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This one is a doozy...

After being thoroughly embarrassed at dinner with Bella and my parents, Bella and I only got stronger.

We slipped into this seamless routine. Before Bella came along, relationships were like being suffocated. No room to be my own person—"I" automatically became "we." Every decision required input from someone else. Bella never made me feel like that.

She did make me feel other things. Things I was afraid of, things that were bringing me, a tough motherfucker, to my knees, and that scared me.

There was no nagging, well, not a ton. She was always going to bitch about some shit, but I honestly didn't mind when she did. Bella had this way of keeping me on my toes.

Fuck! I was way too deep down this rabbit hole, and not deep in the way I liked.

Deep like Bella had my cock down her throat at that very moment.

Good morning indeed! I was lying flat on my back as she straddled my legs, taking me in. I brushed the hair from her face to get a better look at her sucking my cock. Up and down. She was such a good girl.

She peered up at me and smirked. I hadn't even realized that I'd said that aloud. Now I was turning into a stunad fucker.

Bella hollowed out her cheeks and took me even farther down her throat, bobbing her head.

I threw my head back, muttering a few curses and gripping the bed sheet with one hand and keeping her head in place with the other.

My cell phone on the nightstand began ringing with Aro's ringtone. This better be important. I gave Bella an apologetic look and grabbed the stupid thing.

"Hello," I mustered up through gritted teeth. Bella was still sucking my cock. She was trying to kill me.

"EC. I can't believe those fucks. They really did it this time." Aro started muttering in Italian, and he sounded sort of garbled.

"Boss, what are you talking about?" I sat up, concerned. Aro might be a mamaluke, but there wasn't much shit that made him lose his cool like this.

"A fanabla! Those Cigno figas! Porca puttana!" he rambled, going on and on, but Aro still wasn't saying exactly what happened with those Cigno shitbirds.

Once he shut the fuck up, I asked, "Aro, what the fuck is going on? What happened with the Cigno motherfuckers?"

I looked at Bella, whose jaw went slack and not from the loss of my cock, but shock maybe? I wasn't sure why she looked so surprised. She'd heard me lose my temper before, so maybe it was how quickly I had flipped my switch that had caught her off guard.

I probably shouldn't have taken this call in front of her. I rose out of bed, untangling myself from both Bella and the sheets. I covered the phone receiver and turned to look at her. "Give me a minute," I said to Bella, who had gotten out of the bed as well and was pacing across my bedroom, almost nervously.

I looked at her, puzzled, and turned to go into my bathroom, but not before I saw her start to bite her nails, mumbling about how she should have known.

"They blew up the West Side warehouse. We have so many guys unaccounted for. You gotta get down here and help deal with this shit," Aro commanded, still stuttering a little.

"Fuck! Do we know if any of our guys are hurt?" I asked, which was apparently a stupid question because Aro started cursing in Italian again. "Okay, boss, I'm on my way. I'll call you from the road."

"Oh, and EC, we gotta get Cigno back. He has two daughters, you know. I'm told the youngest is quite beautiful, brown hair, brown eyes. Isabella…" I tuned Aro out, my mind racing. Isabella. Bella?

No one had ever mentioned Cigno having kids, let alone daughters. The man was pretty elusive in fact. But something about Aro's mention of there being two of them and his description of the youngest caused a pit to form in my stomach as little things that I couldn't believe I didn't pick up on started to take on new meaning. But there was no fucking way. It was too much of a damned coincidence, and it had to be my mind playing tricks on me, right? Because to think that I could have been sleeping with the enemy all this time? That shit only happened in the movies. I needed to get my head on straight and go handle this business at the warehouse.

A noise outside the bathroom door drew my attention, and I looked up and met Bella's wide-eyed stare from where she was leaning against the open door, listening to every word of my side of the conversation. In that moment, the thoughts racing through my head didn't seem so farfetched.

I quickly ended the call, and after I hung up the phone with Aro, I went into the bedroom and rushed to get on my dress slacks, found a pressed shirt, and grabbed my Glock. I needed to get down to the warehouse and sort out this shit, and maybe while I was there, I could find some answers and lay these bullshit conspiracy theories to rest. Because what I was starting to cook up in my brain was impossible. She couldn't be. No way was I this blind.

My heart was beating out of its chest. The lungfuls of air that I tried to pull in were strained, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. The sounds around me were a buzz, everything turning to white noise. The only thing keeping me going was the off chance that I was wrong, that I was grasping at straws.

And fuck, how I wanted to be wrong. Damnit!

My hands balled into fists as my rage grew. I wanted to punch something, or someone. I had to get out of there before I did or said something I'd regret. I couldn't look at her. I just couldn't…the walls were closing in on me.

"I gotta go. Shitstorm at work." I flew past her, barely able to glance in her direction. I heard her calling my name behind me but ignored her. I had to keep moving. If I was right, this was probably the worst thing that could go down.

Of course, I should have known. I should have looked into her further instead of letting myself get distracted by a sweet piece of ass and disarming smile. Apparently I'd let so much shit slip through the cracks.

I started to think of all the little clues that had been right in front of my face, clues that I had ignored so easily.

I thought about how I had tracked her down a second time and she was sitting at her father's restaurant, smack dab in the middle of Cigno territory. I remembered all the extra security outside her dad's crib that night I climbed into her window. Her words about the control he had on her life, how she talked about just wanting to be someone else, rang in my ears. None of it was too obvious, but like they said, hindsight was 20/20. Like puzzle pieces, it all started to click together.

She was observant. Did she know who I was? Is that why she approached me like she had that night at Jake's? Was this all a game to her? Was she a plant? Did the Cignos play me? Did she play me? I thought she was different. She actually had me starting to… My chest clenched at the thought. I shook my head, unable to believe she could fake everything that well.

I sped down Avenue S, realizing I'd forgotten to call Aro like I said I would. I dialed his number from the car phone.

"Boss, I'm almost there," I muttered, my head still spinning from all these thoughts.

"EC! Don't come down here. The pigs are loose. I repeat, don't fucking come here. Go to Felix's and stay there. Don't contact anyone else," Marcus commanded. Why the fuck was he answering Aro's phone? Did he get pinched?

I couldn't talk freely on a non-secure line just in case the phones were tapped. "Gotcha, talk soon," I said as calmly as I could muster.

At the red light by the Key Food, I looked down at my phone. I didn't have a single missed call. Not from Bella. Not from Alistair. That was weird. Blondie hadn't texted me this morning or made his typical phone call where he always wanted to play a game of twenty questions. Maybe he got pinched? Shit!

That was the last thing I needed now.

I made an illegal U-turn and headed toward the club. My paranoid ass kept checking behind me, making sure I wasn't being tailed.

Parking my whip behind the building, just in case any of those Cigno assholes came poking around, I pulled my nine out from underneath the seat and tucked it into the back of my slacks before stepping out of the car.

The back door swung open and there stood Felix, cheeks red and puffy, and it was apparent he had been crying. Seeing his tear-stained face, I looked at my longtime friend, puzzled.

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked, shuffling past him and inside the door. Felix had his loaded 29 mm in his hand. Clearly he wasn't playing around.

"Alec. He's dead," he choked out, leading us back to his tiny office.

Ah fuck! I never even got to meet my friend's boyfriend. I couldn't imagine what Felix was feeling right now. This was why I'd never gotten seriously involved with anyone before now. Not only could I not guarantee I'd come home at the end of the day, I couldn't guarantee that their life would be safe in this dangerous world.

At that thought, Bella circled my mind. The more I thought about it all, I knew I'd be deluding myself not to come to terms with the fact that Bella Swan didn't fucking exist. The problem that I had now was I couldn't figure out if I longed for her to be out of harm's way or if I longed to be the one to put a bullet between her beautiful brown eyes.

She'd fucked with the wrong fucker. If this was a game Isabella was playing, she'd soon realize how big she would lose. I'd make sure of it.

Just this morning, I'd thought of how deep my feelings had gotten. No matter how much I tried to keep things focused on the physical, on superficial shit, it was hard not to catch feelings, hard not to want to lay in bed and just talk, to hear her giggles, to know that I was the one she ran to when she needed a shoulder. Now, just hours later, I couldn't figure out if the fire I felt coursing through my veins was hatred…or love.

Love. I scoffed. What a complicated, weak fucking emotion. Look at Felix. He was usually a hardened criminal. Now he was just a broken sap.

"I'm really sorry, F," I offered. While I may not have agreed with the degree in which he got attached to Alec, it was never easy to lose someone you cared about.

"Those Cigno fuckers need to die. They are gonna pay," Felix vowed, slamming his fist down on his desk.

I nodded because although Bella—Isabella—was a Cigno, my loyalty lied with the oath I took to the organization. If she was involved in her father's misdeeds, she was a complication.

"Do me a favor, pull up what we have on Cigno's daughters." I walked around the desk to view the screen. First Rose's then Bella's photo popped up, and I almost threw the computer monitor across the room. Clenching my fists, I reeled myself in. I needed to confront the broad before I outed her to my grieving friend, who happened to be an expert at killing disloyal people.

Technically, I was a traitor right about now too.

My phone started vibrating in my pocket, and Aro's name filled the display.

"Hello," I muttered, ready for this day to be over and it was barely noon.

"Edward, Alistair is outside. Let him in," he demanded. I didn't miss how he called me Edward instead of EC. "I gotta go," he said, sounding breathless.

My stomach turned. Nothing about today felt right. Everything was messed up. Flipped upside down.

But like a good little soldier, I did what I was told and answered the fucking door.

Blondie stood in the alleyway, drenched from the sudden rainstorm. He was actually wearing a suit and looked pretty presentable for a change. Was he getting ready for the wakes we'd have to endure already?

"Are you going to let me in?" Alistair asked, a bit of annoyance in his voice.

Oh, don't get sassy with me, mamaluke. My eyes narrowed. There was something different about him today, and I just couldn't put my finger on it.

Maybe I was just being paranoid after finding out my girlfriend was really principessa to our rival family. That kind of bombshell could really fuck with a person.

I ran my fingers through my hair and stepped aside for Blondie to enter. In the distance, I heard sirens, heading away from the club, likely in the direction of the warehouse.

After locking the door, I dipped my chin in the direction of Felix's office. Blondie entered and went straight to Felix, embracing him in a hug. What the fuck!

I didn't realize they were that close, and judging by Felix's stunned face, neither did he.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Alistair mumbled, straightening his suit. When did he give a shit if his suit was on right?

Did I wake up in another world? Was I on drugs? What the fuck is going on?

"Thanks, kid. But how do you know about that shit?" Felix inquired, reaching his hand down to check for his Glock.

See, the untrained eye wouldn't have noticed this move, but someone as seasoned as me, spotted it.

I also didn't miss how Blondie flinched, his hand flying toward his back where his nine was located.

How did he catch Felix's slight movement? No amateur, especially one as stunad as Blondie, would know to look for tells like that.

I took a step closer to Alistair, suddenly on guard. Whatever he was playing at, I didn't like it.

Then he took me by surprise and put a hand on my shoulder, and my eyes widened, my hand never leaving my nine. "EC, can I talk to you for a sec?" he asked, looking at Felix sitting at the desk, puzzled, pissed, and sad all at once. "In private?" Blondie clarified, moving for the door.

I looked at Felix, having a silent conversation about what to do if I was not back or if he heard anything suspicious.

Felix could read me like a fucking book. And I happened to trust him.

"Madonna mia, fine. Go!" I commanded, leading Blondie to another room in the back of the club. It was usually the "torture room."

God, how I want to torture the shitbag in front of me.

"What?" I spat, throwing my hands up, fed up with him and his little games. "What's your fucking angle?"

My voice boomed throughout the soundproof room. I saw Blondie flinch at the venom in my voice. Good, he should be scared.

"EC, I just wanted to talk to you about Bella," he said softly as he leaned against the door.

Hold on, a second! Why was he talking about Bella?

I was pissed as hell at the broad who had taken over my life these past few months, but now I didn't even fucking know what I could do about this bomb that had been dropped on me.

That sure as hell didn't mean I wanted Alistair getting into my business.

"What the fuck about?" I strode toward him. He narrowed his eyes, and for a second, I saw a flash of anger on his face. He quickly composed himself.

"She's a danger and probably in danger. I mean, that chick's a fucking Cigno for Christ's sake." Blondie hissed. This was the first time I'd heard him speak so passionately about anything aside from food.

"You know? How did you find out that shit?" I barked, fuming that the stunad fucker he was had figured out this big secret before me.

Or did someone else tell him? Did Aro know? Marcus? Was that what they had been playing at when they called me into their office the other day? They had brought up the Cignos then, but never got to the point of the little powwow.

He nodded, looking me dead in the eyes, not saying anything. Silence. What I'd always wanted from this asshole, and now of all times was when he gave it to me.

I closed the gap between us, standing so close to him, I could smell the fucking tuna fish he must have eaten.

Madonna mia, he was like a garbage chute.

"How did you figure it out?" I pondered, not about to clue him in on how in the dark I was until earlier this morning.

Blondie started cackling. Full-on belly laughing. How could he laugh at a time like this?

I'd had enough. Enough of all of this shit. The lies and deceit. The messiness. I'd never known such a mess before today and I killed people for a living!

I shoved him hard and grabbed him by the throat. As I held him against the door, I knocked his head repeatedly against the hardwood. I hoped he got a couple more fucking screws loose after this.

"You no-good piece of shit. I can't take it anymore. All your bullshit and games. It ends now!" I screamed into his face, spittle flying everywhere.

He smirked, not budging on the act he had going on, because at this point, I was starting to realize it was all an act. No way was he really this fucking stupid. I may not know what his game was, but I was tired of him treating me like a pawn. I put more pressure on his neck, effectively cutting off his air supply.

As he started gasping and turning purple, I willed myself to release him.

One. Two. Three. I counted and took a breath. He wasn't worth it. Not yet at least.

I had bigger problems than a no-good tattletale.

He huffed and took big inhales of air.

"Cut the shit, you big baby," I muttered, straightening my suit. "How did you know about Bella?"

Blondie rolled his eyes, still winded from my assault. "It wasn't hard to figure out. It's not like it's rocket science. Cigno means Swan," he said, dumbly like I was a fucking infant. Again with that shit-eating grin!

"So why didn't you say anything? You can't ever seem to shut the fuck up, but this you choose to stay silent on?" I glared at him.

"I figured if you were cool with dipping your wick in enemy territory, taking that risk, who was I to judge? Couldn't be me though. I can't believe you had no idea. I thought you were supposed to be smart and shit." He chuckled to himself.

That was it! I took out my nine. Bam! I shot the fucker in the thigh. He yelped in pain. I laughed and mentally high fived myself.

As he lay on the floor writhing in pain, I kicked him out of my path. I had to find Bella and…

I don't know what I was going to do.

Alistair was right about one thing: she was a danger to me. To the organization. To everything I had built to protect myself.

Not to mention, she lied. Bella was just as phony as all those money-grubbing whores I used to waste my time with.

Actually, she was worse because she played the part of genuine, down-to-earth bitch too well.

I was fuming as I stalked out the door and went into Felix's office.

He was crying at his desk, clutching a picture. I couldn't watch him break down like this.

"Yo, I gotta go. Cover for me if the boss comes by," I mumbled, grabbing a tissue off his desk to wipe Blondie's blood splatter off my hand.

Felix nodded, agreeing to cover for me, and then asked, "Where's asshole?"

"Shit! Do me a solid and patch him up," I called over my shoulder as I headed for the door.

"What the fuck happened back there?" Felix bellowed, as I laughed, walking to my whip.

Once settled into the driver's seat, I slammed on the gas, flooring it. I had to get home and face her.

That was if Bella was even still at my place. I wouldn't be surprised if she'd run home to Daddy or off to her little bath buddy.

The trip took half the time as I sped along, keeping an eye out for the cops or anyone tailing me. I turned the corner, and luck was on my side because I got a spot right in front of my brownstone. I jumped out of the car like a bat out of hell and climbed the stairs two at a time.

Everything I thought about this puttana could be a lie. I had to save my own ass first.

I wanted to get her down on her knees and beg, to try to give me a single reason why I shouldn't put a bullet between her eyes.

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