A/N… So I'm updating today, but I'll be going back to Tuesdays after this. I'll let you get to it.

~oOo~

Chapter 19

BELLA

I woke up to the feel of warm, smooth skin…and furry tail in my face. Rolling onto my side, I smirked at Sid between us but practically wrapped around Edward's neck as he slept. They were both out. I was certain he liked Edward better than me at this point.

I snorted softly, my eyes raking down from that adorable goodness to something way more deadly – Edward's bare torso. I took in his bare chest and stomach, but the covers had slipped down, so hips were visible, along with that trail of hair that made most women lose a few IQ points every now and then. That wasn't judgement, simply fact.

I squeezed my eyes closed at the memories of the night before, trying my damnedest not to reach out and touch. Again. If I thought Edward kissed like his personality, then I was unable to even describe what he could do with his body. In fact, I could still feel him everywhere.

And honestly, I wanted to feel him everywhere again.

Edward shifted in his sleep, rolling to face me, which caused Sid to move down to the foot of the bed, curling up between our feet. There was something so very comfortable about all of it that it just about took my breath away.

Just don't let your history cloud your future. Dad's words rattled around in my head, and as I reached up to brush a curl off Edward's forehead, I thought about what he'd meant by that.

I hadn't really dated anyone after Jake. We'd ended roughly because he had been a manipulative liar and a cheat, but I'd moved on with my life after we ended things. Or really, I'd ended things by tossing his camera into a full bathtub. I'd never looked back.

However, looking at the man in front of me, I wanted to hold on with both hands, because I wasn't sure I'd ever felt this way about anyone. And that scared me a little.

I started to slip out of bed, but a strong arm shot out to wrap around my waist, yanking me flush to warm skin. Sleepy eyes cracked open, revealing that rare and pretty shade of green. Edward's brow furrowed.

"Edward," I chided with a laugh, squirming a little.

"Why were you about to run?" he asked, his voice raspy and commanding and way too fucking sexy this damn early. The sun wasn't even out yet, and he was already driving me crazy.

I shook my head. "I wasn't. I just…" I trailed off, meeting those amazing eyes and pressing my lips to his without warning.

Edward caught up quickly, kissing me back just as fiercely. When we pulled apart, he kept that strong arm around my waist as I pulled his forehead to mine.

"It's the opposite. I kinda never want to leave this spot," I admitted softly. "There's still all the shit surrounding us, but this…this feels…"

"Right," he finished for me, nodding when I did. He reached up, gently brushing my hair back from my face. "I was afraid you might have regrets."

"No. No regrets." I leaned in and kissed him again. "I was thinking about something my dad said last night – not to let my history cloud my future."

Edward smiled sadly. "Wise words. I suppose that's both of us."

"Maybe," I allowed, shrugging a shoulder, and he leaned in to press a kiss to it. "I didn't really date after Jake, so maybe he thought…" I trailed off, meeting Edward's intense gaze.

"That you were holding back?" he finished in a question, and I nodded. "I wouldn't blame you if you did, because that shit was completely asinine."

Grinning, I bit my bottom lip. "It was. I was too busy to date after that."

Edward placed his hand on my face, gently rubbing my cheek with his thumb. "You care so much about your family and friends that it breaks you a little when it's thrown back in your face. But that? What Jake did? That would make anyone gun shy when it came to dating." He frowned, his eyes dropping to my mouth before he went on. "I'm… I'd never do that to you. You need to know that."

Before I could say anything, he kissed me to shut me up. "Wait. I'm a lot of things, Bella. I'm…I'm awkward and impatient. I can't always say the right shit, and then sometimes when I do, it comes out like a belligerent bastard. But…I'm not a cheat. I never have been."

"That's good to know, Edward," I whispered, kissing him lightly. "I'm not either."

He smiled, shaking his head a little. "Baby, you are way too loyal to people to be a cheater."

Something about Edward calling me that made me realize just how much he'd been hiding behind those walls of his, because when he let them down, he was damn near perfect. Once he was at ease, he was extremely sweet and gentle.

I pushed him onto his back, crawling up to straddle his waist so I could kiss him. Because we were still naked, it felt so fucking good, especially when his hands skimmed lightly over my bottom, up my back, and along my thighs. And sweet Lord, he was hard already.

"So, Edward," I whispered against his lips, and he smirked a bit. "If we aren't breaking up anymore and we both just decided that cheating is for losers, then I'm gonna assume…"

His grin was brilliant and beautiful when I trailed off and raised an eyebrow at him. "That's a fair assumption, beautiful. I like it." He threaded his fingers in my hair, bringing me in for a kiss that had me wanting more, wanting all that he'd give me before this day started. "I really want that. Despite it all, I really want you. Is that… Do you want this?"

I could see by his unsure demeanor, by that softly asked question, that he meant him and his idiosyncrasies, his past and his job. All of it combined wouldn't be easy, but it would be him.

"Yes."

"Me, too."

"Good, then kiss me before I go crazy," I told him, smiling at his soft, sexy chuckle.

His lips met mine again, but we shifted at the same time. I broke away from his mouth with a gasp as I slid slowly down over his erection. I was still sore, but he made me forget all about it as he guided me, worked with me. As he touched me where I needed him most, I fell apart, my head falling back. He sat up, and with a strong arm around me, he rolled us, pressing me down into the bed so he could chase his own orgasm by picking up the pace.

The sun was peeking in through the windows by the time we could see straight. Edward dropped sweet kisses to my forehead, cheek, and neck, finally landing on my lips. As I gazed up at him, I realized that I was slipping deeply in love with Edward.

~oOo~

The house was completely full of people, but I could barely tell. The only sound heard besides the hum of the refrigerator and the TV on low in the living room was the spatter of rain outside. Though occasionally, Edward could be heard typing on his laptop from his spot at the kitchen counter as I cleaned up after breakfast.

Everyone was quiet, off doing whatever they could not to go crazy stuck in the house. Alice and Dad were watching TV in the living room. Carlisle and Esme were out on the back porch fiddling around with some plants she'd wanted to re-pot. Which left Edward and me. And we'd barely left each other's side since the night before. But it wasn't smothering. It wasn't clingy. It was actually kind of easy and comfortable.

I wiped down the stove area and the counter, grabbing his mug and pouring him more coffee. I made one for myself, adding my usual cream and sugar. I was about to go upstairs to check on Sid and clean his litter box, when Edward's phone rang.

His brow furrowed as he swiped the screen to answer. "Jasper?" He paused, glancing my way. "Yes, she's right here. Hang on, I'll put you on speaker."

"Okay, 'cause I need to talk to all of you," he stated over the phone.

"Jasper, you okay?" I asked him.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine, Bells. I just… Are Charlie and Alice around?"

"I can get them," Edward offered.

"No, I just… I needed to make sure they were safe, Masen," my brother said through a sigh. "Look, you guys need to know James is truly hunting my ass. And yours. And I'm not sure he gives a shit who he reaches first."

"What happened, Jasper?" Edward asked.

"Newton's dead."

"We know. It happened in county lock-up. How'd you find out?"

"James tried going through the public defender's office."

Edward and I locked gazes. "That's not James. That's his uncle," Edward stated seriously.

"James also left messages on my phone. I didn't call him, but he's threatened everyone and everything. I just… I wanted to make sure my family is safe."

"We're okay, Jazz," I soothed him. "I promise."

"Okay, okay. I'm just… I know I'm a fuck-up. I know that I made piss-poor decisions. I just never thought…" Jasper rambled, and I frowned, my brow furrowing at the regret and guilt.

"May I talk to my brother privately, Edward?" I asked softly, my nose wrinkling a little.

"Of course," Edward agreed. "Just…no info on whereabouts, beautiful." He handed me his phone, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I took Jasper off the speakerphone and went upstairs. "Hey, big brother. What's this about?" I asked once I clicked the door closed.

Jasper huffed a humorless laugh, and it sounded bitter and jaded and a little sad. "I'm just… I'm so sorry, Bells. All this shit started with me, with Maria. If I'd…"

"Yeah, okay. Maybe. But I promise you, Jazz, this is a bit bigger than your addictions and James. There's more to it. What I mean is… When you and Maria stole those drugs from James and he killed her for it, it started a chain of events that has snowballed. This is organized crime shit."

Jasper was quiet. "Bella, how do I bring a child into this shit?"

I sighed, blinking back tears. "Everyone involved is working really hard to stop James. After that? Well, we'll all work together. You think that I'd just let you and Alice struggle alone with my new niece or nephew? No fucking way."

He huffed a laugh. "You do too much. You always have."

Sitting down on the edge of the bed – the bed still messy with twisted sheets from just a few hours ago – I said, "Maybe. Maybe I enabled you too long. Maybe Alice isn't really my responsibility, but I can't let anything happen to her. I can't let her struggle when she's carrying the future of this family, Jasper Whitlock. I just can't. I love my family; I don't know any other way. I'm not sure that'll ever change."

"I know, but when do you get your life, Bella?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but I didn't have an answer.

"They're gunning for your cop."

"I know. It scares the shit out of me, but we're aware." I sighed, rubbing my face. "He's pretty tough and smart, so I know he's careful."

Jasper was quiet. "You really like him. I mean, this isn't just some… This isn't like Jake."

Smiling sadly, I said, "I do. And he's so far removed from Jake, he's practically on another planet."

"He's a good dude. I hated him at first because he arrested me," Jasper said, huffing a harsh laugh, "but since Maria, he's busted his ass to stop everything and keep you guys safe…and keep me sober."

"I know, Jazz."

"I want you to be happy. Does he do that? You deserve more in payback than I can give, but I want you to have what you want. You've always given me everything, so I just…"

"Jasper, are you okay?" I asked when he trailed off. "I mean, yes. He does. And it kinda happened out of nowhere. But you're scaring me. This feels like you're saying goodbye."

"No! I'm not. I just…" He sighed deeply over the line. "There are times when this sobriety shit sucks so bad, like I'd give any-fucking-thing to bury my head in the sand. And there are times where clarity gives me hindsight, and I know I owe you, Bells. I really fucking owe you. I owe you and Alice and Charlie, and I owe Masen, too."

"You getting sober and staying that way will be payback enough, okay?"

"No, it's not. I fucking got us into this mess, and I need to fix it."

It seemed my brother was having a rough day. My eyes welled up a little because he was trying so hard but he seemed to have moments of struggle.

"Hey, remember when we were kids? That new family moved in a few blocks over, and the kid was such a little asshole? Remember?" I asked him, urging him to think.

"Fuck, what was that kid's name? Peter!" he answered. "I knocked him the fuck out for pushing you down on the sidewalk. Motherfucker…pushin' girls around… You were only like eight years old."

I laughed at his indignant rant. "You did. And you were grounded for it, too. I felt bad that you got into trouble for coming to my defense. But do you remember what Mom said when I told her what happened?"

"Yeah," he sighed sadly. "It's okay to protect those you love from bad people, but it's another to stoop to their level. It doesn't make you any better than the bad people who started it."

"Please remember that, big brother. Don't stoop to their level. Just keep getting better. That's all we want."

He sighed again, and he was so damned stubborn that I wasn't sure he was listening. Or hearing me, really.

"Yeah, but it's me who did the pushing this time, Bells. And I need to correct that mistake," he explained.

"Love you, big brother. You're doing fine. Do you want to talk to Dad or Alice?"

"No, it's my time for the job counselor to check in on me. They found me a warehouse gig, loading boxes. I've been working overnight the last week. Good pay, too."

"That's awesome, Jasper."

"Thanks, B."

I stared at Edward's phone when the call ended, and I didn't move from my spot on the bed. I glanced up when the phone's owner peeked into the room.

Holding out his phone, I said, "Thank you."

He smiled, taking his phone back, but his brow furrowed at the same time as he took a knee in front of me.

"Is he okay?" he asked softly, reaching up to capture a tear I'd spilled during that conversation.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I nodded. "Rough day, I guess. He's kinda all over the place. Lots of guilt."

"Did he say something to hurt you?" he asked, cupping my face.

"No, we talked about Mom, so that always…" I gestured to my face, rolling my eyes at my own emotional issues.

Edward's smile was warmth and sweetness incarnate. "I understand, beautiful." He brought my forehead to his lips.

Nodding, I cupped his face in both hands. "No matter what happens tonight, I need you to come back here in one piece, okay?"

He tilted his head. "Okay." I raised an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled, adding, "I promise to be careful, Bella."

Nodding once, I kissed him. "Good."

~oOo~

EDWARD

The noise around me was muffled and subdued as we observed the warehouse that James Hunt owned. We were using the cement factory to hide our position. As I strapped down my tactical vest, the radio and earpiece, and my weapon in its holster, information was radioed back to us.

The warehouse had power, there was a car with stolen license plates parked in the shadows, but so far, no movement. Felix had told us that James had been sneaking into this warehouse using the roof's access. We'd sent up the police helicopter to casually fly over throughout the day and well into the evening. It was now one in the morning, and we knew someone was inside that bastard. It was all I could do not to simply blow it up. However, we knew Felix would be our lead on this. Once he was inside, verified that James was there, and kept him occupied, we were raiding that warehouse.

Garrett's hand landed on my shoulder as I adjusted my vest. My tension, my temper was probably showing all over me. Charlie had given advice and caution before I'd left. Emmett had plopped down on the sofa, preparing to stay all night – FBI be damned. But it was the pacing, kitchen-cleaning beauty who had been a nervous wreck that I couldn't soothe enough. When I'd left my aunt and uncle's home, I'd barely been able to let my girl go with vows that I'd be safe, that I'd come back to her.

My girl.

The mere idea of it, the breathtaking memory of Bella being mine… It made me crazy to think that something could happen to her – that someone, anyone could touch her, hurt her, take her from me. It made me possessive and protective and really fucking pissed off at the asshole we were trying to catch, because I knew for a fact if he got his hands on her, he'd destroy her simply for being Jasper's sister, for telling him no, for standing up for what was right, for walking away from everything to do with Inferno without so much as a backward glance.

Because she was better than all those motherfuckers.

I looked to my partner, who had been way more understanding about my father and his connection to Felix's case than I'd expected, saying, "When this is over, we're going to give back the same amount of help to Felix. Am I clear? He's put his life on the line for something that has nothing to do with his goal – simply because it's the right fucking thing to do."

Garrett's grin was lopsided and sarcastic. "Oh, yeah. I'm down with that. And I figure there's a little get-back coming to Aro."

I shook my head, my nostrils flaring. "I don't give two fucks about what Aro did to my father. He deserved that and so much more. But how long did Powell control James's fuckery? Cover-ups and calling in favors so this asshole could continue to prey on women?" I ranted, pointing toward the quiet warehouse.

It wasn't about the drugs or threats. It certainly had nothing to do with Jasper's and Maria's deception. It was how he'd killed Maria, how Bree was punished for merely saying no, for the mother of James's child covered in bruises – it was for all those things and any victim we hadn't discovered yet. Those women were used and abused and threatened to the point of madness.

I wasn't actually sure if James would be arrested or if I was simply looking for any excuse to pull the trigger.

"Too fucking long, Masen," he agreed readily, glancing up to Banner. "We got eyes inside there yet?"

"Almost," Banner answered, going back to his cell phone. "What do you mean you've got movement outside the side door?"

My eyebrows shot up, but Garrett and I walked to the edge of the cement factory parking lot, snatching up a pair of binoculars. I zeroed in on the dark building next door, not seeing anything until the side door opened, allowing a small bit of light to expose someone I wasn't expecting.

"Felix?" Garrett asked.

"No!" I growled through gritted teeth. "Jasper fucking Whitlock." I spun to Banner. "We gotta move. We've got to fucking go. Now!"

My phone alerted me to a text, and I lifted it to read a message from Felix. Green light. Move in. I'll do my best to keep Whitlock alive. This wasn't the plan, but he called James and offered himself up.

"You heard him," Garrett stated after eyeing my screen, giving a sharp whistle. "You know where to go. Get there. We need to stay dark as long as possible. SWAT, you're our last defense."

We moved as quickly and quietly as we could. Garrett and I were going in the door Jasper had used. A few men would climb to the rooftop door. However, every window – not that there were very many in the old, dark warehouse – would be covered by SWAT.

I reached for the door as Banner gave instructions over the radio to go silent. Garrett and I slipped into the warehouse, pulling our weapons. There were voices echoing from the opposite side of the building. The place was empty, but there were areas set up like rooms in a home, which was probably for filming. However, it gave us a chance for Garrett and me to split up and still stay hidden.

The unmistakable sound of fist meeting flesh resounded throughout the warehouse, and I flinched at the venom in James's voice.

"You thought you could steal from me and get away with it?" he asked, and another slap or punch echoed around me.

As silently as I could, I worked my way closer to the other end, using the shadows to my advantage.

"You stupid motherfucker," James hissed, and there was another punch and another.

I finally caught movement at the other end of the room. I had to make sure Jasper walked away from this shit. I wasn't sure Alice, Bella, and Charlie would survive it, and I wasn't sure they'd ever forgive me should he not survive. I wondered briefly what the fuck he'd been thinking, showing up at this damned warehouse.

Felix was holding Jasper's arms behind his back as James paced and raged in front of them. Jasper was sporting a split lip and a cut above his eye. He was also on his knees. For the moment, there wasn't a gun pointed his way, but I was sure that would be the case for much longer.

My position was called in, along with Garrett's over the radio, but no one had a shot on James. However, the rooftop door had been breached. A glance up showed Banner and several officers spreading out on the metal catwalk above us. More punches landed on Jasper's face, and I needed to move, but Jasper's laugh made me shake my head.

"No wonder you beat up women, because you fucking hit like one," he taunted James, which made Felix flinch when James gripped Jasper's shirt, yanking him up and slamming him into the closest support beam.

"I'm going to enjoy killing you, Whitlock," James hissed in his face. "And when I'm done, I'm going to find that sweet sister of yours and fuck her bloody before I crush her skull."

Before I could move, Jasper shifted, slamming his forehead into James's at full fucking force. James's nose broke on impact, blood spraying everywhere. Jasper took advantage of his shock, wrapping him up and tackling him to the floor.

"What'd I tell you about my sister, James?" Jasper yelled, the punches to James's face never stopping, and they were at full force. He gripped James's hair and slammed his head down onto the cement floor. "Tell me! What did I tell you?"

"That she wasn't to…" James struggled to breathe. "Not to touch her."

"I told you that when you hired her. And I'm telling you again. You want paybacks, then you try and get them now. From me, James, you piece of shit," Jasper said, glancing up when Garrett and I moved from our spots.

"Everyone, freeze. Seattle PD," Garrett called out.

Jasper stayed atop of James, but his hands went up, lacing his fingers behind his head. However, his hate-filled gaze never left the piece of garbage beneath him.

"James Hunt, we have a warrant for your arrest for the murders of Maria Navarro and Bree Tanner," Garrett started to rattle off as I walked to Jasper to pull him away from James.

James gave a panicked glance around, meeting my gaze as I trained my gun on him. He used Jasper's position to move swiftly, and before we could secure either of them, James had a gun in his hand, aimed my way.

Jasper dove for James's weapon in a struggle, and several more punches were made to James's midsection. There were calls to stand down, to drop the weapon, but suddenly, fire slammed into my left shoulder.

Several shots went off, even from my own weapon. Calls of "clear" and "down on the ground" met my ears, but they were ringing. I dropped to a knee with the pain, but I quickly stood back up, separating the two men on the warehouse floor.

James was dead, whether by my bullet or Garrett's. From the angle, I'd say it was my shot that landed right between his eyes. Jasper, however, was hit.

"Shit!" I hissed, rolling Whitlock over.

His wound was a through-and-through, and it had landed in my own shoulder. He was losing blood, and it seemed he was having a difficult time breathing.

"Call a bus!" Garrett said, rushing to me and skidding to a stop on his knees next to me. "Masen, you're…"

"I know, but I need something to put pressure on his wounds," I muttered, squeezing my eyes against the pain and leaning over Jasper. "Jasper, can you hear me?"

His eyes opened, and he reached for my shirt sleeve. "You… Swear to me that you'll take care of my family. My kid, my sister – you take care of Bella… Tell Alice…" He trailed off a bit when I was handed something to press to both wounds. He hissed when we used a belt to secure it tightly. "Tell Alice…I'm sorry. For everything."

"You'll tell her, Jasper," I told him. "Just hang in there."

My own blood was trailing down my arm, which I could barely use, and I ignored Garrett trying to stem the flow.

"Tell Bella…Mom was wrong. That I had to do it. It was the only way…"

"You'll tell her."

"Promise me, Masen!" he ground out through gritted teeth.

My own vision was blurring due to pain and blood loss, but before his eyes closed, I vowed, "I promise."

~oOo~

A/N… Sorry for the cliffie. I've been yelled at by my pre-readers, so…I'm aware of the consequences of my actions. ;)

Okay, so next Tuesday – and no, not day after tomorrow – the 18th. It makes it easier on me, because Tuesdays are basically the Saturdays of my weekends. If that makes sense. I need more coffee this morning.

Until next time…Mooches, Deb ;)