Author's Note:

So, here is a chapter in Edward's POV.

Hopefully y'all like it.

Edward's POV:

Every one of us remained quiet as we heard the resounding clicks of her heels as she made her way out the door.

I winced when the door closed behind her.

"Well, that was —" Jasper began before Emmett interrupted him.

"Fucked up?" Emmett offered, trying to hide his amusement, as our sister Sienna rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I was actually going to say painfully awkward but fucked up works too." Jasper replied, nodding in response.

"What's wrong, Si, something on your mind?" Emmett asked, amused.

"That was more than fucked up, and you all know it. Especially you, brother dear." She replied, giving me the look our mother just given me.

"Well, don't mince words, Sienna, dear." Sulpicia retorted, with an eye roll.

"Oh, you know I won't. Every one of you should be ashamed of how you acted today." Sienna said as Demitri whispered something into her ear.

She quickly shook her head, scowling in distaste as she turned away.

"We didn't do anything. Never uttered a single word..." Emmett pointed out.

"It's not so much of what you said. It's how you acted. Especially you, Edward." She replied.

"Wait, what did I do?" I asked, exasperated.

"You, my dear brother, failed to see how uncomfortable she was here. How uncomfortable she clearly felt as she was being questioned by our mother. I'm so sure of how uncomfortable she was that I am willing to bet money that you didn't even tell her you were introducing us to her." She said, with a gleam in her eye.

I internally winced realizing she was right. I did spring it on her. But it was only because she was acting like a brat. It completely flew out of my head that she might not feel comfortable meeting them this soon.

"Well, it was a last moment decision. I wasn't planning to introduce her to you just yet." I pointed out, through a clenched jaw.

As my father and I exchanged looks.

"Piss poor decision on your part, brother. If you can't protect her against your own family, you have no business marrying her." She said with finality, as Demitri silently shook his head at her.

"Sienna, non essere così duro con tuo fratello. È stato sulla mia insistenza che questo è successo. Dobbiamo assicurarci che stia bene.." My mother gently reprimanded, before turning back to look at me sharply. (Don't be so hard on your brother. It was on my insistence that this happened. We need to make sure that she's okay.)

"Allora, sei d'accordo sul fatto che abbia fatto la cosa giusta, madre? Sorprendendola come ha fatto, con noi, nientemeno. Sai come stiamo, pensi che abbiamo fatto una buona prima impressione?" My sister asked her with a brow raised. (So, do you agree that he did the right thing, mother? Surprising her like he did, with us, no less. You know how we are, do you think we made a good first impression?)

I winced, under her steely gaze, looking at my sister's matching one. Her lips pursed as she showed her distaste. It was then I realized she knew my sister was right. Probably because she was.

My dolcezza is probably angry and thinking that I am an ass. Fuck, I had to make it up to her. I can't lose her before I even got a chance with her.

In all honesty, I realized how stupid I had been to spring this on her the moment we walked into the room. If her reaction was anything to go by.

But my dad and I wanted to see how quick she was at thinking on her feet.

I knew I could be fucked, the moment we reached the landing. If the look on my mother's face was anything to go by. That look told me she was going to lay it on thick to see how Isabella would react.

Fucking hell, I was an ass. I should have warned her. Maybe she would have been mad, but not as angry as she probably is now though.

My dad wanted to see this after his short interaction with her last night. I didn't think it would be like this though.

Hell, I expected her to stutter maybe even lash out a bit before I could go in and savd her.

Lucky for me, she reacted just as I expected. Quick on her feet. Surprising them all.

Much to my surprise and amusement too, she had done exceptionally well.

"I'm incredibly disappointed in you, brother." Sienna told me.

"Well, I like her. She's fiery, and can hold her own against us. If she fucking knows how to use a weapon, I'll marry her." Emmett teasingly said, laughing as my eyes narrowed at her.

Fucker better watch himself. Isabella is my dolcezza.

"Sienna is right. I agree with her. You shouldn't have surprised her like that." Esme finally spoke, surprising my brothers and me, since we know she doesn't give her outlook very often, since she chose to stay out of the life and family business. For the most part.

"You— are agreeing with—with her?" I asked, scoffing in surprise.

"I am." She confirmed, giving me a cutting look. "Had I been in Isabella's shoes, I would have left the moment I realized what was going on and never come back. I'm happy she stuck around and held her own. But there's a reason they say, 'if you wish to marry, marry your friend', Edward." She said calmly.

"Have you even told her what this family does? What living our lives out here means?" She asked.

"You chose to get out of this life, and of the family business because of him. How is this any different? Or any of your business?" I retorted.

"No, I didn't. I told him the moment I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I chose love. I chose to be safe. I never left. I have been here. I always have. You don't realize all the shit that I had to deal with because of all of you. So, fucking open your eyes." Esme growled, angrily.

"Have you told her?" Aro suddenly asked, causing the room to go quiet.

I sighed, shaking my head in response, "No, I— I haven't had a chance." I whispered.

All the men in the room groaned in response.

"Fucking hell, Edward!" I heard Aro groan.

"Look, I haven't had a chance to tell her. Too much shit has been going in her life and mine. What between travels and all. I haven't been able to speak to her all that much." I tensely replied.

My jaw ticking as I tried to hold back from telling them the truth.

Sienna sighed, shaking her head at me,

"You are forgetting what both our parents taught us all. So far you have shown us how incredibly responsible you've become, but don't confuse your responsibility as the Skip of this family, as a husband and partner. You have failed your cara moglie, incredibly so today." She said, shaking her head. (Darling wife.)

"How did I fail her? I allowed you all to meet her. You were no threat to her." I replied sharply.

"Oh son…" I heard my father say, as he shook his head.

"No, Edward. You are wrong there, brother." Emmett said.

"How so? Did any of you hurt her physically? Attack her?" I asked him, challengingly.

Emmett shook his head, turning away as he looked down at his left hand, pained.

On one of his fingers was a tan line. Informing us of all of his pain. Along with Jasper's.

"When you marry a woman you promise to be there for her good, or bad, thick and thin. Taking care of her. Providing for her, and keeping her safe. But that's not only speaking physically." Aro explained.

I frowned at them, confused.

Jasper seemed to get more agitated as the moments passed. "Edward, they mean you have to protect her. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. That is a husband's job. You failed her by overlooking her feelings, brother." He finally told me.

I could see why he had grown agitated. It had been five years since his wife, Maria, along with Emmett's wife, Nettie, died at the hands of one of our rivals. It nearly killed them when we found out about their death. Jasper and Maria had a two year old daughter named Amara, who perished in the car with them.

It was after that, that we made the rule of not harming women, or children. But our rivals didn't seem to care. Especially not the Endrizzis.

"A man is nothing if he fails to protect his wife, Edward. Remember that, caro. Without her, you won't get far." My mother sharply said before walking back towards the dining room.

"Fucking hell. " I muttered, as I rushed out the door to look for her.