Buying Love Teaser

It was just before Christmas and I was cleared to go home.

Finally.

I could have gone home sooner, but I caught a cold, which turned into an upper-respiratory infection and then turned into bronchitis, morphing into pneumonia. My immune system was shot because of the damage to my lung. I lost nearly two weeks of recovery time because I was chained to my bed with my oxygen and nebulizer. The doctor even went so far as suggesting intubating me, but I adamantly refused. That meant being put under again and no. Not gonna happen.

After that, I had to start from scratch for everything. Despite the fact that Embry came in to work with me on my leg exercises in my room, I still lost most of the momentum I’d gained from being at the rehabilitation hospital.

Though, when I did walk my one hundred yards, unassisted, I felt so proud. It was even better than when I got my master’s degree. However, at the end of my walk, Edward whooped and scooped me in his arms, hugging me so tightly, murmuring that he loved me. I broke down in tears, clinging to him. He sat down on one of the instruments of torture in the gym, holding me in his lap. “No crying, bellissima,” he cooed, wiping my tears away. “This is a good thing. You get to go home, now.”

“But, where’s home?” I whispered.

“What do you mean?” he replied.

I sobered up, noticing that everyone had left. Carlisle and Rose had been there, cheering me on, but obviously gave me some privacy to talk to Edward. “I don’t feel comfortable staying at the hotel, Edward. With the situation with my dad and all.”

“Where could you go?” Edward asked, his hand gently rubbing my back.

“I don’t own any property. The house from my marriage, Riley got to keep it since I had always planned on staying in the penthouse at Swan Towers,” I sighed. “I can’t exactly go out and search for a house. That hundred yards kicked my ass.”

“Also, keep in mind that you’re going to be testifying for the grand jury next week,” Edward gently reminded me. “Bella, as far as you know, your father is still on the other side of the world, scoping out locations for his next new luxury resort. That doesn’t make it right. He should be here for you. If he loved you as much as he said he did, he would have never left, despite your suggestion.”

“You’re so fucking intelligent,” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder. “How did you get to be so smart?”

“I’m not smart, Bella. I just speak from the heart,” he shrugged. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 73 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 73 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 73 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 73 Update on TWCS

After two weeks in the hospital in Port Angeles, I was transferred to a private rehabilitation hospital in Seattle. Every day I grew stronger, but it was a struggle. Every step of the way, though, Edward was with me. He supported me when I sobbed in pain from my muscles rebuilding in my legs. He was my cheerleader when I took my first unassisted steps. He caught me when I fell, which was quite often. He let me rage when I went off on my dad, who did take my advice and flew back Phuket.

He really did care more about his precious business than his own fucking daughter.

Asshole.

Uncle Peter stepped up, only after flying to Phuket to kick Charlie’s ass. He proudly said that he snapped my dad’s wrist.

To say my relationship with my father was damaged was an understatement. I never thought he’d be so cruel to me or to anyone I cared about. He was really so image-driven that me being injured and possibly paralyzed might negatively impact people coming to Swan Hotels and the bottom line. And don’t get me started on me being in love with an escort.

He was the one who pushed me toward getting an escort in the first place with his stupid reasoning that I needed a date for the opening of Swan Towers. If anything, he’s the one to blame, god damn it!

Buying Love Teaser

“Bella, please!” I sobbed, pressing my hands harder on her chest, trying to stop the bleeding. Chief Black ran in with Emmett, holding a med kit. “She just passed out. We have to save her!” Her pale skin was turning a sickly grey. She was losing too much blood.

“Son, you need to step back,” Chief Black said softly. “We’ll take care of your girl.” He slid his hand under my hand and kept the pressure on it while Emmett cut open Bella’s shirt. I fell back, leaning against the cot my mom was resting on, tears running down my cheeks as my reason for living lay bleeding out on the floor of this God-forsaken cabin.

“My sweet boy, don’t cry,” Mom whispered, her fingers running through my hair. “She is an angel and will be alright.”

“How do you know?” I asked, turning to look at her. “Mom, she saved me. Saved us.”

“That’s why she’ll be okay,” Mom said, cupping my cheek. Her eyes were bright and clear; just like I’d remembered as a child before my father’s death. “It’s always darkest before dawn, my sweet child. I’m sorry that I was gone for so long.”

“Mom?” I questioned, blinking at her. She looked like the woman that I remembered growing up. She smiled crookedly, reaching for me and enveloping me into an awkward hug. I clung to her, apologizing for my stupidity. She didn’t say anything, just held me as I lost it all.

“Edward, we’ve got to go,” Carlisle said. I turned and looked up at him. Behind him, Sam and Agent Dean were standing with a gurney chair for my mom. “Bella needs immediate surgery. We’re driving back to the station and then taking the helicopter to Port Angeles.”

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 63 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 63 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 63 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 63 Update on TWCS

Rose and I listened to the quiet whispers over the radio. It was hard to understand what they were saying, but we got the gist that the cabin and campground were abandoned and had been for some time. From Chief Black, it had been repossessed by the bank. The bank didn’t do anything with it except lock up all of the cabins and slap a ‘For Sale’ sign at the entrance. It had been left to rot for five years.

“We see Ms. Swan’s car,” Agent Dean hissed. “It’s about thirty feet from a small creek. It appears that there was a struggle. Guns out.”

“A struggle?” Rose growled. “If that bitch … oooh, I so want to kick her ass!”

“You’re not the only one,” I sneered. “If she hurt either one of them, I will not hold back. My mom taught me to never hit a woman, but I’d gladly break that rule for Bitchme.”

“She’s not a woman, Edward. She’s a fucking monster,” Rose said, her eyes blazing with anger. “I’ll hold her down while you give her a taste of her own medicine.” She smirked evilly while she cracked her knuckles. I returned her smirk, ready and willing to take her up on it.

Buying Love Teaser

Rose and I listened to the quiet whispers over the radio. It was hard to understand what they were saying, but we got the gist that the cabin and campground were abandoned and had been for some time. From Chief Black, it had been repossessed by the bank. The bank didn’t do anything with it except lock up all of the cabins and slap a ‘For Sale’ sign at the entrance. It had been left to rot for five years.

“We see Ms. Swan’s car,” Agent Dean hissed. “It’s about thirty feet from a small creek. It appears that there was a struggle. Guns out.”

“A struggle?” Rose growled. “If that bitch … oooh, I so want to kick her ass!”

“You’re not the only one,” I sneered. “If she hurt either one of them, I will not hold back. My mom taught me to never hit a woman, but I’d gladly break that rule for Bitchme.”

“She’s not a woman, Edward. She’s a fucking monster,” Rose said, her eyes blazing with anger. “I’ll hold her down while you give her a taste of her own medicine.” She smirked evilly while she cracked her knuckles. I returned her smirk, ready and willing to take her up on it.

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

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. 

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

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.” 

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. 

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.”

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 20^th, 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 …

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 20^th, 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 …

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. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 47 Update on TWCS

I held Bella, sobbing like a freaking baby. I was such a fucking mess. It took Carlisle almost two hours to convince me to go to the hotel. I begged to stay with him. I didn’t want Bella to see me like this.

Broken.

Battered.

Ashamed.

Empty.

Lost.

Carlisle said that she would never forgive him if I didn’t at least see her. He was gentle and patient as I sat in the car in the parking garage, working up the courage to ride up to her penthouse suite. With each passing floor, I was growing more anxious but Carlisle held my hand and told me that I was strong and resilient.

My ass.

Seeing her was too much. She had not changed. If anything, she was far more beautiful than I remembered. Her hair was braided over her shoulder, her alabaster skin was free of all makeup and her eyes were filled with such concern.

Pity, you fool. She pities you.

I couldn’t stand the pity, so I tried to flee. Carlisle calmed me down, explaining that I could stay with Rose if I wanted, or with him, but I didn’t. I wanted to stay with Bella, but I didn’t want her fucking pity. Then, she walked closer to me and I could smell her sweet fragrance. She said that she missed me and she began apologizing. I took her hand, pressing it to my cheek. The warmth of her hand sent shivers down my spine and made my empty heart began beating again. When her other hand cupped my face and her espresso-colored eyes bore into mine as she told me she loved me, I lost it. The tears came down and she pulled me to her body. I collapsed under the weight of what had happened and held her to my chest, letting all of my walls down. 

Buying Love Teaser

Carlisle left a few hours later, after attending to some older wounds. When Esme asked for the bill, he waved it off. Esme offered him one of her girls, but he muttered that he was gay and in a committed relationship. He took his bag and left. Esme gave me a scowl, dragging me from my room and into the kitchen. “Carlisle said that you needed food since you lost so much blood.” She put a plate in front of me. It was a steak, veggies and a baked potato. “I know that we’ve been hard on you, Edward.”

Hard, I snorted mentally. I’ve been scarred and broken beyond all recognition. “Thank you for the meal, mistress,” I whispered, picking up the utensils.

“I’m only feeding you since you have a big date tomorrow, Edward,” she said, putting a glass of water in front of me. “Mistress Marie is so excited to have someone to submit, bending to her every whim. However, you may be hers for the next three days, but you’ll always, always be mine.”

“Yes, Mistress. I’m yours,” I repeated.

“Now, eat up and then you can go to sleep. I want you to be rested for your date,” she said, gliding away and shutting herself into her office. I ate what I could, focusing on the steak. The vegetables and potato didn’t look very appetizing. Plus, my stomach was unsettled from the lidocaine Carlisle gave me to stitch up my back and the pain killers, too.

Once I finished my meal, I did my dishes and stumbled back to my room. I found a bag in my room and a suit hanging on the door. It was my outfit for the next day. I reached under my bed and grabbed my cell phone, the money from my tips and the few nick knacks I had from my old life. I tossed them into the bag that was in my room. 

I was never coming back to this hell. Finally, I would be free of Esme and be able to live my life. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 41 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 41 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 41 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 41 Update on TWCS

“Bella, there’s a phone call for you on line two,” said Jessica, standing by the entrance to my office. “It’s a man. Jared?”

“Thank you, Jess,” I said. “Can you please close the door?” She nodded and left me to take the phone call. I’d been searching for Jared since my ‘date’ with Edward that happened a week ago. I was concerned about him since Felix was now Edward’s driver. Blowing out a breath, I picked up the phone. “Jared?”

“Miss Bella,” he whispered. He sounded older, more haggard. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I was, um, unavailable …”

“You lie for shit, Jared,” I said. “Where are you?”

“I’m at home,” he replied. “I had an accident.”

“I’m coming to you, Jared,” I murmured.

“Don’t! I’m afraid that I’m being watched, Miss Bella,” Jared said.

“Then, let me send a car for you,” I pushed. “I’m certain you’re calling for the same reason why I was trying to contact you.”

“Very well,” he sighed.

He gave me his address and I contacted Carlisle, asking him to pick up Jared. I worked, not really paying attention to what I was doing. An hour later, Carlisle came into my office with a bruised and battered Jared. I stood up, my eyes wide and scampered to him. “What happened to you?” I asked, helping him to the couch.

“Something happened to my limo. When the police investigated, it appeared that my brake lines were cut,” Jared said. “I was lucky. It could have been a lot worse.”

Jared

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter 34 Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter 34 Update on AO3

Buying Love Chapter 34 Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter 34 Update on TWCS

THIS UPDATE COMES WITH A VIOLENCE WARNING/TISSUE WARNING!!! 

We walked through the house to a back family room. A handsome, tall man with sandy blonde hair was sitting on a fluffy chair, staring blankly at the television, not really watching what was on the screen. Alice moved in front of him, brushing his hair from his face. He blinked a few times, smiling at her lovingly before turning to look at me. “Ms. Swan?” he asked, his voice deep and resonant. He stood up with great difficulty, holding out a gnarled hand. I shook it gingerly, afraid that I’d cause more damage.

“Please, call me Bella,” I smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jasper.”

“And you as well,” he said. His voice had a subtle drawl and it had a musical quality. “Please, have a seat. Ali, can you get Bella some sweet tea?”

“Sure, Jazzy,” she replied, kissing his temple and dancing out of the room.

Jasper gallantly helped me to sit in the couch, despite the stiffness of his movements. He was a gentleman, but I could see in his blue eyes how much he had lost and how much Esme had broken him. “Alice told me about Edward and your situation with him. I remember him when I worked for, um, her. He was a sweet, loving man, even despite her treatment of him.” He took a breath, closing his eyes and running his hands through his hair. “I won’t tell you Edward’s story. That’s up to him, but I will tell you mine. Alice and I spoke to that private detective, but we didn’t share everything.”

Alice came back with a tray of iced tea. “Here, Jazzy. I’ll let you two talk. I do have some medication for you, if it becomes too much,” Alice said, placing the tray on the cocktail table. She kissed him tenderly, leaving us in the family room.

“Alice is a godsend. I love her so much. She’s everything I’ve never had in my life,” Jasper murmured, his eyes glazing over.