Chapter 28
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Bella waited with every muscle in her body tensing. Her hand literally hurt with the grip she had on the hoof pick. Diablo's massive head appeared from within his stall, his ears lying against his head while his eyes went wild. He snorted with fury as his lip curled, baring huge flat teeth. Lucky for her, his attention was aimed at the intruders now creeping toward her down the aisle.
She caught the look of hesitation on Victoria's face when she spotted Diablo. Her gaze was darting between Bella and the stallion. Laurent, however, didn't seem affected by the diversion, stepping out of reach as he continued down the walkway. What looked like a machete held tight in his grasp, the light glittering off the long blade as he moved closer.
"What do you want from me?" Bella trembled, meeting his black gaze. "I don't have anything you want. Why won't you leave me alone?"
"On the contrary, mouse. You are exactly what we want," Laurent stated, ever aware of the furious animal before him. The sound of Diablo's hoof striking the door of his stall echoed throughout the barn. "You see, here we thought you were just this timid little mouse. In actuality, you have become a spitting cat. You'll make an exciting prospect for our upcoming hunt."
"You are fucking insane if you think I'm going anywhere with you," Bella informed, veering closer to the latch keeping the threatening horse at bay. Diablo's wicked cry filling the space around them, and Bella could swear she felt his hot breath against her cheek. Wearily, she darted a glance in his direction, breathing a sigh when his ire remained on the assailants before her. "You should get out of here before the cops come. I'm sure my boyfriend has already called them when he heard me scream."
His manner seemed unaffected by her threat; Laurent tipped his head as a chuckle came from deep within. "We've been doing this a long time, Bella. We watch and wait until there is a right time to pounce, mouse."
The way the A from Bella rolled off his tongue seemed as though he savored her name as he spoke. A shiver of dread coursed down her arms, settling like a stone in her stomach, causing her limbs to go leaden. She felt as though an imaginary force held her immobile before the psycho, clucking his tongue at her.
"We aren't afraid of the police. We are masters at covering our tracks and leaving nothing…nothing as evidence." Holding the machete high in his hand, he glanced at the stallion, thumping in his stall. "And I'm not afraid of that horse either. Be a good girl and stop fighting. There will be plenty of time for that later."
"In your fucking dreams." In defiance, she stepped closer to the animal. She hated the thought of something happening to Diablo, yet at this particular moment, the horse stood a better chance against them than she. Her free hand went to her back, feeling blindly for the latch on his stall. Victoria stole up alongside Laurent, a hiss leaving her lips as she regarded Bella. "What do you mean you leave nothing as evidence?"
"He means he kills any witnesses," Edward stated, coming from around the corner, the gun pointed at Laurent's head. "Remember me?"
"Laurent, it's the buck. I can scarcely believe it," Victoria stated in awe. "James will be thrilled to have the buck back."
"You aren't getting the buck back," Edward stated, a laugh with no humor slipping from his chest. "This time, I'm the predator, you crazy bastards."
Laurent's manner seemed completely impassive by the gun that was currently aimed at his head. "You would think that, wouldn't you? Yet, as you remember, buck, we don't hunt alone. Even now, many hunters descend on this place. One way or another, we will have you and mouse."
Edward innards froze at the mention of other hunters lurking beyond sight. How many of these psychos were on his property? He'd called for Emmett before leaving the house. Had one of the hunters subdued his brother? What about Rosalie? Shit…shit…shit…
Just when he thought his life couldn't get any worse, he heard the barn door close again, his attention momentarily shooting down the aisle. Where Edward stood, his line of view was obstructed by the corner. His fear heightened at the thought of another adversary he hadn't anticipated gaining an advantage on him.
The distraction was all Laurent needed springing to his left, knocking the gun from Edward's grasp, his blade slashing as he went. A gut-wrenching cry left Edward's lips as the knife slipped across his chest, effectively shredding the material of his shirt, his fingers losing his grip on the gun. As the weapon hit the hard-packed dirt, the firearm went off, the sound deafening in the tight courters.
Edward recovered quickly, his fist flying, connecting with Laurent's chin. Laurent's head whipped back on his shoulders, as Edward's blow took him off guard. Even as blood filled his mouth, a menacing glare entered his black eyes, and he dove on Edward, knocking them both to the ground. His hand knotted in Edward's hair, ripping his head back as his fist landed against his head.
The impact of Laurent's fist connecting with his eye caused his vision to blur, leaving him defenseless against the brutal assault that followed. Holding nothing back, Laurent planted several blows to Edward's mid-section, his form going limp as the air whooshed from his body.
Bella's hands flew to her ears as pain ripped through her eardrums. Victoria, on the other hand, sprang forward, her cruel fingers curling into Bella's hair, attempting to drag her away from Diablo's stall. To Bella's good fortune, the stallion chose that moment to attack, his head darting out with a wild cry. When his giant teeth sunk into Victoria's bicep, she instantly released Bella, her free hand struggling to break his hold.
She didn't have a chance to determine who was winning the scuffle between Edward and Laurent, Bella's forethought was subduing Victoria beyond compacity. Flinging herself back against Diablo's stall, she fumbled with the latch, her fingers nearly useless as they shook. Still, she managed to push the heavy metal to the side, dancing to the side as Diablo's heavy body charged from the stall.
As the animal rushed forward, Victoria had no choice but to retreat, cowering in an adjacent corner. Her arms came up to protect her face and head from the prancing hooves. With Victoria preoccupied, Bella turned her attention to Laurent and Edward.
With no thought to her safety, she ran to the gun lying a foot away from the bodies deadlocked on the floor. Her fingers had just curled around the firearm when a man she didn't recognize barreled around the corner. He held a hunter's bow, and he instantly lifted the weapon toward her head. "Drop it, mouse."
Bella's fingers responded before the command even reached her brain. The gun fell back to the floor. Even the brawl in progress before her seemed to go still, Laurent's fingers curling into Edward's hair as he climbed to his feet, yanking Edward into compliance, his blade settling against Edward's throat. A thin red line oozed down Edward's neck as the blade lingered heavily against this soft skin.
"Okay, okay." Bella threw her hands into the air, the hoof pick dropping from her fingers as she stared at the snaky looking man. "Don't hurt him. I'll do whatever you want."
"Get control of that horse, or I will kill it." As if to add to his threat, Aro lifted the bow toward the stallion and pulled the trigger. The bolt was swift as it shot across the distance, piercing one hindquarter, the horse bucking in reflex, his tortured scream rent the air. Turning his venomous eyes to Bella, his strong brow spiked his command beyond reproach. "Now."
Bella cried out as the bolt thumped into the horse's rump. Tears flowed unheeded down her cheeks, stumbling toward the animal shrieking in pain. When his substantial body sidled away from her, she came to a standstill, gasping helplessly.
Edward turned tear-filled eyes to Diablo, and flawless German spilled from his lips. "Diablo, stall, now."
The fight instantly went out of the horse, and an answering whicker erupted from his long neck as he shuffled toward his stall. Once the animal was out of sight, Victoria crawled forward, her legs wobbly as she climbed to her feet. As she passed Bella, she cuffed her on the back of the head hard enough to knock her a few steps forward.
Just when they thought all hope was lost, a board came flying from around the corner catching the bowman unprepared. The two by four cracked against his ear, the flesh splitting beneath the impact, Laurent's grip on Edward loosened, surprised by the attack on his mate. Edward sprang into action, throwing a sharp elbow into Laurent's temple, knocking the man to the side.
As Laurent tipped sideways, Edward's harsh voice filled the space, German once again echoing through the barn. "Attack, Diablo."
The horse flew out of his stall, his crazed scream shrill as his sharp hooves left the ground, his ire directed toward Victoria. Bella gasped as one hoof struck the woman's shoulder, leaving her flaying on the ground, withering in pain. As all the assailants were accounted for, Emmett came around the corner, his teeth bared with aggression. "Any of you fucking move and I will fucking kill you."
Emmett used brute force as he charged Laurent. Grabbing the man by his well-muscled arms, he dragged him to a vacant stall. Forcibly, he shoved the man inside and turned to Victoria. With no mercy, his fingers wrapped tight in her hair and yanked her from the ground. "Get in there with your buddy."
While Emmett dealt with Victoria and Laurent, Edward rushed to Bella's side. "There may be more of them. You have to get out of here, Bella."
"I'm not going anywhere without you, Edward." Even as she spoke, her entire being trembled, tears unwillingly tumbled down her cheeks. Her fingers came up as she stared at the blood seeping through Edward's shirt. "Oh, my God. They are so horrible."
He cupped her behind the head and drew her to him. He winced as her face buried against his chest, his blood smearing across her cheek, his lips falling to her temple. "It's nothing. Just a flesh wound, but we need to worry about you right now."
Focusing on the horse sidling nervously, fluent German tickled Bella's ear as Edward spoke. "Diablo protect Bella. Cabin…take her to the cabin."
Effortlessly, Edward picked Bella up and deposited her on his broad back, shoving a handful of Diablo's mane into her hand. "Hold tight, Bella. When you get to the cabin, go inside, and lock the door. There is a gun in the desk. Don't let anyone in until I get there."
"No, Edward, I…" Bella didn't get a chance to speak because Emmett's voice interrupted.
Aro watched through mere slits as the buck turned to the mouse. Considering the beast was preoccupied with Laurent and Victoria, he eased back, moving as slowly as possible to avoid detection. When no one seemed to notice, he shuffled backward a few more paces until he was entirely out of sight. With the prey behind him, he launched into motion, running toward the exit. As his fingers twisted the doorknob, he looked over his shoulder with a promise on his lips. "Tomorrow, my friends."
"Where'd the other motherfucker go?" Emmett hollered when he came out of the stall.
They all turned to where the bowman had fallen to find the space void of his presence. Emmett cursed, kicking the stall door. "Fuck… shit."
"Edward, go with Bella. I will deal with this situation. With the bowman on the loose, she shouldn't go alone." Even as he spoke, Emmett withdrew his phone and dialed for the police.
"Hello, I would like to report an attempted kidnapping." Emmett gave the dispatch a detailed description of their location. Pushing the end button, he looked at his brother with worry in his gaze. "The police will be here in a few minutes."
If one of the hunters or, God only knew, how many others lurked about, Bella being on her own wasn't the ideal situation. Although that was the case, leaving Emmett to deal with all of this didn't quite sit well with him. "Emmett, where is Rose? We should…"
"She's in town with mom. Now, get the fuck out of here, Edward," Emmett stated, shoving his brother toward Diablo. "The cops will want a statement from Bella. Just get her out of here for now."
Edward ran a hand down Diablo's rump, his fingers avoiding the bolt protruding from his flesh. "I will fix it, my friend. I promise."
Quickly, Edward leaped up on Diablo's back, mindful of the bolt in his rump, his hand caressing the tender flesh. Edward's arm curling around Bella's waist, drawing her back against him. Tucking her against his body, he mumbled his German command, sending the horse cantering down the aisle. When the bowman made his grand escape, he'd left the barn door open wide, leaving the exit free from obstruction.
As they neared the opening, another command caused the stallion's ears to twitch, his massive legs stretching into a gallop. Holding Bella tight, he urged her low onto the animal's back, laying over the top of her as they floated across the hardpacked trail. Diablo weaved over the path, zigging, and zagging easily on the turns, his long mane and tail streaming behind him as he leaped over a fallen branch on the trail.
Edward barely noticed Diablo's mane whipping against his face as they thundered through the forest. The sound of hooves ripping into the dirt thudded on the path, flinging clods of earth behind them. His thighs tightened around Diablo's heaving sides, even as German urged him faster and faster.
In minutes they broke into the clearing, Diablo's neigh filling the space around them as he pranced near the porch. Edward slipped from his back, his arm circling Bella's waist, he pulled her down next to him. Together they climbed the steps to the porch, Diablo snorted behind them, and Edward glanced over his shoulder to his oldest friend. "Well, come on."
While it wasn't common practice to have a horse in one's house, leaving him subject to whatever lurked in the woods hardly seemed right.
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