A/N: Reunion went better than I thought. Shady family actually comport themselves. I made a painting (painting party) and had to give it away to a Godmother. Will never see it again lol. Was a bit of a mess anyway. But the reviews were perfect. Thank you! Alright, enough of the chatter; this girl Bella needs help. Let's send her good vibes ... and a warm shower. We're almost to the end *hyperventilates*.

..::.. Chapter 61 - This is News? ..::..

I dream of an island and trees. Water surrounds me. I'm floating by the waterfall he showed me. I know he's by me, I hold his hand. My fist is tight around his so the current won't make me drift. I look up at the sky, not at him, but I know he's there. It's peaceful and calm. I think this was where we were always supposed to be; together, no danger, and no lies. Just us and the sky.

But the current pulls me, and little by little the water rises above my ears, to my cheeks and eyes, making me close them. I'm under the waterfall and it pours over me. I drown and the fist I grip does nothing to save me.

I come to, gulping air, like I came alive. My eyes unstick. Lead sits on my chest, not the fall of water.

The lightbulb sways above me still.

Survival mode has you do miraculous things. This beast stomped into this room. Yet, here I am, alive.

Tears pour out when it all registers; I'm still in hell, drowning, I'm not able to get out.

My breath staggers when I fully wake. I lift my head and look. A full head of red hair is on my stomach. I flinch, my balled fists tangled around silk, tangled around her neck. My foot on her shoulder to help.

I let out a sob. I push her off me but it takes a few tries.

Her head. The table. One bad slip. If it wasn't for my damned luck she'd have killed me.

I took the chance. I grabbed my robe's tie close by and wrapped it around her neck twice. I pulled and pulled … until she didn't move. Until I passed out.

There was no talking. No exchange, but fists. It was a silent wrestle—until she slipped on my fucking blood.

I don't know how long I've been out, but the bolt to the door unlocks. I'm far away from the mess, bloody knuckles around Edward's shirt, my face buried there. His damned scent fading away with the smell of sweat and death.

"Holy shit," a guard whispers. Jenks squeezes in to look. Then at me. Speechless.

This time, they drag the body out by the feet.

He comes back only to deposit a bottle of water on the table. He stares, he leans his hands there … and marvels.

"Fuck off," I tell him around bloody teeth. He doesn't move as others come in and out to clean up the mess. The body released itself of shit and fluids, and god knows what.

"You're lucky he told us not to tie you up." He smirks and leaves. Jasper files right in on tune.

I sigh. Weak. Boneless. I cover my bloody ears, and close my eyes. My steadying breath is like a mantra; keep breathing.

He rights the table, then the chair, but he's calm.

"Sit," he says loud enough. He waits.

I turn my head to the wall. I hear him take the vacant chair comfortably, the one I grabbed to hit her over the back when she was down. The woman sprung back up. Nothing I tried worked. Most of the time I was dodging or holding her middle as she banged the air out of my lungs.

Never put space between you and the attacker—Edward's words once. It's like a faucet turned and all the survival points are rushing out. I'm glad, but I also hate it. He's in my brain.

"You've killed everyone I've sent in. I don't know who's losing here," he says, dry words. I sigh and ball my fists between my bent knees not able to avoid this.

"But you know what tears at me more? Your audacity," he continues. "I've given you warnings, chances. I've been accommodating. You went ahead and betrayed us anyway.

"I should've let Emmett finish you that night." He enunciates. "I should call him in this second."

"But you won't," I say. I lift my heavy head.

Anger radiates off him.

"Get me Edward," I interject.

"You won't ever see him again."

I look at him. What does he mean?

"Just like you won't ever see your father or his wife."

Blood drains my face, the little left. With this scuffle I've forgotten about his threat.

"They're as dead as you. Their money. Their peace. I don't know how you did it, but I'll see to Sue's business and get it back from the grips of her hands. Miraculously, her brand has legally been restored. I wonder how that transpired."

I want to cry from the joy. Stephen followed through with my order. Sue is free from the Cullen's grasp. I hide a tear from running down my face. I don't even know if he's alive.

"Why wait, then? Send Emmett in," I counter. My job here is done.

He's quiet. He won't do shit. His eyes take me in and he's making those comparisons. He sees me and he sees Mom; his beloved.

"You're lucky it's not up to me. The princess is favored by the king."

I roll my good eye. "Not nearly enough." I turn my head to let the light illuminate my bad one.

"Get me Edward," I say.

He leans over the table. "Tell me where the names went."

I sigh, letting my head rest against the wall. "They're safely kept. Just in case." I give him a side eye. His threats, my threats.

"You little ungrateful bitch."

"How crass, uncle Jasper. I'd never pin you this ungentlemanly."

"Isabella." Like a parent.

I smirk. "You actually believed you'd be untouchable forever?"

He takes his time answering, thinking. "You're right. I've always had a backup plan."

That, I'd love to know.

I must, I have to ask. "Kill the king and take the throne? How cliche."

He shakes his head. He looks at the table but his eyes are far away in said plan. "I vowed to always protect that boy, whatever it takes. I'd wake up in a cell if it meant Edward would be safe."

"The way it's going, your wish will be granted. You're all being watched."

He cut his eyes to me. "How? Whom?"

I grin at the stupidity. "You're really that blind?" He waits.

"You have moles. You have the FBI on the watch—not a surprise as tales go in a business like this. But you have the entire McCarthy family infiltrating this mob, thanks to Emmett. You don't see that?"

He's red, quiet for once. I'm boggled. This is news?

"Hard to believe. A man like you, so unaware. Unless … you are and that's the shiny new goal." I nod, realizing. It all boils down simply, syrup sweet.

"Edward doesn't know. You've lied to him. We all have. A Boss?" I chuckle. "A marionette."

My smile fades. "You won't tell him because it benefits you: the McCarthys, the game, Emmett as your rising promise.

"You've become like Major, your criminal father. You've seen the reeping of the sow and you want it all because Edward isn't producing fast enough—or he's too unpredictable for your liking. You can't manipulate his actions." I watch him real hard. "Tell me, how many times has Carlisle planned Edward's demise and you've stopped him? Was it guilt? That loyalty for your boy?

"It's slowly unraveling, isn't it?" I finish asking.

He speaks. "You're wrong about one thing; I'm not unaware," he says. "Just regretful I didn't make you president of this organization from the start."

I laugh.

"I underestimated the daughter of Renee."

"You sure fucking have. I'm just finishing what she started. She never wanted this. She never wanted you." I give him a scabbing, bloody smile.

He's angry. Steam could spill from his flared nostrils.

"On the account of Edward?" He tries. "You love him. That's the betrayal you preach of?"

"Even now, even here, I still want him safe. To live. To see the truth and vile that surrounds him. But he's been tied to this willingly, like I have. I guess we all have to give up hard things."

He whistles low, a shake of his head. "Brutal."

"I gave him up once. I can do it again."

"No. You can't," he says, fixing that statement. It hurts because he's right. I look away. "A gnat in my household. This is all you are, Isabella Swan. You're nothing. You'll die and it will mean nothing. It won't make a blip. You're taking up a macro of space, and once you're gone you'll just be making room for a new particle of dust."

He stands to leave. "It's only a matter of time when we're freed from you for good. I'll see to that."

"Keep telling yourself that even as you march toward that prison cell." I smile. "But nothing doesn't get you nervous enough to walk in here and make cowardly, empty threats to a defenseless woman," I taunt. His back is to me. "But you go ahead and send in the next victim." I say before he slams the door shut.

I laugh.

The hysterics settle in. It feels delirious and amazing, but it turns on me. I'm silently sobbing the little strength I have away.

I will die here.

….