A/N thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing! I love reading your opinions and thoughts on my stories…please don't stop! =)

Disclaimer: I own nothing…

Previously

I could feel my anger about to spew over. This is what Edward had done to her. This is what James was doing to her. Making her feel like she wasn't worth more than a fuck. I knew I had to get the hell out of there before I did or said something I would regret later. Charlotte and Peter would be here to watch over Bella while I got my shit together.

I ran out the back door, headed for the woods behind my house. I wanted to head straight for James, but had to consider the fact that he had someone watching Charlie. I was sure that word would get back to whoever that was that James had been attacked, ensuring Charlie's death. I needed to have a powwow with Peter and Charlotte. We needed to formulate a plan to free Bella.

In my mind, I made my hit list.

James

Paul

Edward

One day, in that order…

I took down every living, breathing creature I could find and when I couldn't find anymore, I took my anger out on the trees. Death and destruction surrounded me. When I finally pulled myself together, I was standing at the edge of the lake on my property. I sank down to my knees on the sandy shore and stared out at the water. I thought about everything that had happened to me since I'd been changed, my life with Maria and escaping from her, my life with Alice. I had caused so much horror and devastation in my years in the Southern Wars. Then I thought about Bella, sweet and caring Bella. How on earth could something so hellacious happen to someone like her? Karma sure was a fickle bitch.

I wasn't for sure how much time had passed when I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I didn't have to turn around to know that my brother had come to check up on me. While I appreciated the thought, I still couldn't get over my anger. I turned to look at him and saw that he had his eyes down in total submission. I would've taken great satisfaction in his demeanor any other time, but not now. I tried to smile at him, but all I could manage was a grimace.

"How can I take her back there, Pete?" I asked. "How can she ask me to return her to that hellhole?" I was miserable and I knew he could hear it in my voice.

"You'll take her back because that's what she wants. It's her choice and you can't take that away from her," he answered as he sat down beside me.

As much as I hated his answer, I knew he was right. Edward always thought he knew what was best, her opinion be damned. I could never do that to her. We sat in silence, Pete skipping rocks across the water.

"Tell me about her, Jas."

I sighed, trying to figure out where to start. "Bella was the most trusting, caring and compassionate human I've ever met. She knew the danger we posed to her, but accepted us as family anyway. Even though Edward and Alice wouldn't allow us to really get to know each other, I could feel the love everyone had for her and she had for them, except for Rose. I think Rose was a little jealous that Edward could have the feelings for a human that he never showed to her. But most of all, she didn't want Bella to give up all the things that she longed for…getting married and having babies. Anyway, Bella wanted to be turned, but Edward wouldn't hear of it. He was afraid of damning her soul to hell or some shit. He wanted her to remain a human. There was one problem with that though. He wouldn't allow anything physical between them because he was afraid of losing control and killing her. The frustration vibes she threw off would sometimes bring me to my knees. There were times when I wanted to either bite her myself or give her the release she needed." I chuckled grimly.

I glanced over to Pete and saw I had his full attention. "For her eighteenth birthday, Alice and Edward decided to give her a surprise birthday party. A rite of passage they called it. Long story short, Bella got a paper cut and I could feel Edward losing control so I lunged at him, I knew he was getting ready to attack her. But he threw her against a table that had this fucking huge cake and glassware on it. She sliced her arm open and before I knew it, Emmett and Rose had me outside. Everyone thought I was going after her for her blood and tried to keep me away from her. I took off and ended up on your doorstep." I didn't want to tell him how hurt I was…how betrayed I felt. I turned to face him. "Oh yeah, did I mention she was Eddie's singer?"

I knew Pete was shocked. Even if I couldn't feel his emotions, the look on his face said it all. He would open his mouth and then close it. I turned back and stared at the water again. I knew as soon as he got his shit together, he'd say something and I wasn't wrong.

"So pussy-boy's singer is bleeding in front of him and everyone worries about you eating her? How come the pixie didn't see that happen? It's not like someone made a quick decision or something. I thought she was supposed to be all-knowing." He was pissed.

I knew part of it was that he hated her, but most of his anger came from the fact that they had so little faith in me. It pissed me off too, but I had learned to let it go. I still had no idea why Alice didn't see it and planned to ask her if I ever saw her again. In response to his question, I could only shrug my shoulders.

"Ok Major, so how do we rescue her?" he asked.

Crimson eyes met golden eyes and I could see the wheels turning in his head. I knew he would stick by my side through thick and thin. He wouldn't let me do this on my own. In his eyes I was still Major Whitlock, master of ingenuity and strategy.

I thought about James and how, no matter how this ended, his life was forfeited. It was one thing to have sex with a human and then drain them, I think we all were guilty of this at one time or another, but to keep them as a pet and allow anyone with the money to torture them was just fucking wrong. His biggest mistake was making a pet out of a member of my family…a fatal mistake.

"Well, as soon as I take Bella back, I'm going to head for Forks and check things out. James is using Charlie as a bargaining chip so he's going to be my top priority when I get there. Then I'm going to go to LaPush and have a meeting with the wolves. Jacob was their Alpha and I'm sure they'd love to know where Paul is. Bella said that James usually gives her a couple of days to recoup between, well you know, so that gives me two days to get everything ready."

"I'll come with you." Peter continued before I could interrupt, "I am going, so don't try to talk me out of it. I can be your backup. Charlotte can hang around James's house in case things go wrong. You know she takes shit like this personally and will do everything she can to keep Bella safe until we get her out of there."

The hesitation when he spoke of things going wrong wasn't lost on me. I knew that we were going into this blind. I was honored that he wanted to go with me. My brother was the only motherfucker, besides Emmett, that I would trust to have my back. Peter would be my number one choice and he knew it. We had been to hell and back, only to survive. His plan was a sound one and I nodded my head in agreement. I stood up and he followed suit. We clasped forearms in solidarity; Bella would be free in a few days.

We ran back to the house and stopped when we got to the porch. I heard Charlotte explaining to Bella how we had met. Although I wanted to keep the nightmare of my past away from her as long as I could, I felt a little relief that at least now she knew the basics. It would make explaining the horrors of my past actions a little easier. I didn't want to see or feel the disgust and revulsion when I told her, but I wasn't Edward, I wouldn't hide anything from her. She deserved to know the truth. I could only hope that she could see that I wasn't that man anymore.

When I heard Bella asking about me, I knew it was time to face the music. I was deeply ashamed that I had run out on her like that, but I was also hopeful that she would understand. I put my hand on the door knob and nodded to Peter. He took off around back and I walked through the door. I was pleased to see them sitting together, Charlotte comforting Bella. She rose to her feet and headed for the door. She glanced at me and a look of understanding passed between Charlotte and I. She was on board to save Bella. When Bella thanked her, waves of elation floated across the room. I was glad to see that Bella and Charlotte had accepted each other. I turned to Bella and could feel the apprehension rolling off of her and knew she was gearing up for a fight.

Once I had her convinced that I was going to play this game by her rules, she relaxed in my arms and fell asleep. I ran my fingers through her hair and suddenly I felt calmness in my body I hadn't experienced before. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling. Listening to the thrumming of Bella's heartbeat and her deep breathing was hypnotic. For the first time in a long time, I could feel my body relaxing.

When she woke up, I knew something was terribly wrong. It took a few minutes before I realized her body was craving the drugs she was addicted to. When she asked if I could take her back to James's house, I managed to suppress the growl I felt in my chest. I offered her my hand and helped her to her feet. When she didn't pull her hand back, I wrapped it around my arm and walked her out to the garage. Her eyes widened when she saw my Harley and she tilted her head up to look at me. I gave her a little smirk and handed her a helmet. Once I was sure it was secure, I helped her put my jacket on, noticing for the first time that she was wearing one of my shirts. I smiled and discovered that I liked seeing her in my clothes.

I got on the bike and helped her get on behind me. She wrapped her arms around my waist and snuggled up to my back. I could feel her warmth seep into my cold body and decided that once this nightmare was behind us, we would be taking more rides.

The trip to James's went by way too fast. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I counted at least five vampires outside. I pushed up the sleeves of my shirt so they could see my scars. As much as I hated them and what they represented, they did come in handy. James's bitches would know I wasn't someone to fuck with. I helped Bella off the bike and walked her up to the door. I could feel desperation and dread rolling off of her. Bella turned to me, but before she could say anything, the door was yanked wide open. James stood there with a sneer on his face.

"Well, bitch! Don't just stand there, get your ass up to your room. Everything is waiting on your table. I knew you couldn't stay away, you junkie whore!" he snarled at Bella as he grabbed her arm. It took everything in my power to keep my fists down at my sides. I had to keep reminding myself that she would be out of here in a couple of days.

Bella's face flared in embarrassment. It was one thing to know that I knew she was on drugs, it was another thing to have it thrown in her face in front of me. I pushed some understanding her way and she gave me a weak smile. I didn't want to cause her any problems with James, but I couldn't help myself from getting up in his face.

"Didn't your momma teach you how to treat a lady, especially one as talented as Bella is? She was worth every penny," and then I added as an afterthought, "Marcus did pay you, right?" I smirked at him when he gulped and I felt his fear. A member of the vampire royalty was on my side and I knew he realized it.

"Y-yeah he did," James stuttered.

"Good, I'll have to make sure I pay him back. I'm a firm believer in paying back what is owed," I added in a low voice. I turned to Bella and took her hand. I placed my lips on her knuckles and bowed. "It was a pleasure, darlin'. And one I will enjoy again soon." I couldn't stop the grin from crossing my face. Her eyes were wide in shock. I faced James again. "I'll be in contact."

I waited until Bella entered the house and then raced back to my bike. I took out my cell and called Peter. "I'm on my way to Forks. Meet me at the Cullen's house."

A/N I know this was kinda short, but it made sense to end it right here…let me know what you think!