A/N: This is not beta'ed and mistakes will be made.

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional. All recognized characters are those of Stephanie Meyer's and her Twilight world. No profit is made by this and is intended for entertainment purposes only.

Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 2

The early sun was peeking through the curtains, moving its rays across the hardwood floors as I made my way inside my apartment. The clock had barely struck seven and the previous night's activity had its tiring effects on me. I pulled my soiled dress off climbing into bed, allowing the comfort of my bed to lull me back into a deep slumber.

I was awaken for the second time to a light tapping on my front door. Quickly I threw on a tank and shorts, opening my door to a tall, leggy redhead. Her makeup was immaculate and not a single hair was out of place. Her face shone with disapproval, "I was told this would be easy but I seem to have my work cut out for myself. I'm Victoria James, Mr. Cullen's personal shopper." Shifting from one foot to the other in discomfort, I started to feel incredibly insecure. "I suggest you shower quickly, we have appointments to keep."

"I'm sorry, but appointments? I was told only a dress was going to be dropped off."

Victoria rolled her eyes, "Well, I was told to get you ready for tonight and that included a spa appointment. And if I'm going to have you ready by eight, we need to move."

I was dismissed by the flick of her wrist as she made her way inside my apartment not speaking another word.

Victoria remained cold and impersonal the rest of the afternoon. The spa that I was taken to was a high end spa on the Northside of Chicago. There I was waxed, had my nails and toes done, makeup perfectly put on, and my hair curled in loose waves. It was far from any type of pampering that I felt comfortable with but I had a feeling Edward was not told no often. This morning was a good indication of how arguing with Edward would end up, in his favor.

The final touch to my transformation was the dress and shoes that Victoria practically shoved in my arms. It was a bright red bandage dress that contoured my curves perfectly, accentuating all my assets, and the shoes were black Louboutin high heels, with red soles. I looked good, a finished product I wouldn't be able to do on my own.

I walked out the room to Victoria that stood glue to her phone. She looked up, smiling for the first time. "I guess you can clean up nice, Ms. Swan."

It was back handed, but I took it with a grain of salt. Victoria seemed to be the type that was hard to please with the stick that's wedged up her ass. I wasn't going to stoop to her level of pettiness. I was taught, 'if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.' All those years with bible thumping parents made me a bit reserve in certain aspects. However, my reservations stopped at sex and no matter how much I was told sex was sinful in almost every way, I couldn't understand how something so pleasurable could be sinful. Thinking of my parents left me with a painful twist in my heart. Pushing aside my sudden nostalgia, I showed Victoria my gratitude, "Thank you, the dress and shoes are beautiful."

"Yes, Edward was on spot with your size. Anyhow, seeing as it's almost eight, I called Edward ahead to relay the delay and he should be here to receive you in a few minutes."

A small amount of dread flooded me, realizing that it was indeed almost eight and I had a feeling Edward wouldn't be too receptive to tardiness. Thank goodness, for small favors. I nodded, making my way outside. Chicago's city lights shone brightly against the night sky. This was my favorite time of the day when the city lights illuminated our small corner of the world. The same black SUV pulled to the curb and Edward jumped out wearing the same dark blue suit he had on this morning. His smile was near predatorily as he took in my appearance. "Positively ravishing, Ms. Swan." He turned to smile coolly at Victoria, handing her a wad of cash, "For your services today Ms. James."

Victoria transformed before me as she practically salivated at the site of Edward. It just went to show how much of a presence Edward carried. He was devastatingly handsome and women, no matter how detached they act, were effected by his attractiveness. "If you need anything, and anything, don't hesitate to call." I was sickened by the underlining meaning but I had no claim to Edward, he could very well call her and do the anything she implied. I was a passing attraction until my use ran out. The whole day was surreal and I was at my breaking point. Before I could even control myself, a laugh bubbled to surface, bursting free.

Edward inquisitively turned his head toward me and Victoria's face burned bright red with anger. I pointed my finger to the SUV, "I'm going to get in." I turned back to Victoria with a wolfish smile, "I'll let you continue hitting on my date without an audience. Ever the pleasure, Victoria."

I slipped inside the SUV, seeing a slight smirk on the two same men from last night. The driver was the only one to speak, "Ever the pleasure, Ms. Swan." Laughing under his breath. My not so subtle jab didn't seem to go unnoticed by the men in the car.

I shrugged, "You seem to know me but I can't recall learning who you two are?"

"I'm Emmett, Miss, and this here is Jasper." The driver once again taking charge. I smiled politely as Edward slipped in the car. He didn't utter a word as Emmett started to drive. I fidgeted, feeling like I was moments away from being scolded.

The silence was finally broken, "Was Ms. James polite and accommodating to you, Bella?"

"She was very professional. She should, however, see someone for that stick that causes her to walk slightly cockeyed. It can't be healthy to be that ridged. I'm worried."

I could see Emmett shake with silent laughter but Edward merely rubbed his chin in thought, ignoring my immaturity. "Right," Edward suddenly snaps his fingers at Jasper, and moments later, Jasper procures a small bundle of papers.

"I need you to sign these." He commanded, shoving the papers and pen my way.

"What are they?" I asks, curving my name delicately on the line.

"Why ask, if you already signing?" He countered.

I shrugged, "I already sold you my soul, what else is there to give?"

"Your silence."

And looking at the top in bold letters it read, Nondisclosure Agreement. I indeed just signed my silence to him.

The restaurant held a quiet dim of noise, as Edward led me toward the back of the restaurant where a wall of windows overlooked Lake Michigan. A large table stretched the across the windows, and every chair was filled with a person. Every chair except two, the head of the table and the chair to the right of it. Nervousness crept over me as I felt completely out of my element. A tall slim man with white hair stood from other end of the table, right across from the seat that I presume is Edward's. "Edward, so nice to see you."

Edward shook the man's hand, while rubbing small circles on my lower back with the other. It was almost soothing if it weren't for feeling of being in a pit of snakes. "Aro, my father sends his regards." Edward smiled, but it wasn't a kind smile.

"And who do we have here?" Aro asked Edward but his attention was on me.

Edward shrugged, "Anything I pay her to be." I inhaled sharply, offended at his implication. But my anger turned questioningly when Edward continued, "Her name is Bree."

I turned my head so quickly it nearly caused me whip lash. Why did he just lie? Edward glared threatening at me so I kept my tongue still and smiled politely at this Aro man as he placed a small kiss on my hand. The whole night I kept quiet, unsure why my presence was needed for this dinner. Every person looked sinister with their fake smiles and false interest. But the most troubling of the whole ordeal, was how natural Edward seemed to be with the whole thing. These people seem vile but Edward held rank as the darkest of them all, at least the most dangerous.

During the meal, I kept my eyes down casted as the meal progressed trying to limit the attention from me. At one point, however, the men from the table left leaving all women to their petty chatter. It was beyond my comfort and I was angry at Edward for leaving me with these sharks. Disgusted with their judgmental stares and whispers, I got up walking toward the bathroom for a breather.

There was a door leading out to a small patio and thinking fresh was far more appealing, I turned left going outside instead. The air was crisp with a warm breeze and small waves dotting the shoreline. Limited with only the light from the moon, my eyes adjusted to several dark figures on the beach, far from the restaurant's windows. One man was on his knees and four stood around him, talking too low for me to hear. The leader of the group pulled a gun from his jacket, and in too quick of a motion, the silent ping of the silencer went off into the man's head. The man fell back soundlessly and the executioner turned toward the moon's light, showing Edward's face. Panic bubbled in me as I jolted from my spot but my abrupt departure didn't go unnoticed because just I turned, I saw Edward's face contort in anger.

Edward saw me and as I flew out the restaurant's door, I thought, I'm dead meat.

Endnote: Hello, again. I hope the new chapter was enjoyable and progressing to everyone's liking. A little bit more of Edward's nature it being reveal and as people can tell I'm not making Bella a push over. I know that was a concern. I'm not saying Bella won't be submissive in certain situations because she will be but she'll challenge Edward. Anyhow, tell me if it's progressing okay and if there's any questions.

-D