DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to us, although we would love to have Edward. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Author's Note:Thank you all for your supportive feedback! We know some of you have been taken aback by some of the events and changes with the characters but remember we are enhancing a few details about our beloved Cullen clan. We are enjoying the journey this story is taking us on and are thrilled that you all are with us for the ride! Enjoy the slight lemon!
VBR & My Bella
We made it back to Bella's house in relative silence. I was too lost in my own raging thoughts to say anything. My eyes focused straight ahead while Bella held my arm and hand as we tread through the darkness. The rest of the family headed back toward the town, with Bella and I staying behind as planned. Her house was still and dark, and somehow looked more menacing now that the danger lurking was confirmed.
Bella sat on her bed, her back pressed against the headboard with her knees bent up to her chest. The look on her face reflected concern for me and her thoughts relayed the same. "I wish he would just talk to me, confide in me. But I know not to push him," she thought.
I wasn't ready to talk, so I pretended I didn't hear her. I went to the window and stared out into the night; my arms crossed over my chest.
There was a lot to do, and at some point, all of our efforts to protect Charlie would unravel; Victoria was ruthless. Without even realizing it, I was spinning the ring on my finger with my thumb; once again the weight of its significance present.
To anyone else, it was just a band of silver, but to me…To me, it was a promise to protect my family at all costs.
I looked back over to Bella and could stand the distance no longer. I closed the window and sat on the bed across from her. Without saying a word I caressed her face; her eyes closing as she smiled. I kissed her nose and cheeks, her eyes, and her forehead.
I closed my own eyes as I cradled her head in my hands, trying to calm myself. I wanted to scream and rip something apart right now, feeling completely infuriated that I couldn't just live my life with Bella. I wanted to spend my time making her happy, not fighting for our lives.
"Edward, please come back to me. Don't let your anger blind you or push you away from our family…from me," she whispered, causing me to open my eyes. "Nothing is going to take me from you," she promised, kissing my lips softly and letting her mouth linger on mine.
"No love. Nothing will," I responded softly.
She removed her jacket and laid herself down in bed. I placed my head on her stomach, wrapping my arms around her. Her hands were lost in my hair as she caressed my head—and with that, Bella kept the beast inside of me at bay. I began to relax as I stared into the night sky outside the window. We spoke to each other in our thoughts for some time after; Bella did most of the talking, wanting to talk about anything other than the problem we were facing.
Morning came too soon, as it often did. Charlie was up and packing up his gear for work so Bella went downstairs and pretended to start making breakfast as she always did. Charlie was running late and was out the door before she even finished pouring her cereal.
She was putting everything away again as I came down the stairs. Outside, I could hear the rain falling hard. Bella was standing with her back to me, staring out the window as I came up behind her and wrapped her up in my arms.
"Are you ready to go, my love?" I asked, kissing her neck.
She nodded, turning in my embrace and pulling me down to her lips for a true kiss. I smiled at how easily she could push everything away and show me so much love and understanding. I felt better, more focused and ready to face the day, but I was also anxious to get back to the others. It was not a good idea for us to be spread out right now.
Once we were outside, Bella and I both scanned the area around Charlie's.
When were completely sure we could sense no one, we ran through the woods to where my car was parked and drove off into the rainy morning.
When we arrived at our house, Alice and Jasper were waiting outside. Alice immediately opened Bella's door and pulled her out of the car. "C'mon, Bella! Let's get you changed and ready for some training!" Alice chirped, barely waiting for Bella's consent.
Bella turned back to me and kissed me sweetly. "I'll see you in a few," she smiled.
I nodded and got out of the car myself. Jasper met me and walked at my side as we entered the house, getting out of the rain. "Edward, last night we went out into town by the school and could pick up faint trails of vampires. She is most definitely not alone," he said; his voice filled with concern. "The trail was stronger as we approached the old warehouses out at the edge of town, but we saw no one."
I turned to face him, paying particular attention to the tactical plans he was already developing for that area of town. "Then we should go back out there together after Bella's training," I told him. "Those warehouses are abandoned and can easily be a hideout."
Jasper nodded his head in agreement.
"Where are Emmett and the others?" I asked, not sensing them close by.
"They are out by the mountain where we were training with Bella before. Alice and I wanted to wait here for you to return," he replied.
"Carlisle wanted Alice or me to be with any group not in the house," I pointed out.
"He made an exception," Jasper shrugged.
I growled lightly, not liking the idea of my family taking unnecessary risks.
"Relax, Edward," Jasper chided with his thoughts. "You know Carlisle and I always have a plan. They are really trying to draw Victoria out onto our turf. If she does come out to play, she won't be expecting the four of us to show up as the backup. I just didn't want to say anything aloud and scare Bella unnecessarily. She's apprehensive enough as it is."
Bella and Alice came downstairs just then. "You ready, boys?" Alice asked.
Bella was wearing her fitted, run-down jeans and a gray tank top with hiking boots Alice must have purchased for her.
"You look ready to kick some ass," I said, taking her into my arms.
"That's the idea," she replied smiling.
The four of us headed outside and ran into the forest. The rain had died down some, but the wind was still whipping the trees around. We ran in single line formation and made it to the others in a short time. Emmett and Carlisle were sparring roughly as Rose and Esme did the same.
"Oh, hi, kids," Esme greeted without even glancing over to us as she kicked Rose's legs out from under her.
Rose landed on the palms of her hands and kicked up with both legs, pushing Esme a few feet away. They both laughed out loud at how evenly matched they were.
"Well, let's get started," Carlisle said as he walked over to us. "Bella, we are going to begin with testing your tracking abilities. We want to create a scenario where you have to find one of us and deal with various distractions along the way."
Bella nodded her head and waited for him to continue.
"Rose will set out into the woods and hide herself. No one will help you," Carlisle instructed, giving me a pointed look.
I smirked, but nodded my head to let him know I would behave.
Carlisle tried to hide his own smirk as he continued explaining things to Bella. "Jasper and Edward will be with you, but only as a precaution.
Bella suddenly looked concerned at the idea of being left to do this on her own, but her thoughts showed she knew this was the only way.
"This is a test of your focus and control. Not to mention that this will test how you handle tracking someone," Carlisle finished.
I kissed her lips, trying to ease her anxiety. "You will be fine, Bella," I whispered.
Rose approached us and faced Bella. "The first thing you need is my scent.
I won't make this easy for you, Bella," she promised, standing perfectly still for Bella.
Bella approached Rose as the rest of us looked on. She was tentative at first and then she began to circle Rose, seemingly studying her. Bella took hold of Rose's hair and inhaled deeply. A smile came across Bella's face as she turned to Rose her eyes darker now.
"I won't make this easy for you either, Rosie," Bella taunted.
Rose grinned and was suddenly off like a flash, into the woods. Carlisle nodded and Alice, Esme, and Emmett followed after Rose.
"Bella, remember to focus on nothing else but her scent. We will distract you heavily, so try to think of this as the ultimate game of hide and seek," Carlisle instructed, nodding at Jasper and I to begin. With that, Carlisle was off heading in the same direction the others had gone.
Jasper walked over to Bella, waiting for her to be ready. She took one look at his smirk and lifted eyebrow before nodding and answering his silent question. She turned to me and smiled. "Do try and keep up, boys," she teased mere seconds before disappearing into the trees.
Jasper was caught off guard by her sudden movement and laughed as we entered the forest, chasing after her at top speed. Bella was methodical as she ran, stopping momentarily here and there and changing her direction every so often. We followed her north, where the forest became more and more dense. We could smell blood up ahead and knew this was her first distraction.
From their thoughts, I knew Esme and Carlisle were hiding nearby. They had smeared Elk blood all over the trees and rocks ahead, even leaving one of the carcasses on the ground as a tease; it was quite a spectacle. My head was suddenly swimming with thirst as Jasper tried to stay focused right next to me. I worried for Bella that this first distraction would prove to be too much for her newborn state.
Bella had stopped and was standing very still, seemingly focusing on her surroundings. I didn't want to get too close and distract her, but I was absolutely fascinated by her level of focus at the moment. Her thoughts showed the bloodlust was clearly present for her, yet she suppressed her urges and focused on finding Rose's scent among all the others.
Bella walked up to one of the enormous trees that dripped with the blood Esme had smeared. She took two fingers and swiped some blood off the tree, licking them clean as if she was merely licking the bottom of a bowl of chocolate frosting. Her control was infallible, and Jasper and I both felt a twinge of jealousy this time.
We managed to keep up with Bella as she ran across the sea of green, but I knew she could have easily left us behind if she had tried—showing once again just how controlled she was. As focused and intent as she was to find Rose, Bella recognized the need to allow Jasper and I to follow her.
I almost couldn't stop myself in time when Bella suddenly leapt into the air as Emmett emerged from his mossy hiding place behind some trees. She had anticipated him, smelled him out. He reached out a hand to catch her in mid-air while she grabbed for his outstretched arms, and once he held her, she used the position to kick him right in the gut. The audible thud would have broken her foot if she was human, but Emmett only swung her around and away from his body. She stood up, getting her bearings momentarily, and then set off again. She would not be distracted to compete with Emmett right now. It might have seemed a simple distraction to an outsider, but we knew their shared competitive edge would normally have kept Bella fighting with him for hours.
As we crossed a small clearing, Alice herded a small group of deer right in our direction. "Oh, for heaven's sake," Jasper said in a low voice. "Is this distraction for Bella or us?"
We both had to remain still and focused as the deer ran past us. Bella calmly waited until the deer were out of the way, not even thinking twice about following them.
She stopped again a few miles ahead, where the leaves and moss covered the ground heavily again. The air was thick with the smell of earth and I only sensed toads, turtles, and snakes in the area. The light in this part of the forest was murky at best and I thought for sure Bella had lost Rose's trail.
As Bella scanned the area carefully, I took note that her eyes were cut into slits and her face was contorted with focus. This time, Bella walked slowly over the fallen logs; her movements were calculating and exact.
Jasper looked over to me, completely confused and silently questioned me. "Edward, what's she doing? There's nothing here."
Bella came to a stop near a small pond that was covered in moss. If it wasn't for the movement of the frogs and turtles occasionally breaking the surface, it would have looked just like the rest of the woods. I wanted to stop Bella, but thought better of it as she entered the pond. She was up to her thighs in the muck before she dove in head first.
"Bella!" I yelled out to the spot where she had disappeared under the surface. I lunged toward that spot, but Jasper grabbed me, holding me back from following her. I was panicking as I searched for her thoughts and Jasper tried to calm me.
"Edward, she can't drown. She's a vampire," he fussed, as if that would actually calm me.
I was getting ready to escape from my brother when I heard Bella's giggling thoughts. Seconds later, she emerged from the mucky water, holding Rose's hand up in triumph.
Rose laughed out loud. "That was fun!" she smirked, as Jasper and I helped the girls out of the pond. Rose and Bella were covered head to toe in moss and grime.
"I am so proud of you Bella!" Rose cheered.
Emmett, Alice, Esme, and Carlisle joined us clapping and cheering. "That was awesome, Bells!" Emmett said, scooping her up and spinning her with pride. He also managed to get himself completely covered in the grime slipping off of Bella and onto him. She laughed out loud as he put her down.
I took her in my arms, picking gunk out of her hair as she smiled up at me sheepishly. "Bella, that was remarkable," I said proudly.
"Thank you," she replied, playfully smearing moss on my nose.
"Ugh! Bella-a," I groaned, laughing at her.
"You are doing wonderfully," Carlisle told her.
Bella smiled at him, her thoughts letting me know how proud she felt of herself right now. "Hey, now that we have Rose, lunch is waiting out by the river." She was off in a heartbeat as the rest of us bolted after her.
Within moments we came to the river, not far from where my secret place was. The deer were drinking peacefully and were completely unsuspecting. We all had our fill, taking a break after disposing of the carcasses. We sat on the shore, while the girls all went for a swim. Bella and Rose were thrilled to wash the gunk off in the pristine blue water.
"She is truly something else, Edward," Carlisle said to me as he pulled a sprig of grass from its resting place.
"She is better than I ever imagined. Her senses and her focus are uncanny," Esme added, as I nodded proudly.
"So what's next on the training regiment?" I asked, watching Bella, Rose, and Alice play in the water.
"Well, I think we should continue sparring with her. This time maybe she should fight you, Edward. You are the fastest and most lethal," Carlisle said flatly.
I was not comfortable with the thought of fighting Bella, but I knew that there were some things I could teach her. This would not be easy. The girls were coming back to join us just as I reluctantly agreed to Carlisle's idea.
"So it's your turn, huh?" Bella asked teasingly as she sat next to me on the grass, having already read my thoughts.
"Yes it is, but I promise to take it easy on you," I joked, kissing her lips.
"I can't wait," she replied breathily.
"I think that's code for she is going to let you win, Edward," Emmett teased, grinning at me.
"Well, let's get started," I said with more enthusiasm than I felt.
Bella nodded and got up to face me as the others sat on the shore watching us.
"I want you to try and anticipate my movements, Bella," I instructed.
"Use nothing but your instincts. Knowing your enemy's weakness is the key."
She nodded as she tied her hair back, readying herself. We stood a few feet apart and started to slowly circle one another. I was trying not to think about how sexy she looked with her graceful movements and lithe body. I knew I had to focus on fighting Bella…although, that would be a problem.
Her glare was intense as she sized me up. She bit her lip ever so slightly and I had to stop myself from closing the gap between us and kissing her passionately. I shook that thought from my head, knowing she already knew what I felt. I let her know with my thoughts that I suspected her of using it against me. She only smiled in response.
I moved forward, taking a playful shot at her face that she easily swatted away. I then coupled that with a high kick and tried a leg sweep to throw her off balance. She easily dodged those as well.
"Is that all you got?" she taunted.
I smiled, knowing I was taking it very easy with her. Really I was building up the gumption to fight her. This was even harder than I had thought. It was impossible for me to purposely hurt her.
Bella wasted no time and headed toward me fast. I tried to move out of the way and, of course, Bella anticipated that as her fist connected with my face much to both of our surprise.
I smiled, proud that she did what I could not. "Good job, love," I said, rubbing my jaw. I started to pick up the pace and was able to take her down to the ground a few times even though she knew what I would do—I was just stronger. I found myself holding back because I couldn't bring myself to hurt her.
She of course picked up on this. "Edward, would you stop taking it easy on me?" she fussed, clearly annoyed. "I know you don't want to hurt me, but you need to remember that you can't. More durable, remember?"
I nodded and tried to really focus. She pounced at me and I caught her in mid-air, tossing her body over my head. She landed in a squat and rushed me again. This time, I simply moved out of the way faster than she could register my thoughts.
"Edward, this will be more effective if you actually try to hurt me," Bella chided.
I could sense that she was frustrated, and I started to growl slowly, getting frustrated with the situation and my own self. Bella started to throw punches and kicks as I barely fought back. Emmett and Jasper began teasing aloud, but I was distracted by Bella's train of thought.
"I thought your skills were a lot more brutal than this, Edward," she started. "I think Emmett's right…I can totally kick your ass!"
I grinned, knowing that she was trying to get a rise out of me. We began to circle one another again and this time, I made the first move, managing to kick her off balance and she hit the ground with a loud thud. I fought the urge to help her up, knowing it would only upset her more.
Bella was up in seconds and lunged at me. She punched my gut and I barely tried to block her, not registering her speed. "Oh, c'mon!" she cried. "Give me your best shot, Edward." When that didn't get a rise out of me, she threw in a new taunt. "Victoria is not going to be this lenient!"
I growled loudly at her words and offered up a series of punches to Bella's neck, chest, and stomach that were so fast, they got the rest of the family cheering and on their feet.
Bella was pushing my buttons now and she knew it. She smiled as she composed herself and nodded that she was ready for more. I, however, was immediately filled with remorse. She came at me at top speed again, trying to land a punch on my chest, but once again, I was out of her way before she reached me.
I was so frustrated over having hit her that I could not bring myself to focus on fighting her. No one else had this problem when sparring with her. This was almost silly.
Bella's breath was heavier now and she was extremely frustrated. I could see the onslaught of emotions running across her face and hear that same frustration in her thoughts. "Why won't he hit me? I'm not fragile! He has to see that!" She growled at me as she spoke aloud. "Well, I guess I will just let Victoria find me since I obviously won't be any match for her."
The words left her lips and I was blinded with fury. How could she say such a thing? Take it so lightly? I rushed Bella, pinning her against the giant oak behind her. "You will do no such thing, Bella!" I roared at her without even realizing I was pinning her arms over her head a bit too tightly.
My face was inches from hers and I could see how surprised she was at my physical response. Realizing how gruff I had been with her, I immediately released her and stormed off into the woods before anyone could react. I realized seconds too late that she was only trying to get me to train her properly. I let my anger blind me and I did the unthinkable. Bella was right…I had let this take me over. How had it come to this? Maybe this was exactly what Victoria wanted—to cause me to lose my self control and my focus.
I reached the house and sensed Bella was close. I got as far as the top of the stairs before she ran into the house after me.
"Edward!" she cried, her voice hysterical.
I stopped in mid step and turned to face her. "Bella, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!" I sobbed; my palms on my forehead in frustration.
She was in my arms within moments. "I am the idiot, Edward. I pushed you too far. I only wanted for you to let down your guard. If there is anyone here that I can learn from, it's you," she whispered as I held onto her. "I'm sorry I brought Victoria up like that, Edward; it was cruel."
I looked down at her, staring at her face intensely. "Bella, I can't bring myself to hurt you. I know that I can't cause any real damage but on principle, I can't do it," I replied before kissing her passionately.
"Edward, I am not a porcelain doll. I want to be able to fight for this family and be as effective as I can," she told me, her voice noticeably lower now as she pushed me back against the wall. "Besides, sometimes a girl wants it rough," she said seductively. Her hands traced down my chest and grabbed my hips as I lost my resolve.
Instantly, my hands were in her hair and tracing down her neck. I turned us around, ripping off her shirt and pushing her against the wall. I kissed her forcefully, pulling her hair back to expose her neck. I sucked on her chin and made my way down to her chest as she gasped in pleasure.
I managed to move us up the rest of the stairs and into our room. I slammed the door behind me, almost taking it off the hinges. Bella stared me down lustfully from across the room. I took my shirt off as I quickly crossed the room. I threw my desk chair out of the way as I knelt before her, holding her to me as I kissed and licked her breasts. She arched her body back and took hold of the bookcase behind her.
I took that as an opportunity to unbutton her jeans. I removed her boots, pants and underwear, tracing circles with my tongue along her inner thigh. Books came crashing down as she was beside herself with lust, writhing in my hands.
I pulled her down to the floor with me, wanting her closer. "Where are the others?" I asked, holding my weight above her.
"They're still out there, she panted. "They knew we needed to sort this out on our own," she added, licking my neck as her nimble hands slid my pants off.
"Yeah, this could take a while," I said grinning. I lifted her hips to me as I entered her, my eyes closing in pleasure.
We made love like never before. There was so much intensity and absolute love in the moment. It was rougher than ever and more urgent, yet perfect for the moment we were in. I held her tightly to me as we lay there in the afterglow. The room was a total mess now, littered with books, CDs, and our various articles of clothing.
"I am sorry about what I did Bella. I can't stand the thought of you giving up on us and I lost control. It was inexcusable," I said sincerely.
Her body was half on mine as we lay on the bedroom floor intertwined. "There is nothing to excuse, Edward. We are all under a lot of pressure. I was crazy to say that to you under the circumstances. Alice even said I pulled an 'Emmett'." Bella smiled, putting her chin on my chest.
I laughed out loud at her words. "Yes, that is exactly what you did! I think I am going to have to attempt to not train you more often if this is the end result though," I smirked. "Although, I don't think the room can take it."
"Then I will have to kick your ass more often if you try a stunt like that again," she teased. "We are equals, Edward, and we will have a rematch," she said, licking my chest.
I sighed despite myself. "Yes, Bella, definitely a rematch," I agreed, not really registering what she said; lost in my pleasure. I held her to me as we lay there in silence, just caressing one another for some time.
"We should get dressed and head out to town. It's getting late," I said, sitting up and playing with her hair.
"Yeah, I have to get my 'Buffy' on and hunt some vamps," she giggled as she stood, sliding her jeans back on.
I could have sat there for the rest of my life just watching her get dressed and laugh at herself. She was my undoing. I adored her. She was the chink in my armor and I had to protect her ferociously. Thoughts of Victoria, and the others with her, flooded my mind. I did my best to push them to the side as I put my clothes back on and headed downstairs with Bella. The others were just emerging out of the woods and looked at us cautiously.
"I'm sorry for my behavior earlier," I stated remorseful. "Bella and I have worked everything out."
"I'll say!" Alice blurted out, immediately cupping her mouth as the words escaped her lips.
Jasper rolled his eyes and pulled Alice toward the cars as she giggled.
Emmett followed after them. "Atta boy, Eddie! Show her who's boss," he laughed out loud.
Bella grabbed Emmett's arm and pulled it up behind his back, stopping him and causing his body to contort towards her. "Yeah, Em, we did clear up that matter. Want to guess who won that little argument?" Bella asked gruffly, and then released him as the rest of us laughed hysterically. She was, of course, giving Emmett a taste of his own medicine.
Emmett rubbed his arm and smiled wryly at Bella as Rose and he walked over to his jeep; Rose teasing him the whole way there.
We were all in better spirits as we sped down the wet roads toward the warehouses on the outskirts of town. It was late in the afternoon now and there were no cars in the lot as we parked. We scanned the perimeter and were able to pick up a definite trail. Bella was behind me as we went up the fire escape and the rest of the family surrounded the building. We entered cautiously and could sense nothing but the smell of rust and moisture. The building was completely empty.
We exited the building and dropped to the ground from the top floor. Emmett opened his mouth to say something when Bella pointed past him and called out in a confident voice. "There!"
I took her hand as she led us to the building at the farthest end of the lot.
"Edward, there's someone in there. I know it," she assured me in thought.
I turned to the others to make sure they were all following and motioned that we should all enter in the same way we had at the other building.
Bella and I once again scaled the fire escape. The door creaked loudly as we went inside, scanning the room. Bella's eyes were cut into slits now, just like earlier in the forest, and she bared her teeth, hissing as she caught the newborn's scent. Bella's reaction to him was the first sign she had ever displayed that was true to a newborn. She could not control herself when threatened by another vampire. The unknown newborn came barreling at us from out of the darkness across the room. Emmett somehow crashed through the skyline, pinning the newborn to the ground before anyone else could react.
Emmett grabbed the vampire by the neck and lifted him up against the wall. It hissed and snarled at him violently, but Emmett only smirked in response.
"How you doin' little buddy?" Emmett taunted.
The rest of the family was now in the room after cautiously scanning the rest of the building.
"Who are you?" I asked sternly as I stood in front of this boy who seemed to be about twenty years old. He kicked out violently and bared his teeth at me.
"Oh, now that wasn't nice," Emmett fussed, using his knee to pin the newborn's legs to the wall.
This newborn had not fed in some time and I knew that this detail could be used as leverage. "I am going to ask you one more time before I start to sever body parts," I threatened.
Emmett yanked the newborn from the wall, pulling the newborn's arms behind his back, nearly breaking them off.
"Who are you?" I questioned.
"Nick," was all he responded as his face contorted with a sudden pang of hunger and pain.
"Good man, Nick. Now, what are you doing here?" I asked, examining the boy who looked completely disheveled.
"All I remember is agreeing to help Victoria. Please help me. I am so thirsty. She hasn't been back for days now. She said she was going hunting and would return.
I hurt my brother when he came looking for me. I think I killed him, but I was so thirsty. It burned!" he cried. "Victoria wants me to help her with a man and a girl that live in town. She promised me she would protect me and take me with her if I helped her kill them," he added.
"Who is she coming for, Nick?" I asked, just wanting to hear him say it aloud. "What are their names?"
"Bella…Swan and Edward…something...C-Cullen! Edward Cullen!" he said, remembering proudly.
"Well, it must be your lucky day, Nick…because you're looking at him," I hissed.
Nick let out a weak roar and tried to break free from Emmett's hold. Victoria was obviously starving this newborn, waiting until he was on the brink of madness to set him free on us. She made sure he stayed here until she summoned him.
"How many more of you are there?" Carlisle asked.
"Enough," Nick snarled defiantly.
Rose walked past me and over to him, smiling seductively. She unzipped her jacket, letting her tight fitted top show.
Nick focused on her, although his breathing was still rough.
Rose looked him in the eyes as she leaned in to his face. "Hi, I'm Rose, and I think you're kinda' hot, Nick," she said in a low voice, teasing his hair and letting her index finger caress his lust-filled face. "I am sure Victoria has promised a guy like you lots of things, baby, but I promise to rip your tongue out and feed it to you if you don't answer the gentleman's questions."
Emmett's smile was almost embarrassing as he proudly watched over his wife, but I had to admit that her tactics seemed to work.
"There are two men with Victoria. I don't know their names, but they are always with her," he said half-trembling.
"Where is she hiding out?" I asked sternly.
"I…I don't know," he choked out.
Emmett growled menacingly as he slammed Nick's face against the wall.
"Did that jar your memory?" Emmett asked.
"I heard her say she was going into the woods on the edge of town the other night," Nick whimpered. "But like I said, she hasn't been back. Just let me go, okay? I'll leave right now and not come back."
"Well, Nick, it seems we are at an impasse. You were deceived by Victoria—which by the way, she has a history of doing—and I have no guarantee you won't fall for her deception again." I lifted one hand up for him to see. "You want your freedom," I said, waving my hand at him before lifting the other. "And I want to protect my family. I really only see one way to accomplish that," I said flatly.
"No!" Nick cried. "Please! Let me go! I won't hurt any of you!" he pleaded.
I couldn't help but smirk at his words. "Oh, Nick, as if you were ever a threat," I laughed.
Emmett chuckled with me and tossed Nick across the room, making sure he slammed into the opposite wall. I was at the newborn's side instantly, picking him up by the throat and crushing his windpipe. I slammed him against the wall one last time before reaching for his neck and ripping his head clear off. No one objected, not with thoughts or words.
Jasper and Emmett helped me to rip the rest of the body into pieces and Rose set the pile on fire for us.
Once the purple smoke dissipated, we walked back to the cars in silence. Bella was quiet and her thoughts were scattered, but she didn't seem to have a problem with what we had done.
Whether we had wanted this or not, it had begun…And we would damn well finish it.