Author's note: Thanks to Sheri of course. I'm writing part 2 it should be out soon. Only 3 more chapters after this one and this story will be complete.
Chapter 38 Lockdown Part 1
EDWARD POV
I had called a meeting and we left for Midnight Sun. Emmett, James and Jasper were to meet me there and not tell anyone as to what had been found. I didn't know what to think of the current situation. I thought she was dead and so did Alec. I wonder how Alec would feel or say once he knew. I told him I would look into it but I never had the chance to.
I kept looking at the picture. Something was telling me this went deeper than seeing Jane Volturi walking down a street with a briefcase. She didn't look well at all. Emmett and James arrived first followed by Jasper. I showed them the picture I was looking at and then we all pondered over the photo.
"Should we show this to Alec?" Emmett inquired and I shook my head not ready to play that card just yet.
"How were you able to hack that camera? It was in front of a bank?" I turned towards Jasper and asked.
"I did it once I got a notification on Alec's account. I used an old computer, hacked in, which wasn't easy by the way, and then I printed off a couple of pictures and destroyed the laptop." He laid another photo down and it was Jane looking at something in the distance wearing sunglasses. She didn't smile in either photo but she seemed to look scared in this one. I wish I could see her eyes; you can always tell if a person is hiding something with their eyes.
"So, what are we thinking, guys?" James asked, looking around the room. "This is obviously something we never expected, right?"
I nodded. Jane was kept under lock and key. Aro was so ashamed of her simply for being a woman. Now she was out and taking her brother's money? Money. My breath caught and my heart became cold. Money. Holy shit.
"Ed?" Em asked and he was met with a chorus from around the room.
"Money. Bank accounts." Emmett looked at me confused but Jasper's eyes widened.
"I closed the account at Cullen Enterprises but nothing happened with the new one. What if it was Jane all along?" I let out the breath I was holding. "If I killed their money cow it would make sense for them to find a new one. Why not attack Alec's from the beginning?"
"Unless it wasn't Jane," Emmett said with a worried tone. "It's always the quiet ones."
"What are you talking about?" James asked him with a confused look.
It then hit me. Who disappeared right after my wedding? Who hasn't been seen since?
"Marcus," I said but shook my head. That didn't make sense either. Marcus had always been essential in following the rules. He was always against his nephew's antics and always looked out for Alec and Jane. Then again, I didn't know him that well and like Em said it's always the quiet ones.
"Neither one of them was at Aro's funeral," Emmett said.
"Do you think Alec was lying?" James said, looking between Em and I. I then shook my head. There was no way he was lying. Or could he be? I had heard the recordings on his phone. He had been very distraught the past couple of months thinking Jane was dead or had that been all a ruse?
"Marcus was also good at hacking accounts," Emmett added, ignoring anything about Alec. He was hellbent on blaming Marcus.
"I don't think Alec was lying. I think he believed what he saw or he was being set-up. Question is who?" I said
"Marcus," Emmett said it like it was obvious but I shook my head.
"Why go against anything Felix or Demetri have done all these years if he was going to turn? Why help Bella from Demetri at our wedding? Alec said he was going to be appointed next in line after Aro found out about what Demetri and Felix had been up to so why…," I stopped talking then. "Next in line…," I muttered to myself.
"Ed…," Emmett asked, wondering where I went but remained silent. He knew I was in my head right now.
"What if Marcus turned after Alec killed Aro?" I said aloud to the room. "Marcus would have to start over, right? So, he starts stealing from us and the other families." I started pacing back and forth. It all seemed logical, the only thing was did I really believe that? "Then he gets cut off, I closed the account and Liam shuts down the ports. The Denali Family…," I stopped talking.
"Did he even know about Liam?" James asked, but it didn't matter if he did. His nephews fled to Russia to gain alliances; he could have found out that way.
All of it seemed logical and way too convenient but some of it didn't make sense. The whole Cadmus thing popping up happened before Aro died. I still believed Cadmus and someone in one of the families were working together. If it was the Volturi then that would have meant that this was planned a long time ago.
I banged my fist against the table, my brain swirling. I couldn't grasp what was happening nor make sense of the sudden appearance of Jane. If I went to Alec to show him the picture, how would he react? I really wanted to wait to talk with Alec. I wanted to make that a last resort. I also still firmly believed that Alec was innocent in this case. His emotions and stance being held all this time hadn't changed and he was monitored 24/7 and always had a guard on him.
Was it really Jane? No, she looked terrible. Even I could see that by looking at the picture or was it a ruse? Was Marcus really behind this? I pulled my hair, not knowing what to do and I hated feeling like this.
"Ed?" Emmett asked. I could detect the concern in his voice but it was also guarded.
"It just doesn't make sense but at the same time it does," I said aloud to the room. No one commented on my statement and I didn't expect them to. I was thinking aloud.
"Put another guard on Alec for now," I looked at James as he pulled out his phone. I then looked towards Emmett, "Call Sean and Liam and tell them to stay guarded, they are the only ones I trust right now." Emmett nodded while getting up and leaving my office with the phone to his ear. I looked at Jasper, "You and Eric look into this but also keep tabs on the Denali Family. I feel like someone made a deal and I need proof."
My head throbbed with all of this. Could the Denali Family betray us? What was going on with Marcus and Jane?
"It's done," Emmett said as he walked back into my office. Liam said they are in lockdown anyway with the whole body/ship situation. Sean said he wasn't planning on leaving his home anyway since they just came home with the other baby." I smiled at Em's words glad that they were all home now.
"Done, boss," James said. "Tyler said Alec's stance hasn't changed; he is still emotionless right now."
I nodded, but then something hit me. Jane was never in the public eye, never. Now all of a sudden, she is? Not having any answers bothered me greatly. I always said If you don't know, don't doubt it and I now had a sudden epiphany as to what to do with the Cullen Family.
I looked at Emmett. "Where's Rose?" I asked him as he gave me a look before his shoulders slumped, he knew where I was going with this.
"School, she just had her transcript and hours transferred back here." I nodded then looked at Jasper.
"Alice at Mom's?" He nodded, not knowing where I was going with this.
I pulled out my phone and called Seth. I knew my wife was downtown at the foundation and I would probably reach him before her. After relaying my message to Seth, I called mom.
SETH POV
"Got it," I said as I hung up. Bella wasn't going to like this, but the Boss's word came first. I made my way to her office, I didn't bother to knock.
"Seth?" She looked at me alarmed. I guess my face wasn't as stoic as I thought.
"We have to leave," I told her and her face fell before she started throwing a whole bunch of questions at me. Questions I didn't have the answers to.
"So, he just said to make me leave and that was it?" I nodded as I grabbed her hand to walk her out of the office before putting my arm around her shoulders.
Bella remained quiet as we bid Emily goodbye and headed to the parking garage. After checking the car and making sure Bella was safely in the backseat, a place she would rather not be, as I pulled out of the garage.
"Seth, what is going on?" Bella asked me again and I honestly didn't know. Just that the Boss told me to get her to the Cullen Estate.
"I don't know," I said, taking a quick look in the rearview mirror at her. The expression on her face told me she didn't believe me but she didn't say anything. She looked upset and I could tell by the way she was busy looking around. I didn't understand why she looked scared until I remembered she had been taken by Jacob while in the car. She might be possibly having a flashback right now and not having answers wasn't helping her either.
"Bella," I said and she looked at me with a frightened gaze even though she was trying to hide it. "I really don't know what's going on but the Boss must have found something if he has you leaving like this."
I saw her take out her phone and it looked like she was texting. My bet was on The Boss and her face looked mad after waiting for a while and then throwing her phone down on the seat beside her. I guess she didn't get a response.
When we pulled up to the Cullen Estate and entered through the gate, I noticed the Boss, Emmett and Laurent standing off to the side. Bella was out of the car before either the Boss or I could open her door.
"Edward, what's going on?" Bella demanded and I remember that ire from our childhood days. She was pissed.
"Get In the house, Bella," The Boss said, dismissing her. He didn't look angry but his eyes were focused on her.
"Not until you tell me what's going on!" she demanded and I made my way around.
"Come on, Bells, let's go inside." I couldn't tell if The Boss was getting mad at me for calling her Bells or at Bella, I don't know which but I knew this wasn't the time for Bella to act like this.
"No!" she shouted, pushing me away and I knew I could pick her up if necessary and carry her in but I wasn't sure if The Boss would want that. "Tell me what happened!" I went to Bella to usher her inside when The Boss came barreling towards her and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. I guess he had the same idea I did.
She hit his lower back as he carried her inside, shouting words I didn't even understand. After they were inside the house, I heard a huge thwack and heard Bella yelp. He must have slapped her ass. After he released her, she slapped him across the face. Oh shit, I didn't even know what was going on. I'm sure I would be told soon but the stare down between husband and wife was intense.
"Seth," I heard The Boss say in a menacing tone. He never took his eyes off of Bella though.
"Yes, Boss?" I said as I came between the two who hadn't moved nor kept their eyes off of each other.
"Get Mrs. Cullen upstairs. See to it that she doesn't leave this house today," he told me as he glanced at me and I gave a nod before he turned to head back outside.
"You're such a coward!" Bella screamed out before turning from us to head for the stairs.
I could see The Boss's hands turn into fists and he took a few breaths before going back outside.
BELLA POV
I woke up in an unfamiliar room before realizing I wasn't in my home. That's right, I was at Carlisle and Esme's home in Edward's childhood bedroom. It had been re-done a few years ago according to Esme. Last night, Rose and I were subjected to Esme's drunken talk for a few hours before we retired to our rooms. Neither of us were happy about our current situation but it was obvious something had happened.
I was more pissed than Rose, probably because she knew more than me or that's what it seemed like. She didn't seem agitated like I was or upset, just pissed but I wasn't sure to be honest. I was still angry at Edward. All he had to do was tell me what was going on. But no, he had to be an asshole like always. Fuck! Every time I think we were on the mend he does this shit to fuck it up. I laid in bed last night. The asshole didn't even join me so I wondered where he slept?
I went to use the adjoining bathroom, and quickly used it before putting on some yoga pants and a long Henley shirt. Someone had packed me a bag and had brought it over here. My guess was Edward because I didn't see anyone else getting into my personal stuff unless it was Jessica. I wondered about Jessica and Ms. Cope and if they were at my house or at their homes? I wondered how long I had to be here? I just wanted answers and not to be left in the dark. When I went back to the bathroom to take my pills, I realized they weren't there. Shit! I went and checked the bag that had a few clothes in it and realized they weren't there either. He must have forgotten them and they were probably still at my house.
I left the bedroom as I went downstairs, it sounded quiet as I passed the living room and headed to the kitchen where I saw Alice making something in a dish on a tray. I stopped and glanced at her, she must have been making something for Carlisle. I must have been staring too long because I caught her attention. She was already dressed, like she was going somewhere. Her hair was already done and she had makeup on. It was 8:00 am for goodness' sake! She stared at me like she wanted to say something but didn't. Things between Alice and I hadn't really been resolved, nor anything from Chicago had been said. Honestly, I really didn't know what to say to her.
"Mom drank too much last night, so I'm taking care of dad this morning." She broke the silence and I nodded. I probably should have cut Esme off last night but she seemed really down and so I didn't say anything. The woman was up and down with Carlisle 24/7 so I felt like she needed a break and drink session.
Carlisle had been moved into an empty bedroom with a hospital bed. A bunch of other medical devices had been brought in as well. Esme was either there or in her bedroom making sure he was okay. Alice would help as well, but she couldn't handle him when he went mean. Apparently, he would get angry at times and say horrible things but I'm pretty sure he didn't mean half of what he said. It was probably the cancer in his brain.
"Louis won't be in today, it's his day off," Alice said and I nodded. Louis was Esme's cook and sometimes he cleaned.
"Rose and I can make meals today," I said, cringing after that because I wasn't sure how many men were here at the moment and how much we should make.
Alice nodded and began to lift the tray up. "Do you know why we're here?" I hated asking her. She always made sure to let me know she knew more but I really didn't know who else to ask. She looked at me with a quizzical gaze before it went grim.
"I don't know, Bella, but obviously something must have happened for Edward to gather us like this," she said and I nodded. "If I hear anything I'll let you know," Alice said as she moved past me and I nodded.
"I'll do the same," I told her as I moved towards the fridge. She looked back at me and nodded with a smile. I went to the fridge and pulled things out for eggs and bacon and I even made toast. My mind was so full of worry that I just kept making eggs until almost three cartons were gone and then someone stopped me.
"Whoa, Bells," Rose said. "I think that's enough." She took the spatula out of my hand giving me a concerned look before going to get some water. I went to pull some juice out and sat it at the bar and poured myself a glass.
"I wasn't sure. I don't know how many guards are outside," I replied as I sat down at the table, juice in hand.
"You are always so considerate," Emmett said as he walked in. I stopped to look at him. He looked tired but he was all smiles for Rosalie. "I'll be sure to let them know their breakfast was made by you." Emmett gave me a smile as he told Benjamin his guard to gather plates.
Rosalie helped them and then took a seat beside me at the table. "You, okay?" she asked
I shook my head. I could always be real with Rosalie, she could see through me so fast that there was no reason to even lie. "I just want to know why we're here, is that too much to ask?" I said as I finished off my orange juice.
"I don't know, Bella. Emmett said Edward is taking precautions." I gave her a look.
"At least you know something," I said as I went to the sink and started washing dishes.
"Let me do this, you cooked for everyone, let me clean up," Rosalie said with her tired voice.
"Why don't we double team it?" I said, wanting something to do because if I left the kitchen I would go straight upstairs and overthink everything.
"Still stubborn," Rosalie said as she began to wash the dishes and I smirked, giving her a knowing glance. She was stubborn as hell too.
After rinsing off the dishes and putting them away, Rosalie came back up to me. "I really don't know anything, only that Edward is being overprotective," Rosalie said and I nodded. I believed her but what was going on? Why was he overdoing it?
Rosalie and I walked with each other to the second floor where she said she was going to get ready. Ready for what? To sit around and do nothing? I watched some TV while I tried to listen out for anything. I looked at my phone and I didn't even have anything from Edward. I didn't regret the way I acted last night. I mean Seth rushing me out of the building like we were running from the cops? Not just giving me a clue as to what was happening and Edward acting like he did. It pissed me off to no end. I thought we were making progress with talking to each other. But when he acted like that it made me want to close myself up in a ball and shut down. Fuck, I know I have trust issues, but damn him for not telling me anything! After wallowing in self-pity, I heard the door across from me open and then it shut. Rosalie was muttering something but it sounded like she was wearing shoes. I quickly left my room and moved to the landing where I saw her all ready to go somewhere. What the hell?
"Hey!" I said as I came down the stairs. She and Sam were talking and she gave me a smile.
"Hey!" she said.
"Where are you going?" I asked all nosy. If we were in lockdown, why did it seem she was leaving?
"I have class. I'm at a crucial point at school right now so I can't miss anything," Rose explained as she grabbed her purse.
My head throbbed. What the hell? This lockdown must not be serious if Rosalie was able to go somewhere. I remember last time we were shut down, she had to go out but had guards on her ass. Seriously though, if someone would just tell me something! I just stared at her and left the living room and headed for the stairs. I wonder if Seth could take me home so I could get my pills? When I came back, it would be a quick trip.
After throwing some clothes on, I headed for the front door but was blocked as soon as I opened it. I let out a sigh as Seth walked me back in the house.
"Where are you going, Bells?" he asked with a stoic face.
"I need to run home really quick and I'll come back," I told him as I tried to head for the door again.
"Why?" he asked as he pulled out his phone and hit a button.
"Because whoever packed my bag barely filled it with my essentials and I need to go home!"
Seth ignored me and I didn't like that. It was like I was the annoying one and was getting on everyone's nerves but damn it, all someone had to do was tell me something! Give me a damn timeframe on how long I was to be here. Just tell me something! I hated being in the dark. It felt like I should have been one of the first people that should have been told. What was going on?
"Boss," he said into his phone and I let my purse go. I should have known he was calling Edward. I gave up. I knew Edward wasn't going to let me go anywhere. Seth told Edward what I said and handed the phone to me. I didn't take it; I didn't want to talk to him. Seth sighed and persisted in handing the phone so I eventually took it.
"Hello?" I said calmly even though my insides were boiling.
"What do you need?" he asked in a tense tone but he didn't sound angry.
"Personal items from the house," I said looking at Seth while I spoke to Edward.
"Text me the things and I'll have them brought to you," he said in a nonchalant way.
"Really? I can't go home to get stuff?" My temper was getting the best of me as I tried not to scream in front of Seth.
I heard breathing on the other end. Hard breathing. "Bella!" he said in a tense voice.
"What? When are you going to tell me what's going on? Why are we in lockdown?" I yelled out now at the point of not caring who heard me or if I was yelling. We had made many steps forward and now we were sliding backwards.
"Bella. Text me the list," he said ignoring my questions.
"Wow. Typical," I said as I gave Seth his phone back, I turned my back to him and headed for the stairs.
*****BID*****
It had been two days since the last time I talked to Edward. I never texted him anything and he hadn't been by. Of course, he hadn't come here to the house. If he did, he left early and came late while I was asleep. He obviously wasn't going to let anyone know anything and he didn't have to check up on me, he had Seth for that.
Both Alice and Rose were getting relentless with not knowing and I had begun to not care. If no one was going to tell me, why should I care? I felt depressed and had joined Esme on her drinking nights. Not that anyone cared if we got drunk, it wasn't like we could leave the house.
Rose had just came back from school, another thing that didn't make any fucking sense. She was able to come and go whenever she wanted to class. Granted, her ass was on a leash when she left but it still didn't make any sense why she had that luxury. Whatever we were under lockdown for, it mustn't be that bad if Rose was allowed to leave.
The three women and I were currently sitting at the kitchen table eating Mexican food and getting drunk off margaritas and wine. Alice didn't like us being so wasted but Esme told her to sit her "stuck up ass" down and have a drink. I laughed because I knew Esme was already gone and I wasn't too far behind her.
"Mother, please, this is so embarrassing!" she said aloud as she sipped her wine.
"It's the truth!" Esme roared as she kicked back another drink. I kept laughing not really knowing why I was and kept drinking my drink.
"Bella, maybe you should stop," Alice said and looked at Rose for back-up. Rosalie shrugged her shoulders and gulped down a beer. Alice sighed at us and left the kitchen table.
We all laughed, still not knowing why we were laughing. Esme kept slurring her words, and then proceeded to jump on the table and dance. I was caught off guard but said fuck it and joined her on the table. Not giving a fuck anymore at this point. Rosalie wasn't as far gone as us, but she didn't stop our fun. When we almost fell off, I decided to stop. Esme as well but once she sat down, she started drinking again.
It got quiet after a while none of us saying anything. We were just enjoying each other's company. Rose looked tired as well as Esme, but it didn't seem either one of them was ready to head to bed yet.
"So, does anyone know what's going?" Esme slurred as she went to grab Rose's beer. Rose quickly took it from her. "Stingy bitch," she said as Rosalie laughed at her and I joined in.
"Nope," I left it at one word because I didn't want to even talk about that. It was the subject of my ire lately.
"Not much other than Emmett saying Edward has a right to have us all locked up," Rose said as she gulped down the rest of her beer.
"Why?" I asked her, feeling a bit angry that she even knew that much.
"He didn't say anything, other than Edward was being overprotective. I tried to pry but Em was mum," she said, glancing at me and I nodded. It was about the same answer she had told me two days ago.
"Well, if anyone does find out please let me know," Esme said as she tried to get up. She was dizzy and almost fell before Rose and I caught her.
"Hey now, come on, lean on us!" Rose and I grabbed each of her arms and put it around each of our shoulders, as we carried her up the stairs.
Once we reached her bedroom, we helped her change into her bed clothes. They were too big on her; she had lost a lot of weight since I had met her. After helping her to bed, Rose and I left her room. I decided to check on Carlisle to make sure he was alright. Rose said she was headed for bed and would see me in the morning.
As I entered Carlisle's room, I was hit with a very unpleasant stench. He had an oxygen mask on, I'm guessing he was having trouble breathing today. He was also hooked up to a monitor, and he looked so frail and deathly. Today was a hard day for Esme. He said some awful things to her and once she had left he kept asking for his wife. Hence why Esme kept drinking. The cancer was eating away at his brain.
Bernard sat in a chair beside him and looked my way when I came in. It was interesting to see the relationship between Bernard and Carlisle. He was the bodyguard and I guess I didn't see him being more than that. You could tell Bernard loved him like a brother.
"Hi," I said as I walked closer. Carlisle was asleep and Bernard was wiping Carlisle's face down with a wet rag.
"Mrs. Cullen," Bernard said as he greeted me.
"I thought I would come check on him before I headed to bed," I said awkwardly. "Esme is out tonight," I added. Bernard nodded as he knew why she was out.
"He had a temperature earlier, I think it wore off though," he said as he put the rag in a nearby bowl. He sighed. "I hope things are better tomorrow than today, "Bernard said aloud and I didn't know if he was talking to me or to himself.
"Me, too," I answered as I left the room and headed to mine. After taking a quick shower and putting on some PJ's I looked at my phone, where I was greeted with nothing from my husband. It had been the same every night now and it was making me lose my mind.
How can you seriously go days without seeing your spouse? Was he really that mad at me? I mean I didn't even know at this point. I was mad now, which was a regular occurrence lately. Leaving the bedroom to head to the nearby bar that was downstairs. I decided against making a drink and taking the whole bottle to my room with me instead.
****BID******
My eyes blinked open to the morning sun coming in through the window. My eyes quickly closed upon seeing it. I groaned at the sight and my head started to throb. Who opened the damn curtains? I slowly rose from the bed, my body heavy with sleep and stiff. I was about to climb out when I noticed that I wasn't alone in the bed.
Edward was rolled on his side facing the wall. When had he come in? How long had he been asleep? I slowly rose from the bed and quietly walked to his side. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I looked at my husband whom I hadn't seen or talked to in days.
He looked tired, his hair was in a disarray and all over the place like he had been pulling at it too much. All the anger I had been feeling towards him left my body as I moved my hand to his head to move the hair that had fallen.
I hadn't even been able to touch it when I was pushed down on the bed and Edward was on top of me. It happened so fast, but Edward looked guarded. His eyes looked evil and mad but softened when he knew it was me. That anger that suddenly had left me came back full force.
"What the hell, Edward?" I said as he quickly climbed off of me and went to the bathroom to use it, I presumed.
I sat on the bed speechless. Did that just really happen? I quickly rose up from the bed and put my robe on and followed him to the adjoining bathroom. He was washing his hands and made no move to notice me. I looked at him through the mirror until he finally glanced at me with his eyebrow raised. "You going to tell me what that was?" I said crossing my arms after tying my robe.
He didn't answer and left the bathroom passing me. He started to take off the sleep pants he had on and put on some clothes. I couldn't help but gawk at his body that was being shown to my eyes. "Edward?" I asked as my question had been met with silence. "Edward?" I repeated again.
"What, Bella?" he all but shouted. He said my name like he was annoyed with me. It pissed me off because I haven't seen him in days nor talked to him! It hurt, the coldness that he was showing me right now.
"Don't do that!" I said pushing aside the hurt. "I asked you a question. The least you could do is answer it." I bit out knowing he wasn't going to like that but it wasn't right. He hadn't talked to me for days and then whatever the fuck just happened a few moments ago and he still remained quiet?
He looked at me with an angry gaze but it did soften a bit the longer he stared. I didn't know what was going on but it seemed like Edward was having issues expressing himself. He walked closer to me and pulled me towards him as he sat on the bed in front of me.
He looked in my eyes as if he was searching for something as his hand went to my hair to push a lock behind my ear. "There's just so much going on right now. I hardly have any answers," he said giving me a small smile but I could tell it wasn't the answer he wanted to give me. "I just need you to be strong, okay? Act like you're not about to lose it by being stuck in the house," he said with a grin but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I am though," I said, I really was. Being stuck in his parents' home with no answers was driving me up the wall and each day I thought I was going to snap.
"I know," he said and for some reason that answer pissed me off. How the fuck would he know? He hadn't even been here!
"Really?" I said. I was unable to keep the anger out of my voice as I stepped away from him. He sighed and let out a groan and it just made me angrier. "We come back from an amazing trip to seeing your very sick dad to being put in lockdown. Nothing was ever explained to me or you never gave me anything as to what is going on. I just wanted a little something that I could go on instead I spend nights getting drunk with your mom. I'm not even allowed to step outside and breathe air!" I rushed out but I was far from being done. "I don't even know why I'm not allowed to step outside. This whole place is guarded! It's not like anyone that isn't supposed to be here is going to kidnap me," I said as his expression changed a bit before relaxing but it was too late and I caught it.
"That's it, isn't it!" I shouted walking back towards him. "You don't know if there is someone out there that you can't trust."
"Bella," he said, not really wanting to answer that question. He didn't have to, the answer was obvious. Now knowing that I understood why he had been acting the way he did when I came here.
"I think I understand now," I said quietly as the room seemed tense all of a sudden.
"You understand now?" he said letting out a bitter chuckle which of course made me mad.
"Why are you acting like an asshole?" I said letting go of my anger at his words.
"I don't know! Why are you pushing my buttons at every turn? Why can't you just listen to my rules and follow them?"
My eyes widen at his comment, what the fuck?
"Rules?" I laughed bitterly. "I have done everything you have asked of me," I said, not backing down from my words. He really had the audacity to say that.
"You gave Seth hell when you got here and embarrassed me in front of the men," he said
"Oh," I said, trying not to let my full bitch mode come forth. "Because I was scared? Are you serious? I didn't even know what was going on? You had Seth bring me here and not say a single word as to why we're here. I had a flashback in the car, and I only wanted to be told what was happening. Just a single detail," I said, hating that I was now crying. His gaze softened, but I wasn't done. "Not that it matters since I know you're doing your job but I also haven't seen you nor have you talked to me." I wiped my eyes.
"I didn't know you had a flashback." It was all he said as he finished wiping the tears from my face. He picked me up and carried me into the bathroom. He turned on the shower while removing my clothes. I let him, really not knowing why he was doing this in the first place. It seemed out of character for him. He took his clothes off and pulled me inside the shower.
He leaned in close, as he backed me into the shower wall. He kissed me on the lips but didn't deepen it as his mouth found its way to my ear. I couldn't get into it. His body language was off, something about this seemed weird. He sucked my earlobe a bit before I felt his breath at my ear again. "We have a rat," he started to say and my eyes widened. Was he really telling me what was going on? He washed my body as I stood frozen, my brain stuck on the word "rat". "I haven't figured out who yet but I do have some thoughts on who it could be."
He started washing himself then as I washed my hair. "Who do you think it is?" I asked as I rinsed the soap from my hair and opened my eyes to look at him. He stared at me, like he was thinking of telling me but shook his head.
"I can't tell you yet. I don't need you to give it away," he said bluntly
"The fuck! How would I give it away?" I accused him wondering why he was thinking that.
"You'll stare at him or make some comment. Why do you think I dragged you into the shower?" he said and I nodded. He was right, I probably would stare at whoever it was or make it known because it would probably be hard to keep my eyes away. I guess him telling me in here was so no one could hear us. The water and us barely talking drowning out the sound.
He got close to me again, "You can go outside, but be alert. I'll have a guard watching you though." I nodded although I didn't understand. If there was a rat why didn't Edward take care of him as I knew he would. I liked how he dropped the "Him" too like he was telling me but without telling me.
"There's something bigger at play isn't there?" I said "There's a rat in every family isn't there?" I said quietly and he searched my eyes before nodding. I nodded back finally understanding his reasons for lockdown.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my head. "I need time to figure out what's going on. Please do not tell anyone, not even Rose," he said it like a plea but it sounded like a command.
I nodded at him after taking a deep breath. I wouldn't say anything but I'll definitely be on alert.
Thank you for reading!