Chapter Fifty Four

Charlie

I did wonder if I'd stepped into a horror movie when the talk turned to werewolves and vampires but Jasper's little trick with a bullet brought me back to earth pretty damn quick.

"So how did Bella end up in the hospital?" I wanted information for now, I'd deal with the scary shit later. Carlisle looked at Jasper who continued,

"We were going to confront Edward but there was a problem and he tried to abduct her. She threw herself out of the car to get away from him"

"A problem? What kind of problem?" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath,

"My sister Alice changed sides and informed Edward of our plans. He was waiting for Bella when we got there."

"How come she was alone?"

"Because she insisted on talking to him on her own first."

"And why was that?" He pinched the bridge of his nose,

"We have to go back a bit first. Bella was kidnapped by Edward before and he hurt her, that's how come she was in the hospital last time. That's when she got pregnant." I stepped back from him,

"Your brother raped my daughter and beat her badly enough to put her in the hospital and you concocted a story about a car accident to cover for him?" He shook his head,

"No. Not to cover for him. To cover for Bella. She didn't want you to know what had happened. She didn't want you to know about us because that's dangerous knowledge that could get you killed. We never knew she was pregnant Charlie." My blood was boiling now.

"So knowing what a psycho your brother is you decided she'd be safe alone with him?"

"No but she was the only one who could get close to him without him knowing the rest of us were there." "Why? Why only Bella?"

"Because he can't read her thoughts"

"And he can read everyone else's?"

"Yes. Bella wanted us to kill him because he was threatening you and all her friends."

The penny dropped then,

"Did he cause the accident that killed Renee?"

"He said he did but he may just have been taking advantage of the accident to scare Bella."

"Well he's scaring the shit out of me".

"I was following the car when she threw herself out."

"You saw it and you didn't help her?"

"I couldn't, the police were there straight away and I can't get involved with them for obvious reasons."

"So is she still in danger?"

"Yes but she's not alone. Rose and Emmett are at the hospital watching her and I will be taking over as soon as we finish here. I can't stay away Charlie. Bella is my life and I can't be away from her. You have to let me look after her."

"Actually I don't have to do anything. Anyway why aren't you out there trying to find that brother of yours? I'd have thought that was the most important thing."

"I have friends looking for him and Alice."

"Friends? More vampires?"

"Yes Charlie and they are very good at what they do. They will find him."

"Yeah well you'll understand if I'm a little skeptical about that too. I guess they've been looking since he put her in the hospital the first time and he's still out there somewhere."

"Actually its worse than that. He's with Alice now."

"And what does that matter?" Carlisle stood up and took my arm,

"Charlie, Alice sees the future. She knows what we are going to do before we do it."

"Fuck. No chance of someone on your team with a cool gift is there?"

"No Charlie I'm afraid not. Jasper's friends are our best bet, he just knows where trouble is going to be and Emmett is stronger than Edward or Alice but we have to corner them first."

"What about Superman there?"

"Charlie if anyone is going to keep Bella safe its Jasper and its nothing to do with being bulletproof. The truth is that Bella is his mate and he would do anything, and I mean anything, to keep her safe. Even die for her." That made me think, I looked at Jasper's face and saw again the feral look in his eyes,

"More likely to kill to keep her safe." Jasper nodded,

"Without a second thought Charlie." I sighed,

"OK. You stay with her at the hospital but I'm counting on you and if you fail her I'll find a weapon that will work on you believe me"

"Oh I do and its fire Charlie. Fire will work on me just in case you need to know." I turned to Billy,

"You owe me, both of you. I want your wolves on Edwards trail. You hear me? Or I'll be on that reservation with a hunting licence." Billy looked at me,

"I'll ask Sam to organise the boys."

"Sam? Sam Uley is involved in this?"

"Yes he's the pack Alpha."

"And Jake? Is that why nobody's seen him?" Billy nodded,

"Yes Charlie. Jake too."

This evening was turning out to be the worst I'd ever had and it wasn't going to get better any time soon. I had vampires guarding my daughter and werewolves tracking her assailant. As Carlisle got up to leave I stopped him,

"You will take charge of Bella won't you? You're the best Doctor here and I want the best for her, irrespective of what you are". The Doctor nodded,

"Of course Charlie after all Bella is practically family" I looked over to Jasper.

"Yeah practically. Jasper you better wait here and come back to the hospital with me. I have to take the bar off you visiting". He nodded and leaned back against the wall.

"As for you two" I looked over at Billy and Harry. We'll be talking real soon."

They got up and left with Carlisle. I was now alone in the house with a self-confessed vampire and it made me uneasy.

"Don't worry Charlie I don't drink human blood any more"

"You did?"

"Yes. For many years before I met the Cullen's. I know you don't like me Charlie and I don't blame you. If things were reversed I wouldn't want me as a son on law either but I do love Bella and she loves me so we're stuck with each other."

"For now" I qualified.

"Until she asks me to leave." his reply was fast and final.