Dislaimer - I don't own this shit.

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Beta'd by my fanfiction mistress MalloryKnoxx

"Now I know why tigers eat their young."

~~ Al Capone

Jacob's POV

I had been single all year. It's not that I hadn't had more than my fair share of hookups, I just hadn't had any lately. I was so busy with school and watching Rosalie all the time, I didn't have time for anything else.

Which is why I didn't understand how I ended up with a date on Valentine's day.

Lauren was hot. Smoking hot. She had curves in all the right places, long auburn hair, and a definite DTF attitude.

I would spend a little on dinner, flirt a little, and enjoy my night off.

"So why haven't you throw any parties lately?" Lauren asked looking up at me from under her long lashes.

"Eh, just been busy with other things." I leaned back in the hard wooden chair, "I'm sure there are plenty of other parties going on."

"None of them are up to Jake Black standards." She giggled reaching for my hand.

I pulled my hand back, not comfortable with the contact.

I wanted to get laid, not a girlfriend.

During dinner she chattered endlessly about any and every thing. I nodded at the appropriate times and threw out comments when needed.

She was still talking when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Not fucking now... I thought pulling it out.

I have business. I need you to come sit with R.

Is he fucking kidding me?

"Jake, are you listening to me?" Lauren snapped her fingers in my face.

"Huh? Oh, sorry." I looked up at her, "I have something I have to take care of."

I waved the waiter over and handed him a couple of bills.

"What?" She scrunched up her face.

"I have to handle something. I'm really sorry, but this will have to happen another night." I said slowly so she would understand.

Ditzy bitch.

"Are you serious? It's Valentine's Day!" She whined.

"I know. Come on, I'll take you home." I stood up slipping my jacket on.

My phone buzzed again. I unlocked the screen shaking my head at the text.

Now.

What the hell happened that he would skip on Rosalie tonight?

omw

"Lauren, I'm really sorry about this, but I gotta stick you in a cab."

She huffed and walked off not saying anything.

I followed her outside standing beside her on the sidewalk and hailing a cab.

"Look, I'll make up for this, alright?"

She looked at me with wide eyes, silently debating my offer.

"You better." She said finally.

I smiled at her and helped her into the cab, handing the cabbie some bills.

"Call me later?" She poked her head out of the cab.

"If I'm done at a decent hour." It was the best I could give her.

Whatever was going on with Emmett, it better be worth me giving up a piece of ass.

I drove to his place as quickly as I could, parking and booking it upstairs.

Emmett answered the door, and I knew what was up immediately.

His hair was all over the place and his shirt was untucked, the tie long gone.

"I'm running out. I need you here til I get back."

I nodded.

I knew he was up to no good, but I worked for him and I couldn't say anything if I wanted to keep my cush paying job.

Besides, it wouldn't be that bad spending the night with Rosalie. If it only could be the way I wanted it to be.

Emmett threw on his jacket and motioned for his guys to follow him leaving me alone with his girl.

I threw my jacket on the coat rack and dropped on the couch, flipping through the channels. It was going to be a long boring night. As quiet as it was, I assumed Rosalie was already in bed. It was kinda early, but I had no idea what they had been doing and I didn't want to.

A half hour later I heard her footsteps approaching the living room.

"He left, didn't he?" She asked in a defeated tone.

I turned to look at her and didn't miss the fact she was only wearing a plush, red robe.

I gave her a small nod and turned back to the television, trying not to think about what was under that robe.

"Do you know where he went?"

"No."

I kept it short. I really didn't know where he went. I wasn't suppose to tell her anything, but the heartbroken look in her eyes would make me sing like a canary. I was glad I didn't know.

"I'm going to put on some clothes. I'll be back." She sighed standing up.

Rosalie's POV

I couldn't believe he had taken off. I had no idea where he went, but I knew what he was after. I quickly ran upstairs and threw on some yoga pants and a tank, grabbing my phone.

"I'm on my way." Edward answered.

"Won't do much good. He left while I was in the tub. I got out to find Jacob standing guard in the living room." I bitched to no one in particular.

"What the hell? Do you have any idea where he went? What did he say before he left?"

"Nothing. I have a good idea what he went to get though. His guys aren't here. I didn't think he would take them with him, since everyone claims to have not known anything before. I think that's just because they are afraid of your father." I huffed sitting on the chaise in our room.

"I'll handle it. Just keep quiet about it. I would prefer my father not be involved. He won't take this kindly."

"Got it." I said hanging up. I ran my hands through my hair and got up. I padded slowly down the hallway again deciding a drink would make me feel better.

Jacob didn't look up as I came into the living room. His eyes were glued to whatever action movie he was watching; however, I knew for a fact he watched everything else around him.

Everyone took him for the dumb jock, but he had more brains than anyone gave him credit for. I knew this after several afternoons of homework. My family was in the middle of a mob war and I still to worry about Calculus, what the fuck?

"Would you like a drink?" I asked as I poured some whiskey over ice.

"I don't think Boss would like that, and I don't know when he'll be back." Jacob said cutting his eyes over at me.

"I'm sure it will be awhile." I grumbled making a second drink anyway.

I sat them both on the coffee table and got comfortable on the couch.

"What is this?" I asked snatching the remote from him.

"Crank 2." He said trying to get it back.

"My house, my TV." I smirked at him even though I wasn't in a good mood.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes and leaned back again.

"I'm not going to make you watch the Vampire Diaries." I assured him sipping on my drink.

"Thank God!" He made the sigh of the cross even though he wasn't Catholic.

"We could watch Twilight." I teased him.

He glared at me long and hard.

"What?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"You do realize their relationships meets every warning for the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, right? Why do chicks get into that? Also, I don't see why she didn't get with the werewolf."

"You just like him cause you have the same name. And he is a shapeshifter, not a werewolf." I pointed out.

"Whatever."

"Just shut up and drink your drink." I rolled my eyes turning back to the flat screen.

I scrolled through the movie channels finding nothing of interest. Sighing again, I flipped it to some music and turned back to Jacob.

"How was your Valentine's?" I asked taking another sip out of my glass.

"Well, I was on a date..." He trailed off downing his in one gulp.

I have no idea why, but the moment the word date came out of his mouth I felt a shiver of an emotion I couldn't place run down my spine.

"Oh. Was it going well?" I asked wanting to know more.

"I guess. We were still at the restaurant when Em hit me up." He ran his hand over his eyes.

"Yea, he has really bad timing nowadays." I downed the rest of my drink. "So who is the lucky lady?"

Jacob looked at me skeptically.

"What?" I asked again, my voice raising slightly.

"Why are you so interested?"

"I'm just bored and- and worried and I want something to keep my mind off what my dumbass fiancé might be out doing." I sat my glass down a little too hard.

"Alright. I'll dish if it'll make ya feel better." he said standing to refill our drinks.

I watched his well muscled arms as he put more ice in the glasses and poured the amber liquid over it.

"Lauren." He said quietly.

"Lauren Mallory, school slut extraordinaire?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Look Rose," he looked up closing his eyes, "I don't know that I really wanna be having this conversation with you."

"Why not? I'm not judging you... much. I just find it hard to believe that a guy like you ends up with a girl like her, but I guess that's how it always goes, huh?"

Something in my tone must have struck a cord with him because he quickly moved across the living room and leaned over the couch, boxing me in with an arm on each side.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to be around someone as beautiful and sexy as you nonstop and know that I can't have you? Kiss you? Fuck you mad crazy?" He said in a deep, husky voice.

My eyes were wide, and I couldn't form words to respond.

"A guy has needs." He added softly standing up straight.

Of course, he would dummy.

We sat in silence for a while. I snuck glances at him as he stared straight ahead at the wall sipping his drink.

I realized how unfair I had been to him. I teased him, even when I didn't realize it. I was his job, not some girl at a party or the club he could hook up with.

My boredom, my selfishness, my need for attention put him in an awkward position more than once.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled before taking off to my room.

I locked the door and fell on the bed.

I lay awake in the dark for a while letting the day's events run through my mind before looking back over the last several months at everything that had changed.

A soft rapt on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Rosalie?" Jacob called quietly thinking I might be asleep.

"Go away." I groaned pulling the covers up over my head.

"I..I'm sorry if I upset you. You have no idea what it's like for me."

"Same here." I said to myself too quiet for him to hear. "Go away. Please."

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me."

"Then you're going to be there a while."

I heard him slump against the door.

I wanted sleep so bad, but it wouldn't come.

Edward's POV

I was beyond pissed and even a little worried, though I would never admit it. I had to leave my beautiful girl at home and look for my idiot brother. I don't know what the fuck had gotten in to him or how he was this far gone without any of us noticing.

I tried his phone repeatedly to no avail. I sent him text to call me ASAP.

I gave up and started calling his guys finally finding out they were at a cheap ass motel downtown. He had told them to wait in the car. I got the location and sped there.

I parked behind his car and got out slamming my door.

I walked into the office to find a balding man dozing off.

"Wake the fuck up!" I hollered at him.

He jumped, falling off his stool.

"How can I help you?" he asked smacking his jaws and rubbing his eyes.

"A guy came through, a big guy, about 6'5, where did he go?"

"I don't discuss client information." He spat.

I reached over grabbing his shirt and yanking him across the counter.

"Tell me or I kill you." I spoke lowly.

"O-okay man," He stuttered, "Room 208."

Way too fucking easy.

I shoved him back and walked out. It took no time to find the room and I knocked on the door.

A cranked out bitch with blue hair answered the door popping her gum.

"What you want?" She asked in a bored tone.

"My brother." I pushed her out of the way and stepped in the dingy room.

"Edward!" Emmett stood up in surprise.

"Let's go."

There was an equally cranked out looking guy on the bed with drugs scattered around.

"It's not-"

"Shut the fuck up and let's go!" I said motioning to the door.

I watched to make sure he didn't pocket any of the drugs although I had no control over what he had already done.

"I-"

"I don't want to fucking hear it. You're coming with me. You're lucky dad doesn't know about this." I scowled at him.

"Where are we going?"

"To get you some fucking help." I nearly growled as we got in the car.

"I don't need help. I just need a little time." he argued.

"A little time will get you killed."

I ordered his guys to meet me at his place. I was about to detox him like a motherfucker.

"Seriously, where are we going?" He asked.

"To your place."

"Rosalie is already pissed at me. I really don't want to face her right now."

"Should of thought of that before sneaking out for drugs."

"It wasn't like that."

"How the fuck was it not like that?" I stared at him like he had two fucking heads.

"It-I...nevermind."

Exactly what I thought.

It didn't take long to get to his place. We went up to the penthouse.

"I'mma grab a shower." he said taking off upstairs.

"Wait, don't wake Rosalie up. Let me talk to her first."

He stopped on the stairs and thought about it before coming back down.

"Grab me some clothes?"

"Yea." I turned to his guys, "Watch him. I don't care if he doesn't like it. Make sure he doesn't take anything else."

"Fuck no!" Emmett's voice boomed.

"Do it or I'll call our father."

He gave me a go to hell look, but didn't argue.

I walked upstairs to find Jacob dozed off, leaning against their bedroom door.

I jostled him with my foot.

"Huh? What?" He jumped up running his hand through his hair.

"What the fuck are you doing up here?" I asked quietly. I didn't want Emmett hearing this shit.

"Rosalie was really upset about Emmett and locked herself in the bedroom. She had been drinking, and I was worried about her."

It sounded logical, but I was still skeptical.

"I got it from here. Go eat or something. You'll need to hang around, but you can take a break for now."

He nodded and headed downstairs.

I knocked on the door softly, then harder when there was no answer.

I hope she didn't do anything stupid...

"Go away!" She called hoarsely from the other side.

"It's me."

After a couple of minutes she opened the door with heavy eyes.

"Sorry I woke you, but we need to talk."

She eyed me warily and started to step out before I stopped her.

"Let's talk up here. Emmett is in the shower, but I don't want the guys listening in."

She nodded and opened the door wider.

"Is it bad?" She asked, worry heavy in her voice.

"I caught him trying to buy. I threatened his old dealer and this one looked even shadier. I know he brought nothing back with him, but I don't know what he used before I got there. I'm trying to keep this from my father to keep Emmett out of more trouble. I am going to have his guys on him like vultures. He isn't allowed to leave this place. I will be in and out checking on him. It isn't going to be pretty so if you want to stay somewhere else it's understandable."

"He'll be sick and stuff?"

"Yea, and stuff. He will probably be very violent. I don't know if it would be a good idea for you to hang around right now. It'll only hurt him more upsetting you. Don't tell anyone what's going on, just say you wanted to visit. Say Em went out of town on a trip. Say whatever, but don't mention the drugs. Jacob will be with you, and you can still go to school or whatever."

"I don't want to abandon him." She looked up at me with wet eyes.

"You're not, but you're not fit to fix this, I am. So let me. I'll let you know when you can come back."

After a few minutes she agreed with me and started packing a bag.

"How long should I pack for?" She asked through a sob.

"A week. If you need more, we'll get it then."

"Okay."

I gave Jacob orders to take her wherever she wanted and not to leave her side. I didn't give him details about Emmett, but I'm sure he caught on to what I was doing. I searched his clothes and found two bags that I flushed and ordered the guys not to let him out of their sight. Carlisle would be over tomorrow to check on him.

I waited until Jacob left with a crying Rosalie before leaving myself.

I walked into a quiet apartment.

"Is she asleep?" I asked Petey as he raided the fridge.

"Yes."

"Okay, stop eating all my fucking food."

"You guys can sleep in the extra rooms. I don't know how soon I might have to leave again."

He nodded and started putting things back in the fridge.

I crept quietly into our room and to the bathroom. I wanted a hot shower then I would curl up with my girl and get a little sleep.

After my shower, I forwent clothes and climbed into bed. I wrapped my arms around Isabella's tiny waist and pulled her as close to me as I could.

"Edward?" She murmured.

"Did I wake you?" I asked kissing her temple.

She shook her head and sniffled.

"What's wrong kid?"

"Nothing." She said softly.

"You can't lie to me." But I can lie to you.

"It's nothing."

I turned her face up to me and saw her red rimmed eyes.

"Why were you crying?"

"I'm just worried." She finally said.

"About?"

"Everything. My dad mostly. Why hasn't he contacted me? Wouldn't he have by now?" She rambled on the tears starting again.

I squeezed her tight and ran my fingers through her hair.

"I don't know what is going on with him. There is no evidence that he was harmed. He was involved with a lot of shit. I will try everything I can to find him. He is a smart man, if he doesn't want to be found he will know how to cover his tracks."

"Why would he pull you away from school when he knows you have people guarding you all the time? I'll take care of you no matter what." I assured her holding her close. It felt bad to lie, but there was no other way.

"Find him. Promise?"

"I promise." It would probably be the biggest lie I ever told her.

I held her close and whispered soothing things in her ear while running my fingers down her body. Eventually she stopped crying and drifted off.

I had to come up with something and quick.