Chapter Ten

I turned slowly in my seat and saw the last people on earth that I wanted. I grimaced, as I realized that Edward would soon learn the truth of my past. He would soon want nothing to do with me, and I would be forced to go back to Renee and Phil. I shuddered at the thought, as I turned back to Edward. The look of utter confusion was on his face as he looked from me to our visitors back to me.

"Renee—Phil." I spoke without looking at them.

Fear coursed throughout my body as I waited for a hand to come in contact with some part of my body. Neither of them were very understanding, and me running away from them was something that they definitely wouldn't understand.

"You respect your mother." I could hear Phil's teeth grind as he tried to keep his temper in check. Smacking around teenage girls in public places wouldn't look good to the press. I almost wished he'd hit me, real hard.

"I would—if the person that I used to respect was still in there. However, the alcohol killed her along time ago."

"You bitch." he spoke softly so that no one other than me and Edward could hear.

"Don't talk to her like that," Edward spoke up, standing up from his chair. I really wished he sit down before Phil started to kick his ass.

"Edward." I spoke softly, as I reached out to touch his arm.

"Oh--" Phil paused to laugh hysterically before continuing. "The little whore is screwing you now—well ain't that just fucking awesome."

"I said, do not speak to her that way." Edward's voice was low and menacing, almost scary in a way.

"Listen little boy—you do not scare me. I'm a pro ball player, I can kick your ass any day of the week."

"You won't have to Phil. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble."

I gasped, and tried to not throw up at the sound of the voice booming behind me. I closed my eyes and wished I was anywhere but here. Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky, and I was here—with Phil—Renee--and Jacob.

"Bella, sweetheart—why'd you up and disappear."

Glaring up and up at Jacob, I gasped at the overbearing size that he had grown into. The last time I saw him he was only six foot, he had to be well over six five now.

"Don't you sweetheart me. I fucking hate you. Leave me alone." I huffed lowly, my arms crossed my chest.

"Aww, don't be sour Bella."

"Screw you Jacob." I spoke louder this time, drawing unwanted attention to my table.

"She asked you to leave her alone. Now I suggest you listen before I get the chief of police out here."

Edward looked rather cocky, and I knew that Renee would know just who the chief of police was.

"Oh no--" mock sarcasm was in her voice. "Not Charlie Swan."

"He won't take to kindly to his only daughter getting treated this way. Now, you can leave, or I can make the call. It's your call though."

Jacob laughed bitterly at Edward's threat, before punching him hard in the jaw. It threw Edward off balance and back against his chair. Quickly, he grabbed a hold of my arm, and yanked me up from my seat. Pain seared through arm as I felt the tendons pull tightly.

"Jacob—your hurting me." I hissed lowly, as I looked apologetically to Edward who was trying to rub some of the soreness from his jaw.

"Shut the fuck up." I was starting to wonder if Jacob was taking steroids too. Not that it would surprise me.

"Just leave me alone—please." I felt like I could just start crying at any moment. I hated my life, and now I had drug Edward into the middle of it.

I heard a low growl rumble in Jacob's chest, before he grabbed my hair and shoved my face against the table. I felt the plate that held the bread sticks break under the force, and I felt as blood started to drip from my head. Suddenly, without my seeing, I was free, and a loud thud landed on the floor behind me.

"You leave my little brother alone."

I had never been so excited to see Emmett Cullen in my life. His big bulking frame was too much for Jacob, as he lay on the floor, his nose bleeding.

"Okay, that's it! Everyone just stay where you are---" Charlie's voice cracked and stopped immediately when he saw Renee. Obviously he could see that she had went to hell over the years. Maybe he would guess that it wasn't safe for me to go back with them. I just hoped it was enough to keep me from going back with them.

"Charlie Swan to the rescue. You know, you haven't changed one bit Charlie." Now that I really listened I could hear Renee slurring her words. She was drunk—not that it should be a shocker.

"I'm going to have to take this young man to the station. I'm going to assume he's under age—so I'm going to need one of you, to call his parents. I will not release him to anyone else." I watched as my dad cuffed Jacob, and let Emmett keep a nice hold on him. "Bella, sweetheart, are you okay?"

I groaned as I rolled off the table and tried to stand. I felt a strong pair of arms snag my waist before I toppled over. Blood was running down the side of my face, and I heard a low gasp come from numerous directions.

"We'll take her to the emergency room. You take care of—this." I heard Carlisle say from somewhere behind me. Whoever had their arms around me, lifted me agilely in their arms, and started to walk away, toward the door. I looked up to see who was carrying me, and saw Jasper smile down at me.

"Don't worry Bella. You'll be okay."

I felt Edward touch my sore arm, and I hissed. The muscles in that arm were so tender that the slightest touch felt like torture.

"I'm so sorry Bella." Edward spoke softly.

I wanted to cry, but knew that I'd have to explain that immediately. I could, however, feel the darkness from my head injury looming around the edges, and let the darkness take over.