Chapter Fifty One
Bella
We were at a distinct disadvantage but as I went to include Jazz in my shield I realized he already was, it seemed he was protected like me at all times now. He set me down gently as two figures stepped up behind us, two grey cloaked figures, Volturi! Edward flipped the switch and stood smiling,
"Well, the happy couple, how sweet, but I don't remember you asking my permission to marry my daughter Jasper."
"I'm not your daughter and I never will be. How did you get away from Volterra?"
He laughed,
"Bella, you don't have the faintest idea of how things work in my world. I have something the Volturi want and in return for it I get certain privileges. Collecting my daughter before she is defiled by an animal is just one of them and I did check, he hasn't and he never will. Come to me"
"Never, I'd rather die"
"Now it's fortunate that you should bring up the subject of death because you see I thought you might be a little difficult about this so I decide to make certain arrangements, a little incentive you could say. It's very simple, you come back to Volterra with me or your friends die, one by one, until you do."
I looked at Jazz,
"Do you think he's lying?"
He shook his head,
"I doubt it. He knew he would never get you back any other way and he's too cowardly to fight me for you."
"Fighting isn't my scene Jasper you know that, besides when one has brains and powerful friends fighting isn't necessary. So Bella, your move I believe."
Jasper
I knew he wasn't lying about the others although how he'd managed it I didn't know. Still if he had the Volturi with him that meant Alec, Jane, and Felix, a toxic mixture!
"What do you want Edward?"
"I'm talking to my daughter Jasper so just shut up. Bella I want you over here now or I swear I'll start killing your friends."
Bella looked at me with tears in her eyes,
"I love you Jazz but I can't let him kill the others. Remember me, I'll find a way back to you I promise."
I held her hand tightly but she just kissed my cheek and slipping her hand from mine walked over to stand by Edward. He tried to put an arm around her but she move away a look of distaste on her face.
"I know this is difficult for you Bella but you will thank me for keeping you free from his clutches. I'll arrange to get the marriage annulled for you, after all it was never consummated."
Edward took her by the arm and pulled her past me and out the door leaving the two Volturi guard to keep me where I was as a helicopter landed outside and I knew Bella was being flown away from me and to Volterra.
A few minutes later they too slipped away leaving me alone with only Bella's scent and an empty feeling in my chest. Unable to hold my anger and frustration in for long I jumped out the window and ran to the SUV driving away at speed until I was miles from any humans when I stopped and getting out screamed in frustration and anger, putting my fist through the hood of the vehicle before sinking to my knees, my head touching the sand. I fought for control and took out my phone checking for messages or warnings, had none of them managed a warning before being captured? I found one from Emmett that must have come in while Bella and I were in the restaurant,
"Jazz Volturi here. Get out."
Then as I put it away another message came in, from Garrett,
"Major where are you? Escaped from guard."
I was relieved that at least one of our friends had got away and rang him,
"Where are you Garrett?"
"No idea it's just sand as far as I can see. The Volturi must be stretched thin because there were only two of the foot soldiers left for me and I ripped the idiots to pieces. I guess the best went to get Peter and Charlotte. Hows Bella?"
"Gone. Edward was waiting for us, he threatened to kill all of you if she didn't go back with him."
"Shit. They got everyone else?"
"Emmett got a warning out but nothing since, I doubt Edward took the others, he either had them killed or let them go once he'd got Bella."
"Let them go? Wishful thinking Major. Would you leave Peter alive to track you down? Especially if you were Volturi."
"I guess I was just hoping Garrett. Find your way back to the hotel I'll pick you up there."
"We going to Italy?"
I didn't even bother to answer that question and he hadn't expected me to.
Bella
I threw Edwards grip off my arm and got into the helicopter my mind buzzing, he may think he'd won but it would prove a pyrrhic victory. I would get free, save our friends and find Jazz after I killed Edward and anyone who had helped him with this little enterprise. No one would keep me from my husband. As the helicopter landed at the airport Edward tried to grab my arm again but this time my shield kept him at bay.
"Keep your hands to yourself Edward."
"Bella, you really don't want to upset me. It would go hard for your friends."
I ignored him climbing out and following the two guard members who had travelled with us. He caught us up and tried talking to me again,
"Bella, if you want to keep your friends alive I suggest you try being a little more friendly. Don't forget they are still very vulnerable."
"Really? You may force me to go back to Volterra with you but that's it Edward. Don't expect more because you're going to be very disappointed."
"Bella, you shouldn't be so rude to your father."
I didn't even bother to reply to that but something did occur to me,
"If you want me to get in that plane you prove to me that our friends are still safe."
"Don't you trust me?"
Again I didn't bother to reply but just folded my arms and looked at him.
He scowled and took out his phone ringing a number then handing it to me. I took it wiping it against my dress before putting it to my mouth,
"Bella? Are you OK?"
I heaved a sigh of relief to hear Roses voice,
"Are you OK? And Em?"
"Yes we're fine, just being held in a truck. What about Jazz and the others?"
"I'm going to speak to them next then, and only then, will I go with Edward to Volterra."
"Edward! Damn. What about Jazz?"
"I don't know. He was OK when I left. What about Garrett?"
"He ran, I think he got away."
I closed my eyes in a small prayer of thanks for that. With Garrett free to help Jazz, he wouldn't be alone for long.
"I'm sorry Rose, sorry I put you and Em in danger."
"Don't be silly Bella, it's not your fault."
"I'll get you free, just hang on."
"We will, you too Bella. Take care"
