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.”

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“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

Today's my birthday, but you guys are getting the presents: an early update for Buying Love.

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Buying Love Chapter 37 on TWCS

My eyes were trained on the shattered man in front of me. He was on the ground, chanting quietly numerous apologies and pleas for forgiveness. Tears were flowing down his cheeks and he seemed so lost. Rose came in when she heard the slap.

“Fuck me,” she squeaked. “What the hell happened?”

“We were fighting. I kissed him and he wiped his mouth like he was disgusted with me. I slapped him and he fell to his knees, chanting numerous apologies,” I said, feeling incredibly guilty for cause this whatever this is.

“Esme fucked him up, Bells,” Rose murmured, squeezing my hand. I looked down at him, my heart breaking into a million pieces. “You need to get through to him, sweetie.”

“How?” I choked out.

“Love him,” Rose replied, kissing my temple. “I’ll call Carlisle and see if he can help us.”

She left us, walking to the kitchen. I sat down on the floor, staring at the broken, wrecked man in front of me. “Edward, can you hear me?”

“I’m so sorry. So sorry. Please don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt my mother,” he whispered, tears flowing down his pale cheeks. “I’ll do anything. Please … please!”

I inched closer to him, placing my hand on his knee. He jumped, pushing back and pressing his body against the wall. “Edward, I’m sorry. I won’t hurt you. Please come back.”

He curled up, hugging his legs. His face was pinched in pain. It looked like he was trying to make himself invisible. “Don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything you want. I promise. Just don’t hurt my mom. She’s all I have to live for. Please!”

“No, Edward, don’t say that,” I sobbed, taking his hand. He clenched his hand into a fist, refusing to move it, but gently I pried it away from his leg, seeing angry awful welts on his wrists. His cuffs were gone and I bit back vomit seeing the damage on his pale skin. “Edward, baby, please, come back to me.”

He hit his head against the wall. “I tried to be a good son. I tried and I failed. I don’t deserve anything good,” he said, taking his hand back and burying his face into his knees.

“You are a good son, Edward,” I whispered. “You are a good man.”

“No, I’m not,” he said, looking up. His eyes were empty, dead. 

Buying Love Teaser

“You seem quiet, Edward,” Jared murmured. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I answered absent-mindedly. “Tired.” I stared out the window as we drove through downtown Seattle to Swan Towers. I sighed, resting my cheek on my hand.

“You can talk to me, Edward. You seem to get sadder and sadder each time I see you,” Jared frowned. “Do you need money?”

I need a new fucking job and to get away from the Devil who wears Prada. “Money can’t help me, Jared. I’m a lost cause,” I said, sharing too much. If Esme found out that Jared knew about our deal, he’d be … I couldn’t risk having him get hurt? Or worse, Esme’s wrath on my mom.

“You’re not, Edward. Don’t ever say that. I’m worried about you. Please, talk to me,” Jared pleaded.

“I can’t, Jared,” I whispered, closing my eyes. I can’t run the risk of you talking to Esme and … I shook my head, looking back up to my driver. I had to deflect the conversation. “Did Esme tell you about my new client?”

“She did. Congratulations,” Jared replied, his eyes filled with worry for me. He pulled up to the front entrance of Swan Towers. I got out, slinging my bag over my shoulders. I groaned inwardly at the pain I felt in my arms. Jared got out and he stopped me. He was a tall man, just a few inches taller than me. He put his hands on my shoulders. I kept my face impassive, but the slight pressure he put on my arms was killing me. “I don’t know your story, Edward. I know you’re a good kid and that you’ve had a hard life. If there’s anything that I can do to help you. Please?” He handed me a card. 

“This is my personal cell number. If you need me, I’ll be there for you. You remind me so much of my son. I lost him at a young age and I don’t want to lose you, too.”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “What happened?”

“He died, committed suicide,” Jared answered. “Because he didn’t ask for help. He kept a secret that ate him alive and in the end, he lost his life because of it. I tried to push him, but he would just shut me out. I can see that whatever you’re hiding is doing the same thing to you. You’re not alone, Edward. After driving you for almost two years, I’d like to think that we’re more than just acquaintances. I consider you a friend.”

Jared