DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS TWILIGHT, IT'S CHARACTERS, AND ALL ELSE THAT IS TWILIGHT RELATED
CHAPTER 9
Bella's POV
Two days after the trials, I was told we were leaving for Miami. I have been never been more petrified in all my life. I sent an email from my phone to Renee telling her I was coming home. I have missed her these last few days. I'm afraid of finding Conner, of what will happen to him. When Edward and I were dating, he told me once how ruthless the Volturi were. I know they can smell my fear.
Since Edward is now part of the guard and his mind reading capability, he has been assigned to accompany us to Miami. Along with myself and Edward, of course Aro, and Caius, Marcus, and my still apparently personal guard, Felix are now in the air. The flight has been planned to begin this afternoon and end in the middle of tonight. Alice said Conner had been released on bail. Since he probably knows I left town, there's no doubt he'll be at the condo. I pray we escape this with our lives intact.
"Bella, rest while we're in the air. I'll wake you when we land. I promise." Edward said as he searched for a blanket. It felt like I had just closed my eyes when Edward was waking me up. I would give my right eye for a cup of coffee right about now. As I stood, Aro handed me my purse and asked me if I slept well.
"Yes, I did. Thank you. That couch is very comfortable." I answered. I hadn't noticed how dazzling his smile is. What the hell was I thinking? This man wants to kill me. Which by the way he hasn't even tried to hurt me yet. That has me on edge.
There was another black SUV waiting for us at the private airport we landed at. We all piled as Edward took the wheel. It made sense, considering he'd been there before. It took about twenty minutes to get to my condo. When we pulled into the parking garage, I noticed Conner's car had been moved, so that meant he was home; and had been for a while. Here we go, I think I'm going to be sick.
"It's okay, Bella. He won't hurt you. I won't let him." Edward said.
"I'm not afraid of him, Edward. I know why he did what he did. He's taking something for stress and it just had a bad effect on him. I'll never believe all that stuff that FBI Agent put into that file." I told him as defiantly as I could.
"What file? What FBI Agent? Bella, what are you talking about. Before we go in there, you need to tell us what you're taking about." Edward stopped walking and grabbed my elbow.
"Let go of me. You're hurting me, Edward. An FBI Agent came to see me just before you showed up at my door. He said Conner was into racketeering and that he killed his first wife when she found out about it, but he had an airtight alibi and there wasn't any proof that he hired anyone to kill her. But I don't see how that's possible when she lives in Washington DC, and works on Capital Hill. Conner would never do the things that FBI Agent accused him of. He has the wrong person. I know he does." I answered, my voice shaking.
"What makes you think the FBI Agent is lying to you? What reason would he have to do that. You're an attorney, Bella. I'm sorry to point this out to you, but you married a scumbag. A scumbag who's in the mob. I can't promise anything about his safety. The minute I see him I might kill him." Edward said the last through gritted teeth.
"No, Edward you will not kill him, not before I have my chance at him. Isabella, I have to agree with Edward. You married a liar. If I don't like what I see, I will kill him." Aro said and began to walk toward the building.
"None of you know him. Stop saying you're going to kill him. Aro, you are going to be satisfied by finally knowing I didn't say anything to Conner or anyone else about you. Besides, if you kill him, how would I explain that to the police?" I said, rolling my eyes.
"We shall see, my dear." Aro said.
We walked through the lobby to the elevator and took it up to the 24th floor. When the doors opened, I got out first and went to unlock the door. When it swung open, I couldn't believe what I found. Conner had torn the condo apart. I could hear him in the bedroom talking to someone.
"Yeah, when I find the bitch, I'm gonna kill her. I'm going to shoot her in the head and throw her body in the Atlantic. Where the fuck did that bitch go?" I didn't hear any other voices in the room with him.
"Edward, is there anyone else here?" I asked. He shook his head no.
Here goes nothing. "Conner. Are you here? We need to talk about the other night. Why the hell did you tear this place up? Conner, come on. Please, let's talk about this, please." I called out. "Maybe you should wait in the hall and I'll come get. It's not like you won't hear everything anyway." I know I'm pushing my luck, but I just want a minute alone with my husband.
"You have five minutes." Caius said coldly. I nodded as Edward and the Volturi left.
"What! Where the fuck have you been?I've looked everywhere for you. Are you satisfied with yourself now? My law license have been suspended pending the outcome of the FBI and police investigations. It doesn't matter anyway, I'm done. My career is over." Conner began saying in a voice I had never heard him use before. I fear him now, but I don't want to.
"Conner, what are you on? We can get you help, move to another part of Florida. You can practice law there. Florida's a big state. We can do what ever it takes to get you better and us back on track." I was reaching for him when suddenly I was on the floor. It took a split to realize Conner hit me.
I heard the door open in the next second, Aro had Conner in his grasp. "He know nothing. She was telling the truth." Then to Conner, "So you know what happens to abusers where I come from? You will wish for death."
I got up and ran to Aro, pulling on his arm and I started begging. "Aro please. Let him go. Please, the Conner I know would never do this. Let him go. Now, you can leave. You got what you came for. Please just go."
"He now know, my dear. I can not let him go." He stated. I felt like I was going to puke. How could this happen? "Why did you lie to me?"
"I had no intention of lying to you, but I know you have no idea who you married. Your husband is going to kill you the minute we leave. I have grown quite fond of you and I won't let that happen." I'm dumbfounded, speechless.
"If you kill him, the police will look for me. Please, don't kill him, please. If you are that fond of me, you'll let him go." I began to cry, begging.
"Bella, get somethings together. Your neighbors have started calling the police. We'll be back for you in a while. Aro, we have to go. Let Bella deal with the police. Other things can be dealt with later." Edward said.
"Thank you. Conner, why are you here? Isn't there a restraining order on you?" I asked my husband through my tears.
"No, because you weren't in court so the judge didn't issue one. You're an attorney, you know you have to be present or have legal representation to get one and you did neither. So I am in our home. Don't you remember that? This is our home. Who the fuck are these people? Where did you find them and why is this Edward here again? I knew it. You're fucking him! I will ruin you. You will regret the day you jumped into his bed again." Conner spat at me. I couldn't say anything, I just stared at him as tears rolled down my cheeks.
Aro let Conner go and they just left. They didn't say anything else to me, they just left. I think Edward said something about getting my things together. Conner was fuming and he hit me again. When I fell to the floor, he was on top of me choking me. I remember a man's voice yelling for me to open the door. I think it was the police; I'm not sure because everything went black.
I woke up in the hospital with my mother at the foot of the bed. She looked so tired and worn out. I felt stiff and sore in places I had no idea could hurt. My neck hurt from the outside in. It hurt to swallow. My jaw hurt too. I could only see clearly out of my left eye, I could see some, but it was like looking through a tunnel out of my right eye. What the hell happened to me?
"Mom, w-what happened? Where's Conner?" I hoarsely whispered. My mom walked to my side and took my hand. "Oh, Bella, baby. Conner hurt you real bad this time. He tried to strangle you. He fractured your jaw, when you passed out, he thought you were dead and he began to kick you and he broke your ribs, your eye is just black ans swollen. There isn't any permanent damage. When the police tried to arrest him, somehow, he got away. His car was found in a wooded area off of the road. It looked like he hit a tree and went through the wind shield. He's gone, Bella. You don't have to worry about him hurting you again. You can go home and start over if you want." My mom likes to put on a show of strength, but I know better than anyone else that she isn't all that strong at all. Then, but to my surprise, Charlie walked through the door. "Dad. How long have you been here? Where's Rebecca? Mom, where's Phil?"
"Phil's at work and Rebecca stayed in Seattle, she's working on a big case, but she sends her love. Phil was here for a while and then when you became stable, he went back to work. I hate it that Conner won't spend any time in jail and I won't be able to hurt him. That just pisses me off." My dad was never one to show emotion.
Oh my gosh. My life has just fallen apart. He was stressed. That's all. What about Edward and the Volturi? Where are they? What's going to happen to me now? What did Aro mean he's grown fond of me? I have to get to the bottom of that.
I spent another three days in the hospital and was released. I asked my parents to take me home. They tried to protest, but I wouldn't here it. I was determined to go home. When Renee helped me get settled on the couch, there was a knock on the door. Renee went to answer it and there was a woman who claimed to be a personal nurse sent to me from a the royal family of Voltera. I couldn't believe who I was seeing when Renee showed her into the room; Heidi.
When Renee went into the kitchen, Heidi explained to me that Caius had sent her to "help me". "What will happen to me now? Did Aro kill Conner? Oh my god, Heidi Conner was everything to me. Why is this happening to me?" I was crying hard now.
"Bella, baby, what is it? What can I do for you?" My mom came running from the kitchen. She sat down on the couch and pulled me to her. "Oh, baby, I wish I could take this all away from you. Listen, baby, I know it's the last thing you want to do, but we need to think about arrangements; the funeral and the wake. It'll be better for you in the long run. You'll see. We'll get everything rolling in the morning. Did you say your name is Heidi? How many hours a day do you work?" I know she's trying to help I really do. I just don't know how much more I can take.
"I'm here all day and night. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her. I promise. But, she needs to rest for now and you can get things done tomorrow." Heidi said smiling to my mother. She must have put in brown contacts because her eyes color looks muddy.
"Okay, let's get you to bed, honey. I'm staying tonight. Phil has to go with the team to Philadelphia and school is on Spring Break right now. So you have me for the night." My mom told me.
"I couldn't sleep anyway guys. Let's just get everything done now. I'm sure we can find a funeral home now and take care of the flowers and the wake. Conner's mother will be here in the morning and I want to have everything done before she gets here." I said and reached for a phone book. I called the nicest funeral home in the Miami-Dade area and got an appointment to meet with the funeral director this afternoon. I just want to get this over with. I have a feeling Aro killed Conner. What has Edward gotten me into here?
Mom and I went to the funeral home and I picked a beautiful blue casket with light blue satin lining and praying hands in the top left corner, I had to bring a clothes with me for Conner, so I brought his favorite gray suit that he had made shortly after our wedding. It cost an arm and a leg, but it's just gorgeous. I loved him in that suit. I picked a red satin tie to go along with it. I loved him so much. I don't know how I'm going to make it through this. Lord give me strength.
When we got back home, Heidi had cleaned what Mom hadn't gotten to. Now, I have to find out why Caius sent her here. I'll have to get her alone later. Maybe when Mom goes to bed. My face and ribs hurt so bad.
I showed Heidi to Charlie and Rebecca's room, Charlie went home when I was released from the hospital, and Mom went to bed in the room I had given to her and Phil. I waited to speak to Heidi until I was sure Mom was sleeping.
"Heidi, join me on the balcony, please. I have questions to ask and I want answers." I wasn't asking and I made sure she knew it. I don't care if she's a vampire. "What the hell is going on? Why would Caius send you to take care of me? Are you supposed to kill me now? Did Aro kill my husband?" I began after I shut the door leading from the dining room to the balcony.
"No, Caius doesn't want me to kill you. Aro didn't kill Conner, though he wanted to bad. There are things you don't know about Conner. The FBI was telling you the truth about him. Aro saw everything he did. Isabella, please listen to me. Conner was going to kill you when you came back. He was going to drown you in the bathtub and then carry your body down to the pool in the middle of the night and dump you there. His first wife was shot in the head when she got home from work. Conner sent the Christmas cards himself. He would fly to Washington and mail them. He lied to you and told you he had to go to Jacksonville for a client. Only that client didn't exist. Caius wants you protected because of Aro. Everything will be revealed in Voltera when we get back there. You are expected to return there soon. No one expects you to go back to the law firm you worked for because of Conner. I am supposed to take you back in a weeks time. Aro said you will figure something out to tell everyone. He said if you don't come willingly, he'll come back after you himself." She explained to me. I felt like the world was spinning again. I plopped down in one of the chairs. I can't take much more. I still have to get through Conner's mother. I don't have the strength for this at all. Why isn't the Volturi leaving me alone? They know the truth, that I haven't told anyone of their existence. I'm so confused.
"I'm going to bed and try to sleep. Contact Aro and tell him I'm not coming back with you. Tell him he knows the truth and I am going to try to piece my life back together. Tell him I said I want to get on with my life, as horrible as it is right now." With that being said, I went back to my room and back to my bed.
The next morning, Conner's mother showed up at my condo. "How dare you! You killed my son with these lies you spun! I knew you were worthless the day I laid eyes on you. I would still have my son if it weren't for you and your fucking lies you little bitch!" She raid her hand and before I knew what was happening, Renee punched her. She went down like a brick.
"You get the hell out of my daughter's home. Of course you are welcome at the funeral, but after that, I expect you to be gone! I'll send your son's things to you. Do not come back ever again after today! If you do, I will make your life a living hell, bitch!" Woe, go Mom! That's all I could think. After that horrible woman left, I just fell to the floor crying in a heap. My head is starting to really hurt from all of this stress.
After the funeral, I returned home where Heidi had cooked a lot of food. I didn't know a vampire from the Volturi could cook. The food was wonderful and I told her it was unnecessary and that she didn't have to stay. I told her to head home to Italy, but she said Caius ordered her to bring my back or I wouldn't like the results. I still refused. I wasn't going to be abused anymore. After everyone left and the food put away and the kitchen cleaned, my Mom said she would be back in the morning. She said she had meetings at school the next morning.
I went to bed to try to sleep off the headache when I was wakened by Aro.
