Worth the Fight Update

WTF Ch. 3 on FFn

WTF Ch. 3 on AO3

WTF Ch. 3 on Stars

WTF Ch. 3 on Wattpad

Volterra Fighting Club

Balancing his workout bag on his shoulder, Edward glanced up at Volterra Fighting Club. It was a high-end, elite boxing gym that was the home to several champions. However, Edward was not as comfortable continuing his contract with the Volturi. The only one he trusted was Marcus.

Caius, who had been his coach since he became a professional boxer, lost that trust. With the situation surrounding that last fight, Edward would rather walk away.

Aro, Caius’s older brother and Edward’s agent, also lost his trust because he was not concerned with the migraines Edward experienced daily while he recovered from the beat down he’d received from the blacklisted Demetri Romanoff.

Marcus had been his only ally and advocate.

“Do I even want to continue to do this?” Edward asked, looking at the gym.

He’d only gotten into boxing to pay for his freedom. His father, after his mother died, became worthless. He was a drunk and lost everything, including Edward’s college fund. So, he had to find a way to get money and working at McDonald’s would not give him the opportunity to go to college. He got a scholarship to Northwestern since he was smart as hell, but he could not afford it, even with the scholarship.

All that changed when he found a flyer for an amateur fight where the winning purse was well over $20,000. Edward was not a fighter, but he had dabbled in wrestling and was quick on his feet. He scraped together the entrance fee and watched as many YouTube videos as possible. The night he graduated from high school, Edward won that purse and was able to leave the dump he’d lived in with his loser father. He left a thousand dollars to help his dad, but after that, Edward Sr. was no longer his concern.

With the rest of his winnings, he was able to pay for his first semester of university, a small apartment, and books for his classes. Edward continued his amateur fights, bankrolling his education and making a name for himself. He majored in business, with a minor in finance, graduating first in his class.

Aro Volturi, Edward's manager

Caius Volturi, Edward's coach

Edward Masen

Dr. Marcus Volturi

Volterra Fighting Club

Edward's car

Edward's Condo

Jimmy

Victoria

Victoria's Car

Falling for a Dark Soul Update

FFADS Chapter 2 on FFn

FFADS Chapter 2 on AO3

FFADS Chapter 2 on Stars

FFADS Chapter 2 on Wattpad

The woman sitting in front of me, with large brown doe eyes, thick mahogany hair, pale skin and red lips, was gaping at me like a fish. She was the same woman I’d briefly met the day before at the park with her daughter, or the girl who I believed to be her daughter. Seeing the little girl, something cracked in my armor and exposed my heart, but I had a business to run, regardless of what I felt the day before.

“I’m waiting, Miss Swan,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at her. “I’ve read your hiring packet and I know that you’ve moved across the country after the death of your parents.”

Her eyes watered, but she jutted her chin out defiantly. “I graduated at the top of my class, like you,” she said. “I never half-ass anything. I’m a hard worker. I’m looking forward to …”

“You may have graduated at the top of your class, but your experience is sorely lacking, Miss Swan,” I interrupted.

“I was supposed to begin working after completing my MBA at a firm in Seattle. My parents’ death prevented me from taking that job, Mr. Cullen,” she hissed. “I’m sorry that my personal loss is coloring your opinion of me in such a poor light. I may not have a lot of experience, but I’m a quick study and I do not appreciate my work ethic or integrity to be questioned.”

I smirked at her fire. I liked her spark, but she was very close to being insubordinate. “Well, I look forward to see your work, Miss Swan,” I retorted snidely, glowering at her. “You came highly recommended from the company in Seattle, despite never working there.” Her face was pink and her eyes were welling with tears. I was obviously pushing her buttons. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Miss Swan. You may go.”

She shot up and strode out of my office. The door clicked shut and I leaned forward, thrusting my hands into my hair. Seeing those tears had wracked me to the core. I knew her history and yet, I questioned her integrity.

Ten minutes later, my door flew open and the bane of my existence stomped into my office. “You are such an asshole, Edward,” snapped Rosalie. “Bella is one of the best people we hired since you’ve taken over as CEO. You should know. You fucking hired her without a fucking interview. You’ve read her resume, saw her portfolio and examined her educational transcripts. On top of that, you knew that she had experienced a significant personal loss with her parents’ death. Yet, you kept pushing and pushing. Do you really not have a heart?”

“You may be the head of human resources, but you are not …” I growled, shooting up and glaring at her.

“I’m not finished yet,” she sneered. “Ever since your divorce was finalized, you’ve become more and more of an asshole, more unbearable. I know that you were raked over the coals by that whore, but you’re fucking yourself over.”

“Rosalie … you are treading a fine line,” I snapped.

“No, I’m done tiptoeing around you, Edward. You’re fucking brilliant. The proof is in the product we create, the stellar teams that we have in this firm and our reputation of excellence. Your interpersonal skills, however, are sorely lacking. Isabella Swan lost her mother and stepfather six months ago. Her father had died before she could even remember. She became a single parent to her little sister, trying to be strong for a little girl who had her world upended. She’s navigating this all on her own, without support. Sound fucking familiar?”

“You will shut your goddamned mouth,” I yelled. “Get the hell out of my office or you will be out of a job.”

She snapped her mouth shut, scowling at me. “You will apologize to Bella. She doesn’t deserve your bullshit. I’ve sent her home for the rest of the day because she was so upset by your mercurial, asshole bullshit. And don’t think this is the last time I have something to say about this, Edward. You’ve really crossed the fucking line. You may be the boss, but you’re making this place hell to work at.” With a huff, she turned on her heel and left my office, slamming the door shut.

I counted to ten and asked Shelly to cancel the rest of my meetings. I packed up my computer and left the office, fleeing down the private elevator. I needed to calm down. The only one who calmed me down was my dog, Sam. He loved unconditionally, even me.

Broken as I am.

Married to the Mob: Fighting For Freedom Update

FictionPad is being a persnickety bitch and is not letting me update. However, the chapter is live everywhere else ...

MOTM:FFF Chapter 22 on FFn

MOTM:FFF Chapter 22 on AO3

MOTM:FFF Chapter 22 on Wattpad

MOTM:FFF Chapter 22 on Stars

Esme

Sitting in the living room, I sipped some iced tea and trying to maintain my composure. My husband and younger son told me all that happened while they were out searching for Bella. My daughter was in the private medical suite in the Consortium building, recovering from horrific injuries. Injuries caused by her mother and that animal.

“We need to be there for Edward and Bella,” Carlisle said, taking my hand. He was just as tired as Edward, even more so. He was twenty-five years older than my oldest son and he’d been on the move for as long as Edward. His eyes were bleary, exhausted “It was bad, Es.”

“Renee was completely unhinged, Mom,” Emmett muttered. “It was her undoing, to be honest. Good riddance, in my honest opinion. She got what she deserved. I just wished she suffered more.” I grimaced at the malice in my younger son’s tone toward the woman who gave birth to Bella. However, he adored his sister-in-law and would have done anything to protect her or bring her back safely to Edward. With the team they assembled, they did.

Thank goodness.

“Jacob got her in the end,” Carlisle sighed, leaning back on the couch. “She was holding Bella like a shield. The poor girl was nearly naked and littered with bruises covering most of her body. Renee held a gun to her own daughter’s head.”

“Traitorous cow,” Emmett snapped. “All of this was because Renee wanted money; money that she had no right to have. Ricardo wanted vengeance for the death of his friend.”

“And to destroy Bella and Edward,” I sniffled. “My heart breaks for them.”

“They got nothing in return,” Carlisle sneered. “They both died because of their own arrogance and stupidity.”

“Bella?” I asked. “Will she be okay?”

“Dr. Moretti and Alice said that she’d make a full physical recovery,” Carlisle answered, walking to the kitchen to grab a bottle of beer for himself and for Emmett. “She’ll need physical therapy, but she wasn’t badly injured. Edward, however, was more concerned if she’d been sexually assaulted. One of her abductors was a convicted sex offender.”

I blanched, looking at my husband and tried to hold back tears. “Was she?”

“No. They didn’t have enough time. They were on the go from the moment they took her from the store,” Emmett answered. “The longest time they spent in one spot was in Joliet. From what we heard from the men under Ricardo’s leadership, he wanted his victim to fight back. The drug they used to lure Bella away from the store made her compliant. She would have gone along with whatever he’d said. She’d also have no memory of what happened. Ricardo wanted her to remember.”

“Monster,” I spat.

“He got his just desserts,” Carlisle replied, giving me an evil grin. “He was shot in the head by Renee. She was having a temper tantrum, trying to shoot us at the abandoned gas station. Personally, I would have liked to sodomize him with a rusty pipe, but he’s dead and gone.” He yawned and sipped his beer.

Edward and Bella's Condo

Carlisle

Emmett

Esme

Cullen Consortium

Dr. Manny Moretti

Nurse Ellen

Edward's Office

Conference Room

Rhonda, Edward's assistant

Flowers from Rhonda and the Consortium Employees

Smelly Goodness

Flowers from Felipe and Esteban

Fire of Your Soul Teaser

“You’re obsessed, Dad,” Bella snickered, rolling her eyes.

“I have to be, sweet girl,” Charlie murmured. “I’ve lost one daughter. I’ll be goddamned if I lose another. Let me be all protective. It’s a father’s prerogative. Do you have those batteries?”

“In the linen closet,” Bella replied.

“Can you go get them?” Charlie asked, smiling at his daughter. She nodded, disappearing down the hall. He stood on a ladder, checking on the first smoke detector in the main living area. They worked together, changing the batteries in the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen. After speaking with the head of security, they verified that they were all connected to the main security office.

“Dad, this is overkill,” Bella snickered.

“It might be overkill, but necessary, sweet girl. We’re good, though,” Charlie chuckled. “I think it’s time for a beer. You have beer or do you drink that fancy frog water?”

“Frog water?” Bella laughed. “Dad, no one says that anymore.”

“Do you have a beer or not, Isabella Marie?” Charlie snorted.

“Nothing but the best for my old man,” Bella said, opening up her fridge and grabbing a can of Vitamin R, putting it onto the quartz countertop. She pulled out her own can, popping the tab. “Let’s go outside, Dad. It’s not raining and I’d like to use the fire pit. I know that with a firefighter, I’ll be safe.”

They went outside and Charlie showed Bella how to start the fire pit. They settled down onto the chairs, watching as the flames danced over the wood. “I was always fascinated by fire,” Charlie murmured.

“That would be fitting since you’re a firefighter,” Bella said, sipping her beer.

“A fire investigator, smart ass,” Charlie sighed.

“Why are you fascinated with fire, Dad?” Bella asked.

“It’s beautiful. Destructive, but beautiful,” Charlie said quietly. “You have to respect that beauty and its ability to destroy.”

“I do, Dad. You taught me that,” Bella said, her voice quiet and contemplative. “What’s going on?”

“I can’t believe that you drink Vitamin R,” Charlie said.

“Do you know how hard it was to find it in New York?” Bella asked, taking another slug of beer. “I had to order it online. I like it better fresh. It reminded me of home. Angela and I got drunk in the treehouse on this stuff. She hated it. I loved it. Angela preferred the ‘frog water.’”

“I thought you said that no one said ‘frog water’ anymore,” Charlie quipped. Bella just snorted, taking another pull from her beer. “Bells, I know that things between us have been distant since Angela died.”

“We’ve been distant because I lived three thousand miles away, Dad,” Bella quipped.

Charlie didn’t smile because the distance was more than the physical issue. “Bella, you’re a lot like me when it comes to emotions. You compartmentalize. It’s how you’re a great doctor. You’re able to shut off those emotions to help your patients,” Charlie whispered. “I’m so proud of you, Bells.”

“Dad …” Bella breathed.

“No, I need to say this. I’m proud of you and proud of the person you’ve become. I’ve always been proud of you. I’m so sorry that I pushed you away after the fire. I blamed a lot of people for that damned fire, including myself. Your mom, however, made me see that the only one who’s to blame is the asshole who started it,” Charlie growled. “And I still haven’t found him, either. Not that I’ve stopped looking, damn it.”

“Dad …” Bella whispered.

He continued, “We’ll never forget Angela, but it’s time we started living without her and embracing life, along with those we love. I love you both so much and I always have.”

“Dad, you’re not the only one who pushed away,” Bella said. “I left after Angela’s funeral because being here without her was too much. So, I went back to New York. I threw myself into work, trying to forget the pain.”

“What made you come back?” Charlie asked.

“I needed my family. I missed you. I missed Mom and I missed Angela. Even if she’s gone, I needed to be closer to her,” Bella whispered, idly playing with the tab of her beer.

Bella and Charlie were sitting in the silence of the evening, watching the flickering of the flames, while taking an occasional drink of their beer. “So, I guess since you love Vitamin R, the next thing will be you wanting to go fishing,” Charlie joked. “You want to go to the lake house?”

Bella just shivered at the thought of picking up a slimy, wiggly, worm and placing it on the hook. She liked catching fish, the serenity of the water, but not baiting the hook.

“You tell me that you’re a doctor, but afraid of a little worm,” Charlie laughed.

“They are so icky,” Bella grimaced at the thought of them. “Slimy and gross, Dad.”

Charlie wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. “Daddy will bait the hook for you, sweet girl.”

Bella laid her head on his shoulder, soaking in the warmth and smell that only came from her daddy, her hero, her protector.

Charlie