Devil Incarnate Chapter Five

Edward didn't think he’d ever grow accustomed to the view from the plane as they flew over Ireland. Not for the first time, he wished he’d spent more time there after his grandfather passed away. It seemed as though his parents had specifically tried to prevent him from knowing his father’s extended family. Then again, considering how deranged his parents turned out to be, maybe the Irish Cullens had been the ones to cut ties.

Since the date of his vow renewal ceremony with Bella twenty years ago, he and his remaining family had made the attempt to see each other more often. It was more than intentional; each visit was purposeful. His great aunt Siobhan was a warm and welcoming soul, and not much filled him with more pride than to watch her interact with his children. She loved Edward more than both his parents combined and wasn't afraid to demonstrate it. Siobhan spoiled the children rotten and doted on Bella, and they equally treasured her. 

Siobhan also loved to boss Edward around and pretend to be mad over what she called his skin and bones, and chastised him because he didn't visit enough.

Before Bella, Edward didn't know such love existed. Even while he actively fell in love with his wife, he had no concept he could feel the same about anyone other than her. Growing up, he never thought of himself as a person capable of love. It wasn't how he was raised. He thought love meant possession, disappointment, and blind loyalty to heinous actions. It was a blessing he never took for granted now that he knew how much love could expand and grow. First Quinn, then Great Aunt Siobhan, then Maeve and Caitriona. Each time he wondered if his heart had the capacity to hold his emotions, and though they occasionally ran over, he discovered there was indeed enough room.

Of course, there was the unspoken but well-known secret that the Irish Cullens were still embroiled in the mob life. Edward didn't judge them—that would be hypocritical—but he had no desire to join them, despite many requests over the years. His devious nature had helped him rise to the top as the youngest mafia boss in Seattle’s history when his father’s congenital heart failure sidelined him. For years, Edward enjoyed the life he created and the work he did. It never occurred to him to feel remorse or shame for his actions until his wife broke open the depth of the treachery accosting them and opened his eyes to what he'd accepted into his life. No matter how much time passed or how often he tried to put that part of his life behind him, it constantly reared back to smack him in the face.

As the plane banked left to prepare for landing, all Edward could think of was the tearful goodbye he'd shared with Bella the previous night. It was easy, second nature, to wallow in guilt. There was no doubt the untenable situation they found themselves in brought his harsher nature back to the surface. He deserved whatever fate threw at him, but his wife and children didn't, so the only choice left was to shield his family as much as possible. 

It blew his mind how much Bella loved him regardless of anything he'd done in his past. After admitting how scared he was, he sought comfort in the only form which ever truly worked—his wife. Eager as always, she responded to his kisses with fervor. The chill air whispered over his skin as Bella removed his shirt, her fingers heating a path of lust everywhere they touched. Just as he was about to suggest they go inside, she unzipped his pants and guided him toward her. Bracing her against the railing, Edward released days of tension in one simple act. Though they'd grown more accustomed to quiet moments in their darkened bedroom rather than crazy bouts of sex on his desk in the middle of the day, making love to Bella never grew boring, never ceased to create a tsunami of overwhelming emotions. 

But each time they fucked, he felt something different. An unleashing of primal instincts, a baser satisfaction deep in his soul. As Bella cried out, eyes locked on his as she gripped the iron railing for support, more than his muscles unclenched. His entire being relaxed; his weary brain grew silent. When he'd filled her with his heart and his seed, he gathered his mate in his embrace and inhaled her scent. Pulling away slightly, he met her open mouth with a breath of promise. She was his aingeal fiáin in the moonlight; beauty, grace, and mussed hair rolled into one. 

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you." Kissing the top of her head, he added, "That includes reverting to a cold-blooded murderer."

Quiet understanding filled her gaze. "I love you no matter what."

"I know you do. It baffles me as much as it did two decades ago."

Placing her palm over his heart, Bella smiled. "I love you."

"And I love you." He winced as he slipped from her body. "I think I'll get a shower and try to sleep."

"I'll join you."

He waggled his eyebrows. 

"No," she laughed. "Just a shower."

"But you'll be naked. And wet."

Rising on her toes, she pecked his lips. "If you can get it up again, old man, you've got a deal."

"Woman," he snarled.

Bella laughed the entire way to the bathroom. 

The landing gear meeting the runway jostled the plane enough to bring Edward out of his thoughts. He discovered his cheeks were flushed, and he had to work to lower the flagpole to half mast. Old man, he scoffed. He could still please his wife plenty, though it was true it was fewer and farther in between than when they were in their twenties. 

A car waited on the tarmac, complete with tinted windows and an all-black interior. It was the way he preferred it for security purposes, and some things never changed. Emmett, Jasper, and Garrett had accompanied him; one of his cousins occupied the driver’s seat.

They exited the plane, walking in single file down the steps as the car door opened and Seamus stepped out. 

“Another Cullen in Ireland,” he said in his lilting accent. “We’re all truly fooked now.”

Chuckling, Edward held his arms out as he walked. “Not any Cullen; the Cullen.”

Snorting, Seamus accepted the slapping on the back and returned it in kind. “Arrogant bastard, ya are.”

“Aren't all Cullens?”

With a grin and a nod, Seamus acknowledged the truth of that statement. “What brings you here, then?”

“It’s a big enough deal I’ll need a secure location before we discuss it.”

Seamus eyed Jasper, Emmett, and Garrett as they arranged themselves behind Edward. “Sounds dead serious, cousin.”

Edward only nodded.

“Well, come on. Gran has supper on, and then we’ll find this secure location you’re needin’.”

They piled into the car, the flight crew having already loaded it with their luggage. Edward considered bringing more men with him, but at the end of the day, he preferred having them at the house back in Seattle. There were plenty of men—and women—at the Cullen manor in Ireland that the rest of them could stay stateside.

“How is Siobhan?” Edward asked quietly.

Seamus moved his shoulders. “Determined to be the boss of Jesus fooking Christ himself.”

Edward laughed, and the others joined in. “Sounds about right.”

Siobhan’s health had declined in the last several years, but not to hear her tell it. She was fit as a fiddle and would remain that way for decades, she said. Unfortunately, her doctor said otherwise. She was in her eighties, and her children and grandchildren had prepared for the worst. None of them wanted the time to be soon, but Edward knew there was no stopping fate. It was as inevitable as the sun rising and setting each day. 

"I hope she didn't really do the cooking."

"She supervised in a chair with her feet up by the fire, but we give her credit." Seamus put the car in gear and drove toward his home. 

The men were silent on the ride, too much at stake to feel like making small talk. When the old manor house came into view thirty minutes later, they let out a collective sigh of relief. They always enjoyed themselves in Ireland, but this wasn't a social visit. None of them wanted to be away from their families at a time when everyone's lives were at risk. 

"Silent as a tomb in this bloody car."

At his remark, Seamus opened the door and removed himself, heading up the walkway and knowing the others would follow. They'd passed security at the gate, and now someone came to empty the car of its luggage. It was all second nature to Edward, so much so that he barely noticed the approach of the employees. 

Seamus paused at the threshold for the others to catch up. "Don't be shocked at Gran's weight loss, and don't say nothin'."

Edward took a moment to grieve the woman he loved so dearly. It was clear she wasn't much longer for the world, and the world would be worse off without her in it. 

They passed through several rooms and down a long hallway before reaching the kitchen. Everyone was there—his aunts, uncles, and cousins—and Great Aunt Siobhan sat by the hearth in an overstuffed armchair, her feet propped on an ottoman likely older than her. 

"Love of my life!" Edward exclaimed, kneeling by her chair. 

Her face was paler than usual, but her eyes lit up the same. "What would your wife say to that?"

As was their routine, he kissed her cheek and said, "She'd tell me good riddance."

"Pish posh." Siobhan grabbed his face and kissed both his cheeks. "You're too skinny for this old lady."

"I don't see any old ladies here."

"You've got eyes, don't you?"

He chuckled, taking her hand and straightening to his full height. "You're still the best looking Cullen."

"That's the God's honest truth," Seamus interjected. 

“Where is your wife, Edward? And the na páistí?”

“They stayed home this time, a chuisle. This is a business visit.”

Her wispy white brows went up. “I thought you were through with the gnólacht?”

“I thought so too, Siobhan.”

“That doesn't sound good. You’ll eat and then you’ll tell me what’s wrong.”

“Of course.” Edward and Seamus locked eyes. “I’ll need all the help I can get.”

When they sat to eat, there were over twenty of them. It pleased him to know there were plenty of family members to see to his great aunt's care. She’d never have to want for anything.

As the last plate was cleared, a few wives remained in the kitchen to clean up and the rest of them made their way to the wine cellar. Dug well below the house, it was the only place they could be absolutely certain no one could hear their conversation.

“What’s going on?” Dara asked. She was married to Edward's cousin Killian.

“This is everyone who’s interested in knowing?” he hedged.

“Yes, get on with it.” Saoirse was probably the least patient of his family members. Her husband, Niall, nodded as though he agreed with her urgency.

“Okay.” Edward closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Earlier this week, Bella received a call from her hometown. The person on the other end of the phone said her father had died and asked if we wanted to attend the funeral. After some debate, she and Quinn and I went.”

He paced, telling the rest of the story. Occasionally, Garrett would interject a detail, but for the most part it was simply Edward speaking. He did so eloquently, as was his way, and he sugarcoated nothing.

“So,” Ronan said. “These people want help destroying the world.”

“It appears so,” Emmett answered. “We’ve decided to play along until we can come up with a plan.”

“What the fuck kind of plan can we come up with to save the world?” Dara demanded.

“I haven't a clue.” Frustrated, Edward dropped down on a chair. “I know this is a lot to ask, considering you have families here, and they weren't technically targeted. But I need more people. I need a platoon. Between us, surely we can come up with nearly a hundred people.”

“To do what, though?” Seamus asked. “If you need to find a bomb and stop a terrorist, you don't need a hundred men and women.”

“Just a few highly skilled individuals.” Niall looked around the room. “We have that here without adding any additional people.”

"You've brought the devil himself to our doorstep."

Silence descended at Siobhan’s statement. After all, it was nothing but the truth. 

Edward stared at her. They'd helped her down the stairs, complete with flushed cheeks and heavy breaths. Sitting now, she pointed a bony finger at her beloved Edward. 

"When the devil comes to visit, he brings hell with him. Brimstone will rain down on us all; hell fire will bring death."

For a moment, Edward wondered if her mind had fractured.

"It's our responsibility as a family to look out for one another. If one of our own faces a threat, we all face it. Together."

What Edward wanted to do was collapse at her feet and break down into a sobbing mess. Instead, he locked his spine straight and met the various gazes around the room. The matriarch had spoken, and no one would go against her. 

More than that, Edward dearly hoped each of them agreed with her decision. They truly needed all the help they could get. 

Even knowing he did it for his children's lives, he also knew only the devil incarnate would beg for his family's blood. 

"Decades have passed, and I'm not a violent man any longer. But when a direct threat comes for me and my family, you can bet your ass I'm answering the call. One or one hundred, are you prepared to fight with your life?"

Vaguely reminiscent of a crowd at a sporting event, they rose in a wave. The Cullens would stand together against the monsters darkening their door. 

Edward could only hope they would survive what was to come.

Seamus