It's me again! Another day, Another Chapter. First of all, it really means a lot that all of you are still interested in this story. Let me know if you ever experience this, but while I'm writing this story, I'm so excited about these characters, their personalities, the world they are living in, and where they are headed, ... it's like I'm writing for me too lol! Anyway, thank you for riding with me!

Without further ado!

Chapter 11: Tangled Secrets

Emmett and Edward joined the video meeting with the FBI team, their face reflecting the gravity of these meetings. The meeting had been underway for the past 10 minutes now. The video screen was filled with tense agents, their eyes fixed on the flickering screen. Agent Neil's stern face appeared, his piercing eyes capturing everyone's attention.

"Next on the agenda; have you lads discovered why Charlie left town yet?" Neil asked with his thick Irish accent with a sense of urgency.

Edward exchanged a fleeting glance with Emmett, silently acknowledging the weight of not telling them about his situation with Isabella. Taking a deep breath, Emmett responded, "We couldn't gather any concrete information about Charlie's sudden departure. No one's talking."

Neil's disappointment was palpable; his forehead creased with frustration. "We need to know as soon as possible what prompted Charlie to leave and whether he has vital documents stashed away somewhere. Keep looking and focus on Isabella," he emphasized. "She might be easier to get information from than some other people."

Edward nodded, trying to keep a straight face. "We'll do our best to approach her cautiously, Neil," he assured, trying not to reveal the complexities of his thing with Bella.

Agent Neil leaned in closer to the screen, his voice dropping to a hushed tone, "We can't afford any slip-ups. We have the green light from the Attorney General for the last documents that you guys provided, so everything looks promising."

He could see the other agents, tight-lipped, allowing Neil to do all the talking. Emmett and Edward nodded in unison, their determination unwavering.

"What about the new guy?" Neil inquired.

The new guy, Mike, was a new recruit. He was 19 years old with a troubled past in the past in the foster care system. He has been through over seven homes. At 18 years old, the system let him go. Three weeks after his birthday, he was at the bar where there were some altercations involving James and some Russian guys. James basically gave him two choices: money or bullet. For someone with his background, it made sense for him to end up working for Charlie Swan.

"No, he has been very low-key, keeping his head down, not speaking unless spoken to. We'll keep an eye on him, though, especially since he's basically James' shadow." Emmett retorted.

"Good work, guys. This operation shows great potential." Neil commended them. "I'm not gonna keep you mates any longer. Let's prioritize gathering intel on Isabella. We've seen her connections with some influential people, and there's a possibility she might be hiding something big."

Edward suspected that she knew nothing. She seemed so clean in this dirty world she was living in. Ironically, he had to thank Charlie for that. But he had to do the only thing he could – nod and agree to the task at hand.

Shortly after, the video meeting ended. Any evidence of it taking place disappeared.

As the days turned into weeks, September arrived in the blink of an eye, and he couldn't believe how quickly time had passed since he met Bella. Their relationship was more than great; it was something he couldn't quite put into words. Emmett often teased him about how often he mentioned her, but he couldn't help it; he was overflowing with joy. The closest feeling he could compare it to was during his first year working for the FBI when he started going out with a girl named Paula. However, this was different, on an entirely new level.

Their date nights had become something he looked forward to with immense anticipation. With the help of Emmett, he was able to step out so he could meet her. Stolen glances and fleeting touches and kisses were not enough anymore. Every time! He discovered the charming quirks about her: her aversion to mornings, her love for documentaries and true crimes shows, her being scared of horror movies, her habit of wearing little clothes to sleep, her being very picky about her food but she would never admit it, … He felt lucky to be aware of these intimate facets of her life.

Tonight was no exception. They sat close to each other on her cozy sofa, some random music in the background; the room glowed with the warm light seeping in from outside. They were savouring some tiramisu he ordered and sipping some wine. He admired her relaxed attire, her loose hair down her back carrying the scent of her shampoo. The conversation flowed effortlessly between them.

Intimate moments like this made him long to express his feelings to her. Emmett advised him to hold back, not wanting to risk the delicate balance they had found. However, how could he resist when he realized that she was starting to be everything he had ever wanted in a partner? He wanted to hear his real name from her lips.

Yet, the weight of his secret held him back. Emmett was right; if he told her that he had strong feelings for her, that could jeopardize a lot of things for him. But if he was real with himself, he will not be able to hold it any longer. Crossing that line meant there would be no return. Even looking at her at this moment, she was going on about an embarrassing moment she had earlier in the day, and apparently, she had to hide in the bathroom or something. Her cheeks were rosy, her hands were gesturing animatedly, … She looked happy, and he just wanted to voice his feelings.

As they continued chatting on the sofa, their bodies naturally gravitated close, their legs brushing gently against each other. Edward couldn't help but reach out, running his fingers through her soft hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. Bella's eyes met his, and a shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips, inviting his touch.

Her hand found its way into his, their fingers intertwining effortlessly. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver down his spine, and he lean in, planting a soft, lingering kiss on the back of her hand. Bella's breath hitched at the intimate gesture, and she turned her palm to cup his cheek, her thumb caressing his skin. The electricity between them was palpable, and for a moment, the world outside their little cocoon ceased to exist. Every time they got together, it was like this! Was this normal? Was it supposed to be like this? He needed to talk to Emmett about that. He took his glass of wine that was on the table to drink.

"My birthday is coming up in a few days. Like every year, my dad throws me a dinner party with some of my family members and my closest friends. And I want you to be there with me." She said softly.

As soon as he heard the last part, his drink went the wrong way, and he started coughing. That made her smile, and she reached out to tap his back, helping him breathe. What happened to keeping this on the low? A dinner with her family? With Charlie Swan as her boyfriend? Yeah! He would shit bricks.

"Don't die on me now!" she said, smiling. Of course, she was calm about all of this. In her mind, she was bringing her boyfriend to meet her father; her only concern was the fact her boyfriend was his dad's worker. He couldn't risk words going back to the crew and his FBI team learning about his transgression.

"Sorry," He said, clearing his throat, "Are you sure you want me there with you and your family?"

"Of course, I'm sure!" She shrugged her shoulders like it was the easiest thing.

"I have a fear that your dad would kill me the moment my ass touches the chair."

"I mean, I can't imagine spending my birthday without being with you. I did somewhat tell my dad that I'm seeing someone but didn't tell him who. Maybe we can use this time to introduce you officially. Plus, he would never dare do something around me or ruin my birthday dinner."

What now? Charlie wasn't an idiot. If he wanted to know who the guy was, he would find out. He was fucked.

Seeing his face, she continued: "Don't worry, you might not think so, but my dad has a soft side, and I happen to be the only person to see this side, which is why I'm telling you that you have nothing to worry about." She kissed both his cheeks when he was done, but he was still in shock.

Did she know the full extent of her dad's full personality? He poured more wine for both of them and looked at her, all expecting; he didn't have the heart to say no to her.

Cradling her face, he said: "Bella, I definitely want to spend that day with you; September 13th has become one of my favourite days if not my favourite day." That made her smile.

"But Baby, when I started working for your dad, I remember Simon gave us a whole speech about rules. One of them was not to fraternalize with you. Specifically, you!" he said, pointing at her. "And already I broke that, and I'm sure that your dad would kill me; he's a pretty scary guy, plus …"

She cut me out with a kiss on the lips and said: "I like it when you call me baby."

She kissed him again softly, but as always, the moment he got a taste, he wanted more. He pulled her closer; their mouths started moving in perfect synchrony. His hands roamed gently over her body. He could taste the wine and that specific Bella taste. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as if craving more of him. He slid his hands along her curves as if memorizing her body. Their bodies pressed against each other, almost laying down on the couch. He could feel the rapid beating of her heart, mirroring the thunderous rhythm of his own. The taste of her on his lips, the softness of her skin against his fingertips, all consumed him with a longing he had never experienced before.

He knew he had to stop it though. With a deep breath, he mustered the strength to break away from the intensity of their embrace. His eyes met hers clouded with a mixture of desire and confusion. He cupped her face in his hands, "Baby, as much as I want this, we need to slow down."

He needed to think about how he will approach the fact that her father possibly knew about him already.

Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her eyes searching his for understanding. She nodded her voice barely a whisper. "You're right! It's too soon."

With a gentle touch, Edward brushed his thumb against her lips, savouring the lingering taste of their kiss. "I don't want us to rush anything."

Isabella's eyes softened. "I understand, Mase. We'll take things one step at a time. No rush!"

They held each other's gaze for a moment longer, a silent agreement passing between them. His body still buzzed with unfulfilled desire." Let me see what I can do regarding your birthday okay?"

That seemed to put a smile on her face automatically. He didn't know yet how he will do it, but he will figure it out. Plus, he needed to find her the perfect gift. What can you give someone that has access to everything?

"Yay, good enough for me." After a quick kiss on the lip, she removed herself from him and took her glass of wine to finish it. They decided to put a movie from her Netflix list and spent the night next to each other until she fell asleep in his arms.

One Wednesday evening, he found himself sitting in a quaint Italian restaurant with Victoria and Lorenzo, a seasoned member of Charlie's crew. The air was heavy with the aroma of rich tomato sauce and the soft murmur of conversations filled the room. The restaurant itself seemed like any other family-owned establishment, but Edward knew appearances could be deceiving. It served as a front, just like Charlie's legitimate businesses, concealing his business behind closed doors.

He was definitely surprised when he received the request to join them. Victoria leaned in closer to him, her voice low. "Tonight's different. Lorenzo here will lead the way, and we just need to follow."

Edward nodded, his heart pounding. Lorenzo, in his mid-30s with sharp features and a calculating gaze, exuded an air of authority. Edward could tell he had been working for Charlie for a long time. Lorenzo began outlining their plan; they were here to negotiate a drug deal. Charlie had received information about a shipment arriving in the city, and he intended to intercept it and take control of the lucrative business. Edward's role was to observe and gather information; he wasn't to participate directly in the deal.

The rival gang members, calling themselves "The Vipers," were a mix of dangerous individuals from various backgrounds, each with their own unique flair. He had gathered as much information as possible before coming. One, a towering man with a thick Russian accent, wore a dark trench coat and had a scar running down his cheek. Another, a woman of Asian descent, seemed to be the brains behind their operations, her sharp wit and elegant attire belying her cunning nature. Their leader, a man known only as "Viper," kept everyone guessing, speaking little and observing the negotiation intently. They were trying to negotiate their cut for doing the work for Charlie, and how would Charlie make sure that they were protected if shit went down.

He would give props when props were due. Because throughout the negotiations, Victoria exuded a sense of confidence and control. He knew she was known for being a shrewd negotiator, and even the members of The Vipers seemed to tread carefully in her presence. She was doing really well.

His FBI training came in handy as he observed every detail, every word exchanged, and every gesture the Vipers made during the negotiation. At one point, the Asian lady pointed out the reason for his presence, but Lorenzo smoothly mentioned that he was learning the ropes. For a good minute, they just looked at him with intrigue, but that was enough to satisfy their curiosity and move on. Edward knew he had to give his best, not only to impress Charlie but also to make Simon, the Consigliere and the Underboss proud. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes, not when the stakes were this high. If he succeeded, his expertise could be utilized in future closed-door meetings.

As the night went on, the tension in the room became almost suffocating. Edward's eyes darted from one person to another, trying to read their intentions through the subtlest of cues. Lorenzo's stoic expression gave nothing away as he continued to engage in the verbal jousting with the Vipers. Victoria, on the other hand, wore a calm demeanour that concealed the razor-sharp wit.

The Vipers were no pushovers, either. The towering Russian, Ivan, occasionally slammed his fist on the table for emphasis, while the enigmatic leader, Viper, maintained an air of mystery that was almost unnerving. Edward couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine whenever Viper's piercing gaze swept over the room. He was known to be so volatile; he acted and asked questions later. But he kept his demeanour.

At one point, the Asian woman, Mei, leaned in, her eyes locking with Victoria's. "You sure you can deliver? We don't do charity work."

Victoria's lips curled into a confident smile. "Rest assured, Mei. When we make a deal, we deliver. You'll get your cut, and we'll ensure you're well-protected in case anything goes awry."

Mei smirked, seemingly satisfied with Victoria's response. But Edward knew better than to underestimate the Vipers' shrewdness. They were seasoned professionals, and every word mattered.

Lorenzo chimed in, his voice firm but diplomatic. "Let's not forget the main point here – Charlie has the connections and the muscle to secure this city. You are good with us."

Viper's gaze shifted to Lorenzo, sizing him up. "I hope you're not overpromising, Lorenzo. We won't tolerate any betrayal." The Vipers were all talking because no one was dumb enough to attack the Swan's crew.

Lorenzo raised his hands in mock surrender. "No betrayal, I assure you. Just a profitable partnership."

Suddenly, Ivan slammed his fist on the table again, causing everyone to jump. "Enough talking. We agree, or we walk." What was wrong with this dude? He needed to chill. A quick glance at Victoria and Lorenzo shows they were annoyed by him too.

Victoria exchanged a quick glance with Lorenzo before nodding. "Deal."

The deal was sealed with an exchange of bags filled with money. The good thing about this was the fact that the Viper gang name wasn't news for him and Emmett. They knew their name and what they do for work. There had been multiple arrests in the past. They were not high in their priority, but with the information he was able to get, who knows, the FBI team might be able to bring some of them down.

Lorenzo discreetly slipped money to the restaurant owner as they left. They went their separate way, and he felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. He was tired and was looking forward to being in his bed. Hopefully, Bella was awake and ready for a quick night call.

Back at home, Emmett welcomed him with a cold beer ready. At this moment, he was his favourite person because he needed one badly. He knew Emmett went to supervise some shipping dock earlier in the day.

They sat down and discussed the night's events. He received a call from Caius, asking him to meet up with Simon to share all the gathered information.

As of now, they were starting to know more and more about who Charlie did business with.

Emmett suggested that Edward's presence at the restaurant might have been a test of loyalty and skills, and he will play his part in being clueless about the details of ever someone happened to fish around. Emmett was really good at playing stupid; he would make you believe that he didn't know his own name if asked.

When he checked the clock, it was 3 AM. He was wrecked. He retired to his room, but before getting into bed, he took a shower and sent a quick text message to Bella telling her that he was thinking about her.

There you go!

Now let me know what you think about this chapter. How do you feel about their relationship so far :)

Do you think Charlie knows already? What do you think Edward's gift to Bella should be? How do you feel about their relationship so far :)

Let me know your suggestion, and If I like it and it fits the story, I will add it!

NEXT CHAPTER: A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION