Chapter 11

~Summoned~

~*Edward*~

I came to, still wrapped around my girl. Her head rested on my chest, and she snored softly. She even drooled a little, but I knew she'd give me hell if I mentioned it. My side burned like a motherfucker where I'd been stabbed. There was still a dull throbbing in my eye, which was an improvement over when my eyeball felt like it was the size of an orange and might pop at any moment.

I gazed down at Bella, sleeping on me so peacefully. It took a massive amount of trust to fall asleep with someone; it was when you were at your most vulnerable. The fact Bella put that much trust in me made my heart swell. After all, I fell for her without thought. I placed my heart in the hands of the daughter of my enemy. I let her in. I let myself feel, and now the floodgates were open with no way to close them.

Part of me wondered if I was having some kind of mental crisis. I've bedded plenty of women but never stayed with any of them. If there was a hint of difficulty, I bowed out gracefully. I wasn't cruel, but when I'd decided things were over, I left no room for confusion either. And then this beautiful goddess literally stumbled into my life. The attraction was an immediate, roaring flame that wouldn't be extinguished, and I couldn't keep my hands off her—even when we were in danger of being caught by father's men. No, my men. They were already reporting to me in addition to my father, following my direction like good soldiers. Those who stepped out of line or displayed resentment were dealt with harshly.

Bella sighed in her sleep, her fingers curling against my chest. Her pale, creamy skin was free of makeup, which made her look so young and innocent. She was far from innocent though and able to hold her own. I smiled at the memory of her going up against Em in Jazz's baggy sweats, but my smile faded just as quickly at the thought of her mouthing off to the wrong people.

Emmett asked me earlier what the hell I was doing fucking around with Volturi's daughter. But that's not who she was to me. She was my princess, the one I'd been waiting for my whole life. I meant it when I told her that. In my heart I knew there would never be another woman in my life. This scared me beyond reason and exhilarated me at the same time.

I was determined to be with Bella, no matter the cost. When I told her I wouldn't allow anyone to come between us, I meant it. No matter how dire the situation might seem, nothing was impossible.

She shifted in my arms, mumbling something, and she gripped my shirt in her delicate fist. I made soothing sounds and rubbed her back lightly in an attempt to comfort her.

My phone vibrated, and I answered without thinking. "Masen."

Instead of Emmett or one of our men, my father's low, smooth voice came over the line. "Edward, what's the progress of your recovery?"

The subtext was how soon will you be back in action?

"I'm getting there, but the knife wound is deep. Was our message received?"

"It was." There was a slight hesitation over the line. "You need to come home. I've sent Emmett to fetch you."

"But I thought you wanted me to recuperate here."

A deep sigh came over the line, and impatience laced my father's tone. "Do what you're told for once, Edward. I'm not asking."

"See you soon."

My father sounded rattled, and it went beyond my being stabbed. Not that he didn't love me, but I didn't expect him to be broken up about my injuries. After all, I'd survived. My pain was nothing to him; it was considered the price of doing what we do. Nobody could accuse him of being sentimental. My mother, on the other hand, must be beside herself. I feared she might be having an episode, or she would have contacted me. She was emotionally fragile and most likely suspended in a valium-induced haze right now. I disagreed with the way my father dealt with her episodes. He was making her weaker. Maybe that was his goal.

Bella stirred again, her breath coming in harsh pants. "No . . . you can't . . . Don't make him pay for my mistakes!" She twisted against me, hitting my wounded side, and I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her, ignoring the resulting pain, and murmured comforting words into her hair. My efforts didn't diminish her agitation. An anguished wail ripped out of Bella, and she flailed against me until I let go. She shot up to a seated position, and her eyes flew open. She looked around the room wildly, gasping when our eyes met.

"You're here! Thank God." Relief flooded her expression. She threw herself into my arms and relaxed her body, allowing me to hold her again.

I stroked her back lightly. "What's wrong, princess?"

"I-I had a nightmare. Someone took you away. They said you would be punished . . . for being with me." A soft sob hiccupped out of her.

"Shh, nobody is going to separate us. As long as there is breath in my lungs, I won't allow it."

The ding of the elevator sounded. Emmett must be here, and that meant I was out of time. This couldn't have happened at a worse moment, right after she had a nightmare about losing me.

I sat up, pulling her with me. I moved to kneel beside the bed and took her hands in mine, looking at her earnestly. "Listen to me, princess, and be my brave, fierce girl. My father wants to see me. I won't be gone long. I promise." Panic welled in her eyes, and I shook my head. "Don't be afraid."

"I'm trying. For you, I'm trying."

I leaned in, pressing my forehead against hers. "Everything will be okay."

"Yo, E!" Emmett's booming voice echoed in the hall.

"Yeah! Give me a few minutes, bro." My voice was hoarse. I gazed into Bella's beautiful eyes and shifted, cupping the back of her head in one large palm. She watched me carefully as I moved in, kissing her reverently.

"Tony," she whispered against my mouth.

I shook my head, and she hesitated. An urge came over me, so strong and so profound that nothing could stop the words from coming forth. "I love you." When her eyes widened, and I saw she meant to protest, I pressed a finger against her lips. "Don't say anything. I know we barely know each other, that what is between us borders on insanity for so many reasons, but from that first night, I was forever changed. When I said I've been waiting for you, those weren't just words. I've felt you in my dreams, and I recognized your essence. For so long, I dreamed of a woman in shadow, my perfect match. I've been falling in love with you for years. I don't expect you to say anything, but I need you to understand how I feel. Just know that I will return to you, that I will do anything for you."

"Tony, I—"

"I beg you, princess—don't speak of this now. Let it simmer. Allow your truth to come in its own time." I held her face between my hands and gazed into her eyes. A few tears spilled over, and I wiped them away with my thumbs. "Please don't cry."

Emmett knocked on the doorframe. "E, we need to go. The man is very low on patience right now."

"Okay." I rose to my feet, brushing my knuckles against Bella's cheek tenderly. "Let's go."

My brother side-eyed me. "Dude, if you show up dressed like that, Father will flay you."

I looked down at the T-shirt and sweats I wore, nodding. "Yeah, I need to change."

Ten minutes later, I was dressed in black pants and a gray striped button-down. I pulled on a black jacket and joined Emmett and Bella in the living room, where they were speaking in hushed voices.

"I'm ready, Em."

"Let's do this!" He pounded a fist into his palm.

Bella grabbed my face, looking up at me with tears in her eyes. "Come back to me."

"Always." I grabbed one of her hands, bringing it to my lips, and placed a kiss in the palm.

It was hard to leave her, and I knew it wouldn't be the last time. I had to find the strength to do what needed to be done without losing the love of my life.

Emmett was quiet on the drive home. Usually loud and boisterous, he stared out the windshield, contemplative. I sensed he had things to say to me but wasn't ready yet. I wasn't sure I was ready to hear them either.

Soon the Masen mansion loomed before us on a hill in the distance. The house was dark stone and glass, reminding me more of a creepy castle than a family home. The grounds were vast and wooded, surrounded by high fences and gates. The estate was guarded by an abundance of cameras and security guards. My father was paranoid as fuck. There were even secret tunnels under the house, leading off the property. We've never had to use them, but Em and I had a lot of fun playing in them as kids.

Em pulled into the garage and shut off the engine. He looked down and sighed deeply. "Listen, he's really freaked about what happened to you." He hesitated.

"But?"

Emmett turned to me, his expression imploring. "You know the old man doesn't believe in showing weakness. He might not fawn all over you, but this shit rattled his cage, okay?"

I snorted. "You mean I'll find him cold and indifferent? What the fuck else is new?" I gave Emmett a look. "You don't need to handle me."

He banged his hand against the steering wheel. "Aight, bro. Let's do this."

We left the main garage, which had bays for six cars, by the side door and started toward the house. The whine of a motor heading our way grew louder. My sister Alice zoomed up the drive in her purple Z4, top down, the tail of the scarf covering her hair ribboning out behind her. She slammed on the brakes, coming to a stop in front of the garage at a skewed angle, and leapt from the car. My eyes widened as she ran toward me on mile-high shoes without twisting an ankle. She threw herself at me, and I caught her by instinct. When she slammed into me, she bumped the stab wound hard, and I lost my breath for a moment.

"Take it easy, Taz!"

Alice stepped back, looking up at me with wide, gray eyes. "Did you stop a truck with your face?"

One side of my mouth lifted in a half-smirk. "You should see the other guy." Actually, there's nothing left to see.

Emmett coughed. "I'll be inside." He pinned me with a warning look. "Don't keep him waiting."

"Yup."

Emmett sauntered off with a shake of his head, looking far more casual than he probably felt.

Alice gazed at me reproachfully. "Who died?"

"What? Nobody."

She bit her lower lip. "Don't let him drag you too deep, Silver. I don't want to attend your funeral."

"Don't worry, squirt." I reached out and ruffled her hair, the way I did when she was a kid. "I'm not dying anytime soon."

"Better not!"

We had reverted to pet nicknames from years ago. Alice hadn't called me Silver in a long time. The nickname started when she would jump on my back and yell, "Hi-Yo Silver, away!" And as a big brother, enamored by the excitement in her eyes, I would allow her to ride me like a horse all around the house and yard. I called her squirt, which made her giggle. The name fit; she was such a little thing. She was still short but had become a powerhouse, confident and sure of herself.

"I have to talk to the old man. Why don't you make yourself scarce for a while? He's in a mood."

Alice nodded. "Good to know. I'll be in my studio." She leaned up and kissed my cheek. "I love you." Then she hopped back in her car and took off up the road to her hideaway.

Alice had converted an airy, old barn into a mini design studio and worked there when she wasn't in the city. The space was filled with racks of her designs, sketches pinned to the walls, and swaths of colorful fabric, both as decoration and for practical use. I envied Alice's freedom to be who and what she wanted. I don't know why my father didn't try to pull her into our world, but I was damn grateful.

With a deep sense of resignation, I went into the house to face my father. He sat behind his big wooden desk, and Emmett was sprawled in a chair across from him. I took the seat next to Emmett, wincing when my stitches tugged.

My father had a few extra pounds around the middle, but he still cut a commanding presence. His inky hair had few light strands, and his stormy gray eyes were still sharp and calculating. As always, he was dressed in a suit; he didn't do casual.

"Father."

"Edward." His watchful gaze took me in, cataloging everything. "Now that the head of the fucker who stabbed you has been delivered to Volturi, we need to decide how to proceed. I understand Aro has a daughter, and I heard she's a bit of a rebel."

My entire body stiffened involuntarily. "Father."

"Relax, Edward. We don't kill women. I want you to get close to her, see if you can turn her."

"What? No!" The thought of Bella being used as a pawn in the game between our families was repugnant.

"I hear she's easy on the eyes." My father waggled his eyebrows. He looked at Emmett. "Well, I guess you could do it instead."

I didn't want to put Emmett in that position, considering what was really going on. "Fine. I'll do it." I glared at my father.

"That's my boy. Wine her and dine her. Dip your wick. Get her addicted. Then we can turn her. I understand she's been a thorn in Volturi's side. She was raised by a small-town cop until she was fifteen and didn't take to the life like a duck to water."

My father rose from behind his desk and moved to the sideboard. He poured three glasses of brandy, handing tumblers to Emmett and me.

"To the Masens."

We clinked glasses and drank. The brandy went down like warm fire and bloomed in my belly, mixing with the butterflies batting around in my gut.

Father smiled, raising his glass again, and it was a chilling sight. "Here's to the destruction of Aro Volturi and all who stand in our way."

~oOo~

How do you like hearing from Edward? Wonder how Edward Sr's plans will affect Tony and Princess. Next chapter is also EPOV! Would love to hear your thoughts. Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! See you next week!

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