Chapter Twenty Eight

Jasper

I wanted desperately to find Bella, knowing she was here, close by, although for how long I had no idea, the problem was Edward. I did not want to face Bella with Edward at my side. She must hate us all for abandoning her but Edward most of all and I did not want to be associated with him. I threw a glance at Peter who groaned seeing what I was thinking. Edward looked from one to the other then shook his head.

"If you know where Bella is then I'm going with you. If she's worried about her father then taking her to him so she can say goodbye might just get me back into her good books."

Peter grabbed his arm and frogmarched him out of the terminal building while I shielded his actions from the few humans curious enough to look round at Edward's yelp of pain.

"Now you see, while I hate being the bearer of bad news I'll make an exception in your case Eddie. You and I are going to take a little ride and if you behave who knows, you might even survive."

Edward twisted in his grip hissing through clenched teeth,

"Let go of me, you can't stop me going to Bella so don't even try. I can run rings around you and once he's gone I will."

Seeing the beatific smile that crossed Peter's face I understood that was the wrong thing to say. By now we were outside in the parking lot hidden from onlookers by a minivan with blacked out windows and as I unlocked the car I heard a cry of pain.

I helped Peter put Edward in the back seat and strap him in, considering he was now minus his right arm and left leg it seemed the kindest thing to do. Before shutting the door I leaned close to whisper in Edward's ear,

"I'd be thankful, you got off lightly but be careful, you give Peter any more trouble and you are likely to find yourself headless."

He knew I was only speaking the truth, he could hear Peter's thoughts and that was something I didn't envy him.

"Right Major, Eddie boy here and I will take a little mystery tour while you go find your princess. Take care though, I still have that feeling something is going to happen."

I nodded,

"Always Peter. I'll let you know when it's safe to bring him back."

"Just so as you know, if he gives me any crap I'm dumping him in the lake, a piece at a time and I for one am not diving in to retrieve the bits."

I watched as they drove off then went to rent myself a car and drove towards the center of the pull which took me strangely enough right to the door of the Cullen house. As I pulled up I could see Emmett and Rosalie standing on the porch so I called out to them only to discover that Alice was missing and had been for most of the night.

"Problem is Jazz, Carlisle and Esme have taken Charlie to Volterra, they think the Volturi might be able to help so there's just us and Alice. She came out to feed the wild kitten last night and when I tried to find her there's no sign. Not only that but I can smell strange vampires have been around."

"Show me."

Emmett strode to the trees which bordered the grounds of the house and as we walked under the canopy I too could smell the scent of two vampires but unlike Emmett I knew the scent of my mate, Bella was now a vampire and was accompanied by another. So, I'd been right, she did have help and I thought I knew exactly who it was helping her. When I told the others they were stunned.

"But why did she kidnap Alice? You don't think she's hurt her do you?"

"I don't know but I'm going to find out."

I dialled Darius number and waited for him to pick up telling them that Edward was keeping Peter company at which both laughed, they knew my friend had a very low Cullen tolerance and that Edward was his least favorite of the family.

"I just hope he has a miserable time."

"Oh, I think you can take that as a given Rose."

She smiled at that as I heard Darius' voice.

"Major, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Put Bella on."

"I'm sorry? Who?"

"Do not fuck with me Darius it would not end well, just put Bella on."

There was a short silence, I could hear he had put his hand over the receiver, presumably to talk to Bella, then I heard her voice, recognizable even though the tone was colder than I had ever heard before.

"Jasper."

"Is Alice OK?"

"For now, yes."

"We need to talk Bella, I'm sure Alice has explained the situation."

The line went quiet and I wondered if she was going to speak again or just cut me off then to my relief she spoke again.

"She did but I'm a bit busy right now, I'll have to take a rain check."

"Bella, if you plan on going to Volterra to get your father you'll need my help."

I couldn't bear the thought of her going off alone with Darius, she was mine not his.

"Really? How do I know I can trust you? You weren't exactly reliable before."

"OK, I deserved that but I can explain and I know Darius is good but he's not me. Let me help you, let me regain your trust, please."

The silence this time was longer but then I heard,

"OK. Where are you?"

"At the house but I can come to you."

"No need we'll meet you there shortly."

So, they hadn't taken Alice far, she must have been able to explain what happened and Bella had, thankfully, believed her.

Bella

I handed the phone back to Darius who was smiling,

"Well done but I think you might find things a little more tense than you expect."

"I don't expect anything Darius, not any more. I thought I knew my future, I thought getting revenge was everything, I never looked any further than that and I certainly never expected to be thanking a Cullen for saving my father's life. And now it seems I have a mate and I have no idea what to do about it. I know you are in trouble with them for helping me and deceiving them but I want you at my side, I trust you Darius."

He smiled at that,

"I'm not going anywhere Bella, you forget I have a score to settle with the Volturi and you are my best bet at getting it."

I thought for a moment,

"I guess that is going to make things difficult, will he be jealous?"

"The Major? Of course but you leave that to me. All I want is to see Caius burn, he'll understand that."

I nodded and turned to Alice who sat watching us with a smile,

"It will be OK Bella and I see Darius being content but only if you have Jasper at your side."

I turned on her,

"I thought you couldn't see my future Alice."

She shrugged,

"I can't but it's obvious with Darius and Jasper at your side you couldn't possibly fail in whatever you decide to do."

I suppose I knew she was right but I would have felt better if Alice had been able to see the future for sure.

"Then you won't mind accompanying us will you Alice Cullen?"

She shot Darius a surprised look then shrugged,

"Why not, I haven't been to Italy for years, it should be fun."

I rolled my eyes, only Alice could see this as a fun vacation She was incorrigible!