Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty Five - Take the Night
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Jasper
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I’d never given much thought about how I would die.  To be honest the thought hadn’t really occurred to me until recently.  I had no valuable reasoning for caring as long as I got my job done.  Now, things were different and I did care.  But if I had to die, doing it for someone I loved seemed to be the way to go.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little scared.  Hell, I think we all were.  We would be facing incredible odds and though our plan was flawless, someone always fucks up.

Everyone seemed to be dealing with what could be our last hours in different ways.

Emmett spent his time on the phone with Rosalie, Esme and Alice.  It was the most somber I had ever seen the man.  He made no jokes nor did he try to sugar coat anything.  He told his wife like it was and even though he tried to hide it I know they shed some tears together.  In the end she told him just to bring her sister home and to tell me she forgave me.

I didn’t want forgiveness.  Not yet.

Demetri was quietly bonding with Aro in the corner of our small jet.  The spoke in hushed whispers about the lives the had lived in each others absence.  And if I didn’t have this knot of dread coiling in the pit of my stomach I might have found the scene to be touching.

Edward was the strangest among us but then again he always was.  He made no calls and he didn’t speak to anyone but me.  In my mind I’d like to think he was making an amends of sorts.  Trying to undo his past wrongs.  If we made it out of this alive and with a healthy Bella I would seriously consider trying to make an amends as well.  I didn’t see a problem in making a conscious effort to try and get to know my brother again.

The rest of our team were spread out between two Blackhawk helicopters that I didn’t even think I wanted to know how Conner, Randell and Alec commandeered.  Not that I cared either.  I would break any law of God’s or man’s just to see those brown eyes again.

As for me I had loose ends to tie up.

I called Alistair and told him everything.  I’m not really sure if he believed me or not but nonetheless he was pissed that he was still strapped to a hospital bed and couldn’t be here with me.  It was hard enough telling him about Aro but it came time to tell him about Bella’s captors I seriously worried for his heart.  I had never heard the man snarl like that and I was sure that my head or my dick would be on the chopping block even if I did make it home.

My next call was to Carlisle.  I updated him on our current position which was actually flying over Tennessee at the moment.  I also filled him in on our findings and of course he begged me to let him fly in.  I ordered him to remain at home.  He yelled at me when I told him where he could locate my last Will and Testament in the event of my death.  He told me I was not to think such things and that no son of his would be coming home in a body bag.  I really wanted to believe him but it was hard knowing what lies beyond.
We landed at a small fueling station just outside of Miami.  Our last stop to check weapons and pick up our last aircraft.  Emmett and I would be with Conner on one Blackhawk, Demetri and Aro would be with Alec team on the other. And finally Edward would head up the last team with Randell. 

Our three teams were made up of mostly ex-military; Navy Seal and Army Ranger.  Alec’s team would be somewhat of a decoy making a loud pass over the house to draw attention. While Edward and Randell’s team landed on the backside for extraction. My team would already be inside when they were made of aware of our presence.

We arrived at the island in the dark of night.  And I supposed it was right around the time Bella and I would be settling down for dinner and a movie if she were home.  

The island was dark but bathed in a swath of moonlight.  It glistened off the oceans tide like diamonds and call me strange but it almost had a calming effect on me when I should be at my most nervous.  Not that I could even pretend that I was ever normal.

I was smoking my last cigarette when Conner called for radio silence and we made our last wave to the other bomber before parting ways.  Emmett was all smiles before making his decent from the aircraft into the small motorized raft below.  I hated all things that had to do with the ocean but it was the only way to ensure a quiet entrance.  
I went next and so on and so forth.  One by one all but our primary pilot and our crafts  gunner.   

My heart was pounding in my chest as the house came into view.  There were lights on and my eyes zeroed in on the room Aro’s spy claimed to be Bella’s.  It too had its lights on and for a moment I briefly wondered what she was doing.

The island was eerily quiet as we approach shore.  I did one last check of my weapons before reading myself for what was to come next.  I tagged my safety and adjusted my scope.  If Aro’s little friend had been truthful that there was a guard station just about three hundred yards off shore and it would be our first target.  

It would be Conner and I taking the first kills of the evening and we would be doing it boat-side.  The guard station would have to be taken down before we made landfall.  We were fifty yards from shore when I had Emmett spot me.  He called in my coordinates as another man did the same for Conner.

“Conner?”

“I got ‘em boss.”  he replied.

“Take your shot.”

The only sound that could be heard was the quiet hum as the .50 caliber bullet hit the air for the first time through the sleek barrel of the silencer and the dull thud of bodies hitting the deck as we met our marks.

“Kill confirmed.”  I heard my brother whisper from my right followed by the same reply from Conner’s spotter.

“New target acquired on your left, four hundred yards out, two O’ clock.”

I swung the nose of my gun and quickly found the bright red body through the lens of my scope.  I jacked another shell into the chamber and took my shot.

“Kill confirmed.”

All was still quiet as we finally drug our raft onto the white beach of our final destination.  I threw the Barrett onto my back and pulled out something for close combat.

“Spread out.”  I told my men as my eyes were focused on the service entrance of the house.  That is where I would make my entrance.

We were quiet as we made our way to the house trying to avoid the anything that might give us away I called to my brother.

“Emmett?”  I called making a slicing motion with my hand.  He nodded already knowing his job.  He was to take out the flood lights and any surveillance they had.  I had no clue about that aspect of our operation as Emmett - funny enough - was the computer geek not me.

When I was certain he was done I broke radio silence.  “NOW!  NOW!  NOW!”  I yelled kicking open the back door and coming up on another guard.  I killed him quickly with just a flick of the wrist I snapped his neck and moved on.  Time seemed to blur as I was assaulted with wave after wave of armed men looking to end my existence if I didn’t theirs.  I could hear the rat-tat-tat of guns in the distance and it was obvious that my men where dealing with one Hell of a resistance. 

I made my way through the house with speed I didn’t know I possessed.  I had barely made it to the stairs when I heard arguing and then the most horrifying scream.  I don’t think I sear it from my brain with red-hot pokers. 

“JASPER!”  She screamed again just as I heard Demetri and Aro’s team moving in.

I flew up those stairs like I had wings attached to my feet.  And I silently begged that she be alright.  

Just a little more. I told myself.

I felt a slight pain in my arm as I zipped through the hall.  It was nothing more than a bee sting but somewhere in my mind I was conscious enough to know I’d taken a hit.

I could hear her whimpering as I neared her door and it filled me with a rage I’d never felt.  This shit was ending now.

I couldn’t tell you if the double wooden doors to her room were locked or not, I never slowed down enough to check them.  I felt the heavy wood of the door bend and finally give beneath my weight and when it did my whole world went red.
Bella, lying under that piece of shit.  And I knew without looking that he had rapped her or was in the process of raping her.

Caius jumped up with his pants still pooled around his ankles and his dick still standing erect.  He had his hands held high in submission.  

“Fucking coward.”  I snarled at him.

I didn’t even chance a look at Bella.  I couldn’t…not yet, but I could hear her sobbing on a corner of the bed.

“FUCKING COWARD!”  I screamed.

“Now, don’t be like that.  I saved her.  Marcus, he was going to kill her but I-

“raped her?”  I finished for him.  My gun never wavered from his head as he tried once more to plead his case.

“No I d-didn’t not-”

That was all I could take.  The shot echoed through my ears and I smiled as red coated the wall behind him.  His black eyes were still opened as he slumped to the ground and I made sure to watch as the light died from his eyes.
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Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four - Out of Time
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Jasper

The polite smile that had been plastered to Aro’s face was gone. It had been replaced by disbelieving frown and it was directed at me. I couldn’t exactly blame the man for not wanting to believe his brothers had murdered the woman he loved more than twenty years ago.  And I certainly couldn’t blame him for the crazy look in his eye.  The man had fathered two children that he had been unaware of for twenty-six years.  I think I’d be crazy too.

Aro glared at the file in his shaking hands with murderous intent.  “Is this some kind of a joke?”  He asked through his teeth.  He was angry but like I said, it was to be expected.

“It’s not a joke, Aro.”  Edward informed him sincerely.

I was still mad at Edward for all the bullshit he’s caused my family but I couldn’t help but feel a kinship with him now.  He was here in the same dangerous situation as I and he was doing it to save a woman who no longer loved him.

He nodded once and swallowed thickly.  I should have stopped the amused grin that formed on my lips.  I’d like to say that I wasn’t enjoying with a smug satisfaction the pain and discomfort all of this brought to him but then, I’d be lying.  Secretly I was enjoying every moment of grimaces and groans that were voiced.  Sure, technically, Aro is Bella’s father, but that didn’t automatically discredit or erase the years of sin committed against my family by his. 

“I thought she’d left me.”  Aro whispered to himself.

This is when my softer side kicked in and I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the man.  He had believed for almost thirty years that the woman he loved left him for his best friend.  When in factuality she had fled the state with Charlie Swan acting as a bodyguard.

Aro and Renee had been secretly seeing each other for years but Marcus had suspected it for sometime.  The relationship had been brought to light after an dishonest servant in Aro’s house was caught stealing and was pardoned for information.

Marcus had planned to kill Renee but, thankfully for me, Renee was not an ignorant woman. She fled the state shortly after under the guise of falling in love with Charlie Swan, Aro’s best friend and head of his personal guard and she did so before Marcus could find out about the bastard child growing in her womb.

Demetri and Bella were born eight and a half months later at 3:30 AM on September 17th in the year 1984. Charlie and Renee lived with the twins under the radar for nearly three years before Marcus eventually caught wind of their whereabouts.  They parted ways each taking a child with them.  Charlie headed to Chicago to live under the protection of the Cullen family and Renee to Phoenix with Demetri. Renee knowing that the eldest Volturi brother would inevitably catch up to her placed Demetri in the foster care system, she died her horrible death two days later.

Marcus had planned to kill Renee but, thankfully for me, Renee was not an ignorant woman. She fled the state shortly after under the guise of falling in love with Charlie Swan, Aro’s best friend and head of his personal guard and she did so before Marcus could find out about the bastard child growing in her womb.

Demetri and Bella were born eight and a half months later at 3:30 AM on September 17th in the year 1984. Charlie and Renee lived with the twins under the radar for nearly three years before Marcus eventually caught wind of their whereabouts.  They parted ways each taking a child with them.  Charlie headed to Chicago to live under the protection of the Cullen family and Renee to Phoenix with Demetri. Renee knowing that the eldest Volturi brother would inevitably catch up to her placed Demetri in the foster care system, she died her horrible death two days later. 

Demetri and Bella

Demetri was officially adopted in the summer of 89’ by the Caponi family. He excelled with his new family at the helm and was at one point top of his class. No one but Demetri knows why he turned to a life of crime.  I mused silently that maybe it was just in his genetics to do so.

After a minute I assumed he took to gather himself his eyes returned to the thick folder he had let flop unceremoniously to his desk a few minutes ago.  The range of emotions that ran across his face was indescribably as he scanned through the stacks of old and new photos, birth certificates, hospital records, school records and lastly Bella’s hospital records from Ireland.

Aro’s head jerked up and his eyes found mine.  “She is pregnant and you are the father?”

“I am.”  I replied. 

“Aro, this is Jasper Whitlock, Bella’s husband.”  Edward spoke up and I wanted to face palm again.  No matter what Edward just had to be the brown nosing suck up.

“Edward, dear boy,”  Aro sighed.  “I know who he is.  I did not come to this position by being stupid.”

I had to bite my tongue. This wasn’t the time or the place to start making accusations, but apparently the strain was too much for my brother who snickered loudly.  Edward and I groaned in unison as Aro narrowed his beady eyes at Emmett.  At least he had the decency to look sheepish as be apologized.

I was shocked when Aro stood up and put a hand to Emmett’s shoulder.  “Do not apologize to me.  I have been stupid.”  he informed him regretfully.

“Now then,”  Aro told us standing erect with a new kind of determination in his voice.  “Where do we start?”

I stood from my chair and fought back the snarl from my chest as I asked.  “Where is Marcus?”

I would defiantly say that this had been a learning experience for me. I had learnt to hold back my temper against a man I had hated most of  my adult life for the greater good. I would do all a million times over if it meant getting to hold my beautiful wife in my arms once more.

We had spent the last few hours going over our plan and if it were executed properly Bella would be back home in my arms in the next 48 hours.

Aro had been more than helpful when it came to locating his brother or as he put it, his soon-to-be dead brother. I had to laugh at that.  Yes, that motherfucker was most certainly a dead man walking it just remained to be seen who would get there first.  I knew Aro wanted to be the one to deliver the death blow to Marcus and Caius but it would be a race.  Marcus had taken my wife and child from me, that was an unforgivable offence to me and my brother’s.  Yes, even Edward was out for blood. Something I wasn’t accustomed to seeing but could understand.  Edward was still very much in love with my Bella but he was letting her go.  The first noble act I had ever seen Edward take and it filled me with pride for him.

Marcus was hiding on a privately owned island off the coast of Florida near Cuba.  It wouldn’t take us long to get there but we would have to be careful. The island was owned and kept by Caius and as I have said before the man was well versed in all things military.

Aro not being without his suspicions of his brothers always kept someone on the payroll in one or both of his brothers presence. And that fact brought us information that soothed and upset me all at the same time. Bella was safe and relatively unharmed and that helped to center me to a point.  But disturbingly Aro’s spy was led to believe that Caius had taken a more sexual interest in Bella.  My vision clouded red at the thought of that vile bastards hands grazing her precious skin.  It made me want to be ill.

Our little fly on the wall explained that the island was heavily guarded by a small army of men who were loyal to both Marcus and Caius.

I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t notice Emmett standing in front of me calling my name.

“Jazz?”

“Huh?”  I said absently.

“I said you need to get some sleep.”  Emmett said, concern lacing his every word.  I knew he was worried about me but it didn’t seem right for me to rest peacefully while my Bell was locked away with two sadistic assholes.

Not fuckin’ likely.

I just scowled at Emmett and he scowled back.  I knew this would turn into an argument and don’t get me wrong.  I really could see his point, I needed to be alert and focused to pull this off but my adrenaline was still pumping and was making his request a difficult one.

I was able to dose for a while, though it was fitful and full of nightmares I didn’t want to remember.  Thankfully before I could put much thought into it Edward announced that it was time to go.

We would be taking on the beach compound with a little more than fifty men, Aro’s and mine.  We only had one objective at the moment if Caius and Marcus escaped we would deal with them at a later time.  Bella was all that mattered. She would be coming home with me or I wouldn’t be coming home at all.

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Bella

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“Mistress,”  Abigail called effectively ending my wonderful daydream.  “The Master has requested your presence for dinner.”

I laughed in her face because I didn’t care anymore.  Fuck them all.  “Requested?”  I asked her sarcastically.  “You mean ordered don’t you?”

She looked down at me, disapprovingly as she tsk’d.  “Now darling you know that isn’t true.  The Master just wants to care for you. I think you should remember that without him you’d be dead already.”

I rose from the window seat I was currently perched on, my thick novel from today’s reading still in my hands.  “Yes, and you’d do well to remember that your Master favors me and wouldn’t bat an eyelashes if I were to break your fucking neck.”  Abigail trembled as I continued my approach.   “You tell your Master that his married and pregnant captive will be down when she is good and Goddamn ready.”

I blew out a large gust of air when I was finished and plopped back down onto my chair as Abigail excused herself to ready my dress for dinner.

Who fucking cares if she readied me a dress.  I would wear what I fucking wanted to, end of story.

While it was true Caius was in fact keeping me alive that didn’t warm me to him in the slightest.  He was keeping me alive for his own sick reasoning.  The bastard wanted me or should I say my physical body.  That was plain to see from the expensive gifts and low cut duds he commissioned for me to wear at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  A new dress for each even and some new trinket to join them.  I hated them all as I had told him many times already.

Marcus had arrived yesterday and called for me right away. I thought back on the memory with bile in my throat.  

“Come Cara,”  Caius cooed as he pulled me along the warm hallways to a set of doors I had not seen yet. 

I wanted to bite the hand he had wrapped firmly around my elbow but thought better of it.  What would I do then?  Swim home?

I glared at him through heavily painted eyes as he begged me to behave myself.  He feared Marcus wouldn’t be as forgiving with my attitude as he had been.  If I had it my way I would blow a hole in the asshole first chance I got. 

Caius had made sure that I was dressed to play the part of his new toy.  I felt disgusting in the low-cut black satin dress he proposed I wear and even more so to wear the pair of black pearl earrings I was given as a gift.

Caius assured me that this was just for show. That he would wait for me to be ready. 
Fucking funny is what that was.

If he thought for one minute that I would ever willingly give myself to him then he was ten times crazier than I gave him credit for.

The room was nearly dark when I entered; only lit by a few lamps.  He was posted up behind Caius’s desk like fucking Don Vito Corleone smoking a huge cigar like he really needed it. 

“Ah, sweet Bella, what a pleasure it is to finally meet you.”  He said in what seemed to me like a bored tone.  His tone matched the uninterested look on his face. 

“What do you want from me?”  I asked him with a scowl. 

Marcus laughed at me in a kind of mechanical mindless way.  “What I want?  I want you dead little bambina.  You and your brother.”

Dead?  Brother? 

“Brother? What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t have a brother.”  I argued.

He laughed again. “Oh dearest Bella, you do. Your real father would have been so happy to have a boy or you for that matter.  But you see I couldn’t in good conscience have a half-breed in my family.”

“Your family?”  I questioned confused by what he meant by his family and I dreaded the answer. 

“Yes bambina. Your father is my brother.”

I turned to look at Caius who was shaking his head at me.  And I understood immediately. Tears fell from my eyes as the reality of everything hit me at once.  The man I was brought up to hate, the man who I had thought to take my family from me was in fact  my father.

I was the daughter of Aro Volturi.

Caius had pleaded for my life, well… for the mean time anyway.  He wanted me for some reason or another.  It made my insides crawl to think my own blood uncle wanted me physically.

A knock on the door brought me from my thoughts and not a moment later Caius strutted through the door.  He was upset.  Maybe he didn’t like my comment about being pregnant and married to another man.  Caius didn’t strike me as the type of man that liked to share.  Well he could kiss my ass.

“Bella, have you forgotten so easily who it is that holds your life?”

I sneered at him.  “And at what point uncle did you believe that I gave a flying fuck. You are a sick-”

Before I realized what was happening I was slammed against the wall by the head of my hair.  The stone walls felt gritting as the scraped against the flesh of my face.  I could feel his body behind mine and his breath was hot and ragged in my ear.  “Cara, I have been very patient with you.  Don’t force my hand. I doubt that you will enjoy it.”

I squirmed against him and he chuckled pressing his erection harder against my ass.  “Then again,”  he licked the side of my neck.  “Maybe you will.” 

“Get. The. Fuck. Off. Me.”  I gritted out. 

He spun me to face him and I could clearly see how much he was enjoying this.  Apparently Caius liked it rough.  Sick bastard. 

“I think not, my beauty.  I’m not finished with you yet.” 

I raised a hand to slap him but he grabbed it twisting it painfully behind my back and followed with the other.  “That’s it Cara, fight.” 

“FUCK YOU!”  I spat at him.

I suddenly heard a sharp click just as I felt the cold metal around my wrists.  “YOU MOTHERFUCKER!”  I wailed as he lifted me around the waist and deposited me onto the bed. 

“Stop struggling, love,”  he told me in a stern voice but even yet he caressed the sides of my face and kissed me chastely on the lips.  I wanted to vomit.  “Don’t make me tie you to the bed.” 

I stopped knowing that he would make good on his promise. 

“Good girl.”  he told me as he continued his previous assault on my neck and his hands started to rove near my center.

My face was hot and most from the fresh tears that rolled from my eyes.  There was no more I could do.  So I prayed.  I prayed for forgiveness from god for the vile union that was about to take place.  I prayed for the forgiveness of my family for not being stronger.  And I prayed for the forgiveness from my husband.

Please forgive me Jasper.

I clenched my eyes tight as I heard the zipper of Caius’s pants and felt him nudge my legs apart with his knee. 

“Don’t fight this, love.  It can be enjoyable.”

My head started to spin as I felt the material of my underwear disappear and the last thing I heard before all went dark was the loud whining of helicopter blades. 
“JASPER!” 

 

 

 

Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jasper

The ride back to uncle Carlisle’s was a somber one as we would be coming home empty handed.  It was difficult and heartbreaking but we all knew going in that there was a very slim chance at success.

It was like a dark cloud had descended over the Cullen home as we pulled onto the long drive where such a short time ago was bursting with happiness and vitality.

The only the thing holding me together now was the promise from Demetri that Aro could be of help to us.  It was a half-hearted hope and I could only have faith in Demetri and that this proof he claimed to have was valid.  If not we would die.

My conversation with Edward had gone surprisingly well and he had whole-heartedly agreed to help us without argument.  It, of course, had me nervous in itself but I had no choice to rely in him and pray that he didn’t get us killed.

 

It still remained to be seen if Edward was helping us for his benefit or ours. Was he genuinely concerned about Bella welfare?  Or was this another depraved idea that he would use hoping to woo Bella back to him?  I prayed that the latter wasn’t the case but I had no time to worry over such trivial things.  He was helping and that was all that mattered right now.

Edward would be meeting us at a small privately owned air strip just outside of the Boston city limits.  Owned by the Volturi as was our jet and it momentarily occurred to me that Edward had a lot more clout than I gave the dirty bastard credit for.

Emmett didn’t like the fact that we would be using any means from the Volturi, neither did I for that matter but I had conceded seeing that we could not fly commercially due to our cargo and our jet was not capable of carrying the large amount of people that would be coming along on this excursion.

Pulling up at the house had never felt so wrong.  The whole family had made their way out onto the porch greet us; anticipation thick in the air.  My heart broke as we exited the vehicles and I watched the hopeful smiles fall from their faces one by one.

Esme was the first to ask and I could help but join in her tears as I shook my head to confirm that we had not found her daughter.  For whatever reason she embraced me anyways and then Emmett and so on.

Alice sobbed quietly in Garrett’s arms as he cooed to her that all was not lost. Alice had done so well up until that point to keep herself together but I knew everyone had their breaking point.

Rosalie was still angry with me, I could tell that much by her expression alone but she did hug me. I guess that we had to start somewhere at building our relationship back to what it was.  I knew I had lost the majority of her trust when Bella was taken right from under our noses but I could only hope to repair the damage once Bella was safe and sound at home.

Carlisle stood by quietly seeming to take everything in with a expecting look.  How he knew we were planning something was a mystery to me.  Carlisle had always been a very cunning man so I didn’t know why it surprised me so much.  Carlisle had taken this different than the rest of us.  On the outside not much had changed he was still quiet and reserved for the most part but I could tell on the inside lingered a beast thirsty for retribution.  

Walking into that house felt like a march to the gallows.  I had never dealt with anything like this before.  I have experience loss and death and I had been in many situations where my own demise may have been waiting for me.  This was different though, Bella’s life hung in the balance and if I were to fall she would die. 

I gave a brief overview of our plans and asked that the women round us up some supplies for our trip and nicer attire as we would be meeting with a head of the Volturi family.  It was needless to say that no one was particularly fond of that idea but as it was a must it was non negotiable.

When the women had gone about their business Carlisle stood from his desk.  “Garrett, Demetri, I wonder if you would be so helpful as to make sure all the vehicles are fueled and ready to depart?”

They looked just as perplexed as I felt but nodded and went to their task without question. Carlisle turned to the rest left standing in the room and with a jerk of his head asked us to follow him.

Emmett, Randell, Conner and I followed him befuddled as we stopped in front of Carlisle bookcase.  It was a section of priceless first editions and family heirlooms dating back almost to the beginning of the Cullen clan.  I should have noticed the out of place book right away but the distressed copy of modern literature was well disguised to the naked eye.  When Carlisle removed the book from his place among the others a soft click was heard and a portion of the bookcase parted from the rest.

A secret door.

Emmett chuckled next to me as he crudely stated.  “I feel like I’m in a fuckin’ episode of Scooby-Doo.”  Which was followed shortly by Esme’s soft call of “Language Emmett.” 

I had to laugh at that.  The woman must have the ears of a dog to have heard us from her distance.  Emmett’s expression had to have mirrored my own.

How the fuck does she do that?

I looked at Carlisle and I had to comment.  “Vivacious, isn’t see?”  Carlisle just shook his head and muttered under his gentle snigger.  “You have no idea.”

I’m sure I didn’t, nor did I want to.

The doorway led to a tight downward stairwell.  We had only made it a few steps when Carlisle flipped a switch from somewhere and the block room was bathed in light.  I stood agape and something akin to a child in Toys R’ Us for the first time.  The room was filled wall to wall with guns of every caliber and model.  I would even go so far to say it was the museum of Gun’s and Ammo.  Carlisle had absolutely everything and they were all of top quality.

Emmett’s thinking must have been along the same lines as mine as we drooled like horny teenage boys over the fuckin’ prom queen.  He was rubbing his hands together and licking his chops in anticipation and Carlisle just smiled at us.

He waved us on in a sweeping gesture.  “Well, go ahead boys. Take anything you need.”

That was all he needed to tell us and we were off like a shot.  Emmett was giggling like a child over the fully-automatic weapons as I salivated picking up my first weapon of choice; the Barrett .50 caliber fully loaded with a thermal scope.  It was as beautiful as a piece of machinery could ever be in my eyes. 

Emmett grinned at me from across the room.  “Carlisle’s secret stash.”

I just shook my head at him.

Emmett checked the safety on a nice Desert Eagle before stuffing in a chest holster.  He looked at me with concern in his eyes.  “You ready for this?”

I chuckled and though it was amusing I’m sure my laugh came out more like an insane cackle.  “Ready to what?  To walk into a Volturi stronghold and tell Aro his brother has been betraying him for more than thirty years? Yeah, about as ready as I’ll ever be.”

At least he had the decency to look sheepish as he wrapped one burly arm around my shoulder.  “Jazz, you’re my brother and if something should happen you tell Rosie and Bean-”

I cut him off.  “Don’t!  Don’t… just don’t do that.  Not yet.”

He conceded but I could tell he wanted to say more but honestly, I didn’t want to hear it.  I knew everything he could ever want to tell me and I had no use for goodbyes.  I may nothing more but an ignorant hick from Texas but I’m far from stupid.  

I hugged him once and kissed his cheek.  “Love ya, Em.”

“Yeah, fuck you, bro.”  Was his reply.

We smiled at each other and I knew that the stupidity that was about to come out of his mouth didn’t matter anymore.  We would be okay.  We would survive and we would get Bella back.

“Let’s go.” 

We made our way out to the kitchen to say out goodbyes to the family as the men loaded our gear into the backs of our vehicles. 

We tried to keep it short and sweet and I had to practically look Carlisle in the basement to keep him there.  He wanted to come with us but I couldn’t let him.  It was the first order as the new head of this family I had to use on our former leader. 

It was a strange feeling; a strong sensation you get when the student surpasses the teacher and yet I couldn’t fully enjoy it because it was not an order I wanted to give.  It was a must.  If something were to happen to Em and I, Carlisle would be all that’s left.  Hell would freeze over before I ever turned over power to Edward and so I had no choice.   Carlisle must remain.

                                       *Italian Swans and Irish Guns*

“So, just how did you get us an audience with the great Aro Volturi?”  I asked Edward if not a little grudgingly as he led us through the halls of Aro‘s home.  I hated being here on Edward’s terms and if the little bastard was setting us up there’d be nothing we could do.

The flight was short but rollicking as everyone was pumped and ready for anything.  I tried to keep myself calm as possible as I did not need to have a sit down with a Volturi leader with an attitude.  It was easier said than done.  The men seemed to have adrenaline pouring out of their bodies and it was hard not to soak it up. 

I knew we would be disarmed as soon as we arrived in Volturi territory and we were.  That didn’t mean I liked it.  It made me twitchy and grouchy and everyone including Edward were well aware of my mood the entire ride.

The mansion was huge as expected but I was surprised that Aro had asked to meet with us there.  I guess he felt safe enough in his own home. 

If you had asked me even four weeks ago if I ever saw myself walking through the home of Aro Volturi, unarmed, I would have probably shot you.  But here I was fixin’ to see the man himself with out even a pair of shoes on my feet.

Yes, our shoes were taken at the door.  Don’t ask me what that shit was about.  I may be good but I’m no James bond and I highly doubt I could ever get close enough to Aro in his own home to kill the fucker with my shoelaces. 

Edward half turned his head to regard me with one eyes as he smiled.  “Carmen.”

Ah, Carmen Volturi, the woman Edward was using in his stupid plot to make Bella need him.  Of all the ridiculous bullshit I’ve heard over the years that had to take the fuckin’ cake, but such is the insanity that is Edward.

My face must have said what my mouth did not because Edward paused and his face immediately screwed up as he murmured, “I’m settling.”

Well that defiantly changed the way I felt about her.  I could give a fuck less if she was the Queen of Pigs covered in shit.  If she got Edward to leave Bella alone I’d kiss her fuckin’ feet.
“That’s nice.”  I told him with a casual, sarcastic smile.  His response was to flip me the bird.

Hey, at least we’re communicating.  That’s gotta be worth somthin’, right?

Emmett who had been quiet since we landed in Boston, as always picked the most inopportune time to lose his shit.  He started laughing long and hard and the sound only seemed to grow as it echoed off the stark white marble walls of hall.  I face palmed but didn’t jump his ass.  I’d rather him lose it by laughing than to go postal.

I think it was the shock of seeing Demetri’s proof himself on the ride from the airstrip to here.  I think we were all a little in shock over it, Edward included.  It did however, make me feel more secure that Aro would help us.  Demetri’s story was legitimate and he had documentation that spanned over the whole of Bella’s life to prove it.

Now I just had to get Emmett under control before the rest of the Volturi guard thought we were insane.  I did the only thing I knew worked.  The Rosalie special (I popped the shit out of the back of his head).  The loud thwack that left my hand stinging reverberated off the walls and sounded like thunder.  It silence Emmett but as I silenced one dumb-ass it cause the other idiot to lose it.  Edward braced himself to the wall giggling like a thirteen year old girl.

I groaned again rubbing my hand over my face.  I truly was surrounded by morons.

We came to a large set of heavily decorated oak doors as Edward - who was still chuckling - knocked in what seemed to me like a code.

Not a second later the doors swung open with ease and I could finally see the man who could bring my love home or kill us were we stood.

He was not as tall as I expected him to be or as intimidating.  In fact he rather reminded me of an English school teacher I had in the fourth grade.  He had a pleasant smile on his face and wore a gentleman’s jacket of gray tweed.  What kind of mobster wears tweed?

I knew my balls were in hot seat coming here to ask for help and if Bella knew were I was right now, she’d help.  But it was this or let her suffer the whims of an ancient gnome and his twisted younger sibling.  I chose the former.

“Gentleman, this is something of an amusing situation.”  Aro said kindly as he rose from his huge marble desk to shake Edward’s hand.  “Edward, when you called this meeting this,”  he said gesturing to the rest of us.  “was not what I was expecting.”

Edward shook his hand firmly as he told him, “It is under the most dire of circumstances, I assure you.”

As Aro’s eyes scanned the room he seemed surprised to see Demetri among us.

“Well,”  Aro said joyfully as clapped his hands together.  “You called this meeting.  What is it I can help you with?”

Edward took a step back as I approached with the manila file in my hand.

I threw it on his desk as I looked him in the eye and let the chip fall where they may.

“I need your help saving your daughter.” 

 

 

Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-two - Tropical fears and Cold Cells…
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Bella
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I can smell salt on the breeze as it blows across my face sending my hair whirling around my pillow.  It is warm here and smells like the ocean.  My sheets smell fresh and clean, not at all what I was expecting from my jail.

Is that where I am?

I don’t know nor do I care.  I am happy in my cocoon of warmth and safety.  Rough, calloused hands work their way up my sides and need at my breasts.

“Oh God…”  I rasp out and I am startled at the sound of my own voice.  It was horse and wanton.  This seemed only to spur my companion on as I could feel the hard evidence of his arousal pressed into my backside. He slid his hands my hips using them to grind himself harder against me. 

I rolled to face him and smiled widely as I opened my eyes.  Pale blue eyes and dark chocolate hair.  The handsome jaw line I was so accustomed to was covered in a light beard.  He was so beautiful it almost hurt.

He was peering down on me; his head propped in his hand.  His eyes were hooded and glowing with emotion.

Jasper.  

Was I dreaming?

He leaned in and I rose up to meet him.  Just as our noses touched his whispered breath ghosted across my lips.  “I want you, Cara.”

I jerked awake gasping and panting for breath.  Caius was there just inches from my face and his eyes were boring into my very soul.  He looked very upset by something and I wondered what I might have said in my sleep.

“Forgive me,”  Caius said rising off the bed.  “I could not seem to help myself.”

He apologized but he looked far from sorry.

I felt sick as the realization hit me that he had in fact kissed me.  I wiped furiously with the sleeve of my shirt and I was hit was the startling conclusion that I had no sleeve.

I was naked; wrapped in nothing more than a thin sheet.  I couldn’t stop the blush that rose to my cheeks in my embarrassment.  Caius smirked at me but said nothing.

“You know, my lady,”  he started not even attempting to turn away from my undressed state.  “You are far more lovely in person than I was prepared for.”

I had no idea what he could possible mean by that but it was creepy nonetheless.

I tugged at the sheet; pulling it tighter to my body.  I was getting angrier the longer he stared at me.  “What do you mean to do with me?”  I asked in tone I hoped came out somewhat respectful.  I already hated this man but I was no longer in the dank prison so I was not about to burn that bridge just yet.  However, if he tried to kiss me again I couldn’t be held responsible for the loss of his male anatomy.  

I would cut his balls off in a second if I thought I could get away with it.

“Well, Cara, I mean to keep you hear until the Master is able to get away undetected.  After that will be up to him.”  He raised a hand to touch my hair and I flinched away.  His once infallible smile turned down.

Shit!

“You would do well to remember who it has been that has kept you safe thus far.”  His voice had turned hard; nothing like the soft silk it had been up until this point.

I ducked my head but what I really wanted to do was kick at him and spit in his face.

Safe?  Was he fucking joking?

I was being held against my will for reasons unknown.  I still had no understanding as to why I was even here.  I guess that would be revealed when his Master arrived.  He might as well piss in the wind if he thought I would bow down to that motherfucker.

I took a second to take in my surrounding and gasped.  My bedroom was immaculate.  The white lines against the terracotta tile gave it a tropical feel and with reason.  Out each window a new view of the ocean could be seen.  If not for being in the situation I was in I would have found it very appealing.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” 

I jumped at the closeness of his voice.  It wasn’t until then that I realized I had moved from the bed to the double French door leading outside.  I longed to be out there.  I hadn’t been in the fresh air since I had been taken and who knew how long that had been. 

“Yes,”  I whispered because it was. 

We seemed to be at a Villa of some sort.  The cool stone glared from the harsh rays of the blinding sun. 

“Where are we?”  I asked turning to face him; tightening my sheet as his gaze fell to my breasts. 

He looked a bit sheepish as he replied. “On an island off the Florida coast I can not tell you more than that.”  He approached again and I had to fight with myself to stand my ground. 

“If you would only look at me as you look upon him you could have everything you want.  I would give you the world.” 

I was taken back by his words but I my snarky side was laughing her ass off. 

What was it with the stalker fucking men in my life.  First Edward and now this asshole.

“Just think about it, my lovely.”  He said with one more soft stroke to my face.  “I will have a servant attend to you momentarily.”  With that he bowed to me and flitted out the door.

Servant?  I asked myself when I was alone once again. 

Not two seconds later a short plump woman came humming her way through the doorway.  For someone who seemed to be in her sixties she moved with a vibrancy that seemed to infect the entire room; removing the dark cloud left by Caius.  

“Hello, love,”  she said as she merrily danced about the room.  “Your breakfast should be up in just a moment.”  She informed me as she disappeared behind a door returning with a white sundress and some undergarments.  

I was more than confused.  

“Don’t look like that, cherub.  Master Caius wants nothing but the best for you.  You must have really caught his eye.”  

I wanted to growl at her.  She sounded so damn cheerful when she spoke of my situation.  Like I wasn’t pregnant being kept from my husband and family.

“Come now, love.  Let’s get you in a bath.  I’m sure you’ll feel better when your clean again.”  

Rationally, I knew she was just trying to be helpful.  Irrationally, I wanted to rip every salt n’ pepper strand out of her head for even suggesting I would feel even a little better until I was in Jasper’s arms again.  

My eyes stung as the thought of what he must be going through trying to find me and God after what he told me about his parents…he must be freaking the fuck out.

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Jasper
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Gone.  She was already gone.  Nothing left behind but a few paper cups and a dead guard.

“GODDAMNIT!”  I screamed as I kicked the metal chair - that I have no doubt held my beloved not hours ago.

I kicked and thrashed at everything in my reach.  I was losing it again.

“JAZZ!”  Emmett yelled coming to try and restrain me.
I roared out my displeasure at being held at bay.  I wanted to destroy, maim and kill.

“There’s something back here you need to see, Em.”  Garrett said looking a little scared by my freak out.

“Little busy right now!”  Emmett yelled clearly struggling to hold me in place.  “Jazz,”  he growled at me.  “If you don’t settle the fuck down I’m gonna’ knock you the fuck out.”

“FUCK YOU!”  I snarled.  “You will let me go if you know what’s good for you.”

My chest was heaving as he set me back down.  I pushed myself away from him roughly and headed to where Garrett and Demetri were standing.

“Jazz, are you sure you want to see this?”  Garrett asked and I frowned at him.

Stupid fuckin’ question.

No one said anything as I was led down a dark corridor to what looked like the holding cells.  They stood back from an open door way clearly stating they didn’t want to go in again.

“Flashlight,”  I barked.

As the light flickered to life I gagged by the overwhelming stench of piss and Emmett vomited.

What the fuck was this?

But a sock in the corner answered my unanswered question.  This is where they were holding her.  Like some fuckin’ criminal.  My Bella had been living in this for almost two days.

“FUCK!”  It was disgusting.

“Sir,”  Demetri called.

I turned happy to be leaving that room behind.  “Sir, we need to contact Aro.”

“No,”  I spit.

“Sir, he is the only way to get her back.”  He said sternly leaving no room for argument.

I had no desire to put my trust in that lying wop but if it would get Bella back I would do anything.

“Do you really think he will believe your story?  I don’t know if I fuckin’ believe it.”

Demetri smiled at me.  “I have all the proof we will need.”  

Alright, I guess we’re going to Boston.  

I got on the phone and dialed the one person I really had no fuckin’ desire to ever speak to again.

It rang once before he picked up.

“Edward, I need your help.”

Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One
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Jasper
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“Open the door,” I tell the men guarding the key to my salvation.

My head is still whirling from the information Demetri has loaded upon this family.  My first reaction was shock; I could scarcely believe what he was tellin’ us.  The next was denial; it just couldn’t be true, and the last was pure unadulterated rage.  I think that emotion speaks for itself.  The Volturi betrayal goes far deeper than I ever thought to be possible.  They have lied, manipulated and ruined the lives of many that no punishment of this earth would be enough. 

Emmett clasps my shoulder and internally I am grateful for his presence.  I am focused again.  I have no time to deal with the screaming thoughts inside my head.  My mind could be boggled later but right now, I had a much more pressing matter to deal with.

The guards step aside with a nod of respect and eve a hint of a smile.  They too have reasons for wanting Black dead even if Sam Uley was not a favorite among them.  They, like us, live by a code and Jacob Black had killed one of their own.

The inner chamber of the Cullen’s makeshift dungeon is brightly lit and the walls are white and sterile.  You would almost get the feeling of being in secret government lab.  Carlisle had done well when he had this room built.  The room’s function is simple to create fear and by the look on Black’s face when Emmett and I enter, we succeeded.

He was terrified and trembling.  As much as I wanted to bask in his fear like a dog in the sun, his fear still unsettles me.  He had every right to be frightened because when this was over he would soon meet the judgment from whatever God he served.  I would see to that myself.  Jacob Black has much to answer for; for his involvement with Edward’s sick obsession and for the incredible betrayal against his self-declared friend.

“Hello Jacob,” I said and smiled unemotionally as Jacob gulps.  “How are you enjoying your stay so far?  Is there anything I can get you?  Water? Coffee? Life insurance policy?”

From behind me, Emmett is snickering to himself.  I’m glad someone finds me funny but I’m not here to make jokes.  There’s no denying that my false indifference to the situation only makes Black grow even more nervous.  I can almost see the heart hammering in his chest.  It makes me smile a true and genuine smile.

He shakes his head to the negative, a little faster than is necessary and I can tell he really didn’t want to think about my last offer but I want him to think about it.  I want him to be scared stiff as much as possible before I started my questioning.

“So, Jacob, how about you tell me a story,” I tell him settling on my haunches almost excitedly and Black gulps again.

 “A story?”  He asks as his eyebrows draw up in confusion.  I can see the uncertainty in his face.  He’s scared to tell me anything and I guess my last meeting with him at Bella’s apartment had more of an affect on him than I had counted on.  This was good and I know I can work with this.  Jacob had seen me off duty, so to speak and out of control.   I was ruled by my own anger that day and Black has no idea who he’s fuckin’ with now.  I am focused; an entirely different beast from what he had witnessed before.

I turned my head and smirked at my brother.  He knew what was happening. 

Edward has, in the past, called it my monster or demon.  Emmett and Carlisle had always referred to it as my second personality.  However, I personally think that the Voodoo Priestess I came across in the Big Easy had it right.

I had been wounded during one of my bigger fuck-ups and I was taking refuge in the French Quarter.  The woman was old,  you could even call her ancient but she showed no fear of me.  She tool me into her home and cared for me the way a mother would.  She told me the Devil had sent her a dark angel and that one day I would avenge her.  She called me Le Diable Blanc; The White Devil.  I thought she was crazy but I was grateful nonetheless for her hospitality.  I might have died that night waiting for Emmett.

With my hand propped on my knee, my fingers drummed out a silent tune.  I started to whistle as I turned my attention back to the dead man if front of me and I smiled again.  “Yes, a story.  I want you to tell me all about the Black Swan and the Big Bad Wolf.”

“I c-cant,” he stutters and my smile turns truly diabolical.  I am expecting this reaction and I will take the utmost pleasure in breaking him.  Before the next day dawns he will have begged for mercy and would be scrambling to meet my every demand.  Not out of loyalty mind you, no he will do it only to make his suffering end quickly.

I nod at him and he blows out a breath of relief he’s been holding.  I almost laugh. The poor fool, he thinks I’m giving up.

I stand up with a pep in my step and head for the metal table that is used to store my tools.  I was gleeful as I inspected the shiny items upon it.  Carlisle had spared no expensive for this little affair with Black.

Picking up the electric surgical saw I started to sing,  “Yankee Doodle went to town A-riding on a pony-”

“Wait!”  Jacob yelled.  “They’ll kill me.  They’ll kill me.”

I stopped as I spared him a glance and I’m sure my expression was akin to, ‘duh’ and went on about my business.  Did Black think I wouldn’t kill him?

“…stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni.”  I resumed my song as I nodded to Emmett to removed Jacob’s shoes and tourniquet his legs.  Once again I found that Carlisle had supplied all that would be needed to sustain Black’s life during the extreme mutilation he was about to suffer.

“Yankee Doodle, keep it up.  Yankee Doodle dandy…”

“PLEASE!  PLEASE NO!”  he begged. 

Sweet music to my ears.

Placing the blade of the saw to the flesh of his legs must have finally ingrained in him that I would cut his legs of to get the answers I wanted.  Poor bastard, he just didn’t realize I was going to do it anyways.

“PLEASE!  I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!”  He cried out in desperation.

I smirked at him as I hit the small blue button with my thumb and the saw buzzed to life.  “Oh, I know you will.”

“Father and I went down to camp.  Along with Captain Gooding.  And there we saw the men and boys.  As thick as hasty pudding.  Yankee Doodle keep it up…”