AN: No, your eyes are not deceiving you. It's an update. Let me give you a quick reminder of the last chapter. Edward's secret lab was partially destroyed by a bomb on the day his new products were on the move. Aro/Heidi are competitors and are reported to be in the country. Alistair is out on the loose, under investigation for murder, assault and attempted murder. Felix is also out there with no memory of his interrogation.

Enter Demetri, the man The Cullens have watching Bella, aware that something is wrong and notified Edward. We last left Bella/Emmett slightly battered, at Edward's apartment and no Logan. Edward believes that Logan was taken.

Hope that helps. Also, I took a few liberties with real estate and other things to better fit the story. Thanks to Harleys01 for your help xoxo

Chapter Thirty-Five - Overheard

Alice

My parents were going to kill me, but it was the only way. For weeks, I knew someone would eventually go after Logan. Sometimes I hated being right, because now I had to help save Bella's son and James.

I had no idea why they allowed Bella and Emmett to leave the house. Only that it was important. They wanted her to do something, what that was, wasn't my concern. I had to focus on Logan and Bella's cousin, James. Everything in my gut told me he was the real deal. He'd never do anything to hurt his family. He loved them, and James had never proven to be disloyal.

He had no money issues from what I discovered or any outstanding gambling debts. His mother was alive and well, no health issues that would require big money. There doesn't seem to be any indication of greed, he hardly flaunted his money. The most extravagant thing he bought himself was a nice Ducati.

So why after chasing Bella, Emmett, and Logan through Seattle streets, did they kill Paul and end up at James's house? It made little sense, but I had to find out. My parents would probably be very upset. They never wanted me to follow their example, but it was in my blood, even Bella had the aptitude for spying and deception.

James

Alice worked on the cut at my temple. There'd been a lot of blood, but that was how head wounds worked. She had joined us shortly after Emmett had dropped me off, claiming she was coming by to visit me. I couldn't get rid of her at the door, so the assholes had pulled her inside, against her will. Considering what I knew about her, it was not coincidental that she was there.

"How many are there?" I asked her softly, wincing as she cleaned out the wound.

The woman didn't look older than nineteen years old and was a tiny little thing. She proved herself though, sending one of the bastards on his ass when they forced her inside my house. "Three inside, and I think, two outside."

"Shut the fuck up," a gorilla sized man, that would give Emmett a run for his money, said from across the room. He watched with beady little fucking eyes.

"Where's Logan?" I asked when the brute turned away, clenching my teeth when Alice swiped some alcohol against my skin. My hands fisted on my thighs, the handcuffs biting into my wrists. The chair was unforgiving beneath my ass and against my back. The duct tape around my feet had me sweating. The two fucking chains cutting into my chest weren't helping matters. I had to find a way out of there, and save Alice and Logan.

Fuck. How did this happen? We were on the highway when I noticed someone following us, and worked to lose the assholes. Looking back now, I realized they probably herded us. There was more than one damn vehicle involved. They made sure I had only one way to go as I weaved through traffic. A truck stopped me from going right once, when I should've gone left. A minor fender bender forced me into an alley.

The moment we found ourselves trapped in the SUV, surrounded by concrete walls and two vans, they had us. Paul went down after tackling one of the men that tried to get Bella. Emmett, along with Bella fought brutally for me to get Logan to safety, knowing I was his only chance.

I grabbed Logan and ran, only to find a few men waiting for us at the end of the alleyway. One of them hit my calf with a bat, and I went down. I lost Logan in the struggle. Somehow, he managed to climb up some scaffolding, crying for his mother all the while. His screams are forever etched in my memory.

Soon, they had us all, including Logan. They gave Bella a choice. Get them what they wanted or else they'd kill the rest of us. Emmett talked his way into a release, by indicating that Edward would never believe everything was all right if he suddenly disappeared.

I stayed behind to keep a close eye on Logan, and I knew Bella was grateful. I fucking failed to keep them safe, but fuck if I wasn't going to do whatever I could to get us out of this situation.

The assholes that held us made Emmett and Bella drop me off in case someone was watching. Having killed four of their men in the struggle, they had to regroup at my house. While Emmett and I drew anyone's attention in front of my house due to my sprained ankle, the assholes came up in the back with Logan.

While they waited for further instructions, Alice made an appearance. If she was there, that meant Bella's aunt and uncle knew something was up. That was a good thing. Her parents had helped considerably to tighten security at Edward's apartment.

We had very little time to figure out where they were taking us. I had a special tracker that most couldn't detect. I needed to grab it before it was too late.

Keeping an eye the giant, I whispered, "I need to grab the tracker."

Alice seemed one-step ahead of me, pulling out a syringe. "Something for the pain," she said when the guard turned and asked. I knew immediately she found a way to use one of her own. She pursed her lips as she shook her head, injecting my arm before the asshole could argue.

"Where's Logan?" Alice asked the armed gorilla, to cover my gasp. The solution for the tracker was thicker. Fuck, that hurt.

"Don't you worry about a thing, princess," he said, his voice deep as his hand ran over his closely shaved head. "If your cousin does her job right, you'll all be home safe and sound by the end of the week."

"We're ready, let's go," another man said from behind him. The strange opaque plastic masks that hid their faces didn't seem to hinder they ability to talk or see. "We've been here too long, but the boss called and said they're ready for our extra guests."

I snorted as the gorilla asked Alice to step away from me, the tracker's needle conveniently back in its place inside the first aid kit. He worked to pull me out of the chains, tape, and handcuffs.

Another asshole carried a limp and unconscious Logan down the stairs. "I swear to fucking God, if you hurt him I will kill you!" I fought against the last of my restraints and grunted as a couple of guys held me down. Next thing I knew, something hit the back of my head and black spots danced in front of my eyes. "Someone's gonna die," I slurred as one of them forced a black bag over my head.

~oOo~

I came to the same way I went under, fighting. Alice tried her best to quiet me down, but fuck that, I was pissed. My head hurt like hell, my ears rang and the damn cut she cleaned out, was open again. We were in the hands of damn killers. I could not forget the carnage they already created by the bomb they planted at the lab, nor the fact that they killed Paul. He had a wife and kid.

"Where are we?" I asked. It was dark. I couldn't see anything around me, but I knew Alice was on my right. The room felt damp, almost humid, and the wall I was resting against was concrete.

Fucking hell, we were in some kind of basement.

"I'm guessing from the amount of time it took to get here, I'd say somewhere in Whitman County."

Since it all started, I studied roads, highways, memorized old abandoned houses, and buildings. I had a feeling the information would prove useful, I only hoped that I was wrong. Now it was time to put all that time to use.

Alice continued. "It smells like an older place, smaller because it didn't take long to get us down here. The walls feel unfinished and more like a cellar," she stated.

"That possibly eliminates all new housing developments since they're finishing the basements or eliminating them completely," I said.

"Good, good, your memory is intact. Two blows to the head are not fucking good."

"Yeah, my brain agrees with you." I used the wall for support since my leg was practically numb from when one of the assholes hit it with a bat. "Is Logan here?"

"No," Alice whispered, her voice so low that it didn't carry like mine did. "He's up there alone with them." I heard the crack in her voice but had to ignore it. If I didn't, I'd fucking lose it. I hated seeing a woman cry.

"We'll get him back, Alice," I said, finding her shoulder and squeezing.

"Yeah, we will. By now, my parents know that I was taken, too."

I couldn't help the laugh that started in my gut. "Fucking hell, princess, that's why you're here, isn't it? You knew they'd find out and come after us." Her shoulder lifted in a careless shrug. "How do they know?"

"These idiots destroyed my cell phone, big mistake. My parents have it set up that if it doesn't ping their system every ten minutes, they'll get an alert and know it means something is wrong."

I felt her shift to rest her head on my shoulder. It wasn't the time to get comfortable, but I was aware that she only had a t-shirt on, and it was getting colder. I shrugged out of my jacket and handed it to her. She whispered her appreciation and draped it like a blanket over her.

"Let me get a layout of the room, and check for weapons."

"They kept my eyes covered, so I couldn't see anything."

"I figured as much since they covered my head, glad they didn't knock you out though." I started from where I sat and counted the number of feet to the next wall directly in front of me, finding no obstructions of any kind. After checking out the perimeter, it was clear that the room was clean of anything other than some piping, a water heater, and us. "Anything else I should know, Alice?"

"Yeah, when you hear something go boom, duck. That means my parents are here."

Edward

All through dinner, Bella seemed preoccupied. I couldn't give my concerns away in case someone was listening to our conversation, but I could call for help. Hoping that Demetri had ample time to have gathered more information since our encounter in the elevator, I pressed the button on the device he'd given me earlier.

Bella wiped at her mouth delicately, took a sip from her glass of wine and turned to address me. "What time is the presentation on tomorrow?"

How could I forget such a thing? The following night, I was to present the finished product to all those that worked hard on it for years, my employees. We also planned to hold a vigil for members of the team we lost in the bombing. Several news outlets were attending the event, along with local socialites and others in the industry. That included Aro, his wife, and a few of his colleagues.

What was the saying? Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer. The chances of Aro or his wife personally attempting to hurt Bella again were minimal. They'd remain under constant surveillance the second they'd arrive at the event and would not go anywhere near Bella, unless Emmett or I were present. However, I wouldn't put it past them or Alistair to be behind Logan's disappearance.

The event also served as bait, because I wanted my enemies to expose themselves. It would be the only time the football and working prototype would be in the building at the same time. It gave Aro and Heidi the perfect cover, and if they are responsible for all my current troubles, it gave his men a chance to take what they wanted. Not that it would work.

Even if my competitor got his hands on a prototype, it would take months to recreate one of their own, unless they had the football. With it, they wouldn't need the prototype since all the specs and information on the product line was inside.

Was that the plan? The reason they went after Bella?

"The evening starts at seven sharp, but the actual presentation will be at eight-thirty."

Bella only nodded in response, and under the curtain of hair, she looked toward Emmett, who stood watch nearby. Had I not been aware that something was wrong, it would hardly garner my attention. Whatever had happened, it was obvious it was far from over and I needed answers.

A reflection in an adjacent mirror on the far wall caught my attention, it was gone within a second. Demetri, it had to be. Had Emmett been facing any other direction, he would've caught it, too, and that could prove dangerous.

I excused myself from the table, indicating I had a call. The moment I stepped out of the room, I saw Emmett and Bella put their heads together, not talking, but looking over a computer tablet. More confused than ever, worry and terror wrapped around me, because I knew if Bella wasn't with me, Logan would be safe.

Demetri stood down the hall, gesturing toward my office. For once, I could not find it in my heart to be angry with Emmett or James. It was obvious, our security was still lacking. However, if the system had worked, the people that held Logan captive would know it, too. I could not jeopardize him.

"I've gathered some intel from various operatives in the field. Alice Cullen has fallen out of contact with her parents, and she was last seen at James' home, along with five men and one child."

"Christ," I said, sitting my chair. "How did this happen?"

"Their captors set up an elaborate plan to apprehend Logan."

That got my attention, not only had he confirmed one of my fears, it was so much worse than I thought it could be. "Are you saying that Logan was the intended target and not Bella?"

Demetri clasped his hands at the small of his back pacing in front of my desk. "From eye witness accounts and video footage we have obtained, yes, they wanted him from the start."

"Why go to James' house? Is he fucking involved with all this?"

"Negative," Demetri said, shaking his head. "Between Paul, Emmett, and James they killed a few of their comrades during an altercation. It changed their plan of escaping unscathed and they pulled a gun on Logan and told her exactly what they wanted from her. From what we've learned, James remained with the boy. Bella wouldn't have agreed otherwise and you'd likely be at the morgue identifying her body right now."

"What do they want?"

"We don't know yet."

"Fuck! Tell me something about his captors at the very least." I couldn't remain still, and ran my hand over my face roughly.

"We've run facial recognition programs on all of the ones that we've captured on camera during the struggle when they temporarily lost some masks they wore, and two match to an organization from Hong Kong that specializes in highly organized kidnappings."

"The last 'vacation spot' of Aro," I stated, gritting my teeth. "And Alice?"

"We believe she knew something was wrong and went to check it out herself. By putting herself in danger, it alerted her parents and her own guardian angel, Olivia." The name Esme gave those watched over their loved ones.

"Did she lose Alice? Are they still at James' house? I can have the best extraction team there in less than twenty minutes."

"No, they left the house shortly after I informed you something was wrong. We lost contact with Olivia, an hour ago, though that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. She was informed by Mr. and Mrs. Cullen that if she finds Alice to treat it as reconnaissance until further notice."

"So the only ones that can answer any questions other than my damn enemy are Bella and Emmett, but they are currently unable to do so since you believe they're bugged."

"From what I've determined, they only have listening capabilities. From what I've monitored of their behavior since I arrived, I'm guessing they are planning to clue you in via a touch tablet."

I exhaled sharply, thankful that Bella and Emmett were quiet resourceful.

"Despite that, I've found a signal in the building's video surveillance system, they are well aware of your coming and goings, including Bella and Emmett. Though there is no feed coming from within your apartment."

"Meaning that it's up to us to figure out what to do once they hand over the information."

"Yes, but there's a problem," he said, taking a seat for the first time since his arrival. "If Bella or Emmett remains quiet for more than two minutes, they receive a call or text from the kidnappers. At least that's my belief. I'd have to monitor more of their behavior to be sure."

"You have cameras set up in my home." It wasn't a question, but stated as fact. From the twitch of his lips, I assumed I was correct. "If any footage leaks, I will inform Bella's aunt and uncle and I'm sure they'd know you'd be responsible."

"It was in the best interest for Bella to be watched at all times, and I respected your…more amorous moments and turned away." As if he anticipated my concern, he answered my unspoken question. "I assure you no one can hack into my feed of your home."

I wanted to rage at him for invading our privacy, but if it led to saving Logan, it would be worth it.

"I want to be linked to the video surveillance system at the very least." I handed him a tablet computer and watched as he typed a few keys and brought the footage from the dining room where Bella paced, talking rapidly at someone on the phone.

"Sound?"

Demetri pressed a few more keys and I turned up the volume. "You don't seem to understand, I've never had access to his computers." Emmett moved toward the hallway to look toward my office, gesturing for Bella to keep it down. She wouldn't listen, as she wiped furiously at her tears. "I swear to God, if you hurt him I will hunt you down to the ends of the Earth and cut every finger off and feed them to you and gut you like a fucking pig."

I dropped the tablet and rose to my feet, but Demetri stopped me. "You can't go to her. If you do, you're putting Logan at risk. At least now we know they want her to have access to the networks."

"Which I can give her, but how do I do that without raising suspicions?"

"We'll figure it out once we know what exactly they expect her to do. Until then, you conduct business as usual and that means increasing security, which they'd expect."

I watched as Emmett took the phone from Bella, nearly spitting in his anger as he addressed whoever was on the line.

"Can we trace the call?" I asked. Demetri shook his head, stating that he had tried. "How am I supposed to act as if everything is fine?"

"You have to, for all their sakes. Not only is Logan at risk, but so are the lives of James and Alice, and in all likelihood, Bella's as well." He adjusted his jacket and slipped on a beanie over his hair. "I must go and see how the team we have in place is doing. I assure you that Esme and Carlisle will do everything in their power to bring everyone home, but we may need for you to make some tough decisions and, of course, your full cooperation."

"If it means that I can return Logan to his mother's arms, I'll do it."

"Even it could mean the collapse of your empire?"

I met his unwavering gaze. "Yes."

~oOo~

An hour later, after checking on Emmett, who temporarily stayed in a spare guest room, I found Bella sitting on the bed in our bedroom, reading a book. She looked much more relaxed than I had seen her all night. It wasn't until my eye settled on the empty glass of wine on my nightstand that I understood the reason why.

She only indulged in alcohol if she felt stressed with something at work or at most a glass with dinner. Her son's kidnapping would undoubtedly overwhelm her. Looking up from her reading, she offered me a genuine smile, but for a moment, it appeared as if it was too hard to hold in place.

I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her everything would be fine, but I couldn't. I had to act as normal as possible so as not to inform the kidnappers that I was onto them. To do that, I had to play the part as if it was any other night.

She looked beautiful in one of my t-shirts, her small frame allowing me a glimpse of a naked shoulder and collarbone. Any other night, I'd slip naked into bed and warm her up with my touch and lips. How could I do such a thing when so much was at stake?

"I'm going to take a shower," I said, returning her smile with a gentle press of my lips on her forehead. I had to ignore the look of confusion that was clear on her face when I walked away. As I started to close the bathroom door behind me, I swore I heard her phone ring. I left it slightly ajar to listen to be sure.

"I don't know what's wrong," she hissed at the caller. "He's got a lot of his mind." She paused, and I heard a thump, a quick look out the door and I determined that she threw her book. "I swear to God, if you harm one hair on his head, I will fucking hunt you down and kill you. You have no idea what I'm capable of." She huffed, her free arms tightening around her middle. It was a futile attempt to hold it all in, as I tried to do the same.

She said nothing else as she listened, and soon hung up, only to curse several times. I quietly closed the door and paced the length of the spacious master bathroom. To give myself something to do, I turned on the shower and continued to bring myself under control. I found it difficult as my anxiety over the situation threatened to spiral.

I took a quick shower, knowing any longer would alarm Bella. Other than our showers, that were considerably longer, I was efficient and done within minutes. After drying off, I exited the bathroom as I would any other time, naked.

"I should've joined you," she said from the bed, her smile a beacon. Something in her voice told me everything I needed to know, she couldn't join me. If she had, the kidnappers would believe she was using the time to inform me what is going on. "Your suit came in while we were gone, you're going to look amazing tomorrow night."

I quirked an eyebrow, teasing her, "Why do you sound surprised?"

"I'm not," she said, as I walked toward our bed. "It's been a while since I've seen you in a tux though." The last time I had, she ended up in a hospital. As if she realized what she said, she distracted me by pulling up the blanket that covered her. Underneath, she was naked as I was and despite my worry and anxiety, my body reacted accordingly.

I hated myself for it.

"Come here," she whispered, her voice soft and inviting. Though her eyes conveyed the same message, there was a tinge of something darker within them. Her body curled against mine as I pulled her into my arms once I settled in the bed. She shivered briefly, and when she looked up at me, I realized why.

She was trying to tell me something. The tips of two of her fingers drifted over my lips, before they pressed harder. "Don't say anything," she mouthed twice before I nodded that I understood. "Hmm, I missed you over the last few days."

Her hand shifted under the pillow and she pulled out a computer tablet. On the screen, were the words: DO NOT REACT VERBALLY, SOMEONE IS LISTENING.

"You know what I missed the most," she continued the charade as her finger brushed over the screen." She looked at me, nodding.

"What is that?" I asked, my voice rough with lingering fear and anger.

"Sleeping in your arms at night," she replied, adding a little purr to her voice. I knew then she was only talking to convince the kidnappers that everything was fine.

Any desire I felt, instantly went cold. The screen changed to a picture of Logan sitting in a chair, tears on his cheeks and holding a copy of morning paper. There were words along the bottom. They have Logan and James. In exchange for their freedom, they want the prototype before the revealing, the football, they want the network corrupted, and...

She held on to my face as I cursed at the last demand on the list, shaking her head, and lifting her necklace. The one she said she'd never take off, the same one that was a symbol of my devotion to her, to us. They were using it against us, because now it had the bug.

"Does that feel good?" She said to cover up my muttered curses, her hand drifting to my hip.

"Yes," I said through clenched teeth as I took over the tablet. She had more to tell me. With every page I read, the more my blood ran hot.

"That's it," Bella whispered, shifting to straddle me. I tossed aside the tablet, having read it all. She was trying to distract me, when all I wanted to do was destroy something. I wanted kill for her, and for Logan.

All my emotions rioted, my body stuck on lust and anger. I rolled us until she was beneath me, and her soft cry welcomed as my cock shifted against her thigh. My hand held her wrists prisoner over her head, my fear clouding my judgment as I grunted and groaned, as if I was inside of her. The made up sounds of pleasure from her belied the tears that started to form in her eyes.

"I love you," she chanted.

"I told you before," I said against her ear, tasting her tears there. The bastards would pay for every one of them. "I would die for you, and give everything up to keep you with me. Please stay with me."

I muffled her reply, a sob, with a through kiss, following it with a whispered confession of my love for her. We continued a make believe melody of sounds, until the faux ending for our listeners. Disgusted with the situation and myself, I immediately pulled away, already missing the feel of her arms around me, and jumping out of bed. "I need to take care of some business before I call it a night."

Bella refused to look at me, her body shifting away as one of her hands enclosed around her other wrist. Already her skin there was red from how hard I'd been holding her captive, something she said she hated due to her past. Oh fuck, what had I done.

As if she sensed my turmoil, she turned and held out her hand, but I stepped back. I couldn't touch her now. She sat up more, propping herself up on one arm. Her free hand held up her pendant as a reminder that someone could hear.

Fury burned in my veins at the thought of them listening in on our private moments.

"I'm fine. Come back to bed when you're ready." She handed me the tablet silently, inside it held what they instructed her to do. It was essentially up to me to come up with a plan to save Logan, at the possible risk of losing my company and her. She was the only one allowed to make the exchange because she was part of the deal.

They, meaning Alistair, wanted her. He was the only one that would want that kind of vengeance, but the fact that they wanted my company in ruins confirmed my suspicions about Aro being involved. Already my head spun scenarios, playing in my mind in vivid pictures.

I pulled up a blank document and typed in what I had to say. I held it up, her chin trembled as she read, I will save him.