Hi Ladies,

I just have a few comments before you read this chapter.

-I had a handful of very upset reviews in the last chapter over Bella's treatment of Jasper. I felt obligated to address everyone's concern on the matter. Bella did not mean that in any derogatory way. It was actually her feeling comfortable enough to tease him that was my point. Puppy was nothing more than a pet name. There may be references to that in the future but I wanted to make my intent clear. Thanks for reading and being concerned. I happen to love Jasper and I would never demean his character that way. I just want to put my own unique spin on them.

-Second, I am about to get into Bella's abuse. I would like your input on how much detail you want about that. Some things I can't skip over, or the story won't make sense but I'm giving you all a chance to voice your thoughts. Let me know what you decide plz.

-Now, I just want to say how much I appreciate all of your feedback. Your comments sure make my day. Thanks for reviewing and showing this story some real love;)

Please let me know your thoughts on the subjects above and any new comments you would like to add. I look forward to them.

Chapter 19

Edward-

"How the fuck can you eat all that sugar?" I asked, sliding into the booth across from Emmett—who was shoving cinnamon sugar twist donuts down his throat by the fistful. He scowled at me when I reached into his plate and plucked a doughy treat from the pile. Using a napkin, I took a bite with a crooked smile, dusting tiny sugar crystals from my fingertips as I studied my brother. "Calm down, bro, you still have half a dozen in front of you."

"There are never enough donuts," he replied, gesturing to Rose arranging pastries behind the counter in the large glass display case. "Good thing my wife owns a bakery. If it wasn't for my sweet tooth I never would've met her. Speaking of which, whatever happened to the chick that stole your bag of cash."

I looked toward the tall brunette behind the counter, dipping my head toward my sister-in-law when she smiled and waved. Turning my attention back to my brother, I bit into the pillowy treat, chewing slowly as I contemplated how to answer his question. Finally, I swallowed, playing with the corner of my napkin. "It's funny that you mentioned chance meetings and unlikely outcomes."

Emmett slurped a mouthful of coffee, choking when the brew went down the wrong pipe. With his fist pressed to his mouth, he hacked, clearing his throat as his eyes began to water. "What? Did you wind up marrying her?"

When I didn't immediately correct him, his eyes grew as big as the saucer under his coffee cup, and he slapped the table with a huge grin. "No fucking way. How? When?" As suddenly as his grin appeared it was replaced with a grim frown. "You got fucking married and you didn't invite me? What the fuck, man?"

Even though my marriage was a fraud, regret pierced my chest. The confusion and betrayal on Emmett's face was very real and considering my brother didn't know my marriage was a shame, I felt like a huge dick. I swiped a hand down my face, trying to ease the weight of my actions. If Emmett took the news this bad, I could only imagine how my mother would respond. She would be devastated. "Shit. I'm sorry, bro. I was just excited and happy. For the first time in my life, I wasn't really thinking about anyone else."

Emmett's dimples disappeared and his frown deepened, his nostrils flaring and his cheeks turning red. "Still, man, that's a huge milestone and I missed it. That's really fucked, Edward." He shifted on his side of the booth, and slowly his entire attitude changed, his eyes squinting like he was trying to see something minute. "Unless this isn't real. I know Dad has been trying to push you towards that Italian chick. Did you marry this girl to keep Dad at bay?"

The fact that Emmett could see through my lie was disturbing. Obviously, my brother knew me very, very well. I forced myself to remain calm, refusing to give him any ammunition to feed his doubt. "Dude, I just told you the biggest news of my life and you think it's a joke?" Playing the wounded victim, I shook my head. "I don't know why I thought you would be the one person to get it." I gestured toward the woman behind the counter, returning his stare without wavering once. "You hit the jackpot when you found Rose. Is it so hard to believe I was able to find the same fortune?"

Emmett rubbed his cheek and he shook his head. "I don't know. If you did find the same happiness I have, the more power to you. It's just kinda shitty that you didn't at least invite me and Rose. You know we support you a hundred percent no matter what."

"Why the hell do you think I'm here now? We got married so fast that I kinda overlooked some minor details. I thought you would be the man to help me out with that." I broke eye contact with Emmett, ignoring the renewed pang of lying to my fucking brother. "Not only do I need help finding her a ring …"

"You didn't even buy her a ring?" He asked with surprise, his eyebrows shooting to his hairline. "You did jump into the fire head first, huh?"

"My toes are roasting," I stated, with an uneasy laugh. "So, what do you say? Wanna go help me pick out a diamond to make the little lady blush?"

"I'm surprised she didn't kick you in the sack for walking her down the aisle without one." He shook his head, a sparkle entering his eyes. "After the commotion, I heard in that room I'm surprised you were able to wiggle into her soft side." He smirked, "Never thought to see the day my brother got his ass handed to him by a chick."

I ran my tongue over my teeth in an attempt to keep from growling. "It was that internal spark that set me ablaze. She's different from anyone I have ever met."

Those weren't just lines. Bella was hands down one of the most fascinating women I'd ever met. Even now, she was probably giving Jasper the old heave-ho. The possibility made my lips twitch just as my phone buzzed with a message.

Speaking of the devil …

I quickly replied to her query about a key, my lips tingling with the remembrance of that kiss we'd shared before I left the apartment. If I wasn't careful I would fall straight down the rabbit hole. I didn't need to be getting any funny ideas concerning my very fake wife. But seeing her in my shirt… Fuck me.

"Is that her?" Emmett wanted to know, throwing me a knowing look, a cheesy grin pulling at his full cheeks. "She is kinda hot. I get it."

"Who's kinda hot?" Rose asked, rounding the counter to stand at the head of the table. She shot Emmett a look saying, "Oh really," her eyebrows lifting as she studied him, her hands perched on her hips.

Emmett gave her a sheepish glance, his hand settling on her hip, and he tugged her toward him. When Rose instantly plopped down next to him, he brushed a kiss on her temple. "No one is hotter than my sexy wife … especially in that little red …"

"Emmett!" She shrieked, effectively cutting him off, her cheeks heating with a warm glow. "Don't even finish that remark." When my brother's lips curved and his eyebrows wiggled, I chuckled, returning my attention to the conversation with Bella.

Emmett's explanation came out in a rush, hoping to diffuse Rose's initial jealousy at his comment. "Remember the chick I told you about? The one that ran off with nearly a hundred grand?" When Rose nodded, her hand sliding over his bicep, Emmett's fingers curled into a fist as he continued. "This prick went and married her, and didn't even stop to think about inviting his brother and his brother's hot wife." He gave a nonchalant shrug, "I just said I understand his judgment was clouded because she's hot. I mean, hell, I would've …"

Emmett didn't make it any further before Rose's startled gaze landed on me. "You did what?! Who is she? Why didn't you bring her?"

Rose and I didn't know each other well, but she knew me enough to know marriage wasn't something I took lightly. It was only natural my sister-in-law would assume Bella meant a great deal to me. Clearing my throat, I held up my hand to stop her, and I hated the look she was tossing my way. Like I was some creature from the Black Lagoon keeping his woman locked in a cage. "Hey, it's not like that. I just have a little surprise for her, and I obviously can't surprise her if she's here, right?" Then, I added, "Plus I told Carlisle this morning and he was less than welcoming to her. Things escalated very fast and my dear wife stuck the tip of her knife in his back."

"What?" Emmett shouted, and I was suddenly glad there were no other customers at the moment. "She pulled a knife on Carlisle? I bet he was just thrilled about that."

"To her defense, he'd pushed me, and she flipped her shit. Can't say as I blame her, I would've done the same thing. He was acting like a first-class cunt—which leads me to the second reason I'm here without, Bella." I clenched my teeth as the aggravation mounted. "I didn't want one more person in this family making her feel unwelcome. If that's going to happen then I would rather take the brunt of it."

Silence fell around the table, yet Rose stared at me with mild curiosity on her face. "I've never seen you put someone else's comfort before your own, Edward. She must be special."

I didn't answer because I couldn't. I couldn't lie and say she wasn't special to me, but the whole concept was ludicrous. I barely knew her. Correction: I might not know her favorite color, her favorite restaurant, or what ring I should buy her, but I knew the important shit. I knew she was courageous. I knew she didn't let adversity stand in her path or hold her back. I knew she was loyal and sweet when it came down to it. She might have a wall the size of the Great Wall of China built to keep people at bay, but I'd witnessed a few cracks in the structure. I knew I wanted to protect her at all costs. Finally, I nodded, "Maybe a little."

The mole on Rose's lip lifted as she smiled with genuine happiness. "Well, I'm happy for you. Do you have a picture at least?"

"Actually," I said with a grin, punching in my code to my phone and thumbing through to locate our picture, "I do."

I stared down at the photo of Bella looking up at me, and Hope's head peeking over the bottom of my screen, nestled into Bella's chest. The picture socked me straight in the gut, reminding me of things, suppressed desires I didn't realize I wanted. I swallowed hard as I took one last long look before handing my cell over to Rose and Emmett.

The couple studied the picture, casting curious looks in my direction. Rose nodded, "She's beautiful." Then her brow furrowed, and she looked closer at the picture. "She's so familiar. Those eyes … I feel like I've seen her before."

My gut clenched and I pulled the phone back to me with a shrug. "She lives around town. You may have seen her before in passing."

Emmett's broad shoulders lifted in a shrug, his arm wrapping around Rose's waist as he tugged her into his side. "You two are cute together." He placed the coffee mug against his lips and took a long drink. Swallowing, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "So, what the hell's Carlisle's problem?"

"Who the fuck knows." I replayed the whole encounter over and over, and something wasn't making sense. "It could be this ridiculous arrangement he made with Mateo, but … I just get the feeling there's something deeper going on. He didn't flip his shit when you two got married. Anyway, I need to find out."

"Well," Emmett said, pushing his plate away and dropping a kiss on Rose's cheek. "Let's go find out what his deal is."

As we stood up to leave, Rose reached forward and squeezed my hand. "Everything will work out. You better bring her to meet me." She was about to turn toward the counter when she paused deep in thought before her gaze darted back to mine. "Did you say her name is Bella?"

I scratched my head, alarm rising rapidly as Rose's eyes widened. "Yeah, why?"

She snapped her fingers, putting the pieces together. Her head tilted and her eyes narrowed. "Edward, that name isn't very common. There was a girl several months back that I caught digging in the trash like she was looking for something to eat … I invited her in and gave her a few donuts and coffee. After that, she came in once a week for a couple of Long Johns. Her name was Bella. She stopped coming in after a few months and I always wondered what happened to her. Is there any chance it's the same girl?"

Gutted. My beautiful, daring wife had been digging through the fucking trash for food. A wave of anger slammed through me with a vengeance, my hands balling to fist with the intense desire to hit something—anything. The muscle in my temple ticked, the rage more than I could put into words. I blinked, clearing the red from my vision to focus on Rose's sympathetic face. "More than likely."

"Oh my God," she whispered, her complexion paling, sadness evident in her eyes. She swallowed hard like she was trying to keep from crying and another wave of rage filled me. "Can you do something for me?"

I dipped my head in agreement, unable to speak. I watched my sister-in-law rush around behind the counter and pluck a variety of donuts from the case. "Will you give these to her from me, and tell her I missed seeing her."

An unbidden tear leaked from the corner of Rose's eye, yet she quickly brushed it away with a knuckle. When she handed me the box of treats, her eyes met mine. "I'm glad she isn't out there anymore. I always wanted to do more—I just—fuck."

"She'll be thrilled," I answered, my throat working hard with the ball of emotion lodged in my throat. "I'll bring her by sometime."

Emmett and I were headed for the door when he stopped dead in his tracks. "Fuck!"

His shout was so unexpected I jerked back. "What?"

"That would explain how she got my identification. That morning I stopped in to see Rose—one minute I had my wallet, and the next, I didn't."

We left the donut shop and drove to Dad's in silence. I had so much swirling in my mind I couldn't focus. Turning into Dad's circular drive, I followed the gravel path to the side entrance. Throwing the car in park, Emmett and I climbed out and entered the mansion. After growing up here, we easily followed the halls until we located Carlisle's study. I didn't bother to knock as I pushed the heavy oak doors open to find my father sitting behind a large dark cherry desk, his cell pressed to his ear.

His eyes flashed with alarm when his gaze connected with mine. Emmett followed me to his desk plopping in a seat, his legs sprawling out before him. "Hey, pops."

"I will see you at the end of the week. I will call you later," he said into the cell before ending the call and shoving the phone into his breast pocket. Leaning back in his chair, he spied me through narrowed slits. "Have you come to your senses?"

That wasn't the reaction I was expecting. The father I knew and loved would've acknowledged his distasteful response to my wife and at least showed some remorse. The Carlisle sitting before me didn't appear remotely apologetic.

I sat in the chair next to Emmett, bracing my weight on my elbows as I propped them on my knees. Just to pierce his bubble, I smiled at him. "I did. That's why I married her."

Carlisle's top lip curled on a snarl. "The little bitch cut me, Edward. Her display this morning shows how wrong she is for you. She has no place in this world. You need someone with elegance and grace—someone who knows her place."

"Is that what you think of Mom? Someone who knows her place?" I growled, every molecule in my body was rigid. This was the year 2022, not 1950. What the hell was he talking about?

"You don't see your mother strutting around in my shirt around guests, do you? Have you ever known your mother to hold a knife to me?" He nibbled his thumb, his glassy eyes drilling a hole through my skull. "Where the fuck did you meet her, anyway?"

I shook my head and scoffed. "To be honest, she stole a bag of my cash and fled Chicago. When I finally caught up to her, I realized she was ballsy and special. Something I would never find in a million other people." I shifted in my seat, leaning closer to the desk when Carlisle rolled his eyes with a snicker. "I don't think this has anything to do with Bella. You've been hounding me to marry this woman from Italy. Why? Why is it so important?"

He started to give me the same tired explanation he'd recycled to death. I slapped his desk, cutting him off. "I don't think that's it. There's something deeper at play and I want to know what the fuck it is."

If I wasn't mistaken Carlisle stilled before my eyes. He looked petrified for a moment before his expression went blank. "Edward," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he were seeking patience. "In this life sometimes we have to do things we'd rather …"

"Oh, save the bullshit. Emmett was promised to this same girl. He met and married Rose. You didn't respond to him this way. What the hell is the difference where I met Bella? She makes me happy …"

Carlisle abruptly stood, leaning over his desk, baring his teeth. "Because you are my last resort. It didn't matter if Emmett married someone else because I had you to fall back on."

I refused to balk, meeting him head on, I said, "Now you don't. You don't have me. So now what the fuck are you going to do?" When he didn't immediately answer, I continued, "You want to know what I think?" Carlisle's eyebrow rose as he waited. "I think Mateo—whatever the fuck his name is has something on you. I think he's blackmailing you. Maybe—maybe if you tell us what it is, we can stop the bastard together."

Carlisle's face froze. That's when I realized I'd hit the target. Something underhanded was at play and my father was being forced into this. The question was, what? What could Mateo have on my father to turn him into this self-righteous prick?

Emmett must've noticed his pause as well because he too leaned forward. "What is it, Dad? It has to be pretty fucking bad to have you looking scared."

Carlisle fell back in his seat, his fingertips digging into his eyes before he stared at me intently. Finally, he said, "I'm not giving up hope that you will come to the realization that this marriage is for the best. For you, for me, for Mateo …"

"Fuck you and fuck Mateo." Tapping his desk impatiently, I stood ready to get the fuck away from him. "I don't know what you're hiding but I will find out. Consider yourself warned."

Emmett and I slammed out of Carlisle's office with a mission. We made it as far as the kitchen when we encountered our mother standing next to the stove waiting on the teapot. "Hey, Ma." I cut across the tiled floor to embrace Mom in a quick hug. "Dad said you weren't feeling well. Is everything ok?"

Dark circles lined her eyes, and her skin was ashen. She rubbed her stomach and slightly shook her head. "I've got some sort of bug. I've been getting sick for a few days. Hopefully, it will pass soon."

"I will check up on you a little later. I have some pressing matters to attend to." The last thing I wanted was to carry germs back to my condo or wind up hurling all night. "Love you. I will see you later, alright? Maybe when you're feeling better we can go out to lunch. I have someone I'd like you to meet."

Intrigued, she smiled. "Someone as in a woman?"

"Yeah. I think you will like her," I said, backing away. "Perhaps I will bring her to the dinner Dad has planned next week." After considering it, I laughed, "You know what? I am definitely bringing her."

Mom looked on the verge of puking and she waved me away. "I can't wait to meet her. Hopefully before …"

She didn't finish her sentence rushing to the half bath, the door slamming behind her. Looking over at Emmett, I nudged him to the door. "That's our cue to get the hell out of here."

We were in my car driving back to the city when I glanced at my brother. "We need a P.I. Carlisle was acting so weird. Did you see the way he paused when I guessed Mateo was holding something on him?"

"Pfft. I would've had to be blind to miss it." Emmett wiped his palms down his jeans, casting a concerned look. "There's always Jesus. He's one of the best."

"Yeah, but he's probably already in Carlisle's pocket. I need someone who isn't associated with the Deviants in any way. I will make some calls and do some research."

"Until we figure out what's going on you shouldn't let Bella out of your sight," he suggested, biting his thumb as he propped his elbow on the door. "He was definitely acting strange."

"I have Jasper watching over her. He's never given me any reason not to trust him."

"If you can't be there yourself then Jasper is the next best thing," Emmett confirmed, sounding pleased. Slyly he leaned closer over the console. "Ready to go pick out a ring for the little lady?"

The box of donuts Rose had sent home for Bella was visible in the rearview mirror. Spying the large white box, a pang of sorrow stabbed my chest making it difficult to breathe. "Yeah—yeah I am."

After an hour of scouring the city, Emmett and I settled on a large four-carat Blue Nile eternity diamond worth ninety grand. I was just wrapping up the purchase when my cell trilled. Tucking the black velvet box in my pocket, I spied Jasper's number and my gut flipped. "Hey …"

"Boss, some shit happened at Millennium Park. You might want to come home."

Please let me know what you think;)