Married to the Mob Teaser

“Boss, you’re going to bite off your thumb. Stop doing that,” Jasper snorted, tugging my finger out of my mouth. I’d been nibbling on the nail, anxious to see Bella. I’d driven to my parents’ house after making a very important purchase and received an angry text from my mother.

Rose has crossed the line … she may need to be reminded how to behave. ‘The Boss’ needs to have a discussion with her. Not. Emmett. ~ Mom

I responded to her. What happened? I need to know the facts before I go all ‘mafia’ on her ass ~ E.C.

Mom sent me a diatribe about how she disrespected me in front of Bella and Alice. I replied to her saying that I’d have a conversation with her and that she needed to know that she wasn’t in charge. She would be reminded of her place in this family. “Boss? You’re growling.”

“Is Emmett here?” I asked, looking over at him.

“I believe so,” Jasper answered. “I think he’s reading or working on the patio.”

“Thanks, Jas,” I nodded, getting up from the couch and walking through my parents’ large mansion overlooking Lake Michigan. Emmett was working, typing on his laptop and reading files that were strewn on the table. “Emmett, can we talk?”

“Sure, Ed,” he said, closing his laptop and placing it on top of the files. “That night club, Bound and Gagged, sounds intriguing. They’re breaking ground this week. How did you manage to the plans approved so quickly?”

“I was motivated,” I chuckled. “If things work out, the club will be up and ready to go by Valentine’s Day. The owner said we’re VIPs and would get all of the perks, therein.” I sighed, sitting down across from him. I handed him my phone. “Read that.”

He skimmed Mom’s text and he grumbled lowly. “I’ll talk to her, Edward,” he said.

“No. You won’t. She disrespected me and disrespected my girlfriend,” I snapped. “She may not have to like me. Hell, I hate her guts, but I respect her because she’s your wife. She will know that if she talks about me like that, there will be consequences.”

“Are you going to kill my wife?” Emmett asked, his eyes wide.

“No, but she needs to know her place, Emmett. I’m going to be the head of this family. Not her. Her opinion doesn’t mean shit to me, but I will be respected,” I said, scrubbing my face. “Rose disrespected Bella, which is … well, it’s not fucking good, Emmett.”

“But, isn’t she just a date?” Emmett questioned, narrowing his eyes. He knew my history and even gave me shit because of my conquests and nightly visits to the Denali sisters. But, I expected that from him. He was my brother. And before he married Rosalie, he was doing the exact same fucking thing. I think he even had a threesome with Tanya and Irina.

Anyhow, I digress …

“No, Emmett. She’s everything,” I responded. “I never thought I’d understand what Mom and Dad feel, what you felt with Rose, what Jasper feels with Alice … I used women. I know that, but Bella? She will be my wife.” I reached into my pocket and tossed him the box which held Bella’s ring. He blew out a low whistle. “She’s different. I know we just met, but she’s my dolce.”

“Don’t go soft, bro,” Emmett said, getting up and handing me the ring. “It’s gorgeous. I’m certain she’ll love it. Small, though?”

“Bella … she’s not impressed by fancy things,” I chuckled. “But, what it lacks in size, it makes up in quality.” It was smaller than I wanted. I would have liked a ring that was ostentatious and bold, but I knew that Bella would not wear it. I wanted the world to know she was mine. This ring, it was gorgeous, but elegant in its simplicity. It was a two-carat cushion cut ring, with smaller round-cut diamonds around it and going down the double shank of the shoulders. I put the ring back into my pocket and walked toward the balcony, overlooking the lake. It was frigid, but with the heaters and lit fire, the patio was comfortable. “Once Rosalie comes back, I’m going to talk to her. You can’t … I need to do this for me and for Bella. I hope you understand.”

“I do, Edward. She did cross a line,” Emmett sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“EMMETT!” came the hyena-like voice of Rosalie. Speak of the devil … “Where the fuck are you? You’ll not believe what your mother did to me!” She teetered out onto the patio, huffing angrily. “She had the nerve to call me out about Edward’s skanky behavior. The guy is walking STI!”

“Emmett,” I hissed, turning to face them. Rose glowered at me, crossing her arms over her ample chest. “I need a word with your wife. Alone.”

La Musica del Cuore Teaser

“Hey,” I smiled. “How are you doing, Em?”

“Good. You look better,” Emmett said.

“I got a B-12 shot and some iron pills,” I said. “I need to take it easy, but that’ll happen once we’re done with our tour. I love doing this, but I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and hiding from the world.”

“You and me, both,” Edward chuckled, opening a bottle of beer. “But, we’re going to have reschedule that performance in Peoria. At least, that’s what Jared said. They’re looking at Halloween weekend. Nothing’s set in stone.”

“How long are we going to have as a break? You know, before we start working on our next album?” Emmett asked.

“We’ll play it by ear,” Edward chuckled, checking his phone. “Phil’s here.”

A few moments later, the door opened and my former stepfather walked in. He looked happier, younger than I’d remembered. He shook Edward’s hand and hugged Emmett. Phil turned to me and he grinned. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Bells,” he said, hugging me tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too, Phil,” I whispered. “How are things?”

“Good. I’ve got a new job. I’m working as a sports writer at one of the local newspapers. I get to travel the country. I was lucky to be in town while you were here,” Phil chuckled. “I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon to do a piece on the Mariners.”

“You can’t come to our concert?” Emmett asked.

“I promise to see you. I got tickets when you’re in Tampa,” he said. “I’m going to be doing an article on the Devil Rays, so I’ll be there.”

“That’s great,” I smiled. “Are you hungry? We got some delicious food on the way.” I led him to the couch and settled next to him.

“I am,” he chuckled, but his smile faded. “I’m excited to be here, but I have some disturbing news about Renee. As soon as she found out that you guys were coming Jacksonville, she’s been bitching something fierce about how you burned her.”

“What?” Edward growled. “We did nothing of the sort.”

“You know that. I know that. But, Renee … she’s the source of several nasty rumors,” Phil whispered. “The baby mama?” He blinked to Emmett, his nose wrinkled. “She was the one who talked the girl into saying that Emmett was the baby’s father. She knew about Emmett’s drug problem and his cheating, capitalizing on his issues.”

“And you know this for certain?” Emmett asked. “I should talk to that lawyer that I’m using for the defamation suit. Name my mom.”

“I don’t have definitive proof,” Phil sighed. “However, I heard it through the grapevine that she’s going to be giving an interview at some point tomorrow. She’s planning on using your celebrity to get her own fifteen minutes of fame. One of my coworkers in the arts and entertainment section mentioned that estranged mother of Isabella and Emmett Swan is going to be talking to one of the major networks.”

“Is it the NBC affiliate?” Edward asked.

“No. ABC,” Phil said. “I tried to call her and talk to her, but we’re not exactly on speaking terms. Our divorce was quite contentious.”

“What happened?” Emmett asked. “I thought you and Mom were happy.”

“I couldn’t get over the fact that she wouldn’t even entertain the idea of coming to your wedding,” Phil said, looking at me. “And then, I tried to reach out, send you a present and Renee went off. She said that I was betraying her by attempting to establish a relationship with you. You’re my stepdaughter. I’m supposed to do that. Then, she said some nonsense that I loved you more than her and she went completely off the rails. She accused me of cheating and became quite physically and verbally abusive. When she hit me, breaking my ribs, I told her that I was done and I moved out.”

“She hit you?” I breathed. “Hit you? That’s unreal.”

“And it wasn’t the first time. I’d heard about abusive relationships with women, but never with a man,” Phil sighed. “I fast-tracked the divorce and she tried to swindle me out of a ton of money. However, based on her abuse, she didn’t get anything and she shit a brick. Like I said, it was quite contentious.” He gave me a grimace. “She’s so bitter, Bella. You got everything she ever wanted. A forever love, fame, wealth and happiness.”

“She had a forever love with you,” I whispered.

“I thought so, too, but she wanted fame and wealth. I had minor fame with my minor-league baseball career, but the wealth wasn’t enough to keep her happy,” he sighed. “Anyway, enough of my drama. Tell me all about the tour so far. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things and I own all of your recordings, playing them in my cube and driving my coworkers crazy.” 

Phil Dwyer