A/N: Unbeta'd
Chapter 30
EPOV
When I pulled up to Bella's house, I couldn't move. I'd suddenly lost all my nerve, not because I feared for my life, but because I saw Renee. She was standing at the foot of the front step, hands down at her side, staring at the house. She looked so real, not like a ghost at all; the slight breeze blowing wisps of hair and the fabric of her dress. I looked down at my phone, the dispatcher's advisement to not come over here replaying in my mind. When I looked back up, Renee was gone. But I still couldn't move, now remembering that one nightmare I had so many nights ago, before Thanksgiving.
I decided to call Bella, see if someone answered, but when no one did, I called again. I had no idea what calling would do other than give me a sense of what was going on in there. The sound of a gun made it through my closed-up car, and I panicked. I jumped out the car and started screaming her name and banging on the door. I thought the worst and I couldn't make the door open. She could be dead, lying on the floor in a pool of blood, and I would be the reason. I'd hesitated, calling instead of going straight for the door.
The sirens pulled me from my attack on the door, cops yelling at me to remove myself from porch or they'll arrest me. I go willingly with the cop who has a hold on my arm. She escorts me back to my car. "Stay put or go home, I don't care, but let us handle this."
I nod once and stand by my car. I know it's cold, but I can't get in to stay warm. I may end up driving the thing into her house just for a way to let her escape. A cop over the loudspeaker tells the criminal to come out unarmed. I look around, noticing for the first time there's more cops here than I thought, most with their rifles or usual guns pointed at the door, and a few have canines instead.
I notice the blinds move in the few windows in front, like he's weighing his options. It feels like forever, but eventually the front door cracks open. I hold my breath, waiting for what might be the quickest surrender in history.
I should have known it wasn't going to be that easy.
The door opens wider and Bella appears, but she's not alone. A man holds her in front of him, shielding his body with hers. She has blood staining the right side of her face, probably from the thud I'd heard when this whole thing started. But what is scaring me now is the knife to her throat that, even from my spot behind a cruiser, is digging into her skin. He's well hidden behind her. There's no clear shot without hitting Bella in the process.
It's now that I see the plan. Some people can't be satisfied until they sabotage someone else's happiness.
He's not going down without her.
