Author's note: Sorry again for the delay! Things are kinda of hard right now for me but its no excuse! I'm currently writing the next chapter and hope to have it out before long!

Thanks to Sheri as always!

ENJOY!

Chapter 41 Before I Die Part 2

BELLA POV

It had been a day since Edward had departed for Denver. He had texted me that he had made it safely but I still had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Was he truly safe? Something didn't feel right about him being away. I hadn't left the house to run, train, do anything that I had currently been doing to keep my mind busy. It was now in full force mode and all I could do was think. It felt like all my senses were heightened and I was on edge. I had noticed many things during the past two weeks.

Peter, Alice's guard had healed from whoever gave him a beatdown two weeks ago. When I asked about that he told me not to worry but I'm not stupid I know he got his ass beat by someone. I noticed he stayed by the pool house property and delivered all of Alice's meals. She wasn't allowed to leave at all and I thought that punishment was a bit extreme. According to Emmett, who is much easier to get things out of than Edward, Alice isn't allowed to leave, not even to see her dying father. Like I said, a bit extreme. I could move to another part of the house when she comes over, I don't mind at all but according to Emmett no one is to let her have her way.

I've also noticed in the past two weeks the separation of guards. For one Caius and Bernard shoot death glares at each other. They always seem to be in an extreme staring contest. I noticed it especially when I climbed the hill after Caius had given me the flag and Bernard was on him like a hawk. However, Caius was always pleasant towards me when he spoke. Well, since I've been here. Bernard, I've noticed, has been coming outside the house more often lately, leaving his post beside Carlisle's bedside. He always nods at me, but I don't feel malice between either one. However, I do know there is something going on between the two. I'm still aware of Seth's lingering form which is even more constricted since Edward left. I used to not have a guard when I was in the house, they would stay outside. Seth isn't too far away now and I don't know what to think of that.

Sam isn't far from Rose's side either, and she doesn't seem the least bit worried. Which is odd to me since the whole spa thing or maybe that's why she's not frustrated. Benjamin, Emmett's guard who I barely see but when I do he's patrolling the grounds. He used to be ex-military I believe and takes the guarding seriously. The only times I've seen him close to the house is when he sees his dad Bernard outside.

Laurent, who is currently with Edward at the moment is another story. I've noticed he has been very protective of me lately. I also know when shit is going down, Edward makes him stay with me. Knowing he is currently with Edward right now comforts me and worries me at the same time. It makes me feel better knowing he's there and yet it worries me because I feel like some shit may pop off.

I always wondered why Edward and Emmett had bodyguards. What was the point? They were trained right? But now I know, and I'm very glad Edward has Laurent at this time. James on the other hand is what really gave the situation away. I'm used to goofy carefree James but lately he's been stressed and distant. I think Edward caught on to my staring at him and made James avoid me so I wouldn't ask questions. I'm also comforted that he's with Edward too.

I haven't seen Mal much; I don't even know if he's alive or dead. Was he the rat? No one even mentions him either. I sighed and left the bedroom. I could hear crying from down the hall. It was Esme from the sound of it. Oh, no? Did something happen? I made my way down the hall where Esme was standing by Carlisle's doctor and that Alistair dude who was a doctor too but he also patched up wounds. Bernard was beside Esme holding her hand and comforting her as she cried. I stared at his hand, not liking he was the one giving her comfort. Yes, I knew he was Carlisle's guard and that he had a friendly relationship with Esme but with everything going on I was suspicious of him.

"Esme, is everything alright?" I asked as I made my way to her, Bernard let go as soon as I approached to hug her. She sobbed in my arms for a bit before wiping her tears on the tissue in her hand. I was a bit alarmed; she had cried before but this sounded bad.

"They're giving him a few days, maybe not even that," she cried as she sobbed harder. I hugged her close to me. She was thin, thinner than she was last week. I noticed she hadn't been eating regularly and I along with Rose was forcing food down her throat. I don't think she was doing it on purpose. I think she was so caught up with Carlisle that she forgot to eat.

The men left us as I helped Esme to the master bedroom and got her her to lay down. The bed seemed so large with her small frame. Carlisle was in a spare bedroom in a hospital bed. He hadn't been doing well at all lately.

When he wasn't sleeping, he was babbling nonsense and being cruel with his words towards Esme. She took it in stride since it was more than likely the tumor but it didn't mean she left the bedroom without tears in her eyes.

When she finally drifted off, I met her guard, Esteban, outside and told him to let me know if anything changed for the worse. He nodded and I headed downstairs where Seth was waiting. "Is Emmett in the guard house?" Seth nodded and gave me a curious brow. "Let's go then." Seth quickly ran to the door giving me a curious gaze.

"What's going on, B?" he asked. I hadn't left the house so his concern was warranted.

"I just need to speak with Emmett." Seth didn't say anything else but led me outside towards the guard house. Since Edward was gone, Emmett was in charge, however I was also kind of in charge of the whole household but it was weird because it wasn't my household. I really wished someone would have given me a manual on how to be a mob wife.

Seth led me to the guard house and I passed Benjamin on the way. His eyes trained on everything. I quickly entered the house and saw Emmett looking at a laptop before shifting his gaze onto me.

"Belly!" he said with a smile. There was this thing about Emmett Cullen, something his brother has never done. He always seemed to be in a good mood no matter what. Since I had been with Edward, the only time I had seen Emmett acting differently was when he and Rose were apart. That made me think. Was Edward miserable because he was with me?

"I need to talk to you," I sat down in the chair across from him. He gave me all his attention. "Have you heard the news?" I asked him, not really wanting to be the person to tell him but I would if he didn't know. He nodded and I let out a sigh. "Edward?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I've texted him to call me when he gets a chance. He's in that meeting right now." I nodded but a slight shake went through me. I knew whatever meeting he was attending was serious. I was only supposed to call if it was an emergency. However, I hadn't and he texted me off and on.

"Alice needs to be let out of the pool house. She needs to be with her father in his last moments," I said, taking a deep breath. Emmett gave me a look. He acted like he wanted to nod but decided against it.

"Bella, I understand where you're coming from. The thing is Edward wants her to stay there until he comes back." So, Edward didn't trust her, okay neither did I, but I wonder if Edward's reason was the same as mine?

She clearly baited me but why? What was she hoping to gain by doing what she did? They were questions I would probably never get answers too. But, no matter how much I didn't trust her she didn't deserve to not see her dad after weeks of not seeing him.

"What if he dies and she doesn't get to see him?" I said to Emmett. He looked conflicted but shook his head.

"It would be my ass," Em said but he didn't look mad at me. He was clearly the calmer one out of the brothers but the most immature.

"Aren't I in charge of matters relating to the household?" I said straightening my spine. "I'm the Queen, correct?" Hating that title but at this moment it gave me power.

Emmett had a smile on his face and he looked ready to laugh, "This is true," he said. "Very well, I'll have Peter escort her to dad's room."

I stood up, "Why don't I do it? I'll give her some rules as well."

Emmett hesitated, "Bella, I can't do that. What if she goes off on you again?"

I smiled at him, "She won't, not when she knows what's at stake." His phone then went off, and he looked at it. His eyes looked confused, like he wasn't sure why whoever it was should be calling. He looked a bit concerned too.

"I need to take this," he said and I waved towards him and left the room. Once I left the house, Seth was on my ass of course. His face remained stoic and expressionless. Not for long though as I started walking towards the guest house and not the main house. His face turned curious and he gave me a look.

I went to knock once I reached the door. Peter answered of course, and let me in. The living room was a mess, and I could guess the rest of the house was probably in the same shape. Had no one checked on her? Emmett made rounds I remember but at the same time was it enough? Two weeks had almost passed. Alice hadn't been allowed to leave the guest house. Was she good mentally?

"Alice?" I asked Peter who pointed upstairs. Seth followed me to the stairs and stood guard as I made my way up. I'm pretty sure he was as wary of Alice as I was but I honestly didn't think Alice would start something with me with two guards in the house. I'm also pretty sure Emmett was close by as well or Benjamin to make sure things didn't go haywire. He might have told me I could handle Alice but that didn't mean he wasn't going to be nearby.

I knocked on the bedroom door and received no response. I groaned and entered the room where I was hit with a horrible stench. "Ugh!" I quickly held my hand over my nose. It smelt disgusting; Alice was asleep on a bed piled high with dirty clothes. Looking around the room, the dirty clothes just weren't on the bed, they also covered the floor.

As I got closer to Alice to wake her up the smell became worse, she reeked of body odor and some other unpleasant smell that I couldn't name. The smell was so intense I began to gag, I was hit with a sudden burst of nausea. "Alice!" I shouted over at her from beside the bed. Her hair was greasy and her clothes looked damp in some places.

"Alice!" I shouted again. She suddenly rose up looking at her surroundings before her eyes landed on me. I saw many emotions flash across her face before settling on disbelief. Maybe guilt? I wasn't sure because it suddenly turned sullen.

"What are you doing here?" she croaked out pushing her oily hair behind her ears. I took a look around looking for a place to sit but deciding against it.

"Here to let you out so you can go see your dad." She gave me a look, searching my face to see if I was lying but it remained stoic. She started crying. I don't know if it was from relief of being cooped up or just being able to see another person. To my knowledge, Jasper had been the only one allowed in here. But, looking at the state of the house I would say he hadn't been in here in a while.

"It's not a joke, is it?" Alice asked me as she rose from the bed knocking off a lot of clothes with her.

"No, I don't play games like that," I said, giving her a look. She looked guilty and remorseful but then it suddenly changed.

"Yeah, I deserved that," she said as started walking to the door. Did she really think she was going to see her dad like this?

"How about you take a shower?" I told her, while she looked around the room and grimaced.

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea," she said as she started crying. I didn't want to comfort her, I really didn't but not that long ago this was me. Letting myself go, crying. Granted I was mourning, but I wouldn't judge Alice at this moment.

"Listen, I don't know what you're going through. I'm not going to pretend to know but most of this is the consequences of your actions. I still don't know why you baited me. I'm sure you have a good reason." She looked very guilty then finally acknowledged that she indeed did bait me.

"Bella…," she started but I put my hand up refusing to hear what she said.

"Go take a shower, go see your dad, and maybe when all this is over, we can talk but not right now," I said, I couldn't handle an emotionally charged talk with Alice at the moment. She nodded and headed towards the bathroom.

I quickly grabbed some of the clothes laying around and took them with me downstairs, both guards looked at me once I descended the stairs. I carried them to the laundry room that was unsurprisingly empty and tossed them in. After starting the washer, I headed to the kitchen where an awful stench hit my nose.

The sink was full of dishes, empty boxes littered the counters. I was shocked to see that the trash was empty. I gagged from the smell coming from the sink and quickly left the kitchen where I was met by Seth who was looking around as well.

"You okay, B?" he asked before getting me out of the kitchen. I nodded once my nausea went away and I didn't think I would hurl. Once I had my bearings, I made my way to Peter who hadn't left his post by the stairs.

"Why haven't you told anybody?" I asked him. "She's living in filth."

"I did. Mr. Whitlock wants her to do it herself. She is used to maids and such, at least I took out the garbage." It blew my mind that her husband was okay living in filth. Then I quickly changed my mind, I hadn't seen his stuff. I knew he was staying at the guard house but I thought he may be staying here as well.

"Does Jasper know how bad it's got?" Peter nodded. "It's part of her punishment from Mr. Cullen."

"What?" I all but screamed out.

"Mr. Whitlock as well, but Mr. Cullen told her she was no longer the princess and she was going to learn how it meant to be normal. Mr. Whitlock told her she was to do everything but take the garbage out because she isn't allowed to set foot outside."

My eyes widened; damn not only was seclusion a punishment so was making her do it all as well. I understood honestly what they were trying to accomplish but at the same time you can't set a dependent person who has everything done for them out in the world without easing them into it.

Okay, so a lot of people are thrown out in the world to learn how to survive and such but a person like Alice? No matter how bad I was upset with her didn't mean she deserved to stay in her own filth.

"Mr. Cullen has taken her phone and her computer as well. She was to have no outside contact at all." I shook my head. I didn't know all the details of her punishment but taking her phone and computer seemed right. Alice was obsessed with that so I could see that being a punishment but left in a house with only a guard and no way to take care of yourself seemed extreme.

As I looked around, I heard the stairs creak and then saw Alice as she rounded the corner. She looked better and smelt better but I could see that she wasn't better. Especially when she glanced around at the sight before her. She teared up looking at the dishes piled up, the counters. She was embarrassed and I understood that. Someone comes over, you didn't know and you feel like they're judging. I wasn't, I was just appalled at the situation, even though I understood it. Peter then left the kitchen giving us as much privacy as he could.

"Hey," I said as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. I noticed she didn't have a smidge of makeup on and her hair was pushed back. I hated how my thoughts went to that as she was looking for sympathy. She wanted people to see her looking her worst but then again maybe her make-up got taken away or maybe she just didn't care at this point.

"Listen," I may have felt a little sorry for her, but she needed to know the proper way to do things. "I'm going to show you how to sort clothes, how to use the dishwasher, all of that okay? I won't do it for you, understand?" She nodded and the tears in her eyes poured out.

"Thank you, Bella," she said as she started crying again. "I'm so sorry." She said and I wondered why she was sorry. She seemed to be upset about something other than her predicament. It was very unusual behavior for Alice, not that I knew what normal Alice behavior was but something told me with the way she was crying there was more going on than I thought.

"When Edward gets back, I need to speak with you both," she said as she whispered to me and I nodded. It seemed very important whatever she had to say, especially when we finally left the guest house and made our way to the big house. She saw Caius and it was quick, really quick but I saw the look passed between them and it made the hairs on my neck stand up. Should I be worried? The way Caius looked at Alice seemed loving? I don't know but I would definitely keep my eyes on those two.

"A few things," I said, trying to not think about the look I just saw. We stopped before we got to the kitchen door. Peter and Seth behind us stopped as well just a few paces behind us. "Your mother has gotten thinner, please do not say anything about it as she gets upset. Rose and I have been feeding her the best we can but she is stressed, depressed, and otherwise just not herself." Alice nodded but she seemed worried then.

"Your father has also gotten meaner and uglier with his words the further he goes. The doctors say he doesn't know what he's saying and it's rare for him to have a good day when he does. Please don't take that to heart. I know it's hard but just remember it's the tumor saying it, not him." I was putting it mildly for her. Carlisle had gotten very ugly the worse he got. Downright accusing Esme of cheating, and being a whore one minute, then saying he loved her. There were other things he said, but I rather not think of them.

And last something I didn't really want to tell her, "He has days left, maybe hours. He's really dying, Alice." I let out a breath, I knew no one told her and I didn't agree with that.

She smiled. "It could be like last time they said he wouldn't make it. A week or two and it's been almost a month!" Her smile quickly faded once she saw mine. I shook my head, wanting to give her hope but there was none left.

"Go upstairs and visit. If you upset anyone you will go back to the guest house. I managed to convince Emmett to let you see your dad before he passes, please don't make me regret it," I said and she nodded, heading inside with Peter trailing her. I let out a breath, hoping this didn't come back and bite me in the ass.

EDWARD POV

We had been taken to a conference room by John's new secretary. I guess he took my advice from last time and fired the one he had been fucking. I did know through Jasper that he wasn't fucking anyone but his wife at the moment but I also wasn't aware of the new hire. Laurent was with me of course as he made his way around the table with a sensor checking for any listening devices.

I had James patrolling the building just in case shit went off and something came up. John had pulled from the Cadmus partnership like I told him to and we had made an agreement that I would get most of the shares of his business. In exchange, he was given all the photos and videos of his indecent acts. I came today because Heidi Starr, CEO of Cadmus wanted a meeting with John.

He informed me, and I told him, someone would be sent to speak with her. Not that she knew anything about that, she thought she was going to meet with just John. I couldn't wait until she saw me. I don't kill women but I would make an exception in Ms. Starr's case especially if she was the one behind all the money being stolen from me.

However, I knew in my bones, Ms. Starr was working with someone else. I didn't know who but they were in the shadows covering up their tracks. My money was on Marcus, Mr. Computer Whiz. But it still didn't make sense why Marcus was stealing from me. I wasn't even completely sure it was him but the picture of Jane changed that. It had to be him because why else would the remaining Volturi member want revenge. I still had Alec, so I knew it wasn't him.

The secretary then opened the door and asked if we wanted anything while we waited. We both declined and she said she would try to call her boss again. I gave Laurent a look. Something felt off, John wouldn't be late to a meeting with me because I was saving his ass. My phone vibrated again in my pocket.

I took it out, and it was another text message from Em. I had forgotten someone had texted me when we got here.

9:52 a.m. Emmett - Hey call me when you get a chance. It's important.

Was Bella okay? She was the most important person in his care at the moment. Did something happen? No, if it was Bella he would have said it was an emergency. Then what? Could it be mom? I shook my head and opened the one I had just received.

10:15 a.m. Emmett - Got a call from our friends overseas, please call me.

Overseas? That could mean Liam or Sasha. I was putting my money on Liam since I hadn't really heard from Sasha since Russia. I didn't like this, being here and Em telling me this shit. What the fuck was going on? What was taking John so long?

The door opened then, and the secretary opened the door with tears in her eyes. She looked at Laurent and then me. Why was she crying? My phone vibrated against my leg this time and I glanced at it before the screen went dark.

10:17 a.m. James - Catching a vibe here, something has happened.

I looked back at the secretary and waited for her to tell me. What happened for her to have tears in her eyes like that?

"I'm sorry, but my boss is dead." Laurent and I both rose up from our seats. I felt a cold chill run down my spine. John was dead? What the hell? It was my plan in the long run to kill him but not until everything was said and done.

"Has anyone else arrived to meet with him this morning?" I asked, trying to stay calm but my insides were raging. If Starr wasn't here like she was supposed to be then my money would be on her to know something of John's death.

"No sir. Excuse me." She left the room wiping her tears. I quickly stood up and dialed James number while Laurent and I made our way out of the conference room.

"YO!" James said on the other end, while I glanced around at everyone's faces that I passed. Everyone looked genuinely sad.

"Meet us at the garage," I said as I ended the call and stepped into the elevator. Laurent shared a glance at me but all I could focus on was my thoughts. Why was John killed? Today of all days?

Once the elevator reached the garage, we made our way to the car. James had already slid himself in the driver's seat. "Boss, what's going on? Things seemed weird while I was walking around," James said as Laurent got in the front while I slid in the back.

"Keep a look out. I need to make a few calls," I said, ignoring James's question because I didn't even have an answer.

First, I called Jasper who should be at Cullen Enterprises with Ben. He picked up on the second ring.

"Whitlock," he said in what sounded like a bored tone.

"Need you to look into Core Enterprises, tell me what is going on and get back to me." I hung up not even waiting for an answer and then called Emmett who must have been waiting for my call because he picked up on the first ring.

"Yo!" he said in his booming voice.

"Talk to me," I said, trying not to think about what was going on around me.

"First things first, Sasha's woman called, don't remember which one, but Sasha is requesting a sit down. She's here in the states," Emmett finished.

"What?" Why the fuck was Sasha here? There was no reason for her to be here. Last time I had checked in with her, she was slowly rebuilding her empire that her uncles almost destroyed. She had been looking to rebuild after the explosion of her childhood home.

"Something happened to the ship they came over on. She said she had some information but was caught in a fire and said she's been in Freeport, Maine for a few weeks. She's been on the mend but she has something to show you."

A few weeks? Why was she just making contact now?

"And you believed her? Why didn't you ask her to send whatever it is she had to you?" I questioned. That didn't make any sense, was this a trap?

"I did ask, Bro, but Kebi or Kachiri or whatever her name was very stern about meeting." I had no reason to question Sasha's motives, we saved her life and her women. Her woman sewed me up after I was shot. There was no bad blood between us so why would Sasha risk a ship ride to the States to meet with me?

"Okay, I'll take the plane then and head that way but don't tell them anything until I get there," I said as I signaled James to drive to the airstrip where my plane was waiting.

"Maybe you should come home first, bro," Emmett started.

"Why? What difference does that make? To just leave again?" I said in a tense voice. There was too much going on right now, and Emmett was acting weird. I could tell even over the phone.

"The doc came by this morning," Emmett started to say but stopped talking and it sounded like he choked on his words.

"How long does he have?" Here we were again, me having to leave something I'm in the middle of and run back home because of my father. It happened before and it will happen again.

"Not long bro, hours maybe, lucky if it's days." Before, he had been given a week and that turned into almost 4 weeks now.

"I'll meet with Sasha and then I'll be on my way." Carlisle cheated death before, he would do it again.

"Alright, first things first lockdown is still strong. B let Alice out with my permission. We got eyes on her all the time. B has warned her as well." What! They let Alice out? I quickly felt my blood pressure rising. Why the hell could no one follow simple orders?

"What was that, Emmett? I'm pretty sure I told you Alice was not to be let out while I wasn't there." I breathed out a groan trying my best to stay calm.

"I know you did, but B makes a pretty convincing argument. She's the queen, so technically she's in charge of the household, especially when you're away." I grinded my teeth and clenched my hand that wasn't holding my phone, really? Really, Emmett?

I let out a sigh. "You better have eyes on her." Because God help Emmett if he didn't.

"Trust me, I do. Seth's with B and Peter and Sam have their eyes on her," Emmett said. I didn't question why Sam was also watching her but I'm glad he took me seriously about Bella's safety. "B is with mom mainly, and she gave Alice rules so I don't think she will fuck it up to see dad," Emmett said. A sting came from my chest and I wasn't sure what it was, but I didn't like it.

"Alright, keep the lockdown tight. I'll let you know how this meeting goes," I said and hung up on him. My blood was boiling because I didn't want Alice out without me there. I knew something else was going on with her besides the whole not having a baby thing and dad dying. I hated to say it but it honestly felt like my sister may have been up to something shady.

I hadn't told Em nor mom but Laurent and James were aware that the night that Alice fought with Bella and acting all weird was suspicious. Not that Alice hadn't already been spiraling but it was just in general, wanting to fight Bella for no reason. I couldn't confirm my suspicions, but I had a gut feeling Alice knew more than what she was letting on.

That's why I wanted her on a short leash and to not leave that house while I wasn't there but somebody else had different plans. It killed me inside to know I told Emmett he was in charge but he let Alice out just like that for what reason? Because dad was dying? No, if it had been me, I would have kept her inside while he died but I'm an asshole.

My phone rings again with Jasper's name flashing across it. I hit answer while I bring it up to my ear. "What did you find out?"

"So, since this morning someone has been buying up most of the shares of Core. John had already transferred most of the shares to Cullen Enterprises plus the ones you already had."

"Someone?" I knew it was Cadmus. Who else would buy shares from a dead guy they were supposed to meet this morning but never showed up.

"Cadmus," Jasper gritted out, already confirming my answer. "Core went public, did you know about this?" Jasper asked

"Yes, it was to sniff them out. I had already bought some shares and John gave me the majority while he kept what was left. Now, Cadmus is buying off all the shares they could. John being dead isn't a coincidence," I said and Jasper mumbled.

"Yeah, they are buying up all they can. It doesn't make sense though, why kill John?" Jasper said and I looked surprised at his questioning even though I had been thinking of it as well.

"John knew too much about them; he was a loose end," I said as I gazed out the window and saw the airstrip.

"But, it's on record is it not that he had a meeting with Starr? And now he's dead and she's buying up all the remaining shares? Sounds like she's desperate," Jasper finished.

He was right. If I had been a cop or agent, I would call that motive.

"Keep looking into it and keep me informed through text," I said and hung up. I noticed that we had stopped so I quickly got out of the car and headed for the plane.

****BID******

Once we had touched down in Maine, I let Emmett know to contact Sasha. We weren't far from the place she was currently staying in. She was currently staying in a house near a lighthouse outside the city. I knew I was going in unguarded and undermined when I noticed there were a few guards outside the house. However, I had no reason to think Sasha would be here to end me.

This also wasn't Russia. I wasn't worried as much as then. Sasha had something to tell me and it couldn't be over the phone. She also got caught in a fire, and it took her three weeks to get in contact with us. However, me not knowing she had crossed over also had me over thinking as well.

A burly man approached us as we stepped out of the car. He didn't even check us for weapons. I guess Sasha wanted us to feel at ease. However, it was a sloppy move not checking us. We were taken to a dining room overlooking the water. Sasha was sitting at a table by the water with her head back while one of her women, I think Kebi the one that patched me up, stood beside her cleaning her face wounds.

"Ah, Edward," Sasha said, not turning towards us at first as Kebi was putting a bandage on Sasha's face. "I would get up to greet you but I'm unable to at the moment." She then turned towards us where I saw the extent of her injuries. Her face was still bruised from whatever happened, however I could tell it had been much worse the way it looked like she healed. Some of her hair looked like it had been burned but was healing in places. Her arms also looked like they were burned but mostly she had yellowish bruises.

"Beautiful, huh?" she said as she groaned but it sounded like a moan to me. Something felt off, but I couldn't place it. "Wanna have a seat?" She gestured to the other side of the table while Kebi stood off to the side. Kebi looked like she had some wounds too but not as bad as Sasha. I nodded and made my way to the table along with Laurent and James. Sasha moaned again, and I guess it was from the pain however it didn't sound all that painful. It sounded like….

"Oh, OH! YES!" Sasha exclaimed, with her head thrown back. I looked at James like is this shit really happening?

I kept hearing moans as a woman rose up from underneath the table. It was the other girl, Kachiri. "Thank you so much my doll." Kachiri leaned down and kissed Sasha on the lips. "Now, as a present since I can't fuck you at the moment, I'm going to let Kebi do it and I'll be in to watch in a few moments." Kachiri nodded and Kebi took her hand and they left the room.

"What the fuck, Sasha?" I exclaimed. She could have waited but fuck, man.

"I wasn't notified that you were coming until moments ago, and it's been awhile since I've been able to have an orgasm," she said. Like I wanted to hear that shit? I didn't but she was right, I didn't know if I was walking into a trap so I did wait to inform her.

"Besides, you've seen me naked before." This time James gave me a look but Laurent stood still because he was there too. I looked at James and shook my head. I would tell him later.

Sasha then picked up a phone and told someone to come in Russian. Not ten seconds later a big woman with huge muscles walked in with a file and left the room. Sasha looked at it before passing it down the table to me.

"That's all you need to see," she said as she grabbed the drink on the table and sipped it. I opened the file, looking at its contents. It looked like a small ship, but it was in flames. I looked at Sasha who was staring at me like she was waiting for the punchline that I was missing.

"Yours?" I gave the picture to James so he could see it.

"Yes," she said in her thick Russian accent. I kept looking through until I saw it. The ship that had been stolen from Liam's port. I looked up at Sasha with surprise. "Ah, there it is," she said as she moved to get up from the table. It was a hardship for her because she still seemed to be in pain but she quickly tied her robe together before it could open any further. This bitch didn't give a fuck and that scared me just a bit.

"So, you think the Irish Family attacked your ship?" She smiled but shook her head no. I didn't like guessing games and I really didn't have time to play one right now. However, Sasha wouldn't have traveled all this way if she didn't have any news to bring me.

"No, not them. The Italians," she said and I felt ice crawl up my spine. What Italians? She started walking around the table.

"What Italians?" I asked, knowing all the ones left in the family were the ones in mine and The Denali's.

"Not any of yours, Mr. Cullen," she smiled as she came closer. I looked through more pictures, seeing the damage but one picture caught my eye. It was supplies, money, and the missing boxes that were full of guns from The Denali Family.

I quickly looked up at her in shock. "I've been trying to rebuild my family. Women, men, supplies, everything." That cold chill traveling down my spine peaks. Was it Sasha this whole time? It would explain why she was fine with me coming here without being checked, the weapons stolen, my money, Liam's ship, and I fell right into her trap.

James and Laurent caught on as well, and they both pulled out their guns but Sasha remained unfazed. "Was it you?" I growled out

She smiled. "Ask yourself this, Mr. Cullen. Why would I have let you come here if it was me that had been hurting your family? Why would I let you in my domain? False security? Perhaps that's what you're thinking but no, I came here to give you that evidence to prove my innocence."

I masked my face, not letting my emotions show. "Why? Why come here though, why not call or send a text, an email?" I huffed but I think I was missing something, the bigger picture.

"I know you have rats; I didn't want this information to fall in the wrong hands," Sasha said before sitting down. "Tell your men to lower their guns. I have not done anything to warrant this."

I gestured for them to lower their guns, still wondering how someone who isn't in the family knew about our rat problem.

Sasha nodded at me after both James and Laurent lowered their guns. "Trying to gather resources to rebuild an alliance, isn't easy but it's enough for someone to frame me that I've been the one stealing from you, Mr. Cullen," Sasha said in thick Russian. It was a bit hard for me to understand but I was getting what she said. Someone had planted this stuff?

"I'm sorry, what do you mean?" I said trying to remain calm.

"The weapons there are yours, no?" she said as she sipped her drink.

"By proxy, not originally," I said, keeping my gaze on her waiting for any change of features. She did look a bit puzzled after that.

"Hmm," she said as she gazed at me. "We traveled back to the mansion, my father's house a few months ago after the explosion. Of course, there was nothing left." She sipped again as I waited patiently for her to get on with it. "However, I wanted to rebuild but of course no one would help me because I'm a woman so I sought outside help."

I looked at her in confusion. What outside help? "There's this family that lives near my family's docks. They were called the Nomad Family. Father had an alliance with them and it extended to me. They were a group of people that took helpless people in and they were far too trusting," she rambles on. I'm at my breaking point but I don't know if she's stalling or if she is going to tell me what exactly is happening.

"They said they would help me rebuild, I took them for their word so when they didn't show up I did." She huffed out a breath. "They were all dead." She drinks some more "Well, most of them"

"What?" James said but I knew Sasha wasn't done.

"They had taken in someone. If they had been working with him before I don't know but I doubt it, the Nomad's were good people," she said looking enraged. "Kebi, my woman had a look around their computers, and found these." She brings me some files and their bank statements and a correspondence with someone named "C."

"He had been staying with them for a while. He had built up quite a nest egg there," she continued as I glanced at the numbers on the sheet. They were the same numbers of the money that had been stolen from my business.

I handed it off to James and Laurent and they both gave me looks. "Now, I don't know any more details of what went on there but I followed the clues as to where he could have gone." Sasha looked at me and stopped giving me a stare. "Would you like to guess?"

"Ireland," I said as Sasha smiled. "He stole a ship from The Irish Family and framed you for taking it." The bodies that had been found were severely mutilated. Sasha's father was a force to be reckoned with back in the day and was known for mutilating but I had a feeling Sasha wasn't behind that and neither did Liam when I talked to him last.

"So, we took off after him," she said, flashing me a forced smile. "He tried to bomb us, set fire to everything and he succeeded." She gestured to herself. "I almost died." She said, and I nodded. "We made it here so I could recover, actually so everyone could." She took a breath, "I wondered why he was trying so hard to get away from us. It didn't make sense why he kept hiding his face from me." She said as she went to pick something up.

"You said he?" I repeated.

"Yes he, he is behind everything." She said with a bitter smile.

"Who is he Sasha?" I said already feeling my stomach roll, already knowing the answer to the question. I think I knew it all this time.

"The Italian. The one that actually hurt those people on the ship. Some of those people were from the Nomad's" Sasha scoffed before placing the picture down.

My heart starts beating and I feel like I'm going to be sick. Because there's a photo of a dead man, a ghost staring back at me.

A picture of a man horribly scarred.

Demetri.