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! I love reading all of your thoughts! This week has been...stressful. I'll leave it at that and just say thank you for your patience while waiting for this chapter.
Back to the story...
"We have to find Bella. She could be in danger alone out there!" Garrett exclaimed, his tone now frantic as he stood.
A hand between his shoulder and neck firmly pushed him back down into the chair.
Jasper's hand.
Garrett's throat bobbed as he didn't dare move a muscle.
"And why would she be in danger?" Jasper asked, his tone calm but with a very deadly edge.
Garrett felt Jasper's grip tighten when he didn't answer immediately. "From Aro. I believe he wants her," he blurted, wincing as he felt that grip start to grind against bone.
"I couldn't keep him from knowing about her, he would have seen her in my thoughts any way! I did everything I could to keep Aro from her for this long," Garrett defended.
"Or you could have had nothing to do with Aro in the first place," Carlisle interjected.
"Like you didn't, Carlisle?" Garrett countered.
"I left long ago because of Aro's dealings; because of his games," Carlisle spat.
"He would have killed me if I had declined."
Carlisle scoffed. "Like he killed me for leaving? Just admit you were too scared to do the right thing..."
"Are you already forgetting he sent me to spy on you, Carlisle? Does that sound like he's forgotten – forgiven – you for leaving and making your own coven?"
"Can you see anything that Aro may be planning, Alice?" Jasper interrupted their argument. If Aro was really after his mate, he needed a plan and he needed one right fucking now.
With her hands rubbing her temples she groaned before answering, "No. He keeps changing his mind about every little thing. It's giving me a damn headache," she complained. "It's almost like he knows how to get around my gift, or something," she added with a hiss directed at Garrett.
"I am sorry," Garrett apologized.
"Sorry you got caught," Emmett growled.
Jasper's head whipped to the front door and Char and Peter spun around just as Bella entered the house.
"Bella. You're okay," Garrett sighed in relief.
"Why wouldn't I be okay?" she questioned, tilting her head as her eyes narrowed in on him. "What have you done now, Gar?"
Garrett shook his head and remained silent - shocking, considering the chicken shit liar he was - so Peter opened his mouth to fill her in when Jasper beat him to it, "Aro knows about you and your gift."
"The Volturi? Know about me? Why?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"I told you, your gift is special," Garrett finally found his voice.
Bella ignored him and continued to stare at Jasper for answers. "Why?" she asked him again.
Char squeezed Peter's hand. Bella obviously trusted Jasper to tell her the truth at very least. It was a start. A big one, actually, after all she had learned recently.
"Aro can see a person's thoughts – all of their thoughts, past and present – with touch," Jasper explained further.
"And he touched you?" Bella asked, turning towards Garrett.
There was that deer in headlights look again. Spineless. Motherfucking. Coward. Peter waited this time before he opened his mouth. Let Jasper build his trust with her even more.
"He didn't have to, Garrett told Aro about you," Jasper informed her.
"Of course he did," Bella sighed in disgust. "I still don't understand what it means, though... What good would I be to Aro? I can only shield myself."
"Aro wouldn't want her that badly if that's the case," Carlisle agreed, looking to Garrett in question.
"She can shield others, I know she can. I've just never been able to coax that part of her gift from her," Garrett argued.
"Then he must agree with you that there's more to her gift. If he does indeed want her, that is," Carlisle said.
She had argued about this a million times with Garrett and he just wouldn't listen to her. Bella threw her hands up in the air and slapped them down on her thighs in exasperation. "Well, there's my fucking mate," she said, gesturing toward Jasper. "Can you still read his thoughts, Edward?"
Jasper's body tensed at her words. If only she hadn't said them with such fucking contempt.
"I can," Edward murmured. He didn't dare relay any of Jasper's thoughts to them on the matter, he knew much better than that by now.
"See?" Bella declared. "Wouldn't I be shielding my mate if I could?"
"You hate him," Garrett snorted. "Of course you aren't shielding him."
Both Bella and Jasper glared at him. "Wondering why I never shielded you, then, Gar, hmm?" Bella asked, her tone bittersweet.
"That's a good question. Maybe she really isn't capable," Carlisle thought aloud.
"Or maybe," Rose said, before pointing a perfectly manicured finger toward Garrett. "Maybe deep down, Bella always knew what a chicken shit liar you really are, Garrett."
Peter beamed proudly over at Rose. She was a smart one, that one, and he knew there was a reason he always liked her.
Char, unsuccessfully, covered her laugh with a cough.
And Carlisle, he turned to Rose and said, "Good point, Rose. A very good point."
Rose's lips curved up in a slight smirk back at him.
"I have to get back to my mission," Garrett groused, standing up.
"I'm going with you," Jasper stated, with no room for argument.
"Me too," Peter and Char said in unison.
"Me too," Emmett boomed.
"Me too," Bella said.
Jasper pointed to Emmett. "No. You're strong, Em, but about as stealthy as a damn elephant. This is a reconnaissance mission, nothing more at this point. Save your strength for if we need to fight – and help keep them safe here while we're gone."
Emmett pouted, but then nodded his acceptance.
"You two," Jasper said, pointing to Char and Bella. "Are staying here. Char, you're my second best fighter and I'm counting on you. Please protect her," Jasper commanded.
Char nodded, taking it as the order it was. "Of course, Major."
But Bella, she did not take orders from Jasper, of all people. Or anyone else, for that matter.
"Like hell I am," she growled. "I'm not a dog you can just order to stay."
"I never said you were," Jasper replied, calmly. "But you are staying here, for your safety."
"For my safety?" Bella bristled. "I can take care of myself..."
"Not against a Volturi guard, you can't," Jasper argued, his calm leaving quickly at the thought of her faced off against one of their guard. She would be no match for one of them. He just couldn't allow it; couldn't risk it.
Bella considered his words and you could almost see the wheels turning in her head.
Garrett chuckled under his breath. He knew exactly what that look meant on her beautiful face. He had seen it too many times to count.
Bella shot a warning look over at him to keep his fucking mouth shut.
His palms went up in a mock surrendering gesture. Besides, Garrett might thoroughly enjoy watching Jasper deal with this side of Bella.
"So if it's all about my safety...," she trailed off, leading Jasper right where she wanted him.
"It is," Jasper affirmed, crossing his muscled arms over his chest and falling right into her web-like trap.
"Then wouldn't I be the safest beside you, my mate?" Bella asked coyly, batting her eyelashes at him.
Checkmate, asshole.
AN: Do you think Jasper has met his match? ;)
Thoughts?
**Thanks for reading!**
