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Xoxo Nickie

"A wise guy's always right even when he's wrong, he's right."

Lefty, Donnie Brasco

Previously,

I shook my head and looked up into the face of the man I once thought would be my father-in-law.

"What do you mean d-dead?" I stuttered out. "How?"

"Rosalie, I know this is hard for you-"

"How?" I raised my voice again.

"We don't know many details now." Emmettino spoke with a heavy accent, "He was badly beaten and we are waiting for autopsy results."

"Who's baby is that?" I whipped around pointing at the buddle in Isabella's arms.

"Not my brother's." Edward answered coldly stepping in front of Isabella and the baby.

"That's another matter, tesoro, I assure you the baby has no relation to Emmett."

I took another step back unsure of what to do. I felt like I was going to vomit and with the idea of Emmett having a baby with another woman gone, the reality of his death was setting in fast.

My eyes spun around the room looking at the grieving family in front of me and I somehow still felt that none of them knew the same pain as me. The last time I spoke to Emmett hadn't been pleasant. He was out of his mind on drugs and I'd told him to leave me alone, that I couldn't be with him, I didn't want to be with him.

I loved Emmett. I loved him deeply and I wanted him to get straight and our lives to be everything we'd imagined and planned. I was angry and upset when I said those words to him. Regret flooded me as I thought about the mess between Jacob and I. I would never have with Jacob what I would with Emmett.

And now I wouldn't have it with Emmett ever.

My stomach rolled again and I turned and began walking towards the door. Rico was on my heels and I felt light headed. I just wanted to get out of there and get lost. I reached out to grab the door handle to steady myself and with all the strength I could muster I pulled the door open. The edges of my vision blurred as men in suits stood before me.

I knew those men. I'd watched them throughout the years come to my own house.

Feds.

It was all black after that.

Edward's POV

Rosalie hit the floor and the feds in the door didn't even blink. How disrespectful.

My father approached the door at his own leisurely pace as Rico scooped up Rosalie and

walked out the door. No doubt he would inform Demetri of the new development.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" My father asked.

"We need to speak to Mr. Cullen."

"That's a vague request when so many reside here."

"Edward to be exact."

"What is this pertaining to?" My father stood in the doorway blocking their view into the house.

The guy with the mustache looked at his partner and turned back to my dad.

"It would be better if we discuss it in private."

He studied the men in their cheap black suits and turned to me, waving with his hand for

me to join them.

"We will speak in my study." He instructed them before turning to head in that direction.

I looked down at Isabella and took her hand in mine, squeezing it.

"I love you. Take Mallory to Mary Alice's and I will see you in a little while." I told her as I kissed her temple. "Te amo." I whispered before following my father. Isabella looked confused, but said nothing.

As I walked down the hallway, I texted my men to shake any tail they might have before returning to the apartment.

I walked in to find the suits seated in front of my father's desk with him behind it. I leaned against the wall and waited for it to begin.

I knew in my gut why they were there. I wasn't stupid.

"What is it you need to discuss with my son?"

"Before we begin, I'm Agent Pattinson," the one with the mustache spoke, "And this is my partner, Agent Lutz." He motioned to the slighly bigger clean shaven guy next to him.

"Now that introductions have been made, let's begin. We have family matters, to attend to." My father spoke coldly before lighting his cigar.

"We would like to question Edward about his relationship with police chief Charles Swan."

"I'm right here. You can speak to me directly."

"Yes," Agent Pattinson cleared his throat, "Tell us about your relationship with the chief please."

"He's my girlfriend's father."

He looked at his partner and back at me.

"Is that all you have to say?"

"What else is there to say?"

"Would you care to elaborate Mr. Cullen?"

"I don't know what there is to elaborate on. I spend time with Isabella, not her father."

"Do you know where Mr. Swan is?"

"Do you?" I asked boldly.

He was silent for a beat before speaking again.

"We have reason to believe that something bad has happened to him. No one has spoken to him in a couple of months and your family ties don't help to clear that suspicion."

"What ties are you speaking of?" I raised my eyebrow. They were going to stick their feet in their mouths and our lawyers would eat them alive.

"Let's not play stupid." Agent Lutz finally spoke.

"Am I under arrest for a crime that is merely suspicion?"

"Well, no-"

"Then I suggest you leave." My father said standing.

The suits looked at each other with poker faces and had a silent conversation before rising from their seats.

We saw them out and I noticed Isabella was gone.

"Parliamone." (Let's talk.) My papà commanded. I knew better than to say no to him. I didn't like the Feds sniffing around about Charlie so I could only imagine how pissed my dad was. His face when he saw the baby was enough for me to know he was upset with me. Everything else on top of it was added fuel to the fire.

We returned back to his office and I sat across from him.

"Edward..." he began pouring another glass of scotch, "I don't know where to begin with you. Your mamma may not recover from your brother's...passing. Now the federalis are investigating this-this mess you have created because you couldn't stay away from that girl, and to top it off, you gave her a baby she should've never know about!" His voice rising as he spoke.

"I-"

"Hush! Did you think anything good would come of any of this? Lying with the pig's daughter was guaranteed to make a mess. I only can prayyou have cleaned up after yourself. I will protect you in any way I can, you are my son, but you have to learn these things and soon. Your brother isn't here because of his foolish behavior and you will take me place when I'm gone. Something like this could distroy this borgata!" He yelled his grip around his rock glass tightening.

"There is no evidence, only speculation, Father, I assure you. As for the baby, I had to give it to her. She deserved to know the only blood she has left."

"Oh, and what about this Anthony boy, her brother?"

"That's not confirmed."

He rolled his eyes toward Heaven and whispered rapidly in prayer before throwing his glass across the room.

"But it is, my son, I spoke with his grandfather! As you know he is connected and he confirms it. Not to mention, the boy looks exactly like his father." He ran his hand over his face, "We have enough enemies without you creating new ones. Clean this mess up and do whatever you have to to cover the trail of that bambino!"

"Yes, sir."

"Edward, I need to know that you can head this family if something were to happen to me."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, and God forbid, if it did, I could handle it."

"We are not as untouchable as you believe, son." My father said slumping over on his desk and placing his head in his hands. My father was my biggest hero growing up. I thought he was invincible. Now I could see what my brother's death had done to him. In that moment there was a warning I didn't notice. My life was slowly beginning to crumble around me. I would fight it with all I had.

"Other than the entire fucked up mess surrounding our lives every day, motherhood looks good on young Isabella." He said sitting up and loosening his tie.

Fuck me.

"Don't get any ideas." I replied taking in the dark circles under my father's eyes.

"I don't have to get any. You'll find out soon enough."

I left without responding and immediately called my girl.

"Hello?"

"Hey kid."

"Oh my God! What's going on?"

"I'm headed home. I'll tell you when I get there."

"Fine." She huffed.

"I'm picking up food. See you soon."

"Okay." She said softly and I heard the baby fussing in the background.

I wasn't sure what I was going to tell her, but with Feds hanging around, I couldn't hide the truth forever.

Jacob's POV

After dropping Rosalie off I headed over to my cousin Paul's house. Her mood swings were giving me a headache, and I wanted to kick back and have a few drinks. Paul lived outside of town in the middle of bum-fuck-Egypt, and when I rolled up nobody was in the house so I headed out to the shop. I found my cousin underneath a rusty, beat up Camaro.

"Sup cuz?" I greeted, and I heard a thunk from under the car. I laughed as I grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"Son of a bitch! Why do you have to sneak up on me? Damn it." Paul griped as he rolled out and sat up rubbing his head.

"You should be more aware of your surroundings."

"Yea, yea. What's going on?"

"Just felt like hanging out."

"The Italians get rid of you?" He smirked at me.

"Nope. Just don't have to work today."

"I don't have to work any day." He said.

"How's that going?"

"Shitty. I've applied everywhere. No one has called."

"Maybe I could find you something." I offered taking a swig of my beer and leaning back against the wall.

"Ha, yea right. I don't know what you do, and I don't want to know. I've watched the Sopranos. I know what happens to people who get wrapped up in that shit." He shook his head and grabbed another beer for himself and me.

"Just think about it." I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe you could bartend or something in one of the clubs."

"Maybe." He replied sounding like I offered him a bad deal. The Cullens could be vicious. I knew that without a doubt, but if you played by their rules, they were very good to you. I was making great money fresh out of high school and no college degree. I wasn't going to look the gift horse in the mouth.

We spent the next hour making small talk, and I helped him work on the car a little before Aro called me.

"What up?" I answered while holding out a wrench for Paul.

"Hey, man. Shit's bad, and I need you to go check on Rosalie."

My chest tightened.

"What happened to Rose?"

"Not her, Emmett. He's gone."

"Gone? Where the fuck did he go?"

"Probably not Heaven..."

My brain quickly processed what he told me, and I tossed the wrench on the floor.

"I'm headed there now. I'm assuming she knows?"

"Yea, she fainted. There were other circumstances, but I'll tell you later."

"Gotcha." I hung up and told Paul I'd see him later before leaving. I couldn't get to Rose fast enough. The thought of her upset didn't sit well with me.

I parked in front of Demetri's giant hotel of a house and jogged to the front door and rang the bell. The maid opened the door and let me in. She informed me that Rosalie's parents had gone to the Cullen's, and Rosalie was in her room in bed. I nodded and grabbed a bottle of whiskey before taking the stairs two at a time.

I knocked softly on the door and there was no response. I waited a minute before knocking again. I knew she was in there, and I wasn't waiting any longer so I let myself in.

Rosalie was spread out on the bed on her stomach clutching a pillow and staring blankly at the wall. She wasn't crying, but her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.

"Rose..."

She didn't respond or move.

"Rose, answer me. I need to know you're okay." I said softly climbing on the bed next to her.

"But I'm not okay." Her voice was raspy and raw and even in that moment I still found it incredibly sexy.

"I don't know how you feel, but I'm here for you. Anything you need."

"Go away."

"No."

She raised her head and gave me an evil glare.

"Let me be here for you."

She stayed still for a while before scooting up and over on the bed making room for me. I leaned back against the headboard and stretched my legs out. Rose stared at me with blank eyes.

I held out the bottle of whiskey, and she reached out after a moment of hesitation and took it. She turned it up taking a long drink before handing it back to me. I set it on the night stand and faced her again.

"C'mere." I said holding my arm out. She slowly moved closer, and I pulled her into my chest. As I tightened my arms around her the waterworks started up.

"It's okay. Let it out." I cooed to her as I held her against me. "I'm here for you. Don't push me away."

I'd seen Rosalie go through anger, excitement, happiness, rage, craziness, confusion, and restlessness. I'd never seen her so heartbreakingly devastated. I wanted more than anything to take all her pain away. I would carry it on myself every day if I could just so she wouldn't have to. I was so far gone in love with her I didn't think I'd ever come back.

Isabella's POV

It was a couple of hours before Edward came home. I'd fed Charly and put her down. Edward confused the hell out of me when he told me to take Mallory to Mary Alice. After we left I caught on to what he was getting at. Everyone knew I hadn't had a baby, and it would raise a lot of questions. I had a long list of questions, but I didn't want anyone else asking any.

As soon as he came through the door and took his jacket off, I met him on the couch with a drink. He gave me a small smile as he took the glass and downed it in one drink.

"What's going on?"

"No hi, hello, how are you doing?" He asked standing to refill his drink.

"Hi, hello, how are you doing? What the hell is going on?"

"At least you said hello."

"Edward, tell me what those men wanted."

"To ask about your father." He answered sitting back down beside me.

His words caught me off guard.

"What?"

"It was a given that if they looked into his absence, they would question me because of my family's reputation." he answered coolly, like it was no big deal the Feds were questioning him. My stomach felt queasy.

"How can you be so nonchalant about this?" I wrapped my arm around my stomach.

"Because it's all I've ever known."

"That's sad."

He tipped his head back and laughed.

"Sad? Sad? I need nor want for anything, and neither does anyone in this family, you included. I have power, money, everything I want. My family is the biggest, most feared of them all and you think it's sad?"

"Do you know where my dad is?" I looked into his emerald eyes. He stared back without so much as blinking.

"If I did, don't you think I would have told you?"

I wanted so desperately to believe him. He'd never withheld anything from me, but something was nagging at me.

"I would like to think you would."

He let out a deep breath and leaned toward me taking my hands in his.

"Isabella, I love you more than my own life. I do and will always do everything in my power to take care of you and every part of you, including your family. Your father is mixed up in some bad things, and I don't know who all he was involved with, not to mention he was with Kate Denali. They've left the baby behind and are nowhere to be found. Charlie is a smart man, and if he doesn't want to be found, he knows how not to be."

"I'm so worried about him." I began holding back a sob. "I want answers. I want to know what is going on in my life and around me. I want you to tell me things."

He brought our entwined hands up to his lips, kissing the inside of my wrist.

"There are reasons I can't tell you some things. You have to understand this. I thought you did. If I find out anything about your father, I will tell you, but everything else is need to know basis."

I jerked my hand back and stood up ignoring my rolling stomach.

"That's bullshit." I started pacing. I don't know where my sudden rage came from, but it wasn't going away. "I love you, and we live together and we're suppose to be in this together. You and me. I will not live like this. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life in the dark."

"You're overreacting." Edward leaned back on the couch and sipped his drink.

"Ex-fucking-cuse me?!" I screeched. "I've lost my mom, have no idea what's happen to my dad, we had a baby practically show up on the doorstep, and your brother just died, and I'm over-fucking-reacting? For the entire first year of our relationship I've sat back and let you take lead on everything and I'm not doing it anymore. We will compromise or-"

"Or what?" Edward interrupted standing and stalking across the room towards me.

"I won't live like this." I said as soundly as I could.

"Kid, you're mine." He breathed out inches away from my face.

"I'm not a possession. You don't own me."

"No, you're not, but you are mine, and I won't live without you."

I sucked in my breath and took a step back.

"Is that a threat?"

He took a step forward, coming closer than he was a moment before, trailing his fingertips down my cheekbone. His normally vibrant eyes looked as dark as I'd ever seen them.

"No, it's a promise."