AN: I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving! Thanks for your reviews!

After the briefing, Edward was waiting in the locker room with Alice, surrounded by a neatly arranged rack of high-end clothing and a small table covered with accessories. Bella had just finished getting her make-up done by Rosalie, which was a far cry from her usually natural, limited look she donned everyday. She stepped into the room, and Edward's eyebrow quirked up, loving Bella's natural look, but also really enjoying the make-up enhancing her beauty even more. Alice turned to them both with a wide grin, holding up their undercover outfits.

"Alright. You're now about to be transformed into Katrina and Geoff," Alice said, her tone laced with excitement. "This is your moment to shine. You two are going to look like you just stepped off a red carpet."

She handed Bella a sleek, fitted dress that shimmered under the room's fluorescent lighting. The fabric was a deep emerald green, hugging the waist and flaring slightly at the hem, with a subtle slit along one side that added elegance without being over the top. The neckline was just daring enough to catch attention, but still tasteful to keep things classy. Edward's outfit was no less impressive—a charcoal blazer with a faint shimmer woven into the fabric, paired with a crisp white shirt and tailored black slacks. A slim, silver tie completed the look, giving him an effortlessly suave air.

Bella held up the dress, her eyebrows arching. "Not exactly my usual style, Alice."

Alice waved her off dismissively, already attaching a tiny wire to the inside seam of the dress. "You'll be fine. Ashton's all about flashy confidence. You show up looking like this, and he won't know what hit him."

Edward picked up the blazer, inspecting it. "And I'm the guy hyping her up?"

"Exactly," Alice said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Talk her up like she's the next big influencer to break the internet. Play the charming manager who knows she's destined for stardom. Keep the focus on Bella, and Ashton won't even think to question it."

Bella turned to Edward, an amused smile tugging at her lips."Think you can handle hyping me up?"

Edward smirked as he began to unbutton his shirt. "I've been doing that since the day we met."

Alice groaned dramatically, turning toward the door. "Alright, you two officially make me want to fucking barf. Get dressed and let me know if you need help with the wiring—or anything else. I'm not sticking around to hear whatever this turns into."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Bella and Edward alone. Edward looked over at Bella with raised eyebrows, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Bella rolled her lips inward to suppress a smile and held up a hand. "Nope. Later."

"Alright. I'm holding you to that, Swan."

Bella just grinned at him before she stepped into the small adjoining bathroom, taking off her jeans and hoodie, then carefully slipping into the dress. The fabric felt cool and luxurious against her skin, skimming her figure in a way that was undeniably flattering. She adjusted the straps, smoothing the dress over her hips, and tied her hair into a loose twist to get a better look in the mirror. This wasn't her style at all, but she could admit—it worked and she looked good.

Satisfied, she stepped out into the locker room just as Edward finished buttoning his blazer. He turned at the sound of her heels clicking against the floor and froze mid-motion. His eyes darkened just slightly, and the way he stared made Bella feel a little weak in the knees, held down by his gaze.

"Wow," Edward croaked, then cleared his throat. His eyes roamed over her, lingering on every detail—the way the dress hugged her curves, how the deep green made her eyes glow. "You look… incredible."

Bella felt a flush rise to her cheeks, but she managed to keep her tone light. "Not bad yourself, Masen." Her eyes looked over him appreciatively, taking in how the blazer fit perfectly across his broad shoulders and tapered down to his slim waist. The crisp shirt and sharp tie only added to his look and damn… how handsome he was felt really fucking incapacitating at times. "I'd say you clean up pretty well."

Edward chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks. "Well, I had to step up my game to match you."

Alice returned, breaking the moment with a satisfied clap of her hands. "Okay, you two—focus. You're not going to seduce each other; you're going to seduce Ashton's trust. Bella, confidence is key. Edward, keep her in the spotlight." She paused, then leveled them both with a pointed glare. "And for the love of God, don't forget you're wired and cammed."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Got it, Alice."

Edward smirked, offering Bella his arm. "Ready to steal the show?"

Bella looped her arm through his, her lips curving into a small smile. "Let's do this."

As they headed out to their car and the rest of the team went to their respective vehicles, Alice called after them. "Break a leg, you two! But… not literally. These outfits are rented."

…

The venue was a sprawling, upscale club alive with a kaleidoscope of colorful lights and the deep bass thump of music that seemed to vibrate in Bella's chest as she stepped out of the car. The crowd outside glittered with influencers, celebrities, and industry power players, each dressed to impress and radiating confidence.

Across the street, Solomon, Alice, and Jasper sat in an unmarked car, monitoring the live feed from the tiny camera embedded in Bella's necklace and Edward's discreet chain. A few cars down, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jacob were parked, ready to move at a moment's notice.

Edward leaned toward Bella as they approached the club, his voice low and teasing. "Ready to make the world believe you're a star?"'

Bella smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Believe it? They're about to worship me."

Due to Alice's stellar hacking, they entered the club easily, stepping into a dazzling scene of opulence and exclusivity. The air buzzed with conversation and laughter, glasses clinking as well-dressed socialites posed for photos and exchanged air kisses. Bella's sharp gaze scanned the room, though her relaxed posture and slight smile conveyed the perfect blend of charm and confidence.

Edward stayed close, his hand brushing the small of her back as they weaved through the crowd toward the bar. His voice was barely audible over the music as he leaned in. "Geoff and Katrina, officially on duty."

Bella chuckled softly. "Let's see if Ashton bites."

It didn't take long. From across the room, Ashton Fullerton's sharp eyes landed on Bella, his expression shifting instantly to one of interest. He excused himself from a cluster of influencers with a practiced smile, his custom-made suit cutting an impressive figure as he strode toward them.

"Well, well," Ashton said smoothly as he approached, his eyes flicking over Bella with undisguised interest. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure."

Bella turned to him, her smile warm and inviting. "Katrina," she said, extending her hand. "This is Geoff, my PR manager."

Edward gave a polite nod, his smile measured but cool. "Nice to meet you."

Ashton took Bella's hand, holding it just a fraction too long. "Katrina," he repeated, his tone velvet-smooth. "I've gotta say it— you've got the kind of look that turns heads."

Bella chuckled lightly, pulling her hand back gracefully. "You're too kind. I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Fullerton."

"Ashton, please," he said, flashing a dazzling smile. "And what brings you to this little gathering of mine?" Edward hid an inconspicuous cough behind his fist, hiding a chuckle, because Ashton was not the one to do little.

Bella leaned in slightly, as though sharing a secret. "I'm just starting out as an influencer. My following's growing, but I'm looking for the right person to help take things to the next level."

Ashton's brows lifted with interest, and his eyes pinned her down in a way that most definitely felt predatory. "Fresh talent," he mused, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I like that."

Edward stepped in smoothly, taking Ashton's growing interest and running with it. "Katrina's got the whole package—looks, personality, and a growing following. She's the next big thing, and we're looking for someone who can help take her career to the next level."

Ashton's eyes gleamed. "Well, you've come to the right place. I specialize in turning potential into success."

Bella tilted her head slightly, her smile never wavering. "I've heard you're the best in the business."

Ashton chuckled, clearly pleased. "I won't argue with that."

Ashton gestured toward a more private corner of the room, where plush couches and low tables created a cozy, exclusive vibe. "Why don't we find a quieter spot to talk? I'd love to hear more."

Bella exchanged a quick glance with Edward before nodding. "Lead the way."

They settled into the seating area, and the hum of the party faded slightly, the space feeling just private enough for secrets to be shared. Almost instantly, a waiter appeared with a tray of champagne. Ashton plucked two glasses, handing one to Bella before raising his own.

"To new opportunities," he said smoothly.

Bella clinked her glass lightly against his, her smile effortless. "And to the people who make them happen."

Edward settled into the seat beside her after grabbing his own drink, casually draping one arm along the back of the couch. His gaze flicked between Bella and Ashton, always calculating, always watching. He sipped his drink sparingly, his focus unbroken.

"So, Katrina," Ashton began, leaning back comfortably. "What's your niche?"

Bella matched his ease, crossing one leg over the other in a deliberate, graceful motion. "Lifestyle and travel," she replied, the words rolling off her tongue naturally. "Aspirational content—showing people how to live their best lives, no matter the budget."

Ashton nodded, clearly impressed. "Smart. People eat that up. And you've got the look to back it up."

Bella laughed lightly, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from her knee. "I've been told that once or twice."

Edward interjected, his tone enthusiastic. "Her engagement is through the roof. One of her recent campaigns doubled her following in under a week."

Ashton's interest deepened. "Impressive. You've got the ambition, I can see that."

Bella leaned forward slightly, her expression sincere. "I'm not afraid of hard work, Ashton. I know what I want, and I'll do whatever it takes to get there."

Ashton's smile widened. "That's what I like to hear."

The conversations unfolded easily, Ashton recounting anecdotes of his success with just the right amount of self-promotion. Bella leaned into his words, laughing at his jokes and hanging onto his stories with just enough awe to feed his ego. Edward stayed quiet for the most part, letting Bella take the lead, but his jaw tightened every time Ashton's hand casually touched Bella's arm or lingered on her shoulder.

Ashton's confidence only grew as the minutes passed. He leaned in close, his hand sliding onto Bella's thigh as his voice dropped to a low murmur. "You've got something special, Katrina. I see it. I think we could make a great team. I've got the connections, and you've got…everything else."

Bella's smile didn't falter, though she felt the tension radiating from Edward beside her. She gave Edward a subtle glance, signaling for him to hold back. She turned back to Ashton, her tone lifting. "That sounds intriguing. What kind of arrangements are we talking about?"

Ashton's eyes sparkled with a mixture of intrigue and desire. "Let's just say, I can fast-track your career in ways you can't even imagine. But business partnerships are all about trust... and chemistry."

Edward's calm façade cracked, his voice cutting in. "Maybe we should slow down a bit. Business decisions like this shouldn't be rushed."

Ashton raised an eyebrow, his tone dismissive. "Relax, Geoff. Katrina and I are just exploring possibilities."

Before Edward could respond, Solomon's voice crackled softly in their earpieces. "Masen, don't push him. We need him to open up."

Bella placed a hand on Edward's arm, her touch reassuring. "It's fine, Geoff. Let's hear him out."

Edward clenched his jaw, but he leaned back, letting Bella take the lead.

Bella leaned in, lowering her voice just enough to seem conspiratorial. "I've heard you're the best. You manage Seven Domani, right?"

"That's right. Seven's… quite the character."

Edward saw the opportunity and seized it. "We heard about his ex-wife. Tragic. Did you know her?"

Ashton's expression slipped for the briefest of moments—a flash of something between annoyance and calculation—but he recovered quickly."We crossed paths. Catherine was... complicated."

Bella tilted her head, feigning curiosity and empathy. "Complicated how? It sounds like there's a story there."

Ashton shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "She wasn't exactly a saint. Catherine made her fair share of enemies. I'm just saying… not everyone mourns the same way."

The words hung in the air, laced with an ambiguity that sent a ripple of tension through the team monitoring the feed.

Bella exchanged a subtle glance with Edward, the weight of Ashton's implication settling between them. They knew they were circling something significant, but the real challenge was drawing it out without tipping their hand.

Ashton raised his glass again, his demeanor slipping back into charm and confidence. "But hey, let's not dwell on the past. This is about your future, Katrina. And trust me, it's looking bright."

Bella smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "With the right guidance, I'm sure it is."

Throughout the night, Bella continued to play her part expertly, still laughing at Ashton's jokes, leaning into his conversations, and humoring his unabashed flirting. The longer she spoke to him, the more she knew there must've been so many girls who've fallen for his charm and words—and most likely landed into something predatory. It made her blood boil, but she thought about Catherine and the task at hand. She had to keep her cool.

Edward's knuckles whitened around his glass when Ashton slid his hand to Bella's thigh and leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Bella kept her expression neutral, but Edward caught the words.

"I'd like to talk to you... without any other eyes," Ashton said, his voice dripping with innuendo. "Talk some arrangements."

Edward set his drink down a little too forcefully, leaning forward. "Hey, maybe we should—"

Bella raised a hand subtly, stopping him. She turned to Ashton, her lips curving into a small, calculated smile. "Arrangements, huh? Sounds promising. Let's talk."

Edward's eyes narrowed, his discomfort clear, but Bella's steady gaze met his, silently telling him, I've got this.

Ashton grinned, oblivious to the tension. "Perfect. Let's find somewhere more private."

Edward clenched his fists as he watched Bella follow Ashton toward the back of the venue, disappearing amongst the bodies of intoxicated people. His voice was low as he spoke into the hidden radio in his ear. "Bella's on the move with Ashton. They're heading into a private room."

Solomon's voice crackled in his ear. "Masen, keep eyes on them, but do not engage unless necessary. We don't know what this guy's capable of. There's too many civilians around."

Edward muttered under his breath, "He's capable of being a creep, that's for sure."

The thump of bass from the club faded as the door clicked shut behind Bella and Ashton. The private room was dimly lit, its sleek modern furniture and ambient lighting doing little to mask the domineering atmosphere Ashton brought with him. Bella's heart pounded, but she kept her composure, her polished act as Katrina firmly in place even as Ashton's demeanor shifted slightly—his slick charm replaced with something more vile.

Ashton gestured to the couch. "Make yourself comfortable," he said, his smile a little too wide, his eyes a little too sharp.

Bella forced herself to smile back, settling on the edge of the plush seat. "This is a nice setup. You must throw a lot of these parties."

Ashton sat down next to her, far too close, and let his arm drape across the back of the couch. "Perks of the business," he said, leaning in. "But enough about that. Let's talk about you."

Bella crossed her legs, angling her body slightly away from him. She couldn't afford to let her nerves show. She just needed him to keep talking. "What do you want to know?"

Ashton grinned, his gaze drifting down her body in a way that made her skin crawl. "Oh, I think I already know everything I need to know. You've got the look, the drive. You could go far with the right person backing you."

Bella played along, keeping her tone light. "And you think you're that person?"

"I don't think," Ashton said, his hand finding her knee, squeezing lightly. "I know. I've turned nobodies into household names. You could be next."

Her stomach twisted, but she managed a coy smile. "I'm flattered."

"Flattered?" Ashton repeated, almost incredulous. "You should be thrilled. I don't make offers like this to just anyone."

Bella laughed lightly, trying to ease the growing tension. "I appreciate that. But I'm more interested in partnerships that go both ways."

Ashton's hand slid higher, his grip tightening. "Oh, I think you'll find I'm very... generous."

Her heart pounded, a cold sweat beginning to form at the back of her neck. Bella's instincts screamed at her to get out, but she stayed rooted, knowing the team was watching, listening. Her voice was calm, even teasing. "Generosity is great, but I'd rather hear about how you handle... complications. Surely, someone like you has had to deal with a few."

Ashton chuckled, his demeanor shifting. "Complications are part of the job. You just... eliminate them." His voice dipped into a chilling tone, his meaning unmistakable.

Bella tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Eliminate? That sounds dramatic."

He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Drama gets results. You'd be surprised what I can make disappear. Who... I can make disappear."

Her pulse raced, but she kept her mask firmly in place. "Good to know you're a problem-solver."

Ashton's grin widened, and his hand slid further up her leg, curling around the inside of her thigh. "Oh, I'm so much more than that."

Her stomach turned as his fingers dug into her thigh, and he shifted closer, his body pressing against hers. She could smell the alcohol that stained his tongue, clearly emboldening him in the intimate setting. "You are... fucking delicious, Katrina," he murmured. "Maybe we could make some... immediate arrangements."

Bella forced a laugh, gently trying to push his hand away. "Ashton, I think we're getting ahead of ourselves—"

"Don't play coy with me," he growled, his hand moving to her waist, gripping hard. His other hand brushed her hair aside, his lips moving toward her neck. "You're not here to waste my time."

Her smile faltered, panic rising in her chest as she twisted in his grasp. "Ashton, stop," she said, her voice firm. She placed her hands on his chest, trying to push him back, but he didn't budge.

"Sarge?" Edward bit out from his spot at the booth, feeling powerless.

"She didn't say the safe word," Solomon muttered, jaw ticking. Edward nearly growled in frustration.

"You'll thank me for this later," Ashton sneered as his weight pressed against her, pinning her to the couch.

Adrenaline surged through Bella's veins. "I said stop!" she hissed, driving her elbow into his ribs with all the force she could muster. Ashton grunted, momentarily stunned, but his anger flared. Before she could react, his fist connected with her cheek, sending stars across her vision.

"Fuck the safe word," Edward ground out, taking long strides towards the private room they'd disappeared into, maneuvering through throngs of inebriated people.

"Alright, move, move, move!" Solomon yelled out, and the team leapt into action.

"You're not going to make it in this industry by being a frigid bitch," Ashton snarled, his hands locking onto her arms in an iron-like grip.

Pain flared across Bella's face, but it was quickly replaced by a searing rage. Bella curled her body inward, using her legs to shove him back with a powerful kick. Ashton stumbled but recovered quickly, his face contorted with fury as he lunged again, this time getting his hands around her throat, his thumbs pressing hard into her jugular.

Edward didn't wait for the team to arrive as he stopped at the door, shaking the knob around and finding it locked. He slammed his shoulder into the paneling, the wood splintering as it burst open and allowed him to stumble through. Immediately, he drew his gun, aiming directly at Ashton. "Seattle PD! Ashton, hands where I can see them! Now!"

Ashton's face drained of color as he let go of Bella and raised his hands, his body trembling slightly. Bella stood, unholstering her gun from her outer thigh and training it on him, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breathing.

The rest of the team poured in behind Edward, weapons drawn and Emmett wasted no time, grabbing Ashton and shoving him down onto the couch to cuff him.

"What the hell is this?" Ashton sputtered, his voice rising in panic. He sought out Bella, his eyes alit with anger. "You set me up?"

Solomon stepped forward, his expression cold and unyielding. "Ashton Fullerton, you're under arrest for obstruction of justice, harassment, and conspiracy to commit murder."

Ashton's eyes darted wildly, his voice rising in desperation. "You have no idea who you're messing with! My lawyers will have me out by morning!"

Solomon leaned in close, voice low and menacing. "You're going to wish they didn't."