AN: Thank you, everyone! The story is actually wrapping up soon! Maybe around five more chapters? There's a time jump in this one! Enjoy :)
It had been a little over four months since Caius.
Life was better now—more breathable. Edward had practically moved in with Bella, though sometimes they swapped nights at his place. It just worked. They fit together in the way that mattered, and neither of them overthought it anymore.
Therapy had become a cornerstone for both of them. Edward's nightmares were gone, though Bella's scars ran deeper. She still thought about what happened, but her panic attacks were rare now, fleeting moments she learned to breathe through. She was getting better—slowly, steadily.
Letting herself lean on Edward had been the hardest part. Her stubbornness, her fierce independence, had fought tooth and nail against it. But Edward never pushed, never demanded. He simply stayed, loved, and in time, she let him in completely.
Meeting his parents had been another unexpected milestone. Carlisle and Esme Cullen were everything you'd imagine loving parents to be—warm, genuine, and completely devoted to their son. Bella had braced herself for awkwardness, but Esme had taken her hands the moment they were introduced, her kind smile erasing any tension. Carlisle had followed suit, his steady, thoughtful presence immediately putting her at ease.
She'd never been the "meet the parents" type, but Edward had held her hand—literally—the entire time. And when Carlisle, in his understated way, had told her, You're good for him, Bella had teared up, because Edward was good for her, too.
Not everything felt settled, though. Caius was still out there, and Bella had learned to live with the constant shadow over her shoulder. The attacks on cops had stopped, but the team was certain it was just a matter of time. Caius wasn't gone—just biding his time. And they weren't going to let him strike again.
"Your lease is up next month."
Edward's voice pulled Bella from her thoughts. She met his eyes in the mirror as she tied her ponytail. He was sitting on the bed, elbows resting on his knees, watching her. She'd mentioned the lease in passing weeks ago, surprised he even remembered.
"Is it?" she said lightly, turning to face him, her lips curving into a small smile.
Edward nodded, his gaze softening as she walked over to him. When she slid onto his lap, knees bracketing his thighs, his hands instinctively settled on her hips. He dipped his head, his nose brushing along her collarbone, and Bella shivered at the warmth of his breath on her skin.
"Mhm. Move in with me," he murmured, pressing a kiss just below her jaw.
Bella's hands slid into his hair, her fingers threading through the longer, wilder strands she'd secretly adored. He'd opted for keeping his hair longer these days, and she loved it. "That's a big ask," she said softly, though her tone carried more teasing than anything.
Edward lifted his head, his green eyes meeting hers. "Don't say no," he said quickly, voice gentle but earnest. "We're already living together half the time. What's the difference?"
Bella's heart thudded against her ribs at the vulnerability in his expression. Edward wasn't afraid to be open with her—to ask for what he wanted—but seeing that glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes, the hesitation that she might say no, made her breath catch.
"It's not a no," she said carefully. "It's just… soon, isn't it?"
Edward tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Soon? Bella, we've faced down gunfire together. I've seen you laugh, cry, and nearly break your own ribs trying to hold in a sneeze while we were staking out a perp."
Bella laughed despite herself, her hands tightening in his hair. "That sneeze could've blown our cover, thank you very much."
Edward grinned but quickly sobered. "We're not just good together. We're better together, Bella. It feels right. Doesn't it?"
Bella hesitated, her eyes searching his. "It does," she admitted quietly. "But it's also big. It's not just living together—it's…"
Edward cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "It's us," he finished for her. "And whatever you need to feel ready, we'll do it your way. I'm not going anywhere."
Bella felt her chest tighten, a swirl of nerves and warmth pooling as Edward's patience and understanding settled over her like a comforting blanket. Her lips brushed against his in a soft kiss, her voice lifting with a mix of amusement and hesitation. "Can we talk about it later?" she asked, her tone light but betraying the faintest waver. "We do have work, you know."
Edward's smile spread against her lips, his nod almost imperceptible. "Later," he promised, sealing his words with another kiss—one that lingered just long enough to make her heart flutter.
Before she could respond, his hands tightened on her waist, and in one swift motion, he dipped her backward onto the bed. Bella let out a surprised squeal, her laughter bubbling up as her arms instinctively wound around his neck.
"Later," Edward murmured the word again against her skin, his voice dropping into a low, teasing growl that sent shivers down her spine. His lips grazed her neck, the faintest scrape of his teeth making her breathe hitch.
Bella moaned softly, her fingers tangling in his hair as his kisses deepened. For a moment, the world melted away, the responsibility of work becoming an afterthought, leaving just the two of them in their own private universe.
And then he was gone, springing to his feet with a grin that was both mischievous and endearing. He slid on his shoes, glancing over his shoulder at her as he straightened his jacket. "Meet you there?" he asked, his tone casual, though there was a glint in his eyes.
Bella propped herself up on her elbows, biting her lip as she watched him. "Meet you there," she responded, then added quickly, "I love you."
Edward's grin widened, his expression so open and joyful it made her chest ache in the best way. "I love you too," he said back. She'll never tire of him saying it.
And then he was out the door, leaving Bella sitting on the bed, her heart pounding.
They'd agreed not to carpool to work—something about practicality and needing their own spaces after particularly grueling days—just in case. But Bella knew the truth. Edward had suggested it for her benefit, giving her the freedom to retreat to her apartment when she needed to.
She smiled to herself, running her fingers through her hair as she stood and grabbed her shoes. Maybe it was time to stop clinging to those little separations.
Tomorrow, they'd ride together.
…
"Dispatch to all units," a voice crackled over the radio, snapping everyone to attention. "Reported break-in and shots fired at Walgreens on Fifth and Pine. Responding units needed immediately."
Bella and Edward exchanged a look before Edward grabbed the keys to one of the SUVs. Within moments, the team was mobilizing. Solomon, Rosalie, Emmett, Jacob, and Jasper were all right behind them.
The Walgreens was a mess when they arrived. Broken glass littered the floor, reflecting the flashing red and blue lights from the squad cars outside. The air was filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the faint, metallic tang of blood. Inside, four bodies lay sprawled in varying states of injury or death, surrounded by overturned shelves and shattered products. The freezers lining the back wall had gaping holes where bullets had ripped through, causing a cascade of glass shards and dripping condensation.
"Go, go, go!" Solomon barked as the team moved in formation.
Gunfire erupted as the offenders, four masked figures clad in dark clothing, engaged with the police. The aisles became a war zone—chips exploding from bags, soda cans spraying their contents like geysers. Bella ducked behind a display, her gun steady as she scanned for a clear shot.
"Freezer section!" Edward called out, Bella shifted her position, spotting two offenders taking cover behind a counter.
"Drop your weapons!" Solomon shouted, but his command was met with another hail of bullets. Glass from a nearby display case exploded, raining shards onto the floor. Emmett and Rosalie returned fire, aiming low to avoid the civilians injured on the ground.
After a tense standoff, the offenders made their move. "They're retreating!" Bella called into her radio as the masked figures bolted for the back exit. Edward and Bella were already in motion, breaking into a sprint as they pushed through the emergency exit and into the alley.
A black sedan with its license plate removed screeched around the corner, its tires kicking up gravel and smoke. Three of the offenders dove into the open doors, but the fourth stumbled, tripping over debris as he clutched a heavy duffle bag. The driver of the car, unwilling to wait, sped off, leaving the fallen figure coughing and scrambling to get back on his feet.
"Seattle PD! Hands up!" Bella shouted, her gun trained on the struggling offender. Edward moved in cautiously towards him.
The offender hesitated, his hands twitching as if debating whether to comply or make a break for it. Edward's gaze narrowed as he took in the suspect's smaller frame, a sinking feeling settling in his gut.
"Don't do anything stupid," Edward warned.
In a last-ditch effort, the offender tried to bolt, but Edward was quicker. He lunged, grabbing the suspect and spinning him around. With a swift motion, Edward yanked off the ski mask, confirming his worst suspicion.
His heart sank.
It wasn't a man—it was a kid. No older than thirteen, his face streaked with dirt and sweat, his wide eyes filled with a mix of fear and defiance. He sniffed and wiped at his nose with his sleeve, looking up at the two with a simmering gaze.
"Damn it," Edward muttered under his breath, his chest tightening as he shared a grim look with Bella.
She sighed, holstering her gun. "What the hell are we doing here?" she murmured.
The boy stared at them, his lips pressed into a thin line. Edward stood, keeping a firm grip on the kid's arm but softening his stance. "What's your name?" Edward asked, his voice quieter now, steady but not unkind.
The boy didn't answer.
"Kid," Edward pressed, crouching slightly to meet his eyes. "You don't want to go down for this. Just tell us who you're working with."
The boy's jaw clenched, and for a second, Edward thought he might crack. But the defiance returned, his shoulders squaring despite the tremor in his hands. "I don't know anything," he spat.
Edward sighed heavily, standing and glancing at Bella. "Get Solomon out here," he said grimly.
Bella nodded, already reaching for her radio. As she moved to call it in, she couldn't help but steal another glance at the boy—so young, caught up in something so far beyond his understanding.
Her grip on the radio tightened as she made the call. "Solomon, we've got one in custody. He's… a kid."
…
Back at the precinct, the boy sat in the interrogation room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His face was set in a scowl, but his hands betrayed him, fidgeting restlessly.
Outside the room, Jasper handed Solomon a report. "Ballistics came back," he said. "The guns used match three pharmacy robbery homicides from the past two months – one in Kirkland, Bellevue and Everett, same MO as this one."
Solomon's jaw tightened. "Kid doesn't show up in any database?"
"Nothing in CODIS or any of our networks," Jasper confirmed.
Edward leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "He's scared, but he's not talking," he said. "So far, his name's 'Go-to-Hell.'"
Bella stepped forward. "Let me talk to him."
Solomon studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Go ahead."
Bella grabbed a soda and a bag of chips from the vending machine. She walked to the interrogation room, pausing at the door before knocking once and stepping inside. She closed the door behind her, the click echoing in the room. From the observation window, Solomon, Edward, and Jasper stood watching.
The boy's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to his lap. She sat across from him, setting the snacks on the table.
"Hey," she said softly. "I'm Bella."
The boy didn't respond, his scowl deepening.
"I thought you might be hungry," Bella continued, pushing the chips toward him. "Go ahead."
The boy hesitated, his eyes darting to the chips before snatching the bag and tearing it open. He stuffed a handful into his mouth, chewing quickly, as if expecting someone to take them away. Bella watched quietly, her chest tightening at the sight of his desperation.
"How about pizza?" she asked gently.
The boy froze mid-chew, his wary eyes snapping to hers. For a moment, there was a flicker of something—hope, maybe—but it was quickly masked by suspicion.
Bella turned toward the one-way mirror, and moments later, Jasper knocked on the glass and then left to get the food. She waited a beat, then leaned forward slightly. "I know what it's like to be hungry," she said quietly. "I grew up in foster care. Food was barely there. Sometimes, I had to fight just to get one meal a day."
The boy's chewing slowed, and his hands stilled. He glanced at her briefly, his expression conflicted.
"But you're a cop," he muttered, his voice low and scratchy.
Bella nodded. "I am. But I wasn't always. And I know what it feels like to think no one's in your corner."
The boy's shoulders slumped slightly, his defiance dimming. "Foster kids are cursed," he mumbled, the words carrying the weight of something he'd heard far too often. "We're just throwaways."
Bella's heart clenched. "That's not true," she said firmly. "Whoever told you that was wrong. You're not a throwaway. Youmatter."
For a long moment, the boy was silent. Then, in a voice so soft it was barely audible, he said, "Jamal. My name's Jamal."
Bella smiled gently. "Thank you for telling me, Jamal." After a beat of silence, she leaned in, her tone soothing. "Who were the men you were with today?"
Jamal's eyes filled with fear, and he shook his head vehemently. "I can't," he said, his voice trembling. "They'll kill me, like they killed Ty."
Bella's brows knitted in concern. "Who's Ty?"
Jamal's face crumpled, tears spilling over as he whispered, "My brother. He wanted to leave… to take me with him. But they found out. They killed him."
Bella swallowed hard, her heart breaking at the sight of Jamal's pain. She moved around the table, crouching beside him and placing a reassuring hand on his arm.
"I promise you, Jamal," she said, her voice firm. "They will never hurt you again. But I need you to help me stop them."
Jamal hesitated, his eyes filled with both fear and a flicker of hope. Finally, he nodded and whispered, "Darron and Shariq. They live at 1467 South Elm."
Bella nodded, her grip on his arm steady. "You did good, Jamal. We'll take it from here."
The tension in the squad room was palpable after Bella exited the interrogation room, her mind racing from the information Jamal had given her. She spotted Edward and Solomon standing near one of the desks, their faces lit by the glow of Edward's laptop screen.
Edward looked up as she approached. "Latoya Williamson," he said, his voice low and clipped. "She's the registered owner of the address Jamal gave us. She's also Darron Williamson's mother. Darron was arrested for assault and battery back in 2018, served some time, and got out last year."
Solomon's eyes narrowed. "And Shariq?"
Edward sighed. "We've got a few Shariqs in the system, but no solid match yet."
Jacob walked over, a manila folder in hand. "Got Jamal's file from CPS," he said, holding it out. "Full name is Jamal Moore. Kid's been in the foster care system since he was three, now eleven-years-old. Bounced around a lot. His most recent placement was with – get this, a Latoya Williamson, and she's fostering three other kids: Brandon Holden, Jay Miller, and Alex Torres."
Bella shook her head, her jaw tight. "She's letting her son run a criminal operation and dragging these kids into it."
Solomon exhaled sharply, his face a mask of controlled anger. "Alright, let's move. We're bringing Darron and Shariq in. Let's hope they're home."
…
The team arrived at the Williamson residence within twenty minutes, their vehicles pulling up quietly to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. It was a small, dilapidated house on a street that had seen better days. The lawn was overgrown, the paint on the shutters peeling, and an old tricycle lay discarded near the porch steps.
Solomon raised a hand, signaling for quiet. "Stay sharp," he said, his voice low. "Let's go."
Edward was the first to step inside, his gun drawn. The smell of mildew and stale air hit them immediately. The living room was in disarray, with clothes and trash scattered everywhere. As they moved deeper into the house, Edward's voice suddenly rang out.
"Body!"
Everyone froze for a second before rushing to his position. Bella's stomach twisted as she saw the lifeless form of a boy sprawled on the floor, no older than thirteen or fourteen. Blood pooled beneath his head, a single gunshot wound to the back of his skull.
"Jesus Christ," Emmett muttered, his face pale.
Solomon's expression darkened. He pulled out his radio. "C1 2-Adam-20, we got a DOA at our location… juvenile, male, single GSW to the back of the head. Notify forensics."
The team fanned out, clearing the rest of the house room by room. When they reached the basement, Jasper called out, "Found something!"
Bella and Edward hurried down to find him standing in front of a large hardware shelf. Jasper pointed to a section of the wall behind it. "There's a safe back here. We're going to need a drill."
"I've got one," Jacob said, jogging out to his car. He returned moments later, drill in hand, and got to work. Within minutes, the safe was open, revealing a stash of pill bottles.
Solomon crouched down, pulling one out. "How much you wanna bet these lot numbers match the ones from this morning's robbery?"
Bella didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the grim scene. The sound of sirens outside signaled the arrival of CSU, and she headed back up to the street, her mind still racing.
…
Bella and Edward stood on the front lawn, questioning neighbors when she caught sight of a boy walking down the sidewalk. He looked about fifteen, wearing a hoodie and jeans. The moment his eyes landed on the police cars, his expression shifted. His eyes widened in panic, and he turned on his heel, bolting down the street.
"Edward!" Bella shouted, already moving.
Edward spun around, saw the fleeing boy, and took off after him. "Stop! Seattle PD!" he yelled.
The chase was on. The kid weaved through backyards, knocking over trash cans and leaping over fences with surprising agility. Bella was right behind Edward, her heart pounding. They vaulted over a particularly high fence, landing hard on the other side.
The kid glanced back, his face twisted in panic, just as Edward closed the gap. With one last burst of speed, Edward tackled him to the ground. They skidded across the grass, the boy struggling and cursing.
Edward flipped him over, hauling him to his feet. "You're fast," he said, breathing heavily "But you gotta be a little bit quicker to outrun me."
Bella caught up, leaning against a tree for a moment to steady her breathing before stepping closer. She crouched slightly, studying the boy's face. Her expression hardened. "Alex Torres," she said. One of the foster kids. "Why were you running?"
"I ain't do nothin'!" Alex shouted, his voice cracking. "Let me go!"
Bella stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "You didn't do anything?" she repeated skeptically, her gaze narrowing. She asked her question again, "Then why'd you run, Alex?"
Alex glared at her, defiant. "Fuck you, bitch," he spat.
Edward's grip on Alex's shoulder tightened, scowling. "Watch your mouth."
"Or what, you gonna hit me? Think I'm scared of you? You're nothing."
Bella and Edward exchanged a look. "Big words for a fifteen-year-old," Bella said dryly. "Let's see if you're still this brave back at the precinct."
…
After Alex was booked and processed—his fingerprints and photo taken, the unregistered firearm found on him logged into evidence—he was escorted to the interrogation room. As they passed the room where Jamal was talking to a juvenile advocate, Alex's eyes locked onto him. His expression darkened, and he muttered under his breath, "Traitor."
Edward caught the comment and slammed Alex into the interrogation chair. "Got a problem?" he asked, tossing a file onto the metal table
Alex sneered. "Yeah, I got a fucking problem. With pussy-ass cops like you."
Bella stood near the table, her arms crossed as she regarded Alex with cool detachment. "Right now, us pussy-ass cops are your best bet at not looking at hard time, kid."
"I'm not a kid," Alex snapped, his voice dripping with venom.
"Could've fooled me," Bella said, unfazed. "We found an unregistered gun on you. You're in a lot of trouble, Alex. And unless you want to make it worse, I suggest you start talking."
Alex's jaw clenched, and shook his head. Hesat with his arms crossed, his chair tipped back slightly on its hind legs. His hood was pulled low over his forehead, shadowing his defiant eyes. "Yeah? Well, I got nothin' to say, so."
Edward sighed and sat down across from him. "Listen, Alex," he said, his tone firm but not harsh. "How about we start simple. Where were you between nine and ten this morning.?"
Alex didn't even flinch. "Go fuck yourself."
Edward's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to the bait. He leaned back slightly, exchanging a brief look with Bella. "Look," he said, "we know you were at the Walgreens. You match the height and build of one of the suspects. We've got witnesses. We've got surveillance footage that's being processed right now. And we've got a gun—your gun—that's about to be matched to the ballistics of three pharmacy robberies and homicides. You want to rethink your attitude?"
Alex tilted his head back, his smirk widening. "Oh, you got witnesses, huh?" he drawled, mockingly. "Well, how 'bout this—I want a fuckin' lawyer. Ain't that what you gotta do when I ask for it? Go get me one. Now."
Bella stepped forward, resting her hands lightly on the table. "Sure, you can lawyer up," she said. "That's your right. But let me ask you something first—where are your so-called 'family' now? The guys you're protecting? You think they're going to lawyer up for you? Bail you out? Take care of you when you're locked up for life?"
Alex shrugged, leaning back further in his chair, balancing precariously. "You don't know shit. They are my family," he said coolly.
Bella's expression didn't change, but Edward could see the flicker of pain behind her eyes. She pressed on. "You really believe that?" she asked softly. "Because from where I'm standing, they left you to take the fall. You think they care about you, Alex? Do you think they care about Jamal?"
At the mention of Jamal, Alex's eyes darkened, and his lip curled. "That little snitch? He's dead if I ever see him again."
Edward's chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly, his fists clenched. "Watch your mouth," he snapped, and Alex narrowed his eyes at him.
Bella place a hand on Edward's arm, calming him back into his chair, and she sought out Alex's eyes. "Look, I get it. You've had it rough, and maybe this feels like the only way to survive. But this?" She gestured to the interrogation room, to the precinct. "This isn't the way. You've got a chance to turn things around, Alex. You don't have to keep going down this road."
Alex let out a short, harsh laugh. "Oh, so now you're my savior, huh?" He leaned forward suddenly, his smirk twisting into something mean. "You don't know shit about me, lady. But I'll tell you one thing—you're real pretty, you just talk a lot. Bet you'd look even better on your knees, though. Then I'd keep you quiet real good."
Edward stiffened instantly, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table. His eyes burned with barely-contained anger as he glowered at Alex. "You wanna try saying that again?" he asked him, two seconds from reaching over and treating the kid like the adult he so badly wanted to be.
But Bella raised a hand subtly, stopping him, her voice calm. "You're done," she said quietly, rising from her chair. "We're done here. We'll get you that lawyer."
Edward pushed back his chair, his movements sharp. Without another word, they both exited the room, leaving Alex sitting there with his smug grin.
Outside, Bella exhaled slowly, her hands briefly resting on her hips as she collected herself. Edward stood next to her, his posture tense. "That little—" he started, but Bella cut him off with a shake of her head.
"He's just a kid," she said softly, though her voice was heavy with frustration and sadness. Her gaze shifted to the one-way mirror, where Alex sat slouched in the chair, his arms crossed defiantly. The smirk was gone now, replaced with something quieter, harder—a mask she recognized all too well.
Bella had seen kids like Alex before, on both sides of her life: growing up in the system, surrounded by children hardened far too young, and later, as a cop, where she watched that same hardness steer them down paths that felt impossible to return from. Alex wasn't just angry; he was scared. But fear had a way of twisting into something mean when you wore it long enough. She knew that better than anyone.
Her mind flicked to Jamal, just a few years younger but still clinging to some shred of hope, some belief that life could be different. Jamal wasn't too far gone—yet. But Alex? He was already carrying a weight that most adults couldn't handle, and it was etched into every defensive glare, every sharp word. He'd seen too much, done too much. His life had likely been shaped by violence and survival, leaving little room for trust or anything resembling normalcy.
"He's not going to give us anything," Edward said, breaking her thoughts. His voice was still taut, but quieter now, his anger giving way to resignation.
Bella nodded slowly, her gaze not leaving Alex's hunched figure. "No," she said softly, her heart aching. "He's not."
Her words hung in the air, filled with the quiet tragedy of understanding. She saw the cracks in Alex's armor, the places where he'd built walls too high and too thick to let anyone in. And she knew that for someone like him, those walls weren't just protection—they were survival. The same survival instinct that had brought him here, sitting across from the cops he despised, refusing to give even an inch.
But Bella also knew what it was like to live behind those walls, to believe that the world didn't care about you and that you had to fight for everything, no matter who you hurt along the way. And she knew that while Alex might be too far gone to see it now, that didn't mean he was beyond saving.
Her voice was barely above a whisper as she added, "But it doesn't mean we stop trying."