Chapter 18

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***Warning Graphic Material***

Bella emerged from Edward's bathroom. After her ordeal, a leisurely soak in tub had been just the remedy to calm her frazzled nerves. The muscles of her thighs and calves also benefited from the hot water, relaxing the achy, tight flesh, leaving her feeling drowsy.

Of course, Rosalie stayed with her every step of the way, ensuring she didn't succumb to the panic welling in her chest. With a sigh, her smile came out as a grimace, watching Rose head for the door.

"Try to lay down and get some sleep. Are you sure you don't want me to have dad come by?" Concern was all over Rose's face, her brows pinched together as she studied Bella. She couldn't even begin to imagine how Bella was feeling. Being chased through town by a few maniacs would be hard for anyone to erase from their memory. "It will only take him ten minutes to get here, and I'm sure he has something to help you sleep."

"I'm sure… I just want to lay down and forget this ever happened," Bella stated wandering to the bed, and pulling the coverlet back. "Can you have Edward come up? I can't be alone right now."

"Definitely," she promised pulling the bedroom door open. Stepping into Edward's study, she found her brother-in-law standing next to the window, gazing out at the surrounding forest. When he glanced over his shoulder, she murmured, "Bella's asking for you. I think she's scared to be alone, and who can blame her."

"You know, I was stupid enough to believe I could be happy," Edward scoffed, pushing away from the window, he came to stand next to Rosalie. "I thought that part of my life was firmly behind me. How can I have Bella stay here when her life could be in danger."

The stories Edward related five years ago sprang to Rosalie's mind. Cringing at the thought that those psychos had migrated to Forks caused a series of chills to sweep through her. "You can't really believe these are the same people. That happened in Canada, Edward. What are the chances the same people came to Forks of all places?"

"Well, Rose, there are lot of similarities. Details I thought I'd forgotten until Bella described them to that cop. A black man with dreads… his accent. Long red hair…" Edward's hand scrubbed down the side of his face exposed from the mask. "And why not Forks? The city is a no nothing town. It would be really easy to snatch someone up. Yeah, people might notice the disappearances, but… Hell, I don't know."

Placing a comforting hand on his forearm, she leaned in close, lowering her voice. "Let's wait and see what the police find out. They might have been passing through, and when they didn't actually catch Bella, they moved on. They're probably off to a bigger city. This town is too small for outsiders to hide for long."

A brief spear of hope shot through Edward. Maybe Rosalie was right, and they were merely passing through. When their prey didn't turn out to be such an easy catch they moved on. Even as the idea gave him a brief measure of comfort, another worry took its place. "What if they followed me here? What if the person in the van was James? It seems like a huge risk to keep Bella around here, Rose."

Rose considered his concerns. Was it possible these crazies had followed them from Canada? How would that even be possible? Realizing Edward's paranoia was now invading her peace of mind, she tilted her head as she studied him. "I think you are giving these people far too much credit, Edward. Go sit with Bella and stop looking for reasons to push her away."

Edward shoved his hands into his pockets, his fingertips brushing over the photo he kept there, watching Rose cross the study, and jog down the stairs. She was probably right. He was overthinking things. Still, he rocked on his heels as he turned toward the door to his bedroom. Sucking in a lungful of air, he willed the complexing thoughts to cease, and the churning in his gut to stop.

With his nerves still on edge, he withdrew his hands, and entered the bedroom. Bella sat on the edge of his bed, fiddling with the tie on his robe, her startled gaze darting to the door when it opened. With a calm he didn't entirely feel, he crossed the room and sat next to her. "Don't worry, it's just me."

Bella's worries scattered when Edward stepped through the door. Just being in his presence made her feel safer. The sight of him speeding up to her on that ninja bike hours ago had been nothing short of a miracle. As long as she lived, she would never forget Edward racing to her rescue. Leaping onto the back of that bike had been her saving grace and she was certain there wouldn't be another like it in her lifetime. At least, she was hoping not.

What would have happened if he hadn't been there? If he'd shown up minutes later, she'd have been thrown into the back of that van. A wave of terror claimed her. Bella couldn't image the helplessness the situation caused her to feel.

"Thank you for being there." Emotion choked her as she spoke. "I don't know what I would have done without you…"

"Let's not talk about that," Edward told her. The last thing he wanted to envision was losing her, especially in such a terrifying way. Refusing to contemplate the dangers Bella had escaped by a fraction of a second, he took her hand and urged her to stand. Pulling the coverlet back, he turned to her and untied the belt to his robe. When the plush material parted, he pushed it over her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

His fingertips lingered on her smooth shoulders, his gaze dropping to the black tank top and tiny shorts she wore. How in the ever-loving mother was he to sleep next to her tonight? As his fingers caressed down her arms, he studied the steady rise and fall of her chest causing her breasts to press into the thin cotton. On cue, her nipples went hard, and he lost all train of thought.

This so was not the time to be thinking of ripping her clothes from her body and ravishing her. Bella was far too vulnerable for making rash decisions. With all the willpower he could muster, his hands dropped away from her, and he pulled his hungry gaze from her delicious curves. Tapping her on her waist, he said, "Come on… Let's try and sleep."

Obediently, Bella crawled beneath the covers, grateful when he followed her under the coverlet. As soon as the light went out, he pulled her into his arms, and she instantly wrapped around him. She lifted her arm, her fingers searching the dark room for his face, soothed as she contacted his stubbled jaw. Subconsciously, she petted along his jaw, seeking solace. Her lashes fell across her cheeks when his arms encircled her waist, his hands stroking along her ribs, his fingers drifting over her spine. "You feel so good."

Edward absorbed her sweet statement, his own eyes closing on a well of emotion, his fingers traced over the strap on her shoulder. "Not as good as you do…"

He knew the instant Bella drifted to sleep, her form going lax against his, yet he was reluctant to close his eyes. Nightmares had wrecked his life for nearly four years after Jasper died, and he had a feeling the terror was lurking just beneath the shadows. Holding Bella offered some comfort to his tortured soul, his muscles flexing as he tightened his arms around her, smiling when she snuggled deeper into him.

Tilting his head, he stared out at the night sky, studying the stars that blinked back at him through the window. Normally, contentment would replace his troubled thoughts as he looked outside, yet tonight he was far from content. His peace was currently so rattled, he seriously doubted he'd ever feel tranquility again.

Minutes later Bella drifted away taking his home in Forks with her. He was in the forest stumbling over brush and broken limbs, sharp sticks stabbing his heels and the sensitive archs on his bare feet. He shivered as a chilly wind penetrated his numb skin, holding his forearm up to block the snap of branches, ignoring the sting when they smacked back into his face. He could hear Jasper wheezing as he fought to keep up pace with him, a cry leaving his best friend's lips when he stumbled and fell hard on his knees. "Edward!"

Automatically, Edward turned to watch Jasper crumble to the forest floor. Hearing the sound of barking dogs growing closer, he shot to Jasper's side, his arm locking around his friend's bicep. "Jasper! Get up… Get up… their getting closer."

Tears seeped from Jasper's blue eyes. "I can't… my fucking ankle."

Edward's gaze darted to Jasper's ankle, taking in the tattered flesh of his feet, cut and bleeding. His friend's face was sunken and pale under the moonlight, every rib pronounced from lack of proper nutrition, a gaping wound in his thigh even now seeping with blood and infection. Still Edward pulled adamantly on his arm. "Get up, Jasper. I think the highway is close… heard a semi, or something."

Jasper attempted to climb to his feet, yet he winced and crumbled at Edward's feet. His pleading gaze met Edward's as a tear leaked from the corner of his eye. "Just fucking go… Edward… go… leave me."

"I'm not fucking leaving you… Get the hell up, or I won't ever forgive you, Jasper." Edward felt the sting of tears fill his eyes as he watched the fight drain from Jasper's gaze. "No… no… Jasper don't do that… don't give up on me."

The snarling and snapping of dogs drew ever closer, and he could hear the hunters yelling back and forth. Any second now, they would burst through the trees and their chance to escape would be forever gone. The tears dripped down his cheeks as he stared into the eyes of his best friend. Shaking his head, he whispered frantically, "Come on, man… Just a little further… that's it… just a little more."

Edward barely finished speaking when a bolt whistled past his ear and slammed into the tree inches from his head. Startled by the unexpected arrow whizzing past his head, and the warm trickle of blood seeping from his scalp, Edward nearly fell over backward. In an attempt to save himself, he scrambled back, several feet now separating him from Jasper. "I need you, Jasper. Alice needs you… You have to come on. Right! Now!"

Jasper's chin wobbled at the mention of Alice's name. Sniffling as emotion overtook him, and his words came out on a sob. "Go… Get the fuck out of here."

This time when the bolt zipped through the woods it slammed into Jasper's shoulder. His eyes went wide with pain, his already alabaster skin dropping several shades, a stricken glance going to the arrow protruding from his shoulder. His hands flew to his arm as he tried to stop the gush of blood soaking his arm and oozing down his chest.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" With no choice left to him, Edward jumped to his feet and scurried down the hill, the bottom of his feet blistering as he slid. When he felt he was at a safe distance, he looked over his shoulder just in time to see another bolt thump into Jasper's torso. As a cry left Jasper's lips, the stirring of twigs snapping grew closer, and James appeared directly behind Jasper. The agony twisting Jasper's face caused a cry to escape him, momentarily holding Edward's attention. "Fuck… fuck… fuck…"

He hated himself in that moment. As he pivoted on his feet and ran toward the sound of what he'd thought to be traffic. When he burst through the opening of several trees, he came to stand at a bank of rushing water and without hesitation flung himself into the current. He barely fought the pull of water whirling around his legs carrying him away.

After floating what he felt was a safe distance, Edward's fight kicked in, and swam to the opposite shore. Shivering and gasping, he crawled on his hands and knees through thick, heavy mud before collapsing onto his back. Breathing heavily, he drifted in and out of consciousness.

Edward blinked up at the bright blue sky… and all of a sudden, the nightmare restarted, playing on a loop, claiming his sanity and his dreams.

Bella came awake to Edward mumbling and thrashing beside her. At first, she lay there trying to decipher between reality and her own wicked dreams. Then she heard him murmur Jasper's name, and the fidgeting started soon after. Perspiration covered his face and neck, and the rest of his body felt feverish as he wrestled with the coverlet.

Cautiously, she reached for him, her hand soothing down his arm. "Edward… Edward… wake up. You're having a bad dream."

His kicking legs went still, yet his eyes remained sealed tight. When he didn't act threatened by her disturbance, she eased closer, her hand sliding down the front of his shirt. Her fingers jerked back when he cringed under her touch. Wiggling out of her reach, she felt lost for several seconds before trying again.

"Edward…" This time she shook his arm with a firm shake. "Edward, wake up."

His eyes snapped open and his pupils darted around the room as he took in his surroundings. That's when Bella noticed the tears clinging to his lashes. Swallowing the sorrow clawing her throat, her trembling fingers reached for him. "Edward… You were dreaming."

"Shit," he mumbled, his arm dragging over his eyes. A sniff was muffled in his elbow as he buried his face in his arm. "Sorry… didn't mean to… to…"

Bella's soft fingers locked around his arm. Pulling at his bicep, she urged his arm down to look into his face. "What are you apologizing for? Come here…"

Edward didn't need any further encouragement. Rolling towards her, he buried his face into her chest, his whole body on edge. Some of the tension left his shoulders when her arms instantly encircled his head, and she held him to her. Moisture from either the perspiration or what she believed to be tears soaked the front of her tank top. "Shhh… shhh… It's okay… I got you."

Her fingers combed through his hair, circling around the shell of his ear, she repeated the motion. Gradually, the tightness left his muscles as he listened to the steady beat of her heart. With his head lying just so, he could feel the press of the mask covering his face, his daily reminder of that hideous time in his life.

Bella caressed the nape of his neck, feeling the shudder raking him to her very soul. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The last thing he wanted was to talk about the nightmares torturing him. The events that had changed his entire life. Shaking his head, a tremor shivered through his torso as he said, "No… no… can't…"

Jesus, he just wanted to forget. He wanted to forget everything. Jasper. The bolts. The hunters. The fucking dogs. He wanted to forget that night. The days and nights prior to the event that crushed the air from his lungs. The look in Jasper's eyes as he'd screamed for him to go.

Feeling like the weakest person alive, Edward pulled himself from the comfort of Bella's arms. Throwing himself against the pillows, he covered his face with the crook of his arm, unwilling to let her see the vulnerability of tears on his cheek. Even while this powerlessness filled him, he sought her closeness, his free hand locating her in the dark, his fingers petting down her arm.

The mattress shifted as Bella pushed herself up into a sitting position. Reaching across Edward's shivering form, she turned the knob on the lamp, casting the room in a soft yellow glow. Blinking the glare from her eyes, she turned her attention to the man next to her, her heart twisting as another quiver seized him.

She'd never been in this position before, yet instinct guided her movements. Easily, she pressed her lips against his arm in a sweet kiss. Brushing her fingers through his hair, she murmured, "Everything is going to be okay… You are here…"

Slowly Edward's arm dropped away from his face, his cheeks glistening under the glow of light, and the need to ease his pain dictated Bella's next move. Scooting closer to him, she met his gaze as she leaned forward and pressed another peck on his forehead. The warmth of the mask penetrated her lips, her hand coming up to caress the metal covering his skin before drifting down to his stubbled jaw. When the rush of his breath fanned across her neck, she bent forward again, her lips grazing the skin of his cheek. As the shivers quieted throughout his body leaving him still beneath her, she dropped another on the tip of his nose, her eyes lifting to his when she pulled back.

The tears seemed to be drying on his cheeks with no new ones falling. Even with her job nearly accomplished, Bella found herself moving once again, this time her kiss falling on the corner of his lips. Desire popped to life, every cell in her body awakened with a tingle when his breath blew, warming her skin. She felt the tangle of his fingers in her hair, a slight movement urging her to gift him with another, this time her chin tilted leaving her mouth level with his. Holding his whiskey colored eyes with hers, she leaned forward, a gasp parting her lips in anticipation.

Edward had waited for this moment for the past several weeks. This hadn't been the ideal setting for their first kiss, yet considering the hours prior to this moment, he wouldn't have chosen another way. He licked over his lips moistening their soft skin just as Bella's mouth settled over his in a lingering caress.

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