Chapter 14 Teaser

“Bella, I love you.”

Bella’s eyes shot open. She immediately looked at Edward but he was still unmoving. She sighed having realized she had been dreaming. She heard snoring in the room and turned to see Seth, curled in a ball in the other chair that they had brought in for him. She grinned. He had sweet talked one of the nurses, convinced her that he needed to watch over Bella. That he was like her bodyguard. The nurse initially said no but Seth’s persistence paid off. That and his boyish good looks.

Bella turned back to Edward. He was still very pale and sickly. His blood pressure was not going down like the doctors had hoped but there wasn’t a lot they could do with his medication restrictions.

“Helios, baby, please come back to me. I need you so much.”

Bella held his hand and then panicked as the alarms by his bed began going off. Soon, the nurses and the overnight doctor were rushing in.

"Edward," Bella cried.

There was a loud thump and Bella turned to see that Seth had actually fallen out of his chair. He jumped up to assess what was happening and quickly pulled Bella back and out of the way so the doctors could tend to Edward.

"Edward," was all Bella could say.

Seth held her as they worked on his friend. Edward's heart rate peaked to a dangerously high level and he was going into cardiac arrest. Bella wrapped her arms around Seth, needing comfort and warmth and most importantly, reassurance...

Chapter 13 Teaser

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up.

“Hello, Bella,” Jacob smiled.

“Get away from me,” Bella seethed as she slapped his hand away.

He grinned further, “Bella, I’m here to help.”

“Bullshit, Jacob. Leave me alone.”

“Bella, we need to talk. We have court on Monday and there are a lot of things that need to be discussed.”

Bella glared at him. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Jacob turned in his seat so that he was facing her. He casually unbuttoned his jacket, relaxing his posture. Bella watched, annoyed that he was there. She was worried about Edward and didn't want to deal with Jacob. He placed his arm along the back of the chair and smiled that arrogant smile he wore consistently.

“Bella, you have no attorney, no,” he rolled his eyes, “fiancé to help you.” She started to say something but he shook his head. “But what you do have is me. I can help you.”

“The only way you can help me is by leaving.”

“Bella,” he chastised.

“No, don’t, Bella, me. I’m certain you and Newton did something illegal.” She leaned closer to him. “I don’t want to be associated with any of you.”

“Bella, it’s in your best interest to meet with me.” He grinned and leaned back. “Especially now that Alec is dead. He oversaw the case, that, you’re name is also on. I can help you out of this situation. Don’t you see that?”

“I wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for you.”

“Be that as it may you are in this and it behooves you to ignore a welcoming hand that is being offered.”

Bella’s brows furrowed. “You guys are trying to set me up but its not going to happen. I’m not an idiot.”

“Of course you’re not Bella. If you were I wouldn't have wanted you to work for me.”

“You wanted me with you for other reasons Jacob. Don’t act otherwise.”

He laughed. Damn, we would have been great together, he thought with a grin. Providing he could have tamed her fire. But then again, maybe her fire would have been interesting. He almost hated to break her down but he had to. It was her or them. He wasn't about to go down for this. Finally, he ran his hand along his chest, lightly tapping above his heart as he tried to be serious again.

“This doesn't have to be adversarial, Bella. Let’s get together and talk.” He pulled out a business card from inside his breast pocket and placed it in her hand. “I promise. I’ll be good.” He added with a wink before rising from his seat.