Chapter 21

~Up in Flames~

~*Edward*~

Cricket proved his loyalty as he drove us to the meeting, proved once and for all that he's my guy now, not my father's. The story he told made me want to throw up.

"The hatred between your father and Aro goes back many years. There was a time the two of them were the best of friends, like brothers. They planned to rule this world together. They could have done so much, but instead they're at odds now—two powerful families, fighting tooth and nail for territory, locking horns in the ultimate game of Tug of War."

"What caused the falling out?"

"A woman—what else?" Cricket laughs humorlessly.

"My mother?"

He shakes his head. "Not exactly. Eva Volturi, Aro's sister."

"I didn't know Aro had a sister."

"He doesn't, not anymore." Cricket maneuvered smoothly through highway traffic, his face impassive, but tension tightened his shoulders. "Boss, are you sure you want to hear this?"

"I need to."

He nodded. "Eva was Aro's younger sister, and they were very close. Their father was gunned down when they were teens, and Aro took on a parenting role. When Eva started looking at Eddie with interest, Aro went ballistic. But you can't choose who you love, and he knew one day Eva would have to marry. So Aro allowed his best friend to court his sister. Everything was fine for a few years, and they had just announced their engagement when rumors started circulating about your father having an affair with Elizabeth Corin, the daughter of Marcel Corin who was the head of a rival family. Obviously, they are now part of your father's empire. Elizabeth's brother found out about them and thought your father was trying to spy—and, hell, maybe he was. The Corins planted a bomb in your father's car, but it was Eva who got blown away. During the post-mortem, the pathologist discovered that she was a few months pregnant. Eva had some spotting, and feared for the baby. Only a select few knew she was pregnant, so she was trying to get herself to the doctor and used Eddie's car."

"Jesus Christ!" I was rocked to my core. No wonder their hatred and rivalry ran deep.

"Aro beat your father to within an inch of his life and then walked away, washing his hands of him. But Volturi couldn't take it when your father married Elizabeth. When she was carrying Emmett, Aro held a gun to her belly and asked for one good reason why he shouldn't take a life for a life. Your mom was cool as a fucking cucumber though." Cricket shakes his head and smiles. "Elizabeth looked Aro in the eye, put her hand over his on the gun, and said, 'Because that's not who you are. Nobody expected Eva to drive Eddie's car. I'm sorry, Aro. I didn't know my family would try to take Eddie out.' Aro cocked the gun, but she just stared at him calmly, without fear. He told her to look away, but she refused, telling him if he wanted to take her life or that of her unborn son's, he would have to look her in the eye while he did it."

"Holy shit! Obviously, he didn't shoot her, but what the hell happened?"

"Aro let out the most aggrieved scream I've ever heard, one that comes from the deepest recesses of the soul, and fired several bullets into the ceiling. Then he ejected the last bullet and put it in your mother's hand, saying, 'This last bullet is for Eddie. Make sure he knows I spared your life, but if he ever fucks with me or mine, I'll put one right between his fucking eyes.' Your mom was never the same after that. She wanted your father to leave this life, start over somewhere else. He refused. It's unlikely the Corins would have gone along with it anyway, but something essential broke inside Elizabeth that day."

"She started out so bad-ass and strong. Is that why she's weaker now, why Father drugs her?"

"I think so."

We arrived for our meeting and came to a mutually beneficial agreement on some property acquisitions. Cricket was still talking to the investors and working out details, so I slipped away. I had a strong urge to talk to my girl, so I went back to the car. It was a balm to my soul to hear Bella's voice, especially now. I needed to tell her about the vendetta between our fathers, but I couldn't do it over the phone. It sounded like Bella had something to tell me as well, so I asked her to meet me at Jasper's.

"I have to work, but I can come there afterward."

"Good . . . yeah. I found out some things. Tell you when I see you." I hesitated, wishing I could hold her in my arms. "Princess, I miss you. I hate this. I want you with me all the time." I wanted nothing more than to take Bella and hide away somewhere, away from vendettas and prying eyes.

"I want that too. Please tell me we'll find a way to be together."

"We will. Any other outcome would be devastating. No matter what I have to do, I'll make it happen." I meant every word. We would not be torn apart by this life. I wouldn't allow it.

"I love you."

My body stirred at her words, and I couldn't wait to touch her, please her. "And I love you. Can't wait to see you later."

After hanging up, I gripped the burner phone so tightly it made a cracking sound. It made me feel weak, but I wanted to lay my head against her chest while she ran gentle fingers through my hair. She felt like home.

Cricket returned to the car looking satisfied. "This deal is going to make you a lot of money."

"Thanks for your help. If I look unhappy, it's because of my father's past. I have a great deal to think about."

"You're welcome, Edward. You have so much on your plate—sins of the father and all that—but I'm confident you can take this family in a better direction." He turned the key in the ignition, and the engine rumbled to life.

"Cricket, I need to ask you something." He turned my way, looking me in the eye. "Give it to me straight. Is my father into some really bad shit? Drugs, prostitution?"

"That and more. He's allowed Marcel Corin to lead him down a deviant path. Marcel owns your father, and he will try to own you."

"Fuck that." My tone was hushed, but the vehemence behind my words was not. The Masen name would be something to be proud of again. Emmett and I would make it happen.

On the drive back, I stared out the window, lost in thought. My father was unethical and unprincipled, the epitome of a criminal. I had suspected for some time that he was keeping Emmett and me out of the dirtiest parts of the business. It's why I was running with a crew of thugs when I first met Bella. I couldn't get my information from the inside, so I had to operate along the fringes to try to piece the puzzle together. Disappointment saturated my being. Because of the actions of my parents, Eva Volturi and her unborn child were dead.

My phone vibrated.

There's chatter about a fire at The Paradise. ~Em

My heart pounded in my chest. Bella was working tonight!

What kind of chatter? ~E

The arson kind. ~Em

Bella is working! Meet me there. ~E

"Cricket, change of plans. Take me to The Paradise Hotel."

"Aro's place? You sure?"

I glared at him. "Do I sound unsure? Hurry!"

"You got it, boss." He careened off the next exit and sped through back streets.

We might look guilty for the fire. ~Em

IDGAF! ~E

See you there. ~Em

Before the hotel even came into view, rolling clouds of smoke surged into the air, blotting out the clear midnight sky. As we drew closer, my heart sank when I realized the fire was in the elite wing where Bella worked.

Three fire engines were parked haphazardly, lights flashing, and dozens of firemen in full gear were pulling long hoses into the building. Sirens split the air as more police, ambulances, and fire trucks arrived.

Cricket raced around the building and screeched to a stop at the rear entrance. "Why are we here, boss?"

I swallowed thickly, adrenaline kicking through my veins. "My fucking life is in there!" I wrenched the door open. Cricket grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Don't go off half-cocked. You'll get yourself and possibly others killed. Who's this about?"

There was no time to think, only to act. "Bella. Aro's daughter."

"Fuck. Let's go!"

We vaulted from the car. The back entrance was locked. I kicked at the door like a maniac. Cricket pulled his piece and shot the lock out, swinging the door open. It was hazy here, but there were no active flames. I raced into the murk, and Cricket was right beside me.

As we proceeded, the smoke grew thick and acrid, causing my eyes to tear. We covered our mouths and crouched low, moving as quickly as we could. When we reached the spa, I knew we were getting close. The mind-numbing bleat of the fire alarm continued crying out its warning. I saw the first signs of the actual blaze beyond the glass doors. The place where the concierge desk used to be was a mass of smoke and swirling embers. Fire had consumed the desk, and flames licked along the walls and ceiling.

"Princess!" I raced straight for the glass doors and yanked at the handle. There was a groaning sound as the door held fast, and then pain slammed into me as the skin of my palm fused with hot metal. I yanked my hand back with a scream of pain and kicked at the glass. It rippled but didn't shatter. Some kind of shatterproof glass?

Cricket grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. "Boss! Get a hold of yourself! If she's in that, there's not a fucking thing you can do, but she might have gotten out."

"Fuck! Yeah, yeah." I pulled the burner phone out with my uninjured hand and shot off a text.

Paradise is on fire. Where are you? ~T

There was no immediate response. The smoke was thicker, and the ceiling above us was turning black. "Shit the fire's above us. Let's go!"

Cricket ran beside me. We could barely find our way back outside but finally made it, collapsing on the damp grass, coughing and choking.

Emmett came running over. "Edward! Are you guys okay? What the fuck happened to your hand? You need a medic!"

"No! I'll call Dr. Cullen later. We need to find out about Bella. If she's in there"—I shook my head, throat closing, tears standing in my eyes—"I don't . . . we need to find out!"

Cricket was already moving toward the first responders, going from one to another asking questions. A rumbling blotted out the shouts of the firefighters and sirens as part of the building collapsed like it was made of paper-mache and toothpicks. A wall of dust, smoke, and debris rose into the air almost in slow motion, producing a mushroom cloud of destruction.

Emmett dragged me back to the car and sat me down while Cricket continued to search for information. I checked the burner, but there were no messages. I texted Angela.

Is Bella safe? Do you know where she is? ~T

No response.

Cricket came back, his face grim. "Nobody knows anything. She's not with the EMTs, and nobody of her description has been taken to the hospital. That could be good news though. Maybe she got away early on."

"I have to find her."

Emmett grabbed my face, pressing his forehead against mine. "Edward, there's nothing we can do here. Why don't we go to Jasper's? I'll have Dr. Cullen meet us so he can take care of that burn. Maybe Bella will show up there."

"Okay."

I went with Emmett, leaving Cricket to continue investigating. He promised to call me with any news.

My hand throbbed in time with my pulse. I was afraid to look at it; the smell of charred flesh was nauseating, and I made Emmett pull over so I could throw up.

"Dude, breathe through your mouth. We'll be there soon."

Dr. Cullen was already waiting for us in the penthouse. He muttered an oath when he saw my hand. "This should be treated at the burn center."

I glared at him. "Fix me up, doc. I don't have time for this shit."

His lips twisted as if he'd sucked on a lemon. "Very well. Let me see." I gave him my hand, and he hissed. "Christ, you're missing a lot of skin. This is going to scar. You might need skin grafts."

I got in his face, grabbing his shirt in my uninjured fist. "Do what you can, and do it fast."

Dr. Cullen nodded curtly. After giving me a shot of pain medication, he cleaned the wound and slathered a thick layer of Silvadene cream over my palm and the underside of my fingers before wrapping my hand with gauze. He gave me instructions and pills to take, but I didn't hear a damn word he said. My only thoughts were of Bella. It wasn't good that she wasn't here, and I hadn't heard from her or Angela.

"Do you have any questions?"

"If I do, you'll be the first to know. Thank you."

Emmett shook hands with him. "Let me walk you out."

Emmett knew I wanted Dr. Cullen gone so we could get to work.

Jasper was holed up in his office searching traffic cam footage, local hospital intake, and monitoring police chatter.

I flipped on the television for something to do. Every channel had news of the fire. They kept showing a clip of the building collapse in regular time and in slow motion. A reporter droned on about the number of fire departments that responded and how they were still battling the blaze. They went into a sidebar story about the hotel owner, Aro Volturi and his suspected ties to the mafia.

In the middle of the history lesson on Aro, an alert flashed up on the screen and live footage started rolling.

Brittany Valaya, live at the Paradise Hotel with breaking news. As you can see behind me, the fire continues to rage, but it's expected to be under control by morning. I'm being told a body has been found in the rubble. Although the body is burned beyond recognition, and we are awaiting confirmation through dental records, authorities believe the victim is Aro Volturi's daughter Isabella who recently became engaged to Santiago Lanzo. Our condolences go out to the Volturi family.

"No!" I was up on my feet, adrenaline surging through my veins. "No, no, no. Not my princess." Crushing grief constricted my chest, and I couldn't breathe.

Emmett hurried into the room. "What is it?"

I couldn't speak. I pointed to the screen where the news continued. Feeling weak, I slid to the floor in front of the couch, leaning against it. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't.

Jasper stalked into the room, his eyes bright with excitement. "Edward! Think I found something."

Emmett plopped down next to me, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "They found a body, Jas. They think it's her."

"Well, get this—a small, private hospital about forty-five minutes away just admitted a young woman with smoke inhalation. She's listed as a Jane Doe."

Hope welled inside me. "Take me there. I have to know if it's her."

Please, God, let her be my princess.

~oOo~

What do you think of the past between Aro and Eddie? Do you think Bella is the Jane Doe in the private hospital? What do you think Edward is going to do when he finds out who torched the hotel? Love all the theories you guys come up with!

**I receive many queries about cheating/HEA. There will not be any cheating, and this will definitely be HEA. Prepare to be twisted into a pretzel though. Hope you're flexible. Just saying.

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