DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer, along with Little, Brown and Company, owns all the rights to the Twilight Saga.
"A redheaded leech got away," Sam said.
"A woman?" I asked, staring out the window.
"Yeah, how did ya know?"
"I know her."
"I know she's not a Cullen, Bella."
"Not a Cullen," I said, shaking my head. "Her name is Victoria."
"I've heard you say that name before." I nodded absentmindedly. My mind was too busy coming up with why she would be in Forks to really listen to Sam. Of course, I knew why, but I didn't want to accept that fact just yet.
"Well, who the fuck is she?" Paul yelled from the bed. I jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. I had forgotten he was in the room.
"Paul, can it," Sam said curtly. In a softer tone he asked, "Bella, I need to know who she is?"
"James' mate," I answered, subconsciously running a hand over the scar on my arm.
I felt Sam move closer to me. He wrapped me in his arms, one hand resting of my own. "The rogues that hunted you to Phoenix."
"Yes," I breathed.
"Jared, get in here," Sam called.
"Why come back after all this time?" Paul asked. I didn't even catch that he apparently already knew the story behind my scar, even if the name didn't ring any bells. No secrets in the pack and all that good stuff.
"Who came back?" Jared asked, Kim at his side.
"Good question, Paul, and I don't think I like the answer. Jared, the redhead that got away was the mate of the leech the Cullens killed in Phoenix."
"Shit," Jared muttered.
Paul huffed. "Well, what's the answer?" he asked impatiently.
"Me," I said, turning in Sam's arms. I looked up at him to see him with a set jaw and focused eyes.
"I thought the male was the tracker, the one with the hunt obsession. Why would the female come back for you?" Jared asked.
"We know vamps almost always seek revenge after a mate's death. Cullen killed her mate, so it would seem that the redhead intends to seek her revenge by going after Bella. An eye for an eye," Sam answered.
"But Bella's no longer Cullen's mate. She's yours," Paul said, his face contorted in confusion.
"Won't matter to the leech. The split was Bella's decision. Bella's death would cause Edward to feel just as much pain being separated from as it would them being together. A vampire doesn't love easily, but when they do, it's forever. It's like imprinting, there's no breaking it. The redhead would still have her revenge," Sam explained.
"Then what's the plan?" Paul asked.
"What plan?" Sam asked, distracted.
Paul rolled his eyes. "What plan? The plan that keeps your girl alive, you idiot. That's unless you plan on handing her over to the leech."
"I'd die before that happened and you fucking know it."
"Well, then I would think you'd have a plan forming in that Alpha head of yours. If she wants Bella, we need to reexamine our current approach to patrolling."
"Since when did you start thinking level-headed?" Jared asked, looking at Paul with a raised eyebrow.
"I am the beta, you know. It's my job to do the thinking every once in a while."
"Right, well, you won't walk correctly for at least another forty-eight hours. That leg's shattered petty bad. And it'll take three or four days for you to get back to top performance. So, Jared and I will make sure to patrol at all times," Sam said.
"Sam, that's not possible," I said, speaking up for the first time in a while. I had started to get over my shock.
"Bella, we can't leave the border open."
"What would that matter anyways? I'll be in Forks; your border doesn't cover that."
"We'll extend the border then."
"Sam, there's two of you until Paul can patrol. You can't run twelve hours a day for four days. Jared has school. And besides that, you'll run yourselves ragged. There's no use in you patrolling if you're so tired that you can't fight. You'll get hurt or worse."
"What would you have us do then, Bella? Leave you unprotected?"
"I don't know what to do. But I know what not to do. You can't leave the tribe unprotected while you follow me around like my shadow. Your job is to protect them. Even if Victoria is focused on me, she still needs to feed."
"You're my priority," Sam said fiercely.
"No, I'm not. The tribe is."
"Well, then lucky for you both, Bella's a part of the tribe," Paul said, rolling his eyes.
Sam and both stopped our bickering to look shell-shocked at Paul. From the corner of my eye, I could see Jared and Kim had similar expressions.
"Why are y'all looking at me like that? I didn't say anything offensive or mean. At least I didn't mean to. What did I say?" I couldn't think of any words and it seemed the others were having the same problem. "What the hell's your problem? Stop looking at me like that. You four are freaking me out."
"Did you mean I'm separate from the tribe or with the tribe?" I asked in a small voice.
"What?"
"Well, there's 'apart' as in one word. That means that you consider me distant from the tribe. And there's 'a part' with two words. This would mean you think I belong with the tribe."
"What's with the grammar lesson? I don't see your point."
"Which one did you mean? Apart or a part?"
"What difference does it make?" he asked, crossing his arms, and then wincing at the pain.
"Just curious."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine," he huffed. "I think you belong with the tribe, at least partly. You're with my Alpha. Whether or not I think you should belong is different than thinking you do belong. So don't get your panties all twisted, I'm still not convinced that the imprint is right."
"Oh, all right," I said dejectedly. I thought maybe our day together could have changed things. I should have known Paul was more stubborn than that. Yelling at him and throwing some ice on him wouldn't be enough to win him over.
"Anyway, back to the plan, then?" Paul questioned.
"Yeah, the plan," I said softly.
"I say Bella here just moves to the rez," Jared said.
"I may legally be an adult, but the chief of police would never allow for that to happen."
"Plus, Bella has to attend school in Forks and go to her job at Newton's," Kim pointed out.
"Quit the stupid job and commute. Sounds pretty simple," Paul answered.
"Paul, move on from that idea. As much as I would feel better about having Bella with me each night, it's not going to happen. But maybe on the weekends you could say you're staying with Kim."
"Yeah, I could do that."
"Well, shouldn't she be safe during school? I doubt the bloodsucker will try anything with that many witnesses. Though, the job doesn't provide the same cover. There's what, only one or two other people each shift working with you on the premise?" Jared asked.
"Typically two. Saturdays are busier, so usually at least three people work," I answered Paul.
"So I still vote she quit. We'd have to patrol the store at all times. We don't have the manpower to do that. But we can escort her to and from school, and then we go about our days while she's in class. After school, she comes to reservation and her bedtime," Paul responded.
"I have to spend some time at home. Charlie would freak if I only made appearances before bed and at breakfast."
"Well, how about we follow Paul's suggestion to a point. You come down here as much as possible and the nights you need to stay in Forks, someone will patrol around your house."
"Or I could call Alice. Maybe they would hel–"
"No."
"Sam, they could take a load off your back."
"You're my mate, I'll protect you."
"Calling for help would be protecting me. They don't need sleep; they could patrol when none of you can."
"Bella, please drop it. I'm Alpha and I say no. And please don't go behind my back and call. If I think we absolutely can't handle the situation, then I'll call. But it's my decision."
"So I'm quitting my job? How do I explain that to Charlie?"
"Tell him you got a job here," Jared suggested.
"And when I have to ask for money because this made-up job pays in invisible money?"
"I can give you money, whatever you need," Sam said.
"I'm not taking your money, Sam."
"It's fine, Bella. I want to take care of you."
"You could tell Charlie you're volunteering and that's why you no longer have an income," Kim suggested.
"That could work. If you don't mind, you could spend more time at the Center," Sam agreed.
"Of course I don't mind. And it would be nice to tutor more than just Wednesdays."
"Wonderful, so problem solved," Paul said sardonically. "Now, could someone get me something to eat? I'm starved."
"You ate not that long ago," I said.
"And now I'm hungry again. So bring me some food, woman."
"Paul," Sam said evenly.
"Yeah, boss?"
"You talk to my imprint that way again and you'll be losing the parts of your anatomy that deem you a man," Sam warned in an unnaturally calm voice. I saw Paul gulp hard. "Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Now sit here like a good, little pup while the rest of us enjoy our meal."
"What about me?" Paul whined.
"You can have the leftovers," Sam answered.
"But there are never any leftovers."
"Oh well, sorry about that. Maybe if you're actually nice, then Bella will bring you something." Paul's bottom lip puckered out and his eyes dropped like a sad puppy.
"May I please have some food, Bella?"
"I'll see what I can manage," I said coolly.
"Thanks," he muttered.
The other four of us sat down to enjoy the rest of the meal I cooked earlier. I had to reheat everything up, though. Dinner was quiet, all of us lost in our own thoughts.
I wasn't pleased about quitting Newton's, but I understood the need. If the boys put their lives on the line for mine, the least I could do was give them less area and time to have to patrol.
Kim and Jared left soon after the dishes were done. I heated up the few scraps left and also prepared a couple of sandwiches. I took the extra-large plate and a glass of tea into the spare room. Paul lay sleeping in the bed. I gave him a little shore on the shoulder. He simply grunted in response.
"Paul, wake up."
"Fuck off," he groaned.
"Fine, I'll take this food with me then," I said, turning away.
"Oh shit," he said, his eyes popping open. "No, please leave the food."
"Here, yell if you need something else. And you might want to do that soon. I don't see Sam waiting on you like I will, and I'm leaving in the next hour or so." I laid the plate in his lap and the glass on the bedside table.
"All right, thanks."
"Okay, we'll be in the living room."
I started to walk away when we he called my name. "Bella, could you get Sam to call my mom? I usually try and check in at one point or another each day and I haven't so far today. So could he let her know I'll be staying here at least for tonight, if not tomorrow too."
"Yeah, I'll let me know to call."
"Thanks."
I went back into the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. There I saw Sam on the phone.
"I'll let Paul know….Yes, ma'am….Talk to you later. Good night."
"Paul's mom?" I guessed.
"Yeah. I went a head and told her he'd be here three days. I'd rather not have to explain why he can't walk one day and can run a freaking marathon the next. It's better for no one to see him injured at all. Less questions that way."
"Makes sense."
"So I hear I only get you for an hour."
"Well, yeah. I don't want to get home too late – especially since I'll be quitting after my shift tomorrow. I can't be late for my last day."
"Bella, can't you just call in?"
"It's too late to call tonight. And, Sam, I can't call out and quit with a phone call a mere hour before my shift. I already feel shitty quitting with no two week notice or really notice of any kind."
"Fine, when do I need to be at your house?"
"You don't."
"Bella, we just discussed the plan not that long ago."
"You just killed her two partners in crime, Sam. I doubt she'll make any movement tomorrow or any time soon."
"A smart enemy hits you when and where they don't expect it."
"She needs at least a day to regroup. I'll be fine."
"I'll make a few swing bys. When does your shift start and end?"
"I start nine and get off at three."
"All right. Someone will follow you to work and complete a perimeter check around the store and then Forks as a whole. I'm not positive who, but I will check in on you from time to time when I get a chance."
"That sounds fine."
"So can I sit with my girlfriend and just relax for the hour she allows me?"
I smiled. "I think I can handle that."
"Good, now come here," he growled lightly, pulling me onto his lap. I rested my head on his shoulder as he flipped through the television stations. "What'cha feel like tonight?"
"I vote for something that doesn't require brainpower."
"Hmm, I agree. How about," he paused changing the station again before continuing, "Minute to Win It?"
"Yes, please. Every time I watch this, I wonder whose job it is to make these games up."
"I don't know, but it sounds like a job I wouldn't mind having. I'm sure their hours are much better than werewolf protector." I snickered and felt his chest vibrate with his own laughter.
"I'm sure you're right."
We watched the people attempt the silliest games using office items to win a million dollars. The show ended when they lost trying to blow all but the last card of a deck off a glass bottle. The news came on and I knew I needed to get up, but it felt so good to just sit in Sam's embrace.
I felt a few light kisses on the side of my head. The kisses lowered to my neck, lasting a little longer each time. I moaned as Sam nipped at my neck. Turning my head, my lips found his. Sam quickly deepened the kiss.
He turned me in his lap so my legs straddled his lap. I ran my hands down his chest, wanting to feel him completely. Soon his own hands found themselves at the hem of my shirt, moving it up so that his hands ran across my stomach.
"God, I love the way you feel in my arms."
"Mm, I love you."
"Love you too, baby," he murmured against my skin.
Sam left a kiss on my lips before pulling my shirt above my head.
"You are so beautiful."
"Sam," I panted.
"What do you want, mé'oonna?"
"You," I said, capturing his lips. Without my permission, my hips started to grind against his. Sam groaned loudly at the sensation and trailed his way down to my bra. I moaned his name, my head rolling back. Just as his hands went to unsnap the hook, a voice boomed through the house.
"Hey! Hey, stop that out there, you fuckers. I can hear you, ya know." I felt my face heat up as I took in Paul's yelling. I had completely forgotten he was still there. "I may be a little broken, but I ain't deaf! And I don't want to hear any of that shit."
"Go away, Paul," Sam groaned.
"I can't really do that, what with broken bones and all." I could just see Paul's eyes rolling with the statement.
Sam took a deep breath and pulled away, his head falling on the back of the couch. "Should have left him in the woods," he grumbled.
"That's not nice, Sam. Besides, I should get going anyway." I left a small kiss on the side of his mouth before getting up. I grabbed my shirt and pulled it back on. I walked to the kitchen more than slightly shocked and embarrassed that the farthest Sam and I had now gone had been overheard by Paul.
I grabbed my purse and headed back into the living room. Sam met me at the door.
"Paul, I'll be back in an hour or so. After I follow Bella, I'm going to do a quick border patrol."
"Wait, Bella. I need something before you go," Paul called from the bedroom.
"Sam, can you go see what he wants?" I whispered.
"He asked for you, though," he murmured back.
"Just go see real quick, okay," I said, avoiding eye contact.
"Bella, are you not going because of what just happened?"
"He heard us, Sam. I don't want to face him."
"I'm waiting patiently!"
"Saying you're waiting patiently isn't being patient, dimwit," Sam yelled.
"Bella, please!"
"Sam," I pleaded.
"Fine," he huffed. Sam walked back to the guest bedroom. After a minute he came back with an annoyed face.
"He won't tell me what he wants, so I say we just leave."
"Bella!"
I huffed before stomping toward the room. "What?" I yelled as soon as I crossed the threshold of the room.
"Can you bring one of your desserts tomorrow? I'd prefer the peach cobbler or the brownies without nuts ruining them."
"You called me in here for food requests?" I asked in disbelief.
"Well yeah, you said to let you know what I needed. I need good food tomorrow. It will help boost my healing."
"Whatever, Paul. I have to go."
"By the way, you moan a lot more than I would have ever guessed."
"I really hate you sometimes," I grumbled, walking out of the room.
"The feeling's mutual, paleface," he called, laughing loudly.