BPOV

I couldn't let Edward stop me, and if I stayed on the line any longer, that's exactly what would have happened. He would never allow me go to look for Rob. He would have insisted I stay with his family while he went, and I knew that if he had kept me talking, it would have given Alice enough time to "see" my decision. It also would have given him enough time to show up and put an end to what he would have considered "reckless" behavior.

This whole situation had begun because of me. If I had just listened none of this would be happening. I needed to know what happened to Rob and I couldn't just sit there and not know, even if it meant that I would once again be in danger. It didn't matter anymore. Victoria would never back down, so I knew there was no choice. I had to do something…anything. My friends didn't know that their lives were at risk, just by knowing me. I had to at least try to stop this madness and make sure that no one else I loved got hurt. But first I had to find Rob and make sure he was even still alive, or if she was just pulling a smoke and mirrors act to make me believe that she had him. James had pulled the same shit back in Arizona with the tape of my mother, and there was no way in hell I was falling for it twice.

I took a deep breath and looked around. Jess, Lala, Joe, and Ana stood around me in a wide circle, their eyes dancing with curiosity. Ana was the first to speak.

"Bella, what's going on? I don't understand any of this. Why do you think that woman has Rob?" she asked.

I couldn't answer that, but I knew I had to give her something.

"I'm not entirely sure she does, but she's crazy and I just need to know that he's okay."

"Bella, Rob's a big boy. I mean…my God he trains with MMA fighters all day! He's not just going to let some bitch walk up and grab him," Jess replied.

"I underestimated her once. I can't take that chance again. She doesn't fight fair, so he may very well have been lured into her trap without having any indication otherwise," I answered. I looked at Ana, praying she could see my desperation as clearly as I felt it. "Ana, I need you to do something for me, okay?"

"Sure, what is it?" she replied, nodding her head.

"Edward is coming here. He's on his way, but I need to try and find Rob. I need to talk to him myself, without Edward interfering. Ana, I need you to keep Edward here. Keep him busy… just to give me a little time to find Rob. Please say you'll help me." I could feel my insides shaking violently. I really needed to get out of there. Edward was fast, and I knew I didn't have much time to escape.

"Of course I'll help you," she replied. I gave her a quick hug and headed out the door, not mentioning where exactly I was going for fear that Edward would hear it in her thoughts.

I decided to go to the most obvious place where I would find him, if in fact Victoria was bluffing. I headed to the Gym where his office was.

Ana POV

I waited until Bella had left the shop and turned to Lala. "You heard Bella. Keep Edward busy. I'm going see if I can find Rob myself. I want to get to the bottom of this. Cool?"

"No problem. I'll keep pretty boy occupied for a bit. Besides, there are a few things I'd like to say to him anyway," Lala answered.

I wasn't sure where Bella went to look for Rob, but it occurred to me that she probably didn't know about his house out in Red Rock Canyon. If Rob wanted to hole up somewhere and lick his wounds from their fight, the Red Rock house would be the perfect place; secluded and private with nothing around for miles but dense shrubbery and desert.

I knew Bella would forgive me for passing off the task of babysitting Edward to Lala if it meant that I could get Rob to talk to her. Rob and I had been friends for a long time, so even though he was avoiding everyone else in our circle, I was willing to bet that he would still see me.

My search for Rob also had a lot to do with the fact that my curiosity was peaked as to how he could have met this crazy chick that Bella was fretting over. He'd had it hard for Bella for quite some time and I couldn't picture him just giving that up to screw around with some out of town hooker. I wanted my own answers from him. Bella had already been through so much, and I couldn't understand how he could think getting involved with that bitch was a good idea. What was he hoping it would accomplish? Make Bella jealous? It didn't make any sense. I needed to find Rob and get some answers before I turned him over to Bella.

EPOV

My frustration and panic escalated as I entered the shop, realizing that Bella was no longer there. I glanced around and made my way quickly over to Lala, who was eyeing me suspiciously from across the room. She was the only one there, but I could hear voices of other people in the back room.

"I wonder where he could be."

"I don't know… do you think she'll find him?"

"I hope so, I feel so bad for her, with her ex coming back just as she started something with Rob, it just isn't fair to her, ya know? She never had a chance."

More than you know, I thought sadly to that final statement.

"What can I do for you?" Lala asked, not seeming too happy to see me; not that I could blame her.

Not that I want to help you… If you weren't so pretty, Bella wouldn't have a problem booting your ass.

"I need to see Bella," I replied.

"Well she's not here, as you can see." Lala gestured with her hands, a sarcastic smirk on her face.

You just missed her… damn the luck…

"Yes, I see that. You wouldn't by chance know where I could find her?" I asked, attempting to keep my cool. I'm running out of fucking time!

Why the hell would I… Oh hell no… I'm just gonna tell this mother-fu…, she didn't finish the thought as she started to speak.

"Look, let's just be clear on something," Lala stated. "I don't want to get in the middle of this love triangle bullshit that's going down, but I've got to tell you… that bitchy red headed twit had Bella all kinds of upset. All I gotta say is… if she's messin' with Rob to get back at Bella for some shit that had something to do with you, I hope Bella finds him, rips him a new asshole, and then kicks both of you motherfuckers to the curb, cause neither one of you deserve her."

If nothing else, I could definitely say that Bella had some loyal friends, and as frustrated as I was in that moment, I had to pause to appreciate the love they obviously had for her.

"Lala, listen. I know that you love Bella and that you would do anything to protect her…" I started, but she quickly jumped in.

"Damn right I do! And don't you fucking forget that!" she agreed, slamming her fist down on the counter.

"Please calm down. Let me finish. I think you're misunderstanding. You see, the woman you speak of, Victoria, she's unstable and could be a danger to Bella. I'm sure you also know how stubborn Bella can be. Especially when she's feeling responsible for things that are beyond her control. I really need to know where to find her. Please help me help Bella. I'm only trying to protect her. Lala, if you know where she is, I really need to know," I begged.

"You had better not be fucking with me," Lala replied. She took a deep breath and sighed as her resolve began to crumble. Eyeing me suspiciously one last time, she turned around and retrieved a rolodex from the desk top.

Dude… if you are… so help me, I'll tear you apart and burn the pieces….

Oh, Lala. If only you knew how accurate that statement is… I stood waiting impatiently for whatever information she was searching for. Where is his address? Oh… here it is… she thought, pulling a card from the rolodex.

"I don't want Bella to get hurt, do we understand each other?" she asked as she held out the card for me to take. I reached out to grab it, but she quickly pulled it back. "And I'm not even sure this is where she's headed. He has two places here in Vegas...this one and one in Red Rock Canyon," she added, finally handing me the card.

"I understand completely. I too only want what's best for her," I stated, nodding in gratitude. For her sake, I hope you do Eddie Boy… was the last thought I heard from her before I ran out the door.

BPOV

"Rob?" I called out as I stormed into his office. I was met with silence. The office was empty and it looked like he hadn't been there in days. The voicemail indicator on his phone read 22 messages, and the inbox on his desk was stacked full of papers. Fuck!

I shook my head in frustration and quickly left his office, making my way down the long hallway toward the exit. Just as I neared the double glass doors I heard my name called out.

"Bella?"

I quickly spun around, praying that Rob had arrived and saw me leaving, but no such luck. Instead of Rob as I had hoped, I found myself facing Jason, Lala's boyfriend.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I came to see Rob," I replied vaguely.

"Is he here?" He seemed shocked. "I've been looking for him everywhere… we all have." He gestured around to a few other people who were passing through and paying us no mind.

"No, he wasn't there," I replied, shaking my head.

"He was pretty upset the other night. Even so, it's unlike him not to call. You know he's got the hots for you, right?" he asked, eyeing me boldly and raising his brow.

I exhaled sharply in frustration. "I don't really have time to discuss this, Jason. I just need to find him. Do you have any idea where else I might look for him?" I questioned, carefully dodging the conversation he would rather have had.

Jason eyed me skeptically for a moment before sighing in resignation. "He has his apartment here in the City for when events are happening and what not, but mostly he stays out at his place in Red Rock Canyon."

"Red Rock Canyon?" I didn't know he had a house… it seems there's a lot I don't know…

He scrolled through his Blackberry before stopping and looking at me expectantly.

"What's your cell number?" he asked. I was reluctant to give him that information, but then he continued, "I'll text you the address."

"Oh okay," I replied and gave him my number. Instantly the address popped up on my screen. I thanked him for his help and turned to leave.

"Bella, if you see him, tell him to give me a call, okay?" Jason requested.

"Sure thing," I replied as I walked out and climbed back on my bike. Red Rock Canyon…. Oh Rob, please be there… My thoughts wandered as I sped along, the warm afternoon air whipping around me.

Ana POV

As I pulled into the driveway, I remembered that Rob had once told me about a second entrance that he regularly used. I slammed the car in reverse and backed out, speeding down to the next street which came up to the back side of his property. His car was nowhere in sight.

I parked and walked up onto the back porch. Everything seemed to be in the same order as it was when I had visited last, which truthfully, had been quite a while back. I tried the door knob but it was locked. I followed the wraparound porch to the front of the house. The front door was partially opened, but no sounds came from inside. I thought back to Bella's fear that something had happened to Rob and became instantly panicked. Something definitely wasn't right and the intensity of the situation cranked up a notch.

Trembling, I pushed the door open further and peeked inside, but there was still no sign of anyone being there.

"Rob?" I called out again. Suddenly there was a flash of movement to my right. I quickly spun myself around and found myself face to face with Victoria, a sweet but venomous grin dancing on her red painted lips. Neither of us spoke as her we stared at each other intently for a brief moment.

Finally I decided to break the silence. It was about time someone told this bitch to back up off Bella. She'd been through enough drama related to this hooker.

"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" I asked sarcastically. "I mean… haven't you caused enough grief for Bella with Edward? That's why you're really here, right? So then why are you fucking with Rob? Bella's suffered enough turmoil from your whoring ways! So here's a thought… maybe you should close your legs and open your heart to Jesus," I spat with a taunting grin.

Victoria threw her head back and laughed; the shrill sound echoing off the walls of the empty foyer.

"You think you've got it all figured out, don't you? I'll tell you what… If you have a problem with it, why don't you take it up with Rob?" she asked, raising one perfectly arched eyebrow.

Just as the question passed her lips, Rob stepped out from behind her, as if merely speaking his name had beckoned him to her.

Even in the partial darkness cast by the setting sun, it was clear that Rob looked different. He was pale; paler than I had ever seen. His hair was wild and unkempt, like a caged animal. His eyes quickly shifted around the room before landing on me, and I'd swear his eyes appeared blood red in color.

"You promised me Bella!" he yelled at Victoria menacingly.

Victoria pointed a finger in my direction. "This…" She waved her hand toward me. "This is the type of people that are keeping Bella from you. If you truly want Bella, you need to handle this," she finished.

"What the fuck are you two talking about? I have nothing to do with his and Bella's relationship. Rob, you know this. Why are you even listening to her? What the hell has gotten in to you?" I questioned.

Rob looked to Victoria, who just nodded her head, and then shifted his gaze back to me. There was something wicked in his eyes as he searched me over. Rob took a tentative step forward, and just then the last of the sun came filtering thru the window, causing a slight shimmer to reflect off his skin. It was the most bizarre and beautiful thing I had ever seen, though I didn't have time to try and make sense of it. The next thing I knew he had launched himself from across the room, knocking me to the ground and slamming my head into the floor. A searing pain shot across my forehead, making me lightheaded and within a moment blood began trickling down my face and into my eye. My sight blurred as it mingled with tears, and I blinked repetitively, desperately trying to clear my vision, though it proved useless.

Though I couldn't clearly see him, I felt Rob hovering over me. He seemed captivated by the cut, inhaling deeply. A menacing growl rumbled from his chest as he leaned closer and started licking the trail of blood that was beginning to dry across my cheek and forehead.

What the fuck is he doing?

Instinctively I reached up to push him away, but his icy grip was overpowering, and I knew I didn't have a chance in hell. I was pinned under his weight, which felt as heavy as a boulder crushing down on me.

"Rob! What are you doing? Get the fuck off of me! I'm your friend!" I screamed in pain at the pressure of his weight against my ribcage. "Why are you doing this? It's me… Ana… Look at me dammit!" I screamed again. In an attempt to wake him from whatever psychotic trance he was in, I slapped him hard across the face. My hand met his cheek with a loud snap, but he didn't flinch. A stabbing pain shot up my arm, and I realized that the snap I'd heard was my hand breaking. I stared at my injury in shock, marveling at the fact that he seemed hard as stone.

I couldn't reach him. His mind seemed unable to comprehend my words. This was not my friend. My friend was no longer in there. This was some evil thing, a monster that was determined to hurt me.

Fear raged through me, but before I could say anything further, he pushed a heavy hand to my cheek, shoving my head to the side. I heard him take a deep breath and then felt him bite deeply into my neck. His teeth clenched tight into muscle and vein as he pulled back sharply, ripping the flesh away.

I screamed out in pain and fear, not understanding why he would have done such a thing. Instantly ravenous, he sucked and lapped at the blood that was gushing from the wound. Then he bit a second time, even deeper. I tried to cry out, but couldn't. An intense burning ran through my body, like a million hot needles scorching through my veins. I couldn't lie still as the agony consumed me and sent my body thrashing around beneath him. My entire being felt aflame and I briefly considered that I might spontaneously combust. I wanted to call for help, but felt certain that my vocal chords had been damaged from the trauma he had inflicted.

As I gasped, attempting to catch my breath between silent sobs. I could feel the gurgling of blood in my throat and chest. Struggling to breathe, I choked and coughed in a vain attempt to clear a path for my breath to resume, but the flood continued. I was going to die, having drowned on my own blood.

As my vision tunneled and the light started to fade into blackness, I heard a distant rumbling outside that brought me back to consciousness.

Bella's Bike… Oh my God! No, Bella… RUN!

My thoughts screamed out what I could no longer voice. The sound of her approaching bike had interrupted Rob's massacre. Crumpled in a heap on the floor, nearly drained and weakly writhing in agony, I continued to inhale pools of blood. I realized that I was slowly suffocating, yet my thoughts were only of Bella and what was about to happen to her and how there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Through blood stained eyes I saw Victoria head for the door. I shuddered, feeling the chill of death's grip creep upon me. At her orders, Rob lingered behind, no longer interested in my wilting carcass.

Bella was wise to have been afraid, and I knew in that moment that I would not live to see my friend again. I only prayed to see her in eternity, if there was one. As I took a final flooded gasp of air, everything faded to black.