Chapter Twenty Four

Jasper

I hadn't known what to expect last night. Bella was still under the influence of the meds Carlisle had given her, she'd been through so much and I sure as hell wasn't going to take advantage of her. My body was crying out to make love to her but I was in control of my desires. Just to hold her in my arms would have been enough but it soon became apparent that Bella had other ideas.

It had been a long time since I'd made love to a woman, a very long time, but this was different. It was as if our bodies were made for each other. It was in the back of my mind that I had to be careful and remember how fragile she was but I didn't need to think about it. Everything came so naturally, it was sweet and gentle but wonderful and once she fell asleep I played it over and over again in my mind. This was the love of my life, my mate, and I wouldn't let anything hurt her ever again. If Carlisle and Emmett didn't discover who had caused her so much pain then Peter and I would. And when we did they would wish they'd never been born.

The sun was up before I felt Bella stir and as she came back to wakefulness I could feel her emotions. She was happy, content and she knew as I did that it was so right. Bella was fully awake but stayed silent and unmoving and I knew that she was enjoying the memories.

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked up at me, "Hello, darlin'. Are you OK?"

Her smile was dazzling, "Better than OK. I feel great. Can we stay here?"

"Nothing I'd like better but we are expected in Boulder and I think we should get moving. Don't worry though. I have my own room at the ranch you can share with me if you like."

"Try and stop me."

Admittedly we didn't get up for another hour but then we weren't on a timetable and it would have been rude to deny a lady!

Bella was much better, she even refused any more of Carlisle's meds and although the fear was still there under the surface I made sure it stayed there.

Bella didn't want breakfast so we drove for a few hours then stopped at another diner. This time she wouldn't go inside until I'd filled the tank then took my hand as we walked across the parking lot.

"Are you sure you're OK, Bella?"

She nodded and squeezed my hand, "I'm just afraid this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up and find myself alone. If I keep hold of you then I'm hoping the dream will go on."

"It's not a dream, darlin', and I'm not going to vanish. I promise you."

"I really hope not but there's someone out there who is destroying everything I hold dear."

"Hey, I'm not that easy to destroy. Many have tried but no one succeeded."

After all that had happened recently, I didn't blame Bella for feeling insecure but unless this enemy of hers was something really special then he or she didn't stand a chance against me. Or Carlisle and Emmett for that matter. I wondered if Edward and Sasha had returned yet and what kind of a reception they got. If they were responsible I had no doubt that Emmett would make them pay and I doubted that Esme would allow Carlisle to stand up for or try to protect them.

Bella picked at her food looking tired and I wondered if perhaps she wasn't well enough for such a long road trip but she seemed so happy and much more relaxed.

I tried to tempt her with a dessert but she wasn't interested.

"I'd like to get to your friend's place but I can't help worrying that they won't like me."

"Hey, what's not to like? I told you, they are family and when they see how happy you make me they'll love you just like me."

"How long have you known them?"

"Longer than the Cullens. Peter and I forged our friendship while I was still in Mexico. Then Charlotte came along and they fell in love. They've been together ever since."

"Edward told me that you lived in Mexico when you became a vampire. He said you had a reputation down there. I think he was trying to scare me."

"That's all he told you?"

"Yes, why?"

"It's quite a story. You have a right to know everything but let's wait until we get to Boulder. Just don't listen to Peter. He has a tendency to exaggerate."

She grinned, "I can't wait to meet this guy. I mean everyone keeps warning me about him."

"Peter has a tendency to rub people up the wrong way at times too so I'll leave you to make your own mind up. Charlotte is totally different. How she puts up with him is a mystery to most people but they love each other and I guess that's all you need."

Bella nodded and moved closer to me so she could lay her head on my shoulder as we drove.

"I love you, Jasper Whitlock."

"I love you too, Bella Swan."

Edward

I sensed there was trouble as soon as we drove up to the house. It was so quiet.

I'd called to let them know we would be returning and thought then that Esme had sounded cool on the phone. Had Sasha said something to upset them before we left? I knew my family weren't her greatest fans but she wasn't so bad once you got to know her. I knew about her gift, or curse, her ability to cause disharmony but she couldn't always control it which meant she didn't have a lot of friends.

I wanted Carlisle and Esme to see her as I did and to become fond of her and she had promised to try hard to keep it under control for the visit. It was one of the reasons we didn't stay too long at any one time. The only time we had Esme had run off to help Jazz with Bella!

Carlisle came out to meet us and asked us to take a walk with him in the garden at which point I knew I was right.

"Sure, what's wrong?"

"Should there be anything wrong, Edward?"

I frowned, "That sounded like an accusation. What's going on, Carlisle?"

"Where were you the last couple of nights?"

"You know where we were. I told you we were visiting friends. Why?"

Sasha grabbed my arm, "Something is wrong, Edward. Is it Bella?"

Carlisle turned to her, "Why would you assume there was something wrong with Bella?"

Sasha shrugged, "Because she's the only human among us. Human equals fragile and Edward told me she is accident-prone."

Now I understood the question, "Is Bella accusing us of hurting her?"

"No. Bella's OK, but her gallery and her apartment have been the targets of an arsonist."

"Oh my God!"

Sasha sounded genuinely shocked and concerned, and why not. She wasn't a cruel or vindictive person by nature.

I was livid at the accusation, "And you think we're responsible? I thought you knew me better than that, Carlisle, What earthly reason would we have for doing such a thing?"

I suddenly became uneasy, "Does Jasper suspect us too?"

"Like us, he doesn't know who is responsible but he's taken Bella away for a while."

Sasha spoke up again, "Surely if anyone is doing this it's more of the people he and Esme were protecting Bella from in the first place."

"We don't think so. Jasper is sure he's taken care of all those who were working for Victoria. Besides, they wanted her dead and they would hardly be interested in burning down a few buildings."

Sasha tensed, "But I might? I take it you've been digging into my past, Carlisle."

I bridled, how dare they hold my wife's past against her, but before I could jump to her defence she continued still calm and controlled.

"If so you would have realized that I was the victim of an arson attack, not the perpetrator. Besides, I have no quarrel with Bella. I hardly know her and to be honest, I quite liked her the little I did find out. I'm sorry, Carlisle, but you're barking up the wrong tree."

Of course, Carlisle had wanted to speak to us out here. I couldn't hear the thoughts of the others and therefore wasn't forewarned. Carlisle was the only one who could shield his thoughts consistently from me if he tried.

"Do the others believe we are responsible?"

Carlisle sighed, "It was actually me who suggested you might be. Mainly because I couldn't imagine anyone else who knew Bella who might want to harm her. I wondered if you were jealous of Jasper or just didn't care for Bella to be happy. I'm sorry Edward. I was wrong. I apologize to you too Sasha."

I was furious, how could he even think we might do such a thing? True, I'd been shocked to find Bella here and even more stunned to discover she was engaged to my brother but even so. To act in such a vindictive and spiteful way?

Sasha nodded sadly, "I understand, Carlisle. Edward didn't want me to tell you about my curse because he didn't want you judging me before you met me. It was a mistake because people always feel uneasy and upset at the way I make them feel. It's not the first time I have been accused of causing trouble and I admit from time to time they have been correct but not this time. I was so desperate for you all to like me and I tried so hard but after a while my curse gets free. That's why Esme left before. I know she distrusts me but I swear to you that neither of us harmed Bella in any way and we certainly didn't start any fires."

Carlisle nodded, looked suitably chagrined, "Thank you, Sasha. We were wrong about you. However, if we had known of your 'curse' we would have made allowances and could possibly have helped you."

Sasha smiled a little sadly, "No one can help me, Carlisle. I've tried so hard over the centuries. Edward is the first person who saw the real me. I think his ability to read minds helps. It allows him to see that I don't mean the things that happen, the things I say sometimes. I'll admit I never understood your affinity for humans. I still don't, but I could have tried harder to see your point of view and not laugh it off as I did with Esme. That's why I call my gift a curse. I suffer too because of it. I felt better when Bella was around. More in control. So I certainly wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

Still angry, I wanted to leave but Sasha refused.

"It's over, Edward. Don't let it come between you and your family. They are the one good thing you have and I hope to have too at some point. Besides, I'd like to find out who is responsible for what's happened. If we can help we will, Carlisle."

I reluctantly allowed myself to be persuaded to go into the house where the others sat waiting. Carlisle and Sasha explained the situation and everyone apologized but it still rankled with me. My wife however wanted to know what we could do and was delighted when Esme suggested that she meet Patrick. He was their only other suspect behind the fires and she would be the best person to speak with him.

"Why Sasha?"

"Because we don't know if Renee is still around, Edward. She has been here and seen us but she doesn't know Sasha and we don't want Patrick to know we are looking into him."

"It's fine, Edward. I'd like to help and I want to see the fool who let Bella get away from him. Can I upset his life a little? Just to get even for Bella?"

Rosalie smiled, "What a great idea. Just don't ruin him until we find out if he is behind the fires."

It seemed my wife was prepared to put the accusations behind her but it would take more than a few apologies for me to forget they could think I might act in such a vile way.

"I still think you were all out of order."

Emmett nodded slowly, "Edward, I'm sure you do but if I remember you were the one who left Bella in the middle of the woods with a broken heart and forced us to walk out on her without a word. Do you get my drift?"

That pulled me up short. It did sound cold and cruel put like that even if, in my own defence, I had been trying to protect her.

"Yeah, I thought you might. See, Bella's one of us now so it's up to you to put things right between you two and helping to find this arsonist would be a good start so come and help me go through the other CCTV images."

Sasha gave me a gentle push, "Emmett's right. Go on. Let's see if we can't find the bastard responsible."