Disclaimer: All characters are the express right of Stephenie Meyer. No copy right infringement intended.
AN: Who's ready for some copward? I know I am. Eventually I will be touching on some strong subject matter, but for now we'll get the back story as to how things got started for our favorite pair. Enjoy and I will see you at the bottom. As always special thanks go to my beta, toocute24. Sally, you are the best, even when we are both busy, we still find time to be creative…love you!
I would also like to give a shout out to my good friend and fellow author, Bee1982. Her new book is available for order on Amazon. Embrace Me by Rebecca Turley, the long awaited companion book to Notice Me. Order yours now. Congrats, Bee! I'm so proud of you.
Prologue
"Give it up! The building is surrounded!" Edward yelled toward the man that was holding a gun to Bella's temple.
"No way! The minute I put this down and let her go, I'm as good as dead."
Edward wanted so badly to look at Bella, but he couldn't afford to lose his focus. "Come on, let the girl go. Take me instead," he offered.
"Edward, no!" Bella screamed.
"Shut up, Bitch." The arm that was around her waist tightened and the gun was pressed harder against the side of her head.
Bella flinched and closed her eyes, letting the tears that she had been holding back, spill over and down her cheeks.
"You know what, little Bella? Perhaps you should watch loverboy die in front of you," the menacing voice said in her ear.
The gun was pulled from her head and aimed at Edward. Bella began pleading with her captor for Edward's life. "Please, don't. I'll do anything you want, just please don't kill him!"
A noise behind them spooked him, and before Bella could blink, the gun had fired. She screamed in horror as Edward collapsed to the ground, blood beginning to stain his shirt.
"NO!" She stamped on her captor's foot, distracting him long enough to get away and run over to where Edward lay. The minute she was clear, shots reverberated throughout the room and she watched as the man who had already taken so many lives, fell to the floor, eyes open but unseeing.
She turned to Edward and pulled her sweatshirt over her head, pressing it to his wound. "Don't you leave me now, Edward."
"Be…Bella," Edward moaned through the pain. He fought to stay conscious, if for nothing else than to tell her the truth.
"Stay with me, Edward," Bella pleaded. "Jasper! Hurry!"
Edward opened his eyes again and stared at the face of the girl he had watched grow up. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Edward, you have to stay with me. Please! I can't lose you!"
Edward lifted his hand weakly and pressed it to her cheek; Bella leaned into his touch. "Don't you dare give up on me, Edward!" she was sobbing.
"My…Be…lla." Edward's hand fell away from her as his body went limp.
"No, Edward, no! Stay with me, please!" Bella cried. "Please, Edward. I love you!"
Jasper and Emmett rushed forward with paramedics on their heels. It took the both of them to pull Bella away as Edward's prone form was loaded onto the stretcher. All Bella could do was pray.
AN: So who is our killer? I guess you'll have to read to find out. Reviews get a teaser for chapter 1, so leave me your thoughts. I have no planned update schedule, so keep me on alert. Until next time…