Chapter 7

Castle Volterra, Main Entrance

Tris decided to stay behind as he felt the trip into the island was something meant for couples. Bella felt bad for him because he was the only one in his family who didn't have a significant other. Only she had to remember that he had been hurt before by Jillian and Arianna's cousins.

The Night Before the Trip into Volterra

West Wing, Second Floor, Tris' Apartment

Tris escorted Bella to his apartment, but not before getting a warning from Jasper about keeping his hands to himself. Of course, he knew Tris wouldn't cross the line. Still it didn't hurt. Once inside he offered her a seat on the couch. As she sat down he went to the kitchen.

"Is there anything you would like to drink?"

"Water will be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

He chuckled. He got her a glass of water and he poured himself a drink. After, he went back over to the couch and sat next to her.

"So, why did you want to bring me to your place?"

"I was thinking about what you said the day after Jasper's birthday party. I only told you the short part of it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well….first I'll admit to playing the field. Then again that really hasn't helped me in the least. So, let me tell you about my relationships with Fernando and Antony. Fernando and Antony are Arianna's and Jillian's cousins. I met Jillian 4 four years ago. Just like you, I know her story. Only it has evolved from what it used to be. After her and her family left the states and went to Monaco, things went even further south for them."

It was then he saw the look on her face.

"In no way am I trying to make you feel sorry for her. What I am trying to say is this is where I come in. I went Monaco to check things out for a piece of property that Jasper wanted to buy. You see each of us has a place to take our significant other when we just want to get away for a while. Anyway, I went there to check things out. I met her the day after being there. I had no idea who she was at the time. I just thought she was beautiful. Instead of being there only two days I ended up being there for three weeks. It was in those three weeks where I found out exactly how her family made their money, I thought they were flat broke.

"She started popping up with Chanel purses, Gucci shoes, Versace blouses. Not to mention her cousins went from wearing basic clothing to Versace, Gucci, you name it they had it. One day I followed them to her place. Fernando who I was seeing first never wanted to be picked up or dropped off. When I got there, I pulled up to a beautiful home. I thought nothing of it at first. I was ready to drive away when I saw all these women coming from the back of the house. Most of them had on next to nothing. They all stopped and were looking down the road. It was then I caught sight of a bus. Within minutes it was pulling on the driveway and on to the property. From there the women came to the bus as men were getting off the bus. Some of them I recognized as dignitaries' others were royalty. As I was watching, one of the men stuffed a large diamond in the cleavage of one of the women. To think they got their fortune back though-

"Prostitution."

"How did you know?"

"That was another reason why Sam retired from being Senator. It was rumored that was where most of the money for his campaign came from. Although it wasn't a rumor, it was true."

He shook his head.

"After finding out about that, I would retire early too. Well I ended things with Fernando. It didn't faze him in the least. He moved on to someone else almost as soon as things ended."

"How did Antony figure into all of this?"

"With him it was purely physical. Sex was mind blowing, but that's all it was. It was just a physical connection. I thought there could have been more, but he set his sights in someone else and I was tossed to the side. It would be nice to be with someone and be able to connect on all levels. When you get down to it, neither of them were worth the effort or the time"

"You'll find him one day. Don't worry."

"I hope you're right."

West Wing, Second Floor, Maddie and Felix's Apartment

Once her conversation with Tris came to an end she went back to Charlotte and Peter's Apartment. She stood up for a while after that. Her thoughts kept going back to her first conversation with Maddie and Charlotte. Now she knew where Edward was. If Jillian's family ran a brothel, then chances were he was there with her.

After that realization she went over to where her old phone. Taking a deep breath, she turned it on. A few seconds later moments it came to life. There on the screen was 137 missed calls and 54 text messages, all of them from Edward. She didn't bother listening to the voicemails or even look at the text messages. She called him. As before it went straight to voicemail.

There isn't much I can say, but I know you didn't really come to Vrall like your family said you did after I returned from Japan. You were in Monaco with Jillian. The truth is out. We can both on move on.

She hung up. Staring at the screen for a few moments, she turned the phone over and took out the battery. She found a trash can by the bed. Taking one last look at her old life, she tossed the phone into the trash. She then went to settle in for the night.

Now was enjoying a little time with Maddie and Charlotte as they were helping her get ready to spend the rest of the day with Jasper. She was a little nervous about it. She had to remain calm. She had the chance to see a place she had always wanted to come to.

Back in the Main Hall, While Everyone Else is Talking

He had the day planned out for the two of them. As he made sure every detail was covered, she came down the hall with Maddie and Charlotte. One look at her and he froze. The emerald green dress she had on came just below mid-thigh revealing her beautiful legs, was long sleeved, slightly sheer, and revealed just enough cleavage to drive him insane. For once he was glad Maddie loved to shop.

"You are a temptation in a half."

He made his way to her. She smiled as she saw the appreciation in his eyes. Part of her was glad to give Maddie control over what she wore. Then again, she did take her input into what she wore into consideration.

"Ready to see Vrall and all it has to offer?"

"Yes."

Maddie, Charlotte, Peter, Felix, and Tris saw them off. They wanted to give Jasper and Bella time together, give them time to bond.

There was a limo waiting outside for them when they heard someone shouting. Jasper turned around and groaned.

"What in red hot hell is she doing here?"

Bella turned to see what was going on and saw a very beautiful women running toward them. She looked to Jasper who was glaring at the woman.

"I have been waiting to see you!"

She came to a stop right in front of Jasper. Putting her arms around his neck, Bella watched as he took her arms from around him and pushed her away.

"No one told you or our family for that matter to come here."

"I came here to see you. I came here because you are now king. You can change things so we can be together."

He sighed. He knew this was going to happen at some point. However now was not the time for it. Not when he was trying to get to know someone who he knew was meant for him.

"There is nothing between us Kara. That ended years ago. Now if you'll excuse us, we are headed into Volterra."

"Well then-

He held up his hand.

"I want you and your family gone by the time I come back with Bella."

He then ushered her into the waiting limo and got in behind her. The door closed leaving her standing there. She huffed.

"You'll see Jasper Volturi. You'll see that little mouse won't be able to handle the life of a royal."

She turned to head back into the castle when she came face to face with Maddie. She put a sickly sweet smile on her face.

"Oh, Maddie, my dear sister, how are you?"

She went to try to hug her but like Jasper she was pushed away. Only this time she stumbled almost falling in the process.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came here to see Jasper."

"Well obviously he wants nothing to do with you since he's with Bella. Then again you've had five years to come back. I have a feeling that nosy ass mother of yours told you about him being interested in someone else."

"How dare you refer to my mother like she's trash."

"That's what you guys are. Nothing but status seeking, money grubbing, bottom feeding trash."

"I will be a Volturi."

"Highly unlikely. Besides Jasper has found someone far more respectable, beautiful, and smart. You're none of those things. So get over it and get used to it."

Maddie walked away then. Kara on the other hand had to do something otherwise she would lose Jasper forever. A slow smile came across her face as a plan began to formulate in her mind.

Forks, Washington

Back of a Limo heading back to the Cullen Estate

Jillian and Edward parted ways at the Port Angeles airport. He didn't want to see her go, but he was hoping Bella got to see what someone else was enjoying. He wasn't one to do that kind of thing. This time he was pushed to do it. Grabbing on to his phone, he saw he had a new voice mail. Putting in the passcode he held the phone to his ear.

There isn't much I can say, but I know you didn't really come to Vrall like your family said you did. You were in Monaco with Jillian. The truth is out. We can both on move on.

He let the phone slip from his hand. There was a part of him that couldn't believe what he heard. The other part was shaken. He truly thought by doing what he did it would have brought her back from Vrall. Instead she knew about his trip to Monaco.

"How the hell did she find out?"

He thought about anyone in his family finding out, but then he told them he was going to Vrall. The only other way she could have found out was from someone in Jasper's family.

"Damn it!"

It was the only other explanation he had. Sinking even further into the seat, he thought back to the times he and Bella had together. In those times he was able to let his guard down and just be who he was when he was human. She always saw past the walls he would try to put up. Now he was going to lose her to Jasper Volturi.

Part of him had to admit he really didn't want to lose her.

Maybe Rosalie was right, maybe I did want her to make the center of her world and no one else.

In Jasper's Limo

Jasper was telling Bella about some of the trouble he, Tris, Felix, and Peter used to get into. Bella on the other hand told him about how her and Katsu met.

"We didn't even talk to each other on the first few trips to Japan. Instead we would be with our moms making faces at each other. Finally, I told him to stop because he was being a butt face."

Jasper started to laugh.

"You called him a butt face?!"

"Well at the time I thought he was. So, he pulled my hair really hard and I hit him with everything I had in me. He stumbled backwards and started laughing. I started laughing with him. Since then we have been best friends. We've been there for each other through thick and thin."

"I'm glad there is someone there for you to talk to. Just by the way you're talking about him I can tell you're fond of him. I have to meet him some time."

She was caught off guard.

"Would you really want to meet him?"

"Why wouldn't I want to? He was someone who helped to shape you into who you are today. When would you want me to meet him?"

"Soon, but you know Edward never wanted to meet him."

"I want to meet him. While you're here we can plan a trip to Japan. This way I can find out more about you. After all I wouldn't want to keep you from seeing him if you wanted to."

She immediately jumped up and hugged him. Smiling he put his arms around her. He wanted to make sure she was happy. Katsu was a part of her happiness. As he held her in his arms, he felt that stirring from within him again. He breathed in, that side of him didn't need to come out. Especially since they were alone. He couldn't trust himself to not do anything. Only he had to let it happen. At one point his father told him it would take finding his soulmate to bring that side out.

She pulled back from a little and their eyes locked. It was almost the same way as it was when she saw the Cullens off. She watched as his eyes turned a light green. They almost shimmered. She couldn't look away. She felt it when his arms came firmly around her. In that moment she felt safe.

"I want to make sure you can do what you want and to not worry what I think about it."

His voice was a little deeper. It had a sexy, rich quality to it. His features were more defined then before. She knew something was different only she didn't know why. All she knew was she liked what she was hearing, what she was feeling. He was ready to kiss her when the phone in back buzzed. He reached for it.

"Yes?"

"Your majesty, we are ready to come into heart of Vrall. Where would you like to stop?"

He looked over at Bella.

"Have you eaten anything since breakfast?"

"Not really, but I am hungry."

"Stop at Sole e Anima (Sun and Soul)"

"Yes sir."

He put the phone back in the cradle.

"Sole e Anima is the best place for lunch. You'll love their Ravioli di Aragosta in Salsa Alfredo (Lobster ravioli in alfredo sauce)."

"Sounds good."

They were ready to get out of the limo when Japer noticed there was paparazzi across the street from where they were. He thought it for a moment. He then figured Kara needed a wakeup call and so did Edward. Neither were going to be able to do anything about it once things were solidified in the eyes of the press.

Jasper got out of the limo first then he helped Bella out. He put his arm around her waist. As they were getting ready to walk into the restaurant, he whispered to her.

"I want the world to know about us."

True to his word, the paparazzi had located her. He had hoped it would be a while before they did. In the back of his mind he knew this was going to happen. For now, he had to go along with it.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he brought her in front of him. Wrapping his arms around her, he looked at the cameras as the paparazzi were surrounding them. She smiled.

"This beautiful woman Bella Swan-Bannon has decided to give me a chance. I will make sure she knows what its like to be a with a real man and not a kid. Now if you'll excuse us, I want to spend time with this gorgeous woman."

After making his statement he turned them around to head into the restaurant for lunch. The press kept firing off questions. Some wanted to know if she wanted revenge against Edward. Others just said Bella was better off.