2brown-eyes reads this one as well!

Cullen Corp is in disarray as the battle between current CEO Carlisle Cullen and the heir apparent, his son Edward, heats up.

You heard it here first!

Alice Knows All

Cream-colored shards of broken glass nip at my fingers as I try to brush them into a pile. Smashed pie is smeared on the floor, and I expect Charlie to hustle out of the kitchen at any second. I'm not sure if he'll join in on the yelling or kick the dickhead, who's still glowering above me, in the ass.

Warm palms cover my hands, and I gasp as I lift my eyes. The man from the corner booth is there, and his eyes are intense as he pulls me to my feet. Two men in dark suits appear from nowhere, grabbing the irate man and escorting him out the door.

"Jesus Christ," Rose says, rushing over. "Are you okay?"

I nod, wincing as I brush my hands together and a tiny shard of glass pricks my finger. "I'll be fine."

The man, Edward Cullen, takes my wrist and brings my fingers up for closer inspection. "I need you to be very still," he murmurs, his silky fingertips brushing over the tip of the glass. In one deft move, he grabs the sliver and pulls it from my finger. "There we are."

Blood rushes to the surface, and the sight of it makes me woozy. I grab my head to stop the room from spinning. "Thank you," I say when I've gotten myself back in line. "I'm sorry about your pie."

His jaw tightens, throbbing. "You have no reason to apologize."

"Why don't I grab another two slices while you take Bella back to your table to sit for a minute," Rose suggests, and heat travels up my neck and settles in my face. "I'll bring you some water, babe." She doesn't wait for him to agree, she whips around and sets off to do it anyway.

I chance a glance at him. "Sorry about Rose. She can be bossy."

"It's fine." He makes this exaggerated sweeping motion for me to walk in front of him. "After you."

My stomach balls into a knot, but I do as he asks, sliding into the nearer side of the booth. I keep my eyes on the table, but I'm hyper-aware of his every move as he slides into the cracked red vinyl bench across from me.

"What are those men going to do?" I ask, lifting my gaze to his.

Surprise flickers in his deep green irises. "Is that important to you?"

"Yes." I hold his stare. That guy may have been a douche, but he doesn't deserve to be hurt … or worse.

He barks an abrupt laugh. "They're only going to give him a warning, so you can rest easy. It's not like I'm in the mob, Bella."

The sound of my name slipping so casually from his lips causes my heart to stutter. "Who else has men dressed in dark suits hovering around them all the time?"

His eyes roam my face, and he leans slightly closer. It's like the space around us evaporates, and it's just him and I. "Are you telling me that you don't know who I am?"

A jolt of panic surges through me, and I jump up, nearly causing another crash, only with Rose this time. "Sorry," I murmur to her before turning back to the nearly irresistible man. "A name and an article in the gossip rags tell a person nothing about who you are. Thank you for the assistance. Now if you'll excuse me."

I want to run.

But I hold myself in check.

I take each step slowly.

With my head held high.

When I'm behind the counter, a place I consider safe, I let out the breath I've been holding. Rose returns frazzled and confused, but I just shake my head.

"Don't say a word." I point my finger her way.

"No reason to," she replies, holding out some cash. "He's dismissed me."

"No thanks," I murmur.

"Bella," she says, shoving it toward me. "He insists."

I take the money, five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, and roll my eyes. "I'm not some trinket to be bought."

"This is a diner and you're a waitress," she says snarkily. "Just take the cash and get over it."

I want to insist myself.

But I need it so badly.

And I hate it.

I shove it into my tip pocket and head to a family that just filled another table. "My name is Bella, and I'll be your server today."

He stays in that booth—dark, delicious, and intimidating—for another hour. I barely spare him a glance, even though I can feel the burn of his gaze across my skin.

I'd like to say I barely noticed his exit.

But that'd be a lie.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Y'all were so sweet last chapter, busting out the Christmas love and all. TY soooooo much!

It's early November in the fic.

See ya tmr :)