Bella's POV

I exited the bathroom fully clean, towel wrapped around my body. I smiled when I saw Jay still lying in bed, he was too cute. I leaned over him and gave him a small kiss. I pulled back and he had the silliest smile on his face.

"Grab a shower," I told him.

He took in my attire and he smirked at me. That boy, what was I going to do with him? I stepped away and walked over to my closet. Jasper must have taken the hint as I heard the bathroom door open and close. As soon as I heard the shower turn on I moved at triple the speed. I got dressed quickly, dried my hair and ate an apple. I wanted to get out of this apartment before Jasper could have a chance to stop me. I was crumbling under him and I knew my resolve wouldn't last forever. I knew he was concerned for me, but I knew what I was doing.

Before I left the apartment I left him a note telling him to take my car. I would have left him with my bike, but I did not trust him with that at all, it was my baby. I was at the door when I remembered I was on tech duty today. Great. Not my favorite time at all. At least usually I could grab the drugs and leave, but today I would be expected to be in the club with both Royce and James and after last night's lack of success it was not going to be fun. I walked over to my industrial looking garbage can and pulled it away from the kitchen cupboards. I always kept all my valuables hidden, and as previously mentioned, the trash is the best place because nobody wants to touch that.

I grabbed my laptop and charger out. I did a quick look and noticed that everything else was still in its place. I heard the shower shut off. So I quickly replaced the floor boards and garbage can. I grabbed my backpack and shoved everything in. I managed to get outside the door just as I heard Jasper leaving the bathroom. It wouldn't take him long to realize that I had already left.

"Fuck!" I heard him hiss. I smiled at this before heading for the stairs.

I was on the thirty-fourth floor, but I enjoyed the exercise, plus Jasper would never catch me on the stairs. I raced down the stairs as fast as I could and exited into the underground parking garage. I walked over to my bike, happy to find that Jasper hadn't followed me. I unlocked my helmet, put it on, and kick started my bike to life. Once I made sure I wasn't forgetting anything, I left my home, and Jasper, and headed off to Royce and James' club. Hoping like hell I could do damage control and that there wasn't much of it. I wasn't that hopeful.

I decided to forget about it all and just enjoy my ride to work. Jasper was still on my mind, but I didn't care one bit. I couldn't believe I had found him again. I felt such a strong connection to him when I was younger and then nothing, I never saw him again. That damaged me more than he'd ever know, more than anyone would know, except for maybe Jane. I was wrecked, but I never gave up on him. Countless relationship offers were turned down because they weren't him, no one even came close.

I tried to picture present Jasper with past Jasper. I was annoyed with myself that I didn't automatically recognize him. He was the one I had been chasing all these years. He was right in front of me and I didn't even realize it. But the truth was, physically at least, present Jasper looked nothing like past Jasper, but that wasn't a bad thing. He was still good looking, but he had lost his dangerous edge. His face was no longer battered, his glare, and dead eyes were completely gone. Present Jasper even used his words. He had come so far from past Jasper, but I wasn't sure it was all for the best. Jasper was missing the most important thing in this world, happiness, and I hoped like hell I was the key to his happiness. I hated seeing him so sad.

I parked my bike a few blocks over from the club. I locked up my helmet and made the short walk. When I arrived at the club I could instantly tell something was wrong. James was out the back and he was pacing back and forth. Felix was also there and he almost looked scared which was a tough feat for a guy that big. As soon as James saw me he stopped pacing and his face relaxed.

"Beautiful, you're here."

"Where else would I be?" I asked, reminding myself to act as normal as possible. Nothing had changed, I told myself. I was still in this for all the same reasons, I just had to worry about Jasper's fine ass now.

"We need you inside right now. Royce isn't in the best mood. I'm sorry, beautiful."

I decided not to respond and I made my way into the club. Royce was nowhere to be seen, so I sat in my booth and pulled out my laptop. I needed to look as though I was here and ready to work. I had seen Royce's bad side before and it was not pretty. James stepped away and I quickly stashed my cell in my backpack. I did not need Jasper emailing me and them finding it. I needed him to stay out of this completely. I knew there was only one option in his mind and that was killing Royce and James, but I was torn. Surely death was the easy way out. I didn't know, but I did know that Jasper's mind would be impossible to change.

I could hear Royce cursing and banging stuff in his office, but I ignored him. I got straight into my work. I didn't get far before his door swung open and hit the wall loudly. He walked over to me. I didn't look up, I couldn't give anything away.

"Bella!" Royce yelled and I looked up at him. Yes, he was definitely mad.

"Royce, what's wrong?" I didn't really want to ask, but I had to.

"We went to the girl's house, she wasn't there."

I frowned.

"So?" I said somewhat smartly. Royce's anger flared, but I continued. "Maybe she was at a friend's."

"And we were just unlucky enough to catch her on the day when she's not home? I don't think so, something happened. Maybe someone tipped her off?"

"Someone tipped her off?" Now I hit him with my sarcasm. "Who? Did you even tell anybody else about her?"

"Well, no, but something's up I just know it."

"From the little you've told me about this girl, well, she's not stupid."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe she knows you're after her. You and James didn't exactly come back into town quietly. James picked me up the day I was released by yelling out my name. If she was smart, and I expect she is, she's not going to go back to her house, but by all means stake out her house if you want to."

"Bella, don't test me. I'm not in the mood."

"Royce, just tell me what you need."

"I need you to find her, Bella, no more bullshit, just find her. I thought I had her last night and I was so happy… Just find her. You're not leaving until I have something solid."

"Understood," I told him and he stormed off and slammed his office door. Thank God he was gone for the time being.

"Beautiful," James said as he sat down across from me. "Don't tease him like that. You don't know what he's capable of."

"James, please I've got work to do."

"Okay." James stood back up. "Just so you know, he was serious. Royce was so enraged last night when he didn't get her. He's agitated and he won't let you go until you find something. I hope you find something soon, beautiful, or you'll be spending the night here."

James smiled at me before leaving me be. I wasn't worried. I would fabricate something to keep him happy. I was more worried about Jasper. I would have to find a way to send him some sign that I was alive or he would undoubtedly track me down like a blood hound and then everyone would pay. It wouldn't be pretty and I didn't want that outcome at all. Hopefully his work would keep him busy today and I could get out of here at a reasonable time. I put my head down and started to formulate a plan. I didn't want to make any more mistakes as the risk was now beyond great. I had screwed up and they had found Rose's house. I wasn't going to let that happen again, I couldn't. I did not want to lose Jasper, not now, not ever.