Chapter Six

Jasper

Once I was sure Bella was asleep I settled down again and considered the past few weeks.

Esme's situation still concerned me although she didn't appear too bothered. She was pretty busy. Inquiries had resulted in her being commissioned for several corporate events and she seemed to be enjoying herself. I expected any day to hear that she was going back home to Carlisle but at the same time I was grateful for her continued presence.

Charlotte and Peter had offered to return and I'd said I would find out how long Esme intended to stay. They didn't get on with Esme, or at least Peter didn't, so I thought it better to keep them apart.

I think Peter was disgruntled that I was happy to be working with Esme but Charlotte soon laid down the law and he cooled down. I had been very grateful for all their help, I was sure I would not have been able to keep Bella safe without them but Peter could be wearing after a time. I knew he was confused about why I was bothering about Bella. He'd asked often enough. "I mean, it's not as if she's anything special. She was Edward's girlfriend, not yours. I just don't get it." And I got fed up with trying to explain that I felt at least partially responsible. With Esme, I didn't need to explain my motives.

Getting back to Bella's situation it bothered me that she was involved with a man like this dick even though it was none of my business.

Sure he appeared to be a caring guy who concerned himself with her feelings but there was another side to him. He was a successful businessman and he hadn't got there without a streak of ruthlessness. She didn't appear to notice how he concerned himself with his needs more than hers and that included abandoning her at social events in order to grease palms.

Besides, there was no spark between them. Bella needed to be challenged, she was so much more than the girl I saw now. I'd seen the other side of her when she argued with Edward about her friendship with the Quileute boy and when she forced him to back off when he wanted to wrap her in cotton wool. I liked that spirit and it bothered me that there was no sign of it here.

I had searched the boyfriend's condo when I first arrived and found nothing to concern me. Even though I doubted he was connected with vampires it paid to be thorough.

He was well off with a place in the city and a family compound in the suburbs which was mainly the preserve of his father and stepmother. The business looked good, he had no debts and no friends that gave me any concern. He was, in fact, a clean-cut American boy, but when I told Esme this she had just laughed.

"You should listen to yourself, Jasper. What you meant to say was that he's a nice enough guy but he's not right for Bella."

I stoutly denied her words but she was right. I didn't think he was the right one for her. Why? I couldn't say. Sensing I didn't want to discuss this topic any further she had changed the subject.

"I've heard from Carlisle."

"Really? What did he say? I hope he was full of apologies."

She had laughed, "He was. I think I shocked him. It's what he needed. Carlisle tends to take people for granted and I guess I got fed up with that. I'll feel better when Edward and that harridan he's tied up with leaves. You know Jasper, I don't usually judge people, but that girl… There's something about her that I just don't like. I tried so hard for his sake but I just can't warm to her. I think she's trouble."

This was condemnation indeed. Esme was the sweetest, calmest person I had ever met. She found the good in everyone.

"I should meet her if she's as bad as that."

She had thumped me playfully on the shoulder, "You stay away young man. I know you, and Edward doesn't need anyone winding him up. Besides, you know Carlisle will only take his side and I don't want any more arguments. I just want the family to get together again like we used to be." She hesitated, then added, " Well, maybe minus Edward."

"I think that's wishful thinking, Esme. Rose and Emmett will come around, maybe Alice too. By the way, has she introduced you to her mate yet?"

"No, but she's very happy. I'd like to see you happy too, Jasper. You know you don't smile anymore. You're regressing to that solemn young man I remember meeting."

I smiled, "Not around you, Esme. No one could be solemn around you. I have good news by the way. Peter and Charlotte will be free again in a few weeks so you can leave if you want. I wanted to say thank you. I'm very grateful for all your help."

Esme had put an arm around me and pulled me into a motherly hug.

"I think I'll stick around a while longer. Who knows what might happen."

I eyed her suspiciously, she sounded amused and I wondered just what she had in mind.

The following day Bella was up bright and early and focusing on her I almost missed the fact that I wasn't the only one watching her. A young female was in a car across the street from Bella's apartment and followed her to the gallery before taking off.

My first inclination was to follow her but that meant leaving Bella unguarded and I had no idea if the watcher had friends around. At least the waiting was over, I had finally made contact with Bella's final would-be assassin. It had been frustrating when Laurent couldn't tell us the identity of Victoria's other friends.

Bella had an open gallery this evening so I called on Esme to help me out. She would station herself in the alley across the street from the gallery while I followed Bella who had a worrying habit of walking the streets alone even in the evening.

I had started to think we'd neutralized all the threats despite the information I had gotten from Victoria before she died. There had been such a long break between the last attempt, Laurent, and this one. I was just glad Victoria's group of friends had been a small one or we could be looking at decades before Bella was safe.

The day had proved to be a busy one for Bella, getting everything ready for the evening. She had even cut a call from the boyfriend short which I found intensely satisfying. See, asshole, you aren't the only important thing in Bella's life even if you like to think otherwise.

There was no further sight of Bella's watcher and I presumed that she would make her move under cover of darkness.

On high alert for any sense of danger, I waited for Bella to make her appearance and sure enough, she appeared in the doorway and stood for a moment checking her pockets. Had she forgotten something? Then she pulled out her cell phone and began talking to the caller as she strolled slowly towards the gallery. It was him again, checking up on her. He had wanted to be at the show but work had taken him out of town for a few days so he was catching up to wish her well. She was fine, she didn't need his good wishes or him at her side.

The sound of his voice irritated me and I was glad when Bella ended the call and turned the corner, speeding up as she approached her destination.

A movement in the alleyway turned out to be Esme who was gesturing towards the darkened doorway a couple of buildings down. Bella's attacker had chosen that spot instead of the alley from which to launch her attack.

As Bella fumbled with her keys in the doorway I made my move and reached her attacker as she made her move. Esme was unable to help, any movement by her could alert Bella to trouble.

Grabbing her by the throat I spun her around and saw the shock of recognition in her eyes. She knew who I was. Victoria had told her friend about the Cullens and she knew all of us.

As I whisked her back out of sight into the darkness of the doorway she began to struggle and kicked a can that clattered loudly in the quiet street.

Bella spun around, her phone already in her hand to call for help if needed and I was sure she saw something although we were too far away for her to make out any details. Unfortunately, oncoming headlights illuminated the street just as I pulled back out of sight.

I heard the gallery door open and then close, the keys turning as Bella locked herself safely inside until she knew what was going on. In the meantime, I spirited my captive away knowing that Esme would watch over Bella until I returned.

If, as I suspected, this was Victoria's friend then my task was complete. Bella was safe from vengeful vampires. Safe to live her life here in Phoenix with her boyfriend, if that was what she wanted. It was her life, her choices. In my opinion, it would be the wrong one, but it was none of my business.

Esme

I wasn't very good at this surveillance stuff. I hadn't even noticed the female waiting patiently in the doorway until it had been almost too late. She had picked her spot well. The breeze had changed direction and as a result, her scent had been blown away from me. I had been afraid to move for fear of giving away my position as I expected her quarry to arrive in the street at any moment.

Luckily Jasper saw my signal and had the situation under control in a second. This should be the last threat to Bella's life and if so then I would be free to return to Carlisle or to join Rose and Emmett. They had begged me to visit once they understood the situation but I wasn't going to leave Jasper until he finally understood his destiny. For an intelligent empath, he could be so blind where his own feelings were concerned and I hated to think he was going to let Bella slip through his fingers.

What I didn't yet know was how I was going to arrange for the two of them to meet without the boyfriend being in the picture. Jasper was right, Patrick was not the man for her. Bella deserved someone who would force her to question everything she thought she knew about herself. Someone who would offer her his soul and willingly give up his life to keep her safe. In short, he deserved True Love. And now I was beginning to sound like a Hallmark Romance!

I watched as Bella cautiously opened the blinds without turning on the lights in the gallery. She had noticed something was wrong and was being careful although I was sure she hadn't seen anything except perhaps some movement. If so then she probably thought it had been a courting couple or more probably a mugging in progress!

Unfortunately, Bella was very sensitive. Even I could tell that something had put her on her guard. I think we both knew that Patrick was going to propose and bless her, she didn't know what to do about it. I had spent some time talking to Patrick's father and had then met with him and his wife Magda. They were typical of the wealthy set who had no idea of real life. Bruce had never been forced to work hard for money, he had been left a fortune by his parents who owned several nightclubs, a casino and the stockbrokers where Patrick now worked. Magda had probably never done a day's work in her life. Her idea of a hard day was an hour at the beauticians followed by a little shopping therapy and a long and expensive lunch with her friends.

I wondered if Bella understood what would be expected of her if she married into the family. She would most certainly be expected to give up the gallery or get a manager in to run the business.

Bruce was very keen for Patrick to marry and give him a grandson. His younger son, Sebastian, was settled with his partner Andre and neither of them appeared to be interested in adopting a child. Bella was his best chance of a grandson to keep the business in the family.

I couldn't see Bella happy in that situation. I was sure she would make a good mother but the King family didn't look after their children, they had nannies for that. Personally, I couldn't imagine anything more miserable than giving birth and then handing that precious child over to a stranger to raise and I doubted Bella would feel any differently. Her life would be miserable if she accepted Patrick's proposal and it was up to me to make sure she understood that she had a choice.