Chapter 37

~Cloak and Dagger~

Anger blazes through me. We were having a great night before Phoenix decided to ruin it. Suddenly, I understand the term "seeing red."

I stand abruptly, pointing a finger between Emmett and Rose. "Don't let Bella out of your sight. I'll be back."

"Edward, no!" Bella lurches from her seat and fists the front of my shirt.

I grasp her shoulders gently. "Hey, hey. It's all right."

"You don't know what he's capable of." Her words come in a strangled whisper, and a tear spills down her cheek. "Please."

"We're in a public place. There's nothing to worry about." I press a kiss to her forehead and guide her back into the chair. "Trust me."

She nods, her eyes wide with fear.

I stride across the crowded room, expertly weaving around people and obstacles, making a beeline for the bar. Our waitress happens to be behind the polished wood, filling a tray with glasses.

"Hey, Cathy, is the guy who sent Bella that drink still here?"

Cathy glances up at me. "Give me a sec." She pushes her tray to the side and walks casually along the narrow aisle. She returns with a nod. "Five or six down, red Henley, brown hair."

"Thanks."

I walk behind the people crowded at the bar and catch sight of a red shirt. The spot next to him happens to be open, so I lean my arm on the bar, half facing him. He's chatting with the guy on his other side, so he doesn't notice me right away. I take the opportunity to size him up—medium build, tan, shorter than me. He doesn't give off a dangerous vibe. Laughing loudly at something his companion says, they clink glasses and down their shots.

An unsettling feeling pulses in my stomach, but I need to know the truth.

"Hey, buddy." I tap him on the shoulder.

"Yeah?" His head swings my way, our eyes meeting.

"You sent a drink to Bella."

He stares for a moment, frozen. It's obvious he's calculating my emotional state to see if I'm angry.

"I did."

"Why?"

He puts his hands out defensively and shakes his head. "Dude, it wasn't from me. Don't shoot the messenger." When I respond with a hard stare, he keeps talking. "Look, some guy stopped me in the alley and paid me five Benjamins to send her that weird drink. Seemed harmless enough." He shrugs.

"What did he look like?"

"Like the Grim Reaper. He wore a black cloak. The sleeves came past his hands, and the hood hid his face."

"How did he pay?"

"Bit-coin."

"Of course he did." I run a hand through my hair. "Anything else you can tell me?"

"Yeah. Don't go looking for him. There's something wrong with the dude." His expression seems earnest.

"If there's something wrong with him, why did you agree to it?"

He bites his lip. "The request he made seemed harmless—sending a drink to a pretty girl. Truth? I thought it was better to go along with him than go against him."

"Fair enough. Sorry to bother you."

"No prob, dude."

Now that I know Phoenix is hanging around outside, I hurry back to Bella. She slumps in the chair, deflated, her growing confidence gone. Hatred for that manipulative bastard singes my veins.

She looks up at me, face flushed, a question in her eyes.

"It wasn't him. He flipped some guy five hundred to send you that drink." I pull my phone out and dial Sam Uley. "Hey, it's Edward Cullen. We're over at Denali's. Phoenix paid some guy to send Bella a drink. He was hanging out in the alley and might still be in the area."

"I'll send a patrol car over. You got a description?"

"Baggy, black cloak, kept his face covered . . . paid by Bit-coin."

Sam huffs. "So we're looking for a goddamn ghost. Stay there until we canvass the area."

I reassure Bella the best I can. She's visibly shaken, her gaze darting around the crowd. We join several other couples on the dance floor, and I pull her close. "The police are looking for him. We can't even be sure it was Phoenix who paid that guy. Maybe he paid someone to do that too."

"You're probably right." Bella sighs and rests her cheek against my chest.

We dance. We play darts. We order an appetizer platter, and Emmett regales us with tales of his strangest customers. The stories are funny and lighthearted, and I'm grateful as I watch Bella slowly relax.

Sam shows up in civilian clothes and turns a chair around, straddling it. "How's it going?"

I rest my arm over Bella's shoulders. "Sam. Did you find anything?"

"Yeah. We got footage of a guy tossing a black cloak in a trash can." He holds his phone out, and Bella leans forward to see.

"It's not him." She looks hopeful.

"I had a feeling." Sam's expression is grim.

"Why?"

"Traffic cams picked up at least five guys in black cloaks within a two-block radius. All of them were gone by the time we got here."

~*oOo*~

Our routine remains much the same over the next few weeks. Bella is always with one of us, and extra police cars patrol near Inkspiration and our apartment. We settle into a comfortable rhythm though we don't go on any dates without another couple tagging along.

Ali closely monitors Bella's medications and eliminates most of the drugs Jimmy had her on. Her blood work is almost back to normal. Ali encourages Bella to do yoga, and the two of them often lay their mats side by side in our apartment. They try to get me to join them, but I miss running, so I buy a treadmill.

I continue going to therapy with Bella, and we're taking intimacy slowly. I want her so much, but I need to be sure she's ready before we go any further. Dr. Boyan is supportive and feels we are going at the pace that's right for us. She tries to get Bella to open up about Phoenix, but Bella seems to have taken a few steps back in that department. Dr. Boyan assures us that is to be expected in a situation like this—as if there is anything normal about what we're going through.

Bella comes down with a cold and doesn't feel up to coming to work. Seth reschedules my appointments, and I stay home with her. We cuddle on the couch and watch old movies. Ali brings over a pot of chicken soup, which brings tears to Bella's eyes.

"Nobody's ever made soup for me before," she whispers, swiping at her damp cheek.

Ali put her hands on her hips. "Is that so? Well, you're part of the Cullen family now, honey, so get used to being spoiled!"

Bella's smile widens. "Thank you for everything. I love being part of your lives."

I pull her close and plant a kiss on her temple. "We love having you around. Life just gets better from here."

My phone trills. "Hey, Seth. What's up?"

"Your favorite client is coming in tomorrow. I tried to reschedule, but he said he's going out of town, and you promised to finish his piece."

"Fuck me. Hold on a sec." I shoot my sister my best puppy eyes. "Any chance you and Jas will be home tomorrow?"

"I'm working the night shift, and Jas is off. We'd be happy to hang with Bella during the day tomorrow." Ali winks at Bella. "We can watch movies, and I'll tell you all my brother's secrets."

I narrow my eyes at Ali, and she sticks her tongue out. Bella seems so happy, I guess it won't hurt if Ali tells her all the stupid shit I did as a teenager.

The next morning, I go in early to set up my station for my least favorite client. Sebastian Boucheron is a pretentious asshole. For some reason, he cares what his college buddies think and wants the piece I've been working on to be complete before his trip to Aspen. I'm always tense when Sebastian comes in because he never fails to complain. He also keeps asking Rose out, which doesn't sit well with Emmett.

Sebastian strolls in and strips his shirt off. "Your guy tried to cancel my appointment. I don't appreciate that, Edward."

I smile tightly. "I had something personal going on. Sorry for any inconvenience."

"You worked it out, right? Did what was important," he replies smugly.

I turn away, gritting my teeth. His piece will be finished today, and maybe he'll fuck off after that. A guy can hope.

Rose happens to pop her head in. "How's Bella?"

"Better today. She's hanging with Ali, watching movies."

"Awesome."

Sebastian grins wolfishly. "Ace, the hardware queen. Are you ready for this?" He shows off his naked chest. "How about dinner tonight?"

Rose smiles politely, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "I've told you, Sebastian, I don't date the clientele. I'm also taken."

He smooths a hand over his neatly trimmed blond hair. "I'm up to the challenge, Ace. Give me one night, and I'll make you forget him. What time should I pick you up?"

"On the twelfth."

He raises an eyebrow quizzically.

"The twelfth of never." Rose's jaw is set, her gaze hardening. "I'm. Taken. Have a great session." Turning on her heel, she stalks away.

Sebastian lays a hand over his heart. "That really hurt, but I think I'm wearing her down. One of these days, she's going to say yes." He takes in my expression. "You don't seem to agree."

"Nobody tells Rose what to feel. Besides, we don't date clients."

"Good thing today is my last session, isn't it?"

I roll my eyes and get started on his tattoo.

As I'm finishing up, Seth pokes his head in. "There's someone here to see you, boss. I put them in the office."

"Who is it?"

Seth gives a slight shake of his head. Whoever it is, he doesn't think he should announce it in front of customers. Shit.

Sebastian admires his finished piece and offers a rare, genuine smile. "You are one talented mofo, Edward. Someday when you are famous, I can brag that I called it early."

We shake hands, and I wish him a great trip to Aspen.

When I enter the office, I find the fire marshal and Sam. Ray Whitmer leans on the edge of the desk and offers me an apologetic look. Sam is clearly unhappy.

"Hey, Sam. Officer Whitmer. What can I do for you?" My heart beats fast, pounding in my ears.

"Edward, your DNA came back positive," Sam says.

"That's impossible! I was at the hospital. There's security footage!"

Ray Whitmer shakes his head but doesn't say anything.

Sam sighs. "Listen, Aro Volturi's lawyer is making a stink. He's demanding we arrest you."

"What the hell? Did you show him the security footage and witness statements?"

"This will all get sorted out, but he's demanding that the statements and footage be authenticated. I have no choice but to arrest you."

There's a storm brewing in Ray Whitmer's blue eyes. "Mr. Cullen, get yourself good representation, someone who knows the ins and outs of DNA evidence. David Bach has a reputation for making a spectacle in court, and he rarely loses."

My gaze jumps to Sam, who looks grim. "Sam, you know this couldn't come at a worse time! Isn't there anything you can do?"

He scrubs a hand over his face. "You know I wouldn't arrest you unless I had to. The new District Attorney is chomping at the bit to make a name for himself. I promise we will fast-track the investigation and clear your name as soon as humanly possible."

My stomach does a sickening roll, and I jam my fingers in my hair. "This can't be fucking happening."

Sam pours a cup of water from the cooler and hands me the paper cone. "Drink this."

Numb and unable to think clearly, I follow his directions, letting the cool water slide down my dry throat.

"Edward, look—we have to take you in, but you'll be arraigned tomorrow morning and probably be out by noon. That's the easy part of this debacle. The hard part will be proving the DNA was mishandled, faked, or planted. Whatever you do, don't accept a public defender." Sam shakes his head, his gaze intense. "Not for something like this."

My throat constricts, so I just nod.

Whitmer looks at me with sympathy. "I hope this is resolved soon, Mr. Cullen."

There's an unspoken component to his words that sends a chill up my spine. Proving my innocence could be a long, tangled road. In the meantime, Bella will be exposed.

~*oOo*~

A/N: First, to anyone affected by Helene or Milton, I hope you came through all right. You are in my prayers.

The next few chapters are going to be rough. The next chapter is almost finished and should be out next week. Drop those thoughts and theories on me! You know how I love them . . .

I'm getting over a recent bout of COVID and doing my best to find writing time in between naps. The fatigue is a killer!

Fanfic is spotty with email alerts. Maybe they will never be fully funtional again. The fanfic app seems to post updates. I post teasers and links to updates on Facebook in the No Rules Twilight Fan Fiction, The Twilight Fanfiction Finders, and It All Started With Twilight groups.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy (wmr1601) and prereader extraordinaire Aleea (Aleeab4u). These ladies make my stuff much more presentable! (Translation: save me from sounding like a blathering fool)