I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Fran, thank you for taking your time to edit for me.

CH. 20

BPOV

I sat up with a start, breathing heavily and looking around the room frantically. My dream felt so real. I rubbed my shoulder where the bullet had entered.

It was just a dream.

"Edward?" I called out into the silent house. I couldn't feel him nearby, so I knew he was gone.

I was disappointed and maybe I was acting needy, but he kept the bad dreams away like my own personal dreamcatcher. The room was filled with sunshine, so I concluded he had gone.

Last night was surprising. I didn't expect us to make love for the first time. Although it wasn't perfect, I would cherish the memory forever. For me, it was a utopian experience and had blown any of my expectations out of the water. The only downfall was when Edward bit himself in order not to bite me.

Was it wrong of me to be turned on by what he did?

I shook my head, sometimes I wondered if my mind was twisted, or it was another example of how I was destined to belong in the vampire world.

I smiled to myself softly.

At least, I made some headway with Edward about being changed. He was no longer saying a straight-out no. And I hoped I convinced him that he still has a soul.

I reached for my phone and spotted a folded, piece of paper on the nightstand. I picked it up and frowned as I read it for a second time. I had the feeling he wasn't telling me everything.

Damn' Irina … and Jacob, too.

As if things weren't complicated enough without this mess. Granted, it wasn't the fault of the wolves. If they hadn't been there to stop Laurent, I would be dead now. In a way, I understood what Irina was feeling. If something had happened to Edward, and I lost him, I doubt I would see reason, either. She probably thought no one cared that she lost someone she loved.

I grabbed my phone and called Edward for an update. I wasn't going to run after him or Irina. The last time I went off looking for an angry vampire it didn't end well. I had learned my lesson and didn't want a repeat performance. I would have to let Edward and his family handle this one.

The phone rang and rang before it went to voicemail.

"Hi. I got your note. I was hoping to find what was going on. I hope you're being safe. I love you. Please, call me." I hung up.

I was debating who else to call next when the phone rang. A quick glance at the screen told me that it was Jerome. It was early for him to call. I wondered if he was closing the club again, which would be odd since Saturday was usually a big night for the club.

"Hello?" I answered.

"China, my dear?" his voice had a creepy edge.

"Yes. This is she."

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor. I have a very important private group coming in before the club opens, and I need some help. Are you interested…I will pay you double time?"

"Yes, I am interested, when do you need me there?" I hoped I didn't sound too excited.

This might be the break I needed. If he was having a private party before the club opened, there was a good chance that it was for people involved with either drugs or trafficking.

"Perfect," he purred making me shutter. "Be here in an hour. I'll see you soon, China."

I hung up with him grabbed my other phone and almost texted Dylan but stopped. If I gave him the heads up, he might warn Jerome, and I would miss out. I dropped the phone and slid out of bed to get ready.

I wore my camera necklace again, only I removed it from the chain and pinned to the small bit of fabric between my breasts. I also slipped the bug Jasper found for me in my underwear. It was small enough that it should be well hidden. After throwing a tracksuit over it, I was ready to go.

Getting into my car my arm hit the wolf charm hanging from the review mirror. With a frown, I snapped it off and tossed into the backseat. I opened and closed my fist. My knuckle was still sore, but it didn't look red anymore.

Jacob…

I was still pissed as all hell with him. That was a fairly large secret for him to be keeping from me. I might have been upset, but I would've understood why the wolves couldn't intervene.

Even so, he left me in the back seat of that car for who know how long as I screamed and cried to be free. Why did they let the Strikers get away as well? Couldn't they have stopped them after Charlie was killed?

They lied to me.

After I knew about the wolves, they should have told me. Instead, they helped me out of guilt. Jacob claims to care for me, but how could he hold on to such a lie for so long. Did he think I would never find out?

SG

I parked about two blocks away where I normally would. I didn't want to interrupt Edward, but I should probably tell Rose or Emmett that I went in early just in case. I sent them a quick text as I walked towards the club.

It was weird going into the club through the back. The hallway was darker than normal and the only other sign of life was the security guard who let me in. I finished getting ready quickly and headed out to the bar.

My steps faltered slightly seeing Dylan at the bar and no one else around. The hair rose on the back of neck and I was suddenly on guard.

Something thing was off…

"Hey, Dylan. Is the private party here yet?" I asked

"Yeah, they are set up in the private V.I.P. room." Dylan wouldn't meet my eyes and appeared to be very nervous.

My heart thumped unevenly, and a feeling of dread washed over me. I had just walked into a trap.

"O-Kay" I drew out in a long breath. "I will go get their orders and be right back."

I barely made it two steps away when Dylan spoke up. "They've already placed their orders before going in. I'm getting it ready now."

I turned and tried to hide that fact that I suspected that I knew. I placed on a smile and headed back to the bar.

I watched as Dylan proceeded to pour the drinks. He spilled more than half of them and had to restart and get a different tray.

"You seem jumpy, everything okay?" I asked.

"Everything is fine." He answered distractedly.

"Here, you go." He lifted the tray and handed it to me.

I grabbed hold to take it from him, but he wouldn't let go. He glanced behind me at the door, face paled, and he mumbled something I couldn't hear. I cleared my throat, and his eyes snapped away from the door.

"Dylan, you need to let go." I sighed in exasperation.

His eyes met mine filled with apologies. "I am so sorry. Take this. There's nothing I can do. I'm so sorry."

"Take…" I felt the cold, heavy metal of the gun he pressed into my hand, half-hidden by a cloth.

"I thought I could trust you…" I accused.

He looked tormented; he opened and shut his mouth a few times. "I didn't have a choice."

"Bullshit. You better hope I don't make it out of there alive." I shook my head and walked away to the room.

It was too late now; I had to go in.

They would just come after me if I tried to leave. Dylan will be dealt with later. If not by me, then I am sure by Edward.

Unfortunately, my phones were in the locker room so I couldn't call for help. Edward was busy with Irina and possibly the wolves. Even if Alice sees this, it may be too late if they are all in Forks.

I could only pray that if something happened, they would at least arrive in time to change me. I knew we hadn't come to a decision on that yet, but it would be an emergency. I was being selfish and didn't want to say good-bye to Edward yet. I just got him back; I still had hope for our future.

I blinked back my tears as I shifted the tray awkwardly to keep the gun hidden and still hold the tray, so I could open the door. I took a deep breath and banged on the door. I wasn't going down without a fight. I plastered a smile on my face as it started to open.

A man, nearly the size of Emmett, stood in the doorway looking down at me. I had seen him a few times shadowing Nicolas Striker, Carver's father. I was pretty sure that he was his bodyguard.

"Well, hello there, big guy. May I come in, please? This tray is getting awfully heavy." I fluttered my eyelashes at him.

He gave me a stiff nod and stepped aside. Sitting in the room were Jerome, and Nicolas with bank expressions. There were also two other guys of average size standing around. I had confidence I could take each of them, one on one easily, thanks to the wolves. And if learned to flip someone that was the size of Sam then I may stand a chance against the giant here.

The door closed, and I heard a small click. Now that it was closed the giant was standing too close for comfort behind me.

"Good afternoon, gentleman," I said pleasantly. "How is everyone today?"

"I've been better. It seems as though I have a rat in the building that needs to be exterminated. Quite a shame too." He eyes me with cold eyes. I fought not to squirm under his stare.

"That is a shame. I hope you catch it quickly before a customer sees." I played along.

Jerome and Nicolas shared a dark laugh that showed they weren't amused at all.

"I appreciate your concern, China … or should I say Marie or… is it Isabella." Jerome jerked his head, looking at the man behind me.

I was grabbed from behind as arms wrapped around me in a vice grip, the tray fell to the floor with a huge crash. Unfortunately, I had dropped the gun, and it was now buried somewhere underneath the mess.

One of their lackeys stepped forward and yanked the red wig off my head, hard enough that it felt as if my own hair was being ripped from head too. My brown hair fell loose down my back.

"Because of you, you little bitch, my sons are in jail." Nicolas hissed furiously.

"Because of your sons, my father is dead." I snapped back.

"How touching. So you thought you could settle this vendetta and take us on your own? Don't worry, my dear, we will reunite you with dear, old dad." Jerome smirked.

Without wasting time, I elbowed the giant in the solar plexus as hard as I could. As soon he groaned and bent forward, I brought my fist up crushing his nose while slamming my spiked heel into his foot.

He let go of me and the lackey who tore off the wig made a move. I managed to grab him before, he could, and flipped him onto his back and then to the mess left from the fallen tray.

The giant recovered and charged at me. I ducked, then snatched his arm, twisting it behind his back, He tried to back up quickly and slam me into the wall, but I jumped out of the way at the last second, and he crashed into the drywall, leaving a significant hole. While he was stunned, I flipped him, sending colliding into his friend, who was just getting to his feet. The both of them fell toward the table with a loud crash, splintering the wood and sending them to the ground.

Jerome and Nicolas jumped back from the table in shock. The third guy stepped forward away from the door. I was pleased to see that he looked nervous as he raised a gun in a shaky hand and pointed it my direction. It went off, but he missed me and the bullet hit the wall far above my head.

I kicked the gun out of his hand, and then, with another roundhouse kick, I nailed him in the head, and he tumbled backward.

I darted forward to grab the pistol; however, Jerome beat me to it. I moved away from him and eyed his cautiously.

"Impressive, Miss Swan, I didn't give you enough credit. If I weren't about to kill you, I would offer you a position with me." He smiled coldly.

"I would only tell you to shove it. I would never work for you, especially the way in which you treat women." I huffed.

"What are you waiting for? Kill her." Nicolas snapped. I wasn't surprise he didn't make a move of his own. He always appeared to be the one to sit back and let the others do the dirty work.

The door burst opened and suddenly Rosalie was by my side looking terrifying with blond hair flying and her eyes flint black. Both men jumped back, surprised by her sudden appearance.

"Venus, how nice of you to join us. Irina didn't tell me that you were a part of this sting." Jerome raised his gun again. He moved back and forth between us. "Eeni, meeni, miini, moh, one of you has to go."

The gun landed on Rose. He pulled the trigger, and without even thinking twice, I leaped in front of Rose shielding her. The bullet pierced my chest, and I felt an excruciating burn, before everything went dark.

(RPOV)

I was stunned as the scene unfolded in front of me. I had prepared to take the bullet. I wasn't suspecting that Bella would leap in front of me.

Bella just took a bullet for me.

Why would she do that?

A bullet couldn't hurt me.

I caught her in my arms before she hit the floor. The scent of her blood was strong, and I swallowed the venom and held in my breath.

Edward was never going to forgive me for this. I had stayed behind just in case Irina doubled back. When I received her message, I got here as soon as I could.

Something seemed off …why they would need her here so early.

I arrived in time to see Dylan running away from the club like the weasel that he was. Alice had texted me with the words 'Get In There Now'.

I was arguing with security about letting me in for my 'forgotten' wallet when I heard the gunshot. I took care of security then got in here as quickly as I could.

Her pulse was weakening.

She needed help fast.

I prayed that Carlisle would make it in time.

"Brave girl, she was very selfless; many would consider that weak. Too bad she will die in vain." Jerome pointed and pulled the trigger.

This time I caught the bullet easily, making sure it stayed intact.

"What in the world? She just caught…" Jerome's brother panicked.

I threw the bullet like a dart and it pierced his skull killing him instantly. Nicolas Striker fell to the floor, and Jerome moved quickly out of his way. His eyes glanced toward the door as he looked for his escape.

I flashed forward and snatched the gun out of his hand. His beady little eyes widened, and he gaped in confusion.

"Who are you? What are you?" he stuttered. He started to sweat profusely, making him smell like spoiled cabbage on a hot summer day.

"I am every woman you have ever harmed. You deserve so much worse than this." I growled.

I wished I could torture him. Make him feel everything that has been done to the poor woman he sold into slavery. However, the scene had to look like a shootout for investigational purposes.

I sped to where Bella laid fallen. I grabbed the other gun from the mess and shot Jerome in the chest. I placed his gun back in his hands as he lay dying.

I surveyed the room quickly for the other men. The large man had crushed his friend to death. I reached forward and snapped the larger man's neck quickly.

Movement by the door made my head snap. The last man was regaining conscious. I grabbed him by his collar and pinned him against the wall.

"Do you know what happens to the girls who go missing?" I hissed.

He nodded his head pathetically. A horrible stench filled my nostrils as he lost control of his bodily functions.

"You are going to tell the authorities everything you know so these girls can be rescued. If you don't, I will find you, and you will wish that I had killed you now. Do I make myself clear?" I growled.

"Ye…e…es." He agreed quickly.

I dropped him on the floor and knocked him unconscious.

I knelt back next to Bella. She was pale, and the blood was still seeping from her wound. Everything might have happened in minutes, but it seemed to be taking too long. Her pulse was even weaker than before.

I tried to slow the bleeding. I wasn't sure what else to do. I fumbled for my phone and saw Alice's new text.

'Help is on the way.'

I looked down at the girl I had grown to admire. It was my fault for bringing Irina into this mess. I should have left Edward and Bella to figure things out on their own.

Where were Carlisle and Edward?

I had a sinking feeling that she wasn't going to make it.

A/N:

Still with me? I think every story like this needs at least one big cliffhanger.

So a lot of you thought he would go after Edward, but she had learned her lesson. Or so she thought. Irina ratted her out to Jerome. How could she get this by Alice? Any guesses? You will find out next chapter.

Rose didn't change Bella, because last she knew Bella didn't want to be changed. Will help arrive in time?

Thank You for all the love and reviews you have given my story.