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The trial was starting today. It made for a very somber Valentine’s Day. Edward was distracted and nervous. Hell, so was I. We tried to celebrate, enjoying a meal in a private dining room at an exclusive restaurant, but it didn’t pan out that way. We ended up talking about the trial and getting into a fight about the trial and what was going to happen after it was finished. So, we went home and slept in separate bedrooms.

It sucked.

We both apologized the next day, but Edward was so on edge because of this uncertainty. I didn’t blame him. Truly, I didn’t. Esme tortured the man for ten years of his life and he was moving forward with his life, but that was put on pause until the trial was over.

During the trial, Edward and I were not allowed in the courtroom. We were going to testify for the prosecution and were scheduled to be up at the end of the week. Almost everyone who had testified at the grand jury were going to be testifying at the trial, with the exception of a few people. Elianna had a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized. She was heavily medicated and unable to testify.

“I’m going to work out,” Edward said. He was wearing a tight shirt and a pair of shorts. “I just can’t sit here and …”

“Do you want company?” I asked.

“Probably not. The punching bag and I have a date,” he deadpanned. “Jasper may join me since he’s feeling the same way as I am, but it all depends on whether or not he can get a ride to the hotel after meeting with Dr. Benson.”

“I can send a car,” I suggested. Alice and Jasper moved into a furnished apartment after the first of the year. Their home was on the market down in Los Angeles and they were in the process of moving. However, they wanted to focus their attention on the trial and finding a job for both Alice. She put in for a transfer in her advertising firm, but was denied. She was looking around in the Seattle advertising market, but working remotely until she was hired full-time.

“It’s okay, Bella,” Edward said. Grabbing a water bottle, he gave me a tight smile and left our penthouse suite. I slumped back, crossing my arms over my chest. Edward was so morose and I understood his feelings. But, I didn’t like them. Slipping on some shoes, I went downstairs to do some work for the hotel. I was taking time off for the trial, but was still able to do my job. Someone had to do it. Uncle Peter had to deal with some issue with one of the hotels in New York and Charlie was still incommunicado.

That. Pissed. Me. Off.

Your daughter nearly fucking dies and you disappear? Smooth, Charlie. Really smooth.

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After Jasper and I ate dinner, we went back up to his suite. He didn’t want to be alone, nor did he want to go in search of Alice. However, when he arrived at his suite, Alice and Bella were waiting for us inside. Alice looked contrite while Bella appeared calm, but was seething on the inside upon seeing the damage to the room. I gave her a sympathetic look, but she was still angry.

“Ali,” Jasper whispered. “I thought you’d gone.”

“I did go. I went for a walk,” she said. “And then I went up to talk to Bella. She’s in a similar situation to me.”

“Not really,” Bella said, walking over to me and threading our fingers together. “Yes, Edward was a pawn in Esme’s game, but I’m not in a similar situation, Alice. It’s completely different.”

Alice sighed, walking to sit down on the couch. She pulled up her legs and looked up at Jasper. “I’m sorry about losing my cool.”

“This is more than losing your cool, Alice,” Jasper said, his voice icy cold.

“This is almost criminal,” Bella added. “You will be charged for the damages, despite our friendship, Alice. It won’t be cheap.”

Alice grimaced. We all settled in seats and she continued. “I was just trying to think of your needs, Jazzy. Being up here, you’re struggling and the nightmares, they’re almost abusive.”

“Did I hurt you?” Jasper asked.

Alice raised her sweater and showed several deep bruises on her stomach. “There are more on my legs and back, but you’re not aware that you’re doing it. I tried to wake you up, but you just thrash about, pummeling me in your sleep.”

“Alice, what Jasper is experiencing is night terrors,” I said. “You can’t wake him up. He’s stuck in that awful situation with Esme and her torment.”

“Alice, I’m sorry,” Jasper whispered, tears falling down his gaunt cheeks. “I didn’t know. If I’d known I was hurting you, I would have moved to the living room or into another room.”

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“Kid, I love you and all, but my old legs are fucking killing me,” Carlisle said, rubbing my back. “You may be young and spry, but I’ve got a fake hip that needs to move.”

I pulled back, sitting on my ass and wiping my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go …” I got up and Carlisle dragged me by the arm to the couch in his suite.

“You put your ass on that couch and talk to me about why you’re so upset,” Carlisle said, sitting down next to me. “I mean, I could figure it out that it has to do with Jared, but there’s more.”

“You’re right,” I snorted humorlessly. “I went to my mom first and I just couldn’t get past her abandoning me. I know that I’m working on that, but I’m still struggling. I still have a ton of resentment toward her. Carmen asked me how grieved for my father and I said that I didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you?” Carlisle asked.

“Because I had to take over where my dad left off,” I said, sitting forward and thrusting my hands into my hair. “Mom was useless and we had to make sure that …”

“You became the man of the house,” Carlisle murmured. I nodded, looking at him and trying not to cry again. You’re such a pussy, Edward. It’s no wonder why Charlie hates you. “Your wounds, both physical and emotional, are still so raw right now. It’s going to take a lot of time before you can truly forgive your mom, grieve for your dad, heal from your ordeal and move past all of this. If that’s even possible. There is no magical cure-all for that, Edward. I just know that your mom is probably beating herself up over what she did.”

“She is treating me like I’m still her little boy. Her sweet boy. I’m not that anymore. I’m not sweet,” I spat.

“Bella would disagree. She loved that Christmas picnic you planned for you two,” Carlisle said, his lips curving into a crooked smirk. “That was definitely very sweet.”

“I’m sweet to her because I adore her,” I shrugged. “But, I can’t be the same to my mom. Not after knowing that it was her coping mechanism to shut down and abandon me. I love her, yes, but I can’t go back to the way things were before my dad died. When he died, so did I, when I had to become the person who made decisions for both of us.” I took off my glasses, pinching my nose. “On top of all these feelings with my mom, I’m struggling with the death of Jared and the contents of that envelope.”

“What was it?” Carlisle asked. “Emmett was pretty secretive about the details. I knew that it was a revised will, but that was it …”

“He left me everything, Carlisle,” I breathed. “His house, his car, money in two bank accounts and a life insurance policy. It was all transferred to my name and signed by Marcus Volturi and another witness. He also left me instructions for his death, what he wanted to be done.”

“And what’s that?” Carlisle questioned, his face open and his eyes filled with concern.

 “He wanted to be cremated with a memorial,” I said. “I just don’t think that’s enough!”

Buying Love Teaser

“Kid, I love you and all, but my old legs are fucking killing me,” Carlisle said, rubbing my back. “You may be young and spry, but I’ve got a fake hip that needs to move.”

I pulled back, sitting on my ass and wiping my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go …” I got up and Carlisle dragged me by the arm to the couch in his suite.

“You put your ass on that couch and talk to me about why you’re so upset,” Carlisle said, sitting down next to me. “I mean, I could figure it out that it has to do with Jared, but there’s more.”

“You’re right,” I snorted humorlessly. “I went to my mom first and I just couldn’t get past her abandoning me. I know that I’m working on that, but I’m still struggling. I still have a ton of resentment toward her. Carmen asked me how grieved for my father and I said that I didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you?” Carlisle asked.

“Because I had to take over where my dad left off,” I said, sitting forward and thrusting my hands into my hair. “Mom was useless and we had to make sure that …”

“You became the man of the house,” Carlisle murmured. I nodded, looking at him and trying not to cry again. You’re such a pussy, Edward. It’s no wonder why Charlie hates you. “Your wounds, both physical and emotional, are still so raw right now. It’s going to take a lot of time before you can truly forgive your mom, grieve for your dad, heal from your ordeal and move past all of this. If that’s even possible. There is no magical cure-all for that, Edward. I just know that your mom is probably beating herself up over what she did.”

“She is treating me like I’m still her little boy. Her sweet boy. I’m not that anymore. I’m not sweet,” I spat.

“Bella would disagree. She loved that Christmas picnic you planned for you two,” Carlisle said, his lips curving into a crooked smirk. “That was definitely very sweet.”

“I’m sweet to her because I adore her,” I shrugged. “But, I can’t be the same to my mom. Not after knowing that it was her coping mechanism to shut down and abandon me. I love her, yes, but I can’t go back to the way things were before my dad died. When he died, so did I, when I had to become the person who made decisions for both of us.” I took off my glasses, pinching my nose. “On top of all these feelings with my mom, I’m struggling with the death of Jared and the contents of that envelope.”

“What was it?” Carlisle asked. “Emmett was pretty secretive about the details. I knew that it was a revised will, but that was it …”

“He left me everything, Carlisle,” I breathed. “His house, his car, money in two bank accounts and a life insurance policy. It was all transferred to my name and signed by Marcus Volturi and another witness. He also left me instructions for his death, what he wanted to be done.”

“And what’s that?” Carlisle questioned, his face open and his eyes filled with concern.

 “He wanted to be cremated with a memorial,” I said. “I just don’t think that’s enough!”

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I pulled up the letter and saw Jared’s hand-written note to me. His script was bold and easy to read, but the writing was shaky, like he was crying or sad. “Dear Edward …”

If you’re reading this, son, that means that I’ve left this world. I really wanted to see you again before I died, but something was niggling in my brain that I needed to get my affairs in order. After I met with your Bella earlier this year, who is so incredibly beautiful, Edward, I contacted Marcus Volturi. I remained close with their family after I resigned from my job. With Marcus’s help, I set up an inheritance.

For you.

My son died and I thought I lost a part of myself when he died. My marriage quickly unraveled and I was alone. When I started working for Buying Love, I saw something in you that reminded me of my boy. I also saw that your light was dimming because of what Esme was forcing you to do. I did not want you to have the same fate as my son. I refused to let that happen. I worked with your Bella and Carlisle, obtaining a search warrant for Esme’s office and home. We got you out. I was so happy that you got out. I was supposed to see you the day that your mother was taken from the nursing home, but that never came to fruition, due to some very obvious circumstances.

Regardless of whether or not I saw you, I knew one thing for certain. I loved you and I always will. You gave me another son to love and to dote on, but I am so incredibly sad that I never got to say it to your face. My absence will undoubtedly hurt, Edward. Just like I will miss you, even though I’m gone. However, I wanted to give you something that you could use to start a new life. It’s not much, but I 

needed to do this.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I did not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds circled flight.
I’m am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

These words by Mary Elizabeth Frye will probably offer you little solace, Edward, but I am with you, just like your own biological father is with you, protecting you always. You are the son of my heart. I was given another chance to make it right and I hope that I have.

All of my love,

Jared 

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I was chilled to the bone, thanks to my hasty exit to get to Edward after he ran out of the conference room in the Seattle courthouse. Despite taking a long, scalding hot shower, I could not stop shivering. I was wearing leggings, loose pajama pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, hoodie and covered in a blanket. Edward was in the bathroom and I could hear him crying inside of the shower. The loss of Jared had hit him to the core.

“Here, Bells,” Rose said, handing me a large cup of tea. “Hold it for a few minutes. Maybe it’ll help warm your hands.”

“Thanks,” I replied, taking the tea and wrapping my fingers around the mug. I inhaled it, smiling at the spicy orange flavor she’d chosen. “Rose, I want you to do some digging about Jared. Find out if he has family.”

“Already on it,” Rose smirked. “Carlisle actually beat me to it, using Emmett and his contacts at the Seattle PD. The preliminary findings indicate that Jared was alone in the world. His wife left him when their son died. She disappeared, it seemed. My guess is that she went back to her maiden name and flew across country.”

“What about that family he worked for? The Volturis?” I asked. “Do we know why Jared stopped working for them?”

“Hold on,” Rose said, flipping through her notebook. “Ah, got it. Aro Volturi had to go to Italy to care for his dying father, Caius and his mother, Maria, who suffered a stroke. He’s been in Italy ever since late 2015. Marcus gave Jared the option to stay, but since Marcus preferred to drive himself, Jared left the company and began working for Esme shortly after.”

“Find out as much as you can, Rose. But, I want to help out and pay for the funeral, if no one claims the body,” I sighed, taking a sip of the orange spice tea.

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” Rose said. She kissed my cheek and got up. “I’ll leave you with Edward. I don’t want to intrude on whatever is going to happen. If you need anything, I’m just a call away. And take your medicine. I really don’t want you back in the hospital, Isabella Marie.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said. She kissed my forehead and left me in the living room, looking at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. I got up from my cocoon of blankets, taking the time to admire the elegant decorations, ornaments and details that Edward chose for our first holiday together. I reached for a crystal ornament of two angels, twined together with their foreheads touching. Half of the angel was a clear, faceted crystal and the other was smooth, but frosted.

“You are the one with the sparkle,” Edward said, his voice somber and gruff. “You always had this glow about you, pulling me in and giving me hope.”

“And the other?” I asked, turning to look at him.

“It’s me, but I’m no angel. My life was dim and lifeless before I met you,” he murmured.

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I was sitting anxiously in a conference room at the Seattle Courthouse. Bella was with me, as well as Rose and Carlisle. Uncle Peter was working at Swan Towers and Emmett had begun investigating a new case. Liam was in the grand jury room with Jasper. Alice was waiting outside of the room, praying that her husband wouldn’t completely melt down. Jared was going to testify after lunch and then the case would go to the grand jury.

“Edward, you’re going to gnaw off your fingers,” Bella said, lowering my thumb from my mouth. I’d started biting my nails during my time in Port Angeles and it only got worse the more anxious I became.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “I just hope that Jasper is okay. You know?”

“He’s been working with Dr. Benson and his own therapist down in Los Angeles. He’s doing much better since I met them in mid-October,” Bella said. “At least, that’s what Alice said.”

“I’ll just be happy once the two of them are in here,” I said, bringing my thumb back to my mouth. Bella snorted, taking my hand and twining our fingers together. I smiled sheepishly.

Shortly after our argument about my fingers, Alice and Jasper came into the conference room. Jasper was pale and covered in sweat. His movements were jerky and he was deep in a panic attack. “Jazzy, you’re safe,” Alice cooed, reaching into her purse. She pulled out a bottle of medication. Rose got up and handed her a water bottle. “Deep breaths, Jazz. Esme will pay for her crimes. You will help put her away.”

“Put her away,” Jasper choked out, gripping Alice’s jacket. Their foreheads touched and he calmed, slightly. Alice managed to give Jasper the medicine she took out and she breathed him, slowly and deeply. Jasper even went so far as putting his gnarled hand on Alice’s chest, feeling her heartbeat. With one more deep breath, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “I’m sorry, Ali. I’m so sorry.”

“Shhhhhhhhhhh, you’re okay, Jazzy,” Alice said, scratching her fingers in his hair. He looked up, cupping her face and kissed her tenderly. 

Seattle Courthouse

Alice Whitlock

Jasper Whitlock

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“You’re awfully quiet, Edward,” sneered Felix from the driver’s seat in the limo. “Couldn’t get it up?”

“It wasn’t like that,” I muttered. “The woman who requested me just needed arm candy for a party at her home.”

“At Charlie Swan’s home?” Felix asked, his eyes narrowing at me in the rear view mirror. “Surely you didn’t know, did you? How stupid do you think we are? How did you get a message to her, Edward?”

“I didn’t! I swear!” I snapped. “The woman at the house was not her. Bella wasn’t home. It was another woman, presumably one of Charlie’s employees, I guess.”

“You can’t lie for shit, Edward,” Felix snorted humorlessly. “Do you think we like hurting you?”

“Strangely enough, I do,” I retorted. “I also think you like it better when I suck your dick, too. Are you a fag, Felix?”

“You’ll pay for that, Edward,” Felix snarled. “I’ve been patient with you and Esme has been adamant that I don’t do that to you. She saw what it did to Jasper. He died a little each time I fucked him. But, I’d love to see you die, Edward. You are such a waste of space!”

“You didn’t fuck him, Felix. You raped him,” I whispered, a tear falling down my cheek. I wiped it away, pushing my emotions down. I know that Felix will undoubtedly tell Esme about my insolent, snotty behavior. Sleep would not come tonight. Felix pulled us into the parking garage underneath the building, getting up out of the car. I dragged my body out, waiting for Felix to get into my face.

He didn’t waste any time. “I didn’t rape him,” Felix sneered. “Jasper liked it. Just like you will, my pet.” 

Felix

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About ten minutes after Edward left, Carlisle and Emmett McCarty arrived at my father’s home. I was pacing anxiously, afraid for Edward and sick to my stomach at what I was sending him back to. I should have forced him to stay. He needed my help. My love! He had lost so much weight and looked almost fragile. Even when he held me, there was very little strength behind it. Carlisle and Emmett sat down on the couch while Rose got some coffee for us.

“Thank you for coming, Carlisle,” I said, hugging my legs. “You, as well, Detective McCarty.”

“Please, call me Emmett,” he replied, smirking jovially. “I appreciate the information you provided for us on Esme Platt. We haven’t been able to get any leads. Several police officers are on the take from Esme. It’s how she gets new recruits. Men and women who are arrested for solicitation or prostitution are essentially sold to her, but there’s never a trail. She’s just that good.”

“We need to bring her down, Emmett,” I growled. “You’ve read the narrative from Jasper Whitlock, correct? What he went through was sickening and the fact that Edward could living through the same ordeal …?”

“I have. With that information, we’ve placed a tap on her phones, both in her office and at home. We’re working on trying to get a tap on her personal cell phone, but there’s not enough evidence,” Emmett explained. 

Detective Emmett McCarty

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

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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

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.”

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Rose had backed out of the room and it was just me and Bella. Seeing her, it made my dead heart sputter back to life, but I was never going to see her again after today. Esme threatened my mother that if I saw Bella, regardless of the cost to her company, my mom would pay the ultimate price. I couldn’t let that happen.

That didn’t even come close to the physical, bodily harm she threatened to me. Even worse than what I’m feeling now. Death was preferable to what I was enduring. I just wasn’t brave enough to end it all. I couldn’t leave my mother in the clutches of Esme and as much as it pained me, I couldn’t let go of Bella.

My body was aching and sore. I was swimming in my clothes. My stomach was snarling from the lack of food. I hadn’t had a proper meal since my time in Napa. Esme was withholding food from me if called out in pain during my nightly round of torture. I was a broken man and I couldn’t let Bella see me like this. I had to break her heart and ultimately shatter mine so I could save my mother. She stared at me, her eyes swirling with anger, determination and something else. With great difficulty, I stood as tall as I could, feeling every bit of pain that Esme and Felix inflicted on me and glared at her. “You know nothing,” I snarled. “You couldn’t even fathom what I have to fucking deal with, Ms. Swan. I let my heart get involved and I was weak.”

“Like you are now?” she sneered. “I see what she’s done to you! What she’s doing to your mother!”

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Jared drove me to the nursing home. He didn’t say much, but I could tell he was worried about me. I nibbled on my fingernails, my anxiety getting best of me. I was sick to my stomach at seeing my mom being so ill and terrified of Esme’s wrath.

Deep breaths, Masen.

Parking in front of the nursing facility, I handed Jared some cash to pick up my mom some food from a nearby drive-thru. Jared nodded, pulling away and I walked inside. I spoke quietly to the nurse I didn’t care for, Ruth. She was mean and looked at me like I was no better than the dirt underneath her shoes.

That’s because you are, Edward.

Ruth walked back with me to see my mom. She was now in a private room since the other woman, Agnes, had been switched to a ward for more ambulatory patients. I knew that I was paying for this luxury, thanks Esme’s bill she gave me regarding my mother’s care. Ruth grunted, stomping out of the room and I pulled up a chair to my mom’s bedside. She looked like she hadn’t been bathed in days. She wore a nasal cannula, but I could the wheezing with each breath she took. I checked her temperature, feeling her flushed skin. 

Buying Love Teaser

Jared drove me to the nursing home. He didn’t say much, but I could tell he was worried about me. I nibbled on my fingernails, my anxiety getting best of me. I was sick to my stomach at seeing my mom being so ill and terrified of Esme’s wrath.

Deep breaths, Masen.

Parking in front of the nursing facility, I handed Jared some cash to pick up my mom some food from a nearby drive-thru. Jared nodded, pulling away and I walked inside. I spoke quietly to the nurse I didn’t care for, Ruth. She was mean and looked at me like I was no better than the dirt underneath her shoes.

That’s because you are, Edward.

Ruth walked back with me to see my mom. She was now in a private room since the other woman, Agnes, had been switched to a ward for more ambulatory patients. I knew that I was paying for this luxury, thanks Esme’s bill she gave me regarding my mother’s care. Ruth grunted, stomping out of the room and I pulled up a chair to my mom’s bedside. She looked like she hadn’t been bathed in days. She wore a nasal cannula, but I could the wheezing with each breath she took. I checked her temperature, feeling her flushed skin.

“Mom,” I whispered, closing my eyes. “I’ll get you better. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here.” I stepped away and got a washcloth, running it under some cool water. Gently, I patted her skin, trying to keep the tears at bay. 

Buying Love Teaser

Esme released me from my torture chamber mid-day on Friday. The first thing I did was scour my body. I felt so used and abused. My wrists and ankles were swollen from their bindings. I was starving, but I had to feel clean again. Unlikely, Edward. You’ll always feel dirty after what Esme does to you. The scalding hot shower helped my stiff, sore muscles and the thorough scrubbing I did of my skin made me feel slightly better. But, the memories of the past few days were on replay in my mind.

It would be a long time before I was truly okay. Being forced to …

Don’t think about it. Just, don’t.

Dressing in some comfortable clothes, I checked to see if Esme was around. Her office was closed and the chamber was locked. She was downstairs at Buying Love. I finagled the wooden plank off under my bed and found my throwaway phone. I plugged it in, turning it on. I sent Bella a text, apologizing for not calling her sooner. I alluded to my difficulties and putting her mind at ease about not wanting her.

Why would she want you? Esme’s voice sneered at me. I allowed a few tears to escape and a moment’s sadness before finishing my response to Bella. Clinging to the phone for a few more moments, I put it back under my bed and lay down to get a nap. Esme had allowed me very little sleep while I was her plaything. I wasn’t asleep long when Esme tore the blanket from my body. “You are so fucking lazy! This condo is disgusting. Get up off your ass and clean it up!” 

*Some folks have been asking about when we're going to find out more about Edward. We will. Esme will give you a hint at the end of this chapter. And as I've said before, this will be a DARKER journey than most. You've been warned.*

Buying Love Teaser

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Motherfucking alarm clock. I hate that asshole. Whoever invented the alarm clock should be castrated with a sharp object.

Smack.

Much better.

I snuggled back into the arms of Edward, wanting to drift back into a comfortable sleep.

EDWARD!

I sat up, my eyes wide and I looked back at the man who shared my bed last night. He was still asleep, his hair rumpled and his skin flushed from the warmth of my bedroom. In the dim light of my room, I could see that his face was relaxed and the stress of whatever was bothering him last night was gone.

My big mouth. And that scar.

Pulling down the blankets, I saw the scar on his torso. It was red, angry and probably was very, very painful when he received it. Tenderly, I touched it and found it to be cooler than the rest of his skin. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, pulling my hand back and covering his body with the blankets. I got up and went to get ready for my first day managing Swan Towers. Edward, obviously exhausted, stayed in bed. From what I could gather, he obviously didn’t have a good life and he deserved this indulgence. 

Buying Love Update

Buying Love Chapter Six Update on FicPad

Buying Love Chapter Six Update on TWCS

Buying Love Chapter Six Update on FFn

Buying Love Chapter Six Update on AO3

“Get up,” snarled Esme. She ripped the blankets from my body and I curled up in my bed.

Last night was brutal, more so than usual. I was kept up late because I was being punished for a negative review I’d received. It wasn’t even that negative, certainly not negative about me. The comment was about the restaurant we went to and not about my performance. My date chose the restaurant. Not me.

“Get. Up!” Esme hissed, tugging the pillow from underneath my face. “You’ve been requested for a high-end job. Isabella Swan wants you for the grand opening for Swan Towers.” She grabbed my chin and stared into my eyes. “Fuck if I know why. You’re worthless. Why do I keep you?”

“I’m sorry about the restaurant and taking my date there,” I whispered, trying to keep the pain out of my facial expression and my voice. “I’ll remember that if I’m requested by that client again.”

“Doubtful,” Esme scoffed, getting up and wiping her hands on her leather skirt. “I’m waiting for an email from Isabella. This is a big deal. You will make her happy. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Esme,” I said.

“Not Esme,” she growled.

“Yes, Mistress,” I whispered. 

Esme Platt

Edward Masen

Esme's Condo

Edward's pallet

Burner Phone