Disclaimer - Meyers owns it, blah...

Thanks to everyone for showing the love, keep it up. I absolutely love love love the reviews. The numbers are blowing my mind. If this story gets pulled, find me at TWCS ladyluck25. :) If I have not answered your review, I apologize profusely. I try to answer all of them. To my guest reviewers, an extra Grazie as I can't respond to yours personally...

If there was a vampire gangsta, it would be Niklaus Mikaelson without a fucking doubt! I may just write a story about that.

Let's all praise the wonderful MalloryKnoxx for beta'ing this beauty!

"You need more than guts to be a good gangster, you need ideas"

~~ Rocket, City of God

May 1st

Mary Alice's POV

I rubbed my favorite lavender scented lotion onto my legs as I watched Carlisle with Mallory on the bed. He's propped up on his side, softly whispering things to her in Italian. He was determined she would know her native tongue. I don't know how native since she was second generation American born, but there was no arguing with him on the subject.

She was almost six weeks old and absolutely gorgeous. Her hair was even thicker and she was growing at a healthy rate. Carlisle doted on her and I constantly. He returned to work last week, but he was home every night. I prayed that his miscreant ways would stay in the past. I knew that being home all the time was eating at him; however, he suggested my mother or Jane watch Mallory so we could go out, dinner and dancing. I was on the verge of giving in.

I enjoyed every minute with my daughter. I spent my days pampering her with shopping even though she wasn't old enough to understand any of it. We had family portraits done, and I think I had professional pictures done of her in just about every dress she owned. She arrived before my baby shower, so one was held once we were home and settled. Everyone and their mother showed up to pay their respects and give a gift.

Rosalie, Esme, and Isabella were over often to visit. Rosalie most of all. I think it also helped keep her mind off of everything with Emmett. Aro visited daily, it didn't take him long to get over us marrying in private. He thought it was fitting Mallory wasn't born out of wedlock. Besides once her Christening was out of the way, I was going in to wedding planning mode. Carlisle told me I had no limit. Maybe his infidelities weren't so bad after all, as long as they stayed in the past.

"Is there anything else you need done for Sunday?" Carlisle asked looking up at me. His eyes grew dark as he took in the silk nightie I was wearing.

"No, everything is covered." I replied continuing to bend over in an alluring manner as I continued to lather my legs.

"You're going to have to stop." Carlisle warned me playfully, "The principessa is awake, and I don't think she should bare witness to her parents love making."

"She'll be asleep soon. It's time for her bottle anyway." I stood to go make it. I tried breastfeeding, but it didn't work out so well. Not that it bothered me. I know it's supposed to be better, but with our schedule bottles are so much more convenient.

"Let me. Lie down, love, rest." Carlisle kissed the baby before disappearing from the room.

"Hi principessa." I cooed leaning over Mallory. She gave me a tiny smile and wiggled a little.

I talked to her and rubbed her little feet marveling over her for a few minutes before Carlisle returned.

"Let Papá feed her." He shooed me away, "Lie down and rest."

I didn't argue as I pulled back the covers crawling into our king size bed. Mallory's bassinet was on my side so I didn't have to trudge off to the nursery every time she woke up. My mother stayed with us the first week, but after that I was ready for her to go home. Carlisle was more attentive than I would have ever imagined, and I liked it being just the three of us.

There were the housekeepers and guards, but I was used to that. And they didn't butt in with advice. They just made sure everything was taken care of so I could focus all my attention on my husband and my daughter.

I rolled onto my side as I watched Carlisle with Mallory lying on his chest. He talked softly as he held the bottle at just the right angle. As healthy as she was, still looked tiny on his broad chest. I was content just watching the two people I loved most in the world.

Aro was named Godfather, and Jane would be Godmother, to my chagrin. I wasn't going to press it. Carlisle has lost his father and brother. There was suspicion of the Denalis, but Frank was long gone now. Our family saw to that. Carlisle was upset he didn't get to do it, but happy with the fact it was done.

I must have dozed off because I came out of a daze to Carlisle rubbing my hips and kissing my stomach. He pushed the nightie up with his head as he continued up. I was feeling self-conscious about my body post-baby, but he assured me time and again that I was sexier than ever.

"Ti avevo avvertito pavoneggia in quel numero di seta poco ..." (I warned you strutting around in that little silk number...)

Seems to be serving it's purpose.

I wanted him so badly. He insisted on my body resting and healing before we were intimate again.

"Così bella," He muttered against my skin, "La madre di mio figlio." (So beautiful, the mother of my child.)

His ran his tongue slowly down my stomach and across my hip bones, while soft gasps escaped my lips. I grabbed his hair gently and pushed lower, wanting his face between my thighs desperately. He places soft kisses on my thighs before hooking a finger into my panties and pulling them to the side. I felt his cool breath on my hot micio, the contrast enough to make me arch off the bed, before diving in with his tongue.

I arched my back again and mildly rocked my hips against his face. He twirled his tongue slowly, then increased his pace before massaging my clit with his thumb. Within minutes my body shuttered from the intense orgasm wracking my body. It had been too long.

"Sei pronto, amore?" (Are you ready, love?)

"Oh, yes..." I whimpered quietly.

He trailed his wet lips along my skin again as he moved up to brace himself over me. He teased me with the head of his cock as I wiggled against him.

"Per favore." (please)

"As you wish." He smiled down at me with hooded eyes, and he plunged into me.

I inhaled sharply as he stilled, allowing my body to become accustomed to him once more. Bringing my legs up to wrap around his waist, I slowly bucked my hips telling him to continue. He started to move with long, deep thrusts quickly bringing me back to the peak of another intense climax.

Carlisle kept a steady pace as he attached his mouth to my neck. Sex was always good before, but being without for so long made every nerve in my body stand on end to his beck and call. After yet another orgasm, he quickened his pace with erratic thrusts and followed with a throbbing cock inside of me.

He buried his face in my hair, muttering I love you over and over. We didn't get out of bed, instead moving to snuggle together. I pressed myself as close to him as I could get. When I first found out I was pregnant, I was horrified of how things would turn out, when in reality, Mallory probably saved our relationship.

Rosalie's POV

"Hello, Rosalie." My father greeted me with a grin.

"Hi, Daddy." I smiled at him. One of his guys stood in the archway to the family room where Jacob and I were doing the last of our homework. I wondered what he wanted with an audience.

"Rosalie, this is Rico. Since Jacob will be tending to other business after graduation, I thought it was best he start now so Jacob can enjoy the end of high school." My father explained pointing to the big guy.

"Hi, Rico." I said politely. I knew it was for the best to have a new bodyguard, but it hurt to know it would be here so soon.

"I'll leave you to your studies. See you at dinner." My father placed a kiss on my forehead and walked out, the soles of his leather loafers clicking down the hall.

Rico was about the same size as Jacob with buzzed dark hair and dark eyes. I peeked at Jacob sizing up his replacement. He turned to me, and the corners of his lips turned down for a moment before his game face returned. We both went back to our books, and Rico stood in the corner of the room like he was guarding the president.

I giggled to myself thinking about how much fun it would be to find new ways to make him uncomfortable everyday. Boredom made the words on the page blur into black lines as I tried to concentrate on homework I didn't really want to do. It was a failed attempt at a distraction from everything else in my life.

I tapped my pencil against the coffee table in frustration before my phone rang. I leaned over grabbing my purse and pulling my phone out. I inwardly groaned when I saw who it was and then felt guilty because of it.

"Hey."

"Hey, babe." Emmett spoke. He had been calling a couple of times a week, and we'd seen each other at church and Sunday dinners. Emmettino was still having him watched constantly, but he wasn't really back to work yet. We had yet to discuss what exactly was going on with us.

"How are you?" I got up to leave the room when I noticed Jacob stopped writing to listen to me.

"I'm good. I don't think I have a problem, but you know my dad, can't argue with him. How's school?" He snickered.

I rolled my eyes and tried to control my temper at his seemingly infinite denial. I couldn't go on like this with him. I sighed quietly and responded.

"It's fine. Just glad it's almost over. Life seems...so far past high school at this point."

"Yea," He chuckled, "Everything will get better soon. I was thinking we could go out this weekend. Just you and me."

I briefly thought about how many bodyguards and babysitters would be required by the Boss for us to have a private evening. I was used to it.

"Yea, Em, that'll be fun." I answered trying to sound enthusiastic. Maybe this was just what we needed to get back to where we started. Or it could make up my mind about where I wanted to start fresh.

"I'll get with you later on details. Bye, babe." He hung up before I could respond.

I went back to the family room to find Rico still hanging out in the corner and Jacob focused intently on his homework. I want him to talk to me, to say something, say anything, but he didn't look my way again.

Isabella's POV

I flipped through my books and groaned at the amount of homework I was assigned so close to graduation. I was really trying to focus, but it was difficult with the recent events. I still hadn't heard from my father, and I was worried about him. Edward had people looking for him, but he was right, my dad was a smart man, and whatever he was hiding from, he knew how to stay off the radar.

Frank Denali's car was blown up, and my mother was with him. I figured the Volturi family had something to do with it, but I couldn't bring myself to care after the danger she had put me in. I felt guilty for not feeling guilty. I didn't even ask Edward about it. He took care of me through all of it and dealt with anything that needed to be handled.

My father had a sizable life insurance policy on my mother, which could point their murders in his direction, but I refused to think about it. I knew he wasn't the squeaky clean officer that I grew up thinking he was, but I didn't want to think of him as the bad guy. Another thing was that the precinct was calling for him. I just told them he was away visiting family, and I would relay the message for him to call. I didn't know how long I could keep this charade up, especially if something happened to him. I would feel so much better if I could just talk to him.

Something was going on. I knew it, deep down in my gut. I just couldn't figure out what. If my father and Kate had run away and planned to be gone this long, wouldn't he have resigned or quit? The last couple of weeks I pondered over the idea that Kate could be behind this. Off him once she had access to his money, and ride off into the sunset with my sibling.

My anger rose thinking about it.

"You alright?" Edward smoothed my brow with his thumb.

"Yea, sorry. Just worried about my dad." I looked into his deep green eyes searching for emotion as I asked my next question, "Do you think Kate could have done something to him, or had something done? I mean, she seemed like she really loved him and she's pregnant-" I rambled on before he cut me off.

"Isabella, I would like to think he is hiding somewhere from whatever he got himself into, and I'll continue to search until I know otherwise, but," He placed his arm around my waist, holding me close, "there is always the possibly in this life he could be gone. I will take care of you and protect you no matter what. I love you. I'm sorry you're involved in this."

His fingers moved in lazy circles against my side.

"I would have been dragged into this life one way or another. I'm just happy it was with you. I love you, too." I gave him a small smile. Talking to him always made me feel better.

"Are you ready for graduation?" He changed the topic sitting next to me at the table.

"Actually, yes. I'm ready for high school to be over. I want to spent the entire summer sleeping in."

"That can be arranged. You can spend the rest of your life sleeping in if it's what you want."

"Sounds perfect." I sighed realizing how tired I'd been lately.

"I wanted to take you on a nice vacation after graduation. Anywhere in the world you want, just the two of us, for a week or two."

"Really?"

"Yes." He chuckled, "Anywhere you want. Money isn't an option so don't even think about it."

"I've never been anywhere really, other than to visit family on holidays or for funerals, and those were boring places. Can we go to Florida? I really want to stay on the beach."

"For the beach? How about Hawaii? Punta Cana? Bahamas? Venice?"

"Are you freakin' serious?"

"Would I lie to you?" He gave me an incredulous look.

"No, I don't think you would." At least I hoped he never did. My heart wouldn't be able to handle it after both of my parents lying to me.

"I'll always do what's best for you." He kissed my temple before turning to my homework, "Let's get this out of the way so I can have you all to myself for the rest of the evening."

"Okay."

We spent the next two hours on homework since Edward kept distracting me with kisses. Thank God I only had a week left before they teachers would quit doling it out.

"Let's go get a drink." Edward slammed my last book shut and stood.

"Fuck yea. Can I invite Esme?"

"Of course. We're just going to a little bar that Demetri owns."

"What's it called?" I asked as I dialed Esme.

"Demetri's." Edward chuckled, "If you hadn't noticed, he names all his places after someone in his family."

I rolled my eyes at him while listening to Esme's voicemail pick up.

"Hey Es, we're headed to Demetri's for a drink, his bar, not his house. Meet us? Lemme know."

I hung up and grabbed my jacket.

"Let's ride."

Esme text me while we were on the way letting me know they would be there.

"This is definitely different from the Breaking Dawn." I said taking in the little red brick, corner bar. There weren't any windows and a small neon green flashed 'open' next to the door. Edward tucked me into his side as we walked and the door opened with a big, burly guy waiting to let us in.

"Still surprises me every time." I mumbled in awe as we walked into the smoky bar without ID's or questions. The lighting was low while I surveyed my surroundings. These guys were rubbing off on me. There were a couple of pool tables near the front of the room and little square tables scattered around. Dark green stools lined the length of the bar. It caught my eye that there were no televisions, instead a jukebox stood out with long red bulbs beaconing drunken patrons to spend their change.

"Demetri is kinda old school." Edward whispered in my ear.

"I noticed."

"Four Patrons." Edward ordered as he helped me onto a stool. The bartender nodded and quickly walked our way.

"Esme said they would be a little behind us, why are you ordering theirs already?"

"I'm not. These are just for us to get started." He grinned sliding two in front of me.

I took one in each hand and took a deep breath preparing myself for the burn that would follow the deceptively clear liquid.

"Bottoms up, kid!" Edward clinked his to mine and downed them back to back before I was done with the first. My face scrunched into a comical expression judging by Edward's laughter, and I licked my lips before turning the next one up.

"Does that ever get easier?" I shook my head trying to stave off the aftershock.

"When you're as tough as I am." Edward smirked at me.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and watched the action in the bar while the fire in my stomach slowly faded away. Or numbed. I wasn't so sure after the third shot.

"Phone for ya, Cullen." The bartender walked over and whispered quietly to Edward.

"I'll be right back, don't move." He said glancing around the room before stepping to the other end of the bar.

I turned around leaning back against the edge of the counter and watched the guys playing pool. At one table there were two guys obviously wasted, laughing and telling jokes, while on the other there was a guy with hair about the same as mine playing alone. He looked up and made eye contact with me smiling. I smiled back tentatively and turned back around.

Edward made gestures with his hand as he spoke low and rapidly into the black receiver of the ancient looking phone. I tapped my knuckles against the bar wishing for Esme and Aro to show up soon. I peeked over my shoulder to see the guy looking at me again.

I know I'm pretty, but I wasn't used to guys just straight out staring at me, especially since Edward and I got together. It gave me an uneasy feeling.

Esme bound up wrapping her arms around my waist nearly pulling me off the barstool.

"Bella!"

"Hi, Esme." I squeezed her hand.

"Shots! Woo hoo?! Shots!" Esme waved her hand wildly around in the air trying to catch the bartender's attention.

"How much has she already had?" I leaned behind her ask Aro.

"None." His eyebrows shot up.

"Oh my God." It was going to be a long night if Esme was feeling this frisky pre drinks.

"I won't let her keep us out too late." Aro promised grabbing one of the shots sitting in front of us.

"What the hell?" I grabbed another and finished my fourth within the hour. I was going to regret it in the morning.

"Let's play pool!" Esme shouted jumping off her bar stool and grabbing a couple more of the glasses.

I nodded and got down to follow her, watching for the creeper guy. He wasn't at the pool tables anymore, but instead he was at a table by himself. His eyes never left me as I walked across the room. I scowled and turned away. I didn't want him looking at me. If I told Edward, he would no doubt take care of it, but I didn't know exactly what he would do, how far he would go over a guy simply staring at me.

I tried not to think about it as we played pool. Esme talked my ear off about this and that, and I slowly started to relax. Aro and Edward joined us with more drinks, and we teamed up to play. A couple of times I caught the guy watching me again, but I ignored it with Edward right beside me.

He moved closer to us, and I finally was fed up with it. He looked to be a couple years older than me, but I couldn't place him from anywhere even though something was so familiar about his face.

"Edward?" I spoke softly.

"Hmm?" He didn't look up as he made his shot.

"Edward, do you know that guy?" I asked quietly.

His looked up quickly, scoping out the bar. I'm sure he knew a lot of the guys.

"Which guy?" He walked over and wrapped his arm around me.

"That one-" I turned to point and he was gone.

"Which guy?" He asked again looking around.

"He was just there... he was a little older than us, I don't know where he went." I furrowed my brow.

"What bothered you about him?" Edward asked giving me his full attention.

"He just kept watching me, the whole time we've been here. He looked familiar some how, but I couldn't figure out how I would know him." I explained sweeping my eyes over the room.

"Probably just jealous cause you're with me." He attempted to joke, but I could tell he was uneasy as well. "Let's head back to the house. Finish the party in our room?"

"I'd like that." I smiled at him before he leaned in to place a sloppy kiss on me.

Esme's POV

Aro was standing in front of the bathroom mirror with a towel wrapped around his waist and shaving creamed smeared on his face. I massaged shampoo into my hair while I watched him. We're were playing house at his house for the night after going out with Edward and Isabella. I couldn't wait until I could spend every night with him, but it would have to wait until after graduation.

"Did you tell her?" He grinned at me.

"I didn't get the chance. I was about to then creepy guy had to go all stalkerish. I'm dying to tell someone."

"I got ya. I would tell Mary Alice, but after I flipped on her and Carlisle, I didn't think it would be the best time. Maybe we should just keep it between us and have the big wedding soon. Then it'll be dust under a rug." he shrugged.

"I'll try. I feel weird not telling my girlfriends, it's like I'm lying to them." I rinsed my hair and stepped out of the shower.

"It's not lying if you don't use words. Besides, if your father found out he would break my fucking legs. If you really want to tell Isabella, then you know she'll tell Edward, but I'd pick him over your dad to deal with."

I smiled at him and shook my head as I watched the razor glide over his face. He was watching himself in the mirror again. I left him alone to go get dressed. Pulling on a pair of Aro's gray sweats, I rolled the waist to make them fit and tossed on a black t-shirt that was way too big, but it would have to work because I wasn't putting on my smoky clothes from the bar.

"I'm going to get a snack. Want anything?" I hollered tying the side of his shirt up.

"Whatever is fine as long as you come back with something to eat."

"I have something for you to eat." I smirked to myself and went downstairs.

Gunshots of the animated variety echoed through the house. I crept into the game room to find Santiago and Jacob playing a video game. An evil grin crossed my face while I moved deliberately towards the end table holding the remote.

They bantered back and forth not even noticing me as I scooped up the remote and pressed the power button. They both jumped up, swiveling around and shouting. I laughed and tossed the remote down.

"That's not cool." Santiago whined to me.

"It's not cool to come over uninvited and make all kinds of noise and drink up all the liquor." I retorted waving my hand over the empty whisky bottle.

"Aro said we could hang." Santiago turned the television back on and sat down.

"Whatever. Just clean this up when you're done. Mrs. Luciano will not be happy if she comes home to this."

I left them to their video games and snagged some left over fried chicken and a couple of napkins before returning upstairs. Aro was sprawled on the bed in a pair of black pajama pants. There were two fresh drinks on the nightstand and an Adam Sandler movie on the screen.

"That smells good." He said sipping his whiskey.

"Couldn't I have gotten a glass of wine?" I fussed sitting on the bed with the food between us.

"There isn't any in my room, and I didn't feel like walking anywhere. Sorry, Ma." He gave me a megawatt smile. It worked, and I took a swig of the golden liquid in my glass. Even after drinking half the night there was still a slight burn that slid down my throat.

"Santiago and Jacob have taken over and are in the process of destroying the game room." I warned while snatching the remote.

"They better pick that shit up." He said laying back and pulling me in close. He huffed loudly when my show came on. I wiggled against him and nibbled on my piece of chicken.

"Vampire Diaries! Seriously? You've got to be fucking kidding me, Ma."

"Nope. I've gotten really into it. Rosalie got me hooked. Hey, at least it's not drugs."

"Drugs would be better than this torture."

I punched his side and he laughed.

"We'll watch whatever you want."

"Love you." I whispered brushing my lips against his.

"Love you, too." He replied pulling me into his side.