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…”

Twenty

Chapter Twenty - Loss
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Bella
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My head was pounding as I struggled to open my eyes and they burned from the strain.  There was only blackness.  My mind was muddled and fuzzy almost like being trapped inside a dreaming state with no escape. My limbs felt heavy like they were weighted by some imaginary force.  I could move but the effort it took seem to sear my muscles and tendons.

Where the Hell was I?

As my body and mind slowly crept back to the forefront of my consciousness I tried feeling around for some clue as to my location.  There was something like a mattress under me and beneath it a cold concrete floor.  As my hands searched out what my eyes could not I felt nothing but cinder-block walls around me.  The synthetic stone was cool and hard beneath my fingertips and it succeeded in robbing me of what I so desperately needed right now, hope.

It was very cold in my dark prison and my body shivered in protest.  I wrapped my arms around myself trying to keep my panicking emotions at bay.  My bare hands met with the scratchy fabric of my wool parka.  Quickly, I shoved my hands deep into the pockets searching out my salvation.  I don’t know why I thought that anyone that would kidnap me would be stupid enough to leave me my cell phone.  If these people or things knew anything about me then they undoubtedly knew who my husband was.  Considering Jazz was well known for his lack of mercy it only led me to believe they also knew what he was capable of.  That thought frightened me more than the darkness of my cell.

If these people suffered some ill will with Jasper there was no telling what they would do to me, to us, to get back at him.

My husband is a kind and caring man but very few know Jasper’s true nature like I did for he rarely showed it in public.  He always played calm and collected in front of those he would consider to be work associations, even some of our friends.  But everyone was well versed in Jazz’s temper.  It was what he was known for.  It took a lot of pushing him -  excluding situations where I was concerned - to set him off but if you ever came to have the grave misfortune of meeting that temper… I pray for your soul.  

The fight from yesterday seemed silly now. I still feel like the jackass should have told me about my father but I had always trusted his judgment before and the one time I don’t look where I end up.

I don’t think for a second that Jasper’s intentions were to hurt me I don’t think the man could ever consciously hurt me.  His silence and his distance were for my own good.  He trusted me to trust in his ability to take care of me.  I’m sure now that everything he had done was to ensure my safety.  In the past when Jasper wouldn’t tell me things I would wait patiently for him and he never failed to tell me when it was all over.

He knew telling me about my father would make me venerable and it did.

In this black Hell I was desperate for his arms and the sweet smell of his skin.  It was a yearning for the comfort only he could offer me and I was sick without him.  My stomach lurched over and over but and I sat there dry heaving until my throat burned from the acid and my eyes were sore from the constriction of my breath.

I laid on that thin mattress for what felt like days.  My watch was taken along with most of my personal items leaving with no concept of my time here.  I surmised this was what they wanted, for me to suffer.  My stomach was empty and my bladder was full and I was extremely close to having to alleviate on myself to stop the pain forming in my back.  I knew it was my kidneys.  The doctor had forewarned me about frequent urination with the usage of Iron pills I was taking for my anemia.

Eventually I had no choice but to squat in a corner and try not allow any wetness to seep into my clothes.  I would surly freeze to death if I did.

I laid on that mattress for a while more counting the seconds until Jazz and Emmett would brake down the door and rescue me from this nightmare.  

They didn’t come.

The blackness was threatening to consume me and my depression was eating away at my spirit with each passing second.  I screamed for a while begging the darkness for a respite.  My only answer was emptiness and the echoes of my own voice.

I screamed and I wailed.  I pleaded and begged for them to let me go.

I was starting to feel weak again and my eyes became heavier.  I welcomed it.  At least in my dream I could be back home.  

Jasper
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I felt lost.  Hopeless and lost.  It had been thirty-eight hours since Bella’s disappearance and with each passing second I fell further into my own despair.  The family tried to be as supportive as they could dealing with their own grief but I found no solace among them.  My emotions warred with themselves starting with guilt and regret, quickly escalating to anger then to rage.  It was an ever ending circle jerk and I became a ticking time bomb ready to blow at a moments notice.

And I did.

I snapped at everyone and broke down frequently. I was a torrent of vile outbursts spiraling out of control and demolishing everything in my wake.  The others told me they understood and I believed that they did for the most part.  I knew that in their heart each and every one of them blamed me even in its smallest entirety.

I couldn’t begrudge them.  I blamed me too.

Carlisle and Esme were with me often but I could see the hurt in both their eyes.  Esme had begged me to tell Bella what was going on and she was right.

If I had… There were so many ifs.  All the things I could have differently, better. 

Alice seemed to be the most understanding which surprised me but I think she felt a little guilty too, even if she had no reason.  It was my order to keep Alistair’s attack a secret and it was my call that kept Bella from knowing the extent of the danger she was in.

Emmett refused to speak to me other than aiding me in any task that would lead us closer to Bella.  He wasn’t showing it but I could tell he was just as torn apart as I was. He only hit me once but I could tell he would have killed me if he hadn’t thought about Bella.  I never fought back against him.

I didn’t want to.

I deserved this.  

All of it.

Rosalie had no problem holding me accountable for what transpired and I can‘t blame her.  She has physically attacked me more than a handful of times.  In fact it seemed as though she couldn’t look upon my face without wanting to tear it off. 

Every second that passed was a new misery that drew me to one inevitable conclusion.  This was my payment for all my sins.  All my past evils coming back from the grave to stare me in the face.  She means more to me than the waking world and it was my fault this had happened.

Bella is all that is good, clean and pure in my life and because of my foolishness I may never see her again. 

I’ve tried leaving many times.  I felt we should be out scouring the streets but Carlisle had pleaded with me to just sit tight.  He had something in the works or so he told me.  I didn’t know what to do with myself.  Every corner I turned I saw her face and it was eating me alive.  I couldn’t stay in our bedroom here and I couldn’t even stand the thought of being in our apartment where Bella’s possessions would haunt me further.

So I hid in my study like the coward I was.  Hiding from truths I didn’t want to utter for the simple fact that it would make it a reality.  My Hell on earth.  

I could hear footsteps approaching my sanctuary and the aggravated voice of my sister in law.  “Oh for Christ Sake.  He needs to pull his head out of his ass and be a man.”  Rosalie spit as she drew closer.  “He got her into this now he’s gonna’ get her out!”

Bang.  Bang.  Bang.

“Open up, you sorry piece of shit!”  Rosalie yelled through the thick oak door.

Bang.  Bang.  Bang.  

“I know you can hear me, Jasper.  Is this how’s it going to be now?  Something gets scary and you run and hide.”

I knew what she was doing.  She was baiting me… and it was working.

I felt my hackles raise and my skin begin to turn hot.  My breathing was becoming more shallow and my heart rate picked up speed.  My temper was flaring.

“Emmett!  Get this damn door open.  Let me in Jasper.  Bella is out there scared and all alone while you lock yourself up in the study like the pussy that you are.  This is your fault you know.  If she dies it’s on your hands.”

That did it.

I flew across the room yanking the door open breaking the lock and splintering the door in the process.  Rosalie’s face paled a few shades in my presence.  

“YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT!”  I cried out smashing my hand through what was left of the door.  “DO YOU THINK I DON’T BLAME MYSELF!”

As I yelled with all my might I noticed Rosalie eying something on the ground.
I slid down onto my knees and with trembling hands picked up the metal object at my sister’s feet.  It was cold and smooth against my palm and the chain that tickled my forearm sent chills down my spine.  “Oh… God,”  I wept holding Bella’s locket close to my heart.  “I’ll never…forgive…myself.”

“That’s up to.”  Rosalie stated coldly but softened as she joined me in the floor and held me as I cried myself out.   “Look right now, my sister needs you, your baby needs you.  You gotta’ get up, Jazz.”

“Bro, now might not be a good time but Carlisle got something.  He’s in his office.”  Emmett told me bending down to help me off the floor.

Rosalie was right I was doing nothing by sitting in here but fueling my own selfish guilt.  I steeled myself for the aching times to come.  I would get a hold of myself.  I would find her and as God is my fuckin’ witness those Volturi fucks will die by my hands.

I would find a way to bring her home and God willing get her to forgive me.  I had to there was no other choice even if she hated me for the rest of her life I would find away to make her safe again.

I quickly opened the clasp and secured Bella’s locket around my neck.  I had a good idea where it came from but I couldn’t think about that right now and do what needed to be done.

“Let me clean up.”  I told Emmett in passing as I headed for the guest bedroom.  I was strong in my resolve to keep it together but I didn’t dare tempt the fates by going in our room.  Not yet.  

Twenty minutes later I was at the doorway to Carlisle’s office.  The double doors were shut and there were muffled male voices coming from within.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out I opened the door and was met by the hateful glare of my brother.

“What the fuck is he doing here?”  Edward growled at me.

My eyebrows hit the roof at his inane question.  Was he really that stupid to think I wouldn’t be involved.  Bella was my wife and as much as everything was my fault Edward played his own little role in this tale.

“What the fuck am I doing here?”  I asked him sarcastically folding my arms over my chest.  “What the fuck do you think you idiot?”

“Are you here to see what else you can do to kill Bella?”  Edward asked in a sneer dropping the map he was currently holding to mimic my pose.

Carlisle hissed at him telling him to be quiet but Edward was never one to actually listen before he opened his cocksucker.

“Because you love her I’ll pretend you didn’t say that.”

Edward scoffed at me.  “Why? Does the truth hurt, you monster?” 

My vision tunneled and my instincts kicked in.  I tackled him to the ground pinning him and using his head like a battering ram for marble.  “You stupid motherfucker.”  I growled slamming his head into the marble again.  Edward’s eyes were rolling around in his head like a animated character.  “This is just as much your fault.  You brought the Volturi to her.  You and your fuckin’ jealousy!” 

I hit him several more times before Emmett got a good lock on my arms and hauled me off of Edward’s bleeding body.  The room was defended by the multiple shouts for us to stop and the barbed insults being thrown back and forth.  Carlisle had a hold of Edward’s arms as he flailed against him slinging the blood from his face over the desk and its contents.

“Enough!” 

The room stopped and everything went silent.  I turned along with my brothers and my father to gaze upon the three angriest women I had seen in a long time.  They stood in the doorway with their delicate arms crossed over their chest and their toes tapping in sync to some terrible rhythm.

“Is this how you plan to get my daughter back?  By ripping each other apart.”  Esme hissed out.  “This solves nothing.”  she said with a tear stained snarl, making an out ward x with her arms as she flung them down to her sides.

“There’s a man here who say’s he can find Bella.”  Alice almost whispered and I don’t know if that was because she was afraid to get her hopes up or because she was afraid I might kill him before I got any answers.  

Randell parted the women like Moses did the Red Sea he had a brunette man by the scruff of his neck as he led him in.

Carlisle gasped in recognition.  “Randell had did you find him?”

“Didn’.  He came t’ me.”  Randell replied flicking the mans bloody ear.  I take it Randell worked him over pretty good before bringing him here.

I shirked of my brother and came to stand before the stranger.  Well I guess he really wasn’t a stranger.  I knew who he was now I’d just never had the displeasure.  “And why, Demetri, would you do a stupid thing like that?” I asked him jerking his chin upward to look me in the eye.

He didn’t answer at first and I couldn’t make out if he was just scared or trying to figure out how much to tell us.  I applied more pressure to his already mangled jaw.  “I can help you get your Bella back.  I know who has her.”  He said wincing through the pain.

I growled and drew my weapon placing it directly under his chin.  The safety was off an all it would take was a slight pressure to the trigger and his brains would be a new abstract painting all over Esme walls.  “Who?”  I snarled through clenched teeth.

“Marcus…Volturi…”  he gasped out.  

Edward scoffed from behind me and I fought hard not to turn the gun on him instead.  “Marcus Volturi?”  Edward asked disbelieving.  “Why would that old geezer want with Bella?”

Edward made a good point.  Marcus Volturi was ancient; the very first of the brothers. What would he want with Bella?  He had no more desire for power and its not like he wanted a ransom.  So why?

“I can explain…”  Demetri wheezed out.  “I brought someone who can bring us to her.”
I looked to Randell and he smiled.  “Yeah, I got that one in me trunk.”  he chuckled.

“Who?”  I asked Randell intrigued but it was Demetri that answered.

“Jacob Black.”

Before I could stop him Edward lunged forward bringing Demetri to the ground with a thud.  “Why should we believe you?  You’re one of them!”  He shouted.

“There’s some things you need to know about your Bella.”  Demetri forced out while trying to keep Edward at bay.  I nodded to Emmett and he pulled Edward back with no problem.

“I can appreciate what you’re trying to do but I don’t understand why you’d want to help us.  You work for Marcus Volturi.”

Demetri looked at me with pleading eyes and I could tell he was begging me to believe him.  “I don’t work for him anymore.”  he said simply and I was getting to the point where I wanted to just blow a hole in someone.  Anyone.

I looked at Randell.  “Is he clean?”

“Yes, boss.”  Randell replied.

I jerked my chin in Demetri’s direction. “Release him.”

Edward raged from behind me.  “Are you fucking insane!”

“Boss, what should I do with the other one.”  He asked already knowing my answer.

“Lock that piece of shit up down stairs.  I want two guards on that door at all times.”

He bowed his head in respect at me then at Carlisle, Emmett and Edward.

I motioned that we should all take a seat.  If we were going to plan a raid on Marcus Volturi we would be here for a while.

I sat myself down in the big leather chair behind the desk and Demetri followed suit taking the chair at my opposite.  Carlisle and Edward taking the loveseat and Emmett positioning himself directly behind our captive.

“Now,”  I said squaring my shoulders.  “What do I need to know about my wife?”

Demetri smirked at me and I’ll admit it wasn’t the reaction I had planned for but then again neither was his reply.

“Bella’s my sister.”
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Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen - The Missing Swan
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Jasper

I was tired.  Utterly exhausted both mentally and physically.  I felt drained of everything other than my need to protect Bella.  I hadn’t slept last night, at all, and I was still wanting to pinch myself.  I couldn’t believe this was happen to me…to us…to her.
Bella had done nothing to these people other than being brought into this world.  She had done nothing to anger them and I couldn’t make the connection.  Carlisle and I had tried all night to find the missing link that would pull all the pieces together.   We wracked our brains to point of headaches and still came up with nothing.  

My only connecting point had been Edward but Carlisle quickly quashed that notion saying he was one-hundred percent sure Edward has nothing to do with this.  I did not question him.  His tone was confident and I was there to see the aftermath of Carlisle’s destruction of Edward.  Edward was barely able to walk when he was put back on the plane to Boston where he would stay until he was needed.

It was now over twenty-four hours since I received the call from Emmet.  Twenty-four hours and I was no closer to finding anything that would help or hurt our situation than I was when I started.  The only thing I had managed to do in this period of time was to thoroughly piss off my wife.  She had been upset with me in the airport and Bella being Bella shot her mouth of and emasculated me in front of my men.  I didn’t take it well.  Feeling weak was not an emotion I enjoyed.  

I felt terrible for it now, of course.  I shunned her when we arrived at the house.  Instead of reassuring her of my love and showing her security. I headed off without a word to Carlisle’s study.  Honestly, having still being pissed off about the airport outburst I wasn’t thinking clearly.

Esme informed that I was an asshole and the tone of which she used brought me back to days where I would be nervously searching the back yard for my switch.  Yeah, she made us pick our switches.  I think it was a way to insure we thought about what we’d done.  As it was Emmett and I who were out in the back yard the most we lean on each other for support but in the end we would just psyche each other out. 

I already knew I was acting childish earlier but Esme’s tone suggested that I was still missing something.  She filled me in on Bella’s freak out in the kitchen and how it was my fault that Bella felt the whole family had betrayed her.  What the rest of my family failed to realize was that I couldn’t go to Bella about her father until I had some answers.  It may not be the right thing to do but at this time it was my call to make.

Emmett and I decided to pay a visit to Alistair before finalizing any plans.

I went on the search for my wife to let her know I was going out for the night and probably wouldn’t be returning until the next evening.  I searched everywhere with no success.  It was Esme who finally told me where to find her.

It tore my heart apart to see Bella looking so frail curled up not in our bedroom but the guest room.  I could tell she had cried herself to sleep her face was stained with tears and her eyes were swollen, an angry shade of red. I covered her with a small throw that was placed on the back of a decorative chair beside the bed and kissed her sweet nose.  The dogs were growling and snapping at me but I didn’t even reprimand them I had hurt their mistress and they were in their right.  

Before leaving I had words with a few of the guards.  My orders: no one was to leave the house without conformation and without armed guards.  No one meaning Bella but I left that undisclosed.  There was no need to have anything leaked back to Bella.

Emmett and I left shortly after and arrived at the hospital in what seemed like no time.  The doctors and nurses were reluctant to let me into Alistair’s room.  With the severity of his condition and how he got that way, I couldn’t blame them.  It took some convincing but when a passing loyal doctor caught my name he instantly cowed.  

I was in for the shock of my life as I laid on my father-in-law for the first time since the wedding.  It seemed he had aged overnight and he was covered from head to foot in dark angry bruises.  I couldn’t believe this was the man I had spent the better part of my life looking up to.  He was thin and frail I could snap him like a twig if I was so inclined.

He smiled at us as we entered.  “Boy’s,”  he said through his thick accent.

“How are you?”  Emmett asked pulling up a chair.  I just stared at him like he was Ernest P. Whorrll.  Em shook his head and laughed.  “Sorry, stupid question.”

“Well, I have t’ say lads I’ve sure felt better.”  I knew he meant it as a joke but the way he wheezed for breath and grimaced from the effort let us know he was in a great deal of pain.

“What’s the verdict?”  I asked him never moving from just inside the door.

“Oh, a couple uh busted ribs, both me legs are broke and they say I ruptured me spleen tryin’ t’ fight back.”

That may not seem like a lot of damage but to a man of Alistair’s age those wounds could be fatal.  Infection seemed to be the worry of every doctor and I couldn’t help but worry myself.  If something happened to Alistair it would destroy my wife.  I couldn’t let that happen.

I sighed running a hand through my tangled hair.  “Do you know who it was?”  I asked him giving up and tying my hair back to its original position.  

“No, boy, I didn’t know about the rest of dat mess until I was brought here.  Randell filled me in.  I do remember a dark skin lad though.  Looked like an ingin t’ me.”

That had me perking right up.  Indian.  There was only one Indian I knew that had any connection with the Volturi; Jacob Black.

I knew of course Emmett and I had the best chance of finding him as very few trusted  police were involved.  Randell had been the one to find Alistair and brought him in as a sidewalk mugging.  Worked like a charm.

I have to say when I saw the message written in blood which was later determined to belong to one Renee Swan I flipped my shit.  The message was clear in its entirety.  Someone wanted my wife dead.  But why was the question. 

Emmett’s eyes shot to mine the minute Alistair had mentioned the word “Indian”.  We were both thinking the same thing.  We would hunt down Black and do what I thought should have been done to him in the first place.

“How’s me girl.”  Alistair asked me shaking me from the million ways I could make Black suffer.

“Um…”  I really didn’t know how to answer that.  What could I say?  That she was depressed and hurt because her jackass of a husband refuses to put anymore stress on her.  Yeah, I can the headlines now.  “Man dies in hospital shooting.”  Alistair may not be packin’ but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t have Randell shoot me where I stand.

Emmett’s guff echoed through the small room.  “Bella’s so pissed at him it’ll be a wonder if he makes it to twenty-nine.”

Well fuck you very much, Emmett.  Way to throw me under a double-decker bus.

To my surprise Alistair just laughed.  “Oh, lad, don’t worry about it.  Dat one had always had spirit.”

Yeah, but if he knew the details I doubt he’d be so forgiving.

“Does she know?”  Alistair asked and I swear that man could read my mind.

“No.”  I replied flatly.  There was nothing more I could say.  My call had been made and now I had to wait to see if it was the right one.

Alistair looked at me funny and for a moment I was kicking myself for not wearing my vest in. 

“Good,” he told me sternly shocking me for the umpteenth time today. 

Nothing more was said beyond slight pleasantries and we didn’t stay much longer than that.  I had a job to do and Emmett was going back to see to my woman.  Hopefully bailing me out of the doghouse at the same time.  Two birds and all that.

I sighed when I realized this was Emmett I was talking about and the more I thought the less inclined I was to hold my breath.  With Emmett involved I might as well count sleeping outside for the next of forever.  Emmett had voiced his displeasure over hiding things from his sister.  He thought she had a right to know.  I wasn’t sure anymore.

Spending the rest of the night and well into the early morning on a stakeout of Black’s apartment was not what I would consider fun.  It was a daunting task and a slow one at that.  And I can’t believe I’m admitting this but I missed Em at least if he were here it would be this boring.  The silence was maddening.  The twins Conner and Alec were in one vehicle on the north side of the street while myself and one other occupied the other.  There was no way to get passed with out one of us seeing it.

It was near one in the afternoon when I received a tip from one of the officers that Black had been pulled over for reckless driving two days ago in Boston.  Black had been released of his own recognizance as there was nothing they could do but serve him with a traffic violation.  The traffic officer had not wanted to let him go but he was said to have received a mysterious phone call, half an hour later and Jacob Black was free to go.  Officer Newton reported strange finding in the trunk.  Chloroform was on the top of the red flag list but it was no where near the end of it.  He also had things like duck tape, plastic lining and a case of water. 

All these items were used in a kidnapping situation.

I would think about that later. Right now we had the fucker and time was a wastin’.

As I was scrolling through the contact list on my phone I noticed I had an excessive amount of missed calls from Bella.

Shit!

I really stepped in this time.

I had just hit the call back button when a tap to my window startled the shit out of me.  I looked in disbelief at Conner waving sheepishly at me.  

I rolled down my window with a growl.  “Are you fuckin’ crazy?  What if someone made us?”  I asked him hitting the steering wheel for emphases.

“Eh, boss, yer da called.  Asked that I have ya call ‘em.”

I’m sure I was looking at him like he was stupid but what he was saying just wasn’t computing.  My father had called him.  Carlisle had called him.  Why would Carlisle call him and not me?

“Yer weren’t answerin’ ya phone.”  Conner replied to my unasked question.  Or maybe I did ask it.

I didn’t know anymore.  I was running on little sleep and no food.

I nodded and he walked away saying something to his brother in Irish.  I was to tired to try and decipher it.

I quickly scrolled through my contacts yet again and made a myself a mental note to call Bella afterward.  I didn’t want to be in anymore trouble than I already was with my little Hell Cat.

 The phone rang once and was immediately picked up by my distressed father.  “Son?”

“Carlisle, what’s goin’ on.  Conner just blew my cover to-”

“Jasper you need to come home.”  Carlisle cut in.

“Why?”  I asked him.  That feeling of dread taking over my heart.  Something was up.

“You just need to come home.  Now.”  He parroted.
I could hear crying in the background and my heart ceased beating for a moment.  Horrible scenarios started to play through my mine.  All of them revolving around Alistair’s death and Bella finding out.

She would never forgive me.

“Carlisle, I just got a serious lead in Boston, I really need-”

“Fuck that, Jasper.  Get your ass home.”  He barked at me.  There were a lot of times in my life where I’ve had to have Carlisle discipline me but it had been a long time since he raised his voice at me.  He knew better than to do it know.  My temper was already on a short leash.

“What the fuck is going on?”  I demanded with no room for arguments.

The line went silent and for a spit second I thought maybe he had hung up on me.

“It’s Bella.”  He finally said in a whisper.

My heart sunk at his words.

Bella.

“What about Bella?”  I asked him with a tight, choked voice.

“Son,”  Carlisle sighed.  “You need to come home.”

I new he would give me no more no matter how much I raged. 

~~~

The drive home was more like Nascar on Ice and I had to keep telling myself that no matter what I was no good to my wife dead.  The streets of Chicago flew past me in blurs of muted grays and whites.  The could have been made of gold for all I cared. Nothing mattered but getting home.

I made it home in record timing.  I threw my car in park not really looking around as I flew up the porch stairs and through the front door.

I did however, noticed the guard I had placed there was not at him post.  Fired.

I never really liked Sam Uley anyways.

I was flying through the house yelling for Bella when I skidded to a stop just in front of the kitchen.  The whole family was there even Alice.  When did she get home?  And more importantly, why did the whole family looked like someone died.

Carlisle approached me hesitantly like he wasn’t sure how I’d might react.  I had seen this maneuver before with tamed tigers and lions.  “Esme,”  he spoke cautiously his eyes never leaving mine.  “I kneed you to step out of the room for a moment.  Take the girls with you.”  he ordered calmly.

Esme I noticed was red and blotchy like she hadn’t cried so hard in her life.  Rosalie and Alice didn’t look much better.  She sniffled wiping her eyes with a tissue and nodded to his request.   Rosalie and Alice wouldn’t even look at me.

It took about two seconds after they left before I lost my temper.  “Well, now that you pulled me away from the best lead I was ever gonna get on Alistair’s attacker-”

“Jasper, Bella’s been taken.”

My ears felt clogged.  “What?”  I asked hoping it was just some misunderstanding.

“Bella was taken from Northbridge around 2:45 P.M.  Sam Uley was killed-”

I don’t know if Carlisle had stopped talking or if I just couldn’t hear him over the ringing in my ears.  It was the dinning room all over again.

“Bella?”  I called.

“Bella!”  I yelled moving from the kitchen to the foyer.

“BELLA!”  I bellowed.  I was moving up the stairs now.

She couldn’t be gone.  She had to be here.  I left her here.

“BELLA!”  I yelled once more before I found myself being restrained my brother.

“WHERE IS SHE?  BELLA!”  

“Bella…”  I sobbed.  I didn’t care anymore if it made me weak.  The girl was everything to me.  My life didn’t matter without her around to share it with.

I couldn’t process thought or sound.  My chest was heaving and I was shaking.  I vaguely recall sliding to the floor in a state of shock.  

I have no idea how long I sat there rocking myself but slowly the voices started to come back.  

“Jazz…” my brother called.  “It’s gonna’ be alright, man.”  Emmett knelt down beside me.  “Well get her back, bro. I promise.”

Something inside me snapped.

I jerked myself off the floor.  This was no time to be impotent.

I looked to the eyes of my family.  “Jacob Black.  I want him.”  I said as I paced.  “Bring that motherfucker to me.”  I barked.  

 

 

 

Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen - Gone
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Bella
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Terrified. 

That’s the only word that can sum up how I’m feeling right now.  Terrified.  My hands are cold and clammy and I feel like I might hyperventilate.  The problem is, I don’t know what it is I’m supposed to be scared of.

Jasper hasn’t said anything since last night but ‘I love you and I can’t lose you’ like a mantra.  The phone conversation with Emmett is a mystery to me but the look on Jasper’s face during was enough to have me quaking with fear.

Jazz won’t tell me what was said only that there is a emergency back home and that we had to leave, immediately.  He tried telling me it was nothing but the color of his skin would suggest otherwise.  Jasper was pale as a sheet and trembling with rage or fear, maybe both.  I mean he dropped the phone mid call.  Now I have seen a lot of emotions play on my husband’s face before but this was…it was just frightening.

I have never seen Jazz so tore up before.  His eyes were dark and his complexion ashen.  If Jasper was scared than I guess I had every reason to be as well.

We were on a plane now headed for Chicago, home.  I was disappointed sure but whatever was going on back there topped the importance of our honeymoon.

It was a short flight but it was long enough for me to get airsick.  Yay. The joys of pregnancy.

I glanced at my stricken husband from the corner of my eye.  He was still silent and with a cold look in his eye.  To me he looked murderous and worried, never a good combination.  I had to wonder what in the world could be so bad to have Jazz so upset.  Then I started to worry that someone could be hurt or worse.  When I voiced these concerns to Jazz he smiled at me and told me not to worry and that everyone was fine.

I call bullshit.

The depths of his eyes held a deep secret and his smile was fake, never reaching his eyes.  I couldn’t fathom why Jazz would keep something from me so I could only assume it wasn’t something I was supposed to know yet.  He wouldn’t hide anything detrimental from me anyways.

He knows how I feel about lies.

I was told during the flight that Rose and Emmett would be collecting us from the airport and talking us home.  So I knew there was a fox in the hen house when Emmett, Carlisle and a horde of armed guards showed up in an armored transport vehicle.

I was pissed.

“Everything’s alright, baby.”  My ass.

Jazz had lied to me.  I’m sure it’s for my safety but the prick had still lied to me.  I turned the stink eye on my husband.  “Jazz, enough with the bullshit.  What the hell is going on?”

I know I was being demanding and perhaps a bit bitchy but I think I should know - if not because it’s the right thing to do, but also I am a mother to this clan - if something is a danger to me and to my family.

Jasper paled further but gave me what I’m sure he thought was a reassuring smile.  “It really is nothing.  We just lost a few guards and we think one of our brethren clan is involved.” 

Emmett scoffed next to me as he reached down to grab my luggage.  I looked just in time to see him roll his eyes.  Jasper growled at him from behind me speaking through his teeth “Shut your fuckin’ mouth.” he told him glaring, leaving me more anxious and pissed off than before.

I watched the silent showdown between my husband and my brother; neither wavering but in the end Emmett resigned. 

Hmm.  Jasper was definitely keeping something from me and Emmett knew what it was.  The question was now, how was I going to get it out of him.  I’m not stupid I know Emmett would never challenge Jasper’s orders but that didn’t mean Rosalie wouldn’t.

“Em, where’s Rose.”  I asked him gathering myself into the SUV.

“Um…”  was his stellar reply as he scratched the back of his neck.

He was looking for an excuse to tell me.

“She’s visiting her father at there Cape house for a few weeks.”  Em told me and Jazz nodded.

Em was lying.  They both were. 

I said no more.  It wouldn’t do any good the only thing it would succeed in doing would to make them both clam up further.  So I rode the rest of the trip in silence; snuggling with Bernie and Miggs’.

As soon as we arrived I was quickly ushered into the house.  I felt like the President under an assignation threat.   Even Carlisle and Esme were acting strange towards me, like I was a fragile Jazz and the rest of the men disappeared into the ‘War Room’ or at least that’s what I nicknamed it over the years.

Depressed that Jasper seemed to be lying to me - even if it was for my benefit - and just plain angry at everything else in general I went on the hunt.  I stomped like a five year old all the way to the kitchen in search of a sugary concoction that would make me feel better.

Ice cream.

I found it - the ice cream, that is - where it was kept just for me.  Hidden in the back of Esme’s frozen vegetables and away from my gluttonous brother.  I sighed heavily as the first bite of creamy coffee flavored ice hit my tongue.  Diet be damned.  Ben and Jerry’s were my only friend right now.  I could always trust them.  They never tasted off or left me hanging.  Before I realized it I was a sobbing mess over three-quarters of the way through my pint.

That was how Esme found me a few minutes later.  I was slumped on my stool and feeling rather silly to be crying in my ice cream.

She rushed to my side and hovering in a very mother like fashion.  “Good heavens, Bella, are you alright?”

Something in her words made me snap out of my sullen mood and my feelings turned to the volatile.  “No!”  I snapped.  “I’m not alright and everything’s not fine.”

I jumped from my stool; pacing the length of the island with Miggs’ and Bernie looping through my legs like cats.  I threw my hands into the air and flailing them around in my manic state.  “What are you all hiding?”  I demanded stopping just a few feet shy of her face.

Her face was drawn up and her face was dulled by her fake smile.  I knew she was going to lie before she ever opened her mouth.  My eyes narrowed with my sneer and I threw my hand up just as she was about to speak.  “You know what?  Save it.  I’m in no mood for your lies.”  I told her picking the spoon out of my melted carton and flinging it into the sink.  “I have no idea what it is you think you’re protecting me from but if I can’t trust my own family to tell the truth, than who can I trust?”

My skin was hot and my breaths were coming in deep pants.

Esme tried to approach me as I gathered my pups but the look on my face must have convinced her that it probably wasn’t a good idea at the moment.  I almost felt bad.  The woman who had been the only mother I had ever known was trying to comfort me and I was discarding her like yesterdays trash.   It only took remembering that this woman; my mother, was also deceiving me.  I had trusted this family for all of my adult life and most of my adolescents and now, where was that trust?

It hurt me more than I’d ever care to admit.  I wasn’t like that.  I had spent so many of the years on my own building up an immunity to my hurt feeling and in just a few months the Cullen family had broken them down.  I would feel incredibly stupid if this was some meager threat that had me going off half-cocked but I knew this family.  Just because they were lying didn’t make them good at it.  They were hiding something big, perhaps life altering, and I wasn’t going to stand for it.

I could see the restraint in Esme’s movements.  She wanted to comfort me.  I couldn’t let her.  She approached again and again I stopped her.  “Don’t bother…just…don’t.”  I told her through my sniffled sobs as I headed for the guest room.  I didn’t even want to be around Jazz’s things right now. 

Maybe I was overreacting.  Maybe it was my pregnancy hormones ruffling my feathers.  I didn’t think it helped any but it wasn’t the cause.  I could feel it in my bones.  It was another case of I can sense the stupid and dangerous.  Well my dumb-ass meter was reading off the charts.

I found the first bedroom at the top of the stairs.  I opened and shut the door quickly and seated myself on the large crisp white bed.  I almost bawled again as I glanced around the room; taking in pictures of all of us from happier days.  Pictures were everywhere.  On every surface of the dove gray walls held some memory of our past together.  In almost all of them where Jazz and I.  I can’t guess why it took so long for us to realize we had been in love with each other since we met.  The proof was right here, in every photo.

I found a particular one of the whole group; another from our graduating summer in the mountains.  The group was off in pairs but still clearly together.  Emmett and his girlfriend, Edward and I, and Jasper and Alice.  You could even see it then.  Our eyes wandering to each other; drawn like magnets.

I grasped the picture tight and held it above my heart trying to will away the pain there.  Nothing seemed to help.  I cried and yelled, snuggled the dogs and sent a email to my father in hopes of seeing him soon.  I tried calling him several times but there was no answer and I assumed he was in the middle of something.  Maybe I should ask Jazz if he’s away on business.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep.  My body was tired before we had even made it off the plane.  Stress was bitch and she was eating me alive.

~~~

Buzz.

Buzz.

Buzz.

What the Hell?

Buzz.

Buzz.

I opened my raw eyes only to shut them again quickly to fend of the stinging pain of the sun as at streamed through the windows.  I smiled to myself.  Jazz must have found me last night and put me to bed.  I stretched realizing that the only warmth that covered me was from a pale colored chenille throw tossed over my legs.  Then it hit me.  I sucked in a sharp breath and tears formed in my eyes.  Dove gray walls and white bed linens.  I was still in the guest room and I was alone.

I sat up, shaking and trembling harder than when I had fallen asleep yesterday.  Oh God, how long did I sleep?  How long had I been up here?  Where was Jasper?  My mind was still muddled and running a hundred miles an hour trying to remember the facts.  I remember arriving in the early afternoon, eating ice cream and blowing up at Esme soon after.  I looked down at the watch on my hand and it was nearly 11AM.   I had been up her for over twelve hours.

I rose from the bed looking around the room for answers.  I got none.  Miggs’ and Bernie were in bed but they looked like they had been walked already; they would never be this quiet if they hadn’t.  Someone had been in here but they hadn’t bothered to wake me.

I smoothed out the wrinkled fabric of my t-shirt and ran my fingers through my knotted hair.  I was a mess.  My mouth felt disgusting and my stomach heaved with its emptiness.  I made a break for the on-suite nearly missing the commode as my stomach released what was left of my sugary dinner and cried.

I was still upset with everyone and as mad as I was at Jasper all I wanted was the comforting arms of my husband.  Where was he?

I roughly dried my eyes with the back of my shirt sleeve; pissed at myself for letting this get to me again.  I hauled myself off the travertine floors and made my way to the shower stripping off my grungy travel clothes as I went.

Turning on the water as hot as I could possibly stand seemed to help the ache in my tense shoulders and I felt a little better.  I caressed the ever growing bulge in my stomach with my fingertips.  I couldn’t help but wonder who this little person was going to be.  Was it a girl or a boy?  Would the baby have Jazz’s startling blue eyes or my chocolate ones?   Thinking about the baby did nothing for the ache in my heart.  Why was Jasper doing this to me.  We were a team; he said so the day we took our vows. 

I stepped out of the shower before I had a chance to duel anymore, it would only make me sick and the baby was far more important. 

I dressed simply; soft gray track pants and a long sleeve shirt under the matching hoodie.  Not bothering with makeup I threw on some moisturizer and worked my hair into a messy bun and headed downstairs in search of answers.  Someone had a lot to answer for.

The kitchen was deserted when I entered cold and quiet as the dead.  The only noise was the click-clack of the dog’s nails against the stone floors.  That in itself was odd.  Since I had known the Cullen’s Esme had always been in the kitchen doing something at this time of day, whether it be cooking or just working on one of her projects from the family island.  I rummaged threw the fridge finding nothing I would deem eatable this morning so instead I grabbed a yogurt and a spoon.  I ate quickly and I had a feeling I wouldn’t be keeping it down for long.

The feeling was back with the power of ten behind it.  Something wasn’t right.

I steeled myself as I went from room to room finding no one.  I headed down the hall that led to Carlisle’s study and I could hear raised voices; two female and two male.  A snarl made its way from my mouth as I realized one of the voices was Rosalie.  I could hear her protesting against Emmett.  Telling him something was stupid.  I didn’t even knock on Carlisle’s door when I entered.

Carlisle as normal was behind his desk and Esme perched beside him.  Emmett was seated on large black leather sofa with his head in his hands and Rosalie was standing center of the room with her finger pointed at Emmett.

I let the door slam against the wall as I entered and everyone stopped there bickering long enough to look shocked.

Rosalie’s crossed the room in seconds and enveloped me in the hug I so desperately needed.  “I wanted to wake you, but I was ordered to leave you be.”  she whispered in my ear as she pressed me to her.

My brows furrowed in confusion.  “Ordered?”  I asked the room but I was looking directly at my brother.

Emmett raised his head only to drop it again in shame.  He knew he had lied to me about Rosalie being on the east coast but I also knew he was not doing it of his free will.

I turned back to look at Carlisle.  “Where’s Jazz?”  I asked quietly.

Carlisle shook his head a shameful look written in his features.  “He’s not here, Bella.  He had to go out of town for a few days.”  he told me lowering his eyes to the floor so he wouldn’t have to see the disappointed look on my face.  

 I was shocked.  Jazz had left.  “But- but he didn’t say…”  I trailed off as the tears flew down my cheeks.  Rosalie held me tighter cooing into my hair that she would take care of me.  I knew she would but her words offered little comfort.

I grew angry.  I yanked myself out of Rose’s arms and turned on my brother.  “Where is he!”  I demanded.

Emmett looked torn.  He wanted to tell me I could see that in his eyes.  “Bean, I can’t-”

“WHERE THE HELL IS HE?”  I demanded again.

Carlisle rose from his chair and moved to advance on me.  “Bella, sweetheart, you need to calm-”

“Stuff it, Carlisle.  You all are keeping something from me and that’s fine.  I can’t make you tell me, but damn it, you will tell me where my husband is.”  I was heaving with the effort it took to keep it together.  “Now.”  I added hoping someone would crack.

No one did.

“Fuck this, I’m outta here.”  I said throwing up my hands and heading for the door.  “Rose wanna get something to eat, do a little shopping?”  I asked from over my shoulder.

Rosalie smirked at me and nodded.  “Sure thing, B.”

We left the study together and headed for the guest room where I switched sweats for jeans and a black parka.  I grabbed the keys to the Range Rover Jazz had gotten me as a wedding present, kissed Miggs’ and Bernie goodbye and headed for the front door.

Rosalie was already there arguing with a behemoth of a man.  He was huge bigger than my brother even; dark skin and jet black hair.

“Ma’am,”  he said in a deep rich voice.  “I was hired for a reason and until I have conformation I am not to let you leave.”  He told her crossing his trunk like arms for added visual.

I could see Rosalie losing her temper and she was about to tear his ass apart but I beat her to it.  “Let her?”  I asked firm and commanding.  “Do you think you can stop us.  My husband would have your head if you lay a finger on me.”  I said smugly crossing my arms in a similar fashion.

The man looked taken back like he couldn’t believe I had just said that to him but to his credit he schooled it quickly.  “Miss, I am supposed to guard this door and no one is leaving with out a conformation code.”

I laughed at how utter stupid he sounded speaking to me that way.  He obviously had no clue who I was.  Rosalie caught on and laughed probably harder than I was.

I feigned boredom picking at the nonexistent lent on my jacket sleeve and smirked at Mr. Muscles.  “First off all you ingrate, it’s Mrs. not Miss. Secondly, you will not try to stop me when I walk out that door.  Thirdly, if you do touch me I’ll have your head on a spit under my window.  Can you understand that caveman boy?”  I asked him with heat in my veins.

If I wasn’t pregnant I would have hit this asshole.  It’s one thing to do your job but he wasn’t even doing his well.  He had no ideal who Rose and I were but even so he should still be respectful.

He seemed to consider what I had said but he never answered me and he never moved.  I growled and took a few steps closer to the door.  “Get. Out. Of. My. Way.”  I ordered him through clenched teeth.

“With all do respect, Mrs. I’m not moving.”

I screamed in outrage finally losing my temper just as I heard the running of footsteps of what had to be my brother.  I turned and sure enough he rounded the corner looking more pissed than I’d seen him in a while with his smiling wife right behind him.  Huh?  I’d never seen her leave.

“What the fuck is going on in here?”  Emmett boomed, his deep base voice rattling the mirrors in the foyer.

“Sir,”  The huge man said with a respectful nod.  “Just doing my job.  I was told my mister Whitlock that no one is to leave without the okay from him.”  The man informed my brother and if I wasn’t so damn mad I would have found this to be funny.  The man was digging his own grave and using his tongue as the shovel.

“Is that so?”  My brother asked relaxing somewhat but he was no less menacing.  “Well Mrs. Whitlock and Mrs. Cullen would like to do some shopping and I was informed by my brother that as long as they had detailed guards they could go where ever they desire.”  Emmett told him stepping closer to me and laying a hand on my shoulder.

“Mrs- Mrs. W-Whitlock?”  The man stuttered out.

“What did you think, you idiot, that she was the cleaning lady?”  Rosalie asked in a scoff twirling her blonde curls around her fingers.

The man balked and I smirked.  I truly loved my sister.

“Forgive me, my ladies.”  The man said through an impressive bow.  “I would be honored to escort you.”

I didn’t say anything but out of the corner of my eye I saw Emmett nod.

~~~

Rose and I decided to food court it as I was craving some serious Chinese food.  I think I ordered one of everything off the menu and Rosalie and I proceeded to stuff ourselves.  As a matter of fact I think Rosalie ate something close to a ravenous wolf.  I feared for my fingers.  She said she ate like this when she was overly stressed.

Join the club sister.

I had tried calling Jazz numerous times in the car on the way over but he never answered.  His phone was off or at least that one was.  It confused me further.  Jazz had always liked to keep communication with me and the only thing I could come up with was that he was doing something dangerous.  But why without Emmett?

Nothing made sense.

After filling ourselves to the point of combustion we peddled around looking at everything and nothing.  This was not a shopping trip it was a distraction.  We both knew it and I was glad I had Rosalie here to keep my mind off things. My little guard dogs following behind not really noticeable, but they did stand out to me.  I figured as long as they kept their distance and bother me I would suck it up and deal.

Rose and I found a couple of maternity stores with everything posh for the upcoming mommy.  I went a little nuts but I refused to become the frumpy woman because I was pregnant.  That and spending obscene amount of Jasper’s money seemed to give me a subtle amount of satisfaction even though I knew he wouldn’t care in the slightest.  It was hardly an amount he would even notice. 

I was browsing through a rack of sunglasses when Rosalie nudged my arm.  “Shit B, is that who I think it is?”  She asked pointing to the entrance of a high end jewelry store. 

I followed her finger and gasped.  “Yeah, that’s them alright.”  I grouched distastefully.  Tanya and Kate Denali.  If anyone could ruin the halfway decent day I was starting to have it would be those two.

“Let’s go.”  Rose told me. I nodded and I quickly paid for my purchases but it was too late they had spotted us and Tanya was whispering to Kate who was on the phone.

“Fuck,”  I whispered. 

Just when we were leaving the kiosk two delicate arms wound around my head and hands covered my eyes.  “Guess who?”  said a high girly voice.  

I removed the hands and whipped around.  It was Alice looking oddly tan and smiling.  “Alice!”  I squealed as I hugged her.  “What are you doing here?”  I asked squeezing her tighter.

“Oh Bella,” she cried.  “I just heard, are you alright?”

I pulled back and looked at her confused.  “Alright about what?”

Alice narrowed her eyes and scrunched up her brow.  We must have looked like to puzzled idiots in a staring war.  “You know, Belly, about your dad being in the hospital.”

The world seemed to stop spinning; everything slowed down and I couldn’t make out what anyone was saying.  I felt like I was underwater.  “What?”

I faintly heard Rosalie berating Alice over something but everything snapped back.  “Alice?  Why is my father in the hospital?”  I asked her firmly.

Alice was immediately ashen and shaking her head.  “Maybe I wasn’t supposed to tell you Bella.  I was just so excited when Jazz called-”

That name was enough to set me off.  I grabbed both of her arms and hauled her to me; her face just inches from mine.  “Why?”  I growled out.

“Attacked,”  she replied shakily.  I shook her demanding to know what else he had said. “Jazz said something about the Volturi.”

I let her go and braced myself on a concrete pillar.  It all fell together; the phone call, the haste to get here, the silence, the lies.  My father could very well be on his death bed and no one bothered to tell me.  Why?  More questions to go unanswered.

“B?  You okay, Hun?”  Rose asked me laying a hand on my forearm.  I jerked away as if I had been burned.

“You knew didn’t you?”  I asked her in a meek voice.  I was fighting so hard not to break down here.  She didn’t answer vocally so I looked up to see her nod.

I dropped my bags to the ground and headed for the bathroom.  I felt sick.  My stomach was in knots and I was dizzy.

“Bella.”  Alice called from behind me.

I held my hand up never turning around as I forcefully told them to leave me the Hell alone.

I knew the guards were following and I didn’t care I just needed some space to catch my breath.  Thankfully the bathroom was relatively clean and I didn’t lose my lunch.  I washed my hand and face feeling better at the relief the cool water brought my burning skin.  

I was nearly calm when I heard the door open from the mall side.  I didn’t even look up as I told Rose I was fine and I just needed some space.  

“Who said I’m Rosalie.”  A hard voice answered.  

I looked up in the mirror and gasped just as a hand appeared before my face covered in a white cloth.  

I struggled against my captor but things were becoming fuzzy.  I tried to take to memory the faces in the room.  One man was dragging in the dead body of my guard and another was keeping watch at the door.  Yet another man in black was stationed at the other door that led outside and I heard him muffle out that coast was clear.  

The last thing I could commit to memory was Tanya Denali’s smiling face as the assumed leader told her she did well.

The drugs were taking effect and my eyes were growing heavy.  With the last of my strengthen I prayed for the forgiveness of my sisters and my husband.  

Then my world went dark.