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Beta'd by MalloryKnoxx
"Be a good Catholic for fifteen fucking minutes; is that so much to ask?!"
~~ Carmela Soprano, The Sopranos
Jacob's POV
I stretched and exhaled slowly feeling the empty bed around me. If Rosalie's scent wasn't lingering on my sheets, I would have thought it all was a dream. I tumbled out of bed and rubbed my face. I followed the smell of coffee to the kitchen and poured myself a tall cup.
"Good morning." Paul said way too enthusiastically. I turned to see him smirking from the small kitchen table.
"Good morning." I couldn't help the small smile on my face.
"If those hickeys on your neck aren't a sign of a good night, I don't know what is."
I subconsciously put my hand over my neck and smiled a little bigger.
"Yea. It was a good night." I said joining him at the table.
"I have no doubt, cuz. I saw your blonde bombshell on her way out the door." He smirked.
"When did you see her?" I asked lazily blowing on my coffee.
"After daylight. She seemed ... lively."
"Lively?" I raised my brow at him.
"She has spunk. That's for sure." He laughed, and I grinned again. "Not too mention her screams of ecstasy woke me up around three."
"I'm not even apologizing."
"I wouldn't apologize for that either." He grinned.
We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before I lost my cool.
"What did she say before she left?"
"Not much. Usual greetings when you meet someone. 'I've heard so much about you', 'Nice to meet you', shit like that. She was cool, and I can see why you're all would up about her." He leaned back in his chair. "I think you should be careful though. I'm aware of who she is. Even if I do live all the way in the 'sticks'."
"I hear ya." I said standing up. I needed to get dressed and get to work. Not to mention I had a beautiful woman I wanted to talk to.
Isabella's POV
Edward's hair stuck up in all directions contrasting with the deceitfully calm look on his face. I'd hardly slept, and he'd been out for hours. I sat in the bed next to him waiting for him to wake up. Waiting for him to explain what was going through his mind. I didn't know all the details of what transpired the night before. I just knew that his cousin and Aro hauled him into our room unconscious. I was scared to death when they brought him in like that.
Aro and Esme shared whispers between themselves. Esme gave me a sad smile and told me she would get Charly in the morning. I nodded my agreement and waited for them to leave before I undressed Edward and crawled into the bed with him. My body felt tired with all the alcohol and Valium in my system, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. I propped up in the bed next to him and floated in and out of sleep a few times. It was no use I couldn't sleep. Not until some things were resolved.
Elizabeth brought me a cup of coffee wearing a wry expression. She said she would help with the baby while wearing a look I didn't understand. I slipped my bandaged feet under the comforter not wanting her to see them. I was sure Esme had told her parents what happened, but I didn't want to discuss it. It was a crazy hot mess and it's not every day your son is carried into the house knocked out cold. I was trying to avoid questions.
Edward began to stir, and I sat my mug down on the nightstand. He groaned and held his hands to his head. I reached out and pushed his hair back. His hand quickly found mine and held on.
"You're here?" He asked gruffly not letting go of me.
"I'm here."
He let out a deep breath and rolled over, not opening his eyes, and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Mi dispiace. Mi dispiace. Mi dispiace." (I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.) He mumbled into my stomach.
"I don't know what you're saying." I sighed running my fingers through his bed hair. I was angry with him, but I wasn't going to completely turn my back on him.
"I'm sorry."
I raised my eyebrows even though he couldn't see me. He had plenty to be sorry for. I knew there were things he kept from me for my protection. I also knew there were things he kept from me because he thought he was protecting me because he thought I couldn't handle. I was stronger than he gave me credit for. I had no choice being with his family.
"We need to talk about some stuff."
He cracked open one blood shot emerald eye and peered up at me. As mad as I was at him, I hated seeing him looking so drained and weak.
"Okay."
"What happened last night?" I ran my fingers through his hair and down his neck. I thought it would help relax him so I was more likely to get real answers.
"I can't believe I treated you the way I did. I have never acted like that towards a woman, and I never will again. When you threatened to leave, it ... it scared me so bad I just reacted. I swear to you on my mother it will never happen again."
I sighed and he pulled me closer.
"I'm not excusing your behavior last night. I said things in the heat of the moment that I didn't mean. I don't want to be anywhere other than with you. But I do want to know what's going on. I've lost my parents and I want to be aware of what's happening around Charly and me. I deserve to know as much as you do, if not more. With that out of the way, I meant what happened after you left."
Edward pulled himself up against the headboard and gave me a long look before pulling me up against his chest. He placed kisses in my hair. It helped relieve some of the tension and worry from the night before, but nowhere near what I would have liked for it to.
"Aro and I went to a bar to get Blaze, and I had a few drinks. I found out Peter killed my brother because he thinks I killed his. I didn't, and I lost my temper and went after the person who did. I was angry. I couldn't control it."
"Who did you go after?" I asked looking up at him. He stared back at me without blinking. Dark circles laid under his eyes and day old stubble peppered his jawline. He was being very honest, and I was afraid he would stop.
"Who?"
"Carlisle." He looked away and scratched his face.
I sat back and gasped.
"You went over there to pick a fight or-or worse, and Charly was over there?" I shouted at him.
"I wasn't thinking. I was drunk. Very drunk. It won't happen again."
"You're fucking right it won't happen again!" I threw a pillow at him. "If you ever show your ass in front of that baby or bring any harm her way, it won't be your enemies you have to worry about!"
I slid off the bed and cringed as my feet hit the floor. Edward climbed out of bed behind me and moved between me and the door. He looked pained as he glanced down at my bandages. He held his hands up, but stayed a few feet away from me.
"Please don't leave."
"I'm not leaving. I'm going downstairs to eat lunch. Esme should be back soon with Charly, and your mother expects every one to eat together." I said moving slowly towards the door.
I was trying to keep a straight face, but I didn't do a good job of masking the pain because he scooped me up and sat me back on the bed. He grabbed a pair of sweats out of his dresser and slipped them on. He shot me a look of guilt before disappearing in his closet and coming out wearing a black t-shirt.
"Let me take care of you like I should have last night." He said before picking me back up. He left his room and started down the hall.
"I can walk you know."
"Not while I'm around you won't. This is my fault. I'll fix it."
"It was an accident." I breathed against his neck. "You didn't cut my feet. I stepped on broken glass."
"Just let me take care of you. For me?" He whispered against my ear.
"Okay. For now."
That pacified him for the moment.
"We're going to finish our conversation later." I warned him. "I want to eat and see my baby right now, but I'm not letting this go so easy."
Esme's POV
I let out the breath I was holding and walked up the marble steps to Mary Alice's front door. I couldn't believe the way Edward behaved the night before. One brother had lost his life and the other his mind. I shook those thoughts away as I waited for her to answer.
She opened the door with Charly in her arms and greeted me with a small smile. Mary Alice waved me in ,and I followed her through the house to the den. Carlisle was in the rocker with Mallory watching a very colorful cartoon.
"Buongiorno, Esme." (Good morning, Esme.) he greeted me.
"Good morning." I said softly.
"Relax." Mary Alice said handing me the baby. "Whatever is up your brother's ass, I'm not holding against you."
"I just can't believe him. I know he's upset, and he refuses to admit it. But still, the way he was last night ... that wasn't my brother."
Mary Alice gave me an understanding look and glanced over at Carlisle. He shook his head and walked out of the room to give us some privacy. She waited a couple of minutes before she spoke.
"I know he blames Carlisle over the whole Jasper deal. I know my husband can be an asshole, but it's not like no one in this family has killed." Her words struck me because I myself was guilty of that sin. "However, him showing up at my home, my home, in the middle of the night losing his shit like that is unforgivable. My child was here, his child was here. We got out in the middle of the night to go get her for him and he wants to come to my home incorrectly. No. I'm not dealing with it. I'm done with him." She wiped her hands together and threw them in the air.
"Mary Alice, I understand why you're upset. I do. But I don't want to get caught in the middle of this. He's my brother and you're Aro's sister. It makes everything very awkward. I'm sure he'll stay away for a while. Hopefully this blows over and everything can go back to the way it was."
She pursed her lips and put her hands on her hip. I waited for her to tell me to give my brother a boot in the ass or something, but she didn't say anything.
"What happened last night? After we left with the baby."
"They were drinking and arguing and it escaladed and Isabella stepped all over broken glass and Aro took Edward out to cool off and next thing I know he's being carried into the house early this morning. I don't even know all the details yet." I explained to her.
We spent the next few minutes sharing coffee and everything we had witnessed the night before. I thanked her again for keeping Charly and left with the baby. All the way home all I could think about was what the hell was happening to my family and how this wasn't how I wanted to spend my last day with Aro before trial.
Charly fell asleep right before I pulled in the drive and stayed that way as I carried her in the house. Everyone was already sitting at the table except for my mother, who was busy placing dishes on the table. I handed the baby to Isabella and helped my mom.
"Time to eat!" My father said as we joined them at the table.
There wasn't much talk as we ate. My parents made small talk about an upcoming charity event she was planning with the other wives. Isabella clutched Mallory to her chest and ate with one hand while my brother stared at them both. His face held a pained look, and he reached out and hooked his arm around her chair, dragging it as close to him as he could possibly get.
My father glanced over and scowled briefly before turning his attention back to my mother.
"I'm going to Aro's for dinner."
"That's nice." My mom smiled. "You should spend as much with him as you can."
"I'm trying."
"All will turn out well. Don't stress over it." My father sipped his scotch.
Lunch passed slowly with us eating in mostly silence.
"Let me take Charly, and you can get some rest dear." My mother offered holding her arms out after we cleared the table.
Isabella kissed the baby's head and handed her over. I watched my parents retreat to their own doings before I followed Edward and Isabella upstairs. They were both propped up on pillows in silence.
"Hi." I greeted softly as I knocked on the door frame.
"Hey." Isabella said through a yawn and waved me over. I closed the door behind me and sat on the foot of the bed.
"How are you guys feeling?"
Edward groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. Isabella cut her eyes at him before turning back to me.
"I'm good. I can't say the same for this jerk."
"Hey!"
"Well, you have been a jerk."
I nodded my agreement. Edward mean mugged me.
"If you need any help with Mallory, let me know. I'm sure Máma will take her every chance she gets, but if you do need me..." I rubbed my hands together unsure of what to say to break down the awkwardness in the room.
"Thank you again for picking her up." Isabella gave me a small smile.
"No problem. I like spending time with my niece." I gave her a big grin. "I'm going to leave you two alone. I'm headed to Aro's if you need me, call."
I gave Isabella a hug and kissed my brother's cheek before leaving. Hopefully they would work it out.
Edward's POV
"We need to talk." Isabella said softly adjusting to lie down further in the bed.
I groaned again.
"Yea, I know."
"Can you stop groaning for like five freakin' minutes?" She huffed.
"I'll try."
"Try hard."
"I don't know how to show you how sorry I am, but if you'll just tell me what to do, I'll do it."
"I'll think about that later. I want to talk about my dad." She took a deep breath. "I want to know everything that happened, but I don't think I can emotionally handle it yet. I want to have some kind of memorial or funeral or something. Renee got one and he deserves something more."
If she only knew what a real dick he was.
"Whatever you want, we'll arrange it."
"What are we going to do about the police department and all that stuff? They will start calling soon or looking for him. I don't want any attention brought Charly's way."
"Charly is taken care of. I would never let anyone take her away. I would fly you both out of the country before I would let that baby be ripped from your arms." I promised her taking her hand in mine. I brought it up to my lips to place kisses on each of her knuckles.
"Do..." She held back a sob, "Can you get his body?"
"I don't know. I know that's not what you want to hear, but I'm finding out as much as I can. As soon as I have details I'll tell you something." Only part of that was truth. I would tell her only the parts that didn't implicate me.
"Okay."
"What else do you need from me?" I asked looking down at her. Even with the curtains drawn, I could still make her face out in the late afternoon light.
"Just you for now. And if you could make all the bad stuff in our lives go away, that'd be great too."
"I'm working on it."
We laid together for a while just holding hands. Every so often she would squeeze mine and I would squeeze back. It was weird for me to take someone else's feelings into consideration about anything, but I loved her and it was worth it.
"Do you want to talk about Emmett?" She asked timidly.
Before I could even respond my phone rang.
"I gotta take that. It's Aro." I got out of the bed and pulled the phone out of my pants. "Yea?"
"If you want that birthday gift, you better move fast."
"Shit. Alright, I'm on it. You coming?"
"I would like to spend time with Es if you can manage without me."
"Fuck you. I'll call Blaze." I hung up and quickly text my cousin to let him know I was on my way to pick him up.
"What's going on?" Isabella asked sitting up.
"I have to handle something. It's very important." I said as she pouted. "I will make everything up to you very soon. You gotta trust me on this. I have to do this."
She rolled her eyes before I grabbed her and pulled her up on her knees on the bed. I gave her a long, deep kiss and eased her back on the bed.
"I love you."
"I love you." She sighed as she watched me quickly dress and grab an extra gun from my dresser drawer.
I had Blaze picked up and was circling the hotel in Greenville in thirty minutes.
"This is going to be fun." He grinned as he lit a cigarette.
"You're twisted. You know that right?"
"Whateves. I just happen to enjoy shit that has to be done anyway. Don't hate."
I scoffed at him and backed in a spot towards the end of the parking lot.
"Sometimes I swear you're a fucking thirteen year old girl with the way you talk."
Blaze laughed and got out of the car. I did the same and we walked side by side around the back of the sleazy hotel.
"What's the game plan, cuz?"
"Grab this shitbag and take him elsewhere to fuck him up."
"I like it." He beamed.
Twisted fuck...
I knew ahead of time what room he was in. I knew he wouldn't have any guards so it would be easy to grab him as long as he was still there. I crossed myself and said a short prayer that I wouldn't lose it on the spot and empty my clip into him.
"Ready?" Blaze whispered.
I nodded, and he kicked the fucking door down. Peter jumped up out of a ratty recliner and his eyes went wide when he saw me. He looked like he's been awake for days and hadn't showered or changed for twice as long.
"Hello." I said coldly as I stepped into the room. With every step I took he matched it going backwards until he hit the wall. I closed the gap between us while I watched him running his hand over the table next to him.
"Looking for a gun?" I asked. Blaze stood next to the door snickering.
"Do you think you need to defend yourself?"
He still didn't say anything and waved his hand around wider. I kicked out and knocked the piece of shit table farther away. He stilled and stared at me wild eyed.
"I'm not here to kill you Peter. If I was, you'd already be dead, and you would have never even heard me." I smiled evily at him. "However, you were hiding from me so that's answers about half my questions already. Now it's time to take a ride so you can answer the rest."
"No!" he shouted and tried to make a run for it. I stepped aside and took great pleasure in seeing what happened next. Blaze stood there casually until right before Peter reached the door and swung. He hit him square in the face, and Whitlock fell to his knees.
"Sonofabitch!" He screamed. Blood trickled down his chin. "You broke my fucking nose."
"That was me being nice." Blaze reached down and grabbed his upper arm, hauling him to his feet. "Let's go for that ride."
Peter began to jerk and flail around. I couldn't drag him out of a hotel like that. I pulled the Glock out of the front of my pants and held it backwards. I crossed the room shaking my head and clocked the fuck out of his skull. He groaned for a second then hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.
"See, I told ya. Fun!" Blaze was cheesing like a five year old at the circus.
"Shut the fuck up, will ya? Help me get him in the trunk."
We hauled his ass out the door and glanced around as we rounded the building. No one in sight. Perfect. I quickly tied him up before closing the trunk.
"Let's get the fuck outta here."
After a couple of blocks we were back on the highway between Greenville and Rochester Heights.
"What do you wanna do with him?"
"Take him to a warehouse at the docks."
"I assume there will be lots of torture involved?"
"Definitely."
"Should I call in any backup?"
"Not yet. I want some answers in private."
Blaze nodded and sipped on his flask. He held it out to me, and I waited a beat then took it. I let a long gulp run down my throat and relished in the burn. I handed it back to him and turned back towards the road.
I thought about all the different ways I wanted to cause that motherfucker pain. Each little detail that would drive that sorry piece of shit over the edge, until he begged for a death that I would drag out for weeks, months maybe.
I was so consumed with my thoughts that I didn't notice the blue lights flashing behind me. The sirens brought reality crashing back on me.
Fuck.