Disclaimer - Meyer owns Twilight, blah blah blah

Thanks to everyone showing me the support and love. It's more than I ever hoped for and I'm having a blast writing this story. I apologize profusely for the delay. I have been traveling and it was a much needed vacation! I'm back now, so never fear, lots of updates are here! I prefer to write scenes as they pop in my head, even if it means a shorter chapter. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (or whatever you may celebrate) and a happy New Year!

Enjoy!

As always, give thanks to that Beastella who fixes this shit up, MalloryKnoxx

"You can wash your hands, but not your conscience."

~~ unknown

Previously...

We spent the next few minutes in silence. Neither having anything to say to the other.

I had just lit another cigarette when my phone rang.

"Yea?"

"We have all of it, Boss. Laptops, files, pictures. I took a pic of the room before and after. He has spent some time trying to bring the family down. Where would you like me to bring it?"

"Meet me at my place in thirty." I smiled into the phone before hanging up.

I took a long drag off my cigarette and held it out to Charlie.

He shook his head.

"Afraid of cancer? It won't kill you because I'm going to." I stepped closer putting the smoke back in my mouth, letting it hang off my lips. I pulled my gun and waved it slowly back and forth in front of Charlie's face. His eyes followed the barrel even in the dim light of the warehouse.

"Look at me!" I barked causing him to raise his face up again. "Get a good look at my face because it's the last thing you're ever going to see." I smirked and before his face could form into a shocked expression I stopped the gun between his eyes and pulled the trigger.

Esme's POV

My phone blaring woke me from a wonderful dream. I knocked things around on my nightstand until my hand connected with it.

"This better be good." I mumbled into the phone. I knew it was way early without having to look at the clock. I normally have no problems getting up in the morning, but my body was protesting the hour.

"Hey, Ma."

"Hi," I stifled through a yawn, "What time is it baby?"

A soft chuckle came through.

"Sorry bout that. Still very early. I'm calling cause I won't be at school today, but I don't want you making plans. I want to take you away for your birthday and Valentine's day this weekend."

"Sounds wonderful, have you talked to my father about this?"

"I've got that all covered just don't say anything."

I heard rustling in the background.

"Why?"

"Just do it, kay? I gotta go. Call you tonight. Love you." and he hung up before I could reply.

"Love you." I muttered to no one and dozed back off to dreams about what awaited me.

I was just getting to the good part of my dream when a series of beeps woke me. I wasn't ready to get up, but I didn't fight it.

I climbed out of bed and quickly showered and fix my hair. I threw on my uniform and a nude pair of Louboutins. I had a quick breakfast with my mother and was out the door. I was thankful it was Thursday. Just today and the next to get through until the weekend. I was enjoying being at school, but after so much time off, being stuck there all day was quickly becoming monotonous.

My guards stayed in the car parked on the curb as I walked across the courtyard. I saw Isabella trying to juggle her purse and backpack while stuffing books into it.

"Good morning." I greeted with a smile.

"Hey, morning." She cast a glance my way.

"Need some help?" I held out my hands.

"Thanks." She grinned handing me her purse and finished stuffing her books in. "I had a late night, and I really didn't want to get up. Mornings aren't my thing."

I laughed at her comment and we fell into step with one another and started toward class. My father had made sure we all had the same classes so Jacob and Santiago would always be with us.

"So what are your plans for this weekend?" I asked as we turned down the hallway.

"I don't know. Edward said we would be close to home with everything going on, but I know he has something up his sleeve."

"I bet he does."

She looked at me suspiciously.

"What do you know?"

"Not a thing." I grinned. I would never give away his surprise. She would have to just wait and see. "Aro is taking me somewhere, but I don't know where. I can't wait." I changed the subject to avoid more questions.

"That sounds nice." She smiled. "I'm hoping to hear from my dad, but I doubt I will. I don't know what's going on that he would just up and leave. Edward hasn't found out anything. I just hope Kate isn't under stress so the baby is okay."

"I'm sure they wouldn't do anything to endanger the baby. Just try to relax. Men have reasons for doing whatever and we don't always know all the details. Your dad probably just didn't want to uproot you, and he knew Edward would be here to take care of you. Have you heard from your mom?"

"No, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not..." She raised her eyebrows. She didn't have to say any more. We all knew Renee was a nutcase.

"Bitches!" A sultry voice came from behind us.

"Hello, Rose." Isabella and I greeted in unison.

"What's going on?" She threw her arms around us as we walked.

"Basically the usual. Aro is taking me away this weekend." I replied calmly but with a huge smile.

"Ooh that's sounds romantic. So romantic that I bet your father thinks you're spending the weekend with me." She winked at me.

"That explains how he arranged for the weekend away."

"I think this will be a good weekend for all of us. Valentine's day is always great!" She said enthusiastically.

"Yea, yea we know. Now let's get to class." Santiago walked up beside us making a gagging gesture.

"Shut up." Rosalie gave him a playful push.

"I can't, I'm just soooo stressed my boyfriend won't get me the right present!" He wailed in a false high pitched tone.

We all laughed heading into the classroom.

Isabella's POV

The day passed by quickly, but not as quickly as I would have liked. The classes weren't enough to keep my mind from wandering to what Edward had planned for this weekend or what my dad was doing. I knew I was safe, but was he? It was also was bothering me that I hadn't heard from my mother. She was being too quiet. I planned on doing a little investigating of my own.

When the final bell rang I wasted no time in getting out of there. I walked out of the building to find Edward waiting for me. Leaned against the car in a suit with shades on. It was true, none of them cared who knew who they were. Edward most of all. I think he thrived on the rush his lifestyle provided.

I held the railing as I walked down the steps. Edward had insisted I wear heels everyday with Mary Alice backing him up. I was going to fall to my death, I just knew it.

"Hello gorgeous." His deep voice filled my ears and clouded my head.

"Hi." I replied walking into his open arms. No matter how hectic my day was, falling into his touch made everything else melt away.

"You hungry?"

I nodded against his chest.

"Let's get out of here. Emmett ordered in and he's waiting on us."

He helped me in the car and we made small talk for a while. He asked about classes and how my day went. He showed a lot of interest for something he didn't even care for. I think he was like that with everything involving me.

"Edward, can I ask you something?"

A brief mask of something I couldn't place passed over his face before his original poker face went up. He nodded and snuck a glance at me before returning his eyes to the road.

"I'm very grateful you're trying to look for my dad, but can you like, I don't know... find out what my mom is up to? I just think she is being too quiet and if she had something to do with him being gone, I would like to know."

Edward's shoulders relaxed minutely.

"Anything for you." He said bringing our joined hands up to his lips, and kissing the back of mine.

"Thank you." I spoke softly. I hoped my tone expressed how thankful I was for everything he did. I don't know how I would have survived everything that happened recently without him.

"Can we go to my house later? I want to look around for any clue of where he may have went."

"We'll go soon." He answered evenly.

"Okay. Enough talk about that stuff. Let's talk about what you got me for V-day. What am I suppose to get you?" I grinned showing him I wouldn't bring down the whole afternoon sobbing away about my fucked up parents.

"It's a surprise, and you don't have to get me anything. You just being in my life, being mine is more than I could have ever asked for."

"You're smooth, you know that? Real smooth." I slanted my eyes at him.

"Like motherfucking peanut butter." He looked my way wearing his signature smirk.

"Then I'll be the jelly."

"You're for sure sweet enough, kid."

Rosalie's POV

Emmett had ordered in enough food to feed a small army, but then again that's what he was doing. Pizza and pasta and sandwiches and burgers covered every counter in the kitchen. Guys were in and out filling their plates while Isabella, Esme, and I walked around picking up constantly after everyone.

I thought Emmett's man-cave was so cool until I was the one to clean it. I wanted a full time maid, and we could more than afford it, but Em wouldn't hear of it. The night passed by in a blur. I kept sipping wine and wiping down crumbs. Us girls kept our chatter light and fun not wanting to discuss anything in front of the guys.

Soon enough they began leaving one here and two there until it was time to say goodbyes to Isabella and Esme. I missed Alice, but I was going over there to hang out Saturday. After the place was empty and the girls left it didn't take long for Emmett to pass out on the couch. I didn't realize how little he slept before and how much the drugs had to do with it. Now he could pass out anywhere.

"Em? Wake up! Go get in bed." I said shaking him gently. He would be grumpy if I left him in the living room.

"Hmftp..." He grunted swatting at me.

"Go get in bed! I can't carry you." I kicked at him. I wasn't in the mood to use patience.

"Watermelon... big blue..." He rambled on.

"Forget it," I sighed in frustration, "Sleep on the couch."

A few more incoherent words slipped from his mouth as I walked away. His guys were outside the door, and I wasn't getting them. Maybe sleeping on the couch would teach him to go to bed when he was tired.

I grabbed one last glass of wine and walked up the stairs. I was halfway down the hall when a door opened and scared me so bad I dropped my drink. Didn't everyone leave?

Jacob stood in the doorway of the guest bathroom and I silently cursed as I took in the view. Tight russet skin stretched over layer after layer of muscle, abs that begged to be licked, hair as dark as ink falling over his forehead.

"Did I spook you? I didn't realize you were coming upstairs so soon," Jacob spoke quietly wearing a slight blush. "I felt like a shower and change before I headed out." He shifted his weight and pulled the small towel around his waist tighter as if suddenly realizing I shouldn't see him this way.

"It's fine." I whispered taking a couple of steps closer.

What the hell was I doing?

Jacob had the night off, and I'm sure he wanted to go out and enjoy it.

For whatever reason I took another step forward.

"Rose?" His husky voice sent a chill down my spine.

I felt mesmerized as I slid my hands over his smooth chest.

He tilted his head back and groaned. Slowly he brought his large hands to wrap around my wrists.

"Rose..."

Still I said nothing as his coal eyes met mine. I leaned up capturing his soft lips with mine. His grip on my wrist tightened slightly as he pulled me toward him. His head shook, but he didn't break away from me.

I knew I was acting crazy. I think the allure of the forbidden was probably driving me over the edge.

"Rosie!" Emmett's voice boomed through the penthouse causing Jacob and I to jerk back violently.

"God damn it..." Jacob swore under his breath.

"Go. Get dressed. Get out of here." I instructed quietly pivoting on my heels and heading to check on Emmett.

He didn't argue, but the look in his eyes before I turned away made my chest hurt.