Chapter 29
BPOV
Liam and I stayed with Alice like Edward suggested. We stayed the entire day and once evening came I got a little worried. Edward still wasn't back, and I didn't know where he was or what was happening. Liam and I ended up crashing on the couch. Alice said she could get a crib for him, but I honestly just wanted him close. I was surprised I was even able to sleep, but I had a feeling that the mental and emotional exhaustion had finally wiped me out. I was woken up in the middle of night though. I heard the main door open, and I prayed that it was just Jasper coming home.
To my relief it was, and Edward was with him. I got up with Liam in my arms and went with Edward home to our apartment. After putting Liam in his crib, I turned to Edward for answers.
"So what happened?" I asked Edward, who was in the kitchen drinking what looked like whiskey.
"Do you want one?" He asked. I assume he meant the alcohol.
"Sure." If he was offering me whiskey, then it must be bad.
After he handed me the drink and saw me take a sip, he spoke. "Stephan has been in contact with Vladimir."
WHAT
"Vladimir spun him a story about how Vladimir and you were in love." he continued.
"Why would Stephan believe him. Why would Vladimir even contact Stephan?" I asked.
Edward took another sip of his drink. "Stephan and Vladimir are brothers."
HOLY SHIT. "What?! How? I thought Vladimir was the product of Marcus having an affair. How could there have been another child? They took the mother in captivity and possibly killed her after. How is possible there was another child?"
"Apparently she was pregnant with twins. Marcus had her kept in Italy and didn't know there were twins until the birth. He didn't tell her husband either. He kept the other baby, the youngest of the twins, a secret from the Russians. It took Jasper a lot of digging and a lot of favors to find the information. It all came back to the housekeeper that helped deliver the babies. Marcus kept Stephan in Italy, but never reveled that he was the father. Vladimir somehow found out and contacted Stephan when they were teenagers. They kept contact but eventually drifted, until Vladimir contacted Stephan recently."
"About me"
"Yes." I felt sick. Not only had Demetri had people looking for me, but also Vladimir.
"There is more Bella."
"What is it?" How can there be possibly more?
"Vladimir knows that Liam is biologically his son."
NO! NO! NO! I tried so hard to keep who Liam's father was a secret.
"How? Are you sure he knows? Are you positive?" I practically yelled.
"Yes, he told Stephan. He made it seem he wanted to be reunited with the love of his life and child."
This couldn't be happening. HE WAS LOOKING FOR LIAM. He didn't just want me, but Liam too.
"Could Demetri know also?" I asked.
"Were not sure."
Wait.
"Could that be why they are both looking for me? Could it be not be me they're after, but Liam?"
Edward's expression was one of pain. He had considered that also. "Possibly."
"Liam's just a child, a baby!" I shrieked. Tears were running down my face. Edward pulled me into arms and held me.
"Vladimir is Marcus's son. Marcus is the oldest in the Volturi family and his oldest is supposed to take over. Everyone, for of intents and purposes, thinks Marcus has no children, but if he were to claim Vladimir then Vladimir would take over next."
"Not Demetri."
"Exactly. Vladimir is Liam's biological father-"
I gasped. "Which makes Liam his heir and to the Volturi line."
"Yes." Holy mother fucking shit.
I pulled out of Edward's arms so I look into his eyes. "Do you think he will make a claim?"
"There is a possibility." He said solemnly.
"Demetri could see Liam as a threat."
Edward didn't respond, but his expression said everything.
"Oh my god." And I broke down sobbing again. People were trying to take my baby and possibly harm him.
"Bella, I will do everything possible to keep Liam and you safe. You have my word."
"Who all could know about Vladimir being Liam's biological father? And that Marcus could claim Vladimir as an heir?" I said between sobs. I was back in Edward's arms at this point.
"Well that is the good news. It seems no one, but Vladimir and Demetri knows at this point. Demetri doesn't want to tell anyone, because it wouldn't be beneficial to him. It actually would be very bad for him. Vladimir knows this is a dangerous game. Telling the wrong people, people loyal to Caius and Demetri, could get him killed. He is waiting till he can get enough support. So far, we think he only told Stephan, because that was the only person he trusted. Stephan wanted to help Vladimir, because of the sob story he was told."
"Why hasn't Demetri killed Vladimir yet?" I asked.
"Vladimir is under the protection of the Volturi and the Russians, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I forgot."
"Demetri would need a legitimate reason and one the families would accept."
"Well, fuck." I said.
"Yeah it is all pretty messed up. If Demetri and Vladimir would just kill each other, then our problems would be solved." Edward said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"What are we going to do?" I asked.
"We're still trying to pin something on him. We were going to use the fact that Demetri was going to take you after I made a claim, but that still leaves Vladimir which right now is becoming a bigger problem. And Bella.."
"Yes?"
"Vladimir will be at the introductions tomorrow."
Well shit. "I knew there was a possibility he could be there, but I still hoped he didn't have a reason. The fact that he wants Liam now, just makes it worse." LIAM "Liam can't be there tomorrow, Edward! I know he is supposed to be, but we can't take the risk!"
"He won't be. We'll figure something out." As he held me tighter.
Edward had been my rock through all of this. My life had been pretty fucked up. I never thought being taken that night in my driveway would actually be the best thing that could have happened. What if Vladimir or Demetri would have gotten to me? And the truth was, I loved Edward. It was all a bad situation, but being in Edward's arms at this moment felt like the safest place to be.
