Chapter Thirty Seven
Bella
We had the most wonderful night, everything seemed so much more intense since we spoke those few words to each other and exchanged rings and I realized to us it had been as real as a preacher and a church, we were married. The next day we walked and talked and kissed and cuddled like any newly weds and ignored the future and the rest of the world. The day after that it was back to business, Charlie came to the hotel with Jake, Billy, and Raven, Billy's lady friend. We met them in the restaurant and sat talking while the humans ate. Jake was lost without Angela but she'd had a family commitment and Jake didn't want to miss a chance to see us before we left. I studied Raven while they finished dessert, she was pretty and quick-witted but more than that she didn't seem phased by Jazz and myself being there and she knew what we were, Billy had warned her before they left. I wasn't sure whether it was because she'd seen the wolves or if she just took things in her stride. I caught her looking at Jazz a few times as if trying to see into him and I didn't like it but I struggled to keep the beast in his box and Jazz feeling my anger calmed me although I didn't think he knew why I was upset. I wouldn't have brought up the Carlisle dilemma but Billy mentioned him.
Jasper
I had no idea what was upsetting Bella but I tried to help her keep control. An angry female vampire wouldn't go down well in the hotel restaurant! Billy brought up the subject of Carlisle as they drank their coffee,
"Carlisle rang me last night. He wanted to know what had happened about Renee. I thought he had his own contacts in Italy"
"He did. What did you tell him?"
"Nothing Jasper. What could I tell him? I suggested he ring Charlie or you at the Hotel but he seemed reluctant to do that."
"I'm not surprised"
Charlie looked at me hearing something in my tone of voice,
"Is there a problem Jasper?"
I looked at Bella but she was staring at Billy and Raven,
"I think so yes. We think it was Carlisle who told Aro about Bella not Edward."
"I thought he read it in Edwards thoughts?"
"I think he read something in Edwards thoughts but I think it was Carlisle who suggested Bella might make a welcome addition to the Volturi."
"Can you prove that?"
"No Billy it's just a theory but it explains why the news of Renee being in Italy came through him"
"It's weak Jasper"
"I know Charlie, I don't have proof that would stand up in court but it's what we believe"
Bella
I was getting a bad feeling about Raven although she hadn't done anything wrong. She just sat there next to Billy, an arm draped over the back of his wheelchair casually. It took a while to work out what was bugging me, she never looked at anyone other than Jasper and she never joined in the conversation even when it had been general. I put my left hand on the table and spun my ring, her eyes flickered to it then to my face and she smiled, a predatory smile as if to say, "just because you have that doesn't make him yours". I could feel my temper rising and struggled to stop the low growl that was ready to burst from my chest. In the end I excused myself to go to the rest room just to get away from her and calm myself but she followed me in. As soon as we were alone I turned on her,
"What's your problem?"
"I thought it was you who had the problem Bella. You seem very tense, worried about your man?"
"You mean my husband?"
"A few words mumbled to each other, a piece of round metal, and a quick fuck don't make you husband and wife."
I stared at her unable to believe what she'd just said.
"Who are you and why are you here?"
"I'm here for The Major, he owes me"
"What?"
"A life, my Grandfather's. When I heard Jake telling Angela about your boyfriends past I could hardly believe my luck. I'd spent years looking for him, too many years and he was coming to me. All I had to do was be patient and that's something I was very good at."
"You're not human are you? You're like the Quileute wolves."
"And you are very astute Bella Swan."
Jasper
I was worried, Bella had gone to cool off and Raven had followed her so I needed to check she was OK. I got up but Charlie spoke,
"Jasper what do you plan to do about Carlisle? I thought he was helping us, are you sure you're right about him?"
I shook my head,
"100 per cent sure? No but close enough. Excuse me for a moment please."
I saw Billy frown as I walked away but Bella was my only concern. As I approached the rest room I could hear the conversation which was abruptly cut short as another woman walked in. Raven was looking for me? I had no idea why but she was baiting Bella, never a good thing to do to a newborn. If she wasn't a Quileute who was she? Jake had said she came from Montana. I'd heard of the bears from Montana but why would she be looking for me in particular?
Bella walked out looking thunderous until she saw me when she smiled,
"I 'd like to go for a walk Jasper. We'll meet the others in the bar in a little while"
I looked for Raven but there was no sign of her so I went back and made our apologies arranging to meet the others in half an hour in the hotel bar. Once outside Bella threw back her head and let out a deep breath,
"Did you hear her?"
"Not all of it but enough to know she's been looking for me. What did she say?"
"Not much, just that a few words and a quick fuck didn't make us married"
I laughed,
"Well that would depend on your point of view and it wasn't a quick fuck anyway."
She smiled at me,
"I told her that but I don't think she was impressed. She said you owe her a life."
"A life? How far back are we going?"
"I don't know but she's a wolf or something"
"Not a wolf but a bear maybe. I've heard of bear guardians in Montana. I've never worked in Montana so if I killed someone close to her my guess would be that he was hunting us close to the Mexican border. It happened sometimes. The Southern tribes would ask for help to rid an area of Maria's vampire army."
"Did it work?"
"Not very often, we were too strong for them usually."
"Well, perhaps she'll speak to you directly next time"
"If you don't scratch her eyes out first my little hell cat"
"Mrs hell cat to you Cowboy. Now let's get back to the others, I'm sure Raven has joined them by now."