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Beta'd by that juicy bitch MalloryKnoxx (kiss her ring) ;p
"When the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box."
Italian Proverb
Previously...
"We have to get her to a hospital!" I found my voice, tugging on Edward's sleeve.
"I already texted Carlisle." He said and grabbed Jane's arm pulling her behind us as we walked back towards a dark SUV.
"What about Aro?" I asked in a panic.
"He can handle himself." Edward laughed, "He's making sure we're not leaving anyone behind."
I nodded. I let him help me in the vehicle and then Jane. He kept a hand on some part of me as he raced through the streets.
"Jane? You with us?" Edward asked looking in the rearview mirror.
"Uh huh..." She answered weakly.
In what seemed like no time, we pulled up in front of his apartment building.
"This isn't a hospital." I murmured giving him a look.
"Carlisle is in the penthouse waiting. We don't want to draw attention, not with what we have coming up." He explained as a large guy I had seen around Marcus' place approached to help with Jane.
"Hi Jimmy." Jane smiled at him as he picked her up.
"That's her guard. She sneaked out when he was in the bathroom." Edward spoke low in my ear. "I'm sorry. About everything and for taking so long to find you."
"I'm just glad you did." I choked on my tears and he wrapped his arm tighter around me as we walked in a back entrance to the building.
Isabella's POV
Edward instructed me to take off the clothes Roxy had given me. I peeled them off and watched as he burned them all. He took my hand and pulled me into the bathroom where he started the shower. Steam quickly filled the room as I stepped into it. A hot shower had never felt better. Edward washed me from head to toe and I savored it.
There were so many questions rolling through my head, but I would ask them later. I was going to finish my shower, then I was going to eat. Edward had sent for enough food to feed everybody. I was in an exhausted daze, but I gathered enough that the apartment would be busy for a while.
"I'm so tired." I mumbled against Edward's shoulder as he turned the water off.
"Want me to bring your plate up? You need rest. You don't have to face everyone if you're not ready." He ran his fingertips down my sides kissing my forehead.
I nodded. We dried off quickly. While I put on comfy pajamas, Edward donned his usual suit. I laid down on the bed and tried to stay awake long enough for Edward to return with my food.
My eyes were fluttering closed when he walked it.
"Don't go to sleep yet gorgeous." Edward grinned at me sitting a plate filled to the brim next to me.
"I'm awake." I sat up digging in greedily. After a full belly, I would sleep for hours.
"You understand from here on out, you're not even allowed to shit alone?" Edward glanced up from his plate.
I nodded. I wasn't going to argue with him ever again. I thought he was being paranoid and overprotective before. I knew better now.
"How did you find me?" I asked softly.
Edward held up a finger for me to wait a minute while he swallowed. He took a big gulp of his drink.
"We were working on tracing Roxy's phone. She had enough sense to turn it off, but she didn't keep it off. It wasn't on long enough to trace her location, but we hacked her call log and when she finally called Jane, we tracked her. She led us to you, unknowingly. Carlisle is very proud of her for standing up for her family."
"Me, too." I took another bite. "I need to see my dad. He must be worried sick."
"He knows you're with me. I'll take you to see him whenever you're ready. I think you should get some rest though." Edward said smoothly.
I know I had just said I would never argue with him again, but I really wanted to see my dad. If I could have held my eyes open I would have protested. As it were, I don't remember putting my plate down or anything else.
Exhaustion had taken over.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I woke up gasping, the cloud of confusion parting around me as I realized I was in Edward's bed in his apartment.
"I'm here, kid." He said squeezing my thigh.
"How long have I been asleep?" I croaked out.
"Nineteen hours."
"Are you serious?" My voice broke. I needed something to drink.
"You've been through a lot. You needed to rest." He got out of bed. He was wearing blue pajama pants that hung low on his hips. I licked my lips and my stomach grumbled. I followed him out of the bedroom. Sexy time would have to wait for later.
"You're up!" Esme exclaimed from her place in front of the stove. Whatever she was making smelled good.
I headed straight for the sink filling a glass. I gulped it down, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
"That smells wonderful." I told Esme hoarsely.
"I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered hugging me tightly.
"Me, too."
She pulled back and was smoothing my hair.
"Emmett was just released from the hospital, and he and Rosalie should be here soon. Mary Alice wants to see you as soon as they let her leave." Esme chattered as the flipped some sausage.
"Let her leave from where?" I knitted my brow. I hadn't been gone that long, what had I missed?
"She went into labor, but they stopped it for now. She is under strict orders to rest, rest, and rest. No drama or stress." Esme raised her eyebrows, "I'm surprised Carlisle hasn't locked her in a closet. You know how she is, too. So he wants her to do nothing, but she wants to be going and doing. She doesn't see how continuing to help plan Rose's wedding would be stressful to her. It's going to be an interesting couple of months with those two."
"I forgot about the wedding. Is that bad?" I admitted.
"You've been through a lot." Esme shrugged her shoulders.
"What about school?" I asked as thoughts floated in and out of my head. My regular schedule seemed far from that now.
"If you want to go back, you can. If you don't, you'll graduate this year regardless." Edward answered collectedly pouring a glass of apple juice.
"Thank you." I said as he handed it to me. "I don't know if I'm ready to go back or not. High school just seems so...trivial at this point."
Esme and Aro nodded. I knew she wanted to spend as much time as possible with him while she could. His hearing was coming up and she had told me there was a good chance he could do some real time.
"Isabella!" Rosalie called out as she and Emmett walked in. I was feeling crowded, but I ignored it. I would have to get used to a bunch of guards around all the time and people coming and going. It was a part of this life now. A big house would help instead of being crammed in a little apartment.
I hugged them hello. Emmett looked thinner than normal, but that was better than dead. We spent the next hour eating and chatting. Felix carried Jane home to rest. He was super upset with her about sneaking out, but he was just glad she was okay. Carlisle went back to the hospital to be with Alice until she got to go home. I told him to tell her I would come see her soon. I didn't want her stressing anymore than she already was.
"Can you take me home?" I asked Edward quietly as we cleared the table.
"Yea." He gave me a small smile. "Let me get our coats and we'll go."
Edward's POV
I was surprised it took as long as it did for Isabella to request to see her father. I would comply with her wish. My guys had already been through the house and Kate had taken all the cash and packed a bag. She knew someone had grabbed Charlie and she had enough instincts and street smarts to get the fuck out of there. I would find her. It wouldn't take me long.
I would take Isabella over there and it would look like her father and Kate skipped town together, leaving her behind and pushing her even further into my arms. I couldn't have planned it better. As soon as I found the King Pig's evidence against my family and myself, I would put an end to his life. I was on the fence with Kate. I didn't want to kill an innocent child, but what would I do with it?
I was broken out of my thoughts as I drove away from downtown with a question I didn't expect to hear.
"Did I kill Roxy?"
She spoke so softly, I almost didn't hear her.
What should I tell her?
No, but we took care of it so you don't have to worry.
Or, the truth?
This would test her strength.
"Yes."
A small gasp escaped her plump lips.
"Are you okay?" I glanced over at her. She was looking straight ahead with a slight blush to her cheeks. I loved when she blushed. "It was self defense, you did what you had to do to make it out. You not only protected yourself, but Jane as well. What you did is commendable."
"It's murder." She muttered.
"How can I fix it?" I brought her hand to my lips to kiss.
She shrugged her shoulders and looked out her window. I would deal with that subject later.
I needed to get the visit to her house over with so I could get her safely back to mine. I had a long list of people to take out this week. I wanted it done swiftly. Our family had new leadership. While our fathers were dealing with old man shit, we would be running the streets our way. Emmett, Aro, and I. Big changes were coming.
"Kate's car is gone." Isabella asked perplexed. "Where the hell would they be?"
"Maybe they went to pickup food real quick. She is pregnant." I suggested as I pulled into the drive. I helped Isabella out of the car and we made our way into the quiet house. I followed Isabella as she called out for her father and searched room after room. We came to a stop in Charlie's bedroom. My boys had thrown a bunch of his clothes in a suitcase and taken it so it looked like he left with Kate.
Isabella's eyes glistened as she took in the scene before her.
"Where would they have gone?" She asked in disbelief. "Did they really leave me?"
I knew the answers to all those questions, but I wouldn't be answering them. This was all part of my plan. I would take care of everything so she would want me. Need me. Turn to me. Trust me. Rely on me.
I would make sure her every want, need, and desire was met.
"I got you." I wrapped my arms around her waist. I felt her tears falling onto my shirt. "Let's pack a bag, and I'll send for the rest of your things. We'll figure this out."
She nodded against my chest and we left.
Everything was going just how I planned. I wanted Isabella to believe her father had run off with Kate and didn't bother to think about her. I want any loyalty she had left to that man erased.
I was going to spend the next few days settling her in to our new home and then I was going to off Martin. Frank and Renee would be next, and as soon as I had Kate to torture Charlie with, I would be finding out where all the evidence was. Once that was gone, Charlie would be, too.
Mary Alice's POV
"Thank God I get to go home." I sighed as Carlisle helped me in the car.
"I know, love." He kissed my hand before shutting the door.
"How's Jane?" I asked when he got in the car.
"Sore, but she'll be fine with no long term damage."
"That's good. I'm glad she's on our side." I said softly.
Carlisle cut his eyes at me.
"What? She's hasn't exactly been Ms. Sweetheart to me!" I defended myself.
"Lei รจ ancora mia sorella. E 'carne e sangue per il nostro bambino. Si prega di cercare di mantenere le cose pacifico." (She is still my sister. She is our child's flesh and blood. Please try to keep things peaceful.)
I could tell he was trying to keep his calm with my condition, but in times of extreme emotions he always spoke in his native tongue.
"I will try. I can only be pushed so far. You give her that same speech." I raised my eyebrows at him. I wasn't bowing down to Jane. She may have helped Isabella, but she had still been a royal bitch to me.
"I have. On to another subject. Isabella will be over later to see you." Carlisle gave me a small smile.
"That's great!" A huge smile graced my face.
"It's good to see you smile." Carlisle kissed my knuckles.
An hour later, after several food runs for my cravings Carlisle took the exit that lead out of downtown.
"Where are we going?" I asked confused.
"I have a surprise for you."
"Ooh I love surprises!" I squealed.
Carlisle may have been a dog, but he knew how to give a girl presents.
We drove through several blocks of large homes with manicured lawns until we were out of the neighborhoods. Carlisle turned down a paved single lane road and my curiosity peaked.
"A little while longer." He assured me.
We drove what seemed to be a couple of miles with trees lining both sides of the road. The trees broke apart to reveal a clearing with a huge, dark red brick house sitting in the middle. Double doors nestled below an arch in the center of the house.
As much as I had grown up with, I was in awe of the house sitting before me. Mansion was more accurate. It had to be at least three of my parents' house.
"What are we doing here?"
"We're home." Carlisle said coolly.
"What?! Are you serious?" I turned in the seat.
"Yes. Don't get too excited." he chuckled, "Did you really think I was going to bring my bambino home to an apartment?"
I didn't reply, instead I turned to take in the gorgeous landscape. Sammy was waiting on the front porch. I waved, and he came over and opened my door. Carlisle walked around to help me out, while Sammy grabbed my things from the hospital.
"Shouldn't we have a gate?" I asked as we walked up the steps.
"We drove through one, love. Didn't you notice?"
"I guess not."
Carlisle opened the door and we walked in. My breath was taken away. There wasn't much furniture, but that wouldn't last long. Black marble floors stretched as far as I could see. The walls were a beige color. I would be fixing that, but I would have plenty of time.
"Can we live here forever?" I asked in awe.
"Most certainly."
We spent the next hour or so with Carlisle giving me a grand tour. I couldn't believe this gorgeous home was mine.
All of the rooms were huge, and I couldn't wait to get started decorating it. Our master bedroom had a small room to the side meant to be an office, but it would be Melania's nursery until she was old enough to sleep in her own room. There was a large deck on the back with two sets of stairs winding down to the yard with a large in-ground pool with an adjoining jacuzzi.
"This is amazing."
"You deserve every bit of it." Carlisle snaked his arm around my lower back, "Now let's get you in bed for a nap. You have to be tired."
Rosalie's POV
"How are you feeling?" I asked Emmett once we were back home and sitting on the couch.
"My side is a little sore, but I feel good." He grinned at me, his dimples coming out to play.
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Let's just order in. I want to spend the night with my beautiful fiance."
"Sounds good to me. Want to talk about some of the wedding details?" I scooted over getting closer to him.
"Whatever you pick will be fine." He slumped back on the couch.
"Are you up to the date we had picked?" I asked him hopeful.
"April third." He grinned again.
"I already know what all I want. We just have to go get fitted for dresses and tuxes and pay for everything." I filled him in, as I looked through take out menus.
"Whatever you want." he pulled out his wallet and handed me his black card, "Here. You'll have one once we're married."
"That's what I'm talking about." I tried to smile at him. "Pizza sound good or you want something else?"
"Pizza's good. Jacob, whatcha want on yours?" Emmett looked over the back of the couch. Jacob was standing in the corner texting. He looked up and his eyes looked empty. Something in me wanted to comfort him. There was nothing between us or at least that's what I kept telling myself.
"Whatever is fine, Boss." He answered coldly.
"Order six, get whatever toppings, but make two meat lovers'. Paulie and the other boys might be hungry, too."
"Got it." I picked up my phone and walked into the kitchen so I could hear over the action movie Em had blaring in the living room.
I ordered the pizza and sat my phone down, exhaling air. I decided to pour myself a large glass of wine. I would eat, have some wine, and go to bed. I was ready for the day to be over.
"You okay?" Jacob's deep voice floated over my shoulder.
I turned around to find him standing just a few inches away.
"Why would you ask me that?" I countered.
"For a girl talking about planning her wedding with a black card, you didn't look very into it." He raised his eyebrow at me.
"I'm just tired." I said to convince myself really, more than him.
"Okay." He nodded slowly, "I'm here if you need to talk."
Talk? We could talk about how he rejected me, but we wouldn't. It was for the better that way. I loved Emmett. All the crazy just caught up with me. That's all it was. I would just keep telling myself that and Jacob would be on my mind less and less until he wasn't on it at all.
"Thanks." I mumbled looking away from his intense gaze. I picked up my glass and went back to the living room.
"Pizzas are ordered." I sat down on the couch, curling my legs under me.
"Okay. Emmett replied never taking his eyes off the T.V.