Chapter 1

I couldn't believe my eyes.

As I looked up from the book I was currently reading during dinner, there was the most gorgeous group of people getting ready to sit across from me.

There was this HUGE guy, he had to be at least 6 foot 3 and over 200lbs of pure muscle. On his arm was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was obviously pregnant and it only enhanced this glow about her. She was currently smiling up at the big guy who was rubbing her belly and pulling a chair out to help her sit.

Next there was this cute pixie of a woman who seemed energetic and so full of life that even I smiled at her exuberance. She had a short pixie styled black hair and the latest fashion on. She was talking what seemed to be a mile a minute to this tall, thin but muscled man with blonde curls. He was exuding a calm vibe to me. The exact opposite of the vibrant woman who was snuggled under his arm as he pulled out a chair for her.

Then it was like a Mack truck hit me.

The sexiest man I had ever seen was in front of me. He had copper hair, the greenest eyes, and a dangerous smirk. Oh he was trouble. I could see that in the way he was surrounded by big guys in suits that whispered to him before he shooed them away with a flick of his wrist.

Oh yea he was dangerous. It seemed to seep out of his pores. It was only when pixie looked at me that I realized I had been staring rudely.

I quickly went back to my book and finished my pasta.

I was currently at Bellagio. The hottest restaurant but also my close friend's mother's place. She started this restaurant with basically nothing but her recipes from back home in Italy. I was her care taker for her final days. I ended up in a friendship with her son, Aro. He would bring her flowers every day and come spend time with her. When she passed she left me a small inheritance from her fortune in her will but I refused to take it. It was rightfully Aro's money, but he wouldn't hear anything of the sort. He gave me the $500,000 telling me he had millions and that the money was nothing but pocket change. He also told me that I had a reserved table at his restaurant any time I pleased and that my money was of no good there.

While some would find it creepy for a man in his 50's to have a friendship with a woman in her 20's, the friendship was nothing creepy. He and his wife were like surrogate parents to me. I had been a health care worker when I met him. I was the one who was with his mother 24/7. He saw me frequently and I also developed a friendship with his wife. The head chef of the restaurant.

They never had any children so they basically adopted me when they found I had been orphaned at age 10 due to a double homicide of my parents. I had been in and out of foster homes enough to know who bad news was.

And Mr. Green eyes was definitely trouble.

When I took a peak back up at the gorgeous table ahead of me I noticed Aro and Green eyes were whispering. It looked heated and I was worried for Aro. He was the closest thing to family that I had but when I saw Aro look at Green eyes for a second he said something in Italian, that was too quiet for me to hear, in which green eyes told him loudly, "I swear on my life. I'd supply the gun." I was hyperventilating.

Why would Aro need a gun?

I was not even trying to look as if I wasn't listening anymore. I was full on staring.

Pixie looked back and smiled with a wave. Bombshell was smiling a gentle smile while rubbing her belly. Big muscle was giving me a dimpled smirk. Curls was whispering in pixies ear and looked like he was keeping pixie in her seat.

Then I glanced at Aro and Mr. Green eyes.

Aro was walking over to me with a strange expression and Mr. Green eyes was looking at me like he wanted to devour me. And holy hell did it make me wet with just one glance. Aro stepping in my line of sight brought me out of my staring contest with Sex reincarnated himself.

"Bella Mia" Aro held my cheeks with both of his hands and kissed my forehead. "How have you been, my child? You haven't been here for a month, and I have been worried. Sulpicia was about ready to send out a team to find you" He laughed. It seemed off slightly but I smiled at his warm scent.

I stood and hugged him. "Aro I have just been apartment hunting lately. I have been having some trouble with the landlord of the building I'm currently in and have been looking for a place that won't leave me broke." I laughed pulling away from the hug.

He seemed even more concerned now and sat down with me at my table. "Tell me everything Cara. What is happening?" He asked holding both my hands.

Glancing up I notice the girls look worried while curls and muscles are discussing something. Green eyes is staring at me with a look of what seems to be rage. Almost like he can hear word for word that I am telling Aro.

"Well you know the landlord James and his wife Vicki" he nodded "They have sold the apartment right out from under me. The one I bought already. They are trying to evict me and not give me the proceeds from the sale. I have no problem moving but I own that apartment. They owe me the money from the sale. They got a pretty penny from the sale too. Over a mil with the view I have. So until I can afford a lawyer that is willing to take on the bastard lawyer they have I have no choice but to move and leave it for now."

Aro was pissed now and green eyes was on the phone with someone while the other guys at the table were also on their phones themselves. The girls were helped up by their gentlemen and then surrounded by the flock of suits that came in with them. Security guards? The girls left the restaurant and I looked back at Aro.

"You have nothing to worry about Cara Mia" Aro held my cheeks again and I smiled "It will be taken care of" He nodded and looked back at green eyes who looked at him then nodded. He hung up his phone only for it to ring again.

"My nephew over there, Edward, will take care of it. The landlord James at your building is really only the building manager and Edward is the real landlord of that building. You will have no issue from them anymore. He will also make sure you get your money. But the selling of the apartment does stand unfortunately. I will set you up at the Golden Eagle."

I gasped, "No you don't Aro. That is way too much money! I have been staying at the Red Roof Inn just down the road here and that has been enough for now"

He cringed, "Don't tell an old man like me that Cara. I will hear no more of it. I will have you escorted back to that retched place and you will gather your things. I will call The Golden Eagle and reserve you a room. No arguing! You almost gave an old man a heart attack when you said that." He got up and hugged me. Then he went over to, I guess Green eyes name is Edward, and told Edward something to which he nodded. When Edward started talking to big muscles I thought I could get out unnoticed. Well that didn't work out to well because as soon as I stood I had curls by my side smiling at me with an easy going smile.

"Hello Bella. Let me introduce myself. I am Jasper Cullen." He oozed confidence and calmness. It was very comforting. I had no idea who this man was but he put me at ease.

I held my hand out to him "Hello Jasper. May I ask how you know my name?" I asked slightly confused.

"Aro spoke of coming over to see you at our table earlier. He called you his honorary daughter" to which I blushed.

"He is a kind man, and his wife has such a beautiful soul." I told him

"I agree whole heartedly. Now miss May I escort you to that hole in the wall you call a hotel and take you to The Golden Eagle?" He gave me his elbow to which I took.

"I feel like such a burden. Please I can go and gather my things and walk over to The Golden Eagle myself. I know the way. It's only about a mile down the road." He scoffed

"I would never let a lady walk to a place unescorted ma'am. My momma would have me by my short hairs if she knew I ever let a lady walk. Please don't make me beg." He gave me puppy eyes and that southern twang made me slightly swoon.

I nodded and he escorted me out and into a sleek car. I wasn't sure what kind of car it was but it was black with clean lines. It also looked like it had speed. When I sat down in the leather seats they felt like butter. I think I moaned slightly. I had been walking everywhere to preserve the money I had left from buying the apartment outright. I only had about $100,000 left and now with the sale of the apartment that Aro told me I would get the money for, I'd be able to get a nice car. Nothing too extravagant but it would be brand new and all mine.

I heard a chuckle from my left and noticed we were already driving. I hadn't even heard the car start or start driving while I was mentally in love with this car. I thought I heard him say "if you ask I bet Edward would get you one." But it had to be a trick of the ear because he was mumbling.

When we pulled up to the Red Roof Inn I thought he would wait in the car while I ran in really quickly. I was shocked when he got out and followed me inside. I was even more shocked when I got to my room he seemed to search the place and almost seemed on edge. He helped me by grabbing 2 of my bags and walking me back to the car. When we pulled into The Golden Eagle he helped me up to the top floor. THE TOP FLOOR. I did NOT need the TOP floor but when I refused to enter and attempted to go back down and ask for a smaller room, Jasper actually picked me up and placed me in the room. I tried to leave but he just chuckled and stopped me.

"There is no need to change rooms. Edward wants you comfortable. He owns this hotel and told them to give you the best room. Plus it's the safest. He stays here if he needs to be in the city for business. He won't take no for an answer and trust me, they won't give you another room. Might as well accept it with grace and say thank you."

All the while he talked I was glaring with my hands on my hips and royally confused.

"I thought Aro rented this room for me." I told him.

He just pursed his lips and looked at me like he knew something and that it was funny I didn't.

"Have a good evening ma'am" he tipped an invisible hat and left me there gaping at the door.

Well I guess if I am stuck here I might as well get settled. I will look for apartments tomorrow. Then I will personally thank Mr. Green eyes or Edward, and go about my business as usual. My boring little life.

I was hoping to start up my own book store in the heart of Chicago but I needed money for that. Ever since I was laid off from being a care taker I had been doing odd jobs here and there to make money, now though I would have enough money to buy my own space and create my own book store. I was actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

As I was going to bed that night I said a quiet "Thank you Edward" and fell asleep dreaming of green eyes and copper headed twin boys with a little brunette girl trailing after them.