So, how do we like FighterWard? Isn't he swoon-worthy? Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story … What's up next?
Up next … some truth bombshells … I'll leave you to it!
What I own: A lot of doggy toys … thanks to my sweet furbaby, Bailey
What I don't: Twilight
Chapter Forty-Two
Edward and Bella spent the entire day in bed, lounging and relaxing. Edward even buckled and took the Vicodin that Carlisle for the pains in his body, leading to a much-needed siesta after lunch. Around dinner, there was a quiet knock on the door. Edward, who was still in and out of slumber, barely moved from his side of the bed. Bella got up and opened the door, only to find her father on the other side, looking spitting mad.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Can you join us? Bring Edward," Charlie huffed. "We've got some interesting news."
"Oookay," Bella replied. "He's a little looped. He took the pain meds."
"Both of you, please," Charlie commanded, giving Bella an understanding look. "We wouldn't have disturbed you guys unless it was … trust me, Little Bell."
Bella closed the door, crawling back into bed. She ran her fingers through his messy hair, pressing kisses to his brow and cheeks. "Baby … wake up," she cooed.
"If I wake up, the pain comes back," he grumped, cracking open one eye. "No, wait, that's if I move."
"I promise we can come back in here and you can have another pain pill, after we meet with my dad. He's being all cryptic," Bella shrugged, pulling on a pair of leggings. "We also need to eat."
"I want a cheeseburger with extra fries and a slice of chocolate cake," he snorted, inching to the edge of the bed. "I'll be right out. I need to … a human moment?"
"Got it. I'll put in our order, Edward," she smiled. With a quick kiss, she left the room.
Edward groaned when he got up, padding to the bathroom. He answered the call of nature and scrubbed his face, avoiding his stitches above his eyebrow. Brushing his teeth, Edward finished up in the bathroom and got dressed in a pair of workout pants and a t-shirt. Stuffing his feet into slippers provided by the hotel, he moved slowly out into the main living space.
Everyone one was there.
What the hell?
"What happened? Is my win null and void?" Edward asked, sitting down next to Bella on the couch. They threaded their fingers together as Edward eyed the group warily.
"No, your win still stands," Charlie said. "If anything, it means more after we got off the phone with the governing body. Alice?"
"Right, I'm drafting a statement on behalf of Bull Dog and you, Edward. We got information regarding Jacob and Volterra," Alice began. "They wanted us to be the first to know before they make an announcement to the press."
"Wanted us to know what?" Edward asked, arching a brow in question.
"At Charlie's insistence, they took a hair sample from Jacob. Jacob was bitching about it, but it gives a more accurate representation if the person has taken drugs and for how long, depending on the sample. Anyway, I'm going to defer to my dad to explain," Alice said.
"They put a rush on the hair sample, but it indicated that Jacob has taken steroids. Plus, they took a post-fight urine sample from Jacob only to discover that he was high while fighting you," Carlisle said, handing Edward a paper. "We're talking about completely-off-his-gourd-high on cocaine."
"How was he able to fight?" Edward questioned. His eyes perused the information, shocked at the drugs were in his system. "With levels this high, he'd be … incapacitated."
"If he was using drugs regularly, he'd build up a tolerance and would need more in order to feel the effects," Carlisle explained. "That explained the levels in his urine."
"As a result of his choices, Jacob has been disqualified from the fight and banned from the sport," Charlie sighed, shaking his head sadly.
"Why are you sad?" Bella snapped. "He made his bed and now he has to lie in it, Dad! He lost his place at Bull Dog because of his choices to use drugs!"
"I'm sad because Jacob had such potential and he let fame get to his head," Charlie retorted. "All he wanted to do was party, get high and fuck around because of his notoriety as a fighter. He gained more popularity through Volterra because he fought in more high-profile fights, but with that …"
"He partied more, making more questionable decisions," Bella surmised. "But, he's no longer our responsibility. He left Bull Dog."
"He was terminated from Bull Dog, picked up by Volterra who assisted in his demise," Charlie growled.
"What about Volterra? Caius? Aro?" Edward pressed. "Surely, they had to be aware of the situation. Hell, they may even be held culpable if they provided the drugs to Jacob. You know?"
"They lost their accreditation," Jasper said. "The governing board did an audit of all the fighters and fights for the past five years, finding clues that they threw matches, made back-door deals and pushed injured fighters to go back before they were ready, only to release them from the contracts and then suing for breach of contract."
"Edward, you were right about what you believed about your fight with Demetri," Charlie muttered. "In your file, Aro had everything spelled out. Caius did roofie your water, but got the dosage wrong. It was too high, making you sloppier than normal. Aro gave Demetri the brass knuckles. They were going to ruin you, financially and professionally."
"I'm working on a lawsuit," Jasper said. "They need to be held accountable for what happened to you, compensating you for your injuries and loss of income due to the extent of said injuries. Yes, you're well-off financially, but, it's the right thing to do. I'm asking for $10 million."
"Holy shit," Edward breathed. "Really?"
"Yes, really. I'm going to the mat for you, Edward. Volterra needs to pay for what they did to you," Jasper snarled.
"What about Emmett?" Bella asked. "Was there proof that James was …?"
"No. James was simply a sociopath who couldn't handle the idea that he was losing," Jasper answered flatly. "That's why Volterra distanced themselves from James, not paying for his legal fees, nor his bail."
"So, what happens now?" Edward questioned. "I won the match by knockout, but with the disqualification?"
"A win is a win, period," Charlie nodded. "Your tests came back clean … you're the healthiest person I know."
"Well, not right now. I feel like I went ten rounds with an elephant," Edward deadpanned, rolling his head to get the creaks out.
"With all due respect, you did. In Jacob's inebriated state, his punches were harder than normal. He also knew about your previous injuries and managed to do a lot of damage to your ribcage, along with giving you a minor concussion," Carlisle said. "You'll get better, but I wouldn't recommend getting into a ring for month or two."
Edward took Bella's hand, staring into her eyes. She nodded, squeezing his fingers, giving him support and love. "You don't have to worry about me getting back into the ring, Carlisle," Edward began. "After seeing what happened to Emmett, the extent of my previous injuries and the recovery from this fight, I've decided to hang up my gloves."
"I figured this was coming," Charlie said, a frown marring his features. "What will you do?"
"I want to coach," Edward answered, "or, possibly become an agent. Fight for athletes in a different way. Perhaps both? I don't know. I have time to think about it, right?"
"If you become an agent, I'd hire you in a heartbeat," Alice sang. "You'd be a lucrative member of our Bull Dog family, rounding out the team. Please, please, PLEASE become an agent!"
"Hey, now. He's coaching with me," Charlie argued. "With his grace, speed, and patience? He'd be an amazing coach and teaching fighters the right way to fight."
"I hope I have time to think about it. I'm not making any decisions right now," Edward shrugged.
"Speaking as general manager of Bull Dog, you have time," Bella cut in, giving both Alice and Charlie a sharp glare. "You'll still get paid and will maintain everything through the gym until you decide to leave …"
"Which won't happen," Edward interrupted. "I finally found my place in this world. It's to be with you … all of you. You are truly my family." Leaning over, he kissed Bella. "Though, I do have a question about Volterra. Aro and Caius were implicated in the audit. What about Marcus?"
"He's an innocent in all of this. In the audit, they found information that Aro and Caius were blackmailing Marcus, making him cook the books, as it were. Marcus was the one who tipped the governing board off, to be honest," Jasper answered. "He'll face charges professionally, but will not be charged criminally."
"What do you mean?" Bella frowned.
"He'll lose his license for a year, unable to practice medicine," Carlisle replied. "Though, I invited him to meet with me to discuss options. He wants out of Chicago, and I'd like a partner."
"Even after all he did?" Alice pressed.
"Marcus was in an impossible position," Edward explained. "He had to do what he could to survive. His brothers, as you can see, are brutal, hateful monsters, extorting money, and his services. They only think of the bottom line and not about the people it hurts. Marcus was a pawn in their scheme, stuck between a rock and a hard place. My heart goes out to him."
"You know the whole story," Alice accused. "Care to share?"
"Not my story to tell," Edward replied. "But, yes, I do know the whole story."
"Well, there's a lot going down and we wanted you to hear it from us first, as opposed to a newspaper article or television story," Charlie said. "When you get back from New York, we can discuss next steps and transitioning you from fighter to coach/agent. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."
"We all will," Bella added.
"Thanks," Edward grinned crookedly. "Now, I'm tired and sore. All I want is my cheeseburger, chocolate cake and a Vicodin, along with my girl. I want to be able to take her around the city."
A/N: No pictures with this one, apologies. I'm more focused on finishing this story up. We're going to have some New York City explorations in the next chapter along with some … well … you'll see.
Leave me your thoughts and thanks for reading!