Chapter Eighteen - Gone
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Bella
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Terrified.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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?”
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.
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.
~~~
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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.
“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.
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 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.
“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 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.
“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.
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