Disclaimer: sexual content

Three days later - Florence, Italy

A storm gathered over the beautiful city of Florence.

Lightning streaked the night skies as the cobblestoned streets below became slick with a heavy downpour. The citizens below fled to their homes, holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain, mundane conversation within the cathedral trickling its way towards the very top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore where Jasper leaned against the arched windows of the bell tower.

His narrowed dark eyes were sharp as knives as he watched every living soul below, searching for the undead that were sure to make show themselves amongst the humans.

According to Alice's vision.

"You're sure this is where they'll show?" Charlotte asked as she surveyed the plaza from the other side of the tower. The tips of her short hair were wet from the rain, the same as Jasper's and Peter's were—along with their dark clothes.

"Alice was sure. I believe her," Jasper murmured as he glanced towards Peter who was as stoic as the sculptures within the cathedral and silent like one of them as well. Utterly frozen in place, his chest never rising or falling as he studied the crowds that started to lessen the longer the storm took hold of the night. Jasper slid his gaze away, unclenching his jaw as he said in a voice full of venom, "They'll be here."

Time passed slowly for the immortals as they waited and waited. Minutes turning into hours. The rain creating a thick veil around the tower.

It wasn't until there wasn't a soul in sight and the moon was high up in the sky that they finally took their descent.

Charlotte landed gracefully on her feet, spinning out of the way before Peter could land. He and Jasper landed simultaneously beside each other in low crouches, their boots hitting the stones with barely audible thumps. They both shared rather impassive glances with one another before Jasper's lips curled upwards in a rather irritated manner. Peter rolled his eyes at his old friend before rising.

They hadn't shared so much as five words since arriving to Italy. It had gotten to the point where Charlotte was now referring to herself as their translator for the growls and incoherent mumblings they'd taken to sharing as a form of communication over the past few days.

It was safe to say this was the only reason the two brooding vampires weren't initiating in rather violent fights on a day to day basis. Without Charlotte's laid back nature and constant teasing, this entire mission would have ended on day one.

Jasper remembered his conversation with Alice the night he got ready to leave their home on the hunt for the nomad.

She'd been in their dimly lit bedroom, a single light of the lamp illuminating the silence of their room. She'd been packing a bag when he walked in, aware that he was leaning against the closed door as she hurried about the room.

"I just need to get some things and I'll be—"

Alice stopped abruptly, getting a vision for the briefest of moments before turning around to face him. A furrow lined her delicate brows as she murmured, "You don't want me to go." Not a question but an answer.

"It's better for Bella if you stay. Keep an eye on her in case she has another seizure. If what I suspect is happening to her turns out to be true...you'll be there."

Alice's head lowered in resignation, knowing full well that Jasper needed this from her. No one else had the complete, utter trust Jasper was willing to give. No one except for Alice.

"But it isn't me who she needs nor wants."

The sorrowful cadence in her voice made him finally push off the door and cross the distance in a heartbeat. His large hands encased Alice's face as he made her look into his amber eyes, her own shining with unshed tears. Here she was—the shield finally being lowered around his wife's delicate emotions that she so carefully molded to protect him. To keep him from experiencing any of her anxieties and insecurities. But now she was laying them bare before her.

Jasper said as he rested his forehead against hers, "You mean the world to her, Alice. Don't let her stubborn disposition fool you. Bella may act like she doesn't need us when we seem to need her even more, but she's still your little sister. She's still our Bella, no matter what she says in her moments of hurt."

Alice wrapped her arms around him, "Please be careful. This nomad...not being able to see him is going to be hard. I can't help you if I'm not there-"

"Shh," Jasper captured her lips in a soft kiss, gently walking her back towards the bed across the room, "Let me leave with this one memory of you, darlin'. Like this, happy and in my arms. It's all I want before I become a monster once more. You're all I want."

When he laid her down in the middle, Alice's chest rose and fell with anticipation as she stared adoringly up at her husband as he pulled his shirt over his head in one swift motion. Revealing the dozens of scars lining his pale chest and arms. The utter admiration and love that swam around him made him smile every single time.

She gasped softly into the shadows and warmth of the light shining across her skin as he helped her shed her clothes one by one before he slowly loved her with his lips, his hands. Setting her on fire the way only he knew how to.

Alice's delicate whimpers and sighs of his name fell from her lips as Jasper parted her legs and tasted her with sweet reverence. He watched as she came apart before him, her emotions unleashing themselves upon him in lapping waves that urged him on, comforting him as he watched his mate place herself in his hands that had so carefully held her heart and soul, cradling them the same way Alice had always done so with him. Long before he'd known this would be his life now.

When they finally joined themselves to one another, moving and writhing together as one, he knew there was no other place he'd rather be. Which was why it made it all the more difficult to ask her to stay. But it wasn't an option for him. He would not put Alice at risk if he was going to end the bastard responsible for his sister's suffering.

He was doing this for his family and for his mate's safety.

For the peace that so desperately fought to be in Bella's life.

And he would keep his promise. No matter the cost.

The sound of his phone buzzing in the pocket of his jacket made Jasper snap out of his reverie. Charlotte and Peter looked to him as they guessed who it could be while Jasper read the text the seer sent.

Alice: Change of plans. They went into the red-light district. Keep an eye out for 'La Mela Rossa'. Be careful.

"Let's go," Jasper sighed before he disappeared in a flurry down a deserted street, the two nomads following after him as they disappeared into the heavy rain pouring down upon them.


The smell of smoke, wine, and sickly sweet roses made the three vampires pause in the entrance of the pleasure house.

Jasper quickly having to hold his breath before he felt the need to run back out into the rain for fresh air. La Mela Rossa was hidden away down a set of narrow cobblestoned steps at the heart of the red-light district where drunks and gamblers seemed to take residence, music blasting from the bar in the corner and crude words being thrown about between a few men about to get into a brawl a couple of feet away. When Peter and Jasper stared up at the painted sign of a red apple being cradled between two hands, they shared a mutual grimace.

"Hold your breaths, I don't want to rip either of you off a human tonight," Jasper said as women and men filled the pleasure house that appeared to have three floors by the looks of it. Burgundy tapestries were draped over the wooden railings where dozens of people mingled, a few disappearing into rooms with each other while others had no shame to hide in the pleasure they took or received.

A large group was clustered by the bar and many round tables were occupied throughout the establishment.

"If I'd known we'd be coming to such a interesting place, I would have dressed up," Charlotte says with a grin as a woman with hair as black as onyx sauntered her way, speaking sweet words in Italian that they all understood quiet well.

Charlotte leaned into the woman's ear and whispered something that made both Peter and Jasper roll their eyes. Charlotte sighed contentedly as the woman tugged on her gloved hand with a happy hum, motioning towards the empty fainting couch in the corner of the room, away from prying eyes. "I trust you can take it from here boys? Or will you need me to referee with my new friend over here?"

"Oh no, please stay." Peter said dryly, making Jasper grin as he scanned the smoke infested room.

"Try not to kill each other while I'm gone honey," Charlotte granted him a crude gesture over her shoulder as she turned on her heel and took her escape.

"And you said you didn't want to rip us off anyone?" Peter muttered as he turned away from Charlotte.

"I was talking about her," Jasper deadpanned.

"Looks like the pixie was right. There they are," Peter motioned towards the third floor at the couple that sat by the railing, watching them with equally keen interest. He pushed the hood of his jacket off his head before taking a step forward, "Shall we?"

"Let's," Jasper answered, kindly turning down the few that dared approach him with propositions of their own.

Peter didn't even seem to notice a single soul that tried to catch his attention by the spiraling stairs that led up to the vampires that came here in search of some fun of their own. Something Jasper observed the entire time as his friend walked ahead of him.

While he knew it was an invasion of one's privacy, he couldn't help by assess Peter's emotions the entire time they were in here.

Interest and the same coy playfulness Peter always had with females had been muted greatly. Replaced by determination and a yearning for a fight. Jasper wasn't sure which he preferred more.

They hadn't addressed Bella at all since leaving Alaska. In all fairness, Jasper wasn't sure he wanted to know anything that had to do with Bella's...romantic relationships that were sure to take once she enters high school. But knowing Peter was her mate...well, it was an even harder pill to swallow. And something he couldn't think about right now.

They strode towards the couple sitting in the rounded booth in the far left corner, joined by two humans that appeared utterly enamored by the beautiful couple as they caressed and kissed their necks, hands wandering in places that made Jasper want to throw himself over the balcony.

Peter didn't seem phased at all as he sat himself on the empty side of the booth, dropping his fist on the table with a loud bang that sent the humans startling away from their current muses.

"Out," Peter said with a dark tone that left no room for argument.

The humans who appeared completely oblivious to the fact that they were inches away from the fangs of two very hungry vampires, scooted out of the booth before angering the brooding man with the predatory eyes.

Their fear was palpable as Jasper sat on the other side of the booth, both he and Peter blocking the couple sitting next to each other.

"It's been a while, Jasper," The female vampire mused as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as she eyed Jasper up and down, "My sister told me you'd be looking for me."

"Irina," Jasper greeted tersely before his eyes found the amber gaze of the newest member of the Denali's, "You must be Laurent."

"You've heard of me. Should I be flattered or wary?" Laurent tilted his head to the side, the musical tone of his voice doing little to fool Jasper. He was a predator. A nomad through and through, no matter what the color of his eyes may say. He was used to killing innocents, took thrill in it before.

"It depends," Peter said, resting his arm over the top of the booth, "have you been paying anyone a visit since your little trip started?"

Laurent frowned but it was Irina who snapped, "What are you insinuating?"

"You know what, save us all the trouble and cut the bullshit," Peter growled back through clenched teeth. His eyes shot to Laurent, "Where is he?"

Laurent and Irina shared a look that told Jasper all he needed to know.

This time the empath let his temper slip as he leaned forward and seethed, "You really want to play this game with me, Irina? You think you'll win?"

Irina was the first to crack under Jasper's terrifying gaze and overwhelming gift that proved just how serious he was.

"They were Laurent's first coven, Jasper..."

They?

"Not mine, and certainly not after what they did to my sister. You know better than anyone that we'd stop at nothing to protect a member of the coven. A sister. If it were Tanya or Kate, you'd do the same."

Irina tensed, clearly at a loss for words as Jasper's words rang true.

"Is she not a human? This Bella of yours...I believe the law of the covens only stand for those who are of vampiric natures, wouldn't you need to take the necessary steps to do so before seeking such justice?"

Jasper's ire turned into searing rage.

Peter growled at Laurent's blunt suggestion of turning Bella into one of them, "Blood shed is blood repaid. I suggest keeping this bit of information to yourself if you know what's good for you."

The couple tensed as a menacing feeling coated their senses, Jasper's barely contained rage threatening to unleash.

Laurent relented, "James and Victoria are no longer in Italy. They left for France soon after we met earlier this week." He waved his hand, brushing his dark hair aside with graceful precision. The predator posing as a man looked around the pleasure house with bland interest, "Where they go from there is no concern of mine. And they're not one's to linger for long once they've grown bored, James more so than Victoria. It has always been that way."

Jasper looked to Peter as he cursed under his breath. At least the feelings he received from his gift of not returning to America anytime soon had been true.

Without another word, Peter rose from the booth and strode away, making to retrieve Charlotte so they could get a move on as soon as possible. Jasper followed suit, rising from his seat but stopped when he felt the tendrils of lament from Irina.

"I hadn't known about James's role in all this, Jasper. Tanya only told me a few days ago, after we'd met with them."

Realization dawned upon him and panic swirled in his chest as he leaned against the table, hands braced against the worn wood of the table, "Did you tell them about Bella? In any capacity?"

"No, I didn't. I didn't think it was relevant." Irina said truthfully.

"Good."

"There is something you should know about James," Laurent added, making Jasper clench his jaw at the mere mention of the nomad's name, "He is what you would call a tracker. And he is the best tracker I have ever met in all my years. Once he sets his eyes on something, on a prey, he won't stop until he has it. Victoria...she's fast with a sharp talent for manipulation. Don't underestimate either of them for a moment."

"I thought they were your friends," Jasper murmured.

"Friends is...a big word for what they were. If I could take back the decades spent with them tormenting humans, believe me I would. I would trade it all to have met Irina sooner." He took his mates hand in his, earning a soft smile from Irina in return. Jasper knew he meant it despite the unmoved expression on his face. "Once you find them, you didn't hear any of this from us."

"Alright," the gleam in Jasper's eyes sparked beneath the flicker of the lit candle in the center of the table as he said, "Where in France."


Thanks for reading x

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to sharing more Jasper/Peter/Charlotte moments!

I haven't been able to upload chapters regularly because I've recently been studying for the GRE and was accepted to my Master's program a few weeks ago! It's been tough with my job and studying like crazy but I'm excited to keep writing!