Hey lovely people!
I can't even begin to express how over the moon I am with the incredible feedback for Chapter One of "A Mafia Bond"! Seriously, your support means everything to me. I want to give a massive shout-out to my amazing followers who have been with me through thick and thin, and left such heartwarming comments. Big love to joshuasmom131, Angelmagnet, 0516, Rebadams7, and bobbysgirl1976—you all rock!
Chapter one was a whirlwind, wasn't it? So many thrilling moments and a fantastic mix of characters from Bella's life made their debut. And yes, some scenes did get a bit steamy! I promise Chapter Two is gearing up to be just as exciting, if not more. You won't want to miss a single word, trust me.
Much love,
Katrina-H-Creates
A Mafia Bond
Chapter Two: The Enemy & The Virgin
Bella Cullen
With Jessica still in the bathroom when I returned to the office, I seized the moment to escape. Though a few tasks demanded my attention before school, they could wait. Swiftly, I gathered my belongings, slipping into my coat and scarf. My heart pounded as I approached the office windows, peering down at the shop floor in search of Edward. The space below was eerily empty for that time of the morning, and Edward was nowhere in sight. Taking a deep breath, I decided to take my chances and head for the exit. Each step felt like an eternity, the silence around me amplifying my every move.
I glanced over my shoulder repeatedly as I left the auto shop, every step echoing louder in the stillness. The street stretched endlessly before me, shadows playing tricks with my mind. My heart pounded with dread, anticipating the unmistakable growl of Edward's car. Its engine, a fierce beast, roared like a predator in the night, its presence impossible to mistake. Each moment dragged on, a twisted game of cat and mouse, as I braced for the terrifying sound that could signal his approach.
Against all odds, I found my way back to our apartment building without encountering any trouble. As I approached, I noticed a disheveled homeless man sprawled on the concrete steps. His body was slumped over, and the unmistakable stench of alcohol lingered in the air around him. He seemed completely oblivious to the world, lost in a deep, inebriated sleep. After stepping into the apartment block, I stopped at the mailbox and was flipping through the bills—nothing out of the ordinary and still no letters from the colleges I had applied for. I'd been collecting the mail for weeks, ensuring my family was kept out of the loop.
I had managed to save enough money to secure a modest apartment in New York City, and the prospect of finding a roommate meant I could stretch my budget even further. Each day, I eagerly counted down to my eighteenth birthday, the moment when I would finally be allowed to leave. The city lights and endless possibilities beckoned me with an irresistible allure. Although I loved my family dearly, I had no intention of adhering to the meticulously laid plans my parents had devised for my future. My heart yearned for the freedom to carve out my own path, away from the expectations that had been imposed upon me since childhood.
Our apartment building was a relic of neglect, a monolith of crumbling bricks and peeling paint that seemed to sag under the weight of its own dilapidation. The landlord, a figure shrouded in whispered rumors and cautious glances, made himself scarce, skirting our presence as though proximity alone might invoke some dire consequence. He, like everyone else, harbored a deep-seated fear of Edward and my father. We lived on the fourth floor of the aging apartment building, where the elevator had been out of service for weeks. The stairs had become our only reliable means of ascent and descent, especially after the tragic incident eight months prior when a tenant had been trapped and perished in the malfunctioning lift. The walls of the stairwell were painted the ugliest shade of green imaginable, a sickly hue that seemed to sap the energy from anyone who gazed upon it for too long. The steel stair railings, in stark contrast, were painted a garish blood red that looked freshly applied, as if constantly touched up to mask some sinister secret.
Each step echoed with a hollow clang, a constant reminder of the building's age and neglect. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and the faintest hint of cigarette smoke, remnants of tenants long gone. The flickering fluorescent lights overhead cast eerie shadows that danced and twisted across the walls, giving life to the inanimate, creating phantoms of gloom in the dimly lit space.
I unlocked the apartment door, turning the key with painstaking slowness to avoid any noise that might wake my parents. The soft click of the latch echoed louder in my ears than it should have, but I pressed on, easing the door open and stepping inside. The familiar scent of home wrapped around me—a comforting blend of lavender and coffee. However, something was amiss. My eyes fell on the empty hook by the entryway where my mom's jacket and bag usually hung, their absence triggering a memory. She had mentioned, almost offhandedly, the night before that she had an early hair appointment.
I closed the door behind me, the latch catching with a soft click. I let out a small sigh of relief, only to freeze as a sound drifted through the quiet apartment. It was a soft, almost indiscernible moan, emanating from down the hall. My heart skipped a beat. It was unmistakably a woman's voice.
Driven by curiosity and a growing sense of unease, I crept down the hallway, my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. The sound grew louder, more distinct, as I approached my parents' bedroom. The door was ajar, a sliver of dim light spilling into the hallway. With my breath caught in my throat, I nudged the door open a fraction wider. Inside, my father was inside, shirtless and directly behind Jessica's mother, who was calling out his name.
My father gripped Mrs. Stanley tightly by the hips, his fingers pressing hard enough to leave a mark as he buried himself in her over and over. I wanted to call out, to demand an explanation, but my voice seemed trapped in my throat, swallowed by the same carpet that had muted my steps. Tears pricked my eyes as my fears were confirmed. My father did have girlfriends on the side. I had always thought he was different—a man of integrity and loyalty. I didn't understand. A whirlwind of emotions churned within me—anger, sorrow, confusion—all competing for dominance. My mind raced with questions, each one more painful than the last. How long had this been going on? Did my mother know? The image of my mother's kind eyes and gentle smile struck me like a dagger, deepening the wound in my heart.
I made my way to my room, down the narrow hall, across from Edward's perpetually locked door. My bedroom, the smallest in the house, seemed even more cramped as the walls pressed in on me with an almost palpable weight. With my heart threatening to burst, I hurried to collect my school things, my hands trembling slightly. I needed to get out of here before my father realized I had discovered his affair.
With my backpack hastily slung over my shoulder, I cast one last glance at my room, a place that had once offered solace but now felt like a prison I so desperately longed to escape.
How I made it out of the apartment without them being any wiser, I wasn't sure. I didn't know what to do; I was so disappointed in him and so terrified over what his affair would do to our family. How long had they been seeing each other? Who knew about it? And how could my father be so heartless as to sleep with her in our home? I headed from our apartment straight to the subway, wanting to get lost in the noise of the streets and of other people and just feel normal.
If my mom ever found out about this, it would destroy her. I could never confront my father about his actions; he and I had never been on the same wave length. I knew he loved me and he took care of me, but I was his only daughter, and since me, there had been no more babies. Now I couldn't help but think of how many other siblings I might have out there because of him and his disgusting desires. He was sleeping with Jessica's mother when he probably knew already that Jessica and Edward were seeing each other. Edward didn't miss a thing, especially when it came to his family; already he was the person I feared would hunt me down the second I left home. There was no way Edward didn't know about this affair or what he planned to do about it; however, I needed to know.
The subway was just a half-block walk from my school; I always got the subway; my mom had this thing about city buses, but the subway was barely a step up in my mind. The last few mornings Edward had dropped Jessica off; why he did so I had no idea. He barely acknowledged her at work, and yet they were sleeping together. Normally, I managed to miss them on my way in, but luck was not on my side this morning. As I crossed the street heading for the school entrance, I spotted a familiar car parked at the curb. It was Edward's, gleaming in the morning sun, its sleek lines and polished finish a testament to his meticulous care. The window rolled down with a soft hum as I drew closer, revealing him, decked out in his black shirt and sunglasses that framed his face in the most dangerous way possible.
The frames didn't stop him from appearing any less menacing, though. I pressed my books against my chest like a shield.
"You left."
"I didn't need a lift."
I'd been making my way to school every morning through storms and hail, and he hadn't offered once. What made today so different? Besides this was Edward; he never did anything without some form of interior motive to satisfy his own needs first. His eyes roamed my face, as though searching for something. I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. The familiar scent of his cologne enveloped me, and my stomach twisted with unease. Whenever he looked at me, it was as if he were trying to find whatever it was I was attempting to hide. I had to be more careful; I had to stop thinking of the bathroom and what I saw. I had to forget it all. But if I had to choose between seeing my own brother having sex or witnessing my father having an affair, I knew which I would have chosen.
"I'll deal with you later."
His threat was ominous and cut right to the core of my being.
"I can't wait." I replied dryly.
I didn't need him dealing with me later; I was still processing what I'd seen and what I knew of their relationship. I wasn't prepared to deal with Edward's overbearing nature either.
"What was that?" Edward asked, lowering his glasses.
"Nothing."
He raised an eyebrow before shrugging and leaning back into his seat. I spun around, making a beeline for the school gates, as far away from Edward and his car as I could manage. Behind me, I heard him roar his engine to life before spinning his tires and screeching away. I made my way inside, sliding my books into my locker and gathering up what I needed for my morning classes. But as I started walking to my homeroom, my phone rang, and I reached into my pocket for it, thinking it must be my mom calling to ask me where I was, but when I checked the screen, it was Jessica calling.
"Hello?" I answered, already dreading the conversation.
"You didn't say anything, did you?" Jessica asked; her voice filled fear and panic.
"No, of course not."
"Thank god." Jessica sighed in relief.
Jessica had to be in the dark over her mother's affair; what she feared most was that I had told my father about her and Edward in the bathroom this morning.
"It's not like I knew it was going to happen. It just did." Jessica complained.
"Are you saying you regret it?" I asked.
Jessica had seemed rather enthusiastic about the whole thing, or at least from what I could tell. She was hardly going to turn down a guy like Edward.
"Of course not. You know I've liked him for a while."
"Right." I mumbled.
"Plus, he wasn't going to touch me while I was still a virgin anyway."
I paused in the middle of the hall, students parting around me like a river splitting around a boulder.
"What did you just say?" I demanded.
"Yeah," Jessica scoffed. "He said he doesn't sleep with virgins, but once we did it, he'd finally take me seriously."
Why did she tell me things like this? Didn't she even filter the fact I was his sister?
Edward didn't sleep with virgins? That sounded like a lie. The sound of the bell ringing overhead brought me back to reality. I was already late for class, and standing in the middle of the hallway, gawking at nothing, would only draw unwanted attention. I hurried toward my first class, eager to put some distance between me and the troubling news I'd just received. I couldn't help but wonder how many other women he had slept with and why he didn't want to have sex with virgins. Then flashbacks of Jessica having to use two hands and her mouth to get him off came flooding back. Did he not sleep with virgins because he was so well endowed that it would hurt them? Was that even possible? It had to be because Edward had never been known to be gentle. He was all about the chase, about being the one who dominated, he was a monster who relished in making women scream and beg.
I'd learned more about my brother in the past few hours than I had in my entire life. And none of it is good. I didn't know how much more of this I could take; all I wanted was to start my day and forget everything, but now I was late for class. If I didn't get to class soon, my teacher was going to call my mom, and then she'd know something was up. And so I made my way to the homeroom, hoping to focus on what came next and not what refused to leave me alone.
The rest of the day was a blur; I hadn't even gone to the cafeteria at lunch but rather to the school library with Angela Webber. We'd gone upstairs out of sight to the furthest tables so she could study for her math test and I could get some sleep. When the bell finally rang at the end of the day, I was quick to pack up and leave. Jessica was a great friend, but I didn't want to cross paths with her on my way out. She'd had sex with my brother, and she had no idea I'd witnessed it. But when I rounded the corner, I saw Jessica in the hallway talking to one of her friends, her hair tied up in a high ponytail and her lips glossed in light pink. Why couldn't I make little efforts like that? The nearest I went was putting on a lip balm and maybe some mascara.
She smiled in my direction, and I forced myself to smile back. She waved as I passed by, heading for the exit. Her mother was having an affair with my father, and yet she was so happy, so oblivious to it all. If I had accepted Edward's offer to drive me to school today, I wouldn't have stumbled upon them. The realization sent a chill down my spine. Why had Edward suggested giving me a ride on this particular morning? I swallowed hard, feeling my legs begin to shake. I exited the building, pausing in front of the school gates. The sidewalk stretched out before me, beckoning me onward, promising to lead me away from this nightmare. I took a deep breath, steeling my resolve. Had he known? Had he been trying to keep me from discovering the truth? The thought made my stomach turn. Edward must have known something was going on, something he didn't want me to see.
The betrayal cut deep, not just because of what I had seen but because my brother had been complicit in keeping this secret. The weight of the truth pressed down on me, threatening to rob me of my last breath. Edward had tried to shield me, but the truth had a way of surfacing, no matter how hard one tried to bury it. I started walking, following the crowd as it dissipated into the busy streets. I needed more sound, more things to do so my mind didn't focus on my family. And as I reached the subway, I felt better; there were people everywhere, all going about their day, all normal, all living their lives.
Thankfully I had homework to do, which I always started when I got on the subway, so that by the time I got home I could help with dinner and begin my evening shift at the auto shop. I pulled out my school books and my notes and began writing up what I needed to for English class. English class had been one of the few classes I had enjoyed; it was a good subject, and I had always excelled at it. Along with my English homework, I also had some math, but I was nowhere near as good as my father and brother when it came to numbers. It was the only thing I'd ever seen them get along about. I'd gotten half of it done by the time the subway came to my stop and I got off and made my way up to the street surface.
It was growing colder by the minute as I made my way down the bustling pavement towards our apartment.
There were street vendors selling hot food as well as other desirables. I spotted a man standing near an alleyway with his guitar playing a song that caught my ear. The lyrics were about finding love in an unexpected place and making the most of it. The tune was cheerful, and I couldn't help but hum along as I continued on my way. I'd never been in love; I had a crush or two throughout the years, but I remained innocent. Jessica and Angela had told me when they lost their virginities, for Angela it was tender, but Jessica slept with Mike Newton and regretted it to this day. I'd never been one for pain, and the way Jessica described it, I had no interest in that sort of thing.
I wanted my first time to be with someone experienced, someone who would take their time and who would make sure I felt nothing but pleasure. I wondered if I'd ever find such a man, if I'd ever feel comfortable enough with someone to let them touch me like that. A warm flush spread across my cheeks as I imagined what it might be like. My inexperience was perhaps what drove me into watching Edward with Jessica this morning—the way her body responded to him, the amount of times his actions and skill caught her completely off guard, made her gasp in surprise, or even whimper in pleasure. I wanted my first time to be like that, only in a more appropriate setting.
When I finally reached our apartment building, I paused outside doors, taking a moment to collect myself. I had to act normal, pretend like nothing was wrong. There was shouting going on throughout the building—nothing out of the ordinary—mothers shouting at their kids and men complaining about how loud the neighbors were. I took the stairs as always and made my way up to our floor, finding nothing out of the ordinary. I let myself in and was immediately greeted by the sound of my mother's voice.
"Bella? Is that you?"
I made my way into the kitchen. My mother stood at the stove stirring a pot of stew, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, and her apron smeared with flour.
"Am I late?" I asked
"Get cleaned up, help me finish up here." She said without any eye contact
She was already working on some dough, nothing distracted her when it came to cooking. I brought my things into my bedroom dumping them on top of my bed wanting to shower before helping prepare dinner. From my rail of clothes I selected some jeans and a black top to wear on shift tonight before I made my way across the hall to our bathroom. We didn't have a tub, we had a shower that barely had any water pressure. I turned on the tap and waited for the water to heat up while I undressed and wrapped a towel around me. It took forever for the water to warm up and I only got about five minutes to wash myself before I had to get out.
But I could do a lot with five minutes, it was enough to shampoo my hair, shave my legs and under arms and rinse. I made sure to scrub extra hard on my face to remove the day's dirt and grime like they were memories. When I was finished I got out and dried myself off, and stepped out into the hallway only to bump into Edward who was leaving his bedroom. I gasped and quickly wrapped my towel around me tighter. I immediately shut my eyes in horror and kept my hands gripped on my towel like a life raft.
"Sorry." I blurted, turning my back on him.
I hurried off to my room and got changed, pulling on my tank top and jeans and making sure to dry my hair and pull it back into a loose ponytail. Our apartment was small, we had three bedrooms and my room was classed as a storage room. Our sitting room was at the centre with the kitchen off to the side, our furniture was all mix matched from thrift stores but we liked it, the old leather couches were the most comfortable thing I'd ever sat on. Our TV was the only thing we'd spent a lot of money on, it was new and my father had put it on sale because the store owner owed him a favor. Our walls were covered in pictures, generations of the Cullen family, our parents wanted us to know we came from a long line of hard working men and women, who came to this country with nothing but their whits, some pocket change and ambition.
Inside the sitting room, Emmett sat on the armchair nearest to the kitchen, while my father sat at the opposite end of the couch from him, a bottle of beer in his hand. I made my way over to him and kissed him on the cheek as I always did when I returned home each day, but it was never acknowledged; it was just respect for him as my father, nothing else.
"You're home." He muttered.
He was watching the news, his favorite thing to watch after football or boxing.
I made my way into the kitchen to assist my mother with the cooking, immediately sliding on an apron, knowing how fast things got when we got moving together.
"How was your day?" She asked as I stirred the stew.
I shrugged, not knowing what to say. I couldn't exactly tell her I saw my brother having sex and that my father was having an affair with one of her friends.
"Nothing special." I said.
"Your grandmother has written, she wants me to send a photograph of you."
"What?" I frowned.
"You are almost eighteen; it is time she had a more updated picture of you."
"She doesn't like me."
"She doesn't like anyone. It's just a photograph; it won't kill you." She teased.
Edward entered the kitchen, and I quickly looked away. I didn't want to think about him right now, nor about what I'd seen. The sight of him dressed in his dark jeans and black t-shirt with his tattoos peeking out from underneath his sleeves made my skin prickle. He was always dressed so nice, nothing ever out of place or wrinkled. He made his way over to the fridge and reached above it to the cabinet where my father kept his books and records. I knew what he was doing, as did my mother, adding to the ledger and taking care of business.
"Grab me a beer." Carlisle shouted, and my mother went into the sitting room to do his bidding.
As soon as she was gone, I attempted to follow her, but Edward blocked my path, standing between me and the doorway. His gaze was locked on mine, unwavering, intense. I held my breath, waiting for him to move, to speak, to do anything. But he remained still, unmoving, like a statue carved from marble. I shifted slightly, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but he didn't budge, didn't even blink. I swallowed hard; my throat suddenly dried.
I wanted to look away, to break free from his intense gaze, but I couldn't; I was trapped, captured by his piercing eyes. I couldn't look away; I couldn't escape. I felt my heart hammering in my chest, my pulse racing, and my palms sweating. The silence was deafening, the tension unbearable. I was frozen, paralyzed, and helpless.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and rough. "Something you want to ask me?"
"No," I said, shaking my head.
He continued to stare at me, his eyes boring into mine, as if he could see straight through me, to my very soul. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and naked. My skin burned under his gaze, my cheeks flushing with heat. I was burning up, my body trembling, my mind racing. I was trapped, caught in the web of his creation. I couldn't look away; I couldn't break free. I was at his mercy, powerless against his will.
"Edward." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
His name fell from my lips like a prayer, a plea for release. He stepped closer, invading my personal space, filling my senses with the scent of his cologne. He was intoxicating, overwhelming, and irresistible.
"Ask me." He insisted.
"So you can lie to me too?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
He stepped towards me again, his chest pressed against mine. I could feel the heat of his skin through our clothes, the hardness of his muscles, and the strength of his body. He was solid, unyielding, and impenetrable.
"Careful." He warned.
I felt my heart skip a beat at his tone, the threat, and the promise behind it. He was dangerous, lethal, and deadly. He was a predator, and I was his prey.
"Are you threatening me?" I whispered.
He leaned in closer, his mouth inches from my ear. "My own sister? Maybe. It depends on how much you piss me off."
My skin was tingling where his breath brushed against it.
"I know what you're doing." I said.
"What am I doing?"
"You're trying to scare me, intimidate me. You want me to be afraid of you. But I'm not."
"No?"
"No."
His fingers brushed against my cheek, trailing down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He cupped my chin, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark, intense, fathomless. I felt like I was drowning in them, falling into a bottomless abyss. My breath caught in my throat, my pulse racing.
"You should be." He murmured.
"You won't hurt me." I whispered, more to convince myself than him.
He laughed, a low, sinister sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Don't bet on it, sweetheart."
With that, he released me and turned and walked out of the kitchen. I released a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, my body trembling with adrenaline. My mother quickly returned after Edward left, and I finished helping her prepare dinner. We made my grandmother's stew dish, with roast potatoes, green beans, and gravy. It was my favorite dish, and it was perfect for a cold night like tonight. As she finished up in the kitchen, I made my way to the dining table to set places; it was just behind the sitting room and in view of the boys. While Emmett and my father shouted at the match on the TV and Edward sat staring at his ledger book, I couldn't help but take a peek. He sat at the edge of his seat, his brow furrowed in concentration.
He looked up and caught my gaze, and I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. I continued setting the table, placing the cutlery and glasses in their proper places. As I was finishing up, my father stood and announced that it was time for dinner. My mother carried the pot to the table, and I followed with the bread. My father and Edward took either end of the table, while Emmett sat next to me. Jasper was always across from me, and Emmett said across from our mother. When my father finally took his eyes off the screen for half a second, he offered out his hands, taking my mother and Emmett's, while Emmett took mine before I looked to Edward.
He never looked my way but already had his hand out for mine. And as always, my father led us in saying grace.
"God bless this food and those who prepared it. Thank you for your blessings and thank you for allowing us to come together as a family. Keep us united and strong, in Jesus name I pray."
"Amen."
While the boys tucked into their dinner I served the ice tea before making myself up a plate before I hurried to my bedroom to collect a textbook. Whenever we sat down to dinner, the boys would be watching a match, while I caught up on work for school and my mother smoked a cigarette and attempted to talk to my father while picking at her food.
"What time is she working until tonight?" I heard my mother ask about my shift.
I sat down at the table and flipped open my book to begin reading while I ate.
"I'll be going into the city I'm taking Emmett, Edward will be taking care of her tonight." My father replied.
I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows in surprise but kept my head down to avoid drawing attention to myself. Since when did Edward not go into the city with our father?
"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.
I didn't look up, but I could feel eyes on me as soon as I spoke. I heard a fork hit a plate, and then Edward's voice.
"Is there a problem?"
I swallowed hard, feeling my throat tighten. "No, no problem."
"Good." He said, his voice laced with warning.
I nodded, keeping my eyes on my book.
"She's been working every night this week. If I get a phone call that she's fallen asleep in class again, My mother warned.
"She won't." My father said.
I'd fallen asleep in class four times in the past two weeks. I had so much to do for school, homework, studying for tests, and then the exams. Not to mention my shifts, plus helping out with the chores.
"Your mother doesn't think she should be working at the shop." My mother said, giving me a pointed look.
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. Why did she always have to talk about me like I wasn't there?
"When my mother visits Bella will be here at home."
"I think maybe it's time she dropped out anyway." I heard my mother whisper to my father.
"What?" I asked, my eyes wide with shock.
"Emmett can watch the shop."
"Ma!" Emmett complained.
"It's not fair, she can't keep working, it's too much. When I was her age I was pregnant with Edward, she doesn't even have a boyfriend."
"There's plenty of time for that," My father slopped up some gravy onto his bread, "She'll get there."
My cheeks were burning with shame and humiliation. I hated when they talked about me like I wasn't even there, and to hear that my mother wanted me to drop out of school made me feel sick to my stomach.
"Your mother mentioned it in her letter, how displeased she is over her working so much. No time to socialize," My mother paused and took a deep draw of her cigarette "Maybe she should spend a few months in Sicily with them."
"Sicily?" I frowned, "Why would I go to Sicily?"
My mother sighed "You don't even speak Italian."
"Neither does Emmett." I shot back.
Emmett chuckled, "Don't bring me into this."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, that they were seriously discussing sending me away like some kind of outcast.
"She's not going anywhere." Edward said, and silence fell.
My heart fluttered at his words, my eyes locked on his. He held his gaze with both our parents.
"Excuse me?" My mother snapped.
"Bella is staying in Queens. She's staying in school; she's not dropping out. And she's not going to Sicily." Edward said firmly.
My father nodded, "Agreed."
My mother scoffed and rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to her dinner, stabbing her fork into the meat with more force than necessary. Emmett smirked and continued eating, while my father returned his attention to the TV. I kept my eyes on Edward, feeling my heart swelling with gratitude for his words. He didn't look at me. I turned my attention back to my book, but I couldn't concentrate. My mind was racing, my heart pounding.
"Your grandmother wants to know if it's time for her to send you her ring." My mother said to Emmett.
Emmett continued to chew before he replied, "I don't know if she's pregnant."
"She'll be pregnant, Cullen men get the job done right the first time." Our father said before taking a swig of his beer.
"You'll need to marry her before she begins to show. Be respectful of your grandparents." My mother warned.
I hated how they talked about Rosalie like she was some sort of prize. Like all she was good for was continuing the family line. I'd seen it all my life, they never treated women with respect, only as a means to an end.
"Rosalie hasn't graduated yet." I said but none of them listened.
They didn't even bother to acknowledge me. My mother simply lit another cigarette, inhaling deeply before releasing a plume of smoke.
"What time will you be home tonight?" My mother asked my father.
"I don't know. I might not."
"Where are you going?"
"Into the city."
"To the warehouse?"
"Yeah."
My mother sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "Edward will go instead; you can stay here."
My father scoffed at her, "I don't need Edward to do anything for me. He's busy tonight anyway."
My mother looked to Edward, but he simply shook his head. "I've got somewhere to be."
"Doing what?" My mother asked.
Edward exchanged a glance with my father but did not respond to her. I finished off my plate before I looked to my father.
"May I be excused?" I asked.
He merely lifted his hand in my direction, his eyes glued to the match on the screen. I quickly stood up and took my plate to the kitchen before making my way back to my room. As soon as the door shut behind me, I leaned against it and closed my eyes. The tension between my parents was becoming unbearable. I didn't know how much longer I could take it. I needed to get away, to escape, to run. But I couldn't; today had changed everything, and one wrong move could rip our family apart.
I collected all my homework and books and packed them into my backpack for when we were quiet on shift tonight. Every chance I got, I was studying and attempting to keep up with my work. I slid on my black jacket and scarf and turned towards my bedroom door, only to pause. I hadn't even brushed my hair after coming out of the shower. Jessica would no doubt show up for her shift, all glammed up and not in the least bit tired. I made my way over to the small makeup bag that held my mother's makeup from years ago.
I quickly brushed my hair and then applied some makeup—nothing too heavy or dark. My father hated when we looked cheap, but a little mascara and some lipstick never hurt anyone. When I was satisfied, I again went to leave the room, only to pause again. I blew-dried the rest of my hair, and using my curled hair brush, I was able to brush out my hair. It fell in waves down my back, and I gave my reflection one last look before I left my room and entered the hallway.
As I passed my father's bedroom, he was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie. He didn't even look at me when he spoke.
"Do you have everything you need?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"Phone call is done." Edward suddenly appeared from behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder at him, but his gaze was fixed on our father. "There shouldn't be any trouble tonight."
My father nodded. "Who is covering the shipment?"
"The Martin brothers, they're packing. The boys will handle the warehouse."
"Good. We need this done quietly, without any problems."
Edward nodded. "It's a done deal."
I couldn't help but look back at Edward once more and catch his eye. His hands were buried deep in his trousers pockets, his shirt open at the collar, revealing a glimpse of his sculpted chest. His hair was neatly slicked back and his face freshly shaved. His jaw was hard, and his lips pressed together in a tight line. His eyes were dark, intense, and fathomless.
"Any problems at the shop? I want to be notified." I heard our father say as we remained locked in our gaze.
"There won't be anything happening tonight without my saying so." Edward said without breaking my gaze.
"I want everyone safe."
"I never gave a shit about safe," Edward's eyes flickered to our father before looking back at me. "No such thing as safe in this life."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. My skin prickled with goosebumps. I could feel my pulse racing, my breath catching in my throat. I couldn't look away; I couldn't break free. I was caught in the web of his creation.
"I've taught you well." My father replied.
"You've taught me a lot of things. None of which I'd care to repeat." Edward replied coolly.
My father smirked at his reflection as he mastered his tie, unaware of the tension between his children.
"The best lessons, however," Edward whispered to me as he stepped closer. "Are those that rob us of our innocence."
His eyes narrowed. "But you wouldn't know anything about that."
I swallowed hard, my mouth dry, my heart pounding. "I think that I don't know my own brother."
"You don't."
I licked my lips, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. "I thought I did."
"Don't you worry, sweetheart; I'll make sure you never forget me." He whispered before he stepped even closer to me.
My heart is hammering against my ribs. What did he mean by that? Was it a threat? A promise? I didn't know, and frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to find out.
"What are you telling me here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Edward smirked and glanced over in our father's direction to ensure he wasn't listening before he spun around me and pulled me to him with his hand pressed firmly against the small of my back. He leaned down and pressed his mouth close to my ear.
"I'm telling you, I know all about that vice between your legs." He breathed, causing my hand to shoot up across my mouth. "The one girl who kept her legs shut is none other than my baby sister."
"You don't know what you're talking about." I whispered.
"You wish I didn't."
I pressed my lips together before telling him, "It's none of your business."
Edward chuckled softly, his breath hot against my cheek. "Do you want me to make it my business?"
"What?" I asked, my eyes wide.
"Tell me Isabella, and tell me now." Edward ordered his voice low, "Who are you saving that for?"
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in shock. He couldn't be serious? I didn't know how to respond, what to say, or what to do. I didn't know what to do with this new side of him, this dark, twisted, perverse side.
"You don't need to say it." He whispered, his lips brushing against my ears. "Your silence speaks volumes."
He released me, and I stumbled back, my back pressing against the wall. He smirked at me, his eyes full of something I couldn't put into words.
"There's no man," Edward shook his head at me. "It's pathetic. You're pathetic."
His words cut like a knife. I felt like he had taken my heart in his fist and squeezed it so tight it was like I couldn't breathe. He shook his head at me and turned away, leaving me there alone and reeling from his words.
As always, I am beyond excited to hear what YOU think! Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts on Chapter Two. Your feedback means the world to me, and I love reading every single one of your insights and reactions. ️
And listen up, don't forget to smash that Favourite/Follow button below! You'll get instant notifications the moment I publish new content, so you'll never miss a beat. Keep being awesome, and stay tuned for more exciting updates!