how wealthy and good looking they were. She said I should establish connections for later on life. If only she knew.

My parents were happy to see me with so many friends.

My parents weren't happy with each other though. We hadn't had dinner together in weeks. I hadn't seen the two of them in the same room in weeks. They had always been oppisites and it looked like it was finally taking it's toll. My mother only cared about herself, and money, and social status. It got on my father's nerves, and mine.

I sighed while I was sitting at the bar eatting breakfast when both of my parents walked in, saw each other, and walked back out. I couldn't take much more of this.

Thankful it was Friday, I grabbed my bag and walked outside when I heard a carhorn. Esme was picking me up today. Alice wasn't going to school today. She was hiding something but after everything I have found out I was afraid to ask.

When I got in the Mercades Esme was beaming.

"Hey." I said.

"Good morning, Bella!"

Damn she was peppy,

"What's up?" I asked.

"Om my gosh. Aro kissed me." She sounded so happy. I was happy for her. I smiled, her happiness contagious.

"That's great, Es. I'm happy for you. How did your brothers deal?" I questioned.

"Edward thinks he knows, but really they don't know anything yet. Aro is going to talk to my father soon, we're very old school and it's a respect thing. You'll learn about this things over time. Anyways, he said he wanted to be with me, that he wanted me to be his. I can't believe it. I've always had a crush on him but I never thought it would happen because he and Edward are so close. Now I've got to tell Alice." Esme told me driving along the avenues.

"I'm sure Alice will be happy for you two. She wants everyone to be happy and everything to be perfect." I told her.

"Yea." Esme smiled.

My first two periods went by pretty quickly and uninteresting. I had first break and sat with Rosalie and Esme at a picnic table, munching on a muffin. Third period rolled around, biology. I dreaded it. There was this guy, Mike Newton who kept asking me out. He wouldn't take no for an answer. I wasn't interested in him in the least.

He kept watching me during class like the stalked he was. I tried to ignore him. Class ended and everyone was up and walking out of the room as fast as possible. It was Friday and everyone was in such a hurry to get the weekend started. I was gathering my books when Mike approached my desk.

"Hey Isabella"

"Hey Mike." I said trying to be nice. He was standing bewteen me and the door.

"Wanna go to dinner tonight?" He asked smiling what he thought was a flirty smile at me.

"Mike, I've already told you I'm not intetested." I said with finality hoping he would take the hint.

He reached over and grabbed my arms pulling me in close. His breath smelled awfuland I could feel where his hands would leave bruises.

"Isabella, you won't even give me a chance. You would love to date me, you just don't know it." He spat out.

I didn't know what to do. He was stronger than I was and I had no chance of fighting him. I was scared. I closed my eyes and looked down. I refused to look at him.

I heard a throat clearing and looked up at the same time as Mike to see Rosalie standing in the doorway.

"I would advise you to let go of her and get the fuck out of my sight." She spoke while staring Mike down.

Mike swallowed and dropped my arms, grabbing his bag and running out of the room.

"Are you ok?" Rosalie asked after he was goine.

"Yea, fine." I said.

She looked at me for a couple of minutes before turning to walk away.

"Let's not be late for fourth period." She said motioning for me to walk with her.

Rosalie wasn't as friendly as Alice or Esme, but she was warming up to me.

I said goodbye when we reached my classroom. Rosalie waved and kept going.

Class was boring. As usual.

Once the bell rang I shot out of my seat and made my way to the cafeteria. I was starving. I hadn't eaten much from breakfast because of my nerves over my parents. I quickly filled my tray and paid, walking to our regular table. Esme and Rosalie were having a conversation about tonight and I listen to them while I ate. I was excited we were going out tonight. I needed to blow off some steam.

When lunch was over, I spent the rest of the day mindnumbed in my classes. I was ready for the day to be over.

Once school was out, Esme and I left to go to her house to get ready for tonight.

We were in her music with the music cranked up dancing around picking out our clothes for the night. Esme and I were the same size so she lent me outfits for the club. She pulled out a sparkly blue sequined strapless dress. It was gorgeous. I slipped into and was admiring myself in the mirror when I noticed the bruises on my arm. You could make out each one of Mike's fingers right below my shoulder.

Esme gasped when she noticed them.

"Oh my God Bella!" She pulled my arm up to look closer.

"It's nothing. Mike Newton was just being an ass today. I bruise easy." I told her shrugging it off.

"No it's not nothing. Isabella, his handprint is on you. That's a big deal." Esme said staring at me like I was crazy. Before I knew it she had picked up her phone and was texting someone.

"What are you doing?" I asked her beginning to panic. I didn't want attention drawn to myself.

"Texting Aro. Something needs to be done."

"Esme. What if they kill him?" I cried out.

"He won't kill him but he'll set him straight. That boy needs to know to leave you alone." Esme said giving me no room for argument.

I simply nodded and went back to getting ready. Esme helped me put concealer over the bruises and she curled my hair. We were putting the finishing touches on our makeup when Edward knocked on the door and came strolling in.

"Hello." He said eyeing me.

I felt my cheeks heat up and went back to applying me lipgloss.

"Are we riding with you?" Esme asked him putting her things in a silver clutch to match her dress.

"Yes, Aro is detained." He told her never taking his eyes off of me.

I wonder what Aro was detained with. Hopefully, he didn't kill a stupid kid tonight.

"I'm ready." I said turning to face them.

We slipped our jackets on and Esme smiled, linking her arm with mine.

"Come on sister, it's going to be a good night."

"Yes it is." I said smiling back at her, all but forgetting the day's events. I was going to enjoy my night.

We rode to the club mostly in silence, listening to the music. Edward gave us each a couple of tequila minis to sip on. The club was jumping when we got there, but of course we walked right in. We all walked up to our private room for the night and Edward helped Esme out of her jacket.

"May I?" He said standing next to me motioning for me to give him my jacket. I turned away from him and lifted my arms away from my body so he could slide my jacket off. He had my jacket halfway off when he paused. I turned to look at him.

His eyes had grown dark and he was staring at the bruises on my arm. The jacket had rubbed the concealer off and they shown in their full color.

"Who did this?" He finally said. I could tell he was trying to keep his calm.

"No one. Don't worry about it." I said not wanting to be the source of drama tonight.

Edward stepped around me and lifted my face up to look at him.

"Isabella, tell me. Now."

"A boy from school. He's just a stupid kid."

"You're right, he is stupid for putting his hands on you. Now, tell me his name."

"Mike." I gave in.

"Mike Newton? That stupid fuck!" Edward said outraged.

I nodded.

"Please don't kill him." I blurted out. I didn't care for the boy but I didn't want him dead.

Edward laughed.

"I won't kill him but I'll make sure he never looks your way again." Edward said before disappearing out of the room. I looked over at Esme, her face holding a compassionate look. She understood how I felt, but she wasn't going to go against what she had been raised to believe in.

"Where is he going?" I asked her.

"I would bet Jacob's since Mike is there." Esme answered handing me a drink in a tall glass.

I turned the glass up and downed half of it wanting to feel the effects of the alcohol as soon as possible.

"Slow down, that's a Long Island ice tea." She said laughing.

I didn't know what that meant and I didn't care. I quickly downed the rest and ordered another.

Edward's POV

Seeing those bruises on her arm sent me into a blind rage. I knew exactly what little bitch she was talking about. I had went to school with this kid since fucking Kindergarten. I also knew that he would be at a party at Jacob's place because he liked the powder. He was a big customer for Jacob.

I took the stairs two at a time. I didn't wait for the valet to bring my car around. I snatched the keys and ran into the parking garage. I jumped into my car, turning the key over, listening to the engine purr. I broke all kinds of traffic laws on the way there.

When I got to Jacob's place I drove straight up to the porch and jumped out of the car. I didn't shut the engine off or shut the door. Nobody would fuck with my shit, not that I cared in that moment. I made my way through the house pushing anyone that didn't move out of my way.

I spotted that dumb fuck in the living room laughing talking to a couple other guys and a girl. I made a straight line towards him.

"Mike." I hollered to get his attention.

Just as he turned around I swung as hard as I could and connected my fist with his face. Blood was gushing out of his nose and he was laid out on the floor. I picked up my foot and started kicking his face. I dropped my shoe over and over into Mike's fucking face, Blood pouring out onto the carpet.

Once I was satisfied with his teeth scattered on the floor, I reached down and grabbed his hair again pulling him up to look at me.

"Mike Newton, if you ever, ever even look Isabella Swan's way, I swear on my unborn children, I will end you." I said quietly where only he could hear me. The music had stopped and everyone was standing around us in a circle.

"The only reason you're not dead right now is because you're in a room full of witnesses." I spat in his face and dropped him on the floor.

I stood up and glanced around looking at everyone, challenging someone to speak up against me. I had lost my temper, but I wasn't worried. Nobody would remember anything that happen tonight out of fear of what would happen to them.

I straightened my jacket and walked out to my untouched car and headed back to the club. I had been a possessed man mere moments before and now I was calm and collected. I couldn't stand the thought of some man laying his hand on Isabella.

No one would touch what would be mine.

I got back to the club and went I got back to out private room, I went straight to the bar.

"Shot of Jack." I ordered from the little blond behind the counter.

She placed a shot glass in front of me and filled it to the brim. I through it back and slammed the shot glass on the counter, nodding, letting her know to keep filling.

It had been a fuck up day.

I found out my sister and my best friend will be bumping uglies soon, I didn't get to kill anyone, and to top it off I just drove across fucking town to defend a girl I didn't really know.

But I wanted to.

I turned to see Aro looking at me. He was sitting next to my baby sister with his arm casually laying over the back of the couch behind her. Emmett had Rosalie in his fucking lap. PDA apparently doesn't bother those two. Usually all this mushy shit made me sick but I found myself wishing Isabella was sitting on my lap. Or my cock.

Instead she was sitting next to Mary Alice while she babbled on in her ear about this year's hottest trends or something. Isabella didn't look all that intetested. Instead she just kept sipping on her drink and glancing around the room.

When her eyes made contact with mine I winked at her.

It was all I needed to say.