May We Meet Again Teaser

 Everything was secured and Charlie was in the command center, preparing for our departure. I was strapped in, squeezed in between Carlisle and Aro's orphaned son, Demetri. Demetri's hand was in mine as I tried not to cry. To be honest, it was a losing battle with tears welling. I stared, unseeingly at the bulkhead in the surgical bay.

"Swan to Ark Station, thrusters will deploy in T-minus five minutes," Charlie's disembodied voice said through the intercom system. "Make sure everyone is strapped in." There was a pause and he let out a breath. "May we meet again …"

"May we meet again," I whispered back. "We will find each other again, Charlie." My eyes fluttered shut as tears streaked down my cheeks, the battle lost. "I love you …"

Carlisle took my hand, squeezing my fingers. "We'll figure out a way to get Charlie down to the Ground. I promise you," he murmured. "We did not spend hours and all of our blood stores to put him back together for him to die of hypoxia."

"How can we do that? It's not like there's rockets to get up to the outer ring when we get down to the surface," I hissed angrily. "He's going to die up here."

"We have the most brilliant minds on the Ark, we can figure something out," Carlisle soothed.

"T-minus one minute," Charlie announced. "Ren, hug our baby girl for me."

Married to the Mob: Fighting for Freedom Teaser

Five Years Later

“Mom! You promised we could go visit Dad,” Charlie said, his hands on his hips. It was the last day of Spring Break and my kids were all very antsy. He looked so much like my husband, with his unruly hair and piercing green eyes. However, he also looked like my father, as well. Every so often, he’d make a face that was so distinctly my father.

“We’re going,” I chuckled, packing up the diaper bag with bottles and extra diapers. “Go get your sister while I load up the baby.”

“Libby!” Charlie bellowed as he ran up the stairs.

“Your big brother has two volumes, little one. Loud and louder,” I whispered conspiratorially to our third baby, another boy. A baby boy who was named for a fallen friend, Demetri. I lifted him from his high chair and grimaced. Demetri, unfortunately, would be our last baby.

Elizabetta, or Libby, was an easy pregnancy. She was named for her paternal great grandmother. I experienced no issues with her and she practically slid out of my body. I bounced back and a couple years after her birth, I got pregnant with Demetri. His pregnancy was not easy. I was hospitalized several times for dehydration because I could not keep anything down. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, placed on bed rest for a majority of our pregnancy. Esme and Sue had moved into the house to help out with Charlie and Libby. It drove Edward crazy.

Demetri James Cullen, or D.J., was born via C-section and I had my tubes tied after his birth. Edward and I made that decision because he hated that I was so sick, shackled to our bed. He couldn’t bear to watch me wither away. He said that he’d get a vasectomy, but I said that I’d get my tubes tied.

My oldest son and my baby girl came downstairs. Libby had obviously dressed herself. Her bright red hair was a snarled mess and she wore the mismatched outfit, with a tutu over her shoulders like wings. “Oh, child. You are a mess,” I laughed. I balanced Demetri in my arms and turned Libby around.

“Mom,” Charlie whined.

“It’ll take ten minutes, bud,” I said, frog marching Libby up to her room. I put D.J. into his crib. He started wailing, but I ignored it. I changed Libby’s clothes, much to her protestations. “Mommy, I want to look like a princess. I’m Daddy’s princess.”

“I know, baby girl,” I said, putting her into a pretty purple dress. “But, princesses need to have their hair combed and the tutu is for dress up or when you have dance.” I sat down on her bed and guided her to sit in front of me. I quickly brushed her hair, tossing it up into a ponytail. She was squirming, making it difficult to fix her hair, but she looked much better. “Pick a pair of shoes, Libbybell.”

“Kay, Mommy,” Libby said, picking a pair of sparkly shoes.

After Libby was dressed, D.J. was changed and Charlie stopped having his temper tantrum, we loaded up into our Range Rover. I drove us to the Cullen Pier. Edward’s business venture with Alistair had blossomed. The Cullen Consortium was one of the foremost investment capital firms in the Pacific Northwest. I was so proud of him, of what he built with his partner.

“Mom, after we visit Dad, can we go to the Jimmy’s? I want to see Ganpa,” Charlie said, bouncing in his booster.

“Oooh, I wanna see Gandpa,” Libby squealed, clapping her hands.

“Sure thing, Charlie,” I smiled, parking the car. Grabbing the stroller and taking Libby’s hand, we walked to the entrance of the Consortium. Charlie’s hand was on the stroller. “Go open the door, Charlie and hold it open for me.” He scurried to the door and I walked through it, ruffling his hair.

“Mom!” he whined. “I worked hard on this hair.”

“No amount of work will help you, buddy,” Edward laughed. “I’ve got the same problem.”

Married to the Mob Update

MOTM Chapter 24 on FicPad

MOTM Chapter 24 on Stars

MOTM Chapter 24 on AO3

MOTM Chapter 24 on FFn

MOTM Chapter 24 on Wattpad

The morning of Demetri’s funeral was rainy and dreary. It was fitting since today was a miserable day. Bella was getting dressed, wearing black dress with a charcoal gray sweater. Her hair was curled and draped over her shoulder. She looked so beautiful, but so incredibly sad. I felt for her because I was in the same boat. The loss of Demetri was hitting me profoundly.

“The world is crying because of Demetri’s death,” Bella murmured, sliding on her engagement ring. “It rained the day of my father’s funeral, too.” She pursed her lips. “It was a torrential downpour, if I remember correctly.”

“It seemed like the world sobbed when your father died,” I replied, sliding my arms around her waist. “He was a great man.”

“So, was Demetri,” Bella said, turning in my arms. “He will always be loved, even though he’s gone.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed my jaw. “I love you, Edward. I know that everything is …”

“Fucked up,” I snorted humorlessly.

“To put it mildly,” she sighed. “But, we’re together and our family is there for us, supporting us. Supporting Felix.” My phone rang and I begrudgingly let her go. “Who is it?”

“Jacob,” I answered, sliding my finger across the screen. “Are we leaving?”

“Yeah, Boss,” Jacob replied. “Seth and I are waiting near the front door. Jasper is on his way to you with Alice.” There was a pause and Jacob cleared his throat. “Sir, it would be in your best interest for you be armed. Jasper mentioned that there is a possible threat.”

“What?” I growled.

“Jasper was trolling on Facebook, using a fake name, and he read some conversation about a possible hit at a funeral. It wasn’t said that way, but it made Jasper jumpy,” Jacob hissed. “I didn’t get it. He showed me a screen capture, but I trust him.”

“They were probably speaking in euphemisms,” I sighed, scrubbing my face.

“Is there a medication for that?” Jacob asked.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. “I’m sorry, Jake. They were probably using a code to plan the hit. Keep it appropriate for Facebook and not alerting the authorities.” There was a quiet knock at the door. “They’re here, Jake. We’ll be down in a little bit.” I hung up the phone.

“What did Jake say?” Bella asked, arching a brow. “You looked like you were about snicker.”

“He thought there was medication for euphemisms,” I chuckled. Bella giggled. “Yeah, exactly.” I kissed her forehead. “Armed, baby.”

“I’m prepared,” she said, sliding her thigh between mine. I could feel her holster and small weapon pressed against my leg. “I’m going to finish putting on my makeup. I forgot waterproof mascara. I think I’m going to need it.” She turned, leaving the room.

I went to open the door. Jasper was standing outside, wearing a black suit and a grim expression. “Did you speak to Jake? Did he tell you about the threat?”

“Yeah, and we’re protected,” I said, unlocking my gun safe near the door and putting a Glock into my shoulder holster. “Are you?”

“Always, Boss,” Jasper chuckled. “Are you okay with being a pall bearer for Demetri’s funeral service?”

“Was that another thing that Jacob was supposed to tell me?” I snorted.

“Yes, and from your look I’d assumed he didn’t,” Jasper replied. “You, me, Jake, Seth, Emmett, Liam, Carlisle and Anthony are all acting as pall bearers.”

“My father?” I whispered. “The last time he … was his …”

“Your grandfather’s funeral,” Jasper said, squeezing my arm.

“And when did Anthony get into town?”

“Late last night. He arrived on a private jet with Nina,” Jasper nodded. Bella walked out and Jasper hugged her. “Looking beautiful, Miss Bella.”

“Thank you,” Bella said, kissing his cheek. “Demetri deserved us to look our best.”

Married to the Mob Teaser

The morning of Demetri’s funeral was rainy and dreary. It was fitting since today was a miserable day. Bella was getting dressed, wearing black dress with a charcoal gray sweater. Her hair was curled and draped over her shoulder. She looked so beautiful, but so incredibly sad. I felt for her because I was in the same boat. The loss of Demetri was hitting me profoundly.

“The world is crying because of Demetri’s death,” Bella murmured, sliding on her engagement ring. “It rained the day of my father’s funeral, too.” She pursed her lips. “It was a torrential downpour, if I remember correctly.”

“It seemed like the world sobbed when your father died,” I replied, sliding my arms around her waist. “He was a great man.”

“So, was Demetri,” Bella said, turning in my arms. “He will always be loved, even though he’s gone.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed my jaw. “I love you, Edward. I know that everything is …”

“Fucked up,” I snorted humorlessly.

“To put it mildly,” she sighed. “But, we’re together and our family is there for us, supporting us. Supporting Felix.” My phone rang and I begrudgingly let her go. “Who is it?”

“Jacob,” I answered, sliding my finger across the screen. “Are we leaving?”

“Yeah, Boss,” Jacob replied. “Seth and I are waiting near the front door. Jasper is on his way to you with Alice.” There was a pause and Jacob cleared his throat. “Sir, it would be in your best interest for you be armed. Jasper mentioned that there is a possible threat.”

“What?” I growled.

“Jasper was trolling on Facebook, using a fake name, and he read some conversation about a possible hit at a funeral. It wasn’t said that way, but it made Jasper jumpy,” Jacob hissed. “I didn’t get it. He showed me a screen capture, but I trust him.”

“They were probably speaking in euphemisms,” I sighed, scrubbing my face.

“Is there a medication for that?” Jacob asked.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. “I’m sorry, Jake. They were probably using a code to plan the hit. Keep it appropriate for Facebook and not alerting the authorities.” There was a quiet knock at the door. “They’re here, Jake. We’ll be down in a little bit.” I hung up the phone.

“What did Jake say?” Bella asked, arching a brow. “You looked like you were about snicker.”

“He thought there was medication for euphemisms,” I chuckled. Bella giggled. “Yeah, exactly.” I kissed her forehead. “Armed, baby.”

“I’m prepared,” she said, sliding her thigh between mine. I could feel her holster and small weapon pressed against my leg. “I’m going to finish putting on my makeup. I forgot waterproof mascara. I think I’m going to need it.” She turned, leaving the room.

I went to open the door. Jasper was standing outside, wearing a black suit and a grim expression. “Did you speak to Jake? Did he tell you about the threat?”

“Yeah, and we’re protected,” I said, unlocking my gun safe near the door and putting a Glock into my shoulder holster. “Are you?”

“Always, Boss,” Jasper chuckled. “Are you okay with being a pall bearer for Demetri’s funeral service?”

“Was that another thing that Jacob was supposed to tell me?” I snorted.

“Yes, and from your look I’d assumed he didn’t,” Jasper replied. “You, me, Jake, Seth, Emmett, Liam, Carlisle and Anthony are all acting as pall bearers.”

“My father?” I whispered. “The last time he … was his …”

“Your grandfather’s funeral,” Jasper said, squeezing my arm.

“And when did Anthony get into town?”

“Late last night. He arrived on a private jet with Nina,” Jasper nodded. Bella walked out and Jasper hugged her. “Looking beautiful, Miss Bella.”

“Thank you,” Bella said, kissing his cheek. “Demetri deserved us to look our best.”

Married to the Mob Update

MOTM Chapter 23 on FicPad

MOTM Chapter 23 on Stars

MOTM Chapter 23 on AO3

MOTM Chapter 23 on FFn

MOTM Chapter 23 on Wattpad

We drove through the city, to a warehouse just outside of the city limits. Demetri and Felix were heading up a delivery of some new weaponry and technology. However, there was an ambush. At least, that’s what Seth said as he drove to the warehouse. So, I was on my way to the scene of the crime, praying there were some of Royce and Stephan’s men who I could torture to get information.

This war between us had to fucking stop.

I don’t think that my sanity could take it anymore. I feared for my fiancée’s safety.

Nothing could happen to her. I refused to let anything happen to her or to anyone else in my family.

“Boss, here’s your weaponry,” Jasper said, handing me my gun and knife. I removed my suit coat and tugged off my tie. I checked the safeties of the gun and slid a clip into my pocket. “Are we going in guns blazing?”

“We need to be smart, Jasper,” I growled. “It’s a bright, sunny day. We can’t go in with guns blazing. If things are as bad Seth said, the place may be already crawling with cops. We can’t … I refuse to be arrested.”

“Me, too. Alice would kick my ass,” Jasper chortled. I smirked, shooting him a look. “It’s true. The last time I was arrested? Alice said she’d refuse to pay my bail!”

“You were arrested for indecent exposure, Jasper,” I retorted, giving him a wry smile. “And drunk and disorderly conduct. I understand your need to blend in while you were undercover, but really?”

“I was an idiot. I know,” Jasper sighed. “I learned my lesson. If we get arrested now, though? It won’t be for running around naked, drunk and disorderly. It could be a lot more serious. We really could … murder, illegal weapon sales … the list goes on, Edward.”

“I know, I know,” I murmured.

“Boss, we’re here,” Jacob said. “No police presence.”

“Good,” I nodded, releasing the safety to my weapon. We got out of the SUV, which was parked behind the large warehouse. I put on a bulletproof vest and made my way inside, Jasper and Jacob on my flanks. Inside the warehouse, we ran into Seth. He was crouched next to a fallen man. I didn’t recognize him. “Who is this?”

“One of Royce’s men,” Seth whispered. “There are fourteen other men that were killed, scattered inside. There’s one man still alive.”

“And our men?” I asked.

“We lost ten,” Seth hissed. “The two that are still alive are upstairs, holding the remaining attacker at bay. He’s of a great deal of importance, it would seem.”

I nodded, making my way through the warehouse. I saw the carnage of the attack. Men who trusted me, who followed me, were slaughtered by my enemy. Blood stained the floors. Eyes were caught in a death stare, looking at nothing. When I reached the stairs to the second level, I saw a familiar face. “No …” I gasped, crouching down in front of the crumpled, bloody body.