I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 14
BPOV
The guys headed to the kitchen, and I hesitated. I was torn between going to get my things or eating. My stomach rumbled, so I followed them to the other room. Emmett placed a box of fried chicken that was still hot on the counter with another container of potato wedges. Jasper unloaded drinks and a few colder items, enough for a dinner and breakfast. It looked like they only got a meal or two worth of food. I thought they would get more, but Edward seemed to think the opposite.
"Why did you get so much?" he asked.
"Looks like we're here overnight. There's a storm system coming in and we won't be able to fly out until the morning," Emmett answered him. "Help yourselves. The fried chicken smelled so good, I had to get it."
"Where exactly do you plan on taking me?" I asked, grabbing a drumstick and a handful of fries.
"Back to Chicago. My father and Uncle Peter should be back today from their last mission. We can start to plan out how to take down the Costas," Edward explained.
"Speaking of the Costas. Were you really going to kill Garrett?"
"If something had happened to you on his watch—definitely." His expression shifted into the cold mask again, and I shivered.
"And why was he watching me?" I demanded before taking a bite.
"He was doing us a favor. It was a condition that if we help him than he had to help us. If it makes you feel better, he wasn't watching out for you the whole time you were in Florida," Emmett explained.
"Some. But why didn't it occur to anyone to give me a heads up that my stepfather worked for the mob?" I asked.
"To tell the truth, there was some disagreement on whether or not to tell you." Emmett side-eyed Edward. "Garrett led us to believe that Phil would leave you alone since your father was in law enforcement."
"So what changed?" I asked.
"Garrett found out that Phil made a few bad investments and Afton was unhappy with him. So to get back in his favor he planned on selling you to recoup some of the money lost," Edward told me, looking upset.
"Unbelievable. Did he really think I would go without a fight?" I scoffed.
Emmett smirked. "No offense, Tommy, but you'd be in over your head. No matter how much self-defense training you had."
"I took you down easily enough." I gave him a pointed look.
He chuckled. "Yeah, one I wasn't trying to hurt you. Two, you caught me off guard."
"I caught you off guard? You're the one that grabbed me when I walked through the door and yelled, gotcha," I countered.
"That's how it happened," Edward snapped.
Emmett ignored him. "You have a fair point. But what if I held you at gunpoint?"
I smirked this time. "Try it and find out." I challenged him.
"Alright." Emmett's smile grew.
Edward banged his fist on the table, making me jump. "NO! Absolutely not. I forbid it."
I turned and glared at him. "Excuse you. But that is not your decision to make."
"Chill, cuz. It's not like I'd use a loaded gun. Bella should know every way possible to defend herself. I do recall you were fully supportive of Rose knowing how to. You even tried to encourage Tanya to learn when she didn't want to," Emmett reminded him.
"If Rose can do it, I certainly can," I said adamantly.
"That's the spirit. We should teach her to shoot too," Emmett stated.
"My dad taught me when I was twelve," I told them.
Jasper had been so quiet, I'd almost forgotten he was here until he spoke. "Say you need to shoot someone to protect yourself, where do you aim?
"The shoulder holding the weapon or a knee," I answered automatically.
All three men shook their heads at me and frowned.
"What do you mean no? That's how my dad taught me," I defended myself.
"As a lawman, your father would be right, especially if it was a normal situation. However, this isn't, so you have to be prepared to shoot to kill. That means the chest or forehead," Jasper explained before turning to Edward. "Emmett is right. We need to teach her more than simple self-defense. She can handle it."
"I'm sorry, was I unclear? He has no say in this." I pointed to Edward. "If I should learn more, then teach me."
Emmett smacked his fist into his hand, then pointed at me. "I won't go easy on you."
I shrugged. "That's fair, and I don't plan on going easy on you either."
"It's on like Donkey Kong." Emmett grinned.
Edward muttered a curse, then stormed from the room.
Emmett sighed. "Ignore him."
I scoffed. "I plan to."
Days
My head was pounding, and I didn't know if it was from trying to process all the information Edward told me, being under-trained, or lack of sleep. But I needed to get out for fresh air, even if it was only for a few minutes. My legs were itching for a good run. It had been several days since I'd really stretched them. I stood and headed for the door.
"I'll be back in a few. I'm going to go get my things from the house and turn everything back off," I told them.
"Not alone." Edward started to follow me, getting up from the couch.
I turned and frowned at him. "The cabin isn't that far away. I'm not going to run off if that's what you're worried about."
"It isn't safe." Edward shook his head.
"I'll be fine. I'm not even going to be gone ten minutes. Emmett and Jasper just drove around the whole area and didn't see anyone," I argued.
"Actually. We brought your things with us. They're in the car." Emmett gave me a guilty smile.
My shoulders slumped. "Okay then. I'm going to go get my things from the car. I think I can make it ten feet without anything happening."
I left the house before he could argue with me and headed to the car. I leaned against it, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths of cool air.
When Edward promised to tell me the truth, I didn't expect what I ended up hearing. The crazy part was I actually believed in what he told me. It was too crazy not to be true. I could see why here was his escape from real life—it was always so peaceful. But it didn't change the fact he kept it from me. I couldn't believe he thought I would jump right back into a relationship with him.
I heard the front door slam and I opened my eyes. I was annoyed that Edward followed me out here. I turned to say something when I noticed it was Jasper who had come out of the house. He gave me an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. I just need to grab our bags out of the car," he told me.
"You don't need to apologize. I needed a moment to myself. I thought Anthony had followed me out." I stepped away from the car.
Jasper snickered. "If you're hoping to annoy him, then calling him Anthony will do it. Only his parents call him that. And us when we're around them."
"I guess it makes me sound petty doing it." I sighed.
He shrugged. "I think you earned the right to be mad."
"Do you realize that today is the first time you've ever spoken in front of me, let alone spoke to me?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Surely I have—"
I shook my head. "Nope."
"Huh. It was never personal, I'm not much for talking. That and most of the time you and Edward were off alone together," he stated as he opened the trunk.
"Holy crap! That's a lot of artillery. How did you guys get that on a plane?" I gaped at the array of weapons.
"We flew a private plane to a place called Port Angeles," Jasper explained.
"Your family owns its own plane?" I said in shock.
"Two. Not as extravagant as you'd think. One four passenger and a six; both were bought used. And probably less expensive than this car. With all the traveling we have to do, it is worth the cost," he explained.
"I guess that makes sense." I watched as he pulled three duffle bags out, then handed me mine.
"You travel very light for a girl," he said.
"I had to make it look like I was going to the gym. Do you think I could borrow one?" I nodded to the guns.
He paused with his hands on the hood. "Okay. I don't have a large variety here. How about this one." He handed me a small gun.
It felt like a decent weight in my hand. "Is it loaded?"
"Not at the moment. Give it a squeeze," he encouraged.
I pointed it out toward the woods to be on the safe side and pulled the trigger.
"What are you doing?" Edward yelled from the porch steps.
"I'm getting a feel for a gun. Jasper said I could borrow one," I answered. "By the way, you never did tell me why you pointed a gun at me when I first arrived."
"It was an accident. I had it out because Emmett ran by the office yelling to come quickly. I thought something was wrong. I was so surprised to see you that I forgot I was holding it," he said.
You forgot you had a gun in your hand?" I didn't know if should be concerned or scared. "If we're headed to Port A, can we swing by Forks to see my dad? He should know what's going on." I spoke up.
"Your dad has been informed of everything. I gave him a quick call when we were out to let him know we found you. It will be a bad idea to stop by. There's no easy way to sugar coat this, but we're pretty sure he's being watched by the Costas," Emmett spoke from the porch
"Oh, my God. We have to help him."
"As there's no contact from you, they should leave him alone," Edward said.
I didn't feel as satisfied. "What about my mom? You're going to help her too, right?"
"Why should we help her? If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be in this mess," Edward said coldly. I had forgotten about his hatred of her.
"Ed—"
I cut Emmett off as my anger flared. "She is my mother. She helped me escape, and she could be in danger if that is found out."
"She wouldn't be in danger if she wasn't in bed literally with the mob," Edward argued.
"That is unfair. You're victim blaming her. She's just as much as a victim in this. How was she supposed to know that Phil was wrapped up in something so horrible? If you met the guy you would've seen how old-fashioned and straight-laced he was. Do you want to blame me too? Up until a few days ago, I never would've expected any of this from him," I yelled back him.
"It is her fault, she is your mother. After James, she should have gotten Dwyer checked out. She has horrible choice in men," Edward snapped.
My anger had reached its boiling point. "Yeah…well, apparently I'm just like her. Because the guy I used to love is an asshole killer." I stormed toward the backyard.
"Bella—" Edward called after me.
I didn't let him finish. "Don't follow me. I'm only going around back."
I found a seat and brushed off the snow so I could sit. I pulled my legs up to rest my chin on my knees. I couldn't, in good conscience, not help my mom. If Edward had any say, it seemed he would leave her there to die.
I weighed all my options. I couldn't help Mom on my own that was for sure. So, getting trained by Emmett sounded like a wise idea. Then I thought of Rose, if she could offer herself up as bait then surely it wouldn't take much to convince them to use me. After all, I am who the Costa's wanted.
Edward would be pissed at my decision.
But it was mine to make.
A/N: Bella offering herself to be used as bait will go over with Edward won't it? Lol. But in all seriousness Bella is a fighter and not one to sit back. So she is going to want to help her mom.
I had a review question and since I know FF doesn't send alerts to answered PMs. I want to clear up some confusion on the family tree. First Edward's real name is Anthony Edward Masen III
Elizabeth- Edward's mom. Wife of Anthony Jr.
Esme- is Anthony Jr. sister. Edward's aunt. Emmett's and Tanya's mother. Wife of Carlisle.
Charlotte is Elizabeth's twin sister. Edward's other aunt. Jasper and Rose's mother. Wife of Peter. She is no longer alive at this point.
Edward POV is up next.
Thank you for sharing all your thoughts with me.
Additional notes: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words is having a Halloween image edition. You can find the rules in Facebook group: groups/ 460094101314978 Entries due Monday!