Hey peeps!

Okay, so this is a short chapter. Sorry! I have ideas, and they are best dealt in short chapters for now. The upside is it shouldn't take me long to post then. No? Oh well! I will post longer chapters later on again, I promise!

And let me just say! Thank you so much for your reviews! I get super excited every time you take the time to write down your thoughts!

Disclaimer: As per usual, Twilight is not mine.

Warning for some minor swearing and some bad language.

A tiny recap:

"We should probably be getting back," she finally said into the absolute darkness.

"It can wait," he murmured, as he pulled her on top of him again, his hands dragging across her body.

"Can it?" She asked, her voice mischievous.

"Yes," he simply growled, as he pulled her down for a kiss.

His brothers could wait. They had eternity after all, being vampires and all.

Bella's POV

Bella was pacing, feeling restless.

"There is no use in fighting it, zuia. Just let it go. You will never see him again, so you might as well give up. Your relentless pacing is driving me crazy!" Bella glanced up, catching the eyes of her captor. He was still dressed in the outfit with the ridiculously large cuffs. She sensed a sad trend with his fashion choices. She said nothing, but shook her head, continuing to walk back and forth.

"What is the matter?" He hissed impatiently, sensing her unspoken words.

"Nothing," she sighed, shaking her head somewhat again.

"You better tell me, or I swear…" He sounded angry, but it was mixed with a petulant note of curiosity. He sounded like he was 9 years old.

Bella turned to him, a hint of a smirk on her lips.

"It's just… I wonder if you ever overbalance from all that fabric on those cuffs?" She asked, her tone curious.

She watched him as he flushed angrily.

"There's nothing wrong with these cuffs!" He snarled. "They are very fashionable," he sniffed, though still rather angry.

Bella chuckled softly.

"Listen, it's been a long time since that kind of shirt was in fashion." She glanced meaningfully at his wrists. They were completely buried in frilly material.

"You could make a whole new shirt with all the extra material," she said dryly, suppressing a grin.

He stepped forward furiously, his hands gripping the bars of her prison.

"Vai a farti fottere, puttana!"

"Listen, I told you! I don't understand Italian," She said, almost exasperated.

"Well, understand this, then," he spat, baring his teeth.

"Your father will suffer for your insolence. So you better keep silent, bitch!"

"Bartolo! That is no way to treat a guest!" Annetta was suddenly in the room, glaring at him, a clearly annoyed look on her face.

He froze, then angrily turned away, stomping up the stairs.

Bella watched him go, then turned her gaze on her soon to be ex boss. She would be getting very bad reviews from this employee, that's for certain.

"Apologies, Bella," the elder lady said warmly, as if they were best friends and Bella was not at all being held captive.

"No need, I'm sure," Bella said sardonically, throwing her long hair over her shoulder, placing her hands on her hips.

"My son is usually well behaved, but when he feels an attraction, his manners sometimes slips. Bella stared at the lady.

"Your son?!" She asked urgently. "That idiot is your son?" She added, shock colouring her voice.

"Well, yes, why do you think he was in my shop?" Bella didn't answer, she merely glared fiercely at the older lady.

A smirk flashed across Annetta's face, as she slowly walked closer.

"Are you angry with me, Bella?" She asked quietly.

Bella frowned at her, not sure if she was being serious.

"What a ridiculous question, Annetta! Of course I'm angry!" She snapped, taking a step menacingly forward.

"You have me in this cell for no good reason! Of course I could just break free, but I won't do that, because then you are going to kill my father," Bella glared at her.

Annetta just stood smiling at her. The woman seemed quite deranged.

"What exactly do you want with me?" Bella asked dispassionately.

The lady had the audacity to chuckle. Bella almost snarled at her.

"You think it is you I want, Bella?" Her smile was ominous.

"No, no, no my dear! You are merely my pawn," She said, smirking softly folding her arms in front of her.

Bella stared at the mad little lady.

"What do you mean?" She growled, scowling.

"I mean…" Annetta said, turning away as she spoke, "That you are not my target,"

"Who is, then?" Bella asked hoarsely, already suspecting the answer.

"The Volturi, darling," Annetta said, flourishing her arm elegantly, then walking up the stairs, disappearing from view.

A couple of days earlier

Bella's POV

"I am so glad that you deigned to join us, dear brother," Caius said sullenly as Marcus walked into the throne room, Bella at his side.

"I almost thought you would not show," He leaned forward in his throne, his face pinched as he watched them approach.

"Come now, brother! Are you really so impatient? You are an immortal creature, a few hours wait did not kill you," Marcus said dispassionately.

"It is not that!" Caius spat. He got up, seemingly too agitated to sit still.

"I have news from our agents in the city," He gave a meaningful look at his brother.

Bella felt Marcus stiffen, as the words sank in. She looked from one to the other. Marcus kept quiet. She rounded on Caius, walking towards him.

"What has happened?" She demanded. He almost turned away from her, but then he didn't as he considered her. She feared he would be too cross with her to answer. He shifted his gaze from her to Marcus for a few moments, before he looked back at her.

"Apparently, we have caught news of your employer," he said stiffly.

"She seems to be creating trouble despite your recent efforts to assure her that you are alright. As far as we can tell, she now has a hostage." He said this delicately, apparently trying to soften the blow of his words.

Bella felt her spine freeze over, as she realised the implications.

"Who?" She whispered, almost not daring to ask.

Caius said nothing, but shifted uncomfortably, looking down at the floor. Bella stepped sharply forward, grabbing his wrist.

"Caius, who's the hostage?" She asked desperately.

His red eyes snapped to hers. He sighed deeply.

"I am afraid it is your father," he said gently.

"No," she whispered.

Bella stared at him for several seconds, but he did not say more, then she stepped away, turning back towards Marcus. She felt herself grow numb, and watched almost in a detached sort of way, as Marcus came to her side, quickly hoisting her up in his arms. She fought him, not wanting to delay any attempts at rescuing her father. Marcus held her firmly though.

"No, Bella," he said in his deep voice.

"I know what you are going to do, but we have to think!" His voice was strained as he struggled to hold her. Bella fought him tooth and nail, and despite her being a newborn, she could not get free of him. He was too strong.

"Listen to me, my love!" he growled, pulling her tightly against his chest.

"Listen," he repeated, shaking her slightly in his desperation to get through to her.

"It is most certainly a trap," he said urgently. She barely registered as her mind filled with memories of her father, the way his eyes would go tender by just looking at her. She would not let anything happen to him. She would not allow it.

"Isabella, will you please listen to me?" Marcus spoke sharply. She had never heard him like this, and she stopped struggling. After a moment of intense silence, he let her down, though keeping a grasp on her shoulders, so she faced him, their noses only inches apart.

"This is a trap, Bella, I am sure of it," He said, speaking urgently.

Bella just stared at him.

"I don't care if it's a trap!" She nearly shouted.

"He is my father! I will not let him get hurt!"

Marcus grimassed, looking helpless. He could not argue with her feelings. They were valid after all.

"We should at least check if it's true," he said softly.

Caius stepped forward, a solemn look on his face.

"I'm afraid it is true. He was lured here on the pretence that Bella was dead," he said, sighing slightly.

Bella's scowl only deepened. How could this be? Annetta had seemed like such a nice person, and now all of a sudden she was this evil mastermind. What the hell was going on?

"Marcus, she can't harm me. She's merely a human," her voice was almost a whisper.

"I have to find him," she said desperately. Marcus looked at her for a moment. Then he let her go.

"Alright," he said standing back. "I understand."

His words pierced her, as she knew what he was saying must cost him unbearable pain. She gazed at him tenderly, her fingers skimming his cheek lovingly, her eyes filled with sorrow. This was an impossible choice. He closed his eyes, his brows tugging together with pain that was not physical.

Then she ran from the throne room.

Marcus' POV

Marcus forced himself to not go after her. She would never let him come along.

"Jane," he said softly.

The blonde girl was with him in a flash.

"Master," she spoke gently.

"Please gather a few of the guards and follow Bella at a distance. She will most likely need assistance." He stared into space as he said this, his gaze far away.

"Yes master," Jane bowed, and ran out after Bella.

Marcus sighed deeply, but still didn't move.

Caius came up in front of him.

"Wise choice." He said.

"If we are lucky, she will dismantle this cursed family for good." Then he walked away. Marcus said nothing. He felt helpless, only able to wait for the return of his new mate.

Bella's POV

Bella had found a car in the garage and was soon racing through the narrow streets of the shopping area. She had only paused briefly to change her clothes to something a little more practical. The cloudy sky mirrored her mood perfectly, as she pulled to the curb, killing the engine. She was walking towards the shop with long purposeful strides, her gaze straight ahead.

As she walked in through the door of her workplace, she immediately saw the man who had tried to assault her. As he saw her, an evil smile spread across his mouth.

"So, you have returned," He said, trying to sound casual. Bella could hear his heart race, though.

"Now that we have a firm grasp of the obvious, should we get this over with? Where is my father?" She said, voice strong and fierce.

"Oh you will not find him here," a soft voice said, interrupting what would undoubtedly be an angry outburst from Bartolo. Annetta emerged from the shadows, her face solemn.

Bella stared at her a long moment, considering her next move. The woman looked unflinchingly into Bella's crimson eyes.

"What do you want?" Bella finally asked.

Annetta walked closer, her gaze never leaving Bella.

"It is simple, really. If you comply, your father will not be hurt. If you do not, well, let us just say that I have a nice cold place for his remains."

Back to the present

Bella's POV

After Annetta had left her to her own devices, she thought frantically of what was happening.

Annetta wanted to target the Volturi? But how did she know of them? How had she managed to get her father captured? Where was he?

Bella ran her hands across her face. Marcus would have no idea what was coming for them, and it was all Bella's fault. The only consolation was that they wouldn't stand a chance against the Volturi. But he had told her that they could make a lot of trouble for the vampire coven. If she had just tried to be smart about this, instead of just rushing headlong into it. Marcus had been right of course. It had been a trap. She didn't regret going in though. It's not like humans could harm her anyway, so she would just take her time and find a way to free her father. It would just have to be at the right time. She and her new family weren't in any immediate danger.

It would be much, much later she would realise how very wrong she was.

Translations:

Zuia (Italian) = B*tch

Vai a farti fottere, puttana! (Italian) = Go fuck yourself, whore!

Throws myself behind the sofa.

Please don't kill me!

I know! No smut and a very short chapter! What the hell am I doing?

Well, this is where I come up with some excellent excuse for this mess. Failing that, I'll just say, a friend of mine gave me an idea. So bear with me! Thank you!

-Pancakes