Disclaimer - I don't own twilight

Thank you. The feedback has been astounding! I'm trying to get back into my routine of at least a couple of updates a week;. On that note, my beta (the one we all know and love Ms. MalloryKnoxx) is a very busy lady these days so I am looking for a second beta. Is there anyone out there who is up for the job or has a good recommendation? If so please leave it in the comments, PM me, or whatever! It would be much appreciated!

**Not Beta'd** (as soon as this chapter is beta'd I'll replace it all nice and pretty for you. :))

"Bad boys ain't no good. Good boys ain't no fun."

~~ Mr. Wrong , Mary J. Blige

Previously...

"You're right. I can talk to you about anything, but I choose not to. My life has completely changed this last year. I found out things about my family that sometimes I wish I didn't. I'm dealing with it on my own time. When I'm ready to talk to you about something, I'll let you know."

Anthony smirked at my little speech before his face grew serious again.

"Do you think he is still alive?"

Seven little words that made my heart fall into the pit of my stomach.

I ran his words over and over in my head as he ran his finger around the rim of his glass.

I hoped against all odds my father was alive and hiding somewhere. That he just needed a break or to get things straightened out.

Charly showing up and the Feds asking questions diminished my little flame of hope, but it was still there shining dimly. Holding out against the storm that was my life.

I pushed aside all the fear and rational thoughts.

"Yes."

My brother sighed and leaned across the table.

"You're naive, Bella. Just keep in mind I'm your brother, your family. I'll be here for you no matter what. Can you say that about Edward? Do you know all of his secrets? Do you honestly think you can mentally handle the kind of lifestyle you're headed towards?"

I stared into his cold brown eyes that mirrored my own and a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. My emotions were changing gears rapidly, but I remained silent.

"Think about what I said and call me when you're ready to talk, to know the truth." Anthony spoke low and stood, tossing some bills on the table.

I listened numbly to his footsteps as he walked away. The half eaten plate on the table in front of my looked disgusting and I felt like I was in another world in a room full of strangers. My bodyguard was standing against the wall close by, but it didn't make me feel safe or offer me any comfort.

I dug through my purse and pulled my phone out calling the only person I wanted to talk to.

"Hey, kid."

"We need to talk."

Isabella's POV

I rushed home from the cafe and burst through the door in frustration to find Esme rocking Charly. She jumped up and followed me to the kitchen as I tossed my things down not caring where they fell.

"What's wrong?"

I spun around to face her.

"I- nothing. Everything. My whole life."

"Um... okay."

"It's a long story. Is Edward back yet?"

"No." She furrowed her brow. "Did something happen at lunch with your brother?"

"Not really. Not like you're thinking. He just brought up some stuff I want to talk to Edward about. He was supposed to be here when I got home."

"I'm sure he won't be long. Do you need me to take Charly with me?"

"You don't have to. Thank you for watching her today." I said picking up my things and sitting them on the counter.

"I don't mind. It's nice, you know, having a baby around." She smiled.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all." Her smile grew.

"I'll pack her a bag. Give me two minutes."

Esme nodded and bounced Charly in her arms. I quickly ran around the apartment and gathered the baby's stuff. I was grateful Esme wanted to take her for the evening. I felt like a gun cocked and ready to go off and it would be better that she wasn't in the apartment.

I grabbed the bag and walked back in to the living room.

"Es, thanks so much. For everything."

"We're family. It's what we do." She patted my arm and took the diaper bag.

I pushed another smile on my face and opened the door for her.

"Hello, sister." A familiar velvety voice spoke.

"Edward." Esme smiled and leaned up to peck him on the cheek.

"Stealing Charly?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Just for a little while. I'll leave you two alone." She gave a small wave and left.

Edward closed the door and turned to face me. His eyes looked questioning and he remained silent.

"Are you really just going to stand there staring at me like that?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to figure out why I'm upset so you can dazzle your way out of it."

"I don't dazzle." He scoffed and walked passed me to pour himself a whiskey. "Would you like one?"

"I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you. I don't think I should drink right now."

"Those are the very conversations that beg for a drink."

"Whatever, look Anthony brought some things up at lunch that I'm not comfortable with and-"

"What things?" Edward looked up from the bar.

"Things about my dad and us being family. He said I could talk to him about anything and he called me naive."

Edward chuckled.

"Do you think this is funny Edward?"

"No. I just knew that that punk was up to no good. I'll take care of it. Don't worry."

"Don't worry? DON'T WORRY? How can you say that? There are Feds coming around and I have no fucking clue what happened to my dad and you don't seem to be much help on that front, plus I'm now responsible for another human being and I have no identification for her. To top it off, I still have a month til my eighteenth birthday. How the fuck am I suppose to not worry?"

Edward tipped his drink back and set the glass on the counter before walking over and taking me in his arms.

"I love you and when I say I'll take care of something, it gets taken care of. I'll look harder for your father. Decide what you want to do about the baby and-"

I pulled back and looked at him disgusted.

"What I want to do about the baby?" I asked, my voice rising.

"Don't take it out of context." Edward held my arms firm, "I mean, decide what you want the story to be so I can get the appropriate paper work. You need to make up your mind quick because, as you pointed out, the Feds are coming around. And they'll keep coming around until they get what they want or get bored. We need to be ready."

"I think I'll take that drink."

"On it." He kissed my forehead and poured me a drink. We sat down to each other on the couch. Him sipping his drink and me mine.

"What kind of options do I have? Everyone knows I didn't have a baby. I don't want to call her my daughter and confuse her in case-" Tears welled up in my eyes and I swallowed, "In case my dad comes back."

Edward wrapped him arm around me and pulled me into his side.

"Isabella, he probably isn't coming back."

I jumped off the couch.

"How can you say that?" I ran my hands through my hair. "How can you be so sure of that? Do you know something I don't?"

"No, I'm just facing the facts. It's been months and he left one kid with another to be taken care of. That doesn't sound like a man coming home. So now it's time to take care of things."

"Fuck you! I'm not just giving up on my family." I screamed at him.

"I'm not asking you to give up on your family." He spoke as calm as he was when he walked in the door. "But I'm asking you to think about your family that is here now. About the baby that needs you, that doesn't have anyone else. About me and everyone else still here with you."

"I do think about Charly. I love her. She's my family, but how can I lie to her when I don't even know the truth myself?" I started pacing.

"We'll find out all we can and decide what to tell her later on. We can tell her whatever you want. She doesn't have to know any of the bad stuff if you don't want her to." He said standing and walking over to me. "Please don't stress so much. I've told you over and over that I've got you and I'm tired of repeating myself."

"I can't help how I feel. I've hit the point where I'm sick to my stomach over all of this." I stopped pacing and faced him still trying to fight the tears back. "I was shocked at first to find out I had a brother and then I was excited, because I'd been alone all my life. I hated being an only child. Anthony and I have talked here and there and text each other and I felt like we were starting to build a relationship, and now... Now I don't know. He seemed so... so cold today. I don't know what to think about him anymore."

"I can tell him to leave you alone." Edward offered quietly.

"Don't hurt him." I asked a tear falling down my cheek.

"Only if he doesn't hurt you." Edward leaned over and kissed the tear as it rolled down my face.

I nodded even though I didn't agree with him entirely.

"Let's get you some water." Edward tugged on my wrist and pulled me towards the kitchen.

I sat on a bar stool while Edward dug around in the fridge pulling out two waters and half a cheesecake. He set it all on the counter and grabbed a couple of forks sitting next to me.

"Tell me more about lunch with Anthony, but don't upset yourself."

I spent the next hour filling him in on every detail of my conversation with my brother and nibbling at the cheesecake. Edward had moved around to the other side of the counter and was cleaning up as he listened. He said nothing and his face showed no emotion so I had no idea of how he was feeling. I didn't really care because it felt good to me just to be able to talk about it.

"Do you think I'm naive?" I asked when I got to the end.

"No, I think you're innocent." He said thumbing through the mail.

"That's basically the same thing. You think I'm naive just like Anthony." I rolled my eyes.

"Do you think my dad is dead?" I croaked out.

"I don't know." He said sighing.

"I don't think I can take anymore. He has to be alive somewhere."

"Whatever happens in life, I'll be here to make sure you get through it. I love you. More than my own life."

Tears started streaming down my face and I swiped at them as Edward spoke to me. His voice had a calming effect on my emotional state.

"You and Charly both mean everything to me and I'll take care of you two in any way that I need to. What can I do to make you feel better?" He asked opening a blank envelope with 'Edward' scrolled on the outside.

"How about a vacation? I was suppose to get one for graduation right?" I gave him a small smile and wiped my face dry.

He stood staring at whatever was on the card.

"Hey? Did you hear me?"

"What?" He asked looking up at me. His bright eyes suddenly guarded.

"I asked for a vacation. I was half joking, we don't have to right now. What's going on?"

He didn't say anything, instead he tossed the white card on the table for me to read. I picked it up and my chest felt heavy. One sentence was hastily written in dark ink contrasting with the white of the paper. I only knew that fratello meant brother, but I could tell from Edward's reaction that the rest of the words couldn't be good.

'Ho ucciso tuo fratello.'

"What does this say?" I asked him.

"It says, 'I killed your brother.'"

"Oh my God." I whispered dropping the card.

Edward's POV

I felt anger radiating through my veins. Even more than before. I tried to remain as calm as possible on the outside because Isabella was sitting across from me wide eyed with her hand over her mouth. I was pissed about her brother and I hated seeing her so upset, but that note pushed me to the edge of the cliff.

A game plan was already forming in my head. I needed to get my girl to my parents' house and keep her and the baby there. The envelope wasn't sent through the mail so that meant someone who meant harm had been in the building. I sent a text to the security guys to get all the footage from the last twenty-four hours ready for me to view.

The note bothered me more than it would have before I was emotionally invested in someone. I'd thought Emmett's death was related to his hard partying and drug use. Could it be murder? My first priority was making sure my family was safe. My second, finding out who sent the note.

"Pack a bag."

"Why?" Isabella asked after a beat.

"We're going to spend the next couple of days somewhere else until I make this building more secure. Pack plenty of stuff for Charly. Have the guys carry down whatever you'll need."

"More secure? What's going on?" She asked standing up but remaining in the kitchen.

"Someone came into this building unnoticed and left me a note saying they killed my brother. I don't want you and Charly here. I want you at the most secure location I can put you. My parents."

As soon as she walked out of the kitchen I called my father and told him we were coming to 'visit'. He knew this meant I would want to talk to him as soon as I got there. I was sure Aro would be with Esme so I didn't bother texting him. I did text Blaze and tell him to meet me there for dinner.

I didn't like something dangerous being so close to my girls. Isabella was already on edge and whether she believed it or not, I was mourning my brother. She would learn than I kept my emotions on the inside. Wearing them on my sleeve would leave me vulnerable.

All my life I'd been taught how to fight and scheme. To be fearless and eliminate threats. I had to figure out how to eliminate a threat I couldn't see.

Mary Alice's POV

"Are you still taking your birth control?" Carlisle asked walking in the living room holding a sleeping Mallory.

"Yes. Why?" I asked glancing up from the latest issue of Vogue.

"I want another bambino."

"We just had one." I laughed.

"I know. I was there. Remember?" He smiled at me. "It's time for another."

"Carlisle, you know I would love to give you more bambinos. However, I refuse to be a fat cow walking down the aisle."

"You could never be a fat cow." He sat beside me and held my hand. "Move the wedding up. We should have the bambinos all together so they'll be close."

"Family is always close. There will be no exception with our children." I retorted and laid my magazine on the coffee table.

"Do I need to buy you something to change your mind?"

I scoffed and swatted at his arm.

"Don't! You'll wake my principessa." He chastised.

"Oh, whatever! That baby sleeps like a rock!" I giggled. "I don't like you making me out to sound like a gold digger."

"Of course you're not. You deserve it all. I just thought I might could persuade you into giving me another bambino sooner."

"Hold your breath until after the big wedding."

"If I must." He huffed and puffed his cheeks out in an exaggerated manor.

"Stop that!" I swatted him again. "I want a live groom at my wedding!"

"I thought you were into dead guys? Isn't that why you watch those vampire movies?"

"Dio mio, Mi dai sui nervi a volte!" (My God, you get on my nerves sometimes!)

"Not my intentions, love. I'm going to lay the bambino down." Carlisle chuckled and kissed my cheek.

My daughter saved my relationship. I know that's not a realistic expectation, but it worked for Carlisle and me. I wanted more babies only after I had my big fabulous wedding. I was going to look amazing in my wedding dress and everyone was going to spend an entire day fawning over me. I deserved it.

I flipped through channels until I heard my husband go into his office. Figuring he had paperwork, I gave up on the television entertaining me and decided to call Rosalie. I worried about her.

I dialed and waited. One ring. Two rings. Three rings. I was growing impatient when she finally answered.

"Hi Ally."

"Hi Rose! So glad you decided to answer. What are you doing?"

"I'm not sitting in my room sobbing if that's what you're worried about." She sighed.

"That tells me what you're not doing, now what are you doing?"

"Actually, I'm baking brownies for my dad. Happy?"

"Yes. Yes, I am. Are you wearing sweats?"

"Maybe."

"Your fashion card should be revoked."

"Fuck off."

"I will not. Why don't you come over tonight and hang out? We can order in and invite some other people over. I need to drink lots of alcohol."

"Why?"

"Carlisle wants me to have another baby. Like now." I told her rubbing my hand over my face.

"And you don't want to because of your wedding gown. Alright, I'll be over later. I'm down for large amounts of alcohol. Who all are you going to invite over?"

"Jane and Felix so Santiago will tag along and that probably means Jacob. Of course my brother and Esme. Isabella and Edward, too. Maybe Dr. Cooper." I rattled off. "You'd like him." I added as an afterthought.

"Really? Did you just imply at a set up?" Rosalie asked cooly.

"You can't be alone forever. I love you and I worry about you."

"I know you do, but I'm okay. It hasn't even been that long. When I'm ready to move on I will. Stop trying to force it on me."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I won't say another word about it." I felt bad for rushing her, but she wouldn't go anywhere without a little push.

"And you promise me my own bottle of Patron?"

"I promise you your own bottle of Patron!" I said laughing. At least she didn't stay upset with me.

"Deal. See you when?"

"Sevenish?"

"I'll be there."