Friday, April 29, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 62 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 62 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 62 Update on TWCS

Buying Love Chapter 62 Update on FFn

Forty-five minutes later, we were all strapped into a helicopter. I was watching as the urban jungle morphed into the Pacific rainforest. The ride was smooth and exhilarating. If it weren’t for the fact that we were flying to Forks to try and save my mom and Bella, I would have really enjoyed it. However, I was sick to my stomach, worrying about what was happening to them. I trusted Agent Dean, for some reason. Perhaps it was because he knew, in some way, what I was dealing with. What I had survived.

“Oh, God,” Rose whimpered. “Why did I agree to get into this oversized egg beater?”

“You’re not enjoying the flight, Rosie?” Emmett asked, shooting her an amused look from the front seat. He was seated in the copilot’s chair. He was a certified pilot, helping the other agent navigate the helicopter to the landing pad, just outside of Forks.

“I think I’m going to puke,” Rose said, leaning her cheek against my shoulder.

“You’re not the only one,” I said, patting her knee. “But it’s not because of the flight.”

“Right,” she sighed. “I never liked flying and that was in a plane. Now, in a helicopter? Nope. Never again. I’m renting a car to go home.” She wrapped her arms around my own and buried her face into my shoulder. I was stiff, but I knew that Rose wouldn’t hurt me. She was freaking out, trembling from the flight. I sat still, trying calm her down until we began our descent. “Oh, shit!” She dug her nails into my forearm, making me hiss.

“Rose, be careful. Edward has cuts and bruises on his arms,” Carlisle chided.

“Sorry, Eddie,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to …”


“I’m fine,” I said, rubbing her hand. Rose gave me a half-hearted smile as the helicopter descended to the landing pad behind the police station in Forks. She gripped my hand until we landed. Once the rotors stopped, the pilot opened the door and were led inside of the station. Two men were standing in the conference room. One was dressed in a bad, black polyester uniform that was two sizes too small with a beer belly hanging over his gun belt. The other man was tall with long black hair and a warm, concerned smile, dressed in a pair of jeans, flannel shirt and a vest with a badge pinned to his chest. I could tell that he had a gun holstered underneath the vest, making it puff out slightly. 

Helicopter

Forks Police Department

Kevlar Vest

Kevlar Vests

Cabin in La Push 

Agent Walter Dean

Carlisle Cullen

Chief Billy Black

Chief Peter Bailey

Sam Uley (one of Chief Black's men)

Emily

Detective Emmett McCarty

Rosalie Hale

Edward Masen


Thursday, April 28, 2016

Buying Love Teaser

Forty-five minutes later, we were all strapped into a helicopter. I was watching as the urban jungle morphed into the Pacific rainforest. The ride was smooth and exhilarating. If it weren’t for the fact that we were flying to Forks to try and save my mom and Bella, I would have really enjoyed it. However, I was sick to my stomach, worrying about what was happening to them. I trusted Agent Dean, for some reason. Perhaps it was because he knew, in some way, what I was dealing with. What I had survived.

“Oh, God,” Rose whimpered. “Why did I agree to get into this oversized egg beater?”

“You’re not enjoying the flight, Rosie?” Emmett asked, shooting her an amused look from the front seat. He was seated in the copilot’s chair. He was a certified pilot, helping the other agent navigate the helicopter to the landing pad, just outside of Forks.

“I think I’m going to puke,” Rose said, leaning her cheek against my shoulder.

“You’re not the only one,” I said, patting her knee. “But it’s not because of the flight.”

“Right,” she sighed. “I never liked flying and that was in a plane. Now, in a helicopter? Nope. Never again. I’m renting a car to go home.” She wrapped her arms around my own and buried her face into my shoulder. I was stiff, but I knew that Rose wouldn’t hurt me. She was freaking out, trembling from the flight. I sat still, trying calm her down until we began our descent. “Oh, shit!” She dug her nails into my forearm, making me hiss.

“Rose, be careful. Edward has cuts and bruises on his arms,” Carlisle chided.

“Sorry, Eddie,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to …”

“I’m fine,” I said, rubbing her hand. Rose gave me a half-hearted smile as the helicopter descended to the landing pad behind the police station in Forks. She gripped my hand until we landed. Once the rotors stopped, the pilot opened the door and were led inside of the station. 




Monday, April 25, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 61 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 61 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 61 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 61 Update on TWCS

“Okay, Captain. We’ll wait until Agent Dean arrives,” Emmett said, pacing in Bella’s suite. “Have you managed to locate Ms. Swan’s location using the GPS chip in her phone?” He bit his lip, looking out the window. “Got it, sir. I understand. Thank you.” He hung up, turning to face Carlisle and me.

“What did Captain Welch say?” Carlisle asked.

“There’s an FBI agent on his way to the hotel. He’s about five minutes away,” Emmett explained. “Because of Esme’s crimes and the fact that she left Seattle, I have no jurisdiction in Forks. Definitely no jurisdiction on the La Push reservation. We’ll have to coordinate with tribal council to gain access to the cabin where your mom is being held.”

“How do you know this?” I asked. “I mean, for certain.”

“We don’t. All we have is the web history that you pulled up from Bella’s computer. Which that was some amazing technical work, Edward. Better than the tech guys in our cybercrimes division. Anyway, we can’t get a clear read on Bella’s GPS since the cell service up in Forks is spotty at best. She’ll show up and then disappear, reappearing several miles away since the cell towers are so spread out,” Emmett said.

“But, what if something happens to either one of them? It’s been so long. We don’t know when Bella left and she could be hurt, or worse … killed,” I said, clenching my fists. “Not to mention what Bitchme is doing to my mother. She could be torturing her as much as she fucking tortured me. She’s had a horrible life since my father’s death and she doesn’t deserve this, Emmett. Neither of them do.”


“I know, Edward. We’re going to find them,” Emmett said, giving me a fierce look. “Rosie loves Bella like a sister and she’d personally have my balls in a vice if something happened to her.”

FBI Agent Walter Dean

Helicopter

Edward and Rose's Kevlar Vest

FBI Kevlar

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Buying Love Teaser

To the Guest Reviewer who is telling me to ‘move on’ – you need to move on. If you don’t like what I write, FOR FREE, don’t read it. Leaving reviews telling me to move on will not change how I write this story. There’s a little red ‘x’ in the corner. Click it. I won’t miss you.

“Okay, Captain. We’ll wait until Agent Dean arrives,” Emmett said, pacing in Bella’s suite. “Have you managed to locate Ms. Swan’s location using the GPS chip in her phone?” He bit his lip, looking out the window. “Got it, sir. I understand. Thank you.” He hung up, turning to face Carlisle and me.

“What did Captain Welch say?” Carlisle asked.

“There’s an FBI agent on his way to the hotel. He’s about five minutes away,” Emmett explained. “Because of Esme’s crimes and the fact that she left Seattle, I have no jurisdiction in Forks. Definitely no jurisdiction on the La Push reservation. We’ll have to coordinate with tribal council to gain access to the cabin where your mom is being held.”

“How do you know this?” I asked. “I mean, for certain.”

“We don’t. All we have is the web history that you pulled up from Bella’s computer. Which that was some amazing technical work, Edward. Better than the tech guys in our cybercrimes division. Anyway, we can’t get a clear read on Bella’s GPS since the cell service up in Forks is spotty at best. She’ll show up and then disappear, reappearing several miles away since the cell towers are so spread out,” Emmett said.

“But, what if something happens to either one of them? It’s been so long. We don’t know when Bella left and she could be hurt, or worse … killed,” I said, clenching my fists. “Not to mention what Bitchme is doing to my mother. She could be torturing her as much as she fucking tortured me. She’s had a horrible life since my father’s death and she doesn’t deserve this, Emmett. Neither of them do.”

“I know, Edward. We’re going to find them,” Emmett said, giving me a fierce look. “Rosie loves Bella like a sister and she’d personally have my balls in a vice if something happened to her.” 

Friday, April 22, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 60 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 60 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 60 Update on TWCS

Buying Love Chapter 61 Update on FFn

I knew when Bella came into her bedroom. I felt my body relax. Clinging to her, I managed to fall into a deep sleep. I stayed that way until I heard a crash in the suite. I sat up, woozy and confused. Looking around, I saw that Bella was gone and that it was almost noon. I got out of bed, stumbling over my own feet as I made my way to the living room. Carlisle was pacing and his ice-blue eyes were blazing with anger. From what I gathered, he’d also just gotten up.

“Emmett, she did the exact opposite of what you told her to do!” Carlisle screamed, his hands clenched. “I woke up to a note from Bella saying that she had to ‘run errands’ and she’d be back in a few hours. I don’t know when she deposited that note, but it’s almost noon!”

I couldn’t hear anything from Emmett’s response, but I sat down on the couch, trying to keep my anxiety at bay. Bella was off doing something that probably had to do with Esme and rescuing my mom. She was going to get hurt, or worse … KILLED! “I’ve got to go, Emmett. Edward’s awake and he’s as white as a sheet,” Carlisle said, tossing the phone onto the table and limping to me. “Edward, how much did you hear?”


“Bella’s gone,” I whispered. “And you don’t know when she left.”

Monday, April 18, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 59 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 59 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 59 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 59 Update on TWCS

I stayed with Edward until he drifted off to sleep. Even though he was medicated, the stress of all that had happened was apparent on his gaunt face. I kissed his forehead, leaving him in the bedroom as I walked into the living room. Dr. Banner and Dr. Benson were talking quietly, obviously concerned for Edward. Emmett had this look of absolute guilt on his face, knowing that his interview, getting Edward’s statement had prevented him from seeing his mother and allowing Esme, supposedly, to kidnap Elizabeth Masen.

“We can’t definitively say that it was Esme,” Emmett said, his brows furrowed. “Her face is covered in the security footage. The height and weight match Esme’s profile, but we can’t say for certain that it’s her.”

“You and I both know that this evil bitch is the one who took out Elizabeth from that nursing home, Emmett,” Rose argued. “Who else would do such a thing? I mean, really. She used Dr. Gerandy’s signature and he’s a corpse!” Emmett leaned forward and thrust his hands into his hair.

“The question is, where do we go from here?” Carlisle asked. “I don’t know how much more Edward can take. The poor boy is a wreck as it is.”

“I agree,” Dr. Benson said. “I can’t go into too much of Edward’s case, but you will lose him if anything else happens. It would be in everyone’s best interest to find his mother and get her out of Esme’s control. There’s no knowing what she’ll do to a defenseless woman. You saw what she did to a healthy young man. The physical scars will take months to heal, but the emotional ones? They may never go away because of what she did.”

“Esme is going to pay for her crimes,” I sneered. “She’s …” I threw up my arms, angry and upset over the whole thing. “Bitch is gonna die! You all agree with me and are probably planning her demise right along with me.”

“So you keep saying, Bells,” Rose quipped, giving me a dark grin.

“You can’t go off half-cocked, Bella,” Emmett chided. 


Saturday, April 16, 2016

Buying Love Teaser

I stayed with Edward until he drifted off to sleep. Even though he was medicated, the stress of all that had happened was apparent on his gaunt face. I kissed his forehead, leaving him in the bedroom as I walked into the living room. Dr. Banner and Dr. Benson were talking quietly, obviously concerned for Edward. Emmett had this look of absolute guilt on his face, knowing that his interview, getting Edward’s statement had prevented him from seeing his mother.

“We can’t definitively say that it was Esme,” Emmett said, his brows furrowed. “Her face is covered in the security footage.”

“You and I both know that this evil bitch is the one who took out Elizabeth from that nursing home, Emmett,” Rose argued. “Who else would do such a thing? I mean, really. She used Dr. Gerandy’s signature and he’s a corpse!”

“The question is, where do we go from here?” Carlisle asked. “I don’t know how much more Edward can take. The poor boy is a wreck as it is.”

“I agree,” Dr. Benson said. “I can’t go into too much of Edward’s case, but you will lose him if anything else happens. It would be in everyone’s best interest to find his mother and get her out of Esme’s control. There’s no knowing what she’ll do to a defenseless woman. You saw what she did to a healthy young man.”

“Esme is going to pay for her crimes,” I sneered. “She’s …” I threw up my arms, angry and upset over the whole thing. “Bitch is gonna die!”

“So you keep saying, Bells,” Rose quipped, giving me a dark grin.

“You can’t go off, half-cocked, Bella,” Emmett chided. “She’s wanted by the Seattle Police Department, the FBI and Interpol. She pulled the same shenanigans in Portugal or wherever she’s from.”

“I’m not going off half-cocked. She needs to pay for what she’s done to Edward, Jasper and all of the other people she screwed over,” I snarled. “I’m just determined for her to get her just desserts, if you know what I mean.”


Friday, April 15, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 58 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 58 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 58 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 58 Update on TWCS

I don’t remember the ride back to the hotel. Carlisle had given me one of my anti-anxiety pills and a pain pill. I was numb, for which I was eternally grateful. I needed numb. The constant pain from my injuries and now my broken heart from Esme taking my mom, it was too much. I also felt badly for yelling at Bella. The pain in her eyes was almost too much to bear as I blamed her for everything.

She didn’t deserve my anger. If anything, I was the one to blame. It was my fault that the two women I loved were in this position. Bella was in danger because of Esme and was a walking target. My mom was an innocent bystander and would probably be killed because of Esme’s maliciousness. If that happened, I don’t know what I’d do.

Death sounds like a good option.

I shook off Esme’s evil voice from my mind, encouraging me to end it all. I couldn’t. I had to stay strong, though I didn’t have any strength left. I was so done.

“Edward, do you want anything to eat?” Bella asked, her voice quiet and her actions hesitant.

“I’m not hungry,” I whispered. “Just tired.”

“I can imagine,” she said, reaching for my hand. I let her take it, but I felt guilty accepting any sort of comfort from her. My mom was suffering because of me. I didn’t deserve anything that Bella was giving me. Her generosity, her kindness, her love … I truly was worthless. “Edward, I can see the hamster working in your head. Don’t go there.”

“Why not?” I asked, taking my hand back. “My mom is in this position because of me. It’s my fault! Everything is my fault!”

“It’s not, Edward,” she said, her tiny hands taking my face. 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Buying Love Teaser

I don’t remember the ride back to the hotel. Carlisle had given me one of my anti-anxiety pills and a pain pill. I was numb, for which I was eternally grateful. I needed numb. The constant pain from my injuries and now my broken heart from Esme taking my mom, it was too much. I also felt badly for yelling at Bella. The pain in her eyes was almost too much to bear as I blamed her for everything.

She didn’t deserve my anger. If anything, I was the one to blame. It was my fault that the two women I loved were in this position. Bella was in danger because of Esme and was a walking target. My mom was an innocent bystander and would probably be killed because of Esme’s maliciousness. If that happened, I don’t know what I’d do.

Death sounds like a good option.

I shook off Esme’s evil voice from my mind, encouraging me to end it all. I couldn’t. I had to stay strong, though I didn’t have any strength left. I was so done.

“Edward, do you want anything to eat?” Bella asked, her voice quiet and her actions hesitant.

“I’m not hungry,” I whispered. “Just tired.”

“I can imagine,” she said, reaching for my hand. I let her take it, but I felt guilty accepting any sort of comfort from her. My mom was suffering because of me. I didn’t deserve anything that Bella was giving me. Her generosity, her kindness, her love … I truly was worthless. “Edward, I can see the hamster working in your head. Don’t go there.”

“Why not?” I asked, taking my hand back. “My mom is in this position because of me. It’s my fault! Everything is my fault!”


“It’s not, Edward,” she said, her tiny hands taking my face. She forced me to look at her. “Esme fucked your mind up so much that you don’t understand that she’s the one at fault. Not you! She’s the monster.”

*Sorry about my slacking with my teasers. My mind has been on other things, like where I was going to be working next year because a complete reworking of the schedule at the middle school level. I found out yesterday my placement. I'm excited to say that I'm now a choir director, but in a new building. I'm grateful for knowing and happy for the new opportunity, but bittersweet because I'm leaving my current school.*

Monday, April 11, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 57 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 57 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 57 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 57 Update on TWCS


Edward was so cute as we drove to the county nursing facility. He held a large bouquet of flowers for his mom and he was practically vibrating in his skin, anxious to see her. I smiled, navigating the streets of Seattle until we reached the nursing home. Edward was out of the car as soon as it stopped, opening the driver’s side before I could have the car turned off. I giggled as he practically dragged me into the nursing home and waited to be buzzed in.

Once inside, Edward walked to the reception desk. There was a woman there that didn’t recognize. Carmen wasn’t working and the scowling Ruth was nowhere to be found. “Hello,” Edward said quietly. “I’m here to see my mom, Elizabeth Masen.”

“Do you have ID?” the woman asked, her tone bored as she clacked her fingers on the keyboard. 

Friday, April 8, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 56 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 56 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 56 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 56 Update on TWCS

I reread each journal entry from Carlisle, Rose and Bella. They were all on my side, all pulling for me. I was terrified, though, of putting my thoughts and feelings on paper. It would mean that I’d have to acknowledge them. That they were true. That my life wasn’t some horrific nightmare, but my life.

Shaking my head, I figured I’d focus on the questions that Dr. Benson posed to me for my first journal entry. What did I want to do with my life and think about my relationship with Bella? Turning the page, I picked up a pen that was on the cocktail table. I marked down the date.

November 20th, 2015

Do I start with ‘dear diary’? I’ve never done this shit before. It seems so foreign. The last time I wrote ANYTHING was in high school. Not that I even finished high school. I’m an uneducated, worthless human being …

I put down the pen, scowling at what I put. I could still hear Esme’s voice in my head, reminding me that I was nothing. I wasn’t nothing, not any more. I had to become a better person – a better man – for my mom, for Bella, for ME! Gripping the pen with determination, I began writing again.

I’m not worthless. That’s Esme talking. I’ll lay into her shit later. I’m either going to need a lot of alcohol or some heavy-duty drugs to get me through that entry. I’ll settle with the medications that Dr. Benson prescribed, though.

Anyhow, my name is Edward Masen and for the past fourteen years, my life has been hell. It all started …


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Buying Love Teaser

I reread each journal entry from Carlisle, Rose and Bella. They were all on my side, all pulling for me. I was terrified, though, of putting my thoughts and feelings on paper. It would mean that I’d have to acknowledge them. That they were true. That my life wasn’t some horrific nightmare, but my life.

Shaking my head, I figured I’d focus on the questions that Dr. Benson posed to me for my first journal entry. What did I want to do with my life and think about my relationship with Bella? Turning the page, I picked up a pen that was on the cocktail table. I marked down the date.

November 20th, 2015

Do I start with ‘dear diary’? I’ve never done this shit before. It seems so foreign. The last time I wrote ANYTHING was in high school. Not that I even finished high school. I’m an uneducated, worthless human being …

I put down the pen, scowling at what I put. I could still hear Esme’s voice in my head, reminding me that I was nothing. I wasn’t nothing, not any more. I had to become a better person – a better man – for my mom, for Bella, for ME! Gripping the pen with determination, I began writing again.

I’m not worthless. That’s Esme talking. I’ll lay into her shit later. I’m either going to need a lot of alcohol or some heavy-duty drugs to get me through that entry. I’ll settle with the medications that Dr. Benson prescribed, though.


Anyhow, my name is Edward Masen and for the past fourteen years, my life has been hell. It all started …

Monday, April 4, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 55 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 55 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 55 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 55 Update on TWCS

Dear Edward,

When Dr. Banner mentioned calling Dr. Benson, I knew she was going to suggest a journal. I figured I’d break the ice with the first entry. Well, with the help of Bella and Rose, the first few entries. We all have our own secrets, our own stories. Some of them are awful and shocking, while others are just minor drama.


My story revolves around my injury. I was one of the best detectives in Seattle PD. You put me on a case, I’d close it. Out of hundred some odd cases I handled, there is only one that I never closed and that was my own. I don’t know who shot me. Detective McCarty was partnered with me and we were chasing a perp. He turned to shoot, missing us completely. Emmett (Detective McCarty) went to shoot back, but I told him not to since we were in a neighborhood. Too many liabilities with families, children. He grumbled, shooting off in the same direction as the perp while I went the other way, trying to head him off at the pass. As I was running toward Emmett, I heard gunshots again. However, unlike last time, there was a searing, agonizing pain in my chest and another on my hip. I collapsed, shot twice. Emmett gave up his chase for the perp, calling in my injury. 


Sunday, April 3, 2016

Some Good News

I'm happy to say that I'm on the mend. Today, I woke up feeling like a human. I'm still tired and weak from this bout with this stomach bug, but my stomach is not doing flip flops at the mere mention of food. So, positive for me!

It also helped with my weight loss plans. Not eating for almost four days, yeah, can make you lose weight. I think I'm down fifteen pounds? LOL ...

Anyhow, since I was in a stomach flu fog, I never got a chance to share this tidbit of good news ...

Dear tufano79,

CONGRATULATIONS! The Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards would like to inform you that you have been nominated in the following categories:

1. Favorite Angst Fanfic - Buying Love
2. Favorite Comedy Fanfic - Surviving the Teenage Dream
3. Favorite Complete Fanfic - A Fresh Start
4. Favorite Complete Fanfic - Finding Love Through Music
5. Favorite Complete Fanfic -  Friends with Benefits
6. Favorite Complete Fanfic - Surviving the Teenage Dream
7. Favorite Complete Fanfic - The Next Chapter
8. Favorite One-shot Fanfic - High Seas
9. Favorite Romance Fanfic - A Nerd Story of Love
10. Favorite Romance Fanfic - Buying Love
11. Favorite Romance Fanfic - Figure Eight
12. Favorite Romance Fanfic - Friends with Benefits
13. Favorite Romance Fanfic - The Geek's Guide to Parenthood
14. Favorite Work-In-Progress Fanfic - Buying Love
15. Favorite Veteran Author

Voting will start on April 11, 2016. We will take votes for three weeks before closing on May 2, 2016.

Feel free to let your readers know about this event, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

-Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards
 awards. fanaticfanfics. com

I was completely flummoxed when I got word that I was nominated for FIFTEEN different awards. So, whoever nominated me or my stories, thank you! It means more to me than words can say! With that being said, voting begins on APRIL 11, 2016 going to MAY 2, 2016. I'm up against some amazing authors and fabulous stories, most of which are some of my faves! Take the time to vote!

You can see the full list of nominees here: Multi Fandom Awards.

Hugs to all of you,
Josie 'Tufano79'

Friday, April 1, 2016

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 54 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 54 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 54 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 54 Update on TWCS

Watching Bella walk out that door was harder than I anticipated. I collapsed onto the couch, curling up in the fetal position as Carlisle sat in front of me on the overstuffed chair. “She’ll be back, son.”

“My … need for her is not normal, Carlisle,” I said. “I shouldn’t be this attached.”

“She showed you kindness. You latched on and you feel safe with her, like she’ll protect you. Knowing Bella, she will,” Carlisle chuckled.

“She shouldn’t have protect me. I should be protecting her,” I growled. Looking down at my frail, broken body, I wasn’t in any shape to protect anyone. “She’ll be okay with Detective McCarty, right?”

“Emmett is one of the best officers in the force, Edward. He’ll protect her. Plus, they’re going to the courthouse, which is protected beyond recognition, with metal detectors and armed guards all throughout the complex. If Esme tried to get through, she would be stopped,” Carlisle explained.

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Now, I spoke with Dr. Banner. He told me that Dr. Benson will be here in an hour or so. She’s well-known around the Pacific Northwest for her treatment of victims of abuse, sexual, emotional and physical abuse and assault victims. She specializes in it,” Carlisle said. “She used to work for the FBI as a profiler, but couldn’t do it anymore, wanting to focus on helping the survivors of these crimes.”

“What does she look like?” I asked.

“She’s tall, a little shorter than me, with dark hair and dark eyes. I’ve seen her on the witness stand for various cases,” Carlisle said. “Now, Bella got you some clothes since she assumed that you probably didn’t have anything. Some of it is her ex-husband’s and the rest she got herself.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to pay her back,” I frowned.

“You’re not. She’s doing this because she loves you,” Carlisle said, offering me a hand.


Dr. Marina Benson