Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight nor the characters contained in this story.
Warning: This story is rated M for a reason. Language, Violence, Sex. You've been warned.
AN: Thank you so much for reviewing! There must have been some technical problem with the site because I never got any email notifications for reviews - so I thought no one reviewed at all. I was a bit sad and then very relieved to see that wasn't the case. Thank you again for taking the time to let me know what you think!
Now I wonder if that phone is still ringing...
Garrett pulled his phone from his pocket but didn't bother to look at the screen. He knew who it was. And it was no coincidence that Aro would be calling him now while he was there, at the Cullen's home. Garrett knew they had been tracking his phone – had known about it for quite some time. There was nothing he could do about it, though. If he had changed his phone in any way, they would know and he would have to answer to Aro as to why he didn't trust them with his location. Aro might even come up with an excuse for doing it – perhaps saying it was required because they sent him out on missions and it was a safety measure - if he bothered, that is; Aro could do whatever the hell he wished and didn't have to answer to anyone, least of all Garrett.
He watched as Jasper's eyes darkened and narrowed in suspicion, while Bella's looked from Peter and Char to him and back again in confusion.
If he didn't answer...
He was fucked.
If he did answer...
Fucked.
Garrett set the phone down on the floor in front of him and accepted the call. He then put the call on speaker – they would hear the whole conversation anyway with their vampire hearing; may as well get fucked thoroughly.
"Aro," Garrett answered as gasps rang out around the room in response; except from Edward, who looked smug that he knew who it was before everyone else and this time didn't blurt it out.
Jasper growled and Bella's head tilted in confusion.
"Garrett. I trust everything is well?" Aro asked, his voice smooth and slippery – like a damn snake.
"Everything is fine, Aro. I just don't have all the information you requested yet, which is why I hadn't called," Garrett replied in annoyance, which he tried hard to keep out of his tone but most likely failed at.
"Is that growling I hear? Are you that close to the newborns?" Aro asked innocently, as if he didn't know.
Jasper's fists clenched at the mention of newborns but kept his mouth shut. There would be time for answers, but not while the Volturi was listening. Jasper didn't get where he was without patience and knowing the right time to strike.
"I'm actually at the Cullen's home right now," Garrett answered with a roll of his eyes, ignoring Jasper's glare. Why did he have to play games – always fucking games with Aro.
"Oh! How splendid! I had wondered if you would visit your friends since you were so close by," Aro said. "Is Carlisle there right now, too?"
"Yes," Carlisle gritted. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were almost black as he stared at Garrett and the phone with disgust and contempt.
"Splendid! How are you, old friend? How is your little family doing these days?" Aro asked.
"We're fine," Carlisle all but growled in reply.
"Oh dear. Things don't sound fine. Perhaps I should come visit...," Aro suggested, his tone challenging.
"That's not necessary," Alice interrupted, finally stepping forward from behind Esme where she had been trying to get a glimpse at her and Jasper's future before the phone call diverted her focus towards Aro. "Everything is fine, Aro, I can assure you."
"Ah, sweet, dear, little Alice. Is that you? How are you? Have you given any more consideration to my offer?" Aro asked, his pleasantries sickening.
"I'm well, Aro, thank you for asking," she replied simply, her eyes warning Carlisle not to antagonize him. What ever she had glimpsed, must not have been good. "And no, I'm sorry, but I still won't be accepting your offer at this time."
"That's a shame," he sighed dramatically.
"Aro. I'd really like to catch up with Carlisle and the others and get back to my mission, since time is of the essence in this matter. I'm sure you understand?" Garrett suggested, trying desperately to end the call.
"Of course. I'm sorry for having interrupted," Aro apologized. "I'll be eagerly awaiting that information, Garrett," he added, his tone commanding.
Garrett sighed as the call ended.
"Why the fuck are you talking to the Volturi?" Jasper and Carlisle growled in unison, except Carlisle used 'hell' instead of 'fuck'.
"Wait," Bella interrupted both of them, her hand snatching the phone from Garrett before he could pocket it once more. "That was the Volturi?"
"Yes."
She turned the phone round and round in her hand while she thought back to conversations they'd had in the past. She remembered Garrett had told her about the ruling vampires long ago called the Volturi, but had not given them individual names. He did warn her about them though...
"But you said that I should stay far away from them," she asked, her brow rising in suspicion. "If that's the case, why would you be talking to them, Gar?"
Garrett fidgeted under her pinning stare. She was going to hate him. He had already lied to her about Jasper and now, she was never going to forgive him for this, he knew.
"I work for them," Garrett revealed, averting his gaze. He couldn't bear to look at her. He didn't want to see her disappointment and anger. Her hurt. The rest of them, he could handle.
"Holy shit," Rosalie gasped.
"What the fuck," Emmett roared.
"Traitor," Jasper spat.
Peter and Char were silent as they stared at Garrett in disbelief.
"So, you weren't really visiting with Peter and Char then, I take it?" Bella asked, facing Peter and Char in the doorway, both brows raised. The only friends Garrett ever talked about were Peter and Char. It was why she was so confused by his phone ringing when they were standing right there in the doorway. He had described them in detail - so there was no mistaking it was them - but he always said he had to talk to and see them in private... because of their personalities.
"No."
"And the other times you said you were going to visit them? You told me I couldn't go with you because Char was inhospitable and Peter was crazy. Was that a lie, too?" she interrogated.
"I did go see them once. I came here a couple of those times. The other times...," Garrett admitted reluctantly.
"What!?" Char shrieked and Peter put a restraining hand on her arm to keep her from charging at Garrett. "You told her I was inhospitable?"
"I didn't mean it..."
"I am not inhospitable," she sputtered indignantly while turning to face Bella. "Peter tell her, tell her I am very friendly and a great hostess."
Peter stared at his mate in silence. She looked crazed in that moment, honestly.
"I said tell her," she growled, her eyes wild.
"She's a great hostess and very hospitable, Bella. You are quite welcome in our home, I assure you," Peter finally said, eyeing his mate warily. And Garrett implied Peter was the crazy one?
"There. See," Char said, while pointing to herself and Peter back and forth several times. "We are very welcoming."
Bella blinked. "O-kay," she said before turning her attention back to Garrett.
"Was anything not a lie, then, Gar?" she asked him quietly, her tone full of hurt.
Garrett flinched at the sound. "I'm so sorry, Bella... Please let me explain..."
But it was too late.
Bella had tossed Garrett's phone in his lap and run out the door, pulling Peter and Char along with her, before he even finished saying her name.
AN: Oh, Garrett...you've made your bed...
Now, who loves crazy Char?
Thoughts?
**Thanks for reading!**
