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A Mobster's Dynasty

Chapter Seven: The Marked Sibling

Bella Cullen

The next morning I awoke to the sound of gun fire that sent me upright in my bed, if it weren't for a peaceful Cora entering my room with her tablet in hand and a glass of orange juice in the other I would have gone to pieces.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Your father and brothers are doing target practice, and testing new...merchandise"

I groaned at the last part, my father always liked to go to the extremes as did all of my brothers. Cora handed me my orange juice and I noted the neon pink ear plugs in her ears.

"Your mother is outside, breakfast is being served on the patio this morning. Would you like to join them or will I have a tray brought up for you?" Cora asked.

I took a sip of my drink "Whose out there?"

"The entire family"

I sighed "What time is it?"

"Eight."

"They're insane, aren't they?"

Cora smiled.

"No comment? God my father must pay you well."

"Would there be anything else Miss Cullen?" She asked before taking the near empty glass from my hand.

"I don't think so."

"Shall we?" Cora asked

"I'll be down soon."

I headed into my bathroom and began brushing my teeth when his voice came rushing back to me "Isabella's got a little crush."

How was that not my first thought when I got up? It was scarier than gun fire.

Edward actually believed I had a crush on him? No chance in hell was that even a thought on my mind. I rinsed out my mouth before applying a moisturizer on my face, my mom was right I did have a slight tan after spending the day at the pier. I stared at my reflection as I coated my face.

He was that arrogant to believe his own sister had a crush on him? He truly thought a lot of himself if he thought I could ever look at him like that. Firstly I was his sister, well half sister but still, secondly that he believed I would like a smug, selfish asshole like him.

But the words "Isabella's got a little crush playing havoc in my head didn't go away.

How the hell was I supposed to face him after him saying that? If I avoided him he's think he was right and if I acted like everything was normal he'd think I really did have a crush on him. No, I was going to act normal but I was also gonna avoid him which wouldn't be hard. The house was huge and the city was even bigger I'd escape into that the first chance I got. But for now it was time for breakfast and guns. I didn't bother getting dressed as I planned to after eating, my energy was lacking this morning. I couldn't imagine why. I slid open the glass panel doors to the patio, Esme and my mother sat beneath a cream clothed gazebo sipping on a smoothie while my father and brothers were on the large framed target practice structure my father had installed when they were teenagers. It was like a mini golf structure only with gun and no safety procedures. The boys had their backs to us as we settle to our breakfast meal, my eyes continued to drift up to Edward's back but he hadn't noticed my arrival...yet.

Cora placed a napkin on my lap and I thanked her.

"Mrs Cullen?" Cora asked tablet in hand.

Esme placed down her glass "An egg white ommellette with, spinach, sundried tomatoes and mushrooms and a cup of decaf but only if it's the Italian beans I like. Don't serve me anything less."

"Of course," Cora said before looking to my mother "And...Mrs Cullen."

My mother wasn't Carlisle's wife, they weren't living like polygamists well they were but, Carlisle only saw my mother and Esme, there was an unwritten rule that keeping the two of us here meant Carlisle had to give up that other aspect of being a mob boss. Even though it was painfully obvious at times that he had mistresses throughout the years.

"I'll have turkey bacon," she paused "And what was that thing the chef made for me last week, with the sauce?"

"Salsa breakfast burrito?" Esme offered.

"Right." My mother said as Cora noted down the request.

I looked up to Edward and his back remained to me as he fired another round.

"Miss Cullen?"

"What? Sorry."

"For breakfast?"

"Can I...what?"

Esme clicked her fingers at me.

I looked to Cora "I'm sorry I-"

"Would you like your usual? Granola and yoghurt."

I breathed easily "Thank you, Cora."

"No she does not, her father insists she changes her diet." Esme said and to my horror my mother began to nod too.

I looked to Cora "The eighteen year old would like a granola and yoghurt. Thank you, Cora."

My mother looked to Cora "Dismissed, thank you."

Cora moved away then leaving me with both my mom and my step mother. The sun was warm on the patio and the grass was an astonishing deep green, the trees that surrounded the lawn seemed bigger somehow as they sheltered the estate with their lush branches. My stepmother spoke first.

"Fashion week is coming up, I believe we'll attend a few events this year."

My mother nodded "We should, when should we fly out?"

"Well, Paris and Milan are only three days apart but we could do a day trip to Monaco first and spend the week. What are you thoughts?"

"I agree, but Carlisle's birthday is coming up too." My mother replied.

"Edward has already begun the arrangements." Esme announced.

"What sort of arrangements?" I asked leaning forward.

"Bella elbows." My mother hissed.

I shook my head "Sorry."

Esme slid on her sunglasses before looking up towards the structure.

"He's gotten stronger since Edward's release."

"I know." My mother agreed.

The wait staff approached us then plates in hand.

"Please inform Cora that I do not approve of this table setting." Esme said as her food was served.

"I'm not impressed either, Esme."

They were referring to the different shaped dishes and utensils I thought we could ignore but apparently it was a big deal in our home.

It was then two hands appeared on my shoulders making me jump out my skin.

"So jumpy Bella." Emmett commented

I straightened up in my seat as my brothers and father joined us at the table.

Don't look at him I tell myself

My mother was on the other side of the table. "Sit next to me."

Emmett immediately took the seat beside her leaving the only empty seat beside me. While they talked amongst themselves Edward rested a shot gun against the table between him and I, taking his seat at the end of the table directly opposite our father as the heir. Cora came back out to the table then armed with her tablet.

"Mr Cullen?" She asked.

"Bacon, burnt the way I like, biscuits and that gravy the Chef makes for me."

"Yes Sir."

Cora looked down the table to Edward "Mr Cullen?"

I felt for sure Edward was looking at me then but I didn't lift my eyes off my own plate.

"Nothing for me thank you. I'm not staying."

Esme set down her silver fork on her egg white omelette.

"Leaving without eating will leave your father displeased."

Edward said something to her in Italian which quickly turned her frown into the warmest smile I've seen all year. While the boys began to talk business I continued to take small bite size portions of my breakfast in an attempt to make it last. Esme cleared her plate and then my mother followed suit, I couldn't help myself and when the coast was clear I glanced up across the table, just once.

The same green eyes fixed me with a look as Edward watched me raise my spoonful of yogurt and granola and slide the small portion into my mouth. I broke the eye contact and slid the spoon from my mouth, but his attention never left me and after a moment I dared to lift my gaze up. Edward winked at me causing me drop the spoon in my hand sending it crashing down to the plate. I ignored the mess on my plate and wiped my mouth quickly with the napkin.

I pushed my chair out "I should head in now."

"Are you too hot sweetheart? You do look flushed." My mother asked.

Esme slid down her sunglasses to look at me then.

"She's right."

I could feel his smirk and the flush of my face grew worse.

"Bella?" My mother said.

"I'm fine."

Edward and his seat hadn't moved or changed just him, a simple wink and suddenly my hands and face began to burn up. I excused myself from the table with neither Emmett and Jasper even noting anything was happening around them as they tucked into their food and carried on the conversation they were having.

What just happened?! What just happened?!

I couldn't form a thought in my head as I raced upstairs and past the housekeeping staff who all acknowledged my presence as I passed by them.

"Good morning." I must have said about twenty times before I finally reached my room.

The glass panel doors to the balcony were still open allowing a fresh breeze into my room as the lace curtain billowed into the space. I shut the door behind me and took a seat on the edge of my bed and cupped my face in my hands. How could he manage to embarrass me without even doing anything or saying anything in a crowded space in front of our entire family. And worse yet he didn't even flinch at my mother's concern when I excused myself, he just remained staring at me, enjoying the reaction. He really was such a horrible guy and even thinking back to what I asked him and how I had to practically beg for him to answer. That son of a bitch.

I looked over to my bedroom door and focused my attention on the lock.

"Play dirty with me, I'll play dirty with you." I whispered before retrieving my house phone.

I selected speed dial one.

"Security?" Nick answered.

"Let me speak to Pierce."

"Miss Cullen?"

"I explain myself now?"

"Sorry, let me, I'll get him."

I crossed my legs as I waited, as if I'm not anxious enough without having to sit and wait too.

"Pierce." He answered.

"It's Bella, can I get a ride into the city?"

The line went silent.

I rolled my eyes "Right, obviously there won't be any problems today."

Again Pierce said nothing.

"Cross my heart, bring back up if you want but," I shrugged "I promise, it's not worth the effort."

I thought I heard him sigh then and I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on Pierce I'll even ride up front if it will make you trust me."

"That's against protocol."

"I won't tell. And I know you can keep a secret too."

"Miss Cullen."

"Please?"

After a beat "Fine but," I could almost see Pierce through the line as he shifted his stance "No...detours."

I smiled wide then, so wide it ached.

"I promise."

The line ended and I rushed to dress before heading down to the foyer.

Pierce stood at the foot of the stairs.

I walked past him "Come on, the sooner we get there. The sooner your blood pressure will responsible a human again." I said.

I thought I saw him crack a smile then.

Pierce opened up the back door to the Escalade as he allowed me inside.

"Where would you like for me to take you Miss Cullen?" Pierce asked preparing the GPS system.

"A hardware store."

Pierce paused to look over his shoulder to me and I shrugged.

"I need a new lock."

"Will there be anything else."

I did the zip motion across my lips and he seemed to take that as a positive.

Pierce turned back around then.

"There is one just four minutes from here, will you need assistance inside"

I smiled "If it will make you feel better to escort me then why not."

When we got into the city it was full of life just the way I like it, Pierce didn't care where he parked only that the distance I had to walk was short and the getaway was clear. He kept me at his side as we headed down the street together.

"Scared I'm gonna jump into the nearest subway?" I asked.

"Of course not." Pierce said flatly.

I turned to face him "Have you ever been on a subway Pierce?"

"No and neither have you Miss Cullen."

I burst out laughing, Pierce had worked for my father less than a year, he was the youngest guard Taylor had ever hired, only twenty five and today was the first day he'd ever spoken out of turn to me. I couldn't imagine how he would hold a gun on someone, but I never imagined him calling me anything but Miss Cullen either until yesterday.

I bit my lower lip "You called me Bella yesterday, don't think that escaped my notice." I teased.

"You should stay focused, Miss Cullen. If Taylor was here he'd say the same thing."

"Focused on what? The mother coming towards us with the screaming child? How about the old guy with the walker I'll bet he's hiding a bomb inside."

Pierce merely stared straight ahead.

"You can call me Bella. There's not some rule that-"

Pierce glanced at me then cutting me off.

"Oh my god, is there actually a rule?" I asked as we approached the local hardware store.

Pierce always smiled but stopped himself.

"You're laughing at me." I said with a warm smile despite it.

I stepped out onto the footpath and Pierce followed keeping close, like we were glued to each other.

I huffed "So I'll bite, why private security Pierce?"

"Military family. Joining up didn't seem like an option so I applied at a few agencies and Taylor came calling."

"Yeah I hear he's good at finding the best. At least that's what my father pays him to do. That and ruin my fun."

"He's a good man."

I began to nod "Yeah well, imagine being eighteen and having to ask someone's permission to go out."

"Is it so wrong to have someone look out for you Miss Cullen?"

I shrugged "I've been looking after myself forever, now I'm back it's all, breakfast trays, Dior and Miss Cullen titles."

Pierce didn't respond.

"Yeah I get it, cry away little rich girl." I said.

When Pierce looked my way I smiled and shrugged.

"I'm not rich. I'm not an heiress."

"I'm sure your father has arrangements-"

"For Edward, Emmett, Jasper and my...well mothers."

"I'm sure that's not the case."

"Ask anybody."

When silence followed I shifted uncomfortably as we walked.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have-"

"I don't mind." Pierce half smiled.

The hardware store was bigger than I thought it was going to be. The roofing was red and the brick had been painted white along with the exterior walls of the hardware. The building had windows showing a variety of different things for sale. I tried not to make any more idle chatter to Pierce as the two of us stepped inside.

We were approached by a man in a plaid shirt, work gloves and jeans.

"Can I help ya Miss?" He asked with a smile.

"Yeah uh, I need a lock for my door. A good lock," I paused and scratched the back of my neck "The type that survives getting a kick or two."

Beside me I felt Pierce stiffen a little.

The man in the plaid shirt nodded "Got something that might meet your expectations. What's the measurements?"

I stopped dead in my tracks "Um," I looked over my shoulder.

Pierce met my gaze before he looked to the staff member "Standard door about 35 inches in width and about 87 inches in height, the other door handles of the home are silver so it will have to match in quality."

Plaid shirt guy kept us walking.

I glanced over my shoulder to Pierce "I'm betting after that display you'd never believe me if I said I got accepted into Harvard right?"

"Certainly Miss Cullen."

I licked my teeth "Damn robot." I mumbled making him smile.

I liked seeing Pierce's smile, it reminded me of the day he came and fetched me, and I could finally go home. None of my family showed up that day but Taylor arranged for Pierce to be there for the ceremony and to help me to the airstrip with all my luggage. When we finished in the store we began to make our way back to the car.

"Aren't you going to ask me why I need a new lock?" I asked.

"It is none of my business." Pierce answered.

We walked up the ramp leading down to the car and I knew I should have just left it there but,

"Do you have siblings?"

I received no answer then.

"Is that the job? Keep the distance? Be the robot?" I asked

"My position is to maintain the security Miss Cullen."

It's in the title

"Fair enough." I sighed and smiled feeling the sunlight on my skin.

We were in front of the Escalade now.

Pierce disalarmed the car before I saw his eyes drifting to something over my shoulder making me frown.

I saw the worry in his eye.

"What?" I asked.

"Bella, Travis Grills Black & Gold magazine." I heard his voice but didn't turn.

Pierce unlocked the door.

"No comment." Pierce said and covered me with his jacket.

"Really the only daughter of claimed mobster Carlisle Cullen has nothing to say after her brother's release from prison?"

"Head down." Pierce whispered to me as the clicking sound of the camera sounded all around me.

The clicking soon turned to questions.

"Will you join your family's business Miss Cullen?"

"Any relation between you and the accusation in Edward's sentencing of police corruption, Miss Cullen?"

Pierce grabbed me around my arms and thrust me inside before slamming the door and rushing around to the driver's seat. We didn't stay stationary long and I had my belt buckled just as Pierce spun us on our wheels. The speed pushed me back in my seat. Pierce pressed his palm to his earpiece.

"It's Pierce, we need an escort coming up onto the East Manhattan road. Connect me with him."

"No we don't need to tell them about that guy it's-"

I didn't get a chance to say much more before Pierce ended the call and proceeded to start flicking buttons.

A screen lit up beside him showing my home.

"It was just a reporter and-"

"It's procedure, it's just an extra car behind us." Pierce answered.

"So," I turned around and surely enough there was already another car following closely "I can't even go into the city with one security guard now?"

"No one in the family does."

I pulled at the bottom hem of my jacket and released a heavy sigh before looking out the window to the city passing us.

"Last month I was finishing high school and dreaming of college." I said softly.

My eyes drifted to the rear view mirror then "And now this is my life."

Pierce ended his call before saying softly.

"Almost home."

When we pulled up at the house I didn't wait for my door to be opened for me nor did I storm off like a child, instead I gathered my items and walked as though nothing were amiss, just another day in the life of Bella Cullen. I wasn't going to even pretend I knew how to install a new lock on a door so I spoke with our maintaince staff before heading upstairs to change, after a day like today I wasn't going to hide away in my bedroom and wait and see if Pierce told my family about the press run in. Instead I went upstairs changed into my yoga clothes which consisted of tight shorts and a bra top both of which were in a warm pink that complimented my tanned skin. I brushed my hair up into a ponytail and grabbed my matching pink yoga mat before making my way downstairs and out onto the grounds. I found myself a space by the pool where I set everything up including my mat and music.

The sun was scalding upon my skin but I didn't care as I assumed my initial position. I began with the upward facing dog position, my palms against the plump foam mat and my back arched keeping myself upright with my legs planted and straight beneath me. I moved quickly to downward dog keeping my hips aligned, heels planted. The sun was blinding on my skin over the next twenty minutes and there were already beats of sweat forming on my arms and around my forehead. But I kept my breathing steady, in and out before raising my leg into the tree position as if my leg were the limb. It had been nearly a whole year since the last time I'd gone for a proper workout and my muscles were screaming at me but still I tried to focus on my breathing.

In and out.

In and out.

Something in my gut told me someone was watching me, and I didn't feel nervous or panicked but at that moment I began to tense and dropped my leg back down and rolled back into downward dog. When I finished up with my yoga I made my way back towards the house seeing Pierce and Philip patrolling the grounds across from me. I changed direction and made my way towards them Philip rounding the corner before Pierce saw me and stopped.

"Could I ask you something?"

"Yes Miss Cullen."

I glanced around us ensuring no one was in earshot "Um, did you tell anyone about that press guy trying to interview me earlier?"

"Yes."

"You did? Who knows?"

"Taylor is informed immediately of any press sightings of you or members of the family. It's important to know if-"

I shook my head and raised a hand up stopping him from continuing further.

"But Taylor isn't duty bound to tell my father right?"

"Your father was in a meeting. Your brother Edward however was informed of the incident."

I wasn't surprised.

I glanced over my shoulder once before stepping closer to him "Thank you, for what you did."

Pierce merely stood there, his stance square and eyes unflinching.

"For the jacket and for the no comment thing you told the press. I've never dealt with them before."

"Your brother said the same."

"What else did he say?" I asked nervously.

Pierce pursed his lips together.

"I better go inside before I get you into trouble." I said with a small smile.

"You didn't do anything wrong Miss Cullen, you handled the situation with grace."

"Thank you Pierce."

I had to practically drag myself across the yard and into the house because I wanted so badly to remain in that spot with him, even if all he did was watch and guard. When I passed the foyer and headed toward the kitchen to fetch myself some water I saw before I made my way upstairs to shower. When I got upstairs I found Glen one of the maintaince guys kneeling up from outside my bedroom door tool box in hand. I smiled at him before glancing at my door to find the door lock unchanged.

"What's going on Glen?"

"The job got cancelled."

"I didn't cancel anything. I need a new lock."

"Yeah I'm sorry Miss Cullen but I've been told to cancel the job."

"But, I asked for it to be done. And this is my room so," I furrowed my brows "Who cancelled the job?"

"I wouldn't know Miss Cullen. If you'll excuse me."

Glen didn't wait another moment to leave.

I pushed open my bedroom door half expecting to see Edward inside only he wasn't. He knew that I'd had a run in with the press and that I had tried to change the lock on my bedroom door to give myself some small measure of independence and yet he hadn't confronted me about any of it. I headed into the en-suite bath before peeling off the straps of my workout gear and pushing down the cotton. The steam hit the room instantly as the water kicked in and I pulled my hair up in the elastic I'd used for the ponytail. Once I got in under the warm spray of the water it felt so good cascading around me as my hands tried desperately to rub the aches from my muscles.

I brushed my hands over my chest closing my eyes, the stream pouring down upon me and the tenderness of my breasts caused me to bite down on my lip. I kept swirling my hands around my stomach daring my hand to explore further below. I had never felt like this before, never touched myself especially down there, for god sake I didn't even use tampons.

So what was causing this sudden spark in my belly. I cupped both my breasts massaging them softly, gasping at the heat rising to my face. I stopped myself and shut off the shower. This was not the place to touch myself, and even if I wanted to it wasn't something I should ever be doing in my father's house. I sighed pulling the white towel into my hands and wrapping it around myself securely before stepping out of the shower. I looked across the room at my reflection in the mirror and shook my head. This was quickly becoming one of the worst weeks ever for me, so many things were happening and I was powerless to control any of them.

Like that reporter approaching me today out of nowhere. No one ever got onto the grounds of St Agnes's and yet Edward's been out less than a week and already...

"Wait." I found myself saying aloud and thinking at the same time.

Pierce said Edward knew I had been confronted by the reporter, if he knew then why hadn't he talked to me about it? Wait that's actually a really good point, why wasn't he here now ensuring I had acted accordingly? Surely he'd rather get the story of events from me instead of Pierce.

That son of a bitch.

He sent to the reporter.

Edward was trying to sabotage me.


For those who may have missed the earlier message: It's concerning to see the lack of engagement despite my consistent efforts to provide daily content. While the increase in likes and followers is encouraging, the absence of comments is disheartening. Therefore, I'll be holding off on posting the next chapter until this one reaches 15 reviews. Constructive feedback is essential for growth, and I appreciate your understanding and support. Negative comments are not welcome; I seek genuine interaction and thoughtful responses to my hard work.