A/N Hi guys! Sorry for the late update. My computer wouldn't allow me on the internet for some reason. Anyway, thanks for the love shown so far. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Ten
Lying back on rumpled sheets, Edward pressed his face against Bella's pillow, inhaling deeply, he took in her scent into his lungs. He missed her already. His body stirring at the memories of all they'd done the night before, he wanted her again.
Hopefully, Edward thought, he'd be able to convince her to come home with him tonight.
Over the phone, Jasper released an impatient grunt. "Dude, I can't help you if you refuse to tell me what's wrong. Talk," he commanded.
Edward squared his jaw, mentally preparing for what might be a really ugly conversation. "Okay, but this is between you and me. You can't share this with anyone else. Especially Emmett."
"Give me a second." The line went quiet. A minute later, his voice returned. "Okay, now I can talk."
"Carmen?"
"Yeah, but I'm alone now. You can talk. I promise, on our friendship, whatever you tell me, I'll take it to the grave."
Air rushed from Edward's lungs in relief. Jasper would listen, help him find a way out of the mess he'd gotten himself into. If Jasper promised to keep his mouth shut, he meant it. Anything he shared with his friend would remain between the two of them. Edward trusted his brother to protect his secret.
"I slept with Bella Stevens last night," he blurted out.
Jasper sucked in a breath so sharp he choked. Coughing loudly until he regained enough composure to demand, "Are you insane? What were you thinking? Fuck me, Ed. I didn't think you'd ever sink so low. You're not Mike, or the others, you know better than to nail the enemy," he snarled.
"It's not like that," he shot back. "I'm in a relationship with her." He hesitated. "I have feelings for her."
"Oh, please dear god, don't say it. Don't say it."
"I care about her."
"Oh. Fuck. Me." Jasper smacked his lips, something he did when agitated. "Dude, what were you thinking?" he repeated.
Edward closed his eyes against the disappointment in his brother's voice. It made him feel like a pussy to even think it, but Jaspers words, his obvious disgust, hurt. "Believe me, I tried to stop it. I've spent the last few weeks trying to convince myself what I feel for her means nothing. It didn't work. I can't stop it. There's something about her, Jasper. I can't resist her. I don't want to," he forced out his dark secret.
"You sound like a woman, you know that? Emmett is going to go ape shit when he finds out. For Christ sake, Edward, if he decides you've betrayed the Bràthaireil, he'll burn you. You are aware of this, right? You've seen what they do to traitors."
Edward flinched. Yes, he'd seen enough to know exactly what his people would do to him. Stripped of his connection to the Bràthaireil, of his rank, beaten, branded, and burned before his people. His punishment, his execution, performed swiftly. Brutally. He'd known it all along, and yet...
Edward rubbed his hand roughly over his jaw, his heavy stubble scraping his palm. "Yes, I'm aware. I've done nothing but berate myself for the way I feel. My punishment, your disgust, is nothing compared to what I've thought about myself recently. I hate myself for this, Jasper. You're right, I do know better than to nail the enemy. I didn't think I was that kind of man. But she's not the enemy," he insisted. "Her sister is."
"Yes. I'm aware of that. I assumed you'd forgotten," Jasper snarled. "You know, perhaps it slipped your mind while you were shagging Bella Stevens!"
"Watch it," Edward warned icily. Dangerously. "I know I've messed up. I'm knee deep in shit right now, but don't talk about her like that."
Jasper said nothing for so long, Edward feared he'd been hung up on. His brother too furious to continue their conversation. "Holy Jesus, you're serious about this," he breathed, appalled. "If you're willing to risk your reputation, your life, you must really care for."
Edward grimaced. "Trust me, it came as a shock to me, too."
"What are you going to do?"
Edward made a face. "Why do you think I'm calling you? The witch is here, with Bella. I haven't seen her, but the way Bella reacted when I suggested going to her house, it told me she's in her house. My gut is telling me the same thing."
"But if you make a move on the house, on the sister, you'll lose Bella," Jasper finished.
Edward lips curved into a bleak smile. Jasper understood. "Exactly. I can't lose her, Jasper. I know I should back off, walk away, but I can't. I tried to fight it, I tried to keep her at arm's length, I truly did." He needed to find a way to make his friend understand.
Jasper drawled, "I believe you. You're the most straight-up man I know. You took me off guard before, but I know you. When you say you tried, I believe you."
"Thank you," he replied quietly. "For believing me. For not judging me."
"Oh, I'm judging the shit out of you," he retorted bluntly. "Love or no love,-"
"Wait," Edward interrupted. "Who said anything about love?" He didn't love her. He'd only known her a handful of weeks. He couldn't love her. He had enough problems without adding love into the mix.
Jasper huffed. "You're not risking your life, your family, if you only like her, jackass."
"It's too soon," he protested. Way too soon. Even as he thought it, Edward realized he still held on to the pillow she used, breathing in her sweet scene even as he denied having deeper feeling's for her.
"Dude, I've never been in love, but I don't think there's a time limit. Not when it comes to stuff like this."
Do I love her? Edward wondered, thinking back to the first time he saw her, cold, soaked, muttering to herself in the middle of a storm. She'd made him smile that day. Looking back over their time together, he realized something changed in him during their very first conversation on her porch. Deepening over time until she'd become... everything.
"Fuck," he hissed.
"I know," Jasper agreed, sounding highly amused. "Anyway, back to my point, no matter what, you're still sleeping with the enemy. We all know how that movie ended, my friend. With a bullet to the head for her husband, and like, at least a concussion for her next-door neighbour."
"Jasper."
"Sorry." He huffed out a frustrated breath. "I'm sorry, dude, but whatever I come up with, it always ends in tears."
That's the last thing he wanted to hear. He called Jasper for help. If his brainy friend couldn't think of a way to fix this mess, what chance did Edward have? "What are you thinking?"
"Hmm. Well, your best shot is to kidnap Bella." Okay, Edward took back the brainy part. "Keep her safe, somewhere out of the way, while we destroy the witch. Perhaps find someone with the ability of mind control, plant new memories in her head. You walk back into her life, she's none the wiser. Happily ever after, my man."
Rolling his eyes towards the heavens, already knowing he wouldn't like the answer, he asked, "What's the worst possible outcome?"
"You want the truth? I'm glad you found someone, Ed, I am, but let's be honest, this won't end well. You are a Warrior. Your job, your duty, is to stop those who are a threat to humans and magical beings alike. You say the witch is in Higgins, you've completed your mission. Now, whether you like it or not, your job is to take her out. She hurt's people. She tortured our brother. She can't be allowed to live."
Jasper's words hit him like a sucker punch to the stomach, forcing him to face the cold, hard, truth. Something he gladly ignored since clapping eyes on Bella Stevens.
"I know."
"I want to brush this off. Make a stupid joke. Use my awesome sense of humour to bring a little levity to the situation. Help you breathe a little easier. You've got no idea how much I want to do that. But I can't," he said regretfully. "If you allow the witch to live, Ed, to roam free, killing innocent people, you won't be able to forgive yourself. I know you. You're a good man, with a good heart. You won't be able to live with the guilt. You'd have blood on your hands." Jasper cleared his throat. "If you do the right thing, what you intended to do from the beginning, I can't see a way of Bella forgiving you. For lying to her, using her. Murdering her twin sister."
Like before, Jasper spoke nothing but the truth. After years of being alone, no one to call his own, only his brothers as companions, he'd finally found someone he wanted for himself. And he couldn't keep her.
His heart clenching painfully in his chest. Rubbing the heel of his hand against his chest, Edward gritted his teeth against the agony, wondering if this is what heartbreak felt like.
No wonder Tanya hated him.
"I hoped," he croaked. "I hoped I'd find a way to have it all. Take out the witch without losing Bella."
Jasper's rumble of laughter echoed down the phone. "I'm sorry, dude, but I find that hysterical. You cannot come back from this. You can't murder her sister and stand a chance in hell of earning her forgiveness. Curse or no curse, there are some things you just can't come back from. I'm sorry."
"I know you are." His stupid heart rebelling at the idea of losing her, he asked hopefully, "So, do you know a mind controlling witch?"
Jasper snickered. "I'll see what I can do. I do think there might be someone who could help you. Someone who may just be able to save your ass."
"Who?" He demanded, sitting up straight.
"Emmett. Talk to him. Ask for his help."
Edward slumped back against the pillows. "I can't do that."
"I know he's our boss, but he's also your friend. If he can help in any way, he will."
"Please," Edward scoffed. "He'd be at Bella's door before I finished the sentence."
"Or he might just surprise you. You've got a lot of friends in high places, Ed2. Friends who are willing to do you a favour. Go to them, ask for help. I can't help you when it comes to this, but others might."
"I don't know if I'm willing to risk it. I don't just risk hurting her feelings, Jasper. I risk losing her. You're right, I lied to her, used her. How can I be sure, even with some magical fix, she won't walk away from me?"
"You don't. It's a risk. Look, take some time. Think it over. Only you and I know the truth. Think about this, then follow my advice. Talk to Emmett. Have I ever let you down?"
"No," he answered grudgingly. Not once, in all the years they'd known one another, had Jasper ever let him down.
"Exactly. I am made of stupendousness. Trust me."
"Is that even a word?"
"Don't question me, bro. Listen to me. Think about it okay?"
"I will," he promised.
"Good. Now, go away. I think, if I'm fast enough, I can get back to my room, get in one more round with Carmen before she sneaks off to her bedroom. It's so funny, dude. At night, she can't keep her hands off me, but during the day she acts as if I'm invisible."
"Sound's hilarious."
"It is. When she comes to me at night, she feels so guilty. I let her. I also let her please me in various ways to make up for it."
"When really you couldn't give a shit if she spoke to you in the day, because you've got more important things on your mind. Like reading your online fan theories."
"Exactly. Catch you later, bro."
Feeling somewhat better after finally sharing his secret, he hung up.
By keeping his mouth shut, Edward thought, he held power over the situation. If he took Jasper's advice, asked Emmett for help, he'd lose control. Emmett would most likely declare war on the witch. Bella potentially hurt, or killed, in the crossfire.
No. Going to Emmett could only be a last resort. He'd call his boss if there was no other way.
Please, he prayed. Let there be another way.
#
With a violent slash of her hand over the bowl of water, Carmen banished the image of Jasper in his bathroom from sight.
Edward Campbell in love with a witch?
Carmen hadn't heard the entire conversation, but she gained enough information.
She woke to find Jasper gone. Strange, usually she tip-toed out of the room while he slept. Call it intuition, or curiosity, but something made her reach for the nearest bowl, filling it with water. A trick she mastered over the years, she conjured his image in the clear liquid within seconds.
Spying on Jasper's conversation, Edward's rumbling voice coming through loud and clear, her jaw dropped in disbelief. Edward, the infamous Warrior, a man who callously shattered Tanya's heart, claimed to love the sister of a monster. Believed her worth the risk to his reputation, his life. She knew how the Bràthaireil dealt with those who betrayed them. Their brand of justice brutal, bloody. Yet, he'd sacrifice his life, the name he created for himself, for the cursed sister of a beast he currently hunted.
Any other time, it might appeal to the romantic within her, but Edward injured her friend. He used Tanya for sex, then discarded her like a used tissue. He knew she wanted more, knew she loved him, yet walked away without a single thought for the woman he left behind. Who loved him even to this day.
He deserves everything coming to him, Carmen thought, her lips firming into a hard line.
She wanted to run to Emmett, the commander of the Bràthaireil, but forced herself to stop. To think.
No, running to Emmett wouldn't work, she realized. He wouldn't believe her. He'd call her a liar. And from what she gathered from their conversation, her ex-lover intended to help his friend. He'd agree with Emmett, claim she made the whole thing up, to protect his friend's secret.
Glowering at the bowl in her hands, she pictured his smirking face. The little prick made her feel like crap for using him. Well, that ended now.
Pulling on her dress, hiding the bowl away, she quickly exited his room. Making sure no one saw her, of course. She didn't want everyone aware of the fact she'd been screwing the oddest member of the Bràthaireil.
Carmen rushed along the wide hallways until she reached the other side of the house. Finally arriving at the bedroom she shared with Tanya.
Stepping inside, she found her sister in everything but blood, sitting on her bed, combing her long blond hair. Edward preferred a frumpy little bitch over a beauty like Tanya? No accounting for taste, she supposed.
Carmen remembered the night Tanya knocked at her door, tears flowing down her cheeks. Tanya told her everything. From the start of the affair, to the end, when he ended their relationship so cruelly.
Now Tanya would get her revenge. Hurt the man who treated her with such disregard to this day. Petty, she knew, but didn't care. He not only hurt her sister, he betrayed them all with his lies. Caring for the sister, plotting a way to get everything he wanted, despite the crimes he planned to commit against his people...
Edward would to pay for his sins.
"What is it?" Tanya demanded. "Why are you staring at me?"
Carmen smirked. "I have some news for you. You're going to love it."
#
Two days after her birthday, Bella remained on her cloud of happiness. What did she have to complain about? She spent most the last forty-eight hours with man who made her heart flutter in her chest and her body tremble. On top of that, things between her and Jessica were better than ever. Since their heart to heart, the curse, and all it represented, wasn't such an issue anymore.
Everything now out in the open, they knew where the other stood. They'd never agree on certain things, but if it meant staying in each other's lives, they'd talk it through, and find a compromise. Try their best not to judge the other for their actions.
The day before, Bella collected the ingredients on Jessica's list, watching her sister with interest as she chanted in a language she'd never heard before. Chanting over, Louse hung herbs along the doorway, burning an incense throughout the house, while Bella gagged at the foul stench.
Bella doubted burning a stick could hide her twin's presence from Carlisle, but Jessica's confidence in the results never wavered. Sunday would go by without a hitch, she promised.
Bella's anxiety rose as the day drew closer. She didn't want to lie to Carlisle, or hide thing's from him, but the idea of losing her sister, waiting another twenty-eight years before they saw each other again… No. She refused. If the only way to keep them together meant lying to the man who loved them, protected them, then so be it.
In the meantime, Bella went to work, spent time with her sister, making up for almost three decades of separation. And she fell a little deeper for Edward Campbell with each passing moment.
When Bella realized how deep her feelings for him ran, it didn't frighten her, or shock her to her very core. A bolt of lightning didn't strike her one day as they strolled hand in hand down the street. The knowledge came to her like a soft, cool breeze on a hot summer's day. Refreshing, and more than welcome.
Sometimes, when he looked at her with his heart in his eyes, she wanted to tell him everything. To put an end to the lies she created. But every time she parted her lips to the speak the words, she choked.
Bella believed Jacob loved her. He asked her to spend the rest of her life with him, but his love hadn't been enough. He'd known her almost his entire life, yet he'd refused to accept her.
What if Edward reacted the same way? What if this kind, sweet, dreamy man, couldn't handle it? Stood with a horrified expression on his face, flinching at her touch? Told her to leave?
No, she couldn't risk it. She'd rather enjoy the now, with the hope that, someday, he might accept her. Better to dream, than to know the truth and get her heart torn in two. Again.
Tonight, Edward asked her to join him on a moonlit picnic. Another cliché he wanted to try out, he told her. Who was she to deny him the chance to romance the pants off her?
His words, not hers.
The last couple of nights were eye opening for Bella. With Jacob, the sex was good. Great, even. Bella assumed she'd never feel so comfortable with a man again. Feared she'd never reach the same levels of intimacy with anyone other than Jacob.
Edward happily proved her wrong.
Jacob mostly enjoyed one position; him on top while she tried to find to find a seductive way of telling him to get off her hair. He liked her to act sexy, but only to a certain degree. After all, she was his childhood friend, his future wife. The future mother of his children. The mother of his children didn't talk dirty or play footsie beneath the table during a double date.
Jacob hadn't been eager to handcuff his future wife to the bed while he drove her out of her mind. Or encouraged her to speak of her deepest, darkest fantasies in the bedroom.
Edward did. He took her to new heights. Encouraged her to try new things, embrace her sexuality.
No threesomes with men, of course, he'd added roughly. Even someone as sexually liberated as Edward drew the line at that. She frowned, questioning if he'd be more open to a threesome if another woman was involved, dreading his response. She didn't want anyone else, only him. But if he wanted to bring another woman into the bedroom, she needed to know now. No way in hell could he fantasise about other women, possibly suggest inviting one over, and forbid her from doing the same.
Edward looked puzzled, wondering aloud why he'd want anyone else. He didn't need another woman to excite him during sex, he claimed. He enjoyed the intimacy. Knowing he could do, or ask, for anything and she trusted him to make sure she enjoyed it. That's what turned him on, thrilled him, he added, not multiple partners.
Bella still didn't believe him. What man didn't want a threesome? When she voiced that thought the night before, he flipped her onto her back, tied her hands above her head, and set about proving to her there was only one woman he wanted.
Every time with him felt like the first time. He drove her out of her mind, pushed her so high she feared she'd die from pleasure. In a few short day's he'd become a drug she would never dream of kicking. Bella finally understood why people were so obsessed with sex.
He better bring a blanket, she thought, picturing the two of them sitting on the cold, hard ground. The idea of getting naked in the middle of nowhere, with all kinds of tiny insects directly beneath her, made her skin crawl.
Tonight's location may be a surprise, but Edward allowed her to tag along when selecting the menu. Bella didn't care, she'd eat anything put in front of her, but she did, however, like strolling hand in hand with him the grocery store where he asked her out.
"We can't bring ice cream on a picnic," he objected.
"Why not?" She loved ice cream.
"Because you'll only eat half of it. Then it's going to melt all over the place," he reasoned as he carted an overfilled basket in his hand.
"Please," Bella scoffed. Only eat half? Obviously, he didn't know her very well. "I will eat every last bite, don't you worry about that. You just worry about bug spray. I swear, Edward, if I suffer so much as one bite, I will climb in your car, and drive off without you. Leaving you alone to get hacked to death by deranged killers."
Dipping his head, Edward nipped at her neck. Lingering there to do a little nuzzling. Laughing when she shivered. "Not even one bite? What if it's from me? Not bugs or deranged, cannibalistic killers."
"We're adding cannibalism to the mix?"
"Yeah." He nipped at the sensitive skin on her neck a second time. She let out a dreamy sigh, closing her eyes as she ran her fingers down his spine.
"Fine," she murmured. "But only you. If anyone else comes along looking to take a piece, I'm running. Please believe me when I tell you, I will trip you up so the killers get to you first."
"That's pretty harsh." He chuckled, his warm breath tickling her.
"Survival isn't pretty, Edward." Easing back, she took his hand, continuing their slow stroll down the aisles. "Speaking of survival, I noticed this morning we're running a little low on protection. Since I grew up here, and the woman working the check-out is friends with my mother, you're going to have to get them," she said with a friendly pat on his shoulder.
"Me? That's not fair."
"Look, we can stand here all day fighting about it, or you can just go get them now. Because I'm not willing to suffer through the knowing looks, or the conversation with my mother when she finds out I'm buying condoms. I can't go through that, not again. Once is more than enough. I also take protection very seriously. No glove, no love, dude. Sorry."
Edward, grunting, brushed a kiss across her jaw, then turned, trudging away from her. Bella grinned. She'd stay here, thank you very much.
Humming, she inspected the selection of ice cream before her, deciding which tub to buy, when a hand come down to rest on her shoulder. Assuming he'd returned from the condom section, she turned with a smirk, a taunt ready on her lips.
Her smirk quickly replaced with one of welcome when she noted who stood behind her. "Hey Jacob."
Stony faced, he didn't offer her a smile. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Taken a little off guard by his sober tone, she nodded. "Umm, sure. Go ahead. Is everything okay?"
"Are you still dating this Campbell guy?" he asked bluntly.
Bella held his gaze, wondering why he sounded so upset. "Yes. I am. Why?"
"I hear you've been spending a lot of time at the inn. With him. The gossips tell me you don't leave until morning. And when you're out together, you're all over him." His dark eyes narrowed accusingly.
Is he for real? Jessica fumed. Don't you dare stand silently while he implies you're a slut.
I won't. She promised her sister. I can handle this.
Jessica grumbled. And while she backed off, Bella could feel her in the back of her mind, watching.
Squaring her shoulders, Bella replied, "Yes, I have been spending the last few night's with him. Which I'm allowed to do. I'm single. I'm of age. And I enjoy his company. I'm not doing anything wrong, Jacob. What's your problem?"
Dark eyes held hers. "I don't like it. That's the problem. You're sleeping with him already? He's been here, what? A month?"
Hurt stole her breath, humiliation heating her cheeks, she wished for the ability to defend herself. She wanted to resent him for his double standards. Maybe if she could hurl abuse at him, she wouldn't be standing in the freezer section, holding back tears.
Bella didn't wish it for long, her curse rearing its ugly head, she soon saw things from his point of view. He just found out she'd slept with another man. It must hurt him to realize she'd moved on. Jacob didn't know the truth about what happened last year. He didn't know he ended their relationship, not her…
Bella placed gently her hand on his.
'It's okay, Jacob."
Flinching at her touch, Jacob yanked away from her touch as if electrified, demanding harshly, 'What are you?' He pushed to his feet. Taking a step back, then another, until his back pressed against the refrigerator door.
He's just in shock, she told herself, setting the kitchen table on the ground. As soon as he calmed down, he'd stop looking at her as if he'd never seen her before. As if he feared her.
'I'm a witch. I can do thing's others can't, like lift the kitchen table with my mind. But I'm still me,' she added, taking a step towards him.
'Stay back,' he snapped, holding up his hand to ward her off.
Bella winced. 'Okay,' she agreed. 'I won't come any closer. Nothing's changed, Jacob. I'm still me.' Her gaze holding his, silently pleading with him to understand. To step away from the refrigerator and come back to her.
Jacob shook his head furiously. 'No. You're not. I thought you were the girl of my dreams, not a freak of nature.'
It stung, Bella admitted, but what did she expect? She'd thrown this on him, after all. He just needed time. He didn't mean it.
'Jacob,' she tried again. 'I'm still me. We're still us. I know you need time to adjust. I know your upset that I didn't tell you sooner, but,' she began.
'Sooner?' he burst out. 'I wish you never told me. Why did you?'
'Because we're getting married,' she answered quietly. 'I didn't want to lie to you anymore. I didn't want to hide from you. There are enough hardships that come along with marriage without adding a secret this big to it.'
'What about our children? Will they be like you?'
Bella wanted nothing more than to give him the answer he so desperately wanted. But she promised herself to tell him the truth. All of it. 'Yes. They'll be like me.'
'Get out.'
Bella blinked, positive she heard him wrong. 'What did you say?'
He took a step towards her, disgust replacing the fear in his dark eyes. 'I said, get out. I don't want you here.'
'You don't mean that," she protested, tears filling her eyes.
This wasn't supposed to happen. Yes, he'd be shocked. Maybe a little angry because she kept something so huge from him. But then he'd see it didn't change anything. It just meant he didn't need to do any heavy lifting around the house from now on.
He'd calm down and pull her into his arms. Squeezing tight, just once, the way he always did, and then he'd kiss her.
When she imagined how their conversation might go, he didn't call her a freak. Or tell her he didn't want her.
No, this couldn't be happening. Jacob loved her. Promised to always love her, no matter what.
'Jacob,' she breathed.
'I want you out, Bella. I want you out of this apartment, out of my life. And I want my grandmother's ring back.'
She curled her left hand into a tight fist. 'No,' she whispered. 'Please, Jacob, just take some time to think things through. We can work this out.'
He glared down at her. Always warm, his dark gaze became as cold and as unfeeling as ice. 'I don't want to work things out with you. You're a freak, Bella. What you just did, it's unnatural. You're unnatural.'
'No, I'm not. I can just do things others can't. I'm not a freak. Jacob, it's me. I'm still the same person you came home to ten minutes ago. Remember? When you walked through the door, asking if I wanted to fool around in the shower before dinner. I'm still that girl. Why can't you see that?'
'Because you're not. You are not the woman I asked to marry me. I don't want this, Bella. I don't want a witch for a girlfriend. I sure as hell don't want one for a wife. Give me the ring.'
'I'll stop.' Desperate, she continued. 'I won't use my gifts. I'll stop, Jacob, I promise. I'll find a way to get rid of my gifts. I swear, I will. Please, don't ask me to leave.'
'I'm not asking," he replied firmly. "You can't change what you are, Bella. I can't pretend what you can do doesn't disgust me."
'Why? Why does it disgust you? I can move a few things, who cares? We love each other, that's all that matters.'
'You're not human, Bella. It matters to me. Our children won't be human. It matters.' He held out his hand. 'Give me my grandmother's ring. It doesn't belong to you. If you don't, if you don't get out of this house and stay away from me, I'll tell everyone what you are.'
Jacob's threat sealed his fate. Destroyed their chance of a future together. Slowly, as if observing through someone else's eyes, she pulled the symbol of their love, their future, from her finger, placing it in his palm.
With tears streaming miserably down her face, she turned and walked out the door.
No, Bella thought, Jacob didn't know why she walked away from him. It didn't matter if he found solace in the arms of another woman, he believed she betrayed him.
"Jacob," she began, placing a hand on lightly his muscular arm. "I know you're confused, upset, but trust me, I know what I'm doing. I care a great deal for Edward, or I wouldn't be spending time with him. He cares about me, too. I know he does. I understand you're just looking out for me. I'm grateful you care so much, I really am, but I'm fine. I promise."
Jacob shook his head, disapproval heavy in expression and tone. "You're wrong. You're playing with fire, Bella. Earning a name for yourself."
"What name is that?" Edward rumbled dangerously from behind her.
Bella bit her lip nervously. He sounded mad. Like, really mad.
Jacob must have thought the same thing. Stepping back, he broke their contact. "I'm just warning Bella about what people are saying about her," he said defensively.
His hand came down to rest of her shoulder protectively. Possessively. "How nice of you. Are you one of those people?" Edward asked tightly.
"No," Jacob replied, unable to keep eye contact with furious male. Putting space between them, he glanced at her. "I've warned you, Bella. You know I don't think those things, but word spread's."
"And reputation's stick?" Edward snarled. "Why don't you do us all a favour, deputy." He managed to make the title sound small. Silly. "Why don't you go back to patrolling the dangerous streets of Higgins. From now on, keep your distance. No one hurt's my woman. You heard me," he drawled as Jacob gaped at his declaration. "She's my woman. No one, especially you, gets away with upsetting her. I suggest you back off before I do something to get myself arrested. It will ruin our night. If that happens, I doubt Bella would be too pleased with me."
Jacob's eyes flickered to Bella. Waiting for her to chime in, she guessed.
"Goodbye Jacob," Bella murmured. With a ring of finality in her words.
Shaking his head, he said, "You're making a mistake." Turning on his heel, he strode away, storming out of the store.
Bella looked at Edward. Jacob's biting words affecting her more than she wanted to let on, she tried to hide it. From the growling noise he made in the back of his throat, the fire burning brightly in his gaze, she didn't do a good job.
Instead of cursing, of tearing after Jacob the way she feared, he blew out a breath. Green eyes calming, he flashed her a smile. "I've got the condoms. Did you get the ice cream? Anyone you want, on me."
Bella laughed softly, suddenly feeling much better.
"Edward?" a sultry voice said from behind them.
Edward bared his teeth. "What now?" he hissed, spinning on his heel to find the source of the voice.
She expected him to curse, to shout. Growl at whoever dared interrupt them.
He surprised her again. Instead of exploding, he fell silent, every muscle in his body tensing.
Curious, Bella looked around him to see a stunning blonde standing in the middle of the aisle. The way she looked at Edward told Bella she wasn't a friend or a distant relative.
"Tanya."
#
What the fuck is she doing here? She couldn't be here, not now, not with Bella standing right there.
Tanya smiled, a sly look forming in her blue eyes. She knew.
How did she know? Who told her? Not once did it occur to Edward that Jasper betrayed him. He trusted his brother. So how did she find out?
"Surprised to see me?"
"Yes," he gritted. At his side, his grip tightened around the metal cart he held in his hand.
Tanya's eyes flashed. She held power. She'd destroy him for shit's and giggles, unless he played along with her little game, he knew.
"We were in the army together," he explained to Bella. She didn't appear to sense Tanya's magic, but it didn't surprise him. Tanya might be bat shit crazy, but she took her magic seriously. The chances of Bella discovering a witch stood in front of her were slim.
Edward wanted to keep it that way.
"Yes," Tanya agreed, her eyes practically gleaming. If she thought to make him sweat, he wanted to congratulate her on a job well done. "We're old friends, aren't we?"
"Yes," he replied, trying to remain calm. He'd say whatever she wanted if got her as far away from Bella as possible. He wouldn't let this viper say something that might upset her. He'd kill the bitch if it meant protecting his woman from her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying for casually. Failing miserably.
"I'm visiting some old friends. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you standing here. Who is your friend?"
Clenching his jaw, he played the role of puppet to perfection. "This is Bella Stevens. Bella, this is Tanya."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Bella said politely. She must be confused with the interaction. He wanted to whisk her out of there, away from the witch standing in front of him. He didn't trust her not spill his secrets to Bella as a way of getting a little pay back for dumping her for-fucking-ever ago.
"You too," she replied just as politely. Turning back to Edward, she said, "Well, I guess I'll see you around sometime. Bella, I do hope we meet again. I have a feeling we have a lot in common."
I'm going to kill her, Edward inwardly snarled. I'm going to wrap my hands around her scrawny neck and choke the goddamn life out of her.
He stood there, fuming as she sauntered out of the store without a care in the world.
"Edward," Bella yanked on his hand sharply.
"Yeah, baby?" he murmured, distracted by the images of Tanya begging for her life.
"Are you ready to leave? I need to go home before we go on our date. Come on," she urged when he continued to stand there.
They paid for the items, saying as little as possible to woman while she scanned their items.
It wasn't until outside, with the fresh air washing over his face, calming him, he noted Bella's furrowed brow.
"What's wrong?"
Sombre brown eyes met his. "Why did you lie?"
Edward's heart stopped before kicking back up, thudding painfully in his chest. "What do you mean?"
"Tanya. It's obvious she's your ex-girlfriend. I'm not an idiot. I'm not mad, or jealous, either. I just don't understand why you lied to me."
Oh, thank god. This he could answer honestly. Or at least somewhat honestly.
"I know how I felt when I saw you dancing with Jacob. When I walked up moments ago, with your hand on his arm. I didn't like it. Not many people want ex-girlfriends shoved in their faces."
"That's all?" Edward nodded, hating himself for yet another lie. "Okay. I want you to know, I didn't mean to make you jealous that night." Grinning suddenly, she admitted, "I didn't think you were interested anymore, and thought, 'what the hell? Might as well have some fun while I'm here.' I'd never use someone else to get your attention. The same thing with Jacob inside the store. I wanted to reassure him, nothing else."
Pulling her into his arms, Edward rested his cheek on top of her head. "Baby, you don't need to explain things to me. I know you'd never use someone like that. I panicked. I didn't expect to see her here. I didn't know what I should do or say. I just panicked. I'm sorry I lied to you."
"It's okay," she whispered against his shirt. "Thank you."
"For what?"
Bella smiled up at him, resting her chin against his chest. His heart swelled at the sight of her sweet smile and trusting eyes. A trust he didn't deserve, but he wouldn't dwell on that now. "For defending me in there. I thought Jacob might pee his pants. Or take a swing at you."
He remembered the look in her eyes, the hurt. "I prefer the latter. At least then I'd have an excuse to punch his lights out." He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Are we okay?"
"We are," she confirmed.
"Good. Now, let's get you home. You have stuff to do, and I need to check on Angus. Come on, I'll drop you off and go see what mess he's created now."
Yes, he'd check on Angus. After he dealt with Tanya. He didn't worry about tracking her down. She'd come to him. She wanted to confront him. Of that he had no doubt. Only she wouldn't find the laid-back male she believed she loved waiting for her. She'd find the Warrior. The cold-hearted bastard his friends knew and loved.
She'd come to this town; backed him into a corner. Forced him to introduce her to Bella.
No, when Tanya finally showed her face, she'd lose that smug, sly gleam in her eyes. He'd show her the consequences of taunting him. Putting his relationship with Bella in jeopardy.
She was about to see a whole new side of Edward Campbell. No one threatened him. No one forced him to play a clapping monkey for their own amusement.
Tanya would learn that the hard way.
#
Edward's hands shook as he let himself into his room at the inn.
He tried to hide the growing fury clawing at his gut from Bella. Acting like his homicidal rage didn't exist as she sang along with the radio. He smiled, teasing her about her terrible singing, but he knew he didn't fool her for a second. He caught the worried glances she'd cast him every so often. Thankfully, she didn't say anything.
Shoving open the door, his gaze automatically landed on a small bundle of fur in the middle of his bed. Edward froze. Angus lay there, unmoving.
"Angus?" he called his name sharply, rushing over to him.
"The animal is fine," a familiar assured him.
Spinning around, for the second time in an hour, he found the witch standing there. He growled "What have you done to him?"
Tanya blew out a breath, as if she thought his concern for his canine friend a tad dramatic. "The little mongrel's incessant barking got old quickly, so I put him to sleep. Not that way," she drawled as the color drained from his face. "He's just in a deep sleep. He'll be out of it for a while."
Edward stroked a massive hand along Angus' tiny body. Pausing, he breathed a little easier upon finding a slow, steady heartbeat beneath his palm.
"What kind of sick bitch places spells on defenceless animals?"
Tanya chuckled darkly. "The kind you happily took to bed not too long ago"
Her superior attitude set his teeth on edge. She'd come to this town to play games, walked into his temporary home, cast a spell on his dog. Now she stood there, laughing at him.
Moving with great speed, he became little more than a blur as he turned on her. One moment she stood by the door, the next, her breath exploded from her lungs as he shoved her up against the wall. Edward's large hand grabbed her, fingers biting deep into her elegant throat.
Squeezing, a dark, twisted satisfaction overcame him when panic flickered in her wide eyes. Futile anger quickly following.
Attempting to bring her hand up-most likely to send him flying out the fucking window- Edward got there first. Before she could do a damn thing, he pinned her wrists above her head, slamming them painfully against the hard surface with his left hand. His right still curled around her throat.
Tanya snarled at him, her chest heaving, face flushed ruby with anger. His larger body plastered against her, crushing her to the wall, nothing sexual, but meant to make her feel helpless. Helpless to do anything, just like he felt in the grocery store.
He almost missed it. A glimmer of something more than anger in wide eyes, but he caught it. Desire.
Hell no. At one time, he might have enjoyed the embrace. Pressed against her like this, he felt every dip and curve. And he knew what she hid beneath her expensive clothes.
Yes, at one point in his life, he might be tempted by a beautiful woman looking at him with lust in her eyes, even if he wanted to strangle her. But not today. He prayed there never came a day when he didn't enjoy hot, sweaty sex. But not with her. Not ever again.
Her laughter forced, breathless, she drawled, "Oh, baby, you know I like it rough."
"Shut your fucking mouth," he thundered. "I should snap you neck, right now. Believe me, I want to. What the hell are you playing at?"
She shrugged, Or, at least, she attempted to. He didn't give her much room to breathe, never mind make casual gestures. "A little pay back." She narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong, Edward? Afraid your witch will discover you're nothing but a lying bastard? Are you afraid of what she'll do when she finds out who you really are?"
Face inches from hers, he glowered at her. Grip tightening, he relished her small whimper. His face no longer handsome, but almost demonic. Jaw clenched so tight, his teeth hurt, the veins in his temple and neck bulging. Eyes, always tender around Bella, shot fire at Tanya. Promised retribution.
She'd thrown his worst fears in his face. Taunted the man, forgetting about the monster who dwelled within. She made a terrible mistake. Edward may look like a man, act like a man, but beneath layers of civility, he would always be a Warrior.
And she poked the beast.
"You better pray she never does," he rumbled. "Or I won't stop myself next time, Tanya." Their gazes locked together, he tightened his left fist. Ruthlessly squeezing until, finally, she caved.
He liked it. Edward didn't know what type of man it made him. Right now, he didn't care. He needed her to feel pain after what she'd done. For everything she put at risk because he didn't want to run off into the sunset with her.
"You're hurting me," she ground out.
Chuckling darkly, he said, "Do you really think I give a fuck? You're lucky I don't kill you."
Her gaze flew to his. "I don't think that will happen. I've got, what do they call it in the movies? An insurance policy?"
Raising a brow, he asked, "Insurance policy?"
"If I don't call Carmen in the next," she glanced at clock over his shoulder, "ten minutes to let her know I'm safe, she'll go straight to Emmett. With everything she knows."
"I can do a lot in ten minutes," he warned.
"I remember," she murmured. Before he realized saw her intentions, she reached up, capturing his mouth with hers.
Edward, horrified by what she'd done, tore his body from hers. Shame rising within him, he stood there. A small smile playing on her lips, Tanya rubbed her wrists.
He felt dirty, Edward realized. As if he'd cheated on Bella. A ridiculous reaction, he didn't ask for her kiss. He certainly didn't want it. So why did he feel like he betrayed her?
Edward scrubbed at his mouth. Wanting to erase the taste of her, he snarled, "What's wrong with you?"
Tanya asked, "What, baby? I remember a time when you used to like it when I kissed you. You liked it when I did a lot more than that."
Edward stared at her as if she'd grown three head's. "Yeah, in the past, I liked it," he admitted. "For a about a week. I haven't thought about you, wanted you, in a long time."
Her lush mouth firmed into a tight line. "I'm good enough for a few weeks, but not good enough to play happy families in a small town?" she said scathingly.
"Yeah, that's about right. I saw you, I wanted you. I had you a couple of times. After that, I didn't want you anymore. You were convenient, Tanya. The sex was good, I'll give you that, but I never wanted more. Not with you." He saw pain flicker in her eyes and, god help him, it felt good. Cruelly, he continued. "It's a harsh reality, but I told you from the beginning what I wanted. Sex. Nothing more. Stop playing the victim," he snapped. "I don't feel guilty for the way I acted. I don't feel shame. All I feel when it comes to you, is regret."
Tears glistened in her eyes. "What about Bella? Is she convenient? Will you feel regret in a couple of weeks? After you risk losing everything you are, will you walk away from her? Or will she be the one to walk away from you?"
He took a threatening step towards her. Tanya tensed, but didn't back down. "Stay away from her. I don't care what 'insurance policy' you've got in place. I will destroy you. I'll gut your entire coven, while you watch, if you so much as breath her name once more. You can't imagine the length's I'm willing to go to if it means protecting her."
"Why Edward?" she whispered. "Why her?"
His expression transforming to one of disgust, he asked, "Seriously? You're that woman? The one who stands there asking, 'why her and not me?'"
"Yes," she replied steadily.
If he didn't hate the bitch so much, he might pity her.
She wanted to know why. Why he'd fallen for Bella and not her? Why he'd risk losing everything for her, when he might lose her in the end?
"Because she's everything you're not. She's everything you'll never be." That's all he'd tell her. He refused to stand here, justifying to her why he wanted someone else. He wanted Bella, he didn't give a shit if no one else understood why. He did.
"You've got about five seconds to leave. Get out of town, Tanya. Go home and forget what you saw here. I'm warning you, if Emmett so much as hears a whisper of this, I will come for you. I will make you pay. Do you understand me?"
She stood there, refusing to respond.
"Do you understand me?" he bellowed suddenly, the walls almost shaking from the force of his shout.
"Yes," she spat.
"Good. If you come back here, I won't give you a sore wrist for a few days. I'll break every bone in your goddamn arm."
Edward knew some men wouldn't dream of threatening a woman, harming her. Believed women too soft and weak to stand against a man. To a point, Edward agreed. Real men didn't hurt the innocent, whether it be a man or a woman. Real men didn't slap a woman around because she pissed him off, because it got him off to see her in pain. A real man cherished his woman. Protected her.
But he also understood women are just as lethal as men, just as conniving. In his long years, he learned not to hesitate because his opponent sported breasts. He'd do whatever it took to destroy his enemy, it didn't matter what sex they identified themselves as.
Tanya was now his enemy.
Edward didn't admit out loud, but the phone call to Carmen saved her ass.
"Fine."
Storming over to the door, yanking it open, she tossed a glare over her shoulder. "She will find out, you know. One way or another, she'll discover the truth. That you've done nothing but lie to her, use her from the moment you 'met'. She'll find out, then she'll walk away from you. Don't come back to me when that happens."
Edward rolled his eyes as the door slammed behind her. Like he'd ever want her back. He considered her a terrible mistake long before he met Bella.
Alone, he slumped to his bed. The adrenaline wearing off, he felt drained. Shaken.
Resting his elbows on his knees, he hung his head. Tanya, despite being a crazy bitch, was right. Bella would discover his betrayal eventually. She'd walk away from him.
Time's up, he thought. The option of taking his time, thinking things through, no longer applied now the Tanya, and most likely her coven, knew his secret. Threatened to use it against him.
Dragging his phone from his pocket, he pressed call, stroking Angus' soft fur while waiting for him to pick up.
"Edward?"
"Hey Emmett."
"Tell me you're calling to give me some good news."
Grimacing, he replied, "Not exactly."