Blockbuster Update

Blockbuster Ch. 31 on FFn

Blockbuster Ch. 31 on AO3

Blockbuster Ch. 31 on Stars

Blockbuster Ch. 31 on Wattpad

Jacob

“This was supposed to work, Paul,” I sneered, throwing another beer bottle into the fire. “CPS was supposed to deem her an unfit parent. I found the perfect woman to bring down that bitch.”

“The social worker was summarily fired, Jake,” Paul said. “She’d ‘crossed’ a line. Further investigations into her record found her prejudices for unmarried mothers to be quite apparent. We should have found another social worker with less baggage.”

“It’s so hard to do that when I can’t really leave the reservation,” I grumped, sitting down.

I was suspect number one in the death that midwife who tried to help Isabella run away with my son. I mean, I did kill that bitch after I’d reminded her place within the tribe. She was shamed and thrown away like the trash she was.

Like all women …

My father taught me the truth. Women are our property. They had no rights. They were holes to fuck. Incubators for our sons. Keepers of our home, but not given any freedoms or privileges.

That’s it.

Bella had a job because she had to pay us back for the money she cost us when she showed up pregnant and then when she had that medical thing where she was in the hospital for a week after she had my son. She almost bled out in an aisle in the Thriftway, costing us even more money.

I hated her.

I hated that I threw her out with my son.

But, I was thinking with my dick. I was more eager to fuck my new girl and Bella was cramping my style. So, I tossed that extra baggage out on her ass, but I didn’t know the truth.

My father hadn’t told me everything until that whore was gone and after I’d signed away my parental rights.

Now, without Seth, I was not eligible to become tribal chief. I needed to have an heir, or whatever. So, I was trying to get Seth back into my custody.

Yes, I signed away my parental rights. But, he was my son. MINE!

“I’d rather you stay here and not be thrown into prison, federal prison,” Paul argued. “Sue was found on federal property, on the land of the reservation by the local cops. The FBI will put you in cuffs the moment you step off the land.”

“We need to get down to California, Paul,” I huffed. “If you’d only stopped the movie … What the fuck? You couldn’t keep your mouth shut until the funding was pulled?”

“We were so fucking close at the start of this, with the emails to Cullen’s sister and my connections to Summit films, but the director is in love with your cunt,” Paul sneered. “I really wished you’d shared her.”

“She was mine,” I whispered. “She had no right to say no. No woman does.” I looked at Paul. “We need to figure out a way to get me out of the reservation and across state lines.”

“I’m working on it,” Paul assured me. “Go, work off some of your energy. I did earlier and it helped.”

“Not tonight,” I muttered, standing up on unsteady legs. “I’m going to sleep.”

Jacob Black

Quileute Lodge

Paul Lahote

VW Rabbit

Leah Clearwater

FBI Special Agent Dean Morrison

FBI Special Agent Winston Schmidt

Cedars Sinai Hospital

Leah's Hospital Room

Cabin in Joshua Tree National Park

Fire of Your Soul Teaser

Edward dialed Bella’s number for the hundredth time since they returned back to the fire investigation lab. It went straight to voicemail. He frowned, hanging up without leaving a message. He tried it again and again, each time going to voicemail. “Damn it. Chief?”

“What is it, Edward?” Charlie replied.

“Have you tried calling Bella or Renee?” he asked. “Have you called the cops?”

“I’ve called the cops and they’re sending someone to talk to me regarding the coffee shop fire,” Charlie answered. “Rose is still on the phone with the commissioner.”

“Try calling your wife, Chief. I’ve got this sinking feeling that something’s happened to Bella and Renee,” Edward choked out.

“Okay, Edward,” Charlie agreed, nodding as he took out his cell phone. He dialed Renee’s number and it also went to voicemail. “She’s not answering.”

“Not answering or going straight to voicemail,” Edward pressed.

“Voicemail,” Charlie snapped. “What’s the difference? They were going to a spa today. Their phones may be off.” Edward gave his boss an exasperated look. “You’re freaking out.”

“You should be doing the same,” Edward muttered. “Someone is targeting your family, Chief. Your wife, your daughter, my girlfriend … are a part of your family. Something’s not right.”

As Edward said that, a pair of detectives came walking into the lab. “Chief Swan?” asked the male detective. Charlie nodded. “I’m Detective Jacob Black and this is my partner, Detective Leah Clearwater. We’ve been assigned to the fire at La Marzocco.”

“Yes, thank you for coming by,” Charlie said, shaking their hands. “This is one of my best and brightest, Lieutenant Edward Cullen. He started the investigation at the coffee shop. My other lead investigator is in my office, on the phone with the fire commissioner, Lieutenant Rosalie Hale. Do you have news about the victim found in the fire?”

“We’re still waiting for the autopsy results,” Detective Clearwater said, reading from a small notepad. “The remains were horribly burnt. Dental records will probably be used to identify the victim. However, the only thing that the coroner said was that they were certain that the victim was male.”

“Did they die before or after the fire?” Edward asked.

“Before,” Detective Clearwater answered.

“So, obviously with that death, this is a criminal investigation,” Detective Black said. “And, on your call, you mentioned that you believe that a number of fires are connected. What do you think that connection is?”

“Chief Swan,” Edward replied, blinking to his boss. “Every fire has been connected to him. It started over five years ago with the fire near the Benaroya Center …”

“The fire where you lost your daughter?” Detective Black asked. Charlie nodded, his heart clenching. “I read about that in the newspaper. I’d gone to that concert before she’d died with my girlfriend at the time. She was a huge fan of your daughter, following her career since she’d started at the Seattle Symphony. It was over my head, to be honest, but I wanted to make my girlfriend happy. I’m so sorry for your loss, Chief Swan.”

“Um, yes,” Charlie said, his brows pulling together. “And, thank you for your condolences.”

“My partner has a case of lack of filter,” Detective Clearwater deadpanned. “Brilliant detective. Doesn’t think before he speaks.” She glowered at her partner, who rolled his eyes.

Married to the Mob: Fighting for Freedom Teaser

Bella

Sitting in the kitchen at Jimmy’s home, I was flipping through a bridal magazine to find a matron of honor dress for Sue’s wedding to my uncle. It was early May and the wedding plans were nearly completed, save for my dress choice and choosing a wedding cake. Lauren was going to design a dress for Sue and was nearly done with it. I had no idea what it looked like, so I was going in blind in choosing my dress. The only thing I knew was that the wedding was going to be casual.

Leah was on the floor playing with Charlie, who was squirming and trying to explore the new space. Sue was sitting on the overstuffed couch, watching over my son and her daughter.

Seth was standing behind his fiancée in the kitchen, trying to pick out wedding invitations. Uncle Jimmy was experimenting. He was trying to figure out how to incorporate some new ingredients into his menu at The Blue Swan.

“Bells, try this,” Uncle Jimmy said, putting something onto a plate. “What does it need?”

I took the proffered plate, cutting into the meat. I moaned when I tasted the meat. “Oh my God. This just melts in your mouth, Uncle Jimmy. What is this?”

“Beef spareribs,” he answered. “How’s the sauce? Too spicy? Not spicy enough? Be brutally honest, Bells.”

“What are you planning on serving this on?” I countered. “Mashed potatoes?”

“I’m thinking some homemade mac and cheese,” he replied.

“Then, the sauce is too sweet,” I said, focusing my attention to the sauce. “You need more heat and the sauce needs to be more savory, less like a barbeque.”

Uncle Jimmy nodded and pulled out another pan. He began throwing ingredients into it, muttering to himself. I snickered, enjoying the remaining meat on the plate.

I’d been staying with my uncle since Edward was out of town and had been for the past week. I was fine with staying at the house on my own, but Edward wanted me to either stay with his parents or with my uncle because Jake, Felix, Liam and the rest of the guys needed to go with him. Seth was staying back since he and Claire had several appointments they couldn’t miss.

Alice was staying with Peter and Charlotte in Carlisle and Esme’s home. Carlisle was with Edward, doing whatever Mobwardy thing they needed to accomplish. It was a big deal. Most of the family was needed and they flew to Italy. My husband checked with me when he woke up and before he went to  sleep every day, but I missed him. I slept like shit without my husband. Charlie was persnickety, anxious to see his ‘dada’. Though, his vocabulary had expanded in the past few months.

Dada, momma, no, ball, yuck and yay are his favorite words.

He also picked up his father’s potty mouth.

Charlie was sitting in his highchair, enjoying some apples with Nonna Esme and he blurted out ‘fuck’, giggling happily. I blushed furiously, gaping at my child. Esme stared at him in shock, but gave me an understanding smile. I’d been pretty good at curtailing my cursing, but it appeared that Edward had not. With Edward as Charlie’s father, it was a foregone conclusion that inappropriate language would be a possibility. Also, trying to reason with a baby was insane. It’s like arguing quantum physics with him.

No, Charlie, you can’t use the word ‘fuck.’ It’s not good for babies to use.

Mommy and Daddy did a lot of fucking to create you …

What?

I reamed out Edward when he got home from work that night and have implemented a very pricy swear jar. I think I raised nearly $10,000 in the first week, alone. The worse the cuss word, the more expensive it was for the jar with the f-bomb being a whopping $1,000.

My Mobward needed to learn that cussing is not good around a growing child, who was essentially a sponge.

Jimmy and Sue's home

Half bath

Dining Room

Master Bath

Family Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Leah's bedroom

Jimmy and Sue's bedroom

Guest bedroom

A Modern Day Fairy Tale Teaser

Sitting next to Masen, I watched as Jake and Leah danced at their wedding. My feet were in Masen’s lap. “It was a perfect day,” I said, reaching over to Masen’s hair and brushing it back off his forehead. “Beautiful wedding.”

“It was a beautiful wedding,” Masen agreed, kissing my left hand. My engagement ring was on a necklace, as we’d decided not to steal Leah and Jake’s thunder. “I can’t wait until this is us.”

“Only, I’m certain that our wedding will not be this understated,” I snorted. “How much of a media circus will our wedding be? Not that I mind … I want the world to know that we’re solidly a couple.”

“It will be insane. Especially in Gevalia,” Masen chuckled. He lifted me onto his lap, his hands gliding over my back and nuzzling my neck. “Have you seen the footage of Prince William when he married Kate Middleton? Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle?”

“Oh, fuck,” I giggled.

“You’re a normal woman from New York, marrying a prince,” he said, his lips moving along the column of my neck, moving to my ear and suckling on the earlobe. “A modern-day fairy tale, cherie.”

“Complete with the dead mother, a single, broken father, evil sister and sad backstory, forced into indentured servitude because of our woes. Holy hell, my life is a Disney movie,” I quipped, melting against him. He pulled back, his handsome face in a deep frown. “What? What’s with this face? I don’t like the frowny face, Masen.”

“I hate that you had it so bad, Bella,” he whispered, tracing my cheek with his fingertip.

“I don’t have it so bad now,” I whispered back, taking his hand and kissing his palm. His gaze softened, kissing me tenderly and holding me to his body. I draped my arms over his shoulders, idly playing with his hair as it brushed the collar of his suit. He sighed heavily, clearly still upset at my life prior to our relationship. “Masen, please don’t dwell on the past. We can’t change it.”

“We can only learn from it. I know,” he said, staring at me. “Where did your therapist get that little gem? The Lion King?”

“I think so,” I snickered, kissing his nose.

“I need all the single ladies out on the dance floor,” the DJ announced. “It’s time to toss the bouquet. Single guys … you’re on deck!”

Leah glided over to me, grabbing my hand and tugging me off Masen’s lap. “Come on, Bells,” she sang. “You’re still single.”

“No … I’ll break something,” I whined, following her to the center of the dance floor. Rachel hugged me and I pouted as I stood next to my friend. “Rachel, I will be pummeled by these girls. I’m puny compared to them. I’m also gimpy.”

“You’ll be fine, Bella,” Rachel scoffed, flipping her long black hair over her shoulders. “I have an in with the bride. She married my baby brother.” She clapped her hands together with an evil grin. The DJ was playing Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” as Leah sashayed to the front of the dance floor. She was wagging her bouquet, a beaming grin on her face. Rachel rubbed hands together, taking a more athletic stance. In her bridesmaid dress, it was hysterical. I just hid behind her, praying I wouldn’t get trampled by the thirty women huddled on the dance floor. As the chorus swelled, Leah turned around and prepared to throw the bouquet. Instead, she ran to me and handed it to me. “Told you!” Rachel crowed.

“What?!” I squeaked, holding the beautiful bouquet in my hands.

“We all know you’re next,” Leah said, hugging me and taking a quick glance at my necklace with my engagement ring. The photographer came over and took our picture before she was led to a chair where Jake was waiting to tug off her garter. Jake pulled the same stunt that Leah did, tucking the garter into Masen’s pocket. The four of us smiled happily  and the rest of the wedding was a blur of cake, champagne and dancing.

Leah's wedding dress

Jake's wedding tuxedo

Bella's engagement ring