Disclaimer - Ms. Meyers owns all things Twilight, I own their pimp rides though.
Thanks to everyone time and time again. Love all the reviews. Show me more! Please! My earlier chapters are slowly being redone as my Beta gets to them. I'm keeping her busy with all the new ones so be patient. :) Please make sure you're not skipping chapters. My visitor traffic makes it look like some of you are. You don't want to get lost, do you? :)
Beta'd by none other than the infamous MalloryKnoxx
*hugs* her
"I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy."
- Dignam, The Departed
Edward's POV
I followed my brother into the back room at Demetri's restaraunt. Marcus sat at the head of the table with Demetri to his left. Next to him, sat my father then Cauis. Carlisle sat to his father's right, followed by Alec. The seat between he and Felix was empty, meant for Emmett. Aro sat next his father leaving my seat beside Felix.
All of the older men wore cold, hard expressions.
Carlisle looked lost in thought.
Felix looked indifferent.
Aro looked pissed.
Emmett and I sat down, drinks were ordered.
Everything was silent until the buxom redhead placed the last drink on the table and left.
"Cominciamo". (Let's begin.) Marcus said.
"Your stunt from last night has made headline news. This will most likely bring us unnecessary attention. There was already enough to worry about with Denali and you decide to strike out and start a war!" Marcus yelled, staring straight at me.
"I didn't strike first, I struck back." I defended myself.
My father kept glancing between Marcus and myself.
Marcus looked at Emmett.
"Emmett, I know you had part in this. I also know who was the mastermind behind this act. Leaving him on the gates? That screams 'Look at me!'" Marcus turned back to me. "We can't afford this war right now!"
"They started it. Do you not remember the attack?"
Marcus sipped his whiskey.
"One attack. We handled those boys. The ones selling the drugs also."
"Marcus, those were our daughters! Do you not care? Do you not care because Jane wasn't with them?" My father's voice rose.
"Nothing came of it."
"Santiago was shot, and the girls could have been had Esme not stepped up." My father shot back.
Marcus was the boss but he was insulting his capos and consigliere's daughters.
Family first.
Blood first.
"Have you forgotten the girl carrying your son's baby was in that vehicle?" Cauis called out coldly.
"I didn't forget! I just don't think there should be more violence than necessary. We need to keep a low profile. It's hard to do with all these young cowboys running around chomping at the bit. Can you not control your own sons?" Marcus ranted, his face growing red.
"The same could be said for you." Cauis retorted.
"Non parlare male della mia carne e sangue. Egli sarà il prossimo boss e sarà trattato con il rispetto che va con esso. Non dimenticate che importa ora per il vostro bambino." ("Do not speak ill of my flesh and blood. He will be the next Boss and he will be treated with the respect that goes with it. Do not forget who now cares for your child.)
Cauis still looked pissed, but he said nothing.
"Emmett, Edward, if you do something this stupid again, I will not be forgiving. You are only walking out of this room today because of who your father is." Marcus spoke with venom.
"Everyone needs to lay low. Business as usual but run a tight ship. We don't know how heavy the pigs will be." Dementri advised.
We all nodded.
This was complete bullshit. Marcus cared about his own, and only his own.
I was taking a page from his book.
I was worried about my own.
Mainly Isabella.
I was her only protection.
Charlie had no idea what kind of world Isabella and Renee were wrapped up in.
Renee brought it on herself.
Alice brought Isabella in.
I kept her here.
I was too selfish to let her go.
I would fight with every ounce in me to make things right.
Nobody would stand in my way.
Not my father.
Not Carlisle.
Not Marcus.
The older men spoke quietly about business until the food arrived. Business was never discussed during a meal.
There was tention in our family at the worst time, but we would overcome it.
Some of us would anyway.
I pulled up to the salon to pick up Isabella.
I needed her in my arms badly.
I walked in to find her standing with her toes spread wearing some funky foam shoes while holding her boots in her hand.
She had her jeans rolled up and her hair was piled loosely on her head.
Her polish matched her shirt and I loved it.
Isabella looks magnificent in blue.
"Hey doll." I greeted her kissing her forehead.
I have never been a man of public affection, but with her, I wanted to tattoo my name across her forehead so everyone knew she was mine.
I would have to settle with her carrying my name, and she would.
She just didn't know it yet.
"Hey. You like?" She smiled at me wriggling her fingers.
"Very much." I nodded.
"I'm off to see my angry man!" Rosalie yelled over her shoulder waving.
"Bye. Thanks so much Rose!" Isabella called after her.
"Let's go." I told her scooping her up, one arm behind her back, one under her knees.
She giggled and snuggled into my chest.
"Don't smudge my nails." She scolded as I carried her out of the salon.
"I would never!" I said with fake shock.
I put her in the car and quickly went around to get in.
"Where to?" I asked taking her tiny hand in mine.
"Wanna go to my house?" She asked wagging her eyebrows at me.
I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing.
"What?" She asked with a pout on her gorgeous face.
"Nothing, you- you just look like Emmett. Don't do that anymore!" I choked out.
She fell into giggles again.
"I guess it's not sexy to look like you're brother, huh?"
I shook my head.
"So you wanna go to my place?" Isabella asked in an imitation of some sleazy guy at a bar.
"Well, I don't know if that's a good idea." I teased back in a fake falsetto.
"I'll make you breakfast in the morning." She carried on.
"That's not good for my figure!" I squealed out flailing my hands around the way I had seen my sister and her friends do.
"Come on baby!" Isabella boomed out.
"Well, I guess so..." I tried to keep up the charade, but I was laughing too hard.
Isabella fell over in her seat holding her side.
"Why aren't you like this around anyone else?"
"I can't afford to laugh and cut-up. It's all business, all the time. Besides, no one else makes me laugh like you." I told her honestly.
I can't remember laughing like this since I was a little kid.
"As long as I get to see this side, I don't care how you are with everyone else." She told me with a serious look.
I brought her hand up to my lips, placing a kiss on her silky skin.
"So about your place-" I began before she interrupted.
"My dad won't be home for awhile. For some reason he has a ton of work to do."
I peeked at her and she was wearing a questioning look.
I knew she would have questions.
I was just hoping she wouldn't ask.
"So when will this all be over?" She finally broke the silence.
"Soon. Marcus is being senile about the whole thing, but I'm handling it." I assured her.
"There is alot more I want to know, but I'm afraid to ask." She said softly.
"Some things I can't answer. I'll answer what I can although I'd rather you not know."
"Did you kill James?" She asked so quietly I almost didn't hear her.
I didn't answer her.
How could I tell her that I did that?
She suspected, but me confirming it took things to another level.
"Your silence kind of gives it away Edward." She said with a little attitude.
"Do you think differently of me?"
Isabella's POV
Did I think differently of him? I was a little disappointed, but I couldn't find it in myself to want to be away from him. James was a bad guy who did bad things. I wouldn't want to play God, but it's not like I would miss the asshole.
"No." I answered him finally.
"Good." He grinned at me.
"What if I did?" I asked curiously.
"You don't so I'm not going to answer that."
His face held no trace of emotion so I couldn't guess at what he might say.
"Do you do that alot?"
"Do what alot?" His face held a confused look.
"You know...make the news, I guess?"
He laughed.
"No, that was Denali's doing."
"Does my mother know about this stuff?" I asked hoping she wouldn't be involved in something like that, but then again I never thought I'd grow up to date a mobster.
He took a deep breath before turning to look at me.
"Isabella, I don't know how much she is involved in, but she would have to be dead not to know anything."
And I thought I couldn't dislike my mother anymore.
Speak of the devil...
As we pulled in the drive there sat my mother leaning against a brand new Mercedes SUV.
"Isabella!" She greeted with a big fake smile.
She cast a quick scowl at Edward before plastering that smile back on her face.
"Edward, how are you?"
"Never better." He answered cooly.
She turned back to me.
"Since you're off from school the rest of the week, I thought you could come visit sooner. You don't even have to pack, I'll take you shopping." Renee smiled at me clasping her hands.
"What makes you think I'm off from school?" I questioned her.
"A little birdy told me." She laughed.
"What's this little birdy's name?" Edward spoke before I could.
"Now why would I tell you that?" Renee said with venom through her smile.
"I'm not going with you." I told her bluntly.
"Isabella, I'm sure your father would agree you need to spend some time with your mother."
"I'm sure my father wouldn't agree with your choice of fuckbuddy." I smirked at her.
Her smile faltered.
"I don't think we should discuss that with your father. Besides, Charlie makes next to nothing. Who do you think will pay for your college?" She retorted placing her hands on her hips.
"I'll pay for anything she wants or needs." Edward smirked at her.
"This isn't over, Isabella. I'm your mother and I deserve time with you, too!" She huffed before getting in her vehicle and squealing out of the driveway.
"Would you really pay for my college?" I looked up at Edward.
"If you want to go. You're already set for life even if you never work."
"What?" I screeched.
"Isabella, you're a kept woman. Get use to it." He smirked at me before leading me up the steps of the porch.
I stood looking at him in shock.
Did he realize how much money it would take just to live a normal life?
"Are you going to open the door or should I pick the lock?" He asked me seriously.
"No I got it." I said fumbling in my purse for my keys.
I opened the door and headed straight for the bar. I poured two shots of whiskey.
I nodded at one for him and he picked it up.
"What should we toast to?" I asked.
"Per la mia futura moglie!" (To my future wife!)
"What you said." I slammed my shot. I scrunched up my face from the burn.
"What did you say anyway?" I asked.
"Learn Italian." He said widening his eyes.
"Ass."
"You love this ass." He said wiggling his hips.
"I do!" I laughed.
I poured more shots and we spent the rest of the afternoon telling jokes and stories.
It distracted me temporarily from my mother.
I had a feeling in my gut that told me she was up to no good.