BPOV
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
A summer past and still I stay in France. I train. I eat. I sleep. I'm even friendly with Alice and her husband Jasper but it's been too long and I can feel my façade begin to wane. Edward and I talk but our talks become less and less, with more sighs and silence. Not because of him. He tried but I just…can't.
Waiting here must be far worse than whatever Edward is doing. Waiting to hear word of an all clear…waiting to hear nothing at all would be worse. I feel strong and in control. It's only been a few months but with nothing else to do, training is all I do.
Edward tries to keep me in the loop, telling me of his progress. James is dealing out of Edward's harbors…not long until we can finally take him down. I believe he keeps using phrases like "we" and "us" so I can feel like I am actually a part of something but I know that I haven't done one damn thing and Edward's misdirection isn't working.
I dream of going back to Los Angeles, silly fantasies of standing beside my husband as I help to finish off what I started.
"Bella." Edward sighs.
What can I say to him now? Instead another sigh.
"I know it's hard…I'm sorry. I thought I would be further along. I have failed you…failed to bring a quick end to all this. Please don't give up. Just…give me a little more time."
"Time." I finally respond absently. "Not in short supply but I can't waste my life in…hiding. I need to do something…"
"No. Bella, we've gone over this. You just need to be patient…"
"I have been fucking patient." I yelled. "That's all I am…"
Uh-oh the facade…it's crumbling.
"I know." Edward tries.
"You have no idea what it is to sit here in the same fucking boring town, doing the same fucking boring thing over and over."
"Honey…"
"Do not tell me to be patient." I slammed the phone down and looked around the room at our guests.
The fireplace was roaring and the sun setting. Alice looked up from the kitchen sink with the washed carrots in her hands. Jasper sitting nearby with one of his many books he picked up while in town.
"I have to go for a run." I grab my jacket and fly out of the house in desperate need to blow off some steam and get away from all their eyes which stare sadly at me. By the time I make it to town, I have cooled down marginally and feel regret for how I spoke to Edward. It's not his fault.
I feel helpless and responsible and no amount of frustration or blaming my husband is going to fix anything. I feel alone and miserable. I try to picture Edward, picture our short time together and how lovely it was. The feeling of his hands on my body. The touch of his lips upon mine. Nothing but shadows and I begin to wonder if the memory will soon go and I'll be left with nothing but a fantasy that my mind has concocted.
"You're getting quite fast." Seth jogged up behind me and for a second I am completely infuriated with myself. How did I not know I was being followed?
Rookie mistake.
"What the fuck do you want?" I huff still trying to catch my breath.
"Just…making sure you don't do anything stupid."
"What exactly do you think I'm going to do? Kill myself?" I scoff.
"No…I think…you're stronger than that, at the very least."
I see a tree that has fallen and I go to grab a space to sit while my great mentor and I have a heart to heart, apparently.
"I have never trained someone so dedicated before. You…I don't think you realize how strong you are. But, I remember when Edward got to where you are in your training…that's when he started to go out and look for…other targets to practice on. Edward doesn't want you in any situations. He doesn't want you following in his footsteps, doing something stupid."
"How much does Edward pay you?"
"What? Uh…" Seth for the first time looked completely taken off guard.
"It must be a shit ton for you to sit here and waste your time babysitting me. You are…far too over qualified and yet here you stand watching me…waiting so you can report back to your boss the status of his fragile wife. What a waste of talent." I scoff.
I was a bitch. I'm being an ungrateful bitch.
"Swan, when you can kick my ass and back up your snotty attitude with actual evidence, then it will no longer have been a waste of my time but you still have so much to learn and controlling your emotions is one of them. Get off the fucking log and let's go."
I guess the heart to heart was over.
The whole way back to the cabin, Seth didn't let me forget myself. He was on my heels shouting for me to push harder and faster. He wanted to break me but my anger pushed me on without so much as a crack.
He sent me straight to bed and told me to be ready by dawn. You would think a good night sleep was what I needed to readjust my attitude but the next morning I was still frustrated. Still pissed off at my world. Sensing that today would be as much of a repeat as yesterday, Jasper and Alice decided to spend their day in town.
Seth ran me through the same old fucking boring drills and wouldn't let up for anything. By noon I was tired and exhausted but I wasn't about to show him that.
"Take a lunch and meet me up at the ridge in thirty minutes. We'll start on weapon drills next."
He left probably to go and prepare for the rest of the day's lesson and I was left there with only my thoughts for company. I stared across the room at the phone and knew I should call Edward to apologize but I could feel myself start to tear up at the thought and didn't want to embrace that weakness.
Still he should know he's loved. I never wanted him to go out into "battle" thinking otherwise. If he did…pass, I wanted his last thought of me to be a positive one.
Finally I pulled myself up to my feet and stalked across the living room to the phone. I punched the code in and waited for it to connect.
How should I start? Hello Edward? I'm incredibly sorry for my…insolence?
"Hello." A voice greeted and I could feel my blood turn to ice. The only thing heard after were my breaths shallow and quick.
"Who…who is this?" I managed.
"Bella? Is that you sweetheart? You don't even recognize your own fiance's voice?"
Immediately I pushed weak Bella aside and brought out I don't even know what the fuck.
"Fuck you, Jacob Black!" I sneered into the phone. "What the fuck are you doing at my…Edward's house?"
"Funny little thing…I've been having a rather…interesting conversation with, what was it? You're Edward, did you say? Of course he hasn't said much…I guess I should probably loosen the gag if I actually wanted to hear him speak but hearing him scream out in pain was getting rather old and...annoying." he yawns.
"I will fucking kill you myself." I whispered.
I could feel myself out of control. How could this be happening? How did Edward ever let himself be taken by Jacob of all people? For just a second I slipped into a dark place as I pictured Edward hurt and broken. I pictured all the different ways I would kill Jacob Black.
"My my, a couple of months away from me and what a little mouth you have." He holds the phone away a little and continues, "You see Edward, you give them an inch…" he says to my love.
"What do you want, Jacob?" Stupid question but one that had to be asked.
"What the fuck do you think I want? You fucking bitch, you don't even realized the shit storm you created. I was put on leave because I was so torn up at your disappearance. I gave you everything and then you fucking think you can just leave me?" he tries to keep himself calm but his voice gets louder with every word.
"Come to Port Angeles. You want me…then come and get me. Bring Edward with you and I will…do whatever you want. Come home with you…whatever you want. Just don't hurt Edward anymore…he's nothing, he was just a friend from my past who took me in is all."
"Port Angeles?"
"Yes…I'll meet you at the docks. You'll have home court advantage." My mind already racing. How the fuck was I going to get there? I didn't have money or a plane. Seth? He wouldn't let me go and I wasn't about to risk Edward's life because of some red tape put down by Seth.
I start to rack my brain for a plan and it must be Kismet because my eyes land on that damned invitation to Edward's and my ten-year high school reunion and it's in two days' time. The perfect diversion.
"Meet me in Port Angeles in two days'…Saturday night at eight o'clock. I would say sooner but since you'll be traveling with your beat up hostage, I'm sure you'll need the time to drive up since no other transportation will be available to you."
"Don't fuck with me, Bella. You better be there or I'll make sure to make a show out of Edward here."
I slam the phone down before I let myself go. His voice…the vial things he did to my Edward. I couldn't fail, all the times that Edward rescued me…now it was time to return the favor. I grab the keys to the small jeep that Seth has parked in the garage and don't even leave time to pack a bag, I do however find a stack of Euro's that Seth has "hidden" away. A couple hundred dollars at best, nowhere near the amount for a plane flight half way around the world.
I have no way of knowing how to get to Paris but it can't be more than a day's drive from here and I can stop and ask for directions in town.
I still have no clue how I can even begin to afford a flight home but I have much bigger problems. I have no idea where Edward kept a passport for me. I had the whole road trip to Paris to think on that. What is Seth always telling me? The answers are always right in front of you…use your resources…use your damn brain.
Think Bella. Think!
After a brief stop in town to acquire my directions I am back on the road. I know that Seth might have a tracker on this vehicle but I will have long dumped the car by the time he catches up.
Tick tock, tick tock. I watch the minutes pass as I get closer and closer to my destination. I want to think of Edward but if I start to, I might breakdown and that is counterproductive.
"Please god." I whisper.
Plans run through my head. Possibilities but every single one of them is crazier than the last. I finally decide to go with the craziest of them all.
"Please god." I whisper again.
One thing's for sure in two days' time, all the chips will have fallen where they may and there will be no more hiding. I don't know where my fate will lie but, "I swear to you Edward…you will live through this…even I don't."
I pull into Paris and it is late at night, deciding to find some rat nest of a hotel near the airport seems advantageous. I ready myself to make the call of my life but first another call must be made. A calling card from the commissary downstairs with just enough minutes to call the two people I need.
I take in a deep breath as I wait listening to the dial tone patching me through to a friend who I pray I can trust.
"My Sister's Helper, this is Rosalie." She sounds so cheery, unaware of what I am about to ask of her.
"Rosalie." I start.
"Bella? Oh my god! Where are you?" she gasps.
"Look, I don't have much time." Or minutes on my calling card. "I need to speak to Emmett. It's an emergency and I don't know…I need someone I can trust. I don't know Emmett that well but I trust you and if you think he's a good man then I have to have a little faith."
"Uh…he's right here. Of course you can trust him…and me. Whatever it is…we can help."
I hear her pass the phone to the man I had only brief encounters with but now I was quite literally placing all my faith into.
"What is it, Bella? How can I help?" His strong voice even more serious than when I last heard him.
"There's going to be…a lot of criminal activity in a certain place…Saturday night…be there no later than eight-thirty for the fireworks. I know you work for the city of Los Angeles but if you have any pull with the F.B.I., I suggest you use it. Port Angeles shipping harbor…it could be big. There might even be a homicide."
"How do you know this?"
"I just need to know that the good guys will be there...you know how I feel about the local law enforcement. I have to go, please tell Rosalie thank you for everything. She saved me."
I hung up knowing I needed to keep the call short and any longer Emmett would have me trying to spill out every detail but I still didn't know all the details. Some plans form as they're happening.
Now it was time. I could practically hear Edward screaming into my ear as I prepared myself to dial information that would help me track down my "plane ticket." With information it didn't take long to be patched through to James's office. With a few dramatic words from me it was literally seconds when he picked up the phone.
"Give me one moment." I heard him say to someone.
"Isabella Swan…how I have waited for you…"
"Cut the shit limp dick." I wasn't Isabella Swan. She was weak. I had to become something else. Someone else. "I have information that…I think you will find very helpful. I know you've been trying to track me; I must have…struck a chord with you when last we met. Didn't mean to make you look weak in front of your friends."
"You have no concept of what weak is my dear. I would love to give you a little lesson…"
"You'll get your lesson but not on me. I have information; there has been someone who is aware of your criminal activities. An off duty police officer who has been compiling information on you to turn over to his command…he wants a promotion and has been watching. If you want the name…it comes at a price. My freedom for his name. I'll even hand deliver him to you."
"Well, well, well…it seems you've been mighty busy Miss Swan. However did you come to this…information?"
"Let's just say…I seem to get mixed up with all the wrong people. I will meet you in Port Angeles on Saturday night… at eight-thirty but I'm having a minor issue of getting home. I lost my passport and have no way of returning. If you could arrange for transportation…"
"Where are you?"
"Paris. A shitty hotel just outside the city near Charles de Gaulle airport. I know you're a man of means and won't disappoint. Do we have a deal?"
"Your freedom for the cop? I'll be seeing you in Port Angeles then, Miss Swan."
I could feel my heart still racing even five minutes after the phone call ended. My mouth was dry while I waited for my escort to show up. I knew it wouldn't be long. People like James had assets they could trust and dispatch in every corner of the world. I needed to get my nerves out now so I could prepare for the next phase.
The ball was in James's corner, or so I wanted him to believe. No doubt he would be sending some serious muscle to ensure my safe arrival. I guess it was time to see if the past seven months counted for something.
I knew that one of my assets was being able to look meek and unassuming. However my work out clothes did little to hide the muscles I had gained and definition in my body. I needed a disguise to help further the lie.
On the corner of where my hotel was located was a small little tourist shop. I bought a shirt two sizes bigger hoping that the baggy clothes could hide my body. I had just thrown on the baggy shirt when a slick black SUV pulled up out front. Two men exited and I was a little surprised that I hadn't seen a hint of a weapon. Made me feel marginally better.
No need for them to waste their time looking for me. I walked up to them surrendering Isabella Swan and moving back into character.
"You James's guys?" I asked.
One opened the door without even a response. I slowly got into the car and didn't miss the fact that there was no handle on the door beside me. No way out…so it would seem. The ride was quick and we ended on the tarmac next to a private plane.
"Riding in style." I commented.
Without another response the man who sat next to me exited the car and came around to my side and opened the door. Another man approached me and roughly pulled me out of the car.
"I came willing dumb shit. I'm not going to run. Loosen the grip." I spit as I stared up at him.
He did and proceeded to follow me towards the plane. The place was nice but not as friendly skies as Edward's. I took a seat in the first row and buckled in. There would be no need to stand guard. I might as well get as much rest as possible. These men weren't going to hurt me until I was delivered safely to their boss. I had a feeling Mr. Sayer was about to be mighty disappointed but I would rest and save up my strength for later.
I wanted to sleep but I kept replaying memories in my head of Edward. Telling me he loved me. Marrying me…every happy moment I had with him. I could feel myself begin to break and as much as it would help me to have the two men accompanying me think I was weak by crying. I knew I needed to be stronger.
Finally sometime later I found my sleep and slept hard until I could feel the plane make its final decent.
Showtime.
I needed to get away and it would be mighty helpful if I could procure one of the guns that rested safely in a holster on my escorts. But I couldn't begin an attack until I could see what was awaiting me on the ground.
I actually sorted a quick laugh when I saw just one driver awaiting me. So just these two men and a driver who by the looks is probably not going to be a problem. It feels great to be underestimated sometimes.
"Let's go." One of the men says gruffly.
"I didn't get your name…I'm Isabella and I just feel that maybe this whole process would move along much better if we shared common courtesies."
"I said move."
I stood up gathering what little I brought.
"Where's your friend…the cute one?" I wink and that was enough to piss him off. He grabs me and pushes me in front of him. Great Cute One is already on the ground leaving this far too easy for me. I stumble forward a little but take all my weight and throw my arm back as fast as possible hitting the not so cute one in chest. I only had seconds before he would come to an understanding of not disregarding me so easily.
Then it was just like training. This man was not Seth. He was someone who would actually kill me. I jump up, using the door frame and twist to kick him as hard as I could. So much for a "controlled situation." The man now is on the defensive and trying to maneuver himself out of the way long enough to pull his gun but I never give him the opportunity. I punch and kick as fast as I can. It will be any second before man two is on my heels so I don't have time to waste playing with this one.
I go for the head hitting it in quick succession and he manages to get a hit in that sends me flying to the other side of the plane. I jump back up forgetting any pain and then the second man is there and ready to jump in. Two assailants and one Bella.
"What do you do, Bella?" I hear Seth's voice and continue on pitting each of my attackers against one another. Using their size against them. Man what a workout. The adrenalin just kicking my ass into full gear.
One second they were up and now they're down. Two down and an army is what awaits me, I imagine. This display will definitely show James just what I am capable of and warning will not go unheeded. I pull the gun free from the side holster and find a travel bag that man one was carrying out. I dump the contents and of course what else would it be. Drugs and cash.
So petty that I'm actually disappointed for a minute in James. Would he really risk smuggling drugs into the country in a private plane? I doubt he was that stupid. I asses that this must have belonged to these two gentlemen.
"Dumbasses!" I dump the drugs and money all over their bodies and place my gun inside the bag.
"Tell Mr. Sayer that he may want to clean up his private plane before the authorities search it." I say to the lonely driver as I walk down the couple of steps toward the car.
"Uh…I'm supposed to take you to Mr. Sayer's home…"
Poor kid. Probably straight out of high school and just looking for a summer job.
"Change of plans, Skippy. Tell Mr. Sayer I will meet him as planned on Saturday at eight-thirty. I don't need a place to stay just a ticket home." I started to walk away from the whole scene with one last word of advice, "Seriously, you might want to tell him now to get someone down here to clean up his "friends" mess."
With only euros in my pocket and Glock-20 in my bag, I was back in a town I never wanted to step foot in again. At least it was the end of summer, less chance of shitty weather. Now I just needed to lay low and do a little reconnaissance for tomorrow night.
Seems fitting that it should be here in Port Angeles.
I think of Edward and wonder how he is. Where he is.
"Please, god."
AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing. This story is winding down and I already have an idea for my next story but first I want to do some hands on research. In the meantime I will continue on with Crossfade as I will post the final chapter of A Working Title tomorrow. THANK YOU AGAIN!