19
The air was thick, the tension palatable as Bella read the words again. Not only did he know where she was, but he knew about her daughter. Hugging Charlie tighter, Bella shifted her eyes to Edward's, trying to keep from screaming and running out the front door.
"I know, B." Edward said, pulling the card from her fingers with the very tips of his. He turned and started rummaging through drawers.
"What are you looking for?" Renee asked, standing up. "Tell me, and I'll get it."
"Plastic bag," he said, curtly.
Renee hurried around the table and yanked the pantry door open, grabbed the box of zip-lock bags, and nearly threw them at Edward. He pulled one out and dropped the card inside, giving Jasper a look. He grabbed it from Edward, pulled out his phone, and hurried past Bella and Alice as he walked into the other room.
Edward closed his eyes, placing his hands on his hips as he sighed. She could tell he was struggling with the thoughts inside his head. He would mumble, "Don't have a choice," and "Dangerous, but what else can we do?"
"What are you talking about?" Carlisle asked, standing up. "You don't have a choice about what?"
Shifting his eyes to Bella and Charlie, who was clutching onto her mother, her eyes wide and full of fear. Ignoring her family, Edward walked over to Bella and Charlie, placing a hand on each of them.
"I have to call him."
Bella felt her shoulders tense. "Why?"
Edward glanced toward her family before saying, "We need an army. He'll bring one."
"E . . ." Bella shook her head. "Are you sure?"
"No, but I don't know what else to do," he said, pressing his lips against her forehead. "I can't lose you again, B."
"I . . ." Her eyes closed, a tear sliding down her face. "Okay. If . . . if you're sure."
—MfM—
Bella sat on the floor, leaning against the bed in her bedroom, watching Charlie drawing. She had wanted to go outside and play, but how could she? Marcus was watching them; he knew where they were? Bella wanted to take Charlie and run, find a cave, and hide. But she knew it wouldn't help. Marcus would find them no matter how far they ran. Still, she wasn't sure Edward was making the right decision by making the call.
But if he helped?
"Stop," Bella muttered to herself, causing to look over at her. "What are you drawing?"
"You," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "And Edward."
"Oh?" Bella asked, laying her head on her knees. "Can I see it?"
"Not until it's ready," she laughed, moving her arm so Bella couldn't see her picture.
Before she could say anything else, the door to her bedroom opened and she saw Edward standing there. He tilted her head for her to come out, so she stood up and walked past Charlie and into the hallway, leaving the door cracked.
"You okay?" he asked, placing his hands on her hips, tugging her against him.
"No," she admitted, sliding her hands up his chest. "Did you call him?"
Edward nodded. "He said they would be here in ten hours."
Bella tensed.
"He's not the bad guy."
"He's not the good guy, either."
"I know," Edward murmured, leaning his forehead against hers. "I just need you to trust me, sweetheart."
"I do," she whispered. "It's Garrett I don't trust. His mistake got her killed."