Edward's POV:
This day hadn't turned out how I expected, and there are plenty of reasons why.
For one, meeting Isabella was shocking to say the least. Especially since I didn't expect her to slap me, so hard, in fact , that my jaw is still actually hurting.
Two, she passed out as soon as I mentioned the name of my boss to her. Aaron Vancanti. How did she know him?
Then, as if things aren't already complicated enough, these two women showed up and threatened me with an umbrella and a heavy-looking handbag. One very familiar, yet I can't seem to put my finger on it.
Where had I seen her before? I racked and racked my brain to remember but came up empty-handed.
Now, I am just confused.
The sudden stirring from the sandy brown plush couch catches my attention.
"Mm.." She mumbled, as her eyes danced behind her eyelids
"Oh good, you're up." I mumbled, sagging in relief as her eyelids pulled back.
At least we didn't have to go to the emergency room, that was a plus.
"Oh, goody, you're still here." She quipped back.
Well, of course, I was still here, where else was I supposed to go after she passed out? The gas station? The Richie's Co-Op, which happens to be down the road, perhaps?
I shook my head at her, trying to hide my amusement from her before answering, at me, amused before he sits in the armchair. "Yes, I actually almost got my ass handed to me by Mrs. Cope when she came to check on you earlier with another woman, Angela Weber, I think?" I replied, letting a small smile form
I note that she is trying to push her amusement away before she looked up at me.
"Angela? Did she say why she was here? How long has it been?" She asked, raising a thin brow.
"Twenty minutes. She is in the kitchen with Mrs. Cope," I answer.
The longest twenty minutes of my life, it tore at me when I saw her eyes roll to the back of her head and her knees buckled as she dropped to the ground.
Had I not been close enough, she would've had a nice goose egg on the back of her head.
"I want to talk after they leave. Will you be staying near?" She asks, concerned.
I looked down at my wristwatch to check the time. Half-past one. "Sure. I will be leaving soon since I do need to go look for another hotel to stay in for the night." I explained, standing up.
She nodded before standing up and heading for the kitchen and I headed out the front door to make a call.
As I'm walking out of the front door, I looked up to see the all too familiar face of Marcus Vancanti.
"Marcus? Marcus Vancanti?" I call, unsure.
The tall figure of the man turned slowly to look at me, wide-eyed. "Edward?" He asked, as slowly made his way over to where I stood on the porch.
"What on Earth are you doing here?" He asked, lowly.
I could see how tense he was, but what do I tell him? Everything? nothing? I was at an impasse.
"Aro sent me here…" I finally replied after a moment.
He rolled his eyes in understanding. "What has my brother done now?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"The Bureau has been compromised...Isabella the only hope we have to take down the mole…" I explained.
He looked at me wide-eyed. "Does this mean my brother found out who murdered our sister, Renate and her husband, Charles?" He asked.
Wait, did he just say...sister? That means...Isabella is Aro's niece. Oh god… this isn't going to be good.
"I-Isabella is you-your niece?" I gasped, feeling as if my legs had been knocked from under me.
"Yes, my little sister, Renate or Renata changed her name to Reneé before she married Charles. She was Isabella's mother." He told me.
"How— is this possible?" I asked unable to form any other thought.
I did know Aro had two brothers, one younger and one older than him but I never knew he had a sister. Hell, I don't think anyone other than his family and close friends knew this bit of information.
"She was always the most hairbrained, and reckless of us four, despite being the youngest. So, imagine our surprise when she called us and told us she had just graduated and was getting married to a Charles Swan. We all doubted it would last but it did. She was very much in love with him. That love made them push each other to reach and pursue their greatest dreams and ambitions. It was how they both met their ends. We decided to keep her a secret for her safety." He explained, sadly to me.
This was an unexpected revelation.
"So, what are you doing here, young Cullen?" He asked me when I failed to form a proper response.
"Aro sent me…" I replied, unable to form another response.
If she is related to Aaron, Marcus, and Caius… could it be that someone found out about this hidden info and used it to their advantage? Maybe even going as far as killing her? Maybe it was all revenge?
"Marcus, who do you know that would want to hurt your family?" I asked, on edge now.
"None that I can think of at the moment. Perhaps, you should ask my brothers that question." He suggested as both women came rushing out of the house like their asses were on fire.
I nodded in response, already wondering how I was going to even bring up the conversation without Isabella going all Rocky on me. My jaw still hurt from that slap she had given me earlier.
"Fuck. How do I even begin a conversation like that...and why the hell didn't Isabella mention Aro and you are her uncles?" I wondered, baffled.
"Because she doesn't know. We all decided that only Aro should tell her about himself, while Caius and I could protect her if need be." He told me.
"I see." I muttered, in realization.
"You should probably go inside." He suggested before he quickly makes his way down the porch and across the lawn and towards his truck.
As I do walk into the house searching for her, I wonder exactly what kind of fucked up situation Aro brought me into.
"So.." She murmurs, looking down at her feet.
"You wanted to speak to my boss?" I asked, raising a brow at her in question.
"I still do." She says firmly, looking at me unblinkingly.
Fuck. Now what...
I swallowed nervously, before pulling out one of the small burns phones, I acquired earlier today. Clicking its buttons a few times before handing it over to her.
"It's calling him." I inform her, tightly.
"Good." She grinds, walking out of the room, with the phone pressed to her ear.
Fuck, she looks pissed. I hope she doesn't do anything rash.
"You have got some nerve, old man!" She spit at him.
Whatever the old man responds, causes her face to turn a dark magenta color. I almost feel the overpowering need to grab the phone from her just so she'll calm down.
"Why did you do this?" She finally asked, turning her back to me.
Damn, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.
"Listen, old man, you're not funny. So, tell me why you married me off to this Cullen man, or I'll hunt you down and squeeze the answers out of you." She threatened.
"Alright, I promise." She mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"What does that have to do with my parents?" She asked, tensing up.
I got the distinct feeling that the situation was about to get very dangerous.
"Alright. Promise you'll be safe." She mumbled back, turning to look at me.
Amusement clouding her pretty features. What was she up to now?
"Did we really have to be married? I mean what was so wrong about putting some rings on and pretending to be married?" She complained.
"I guess you're right. Fine. When do we leave?" She asked, anxiously, looking in my direction.
When the call ended she looked at me, solemnly. "How fast can you get us to Brazil?" She finally asked.
"Let me make a few calls." I respond, pulling out another one of the burn phones. "Go pack some clothes. Two bags." I instruct her, watching as she scurried up the steps.
After making a few calls everything is set. Now I just hoped everything worked out for the best.