A/N: Okay here's the deal. Some seem confused. There was a lot revealed in the last few chaps. Major stole Emmett, seduced his mother (or worse, forced himself), and he killed her to get him. I don't explain but in my mind he did it to have control over both families. He knew what he was doing, he was the Boss. This sealed a bond. This was also a control over the McCarthy's, keeping a child from their side (he says all this to Bella). It brought a lot of friction, but a lot of power for Major. Elizabeth told Emmett, she couldn't live with herself. And it worked out for Major so he'd have this leverage over Emmett; do jobs in both sides, etc. Emmett was brainwashed, but he learned to help his other family, now he actually is using Cullen family to help McCarthy's. This was not the intent for Major. Once Major died, it gave Emmett a leeway, it made him grow a strong affection toward his other family. You can see where this is going, he has bigger plans.

Jasper keeps his part of his story quiet because he literally eliminated the Boss, his own Dad, everyone would have his head. In my mind, Jasper isn't really aware of Emmett's doing, no one is. Bella just figured it out. Emmett uses Cullen family to finance McCarthys'. So many people in this story are trying to break this mob apart, Bella included (in honor of her mother and herself). Her mother was a target because Major always felt she had this bigger plan against them. People are eliminated for far less. But Major held off, also Jasper helped Major turn his eye and leave her alone for years because he loved her. Once Renee's daughter became Edward's gf, and a smart one at that, Major saw red flags all around.

Now Bella is in this predicament: She knows Emmett has a bigger motive that could affect everyone. Jasper has her threatened with Sue and Charlie. And now she's made herself involved because once you're in, you can't get out. She has Riley's job now (a cover for her, to just be involved with Cullens', but now she actually has to ... work). Jenks is also a layer to her predicament. He has her threatened for info, but she knows he can also help her in this main goal of hers—break the mob apart. She's in a hard place now. She's gotta play this smart.

Remember, she also is still remembering slowly. Edward is still an enigma and basically a stranger to her. She's playing the field as much as she can, though she's acquiring empathy and doubt of her main goal. Now she knows about her mom, so she needs a new plan; get out (dangerous), or play it through to learn new discoveries. Honestly, I'd be too damn nosey not to seek for more info. It's all very fucked ... and enticing. Let's see what happens.

Ask more, I'll answer here. But all the answers are in writing. Thanks for reading! xoxox

..::.. Chapter 48 - Mint & Pink ..::..

Finger marks. I count them. Four on one side, four on the other. I tilt my neck to see one make it all the way to the back.

How the fuck will I hide this from Edward? I thought about telling him what Emmett did last night. I'd give it all up—fuck Jasper and Emmett's threats—but then there's Sue and there's Dad. I'm not quite sure Edward would stop his uncles or even notice them making a move against my family. Jasper made it clear; he has ways.

The front door suddenly opens. I start.

Edward walks into my apartment like he has a key and is the landlord of this place. I fumble for a scarf and pull it around my neck. I look down at his hand, and he does have a key.

"Where the hell … ?" I begin to say. I changed the locks after he broke them.

He comes close. I turn to hide the, now red and violet, bruises around my neck. Utter panic. I slip on a jacket to stuff the scarf ends inside.

He pulls off his shades in a heroic swipe when he's literally pressed into me. No boundaries or personal space for this guy. I tilt my head up to look at him.

"Still mad at me?" he says about yesterday, paper bags all around with wads of money. Mint in his breath against my cheek. I smack my lips slightly waiting for the lip-to-lip lock. It's inevitable.

"Hmph," I manage to get out. I look away tugging at my outfit. His is gray today; bright, blue sapphires at his cuffs, a tie to match. I touch the gems. I bring his wrist to my ear to see how amazing they would look as earrings through the mirror. I drop his arm. "Pretty." I muse. "Who knew Edward Cullen Jr. would be this spiffed." I tease. His lip quirks.

Am I stalling? Yes. Am I nervous? Fuck yes.

"I can't keep up with you, Boss. These rags can't live up. I guess I'm not being paid enough," I say with a wink. I slip on my nickel free, lush free earrings.

He checks his Rolex, figures there's time for … something extra. He dips his fingers along my skirt's slip and his mouth moves to my neck.

I shake my head. "Uh, uh. Period. Aunt flow. Hades. The masacre down below." I say teasingly. "Not even close, Bad boy."

He pushes a sigh through his nose. He tsks … disappointed? He steps away. I breathe a little easier.

"Not pregnant then. Not this month at least. We'll try again," he says tugging at his tie.

My mouth falls open. I watch him move around the kitchen he's made his own. He checks the coffee pot, pours himself a cup, sips as he looks out the window.

A baby? Over my dead body.

He terrifies me with his desires. Just so out of context. We're not building a relationship here. This isn't marriage. This is purely an affair.

Isn't it?

I watch him. "I'm done. Let's go." Yet, I don't know where we're going or what the agenda is.

He simply sticks out his elbow for me and catches my lips at the door for a stretched moment. Nose to nose bump before he goes in a second time, slipping away soundly. My lips traitorously satisfied. He always was a great kisser. I roll my eyes when he's not looking.

"I need your ears today, not your mouth. Got it?" He warns in the elevator. Guards stand around us as they've followed him to my door.

"Your misogyny is showing," I say with a smile. He makes a face.

The quiet guard I called once shuffles his feet at the comment. I guess he's not emotionless after all.

"This is difficult … business," Edward says. "Not your average one. I'm just setting you up to be president of it." He looks down at me. "Misogynistic of me?"

I keep quiet. "I always knew you could do this better than me. Smarter. Quicker. Don't think I never resented it."

I smile. "Damn right."

"Your ego is showing," he says as a reply. The elevator doors open.

The day is cool. Sun out, no clouds. I pray I can live up to anything he throws at me, all kidding aside.

He helps me into the car and holds my hand. I stare at the coupling between us as the car sweeps the city. The memory of us in a limo long ago for his father's funeral materializes behind my eyes. The first time I accepted his life. I look up at him. His thumb passing his lip in thought where he leans an elbow by the window.

So sure of himself then. So in control. Now there are secrets he doesn't know. Deception kept at bay. It makes my heart speed up.

"Don't look at me like that or I'll have us pull over." He looks to meet my eyes, then glances at my lap. "You don't want to ruin these seats, do you?"

I blush with a laugh, looking away.

"Where are we going?" I change the subject.

"A bank, of sorts. It's how we manage money. I'll show you Biers' account."

My heart leaps. This is a step. I try not to sound too surprised or enthusiastic.

"Just Biers'?" I point.

"For now. Can't expose a rookie to all."

I grin. "What's the trade, can I ask that?"

"Your ears, Bella," he says as a reminder. "Just be glad you're not, nor will ever be, Mrs. Biers."

My stomach turns at the title. Mr. and Mrs. Riley Biers has an awful ring to it. I ran away from that. Thank God.

"You would've eventually found out, you know. Seen me arm and arm with him at some cocktail party with business partners, still in my memory loss." I chuckle slightly. "What would you have done?"

He doesn't hesitate to say this, "I would have poisoned his drink, met him in the bathroom, and sent his head to his father." He looks over. "I'd walk right into your arms on the dance floor."

I stare at him speechless. It was just a joke. I guess it wasn't for him.

I nod.

"Well, did you?" I ask.

"Did what?"

"Send it to his father?"

He simply kisses my hand. "Be glad it's just a scenario, Bella."

…

The entrance to the building is an alley. No one would think twice if they passed by it. The inside is dark, an elevator at the end, and a young woman guides us in. Her tattoos and piercings ornate and decorate her otherwise lovely face. She is business. She is eyes averted and no words. The elevator takes us down, not up. The lights flicker above.

The doors open to a bright room. Servers do a whirring sound.

"Cullen," she says with a wave of her arm to step in. "Ms. Swan." She includes me.

"Bella," I correct. She nods.

"Updates first. We've reconfigured the servers and recently added complex authentication security to all drives. You, being our first customer to test it. Please," she motions for him to try something, his credentials at a computer? He does. His fingers tap away a long password. He hits the return button. Instantly, his phone blips.

"Every code is different and needs to be entered in order to gain access," she says.

Edward likes it.

"Of course, this is all separate from your accounts overseas. But we can authenticate those and more if you desire. We can start the process when you're ready."

Overseas.

My ears perk. So there's more. Edward glances at her, his face stern. He looks back at his phone. Maybe she wasn't supposed to share that part.

Edward motions toward me. "Let's begin," he says. She nods and taps on a keyboard. When she's done, she swivels the laptop my way.

"Bella." She asks me to approach. I look at Edward confused.

"We need to create your credentials," she explains. "It's protocol." Edward is still tapping away at his phone uninterested in this process.

He's close by as I scan the dark screen and its contents. An account creation, my full name beneath it, and the password cursor blinks at me. I think of one that only I would ever remember and understand its meaning. Mint & pink. Him and me.

I look up at him when I hit submit. He senses my eyes and looks up. "Welcome into the family wing," he congratulates. He trusts.

I'm in.

His words like his grandfather's that day. I blink the memory back into place. The blood drains from my face, suppressing panic, as I scan his for any sign of recognition about the truth. There's none.

I don't get to ponder more as the doors buzz. We're not alone. The tech woman checks the monitors and stands back glancing at Edward.

"It's your uncle."

Emmett walks into the room alone. No Jenks. No posse.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Edward is taken.

Emmett looks surprised, but hides it. Black suit jacket, black shirt beneath. He stuffs hands in his pockets gracefully, like he didn't strangle me with them last night.

"Same as you. Jasper asked me to come for the updates." The updates being a new system. Edward stares at him for a beat, his eyes run up from Emmett's feet to his dark shades.

I'm very sure he's here to get the rundown on access to money. Maybe it's payday for his family.

I need to talk to Jenks.

Emmett looks over at me and I feel his hands around my neck still. He says, "Pretty scarf, Ms. Swan." I glare. He smirks.

"Pardon me. Restroom?" I ask the tattooed woman. She explains the way. Edward makes a gesture for a guard to follow. "No need," I say quickly. "Lady business." I smile at him. "I'll give family a moment alone." I refer to uncle and nephew.

What I do is leave the building. Jenks must be outside. I look all around. I spot him but walk the opposite way toward a corner store. Inside, the snack aisle is vacant. I knew he'd follow.

"This is where they have the accounts, ledgers." I quickly say.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" He's angry. We could both get caught.

"Emmett is here because of it."

"Clearly."

"He supports his other family, Jenks. That's why he does this."

Jenks stops himself from yelling and listens.

"He hasn't killed this entire family just to keep the pretenses. To keep the McCarthys supplied."

He stares off thinking.

"Look. This is beyond Edward. He has no fault in this. It's his uncles. They spin lies all around him. They use him."

He tilts his head. "Oh, so you're defending him now? What, I leave him out of it?"

I sigh, poke at a few packages beside me. Am I? What is wrong with me?

"I'm just saying he's in the dark." Jenks waits. "Emmett is a McCarthy, a half brother. Stolen from his mother at birth, raised as a Cullen and used as leverage. Edward doesn't know." He stares.

"You know who the McCarthys are, right?" I ask.

"What the fuck kind of question is that?" he says.

"I mean, you look a little lost." I roll my eyes. He gives me another look, not lost, but annoyed. "Jesus, attitude," I say with a huff. "I'm saying, he's not just a harmless victim of the bunch. He can do damage here."

"And how do you know all this?"

"I … remembered things. A lot of things. Jasper confirmed it last night. Emmett knows I know. I'm still unsure about telling Edward."

Jenks doesn't believe me. I can see it in his eyes. I dip the scarf from around my neck to remind him.

"That's why he was strangling you?" he asks.

"You think that was a scuffle because he doesn't like me?" I scoff. "Thanks a lot, by the way. Stood by and did nothing."

He knows I know damn well he could not have intervened.

"What if he turns on them? What if he's been planning it for years? He could hurt Ed … the Cullens'," I quickly correct. "Emmett can end it all before you do," I add.

"Ledgers, huh?" he says, sucking on a molar.

"Yeah. So what will you guys do with all the money they've taken from people?"

He stares. "That's confidential."

"Hmph."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What?"

"That sound you just made."

"Nothing," I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You're helping, but details don't concern you. Got it?"

"Right. I sacrifice my life, you get details, and fuck me in the process."

"It goes into investigation. They confiscate it. It eventually goes into federal hands. Is that what you want to know?"

"So you guys don't get a cut, slip a handful in your pockets, look the other way if others do?"

Fed up, he makes to leave without answering. I grip his arm.

"Promise me you won't let Emmett … end it all."

He steps close. "And why should I promise that?" He sees through me. For me, inside, it's Edward, and I can't face that fact. Not now, not ever.

"For your case, of course." I slip off his arm. "You'll have no one left to … interrogate. There are people out there being cheated with money every day. They need compensation."

Jenks makes a sound. It's skepticism.

I walk out before my face gives more away.

….