EPOV
Bella held on to me squeezing her body to mine with a death grip around my neck that she didn’t seem to want to release. Truthfully I didn’t want her to either. Burying her face in my neck she took in a shuddering breath as her arms became impossibly tighter and I rubbed my cheek against hers making shushing noises.
The overwhelming feeling of relief we both felt was coming out in Bella’s emotions however at that moment letting them out in the form of tears was not in our best interest. Too many curious eyes upon us yet I couldn’t think of anything to lighten the mood. The resounding “EWWW” from the boys in the pool was exactly what was needed.
We both chuckled as I whispered in Bella’s ear “Give them ten years”
She didn’t say anything, just nodded her head against my neck with a little giggle.
“Look at me Isabella” lifting her head she was practically chewing on her bottom lip as our eyes met.
“I love you nâhtötse” she smiled widely yet still remained quiet and it took me a second to realize what the problem was “Speak to me”
“Love you too”
The small kiss was met with a loud drawn out “Groooooss”
Bella blushed as I set her back on ground as I assured her “I’m telling you, ten years”
“If that” she added then gave me a meaningful look “Your girl made a mistake”
Nodding I cupped her cheek “We’ll talk about that at home”
Bella nodded in agreement and my eyes moved to see Shelly scrutinizing our exchange with intense curiosity. Turning away from the annoying woman I placed a hand on Bella’s back to lead her to the pool. Jasper shook my hand asking about the golf game and Alice yelled down from the deck that it was time for everyone to get out. There was a lot of disgruntled noises and a few of the boys continued playing while the others made their way out. Bella helped a few of them with towels while Jasper warned the stragglers. Once they were all out Bella followed them up the stairs while I helped Jasper clean up the scattered juice boxes, giving him a rundown of the game.
“So are you going to play again?”
“Yeah, next Friday morning” Jasper wasn’t too happy about the time or date because he would be working.
There was nothing I could about that yet I did feel bad “Maybe you can join us the next time”
Up on the deck the boys were all redressing in their T-shirts and sneakers ready to head back down into the yard so they could run around until their parents arrived. Bella was helping Alice and the other mother with tying shoes and folding wet towels. The deck was fairly clean except for a few baskets of snack food Alice let out along the row of tote bags. Jasper went to get rid of the garbage giving Shelly a chance to come talk to me.
“How are you Edward? I haven’t seen you for a while”
“I’ve been busy” That was an honest enough answer
“So I see. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. I always thought you didn’t do the girlfriend thing”
The girlfriend thing?
Yeah that was me, although I couldn’t remember ever actually saying that in my conversations with Mrs. Nunez. Maybe she just inferred from my lack of female companionship that I had no one special in my life. Rather than being annoyed at her presumption I found it to be rather flattering and her next question made me downright gitty.
“So is it serious?”
Was it serious?
Looking over at Bella my heart swelled, she was the most serious thing I had ever had in my life. High School, College, Med School, Career placement or a lifetime of hopes and dreams all boiled down to one person.
Was it serious? I couldn’t give a definite response but I knew damn well I was serious about her. Before I could reply Vinny came barreling over stopping just short of running into me “Uncle Eddie am I still sleeping at your house? Aunt Bella said I had to ask you”
“If your mom says it alright”
“She don’t care but can Seth sleep with me? Aunt Bella says he sleeps with you’s and I want him to sleep with me, Can he?”
Shifting my focus to Bella who was pretending to not be paying attention I could see the amusement on her face. My girl was staking her claim and I might as well reiterate it for her.
“If aunt Bella says its ok then I guess you’re sleeping at our house. And we’ll see about Seth, he won’t scare you will he?”
The little man looked at me like I just told him there was no Santa Claus “No, he’s not scary.”
“Alright…then I guess it will be ok as long as Seth doesn’t mind” The dog always slept in the same room as us. I wasn’t sure how he would take the separation, we could try but ultimately that would be Bella’s call.
Vinny however had no qualms “He won’t, Seth’s my friend”
He ran down the stairs with the rest of his little friends once again leaving me with Shelly and I couldn’t help but bring up the subject “Now what did you ask me?”
I knew damn well what she was questioning but I wanted to make it sound like her inquiry was of no consequence. Apparently my assumption was wrong as she took a half of step closer to me and spoke conspiratorial “Scott is out of town until next week, the kids are going to be away I thought you could join me tonight for a drink”
Even if Bella wasn’t in my life, never in a million years would that scenario have played out. I don’t date, play or associate with another man’s wife. My ideas of sexual freedom come to a complete halt with a wedding ring. I might believe in everyone doing as they please but that also includes my own choices and that was a line that should not be crossed.
“Shelly I don’t get together with married women..”
“I’m only married in name”
“Yet still very married, besides your original question was is my relationship with Bella serious, and the answer to that is yes…it is very serious”
“As in she is …what?”
My eyes narrowed at the audacity of the woman yet I still found her question to be rather amusing and I made it very clear what Bella is to me “As in, Bella is my life, and she is all I could have ever asked for”
It was as if she had never in her life heard someone talk of love; Shelly’s face turned to stone cold hardness
“Too bad, we could have had fun”
“I doubt it” I said walking away towards Bella.
“Are you ready baby?”
She stood looking around to see if there was anything else she could help with before answering “Yes as long as Alice doesn’t need me anymore”
I was more than sure my sister could handle everything especially since it appeared like mothers were starting to arrive to pick up their children. Bella said good-bye to Vinny and gave one of the other boys a high five “Thanks Andy I’m going to practice that spit ball”
Spit ball?
Another mother appeared and Bella said good-bye to Stephanie, the woman whose name I didn’t know then called out to Shelly “It was nice to meet you”
I doubt Bella actually felt that way yet my girl was nothing if not polite. Shelly rolled her eyes giving her a curt ‘Yeah’ before calling down into the yard for her son. I escorted Bella into the house where Alice was talking with yet another parent. We said our quick good-byes to Jasper with an added ‘see you tomorrow’ while my sister hugged Bella thanking her for volunteering. Alice reminded us she would see us later at Emmett’s and we left.
Bella seemed rather edgy on the ride home so to help ease the tension I asked her about the conversation she had with Alice. I had been right; she in no uncertain terms told my sister that her actions were unacceptable. Pulling up into the driveway Bella had finished with the story and was chewing nervously on her bottom lip.
Getting out of the car to open her door she tentatively took my hand as if she was afraid.
Tugging her hand I pulled her to me, cupping her face with my palm “What’s the matter nâhtötse?”
I didn’t want her to be afraid of me or the talk we were going to have to have. There was definite worry in Bella’s eyes as they looked up at me through her lashes. “This girl is afraid you are mad at her for telling off your sister”
Completely taken off guard for the real reason of Bella’s anxieties I was unable to hold it the chuckle “Oh Isabella…mad is the last thing I would be. Alice was behaving in the most inconsiderate manner. I was going to tell her about it but she said you already did. So I was just wondering what you said, that’s all”
“So you’re not mad about it?”
“No…in fact I’m rather proud that you stood up for yourself and when it comes to my sister that’s always a good thing. Alice is accustomed to people catering to her whims, I love her but she is a bit spoiled”
Dropping my hand from her face I shut the car door and started walking towards the house “It’s best to set the ground rules down right away with Alice. But like I said she’s use to getting what she wants without anyone questioning her so…”
Opening the front door I noticed the cane Bella had selected leaning against the wall. Bella following my gaze went over to pick it up she stated “She doesn’t do that to Rose”
I laughed “She tried; but it didn’t take her long to realize, Rosalie isn’t one to be pushed around”
“And this one is?” she stated turning on me with a glare.
I raised one eyebrow in warning “No…it’s just…” Taking her free hand to lead the way into the kitchen I explained what I meant.
“You exude submissiveness; and I’m sorry to say that some people will take that as weakness and will try to intimidate you. I however know for a fact that is bullshit and I expect you to stand up for yourself when someone, anyone, tries to take advantage of your natural nature.”
Holding out the kitchen chair I motioned for her to sit once she did I kissed the top of her head and added “That Includes my sister”
Seth had come out of nowhere demanding attention, while Bella spoke to the dog I got out a bottle of water for me along with a glass of cranberry juice for her. Before sitting down I opened the back door letting him out for a bit. Bella eyed the glass of juice, she hadn’t complained earlier when I gave it to her but the way she was looking at it made me wonder.
“You don’t like Cranberry?”
It didn’t really matter if she did or didn’t
“No Sir…I like it. You normally don’t give me juice as a drink”
“Well…” I said taking my chair at the head of the table “…you had a rather active night with a lot of fluid being expelled from you…” her blush so pleasing I wanted to see if it would deepen“…not to mention the way you were grinding against the wand.”
And yes there it was
Bella’s face turned into an almost deep red making me grin “With all the extra liquid it’s possible that some seeped into your urinary tract and I don’t you to get an infection. So the cranberry juice is a kind of preemptive holistic treatment to help remove any bacteria that might have found its way into the urethra.”
“Oh” she said taking a drink from the glass while I twisted the lid off my bottle
“Oh?” I chuckled before taking a long drink then asked “which reminds me, how does it feel. You were a little tender this morning when I touched you, is it better?”
I would have checked myself but there was nothing to see nor was there any kind of ointment to apply to help ease the discomfort.
“Ummm”
“Um is not an answer Isabella”
“It’s still a little tender; it feels like a black and blue mark when it’s touched. But it’s better”
I nodded “It’s the erectile tissue”
“Erectile tissue?” Bella asked like she had never heard of it “Like a penis?”
“Yes” Did she not know how her own body worked “The clitoris is very much like a penis, it has underlying erectile tissue which engorges with blood and an extremely sensitive external gland like the head of the male counterpart.”
That made me wonder “Why are you touching it?”
“When I go to the bathroom…I need to wipe”
Oh…that made sense.
She was chewing on her lip with so much force I was afraid she was going to hurt herself. Rubbing my thumb along her bottom lip I wanted her to stop worrying “Isabella we are at the table, say what you need to say”
Holding my gaze she said quietly “I messed up…again” as she said the word again her eyes dropped as if she was ashamed. I didn’t want her to feel that way.
Lifting her chin with my thumb I needed her to understand “That’s ok Isabella. This is a learning experience that allows you and me to see where we were and where we want to go. Then like any other journey we set our course and work our way there.”
Tears welled in her eyes “I’m so selfish”
“No baby…not selfish” I said wiping the puffiness under her eyes but as I thought about it I changed my answer.
“Maybe a little bit selfish. But no more than any other person would be. It’s a natural human trait to think of your own pleasure. As a submissive you are being asked to take that away and give it over to me. That takes time, which had you been struggling or not cable of handling yet, I would have given you the benefit of the doubt. But for you to challenge me and blatantly disregard your training because you didn’t feel the need to obey, well that’s altogether something different.”
“So I deserved the punishment?”
That was not what happened and by the tone of her voice Bella knew it “Were you punished?”
“No” she shook her head and I sat back in the chair to take another drink waiting to see if she would continue “It was a lesson…”
I corrected her “It was a demonstration. Punishment is done to correct bad behavior, a lesson is done to show you the error of your ways. And a demonstration is done so you can have all the facts before making an informed decision”
I gave her a moment to let that sink in before adding “Everything we have done so far Isabella has been a demonstration. You came into this relationship with me a virgin to a D/s lifestyle. You had an idea what you would enjoy but having no real experience you couldn’t be sure. So I have spent the better part of the last two months giving you a small taste of as many experiences as I could. Now why do you think I did that?”
Bella thought before answering “So I could see what was enjoyable…”
I nodded “And what was not. There are things we encaged in that I don’t necessary enjoy…”
“Really?” She interrupted making me chuckle “yes really. But you needed the experience to see if you did. I told you there are hard limits I do not cross, ever. All the rest is open for debate so we play around with the edges and devour what we crave. Those things I don’t partially enjoy are still acceptable to partake in because you enjoy them and I can get pleasure out of watching and participating in the activity for you. Seeing you satisfied is one of my greatest joys Isabella. You have no idea how much I get off just watching you lose yourself knowing that it is because of me”
Bella thought about that for a moment before asking “Would you really have changed what we do…I mean you said it was my choice…”
“It is your choice. I can’t force you to do anything you refuse to do. I’m not a tyrant but you can’t tell me you want to totally surrender to me and then refuse to do it. You either do or you don’t. And if you don’t want to, or you’re not ready to do it yet…that’s ok…”
“But I am ready…it’s just …I just…”
She didn’t want to admit it “You were afraid”
“No…”she denied quickly.
I tilted my head taking in the woman before me who fought for her safety and sanity for so long she didn’t want to admit to any weakness including fear. I needed to think of a way to make her see that it was a natural instinct to fear the unknown.
Tapping the top of the table I asked “Do you remember the first time we sat here, in the exact same spots we’re in now?” she nodded “You told me that on the level of submission you were somewhere between a five and a six…”
Bella’s eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out what I getting at “If I asked you right now where you were on that number line would you say you were closer to five or six?”
She hesitated for a moment before answering “Six”
I nodded “I would agree with you. Due to experience and a deeper understanding of your needs it becomes a natural progression to want to give more of yourself to me. And baby I’m all too happy to pick it up but I that doesn’t mean I’m not a little leery.”
“You’re afraid?” she gave me a doubtful look and I couldn’t lie to her
“No baby it doesn’t scare me, it does however make me want to be more cautious. With added control comes more excitement but also a lot of extra responsibility. I’m an alpha-male Isabella with tendency’s that lead me to want to take, control and conquer. The more you are willing to give, the more I am willing to take. If you told me that you wanted me to control how many strokes you make with your toothbrush, I would be all too happy to accommodate.”
“What does that have to do with being leery?”
I took a deep breath “Each little step towards a deeper submission on your part excites me to no end, yet it also places on me the challenge of not only taking you there but making sure you are happy and fulfilled without stifling your personality. That all boils down to moving at your pace, if it was up to me we would have already been there and back. You’re the one who takes the lead, telling me what you’re ready to give and what you are not. Change is inevitable, your trust, understanding and desires are going to cause a natural progression to move into a deeper submission to me. You saw for yourself how your limits changed and that was only in a short amount of time. Now imagine five, ten, fifteen years down the road how much more you will be eager to give.”
Bella’s eyes crinkled with worry and I knew what the problem was “That’s what scares you”
Her eyes bore into mine and I had to wonder “Why does that worry you?”
I could see the workings of her mind; the thoughts were there she just needed a push to get them out. That I could give her
With a stern voice I demanded “Isabella, tell me”
In a matter of a second a barrage of emotions past over her face while I waited to hear what was causing her fears. Just as I was going to once again stress my point her eyes dropped to the table top as she started to speak “I love Jane…”
Placing my thumb under her chin I lifted “Now talk to me”
She sucked in a deep breath making me raise one eye in warning of the impending sigh. Bella caught it letting the air out in a quiet exhale and I smiled in approvable while she began again “Jane is wonderful, she’s…she’s simply the best and I love her…but …I don’t want to be like that. That’s not how I picture myself being…a …a slave”
Ohhh…
“You won’t be…” I tried to assure her but instead she interrupted “How can you say that when you’re so sure that in years to come I’m going to give up more and more of myself?”
“Come here” tugging her hands to make her sit in my lap where she settled in with her back against my chest and my chin on her shoulder “Jane is a remarkable woman and I’m also afraid that she is a rare kind. I’m going to say that there are very few, true slaves out there in the world. She is the extreme and I know for a fact you will never be a true-slave.”
I kissed her cheek “You my pet…”
The pout came out making my dick hard as she turned her head to look at me “I like nâhtötse”
“Do you now?” She nodded in that little girl innocence “Uh..huh”
“Well then nâhtötse…”placing a kiss on the side of her lips “…you are a submissive and you might be leaning towards a six on the scale but I highly doubt you will ever surpass that level. Because it’s who you are and changing it would be like trying to change the color of your eyes. You could get contacts to cover up the brown and change them to brilliant red, but underneath they will always be the most beautiful shade of rich milk chocolate I have ever seen.”
Her head cocked to the side like she was trying to decipher my meaning “In other words…”
“In other words, you can play at being a slave and that might be fun for a few days. But you could never be one for any length of time, because it’s not in you to be”
“But you said I was drawing deeper and…I feel that draw to surrender more.”
How could I explain this to her
A train of thought came to me “You played the clarinet?” at her nod I requested “Answer please”
Bella smiled “Yes Master I did”
“What was the first thing you learned to play on it?”
“Scales”
“The basics…” I clarified “…and then what?”
“Twinkle Twinkle little star”
“And then you never learned anything else right? You just kept playing the same song over and over”
Bella turned slightly in my lap to face me “No of course not. I learned more songs, got comfortable with what I learned then practiced harder so I could play more challenging pieces.”
I stared into her eyes willing her to understand and I could see the light bulb go off in her mind.
“You’re sneaky”
“I am” freely admitting it
“Do you see what I’m saying now? About how it’s a natural progression to reach a level then go a little further. But that doesn’t change who you are inside…” I said pointing at her chest “You will always be my girl, the one I love, the slut whose submission gives me so much fucking joy I just want to take everything she’s willing to offer. My girl who over time will become more practiced and her desire will be to challenge herself with harder more in-depth tasks. She will then come to me with a request to take control over another aspect of her life. That’s what I mean by a deeper submission, not a higher level just a more selfless existence. Your thoughts will not be what I’m taking they will be what can you can give to me. Each new aspect will be met with a challenge and a slight bit of apprehension because it is a new experience. That’s natural Isabella yet you can’t let that hold you back from fulfilling your desires or your destiny. That’s how you were living before, with something inside you screaming to come out. Now you opened the lid of the box and …”
She eyed me “Pandora’s box”
“Sort of” I agreed tightening my hold around her waist while I growled into her ears “I do have evil things planned for you”
Bella giggled while her fingers moved lightly from my wrist to elbow “So then this morning when you said you were frustrated, it was because…”
“I told you why. You tell me one thing either with subliminal signals you give off or with actual vocal admissions, and then your actions totally contradict what you say. I don’t know if we’re up, down or sideways sometimes and for a man like me, that’s very frustrating. If you tell me to take the reins then be prepared to go down the path I choose. However if you don’t want to…”
“Did you mean what you said about changing the course of our relationship?”
“You should know by now Isabella, I mean everything I say”
Dropping her eyes into her lap she spoke quietly “I don’t want to change anything”
Using my thumb I once again lifted her head so she would look at me “I didn’t think you did. On the off chance that was what you decided to do. I was seriously hoping it wouldn’t last too long because I am very happy with the way thing are.”
“So am I”
The sad smile on her face broke my heart and I kissed it away “Don’t be sad nâhtötse; this is a learning experience for both of us.”
Bella nodded and I nudged her back telling her to get up off my lap “Sit down, finish your juice”
“Yes Sir” She took a drink while taking her seat, setting it down she glanced at me “Can I ask you something?”
“Absolutely”
She took a deep breath while her fingers skimmed over the glass before meeting my gaze “You said ‘you wouldn’t have allowed me to cum that much’ what did you mean by that? Did you want me to safe word?”
My eyes narrowed at the assumption “No…did you feel the need to safe word?”
Worry started to plague my mind as I thought about the night before. Bella was uncomfortable, I was definitely pushing her limits, but she was not in any danger nor did seem afraid
“I didn’t think so?”
What the fuck does that mean?
“What do you mean think? Were you afraid?”
There was a slight hesitation in her reply “Well…the first time you woke me up…”
I knew I had startled her, which was why I immediately allowed her to hear my voice “I’m talking about on the ball. That was part of the session you had control over, were you at any time afraid while on the ball”
The answer came immediately “No”
I relaxed slightly glad that I had not misread her body language “Then were you in extreme duress or pain?”
Bella contemplated for a moment - the longest fucking moment of my life – before answering “No…it wasn’t…I mean, the endless vibration was driving me insane and the nerves in my legs were starting to go numb…I didn’t exactly like it…”
She wasn’t really supposed to like it…after the first two or three, forced orgasms are not fun.
“…the wand kept vibrating and I kept thinking there is no way I could take another orgasm. Each one seemed to be stronger and I didn’t really want to cum anymore…but …”
The hesitation she made caused me to wonder “But?”
Pink warmth flooded her face the blush so deep it went all the way down her throat “But…the actual release felt so good…oh my god…it was torture to get there…but then once I came…it was mind-blowing”
“Mind-blowing?” grinning as I asked for conformation, which I got in the form of a nod “Like out of body, can’t form a thought, take me to another world, best fucking feeling I have ever had”
Grinning she called me on it “Just a little smug?”
Smug?…damn right I was
“I knew they were good when you started talking in tongues and cuming by the bucketful” grinning wider as the blush returned “and the last one on the bed”
Bella’s face fell “Oh…my poor little mouse…”
“Little mouse?” I asked with a chuckle
“Yes…” Bella insisted “…my little mouse…it was soooo sensitive and the nerves were …I can’t even describe it…all I know is that wherever your finger was it felt good the rest of it…burned…like…raw nerve…burned. And I didn’t want to give in; I kept trying not to cum…”
“Why would you do that?” it seemed silly to me, just give in and be done.
“I don’t really know all I kept thinking was ‘not again’ and then…I can’t even describe that orgasm”
Narrowing my eyes I thought back to the original question “so if other than being uncomfortable and not exactly enjoying the in between orgasm time. Why would you have needed to safe word?”
“I just thought because of what you said about not allowing me to cum so much that maybe you wanted me to.”
“No Isabella” this needed to be straightened out “It’s my job to push you put never past your limits. At times that is a fine line I walk but I never want to push you so far that you feel the need to say ‘red’ during a scene. Yellow should always come first, red is reserved for an absolute point of no return".
I could see the question forming in her mind
“Has it happened before?" I asked for her, then answered "Yes it has, but only once.”
At her narrowed eyes I went on to explain. “Because no matter how safe I think you are or how much care I take in making sure you are properly placed and the equipment is maintained. Sometimes things will go wrong, or perhaps an illness will suddenly come on you, or you will experience server emotional or physical pain. That is when you are to call out ‘red’ when for whatever reason you cannot remain for one more second. I’m also watching you Isabella, during any playtime I am constantly monitoring you to gage how much further I can go. Last night you were pushed to your limit but I didn’t think it went past them. Do you feel you did?”
“No…but I was close”
I nodded “like I said a fine line”
Bella took another drink then her eyes widened in wonder “Did I really cum eleven times?”
“No” not sure where that number came from I told her the count “I was shooting for ten, but there was only eight”
Bella narrowed her eyes as if she was angry “Then why did you tell me I owed you eight this morning, because you already had three …”
Oh that’s where the number came from
Shrugging I laughed “I picked a number”
“You…” she stopped herself but I just had to goad her, grinning slyly I asked “Are you terribly angry with me?”
“I can’t believe you lied…”
That idea had to be immediately dismissed “I didn’t lie…I said you owned me eight and you would have. I could have very well picked twenty-five and you would have paid up.”
That seemed to take the wind out of her sails, pointing to the half empty glass I told Bella to ‘drink’ while I finished explaining what I meant. “When I said, I wouldn’t have allowed you to cum that many times, there was no hidden message. It was a simple statement of fact, there was not a chance in hell I would have let you be that greedy.”
“How would you have stopped me? I couldn’t even stop myself”
“Isabella I watched you grind against that wand like a cat in heat, you didn’t want to stop yourself. The only time you tried to hold back was on the bed. Now I don’t know it that was exhaustion or tenacity, either way it was your privilege to hold out, it was also my privilege to make you cum one last time…and I won”
“You always win” she said disgruntledly.
“Yes” I admitted before asking “would you want me to lose? If I broke my word, even with something that insignificant, could you trust me to keep it with something larger?”
Thinking before she answered Bella shook her head “No…it’s better if you win. Because I always know I can trust you and what you say to be the truth.”
I glanced over at the clock seeing we only had a half hour before my uncles and Emmett were to arrive I pushed on “You said it scared you when I woke you”
“Just for a split second, until I heard your voice and saw where I was…”
That was why I spoke; I didn’t want Bella to be afraid it could have caused a whole different set of problems.
“…I knew you would never hurt me and even though I couldn’t move…” her eyes narrowed slightly “…being pinned to the bed like that…”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Used…”
I could understand that which also makes me know that Bella is not a true-slave as that is something they enjoy immensely.
“You didn’t like that, being nothing but an object for me to get off on” I wasn’t asking her, it was clear that Bella found no pleasure in the action.
“No…or being covered in your cum…it was…degrading”
Nodding I agreed with her, yet it was an effective means of making my point and as degrading as it might be for her, it would probably be something I utilized again.
“It was a long night” I said picking up the water bottle
Bella added “And a long morning, which I didn’t like very much either”
There was nothing I could say, because she was right the morning really sucked.
Bella held my eyes as she moved from the chair to floor, taking a kneeling position between my legs. I understood her need to be there she needed the comfort and safety that only that position could give her.
“Relax nâhtötse” Closing her eyes Bella laid her head on my thigh, nuzzling it while making mewling noises as the back of my hand stoked along the length of her jaw.
“Your girl missed you Master”
Fucking A…
“And I missed my girl”
We stayed like that for a few minutes just enjoying a quiet moment of tenderness.
“Master, may your girl please suck your dick”
Ok, I wasn’t prepared for that and little Eddie who was already hard started begging to be let loose. Checking the clock again I practically groaned at what I had to do.
“Not now Isabella”
“Please Master, your girl wants to get the last time your dick was in her mouth out of her memory”
That was something I would have liked to have erased too.
“Look at me” looking into her beautiful pleading brown eyes was not helping me, my dick was screaming at me to just let do it but I he was going to have to wait and so would Isabella.
“I would like to rid my mind of that memory also Isabella, however now is not the time. In fact I want you to get up, finish that juice use the bathroom and then bring your cane into the dining room”
“Yes Master”
There was a slight bit of disappointment on her face as she moved to do what I had asked. Quickly writing out a few instructions I ran down to the basement to tack them onto the playroom door. Returning upstairs I found Bella was just leaving and I followed her into the living room where I instructed her to sit on the couch while I set my I-pod in the docking station.
Bella sat in the center of the couch while I adjusted the throw pillows before taking the cane to have her lay on her side. Squatting down I told her “Close your eyes…and keep them that way for the next to hour”
Her eyes popped open in wonder making me warn “I will blindfold you”
Knowing there was no jest in the threat Bella closed them once again and I finished getting her ready for a nap. Using the pillow from the other end between her knees I slid the tip of the cane into the small gap, she automatically grasped the length clutching it to her chest. Brushing a few hairs that had come loose from the braid I gave her the rest of the instructions.
“For the next hour you are to rest. You didn’t get much sleep last night, you’ve had a busy day and we have a long night ahead of us. That means you keep your eyes closed and unless you are in pain, I don’t want to hear one word from you.”
Satisfied there wasn’t going to be a response I covered Bella with the small blanket on the back of the couch before turning on the music. The soft sounds were at a perfect volume to create a quiet atmosphere. Bella readjusted her arm bringing outside of the blanket while her hands settled themselves on the cane before she snuggled into the pillow. With eyes remaining closed she let out a small sigh and I hoped sleep would come.
Going into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee Seth was still out in the back yard he wasn’t barking yet he’d been out there long enough. Just as he came in the bell for the front door rang and I hoped it wouldn’t disturb Bella. She would have slept better upstairs but I didn’t want to put her in my bed. That would have required her to be nude, as there was no clothing allowed and at that point I wasn’t sure I could resist a naked Bella. She could have slept in her bed however I was afraid that the freedom associated with the room might affect her mind set. The plans I had for after she woke were going to be tricky enough, her remaining focused was going to be pivotal.
Glancing at Bella as I passed, she appeared to be sleeping and didn’t move at all as Seth jumped on the couch curling him into a ball behind her legs. Opening the front door for my uncles I shook their hands asking them to go into the dining room while I waited for Emmett who was pulling into the driveway. “Hey long time no see”
“Shhh…Bella’s sleeping” I said nodding in the direction of the couch as I shut the door.
Emmett glanced over at her making a weird face but lowering his voice while we went into the dinning. “How did everything go at Alice’s?”
I groaned “Ohhh…Shelly Nunez was there”
Emmett growled “Grrr…the cougar”
“Who’s a cougar” Marcus wondered while I mumbled “She’s not a cougar”
Emmett laughed “One of the mother’s from Vinny’s baseball team. This woman is like forty years old and has set sights on our little Eddie”
“Would you stop calling me Eddie” he had said it a few times at the golf course and I knew damn well Emery would pick up the annoying nickname.
“Tell me more about this cougar” My uncle wanted gossip and I left the details to Emmett, who I was sure would make the story a good one while I went to get the coffee. Coming back in the dining room it was clear my brother did not disappoint as both men were laughing.
“So…” Marcus said with a smirk “…if a cougar was after me, she’d be…”
“In a wheel chair” Emmett replied with a laugh.
“Thanks, I’m not that old” Marcus said pouring himself coffee.
“You’d probably have to stock up on Viagra and don’t forget the K-Y. I heard about those older women”
“Don’t you worry Viagra is the last thing I need”
Emmett sighed “Well that’s good to know. I’m expecting my shit to still working in twenty-five years, fuck that, I want to go to my grave with a hard-on.”
Taking the file folder and receiver for the monitor off the buffet I sat down next to Emmett. Adjusting the volume to the lowest setting before pulling out the sheets of paper with the information my uncles came to see while he continued.
“Impotency has to completely suck. I mean seriously, is the desire there but it just won’t rise or are you like a eunuch…hot babe in your bed and …nothing”
Aro laughed “Why are you looking at me?”
“I just thought with all your knowledge you might know the answer”
“I assure you Emmett, I don’t know but if I ever find out, you’ll be the first person I enlighten” Emmett nodded and Aro asked “Is there anything else you would like to know?”
“As a matter of fact …yes” Emmett’s head turned in my direction “What’s up with the baby monitor and why the hell is Bella clutching a cane like some kind of security blanket?”
Cocking my head I answered the first part “I need to hear if and when she wakes up”
“And the cane?” my eyes narrowed at his curiosity while Marcus commented “I sort of wondered that myself but figured it was none of my business”
My uncle was right it was none of their business and I refused to answer, instead turning my attention to the papers.
“Fine be that way, I’ll ask her when she wakes up”
Emmett could inquire all he wanted Bella had no idea what my plan was.
Aro took the intuitive to get the meeting started “What do you got for us Edward”
Taking a deep breath I tried to decide where to start, should I go by dates or by order of what I deemed of importance. Making a rash decision that my idea of significance might not be someone else’s I started from the beginning.
“Weiss didn’t find too much stored on Caius’s hard drive but there was an e-mail to Irena saved asking her to help him with placing doubt in Bella’s head about being with me. In it he talks about rewarding her efforts with a job managing his downtown store.”
Giving it to them I had mixed emotions, the first being Caius would use my friend against me and she had agreed. The second being that Irena hadn’t lied about her reason for helping Caius when she came to the house a few weeks ago to apologize. It didn’t really make much difference as our friendship was severed beyond repair. Regardless of her reasons or whether she was aware of my feelings for Bella, I would never again be able to trust Irena.
“The rest of the e-mails went to Laurent and one to Newton. The first one is asking Laurent about the daily running of the club, nothing too personal, just basic information.” I gave that e-mail over to my uncles along with Laurent’s reply “He didn’t really tell him anything except what his position was and what access he has to files.”
Giving them a moment to look those over I went on “Then once it seemed like Laurent would cooperate he starts getting more specific. He already had the basic information about Bella, where she came from, her finances, and her basic life story. Like I said last night, all that came from Newton and was totally accurate because he had gotten it straight from Karen”
“Yeah but what does he want with Bella?” Emmett wondered.
“Well there was an e-mail to Newton asking him about a payment from Aro to Bella” that one confused Aro as much as it did me.
“I have never given Ms. Swan money or even a gift. The most I have ever spent on the girl was a cup of coffee.”
Nodding at my uncle I shuffled through the papers “Well someone told Caius that they overheard you saying ‘you will send a check for her mother’.
“To her mother?” Aro questioned while Marcus re-read the email then asked “Did you even know her mother?”
“No…the only thing I know about her is what Ms. Swan has told me. The only time I even mentioned Isabella’s mother was…” he seemed to realize something “Wait a minute…” Aro gave me a pointed look
“Remember the first night Ms. Swan came to the club with - I believe it was her brother-in-law- before leaving they came to say goodbye. That was when I suggested Edward could accompany Ms. Swan to the club.”
I nodded in recollection while Aro continued “While we spoke I offered to send The Center a donation in honor of Ms. Swan’s mother.”
“Do you always send something in honor of her?” Marcus wondered while Aro shook his head “No, it was Mother’s Day, but if that conversation was overheard…”
Aro trailed off as I tried and failed to remember more of the details of that discussion. While they talked, most of my attention had been on Bella. I was excited about the possibly of getting to know her better and trying to figure out a way to get a phone number. As Aro recounted what was said it sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn’t recall the exact words.
“So someone heard you tell Bella you would send money to her…”
Aro corrected Emmett ‘Not to her directly”
Emmett answered quickly “But they wouldn’t know that and maybe they only heard parts of what was being said.” He glanced to me “Who was around you?”
I shrugged “Everyone, we were in the middle of room. I didn’t see anyone paying particular attention but I wasn’t really looking either.”
“Yeah I know, little Bella had you all befuddled that night” Emmett chuckled and all I could do was grin because he was right “Anyway what I’m saying is, to an outsider it sounds like you are sending Bella money”
I nodded in total agreement with my brother while taking out the next email “That’s exactly what Caius thought because then he starts to speculate why Aro is sending Bella money. He asks Laurent if you’ve had a sexual relationship with her.” The anger in my voice coming out as I read the next part “And have you ever paid anyone else for services rendered”
The idea that Caius thought of Bella as a prostitute was nothing new. He had previously alluded to the idea, even coming right out and asking her. However just because I had heard it before didn’t make it any easier to know someone could think so low of my girl.
“Laurent to his credit denied that question immediately, he did however offer up an alternative. He tells Caius about the year or two when you would spend a lot of time away from Jane with a young woman that he believes you were training.”
Aro took that paper grimly; Laurent was a trusted employee who was feeding personal information to someone else. “Caius dismissed that thought immediately, saying if that were true Isabella would have better manners and would know her place because there was no way you would indulge her the way you do.”
I looked at my uncle “Hence the little show Caius and Irena did here at the house that day Bella stopped over.” The Monday after our first weekend together Bella had stopped at the house to thank me for sending her roses. We had been meeting at the house to discuss plans for the anniversary party and as soon as Bella entered Caius along with Irena practically attacked her. It was not their shining moment nor was it at all appropriate.
At Aro’s nod I showed him the most unbelievable thing I had read “That was when he came to his last conclusion. He suggests that Bella is your illegitimate child.”
They all laughed but personally I didn’t see the humor, Emmett however enlightened me “He must think we’re some kind of backwoods hillbillies. Inbreeding, so your daddy is also your uncle and brother…”
Emmett stopped mid thought “Wait a fucking minute…that night at the club when Caius got all hot under the collar because little Bella wouldn’t talk to him.
Emmett gestured to me “You remember…”
That was a night I wouldn’t forget. Bella had made me so proud with the way she performed with Jane and Rose after they won game night. She also handled Caius with grace and dignity along with following my instructions - albeit loosely – while dealing with Jess in the bathroom. Her explanation of ‘it’s not your girls fault if Jessica was eavesdropping’ still made me laugh.
“Well that fucker said something to Bella about keeping it in the family. I thought he was just being an asshole suggesting she got passed around. Turns out he was serious and thinks this is Alabama or some other place where it’s ok to bone your cousin.”
I scowled at the word bone but let it go as I read Laurent’s reply “I doubt she is his daughter, after all the girl has been with Edward. I’m sure if there was any blood relation Aro would not have allowed the relationship to even begin.”
Emmett shook his head in disbelief “I don’t understand what Caius’s fixation with little Bella is. Why does it matter where she came from or who she is with. I mean, she’s pretty, she’s sexy and she’s a hell of a lot of fun to be with but it seems like he’s had a hard-on for her since he’s heard her name”
Aro listened to what Emmett said while Marcus narrowed his eyes “Edward what else did this Weiss guy give you?”
“Back ground information, financial records…”
Marcus held his hand out “Let me see those”
Handing them over I told Aro and Emmett about the last emails “The last correspondence were the weekend before we went away. Caius wanted Laurent to use his connections to get something with your DNA on it. He goes on to say ‘arrangements have been put in place to retrieve a sample from the girl…”
I looked up at my uncle “…I’m assuming that’s Bella”
At his nod I finished reading “And I need something with a sample of Aro’s DNA for the lab to run the test comparison. There must be some connection that I am missing. Of course it is also very possible that Isabella is just a stupid bitch” I spit the words trying to remain impassive at the offensive term while I continued “…who is nothing more than a patsy and being used in his schemes. If you could find a way to not only get a DNA sample but also banks records I will see you are compensated for your time and trouble”
“Ahhh…” Marcus smiled handing Aro a paper “…take a look at this.” His eyes went to mine “what was Laurent’s reply”
“He wrote back that he wasn’t sure if a DNA sample would be possible but he was absolutely sure the bank statements were out of the question because in the twelve years he’s worked there he has never seen one. He then asked what kind of sample Caius was expecting and how long he had to get it”
“So it sounds like Laurent was accepting the offer” Marcus asked and Emmett came to his defense “Or was trying to placate him to see what his game was”
“I suppose that would be something only Laurent can answer” Marcus didn’t sound happy and I figured at the end of the conversation Laurent wouldn’t be either. I wasn’t sure when they would talk with him or what the outcome would be. The timing wasn’t exactly convenient as my uncles were leaving in a few days for vacation. I was absolutely sure Emmett and I could handle the club while Aro was gone, yet the timing was really bad.
“Is there any other correspondences Edward?”
“A lot of text messages were sent back and forth between Caius and Newton. There is only a record of dates and times because text messages can’t be intercepted. But there was an email sent to Newton on the night my home was broken onto asking ‘is it done’ and ‘did you get what I need.”
“I would give that to the police Edward…”
Aro groaned “Ohhh…Jesus…”
Marcus smiled “Do you see it?”
Aro nodded and Emmett wondered “What is it?”
Aro placed one of the many pages of Caius’s investments in front of Emmett and I, his index finger pointing to and entry KSTW-TV.
I had absolutely no idea what a television station had to do with anything and apparently neither did Emmett
“Do you want to broadcast ads or something?”
Aro chuckled while Marcus just shook his head “Do you know anything about family business…about how your grandfather made his money?”
My mother’s father – their father – was a contract lawyer who specialized in entrainment, specifically television. He amassed a small fortune by investing in various small local broadcast companies that were eventually sold to larger stations. I had no idea what KSTW in particular had to do with our family and even if it was important it would have nothing to do with Bella.
“Granddad owned a television station…”
I corrected Emmett “No he invested in them”
“No Edward he owned” Marcus’s statement was news to me “And as of right now the station is still privately owned with the majority of shares still held by the family”
“The majority?” I questioned and then listened to the brief history lesson from my uncle.
“Yes. In nineteen-sixty-four, our father along with his law partner Dan McCarthy each put up one thousand dollars to start up a small UHF television station, WCIU in Chicago. For ten years they were the sole owners, and even when they started selling stocks in the company they maintained control by each keeping thirty-percent. When McCarthy died with no heirs, his shares were left to your grandfather, giving him sixty percent and controlling interest. When our parents died the stocks were evenly divided between the children. Your mother, Aro and myself each receiving twenty percent and the three of us agreed to always maintain a united front when voting on the business. WCIU is a small company that has branched out into the digital age and is doing very well. So well in fact that about a year ago KSTW – which is based here in Seattle, made a play to buy us. Because we own controlling interest and the station is making money for the other investors, we shot them down. Since then they have made two more offers which also have been denied. Caius Salvatore owns quite a bit of KSTW and would probably double his holdings if the sale would go through.”
“So this is all about money?” Emmett asked
Marcus gave him a discouraged look “It usually is”
That all made sense but still I had to wonder “What does this have to do with Bella?”
“Ms. Swan came to me last year asking if I could help with her investments” I nodded as Aro explained “She had no idea where to begin so I set up the appointment with the advisors…”
I knew all about how Aro had helped Bella understand the ins and outs of handling her financial affairs.
Aro went on to tell me things I didn’t know “During that time one of the original investors in your grandfather’s business was dying and wanted to sell. I orchestrated the shares to be sold privately to Ms. Swan and throughout the past year there have been several other transactions. Whenever I was informed of a death or a need to liquidate stocks, they would be privately sold to Ms. Swan. As of right now I believe she owns a little over seven percent of WCIU in Chicago”
I was in shock; Emmett on the other hand wondered “Why would you do that?”
“I told you before, I greatly admire Ms. Swan, and she needed a good sound investment that would pay her strong dividends. What better choice was there than one I myself have a solid stake in, I can assure you there was no illegal trading, all sales were…”
“No…No…No… I mean, I’m your nephew, where’s the private stock sales for me?”
“Ohhh…” Aro laughed “You’re a grown man who knows his way around the market; you can purchase them anytime you want. Ms. Swan on the other hand was an innocent who led a sheltered life in these things, she needed help and guidance. To the best of my ability, that is what I gave her.” Aro gazed at me “Now you can have that honor”
“So let me get this straight” Emmett interjected “Aro sells stocks to Bella in a company that Caius would like to have dismantled…”
“Not dismantled just sold to go in a different direction”
Emmett rolled his eyes at Aro “Whatever they want to do with it. The point is your having little Bella privately buy up something he probably wants. So he’s trying to figure out what exactly you’re doing this for. Why you are selling them to her. And since you’re not usually such a nice guy…”
“I’m a nice person”
“Not that nice…” Emmett added as he finished “…Caius figures you must eiher have an ulterior motive or some deep connection with Bella and he’s trying to figure out what it is. But how would he know that she was the one buying the shares?”
“Quarterly reports” Marcus added “It’s enormous and reads like a who’s who in the company. If he was so inclined to analyze the documents Caius would have noticed her name on all the sales.”
“All the sales? How many were there?” I wondered
Aro shrugged “In the past year….I don’t know two dozen or so. Some were large acquisitions others portions of shares.”
“So anyone who was studying the reports would have seen her name, many times” I asked, not sure how I liked the idea.
“Yes” Aro said plainly “All transaction were done in an open forum and those are all public records”
That would mean Newton wasn’t the only person who practically came in his pants when he found out who Bella was. Emmett must have been thinking along the same lines “Well no fucking wonder Caius wants to get close to Bella. He’s trying to figure out what the hell is going on and what makes her so damn special that you’d go to such lengths.”
“I didn’t…” Aro continued talking but my attention went to sound coming from the monitor. Bella had been very quiet while she slept. The soft sound of her saying ‘Master’ made me wonder if she was sleep talking or if she had awoken.
“Excuse me”
“Yeah go get Ms. Wall Street” Emmett snickered at his own joke while I turned off the receiver before going to check on Bella.
She was as I had left her, snuggled in a half fetal position on the couch. Seth was still curled up in his spot with his snout resting on Bella’s thigh. Watching for any sign of consciousness I noticed the small movement of her eyes. Sitting on the edge of the couch I watched the really bad acting job being performed in front of me. She was trying exceedingly hard to remain unmoved and failing miserably.
I couldn’t take it anymore and had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as the back of my hand stroked along her jaw “Are you awake nâhtötse?”
“Has it been an hour?” the innocence pouring through, but I knew better – she really was a bad actress.
“Are you expecting me to believe you didn’t open your eyes to see the clock?”
The fidgeting under my gaze was almost as amusing as the bad acting and I grinned widely while watching the corner of her mouth twitch. Bella’s face went through a whole acrobatic routine as she thought over how to answer. Finally unable to take it any more I figured it best to just put her out of her misery.
“Isabella…look at me”
Her head turned in my direction before her eyes fluttered open to give me a childish grin.
Raising my eyebrows I asked “Did you open your eyes?”
Releasing the lip between her teeth Bella scrunched her face while holding up her hand to show me a small gap between her thumb and index finger “Maybe a little bit”
“A little bit?” I questioned while she nodded.
“Just a tiny little bit…like…” tightly squeezing her eyes shut Bella squinted at me through tiny little fluttering slits “…like that”
Her antics making me laugh “I see…”
Leaning down for a kiss I asked “Did you have a good nap?”
“Yes Sir”
“Good.” Sitting back up my eyes shifted to the clock then back to her face “It’s been over an our however you have another half hour, you may either sleep some more or you may come join our guest in the dining room, the choice is yours”
“Who’s here?” Just as she asked the loud laughter drifted from the other room “Oh…Emmett”
“Among other people”
“Your girl wants to get up”
Nodding at her decision “Fine, you may talk freely but in thirty minutes you are to excuse yourself and go downstairs. I placed instructions on the door of the playroom, follow what it says and I will be down to join you.”
The smile of anticipation on her face made me feel rather warm but I had to wonder “I thought you were still sore”
“Not that sore…besides it depends what part you want to use”
“Ahhh…I hope my plans don’t disappoint you” If all worked out we would have an hour of free time and the only thing I would be using was Bella’s mind.
Her expression became thoughtful “Master your girl would be happy to just sit at your feet while you rested.
After all you didn’t get much sleep last night either."
“I’m fine nâhtötse” I said getting to my feet while taking the cane in one hand and using the other to pull her to a seating position “Come on”
Handing Bella the cane I folded the blanket before laying it over the back of the couch and Seth jumped off the cushion, following behind us.
“Well look who woke up, Miss Charles Schwab herself” Emmett chuckled as we rounded the corner.
Bella’s eyes narrowed at the comment but her attention went to my uncles. After saying hello she went into hostess mode starting to gather up the empty coffee pot and asking if anyone needed something. I wasn’t having that she had a lot to hear in a rather short amount of time. “Sit down Isabella”
“Yeah…come here cuz, sit next to me”
Bella eyed Emmett suspiciously but went to sit down next to him while I finished what she had started. As she sat down my nosey brother put his arm over the back of her chair “Tell me cuz, why are you carrying around that cane. I asked Edward and he won’t tell me”
“Really?” Bella looked at me “That’s funny, he won’t tell me either”
My wink making her smile “Would you like a drink Isabella?”
“Yes please”
I didn’t bother with inquiring with what she wanted instead asking Aro to explain what we had discovered while I took the stuff into the kitchen. I was only in there a matter of minutes and by the time I had returned with a glass of cranberry juice my uncle was half way through the story. Taking the chair next to Bella I set the drink down giving her a quiet nod as she thanked me while listening to the rest of what was being said. Once she had heard everything Bella got a look of contemplation on her face.
“Did we do something illegal?” The question was directed at Aro, who answered with a resounding “No”
I still didn’t know how aware Bella was about the stocks “Did you know the history of KSTW?”
Taking a drink Bella shrugged “Sort of, Aro told me it was a lucrative business that was family owned. The stocks were all bought at a slight discount, but that was because there were no broker fees and the sellers wanted to liquidate quickly. It’s like buying a house in a short sale; the price is reduced to sell fast. They wanted out and I wanted in so we both profited from the transaction.”
“I did teach you well Ms. Swan”
The growl stuck in my throat at Aro’s comment. He had said those exact words before and I didn’t like it anymore the second time I heard them.
“Yeah well that’s what father’s do” Emmett chuckled
Bella questioned “Father?”
Before I could explain Marcus spoke up “Bella I’m afraid that because the TV station is primarily family owned Caius assumed you were family too.”
“He thinks I’m your daughter?” Aro nodded and Bella looked aghast “but..but I’m with…” turning her head in my direction her voice trailed off before saying my name."
Good girl
My satisfaction with Bella’s obedience only lasted a second as the implication of what Caius was suggesting sunk in. When it did her whole face was horror struck “that’s just …oh…gross. What kind of a sick pervert is he? First I’m a hooker…which by the way, why does he think I’m a prostitute?”
I ran through the gamut of emails showing her the various theories he had deemed possible. I thought for sure the comment about being a ‘stupid bitch’ that was being used as ‘a patsy’ would be the one that pissed her off – Not my Bella.
“What the hell does this mean ‘arrangements have been put in place to retrieve a sample from the girl’ and then this one to Mike saying ‘is it done’ and ‘did you get what I need.’ What was he going to do, have Jessica steal a pair of my dirty underwear?”
She turned to me seething in anger “Did she go in our room? Does that asshole have my underwear?”
“Geez little Bella calm down”
Oh shit
Once, only once I had told Bella to calm down when she was upset and she turned on me the same way she turned on Emmett.
“Don’t You Tell Me To Calm Down…some bimbo breaks in the house to steal my underwear…”
“You don’t know what she was after, maybe it was a toothbrush”
“I would have noticed a toothbrush missing Emmett. Besides after rinsing it off the sample would have been lost but my underwear…”
“That’s true…I’ve seen how tight your panties are”
Bella sucked in a deep breath as the rage rolled over her face “You…you…”
I figured I better step in before Bella hurt him. Marcus must have had the same thought as he laughed “I think you’re going to get another black eye Emmett”
It was a few minutes early but it was probably a good idea to get her out of there. Putting my hand on Bella’s shoulder I spoke calmly “Isabella, I believe you have something to do”
Taking a deep breath she nodded before speaking in a normal tone “Yes Sir. If you gentlemen will excuse me”
As she stood her body turned and Emmett yelled “Awe! Shit!”
“Oh…I’m sorry Emmett” she said with a little bit too much sympathy as Emmett rubbed his hand along the side of his calf where I can only assume the cane struck him.
I knew she was upset but I couldn’t let her get away with that.
“Isabella” I said sternly.
Bella knew damn well she was in trouble. Her eyes dropped at the same time her lower lip became clamped between her teeth. Emmett held up his hand “It’s ok, accidents happen. Isn’t that right puff-a-lump?”
Hearing the childhood nickname that I warned Emmett not to use, Bella’s face turned bright red while her eyes grew so large I thought they were going to pop out of her head. Glaring at my brother I excused Bella before anything else could be said.
“Didn’t I tell you not to tease her?” I asked Emmett as Bella left to go into the kitchen.
“I didn’t tease her…that my brother was pure retaliation”
Aro laughed “Here I thought the jab with the cane was retaliation, which by the way you deserved”
“Listen” Emmett pointed his finger at our uncle “Just because she’s your daughter” Emmett laughed “doesn’t mean Bella can get away scot-free”
Marcus laughed “Are they always like that”
“Yes” I said while Emmett gave a resounding “Fuck yeah…I told you she’s a hell of a lot of fun to be around. I’m sure glad when Eddie finally fell in love it was somebody descent…” he chuckled “…now if he’d get his ass in gear I’ll have another fifty fun filled years ahead of me”
Fifty years?
I had thought in terms of thirty years, fifty sounded better.
“It doesn’t matter, Emmett don’t call her that again” It wasn’t a request. Emery never should have told him something like that.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…I just wish I could have seen her face” he said with a chuckle then became serious as he turned his head towards our uncles “So what are you going to do about Laurent and Caius and what about Newton?”
“Well, Mr. Newton has an appointment with us Monday morning, at that time he will be told his employment is no longer needed.” Aro didn’t say anything I didn’t already know; besides something told me Newton was going to have enough legal troubles to occupy his time.
Marcus sighed “I’m not sure what can be done with Caius. Although proper behavior would state he not be so intrusive, he hasn’t done anything illegal” he stopped as if a thought occurred to him “Unless…as Bella said he in some way commissioned Mr. Newton to break into your home to get a DNA sample. I suppose when the police talk to Miss. Stanley maybe her complete reason for being here will be revealed. Which I have to say Edward if that were the case and whether it was a pair of underwear, a toothbrush or hair from her brush, you would have a right to place a grievance against him. That act would be enough to place sanctions against Caius at New Moon other than that from these correspondence I don’t see any illegal activity.”
“Fuck that Caius had Newton break into Edward’s house”
Aro quickly corrected Emmett “Nowhere in any of these emails does it say that. Caius made a request, how Mr. Newton chooses to follow through with that was his own doing. For all Caius knew Mr. Newton was planning to follow Miss. Swan around until she disposed of a Kleenex.”
“Ewwwee…” Emmett drew out the word while Aro agreed “I concur and the fact alone that Caius would stoop so low is disheartening, but as Marcus said that is a grievance only Edward can make. Laurent on the other hand…”
“We will speak with Laurent this evening.” Marcus was not pleased “At the very least he is in violation of the nondisclosure he signed. I hate to leave him go, but an employee who cannot be trusted is useless. Since we are leaving for a few weeks the timing is bad and Laurent’s termination would require the two of you to assume more duties”
“It makes no difference to me, I’m planning on be there all night during open operation. Edward’s going to come and go but he’s going to handle all the office work during the week. So do what you have to do, we’ll be fine”
Marcus nodded at Emmett’s assurance “Then I would say Laurent’s fate all depends on his answers to our questions.”
In other words, no one is irreplaceable and Emmett was right we had the club covered until Aro returned.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss about this?”
“No, I can’t think of anything.”
My uncles started to gather up their stuff, as Aro went to hand me the papers I told him to keep them – they were copies. Emmett was the first to leave with a quick goodbye and an ‘I’ll see ya later’. Standing by the front door Marcus was looking at the framed picture of Bella and I displayed on the sideboard. It was the one us playing in the snow at the cabin.
Picking it up he smiled “You look very happy here Edward”
I chucked “Yeah that was a good day. Bella has a few more pictures she just didn’t have a chance to frame them yet”
“Bella seems like a good woman for you, a little feisty but completely adorable. You needed someone to make your life complete and she seems worth the wait”
I didn’t know what to say nor did I get a chance to as Aro took the credit “I knew they would be perfect together, I should get a commission for my matchmaking skills”
“Yeah we’ll erect a statue for you” He laughed while Marcus shook my hand goodbye.
Shaking Aro’s hand he slipped a piece of paper into my palm “Don’t say no, you saved me a lot of time and aggravation”
Not sure what he was giving me yet having a bit of an idea I started to shake my head and he stopped me with an intense glare “Edward don’t argue with me. The investigation Weiss did for you saved me the trouble of calling him myself and believe me, I would have. Because of what we learned here today this can be put to rest before I leave”
Withdrawing his hand I still was not at all comfortable with him giving me money, Marcus laughed “Now you can buy Bella a bigger diamond”
“I can buy my own diamond”
“Then donate it to The Center if you’d like but you’re taking the check” there wasn’t a choice in the matter so I thanked him and said goodbye.
Shutting the door I reset the security system and looked at the amount on the check. It was a little more than half of what Weiss had charged so far and I’d have to decide what to do with it. Setting the check on the sideboard I glanced at our smiling faces in the picture Marcus had admired. The image of the two us laughing made me smile and I thought about Bella down in the playroom waiting for me.
It was time to find out how far Bella was willing to go with cane play. Her triggers were sounds and smells, she was either going to overcome her fears or canes would be once and for all listed as a hard limit.
Well Edward, let’s go find out.
