A/N HIIIII ❤️

Long time no see angels - If you haven't seen all the updates in the FB group life has been crazy for a while. I was really struggling mentally etc and then completely changed my whole life and moved back to Australia :P I'm doing a lot better now, I'm writing more and I'm going to try and get this finished.

A few updates: Once this story and TOTGA are finished on here, I'll keep them up while I edit for publishing and then I'm going to pull them - HOWEVER the full versions of the fanfiction will be available for you in the facebook group so you won't lose them. I'm going to move to writing original fiction full time after these are done on here - but may still pop my head in for a bit of fun every now and again :)

This is unbeta'd and not pre-read but only because I'm a manic nightmare and I want you to read it RIGHT THIS SECOND (lol) I've also been so crap at staying in touch lately so apologies if you've reached out - I'm working on getting back to everyone but life is really insane right now.

Big love - always. Any mistakes are my own. I've missed you guys xoxo

Chapter Twenty: Tension

Bella

xXx

I push my sketchbook to the side and drop my head into my pillow, sighing. It's almost four AM, and I haven't slept at all. No matter how tired I am lately, I can't seem to switch off. Sleep flickers at the edges of my mind but when I try to follow it I end up thinking about Pattie, all that blood, Edward…my dad. There's this constant feeling under my ribs that won't go away, like everything is hanging in the balance, dangling on a precarious edge, waiting to fall this way or that.

Nobody is telling me anything, hushed conversations between the guards stop when I walk into a room, and Charlie's only been over twice since Pattie died. I want to ask Edward, now that he's back, but I'm not sure if he'll tell me or not.

My cheeks flush and I squirm, wrapping myself up tighter in my duvet. It was weird in the house, without Edward, I didn't miss him or anything, but I didn't like him being gone either. The house doesn't feel as claustrophobic when he's here, and I feel…safe. Just as safe as I do when I'm with Emmett, but that doesn't make sense because I hardly know Edward, do I?

It's Tommie's last treatment today before he has his marrow transplant on monday. Edward found out last night he was a match, then spent a good hour on the phone with the hospital and then Charlie, trying to find cover for me.

I don't care that I'm supposed to be locked in the house, if Edward and Tommie are going to be in hospital, that's where I'm going to be too. I should be able to get out easily enough, Demetri will be the one covering.

Guilt flips my stomach. I know that I should tell Edward about Demetri's drug addiction, that technically when he's the one guarding me I'm not truly safe, but something in me refuses to give up my only emergency exit. Demetri is the only way I can get out if I need to. Besides, there's always two bodyguards in the house with me now, Edward or Demetri as my personal, then Bobbie, Demetri again or Vlad as my wide. So there's no real risk, not if someone tried to get in anyway.

Edward will be furious when he finds out, but I don't care, he'll be confined to a hospital bed for at least a day anyway, that's what Carlisle, Tommie's doctor, said over the phone. He'll have to take it easy for a few days after, but the Doctor said he'll be fine by Friday, just in time for my ridiculous birthday party. Emmett wants to cancel, I heard him talking on the phone to my dad, he's worried that something will happen, that one of the families will make a move. I didn't hear Charlie's response but from the way Emmett stormed off, I'm guessing he disagreed.

The birds start chirping outside and I give up on sleep, dragging myself out of bed. I want a coffee, a nice frothy one, like Pattie used to make me. I have no idea how to do it, but I'll try.

I carefully sneak down the hall, not wanting to wake up Edward. Things have been kind of awkward between us since he came back, since we kissed…

My cheeks heat and I almost trip on a stair, the memory of his mouth on mine, the way he kissed me so possessively, the feel of his hands against my bare skin. Every time I go near him now I think about the way he tastes, the smell of his aftershave making something twist in my lower stomach. I feel a hot shiver go down my body when I think about the groan he let out against my lips and the way he pressed me back into his body, rubbing me against him. He was so big, and hard. I can only imagine how he'd feel inside of me.

This time I do trip, and I catch myself with a sharp elbow to the railing, wincing in pain. I freeze for a second, wondering if I've woken up Edward or Vlad, but there's no sound from upstairs or from the garage door.

Charlie had them put in a temporary room in the garage for the second guard to sleep in, and for the outdoor guards to come in and relieve themselves, eat or relay information. I feel like I'm constantly under surveillance. Edward has to wear an earpiece when he's with me now, with someone always listening on the other side. It's incredibly frustrating, having to act like I hate him, though most of the time he plays along, winking at me when he calls me a selfish brat.

The new rules are going to make it really hard to go to hospital with Tommie later today for his treatment, I don't know how I'm going to get away. The only thing I can think of is making a run for it, but Edward would easily catch me, and what if it just makes Charlie add more bodies to the guard?

The floor of the foyer is cold and I take a deep breath when I step into the kitchen, feeling dizzy for a moment. It's been like this ever since I found her here. Sometimes I can still see blood pooling on the floor, in the corner of my eye.

The coffee machine switches on with a quiet whirr and I sigh. As much as it hurts to be in here, it's also the only place in the house I feel like I can connect to Pattie. I have so much guilt for the way I acted; I wish I could tell her I was sorry.

I squint my eyes at the various buttons, lifting the little rod to put the coffee beans in with a groan. I have no idea how to do this. Bobbie has been on coffee duty while Edward's been away. I place the rod under the grinder and press the button, fine coffee piling into the metal circle at the tip. I'm just trying to figure out how to attach it to the machine when I jump in surprise at the sound of a voice behind me.

"You need to press it first."

Edward sounds amused, his voice husky from sleep, and I whirl around, accidentally sending coffee everywhere.

"What do you mean press it? Press the button?" I ask, groaning at the mess.

"Press the coffee, D-" Edward cut himself off. "Bella. Press the coffee, Bella."

I arch an eyebrow.

Edward shrugs, "Forgot your name for a second…I guess." There's a sexy smirk playing at his lips and I'm distracted for a second before I huff.

"Whatever."

I turn back to the machine and then freeze when I feel the heat of his body behind mine, his hands gently prying the coffee attachment from me. He's so warm and I shiver, arching back into him slightly.

Edward exhales in my hair and then steps back suddenly. "I'll make it."

"Okay," I reply breathily.

When I turn to face him, his eyes are on my bare legs, and I tug at the hem of Cilian's band t-shirt with a slight tremble at my knees. It's not too short, but I couldn't bend over in it.

"Do you like it?" I can't help asking, giving Edward a playful smile. He glances up at me quickly and then rolls his eyes.

"Don't you own pants?"

"Why would anyone wear pants if they didn't have to?" I reply snarkily, taking a seat at the kitchen counter, smirking as the material of the t-shirt lifts even higher on my thighs.

I shouldn't tease, I know we can't touch each other ever again, there's just something about the way he looks at me when I do it that makes it hard to stop.

I'm rewarded with his eyes going to my thighs again and he laughs a little, shaking his head, those slightly dark green eyes meeting mine. "True. I don't wear them when I don't have to either." He turns back to the coffee machine, facing away from me. "I don't wear any clothes when I don't have to."

My breathing picks up and I cross my arms on the counter, pressing my cheeks into my arms as they flush. We're both silent for a while and it feels nice, being alone with him again without anyone listening in.

He finishes the coffee and I hold my hands out with a grin, gasping and then laughing when Edward takes a big sip, giving me a cheeky smirk.

"Ugh, make me another one, you've contaminated that one now," I groan.

He places it in front of me, smirking. "Contaminated?"

"Yeah now your spits in it…" I pout.

Edward's smile softens into a sweet curve. "Well luckily I don't have cooties."

"Do you sleep around a lot?" I ask suddenly.

Edward raises a brow, "That's a slight change of subject…"

"Cooties…std's, tomay-to, tomato."

He rolls his eyes. "Well…I'm careful okay? So you're safe to drink it."

I open my mouth to retort that he didn't actually answer the question, but I decide I'm not sure I want to know. It feels weird thinking about him like that, even though I know he must get a lot of attention. My stomach twists and I force myself to smirk at him, taking a sip of coffee. "Lucky I don't mind your spit."

Edward exhales a laugh, his green eyes glinting. "Oh yeah?"

My skin heats all of a sudden, images flicking through my mind of him leaning over me and holding my mouth open, my thighs wrapped around his body.

"You know…I've never tried that," I say, breathily.

Edward frowns at me before his eyes widen and he pushes his tongue into his cheek, smirking. "What? Coffee with spit in it? I'm sure you have, princess."

I don't bristle at the term for once and just roll my eyes at him. "That's not what I meant."

Edward leans on the counter, crossing his arms, "Mmhm I know what you fucking meant. Stop it."

Our eyes meet and I feel a jolt in my belly.

Edward sighs. "I'm sorry…that we can't go see Tommie later, I know you wanted to go."

I swallow hard, guilt twisting my stomach. "You shouldn't apologize to me…I should apologize to you, he's your brother."

Edward's jaw tightens ever so slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Protecting you gets Tommie his treatment. It's not ideal but he can't miss me if he's dead."

My eyes sting at the flicker of pain on his face. If I could access my trust now I'd pay for Tommie this second, even if it would mean that Edward wouldn't be my bodyguard anymore. But I don't get access until I'm twenty-one and I could never ask Charlie for that much money without him getting suspicious.

"What's that look about?" Edward asks me, dipping his chin and studying me with a raised brow.

"Nothing…"

Edward shrugs, and my eyes drift to his muscled arms, his fair hairs shining in the morning sun.

"I know you don't like being told no by your dad, but promise me you won't sneak off to the hospital later?"

My stomach drops. "I promise," I lie. I don't want to get him in trouble, and I don't want him to be mad at me, but I feel worse about him not seeing Tommie, especially because this round of chemo before the transplant is supposed to be the worst. If we're at the hospital anyway, he may as well stay and be with his brother.

Edward smiles at me, that beautiful closed lip smile that boys do when they're genuinely happy, and my heart lurches in guilt.

He can't be mad once we're with Tommie. He can't be.

xXx

"What's going on with you and Rose?" Jasper asks me suddenly, throwing me out of my thoughts.

I look at him, surprised. "What?" I glance over my shoulder to where Rose is sitting with Cilian at the back of assembly. They're laughing about something, Rose's perfectly manicured nails playing with the ends of her blonde hair.

I turn back to Jasper with a frown and he shrugs, twisting the ring on his index finger. "When I got here you guys were attached at the hip, just seems like things have been different. I feel like you spend more time with me and Cil than anyone else."

I open my mouth to speak and then frown. Is he right? I try and think of the last time I hung out with Rose, just the two of us and come up empty. "I don't…think anything's up," I say slowly. "We're fine. Just been busy, you know."

Jasper's eyes bore into mine for a moment and then he purses his lips. "Good, because Cil and I are worried about her."

I sit up straighter in my seat, "Wait, what? Why?"

Jasper lowers his voice. "The guy she's been seeing seems-"

"She's seeing someone?" I burst out, loud enough for the people around us to swivel their heads.

Jasper arches a brow at me, "You didn't know?"

I blink, hurt. "Why wouldn't she tell me?"

He grabs my thigh gently, "You've been pretty distracted lately, B."

I bite my lip, feeling a pang in my chest. "I've just been…" I trail off. Pattie's murder, the extra security, what happened with Edward…Tommie, I can't talk to my friends about any of it. Anything to do with the Mafia puts them at risk, and telling anyone about Edward…that's his life at risk.

Jasper nods slowly at my silence and I can see the disappointment flickering in his eyes.

"Family stuff," I elaborate, sighing. "I can't talk about it, but I'm…still here. I promise."

Jasper squeezes my leg. "You don't have to talk about it, but we're here for you, beautiful."

I smile at him, grabbing the hand on my thigh and interlocking our fingers. "You too Jas, I promise I'll be better." I lean into him. "Now tell me about the guy Rose is seeing?"

Jasper sighs. "Well that's the thing, we don't know anything about him, she won't tell us who it is, but I don't get good vibes B. She's always texting him and she's stopped hanging with us at all outside of school. We're just concerned he's taking her away from her friends. Plus why won't she tell us who he is?"

"Wait, has she slept with him?" I ask, my stomach dropping. Rose is my best friend, if she slept with someone, she'd tell me, wouldn't she?

"I don't know, maybe?" Jasper muses. "She did have a hickey on her neck a few days ago."

My chest tightens and I rub my knee, swallowing. "I need to talk to her."

"Yeah, you should."

"God this is fucking boring," I murmur after a while, staring at the woman talking on the stage. She's dressed in a hideous shade of orange that clashes completely with her yellow scarf and black shoes, talking about college application letters. "It's not like any of us need to even properly apply, my dad practically owns Columbia and all the other kids' parents are alum for the top five in the US."

"Not everyone…" Jasper motions to the girl sitting at the far end of our row, scribbling in her notebook. She's cute in an innocent sort of way, dark hair in a french braid, thick bangs covering most of her face.

I tilt my head at her, frowning. "Who is that?"

"Freshman, Grace Sinclair. She got a scholarship."

"We do scholarships?"

"Apparently so. I've heard she takes the bus in…"

I grimace. "I bet she gets eaten alive."

Jasper shrugs. "I don't think she's bullied or anything. I've just seen her on her own a lot."

"How do you know so much?" I laugh at him.

He smirks. "I like watching people."

"Oh yeah?"

Jasper arches a brow, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "Uh huh, I would watch you with Cil anyday."

I laugh, gently pushing him and he grins. "Speaking of hot sex, how's the bodyguard? You haven't complained about him recently."

"He's the same," I lie, shrugging. "We just stay out of each other's way."

Jasper sighs. "Such a shame, he's so hot."

"Yeah…" I admit. "He is."

xXx

I don't get a chance to see Rose at lunch, the whole hour spent in a meeting about the final art exams. It's a complete waste of time, but for once compulsory, so Alec and I just mess around, passing notes and bitching about the terrible fashion sense of the woman from the assembly.

I know Charlie doesn't trust the families right now, and part of me wonders if it could be Cinna behind Pattie's murder, but even if he is, Alec isn't his father. The families have rules, under eighteen's can't be inducted, and even then it rarely happens until after school. It causes too many problems between the kids otherwise. Alec is my friend, and even if Edward doesn't like it, I'm not gonna turn my back on him just because of who his father is. I would hate it if someone based their opinion of me off Charlie.

Normally I'd be able to talk to Rose after school, but I'm leaving fifteen minutes early to get to the hospital instead, just so Edward doesn't realize I've gone until it's too late. My stomach twists and I place a hand on it, grimacing. I've felt sick all day about sneaking off but I'm not changing my mind. Fuck Charlie, this is more important, besides clearly I'm not safe in the house, I may as well be with Tommie.

I close my eyes, blinking back tears. One day I'll be able to move out of that house of sorrow and death, and I'll never ever go back.

I take a stealing breath and check myself out in the mirror. I took jeans and a big jumper to change into, and in my bag there's a cap and sunglasses to help disguise me further. When I try them on quickly, nothing about me is particularly recognisable, so hopefully I'll make it to my uber undetected.

It's waiting a few meters down the road from the school and I check the number plate with the text on my phone screen and climb inside, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Cilian?"

"Yeah, that's my friend, he got me the uber." I confirm to the driver, removing my shades. Cilian is also going to tell Edward that I'm already with Tommie, which I'm hoping doesn't get him beaten up. Edward presents as calm and friendly most of the time, but I've seen him kill men in cold blood without even breaking a sweat, so there's certainly another side to him.

"Hospital?" the driver asks me.

"Yep."

We head into oncoming traffic and I slink back in my seat, biting my lip. In about ten minutes, Edward is going to find out what I've done. My stomach twists with anxiety. I don't want him to be mad at me but it's probably too late for that.

Almost exactly nine minutes later my phone starts ringing in my hand and I pick it up, seeing the name Fido flash up on the screen.

"Hello…" I say meekly. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to-"

"Shut up. I'm in the car behind you."

I sit up in my seat swiftly, craning my neck to see out the rear of the car. "W-what?"

"You heard. I'll see you there." He hangs up the phone and I lower mine from my ear, my mouth open in surprise.

I text him, my fingers moving so rapidly they shake. WTF. Are we staying for treatment?

Yes.

:)

We pull up to the hospital and I get out of the car, waiting for Edward with a grin. I wasn't expecting it to be so easy. He's out of his own car in a few seconds and I walk up to him, rolling my eyes when I see the piece in his ear.

"Fido, you-"

"Shut up."

Edward grabs my arm, cutting me off and starts marching into the hospital. We rush down a white corridor and then he opens a door to our left, pulling me inside. It looks like a staff room, lots of chairs and tables filling the space, a mini kitchen to our right.

I look at him with a frown, the door swinging closed with a slight thud. "I-"

Edward rips the earpiece off and places it by the tap, turning it all the way on.

"What's the matter?" I ask him, worry twisting under my ribs. Is it Charlie? Did something happen?

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Edward suddenly says, spinning around to face me. I balk at the look in his eyes.

"I…"

He strides towards me and then stops, glaring at me. "'What did you promise me this morning?"

I swallow at his expression, crossing my arms. "That I wouldn't sneak off."

"Oh so you do remember? That's funny, because I could have fucking sworn that promise means you won't fucking do it..."

I bristle. "Well you clearly knew I was lying, so why does it matter?"

"Because you lied to me!" he shouts.

My mouth opens in shock. "Masen…"

"Forget it, okay. You want to make my life harder, risk my job, risk the money for Tommie's treatments…you want to go and get yourself fucking killed for nothing, fine."

He closes his eyes, his fists clenched and I step closer to him, guilt making my eyes stinging. "I'm sorry, I just…wanted you to…" I choke on the words. "I wanted you to be here for Tommie." My vision blurs and I swallow hard.

Edward sighs, opening his eyes. His expression softens and he exhales roughly. "Please don't fucking cry."

"But I…"

"I'm sorry I snapped at you...actually no, I'm fucking not sorry because you deserved it, but I'm not...mad at you, I'm just...I'm…worried about Tommie and you and you're so fucking stupid and naive sometimes it really pisses me off."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, it really doesn't mean anything if you're gonna do it again and I fucking know you will."

I open my mouth to reply and then close it, my heart sinking at the disappointment in his eyes. "How did you…what did you say to my dad?"

"Luckily for you, and me, he doesn't want you at home today, so he decided a few hours ago you could come here. Otherwise I'd have had to take you straight back. If you'd already been with Tommie we'd both have left him while he's sitting there in pain so thank fuck it worked out, because then I really would have been fucking furious with you."

"I'm sorry," I say quietly. "I…I didn't think, I just thought if we were already here, you could be with him... that's all I wanted."

Edward stares up at the ceiling, shaking his head. "I know," he sighs, "fuck you're infuriating, you know that?"

I nod, wiping at my cheeks. "I know."

He tilts his head down, his green eyes burning into mine. "Please Bella, I'm fucking begging you. Don't keep things from me, don't try to get past me. I'm on your side."

I wrap my arms around myself. "You're on his side more…"

Edward leans closer to me, his cheek brushing mine. He's so warm, my heart jumps in my chest "Only when I have to be, but even then I'm still in your corner. Please Bella, please."

My breathing picks up as his burning fingers find the gap between my jumper and my jeans, heat skating down my spine. "Please, promise me, and don't lie this time, promise for Tommie, please."

His soft lips brush my cheek, parting slightly and I whimper, reaching to clutch at his shirt. "Edward…" I don't even realize I've used his name for a second, but he doesn't stop, his breathing picking up against my cheek.

"Promise me," he murmurs, his fingers dipping under the hem of my jeans. Everywhere he touches sends a jolt across my skin.

"I promise," I pant, "I promise…"

"For Tommie?" Edward asks, his mouth drifting closer to mine. I can feel his breath against my lips and my lower belly tightens, remembering the feel of his mouth and the way he tasted. "You won't break it this time, swear to me?"

His lips brush mine and my eyes flutter, my breath catching as I close the distance between us.

"I won't break it, I swear," I breathe against his lips.

"Good," Edward says, pulling back from me abruptly.

I stare at him in shock, my skin warm, a tingling sensation between my legs. "Did you just…"

Edward shoots me an apathetic look. "Did I just…what? Get you to swear to something using a tactic I knew would work? Yeah…I did."

My hands are still touching his shirt and I tilt my head at him, my lower stomach heavy. "So that was just…a game?"

"Yep," Edward says calmly. I narrow my eyes, refusing to believe he's unaffected when I feel like my body is on fire. If he wants to play, then we can play. I let my thumbs slip under his shirt and graze his stomach and Edward's breath catches, his eyes darkening to a deep green.

"Bella…" he warns.

I bite my lip, "So you felt nothing, just now?"

He shakes his head, his jaw jumping and I step closer, holding his shirt tighter when he starts to move back from me.

"It didn't affect you at all?" I murmur, staring at him from under my eyelashes. "Because it affected me…"

Edward's eyes drop to my mouth. "Yeah…that was the point."

"To make me wet?" I ask innocently.

Edward's teeth sink into his lip and his hands go to my wrists, enclosing them. But he doesn't move me off him.

"Is that what I did?" he asks in a low voice. My eyes go to his full lips, any game forgotten. I know we can't but I want him so badly I can hardly breathe.

"Yeah…" I practically whimper.

"Fuck…" Edward growls, his hands tightening on my wrists for a second before he pulls me off him and steps back, breathing hard.

My mouth opens, "I wa-"

The door opens behind me and we both jump, Edward flying to the sink to turn off the tap.

"Edward? Bella? What are you doing here?"

I turn around, plastering a calm expression on my face. "Looking for you," I tell Carlisle quickly. Edward places the ear piece back in his ear and then presses it, shooting me a look.

"-I have no idea," he mutters, responding to someone on the other side. "I could hear you just fine."

He turns to Carlisle and smiles. "Hey Doc, you're looking pretty fucking good today, new haircut?"

Carlisle arches a brow. "You do know flattery won't make me a better doctor to your brother right?"

"Eh, I bet it helps a little," Edward smirks.

More soon my loves. If you choose to leave a review, thank you so much - reading them makes me so happy :)

Ella x