Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, quotes, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners and are simply used under 'fair use'. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is for legally recognized adults.
Authors Note: Hey, everyone, I'm so blasted sorry for the delay, it shouldn't be taking this long but I'm away for work and all I see are targets and reports. Thank you so much for your patience and the crazy support to this story. As stated in the AN of the repost of Ch1, I'm continuing here because a large number of you requested me to continue writing here because you cannot access any other sites easily. Hope this helps. I've covered most of everything in Ch1's AN, so take a look and if you have any other queries, drop me a message and I'll back to you as soon as I can, I'm away from home so it's difficult logging on as much. In Love and War Ch2 is up, and I'll be pushing chapters as fast as my job breaks allow. Once again thank you to everyone, readers old and new, your support is what anchored me through the FF craziness. To answer one common question, *wiping brow, pumping fist*, Ch13's complete, and it'll be posted with 12. Enjoy your night and if you have a spare wish lying around, some luck with the promotion I'm vying for would be appreciated *laughs*. Love to JustJJ and awesomella, my 2 D&D queens.
I'm KittyTylz on TWCS.
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Love always,
Kat.
Dine and Dash
*~*~* Chapter Two – Worlds Collide *~*~*
'You talk of her mind being unsettled — How the devil could it be otherwise, in her frightful isolation?' (Emily Bronte)
This could not be happening. Edward's eyes burned with more seriousness than humor. My mind was bloody reeling.
How, in God's name, had I gotten myself into this mess?
If I ever saw Mike again I was going to castrate him.
James hold on me was firm, making my attempts at fleeing impossible. He seemed as amused as Edward did.
Two other guys made their way back with Laurent. The first was blonde, tall, muscular and lithe, exuding a dangerous aura, much like Edward's. While the other, was none other than Muscle-man himself, Emmett. They smirked as they moved to join the small gathering around me.
My eyes darted around frantically. Even if I could get away from James, and somehow dodge Edward, I was still surrounded by his gang. A few more guys, three to be exact, were working their way back towards us. One looked oddly familiar.
My breathing was already shaky, so I chose not to study them and instead finally met Edward's calculating icy gaze again. His stance was nothing if not nonchalant. He watched me closely, commanding attention without even having to utter a word. Standing tall across from me, he kept me locked to my spot as he regarded me with a cool stance and calm eyes. But something about the way he was looking at me… the wicked glint that burned in his eyes, tainting his cool demeanor with a wicked edge as the cop caught up to us, screamed to me, Gotcha!
My heart pounded fiercely as I looked to the tall slightly balding man of the law walking toward me, a stupendous contrast to the lithe dark gang leader in his presence.
I couldn't believe my thoughts at this point. The adrenaline must be messing with my mind because right now I was grateful for the fact that their gang was here, I was grateful that Edward was here. Surely they wouldn't want the police involved. They're criminals for God's sake!
Edward seemed to be analyzing the situation and all was hope was shot to hell when he smirked at me after due thought and bowed out the way, allowing the cop a direct visual of me— the culprit that was nabbed by his guys after I robbed his restaurant. I gaped at him in shock and the bastard merely stared back and shrugged in a condescending fashion with that fucking smirk plastered on his annoyingly beautiful face and triumph burning in his dangerous eyes.
The cop looked less than amused by my behavior. His eyes narrowed to slits as he tut'd at me. Shaking his in that way that adults do when they use that killer phrase of disappointment, 'the kids of today'.
Asshole.
His name badge read 'Detective Waylon Forge' and he looked to be the type who took the law very seriously. Just my luck!
"You know back in my day young ladies never pulled stunts like this. Why they would never even associate with boys who did things like this." He began his tirade, shaking his head at me in absolute seriousness.
My face burned at his berating. Usually I wouldn't really care but right this second I had an audience of Shadow Fangs.
"Kids these days I tell you." He continued berating, frowning at me.
Now I was getting annoyed. "Look it was just a stupid dare from my friend Mike!" I snapped and Edward's head shot up smirking at my antics. I narrowed my eyes at him and focused on the now irate officer.
"I'd watch that tone young lady!" he hissed, clearly not enjoying having his authority undermined
I recoiled ever so slightly and I vaguely noticed Edwards eyes flash lethally to the cop.
"If I were you I'd watch my step." Edward spoke through gritted teeth. His stance remained nonchalant and cool but his lowered head allowed him a hooded glare at the cop that laced his words with venom, shrouding it in a dangerous threat, that I somehow felt he'd make good on.
Ruefully I came to terms with one thing, I was screwed and even though I was grasping at straws, Edward really was my only chance out of this.
"Now, look here Missy— " Waylon Forge continued and my temper stupidly came to life at his criticizing tone.
"My name's not 'Missy'!" I bit out practically barking at the man before I could stop myself. My clenched teethed allowed a hiss to slip through every syllable.
Edward smirked, pretty keen on watching me squirm. I was confused as to why he was allowing the cop to take the lead instead of dealing with me himself. I had little time to waste on him however, because brain-dead officer failed to grasp the 'ha-ha' part of a practical joke, a bloody dare!
The officer sneered. "Well a name would be a good start."
I mentally kicked myself as he pulled out his little book. I opted to say nothing. Defiantly looking at the man in front of me whilst ignoring the amused though naturally sinister stares of the Shadow Fangs present.
Detective Forge looked at me expectantly and folded his arms. "What you did young lady is a criminal offence!" he barked, "You went into that place with no intention of paying for the bill!"
You'd think it was of personal offense to him the way he was acting. Bloody moron. Whose ass is he tryna kiss? I couldn't see any other cops in sight.
"See officer Forge this is why I can't give you my name." My mouth ran off again. I couldn't help it, this dude made my blood boil with his holier than thou shit. I wanted to smack him upside the head and point out the actual criminals in his midst. Was he blind or stupid? "It's apparent that you can't grasp the simple enough concept of an innocent dare," my voice dripped sarcasm, "what are the chances of anything useful happening with my name!" By now I was beyond caring what Forge's opinion was. If I got into trouble Sam and the guys would take care of it or Charlie, I'm police chief of Forks daughter for God's sake! I didn't get to run through that again and change obvious glitches though.
"That's it young lady," Waylon bellowed, "we're going down to the station!"
"What!" I shrieked. Stupid, stupid Bella, learn how to shut the fuck up! "No!" I babbled fast. "Oh no! You can't— Wait! Edward and I are friends!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Oh yeah Bella, MUCH better job!
Everything stopped.
Edward's brows shot up quizzically in an 'Oh really' fashion to the point that they were now buried under his bronze mane of wild sex hair. His minions were smirking in thorough amusement as they watched the exchange between Edward and me. I could feel James chest against my back vibrating with a silent chuckle. My face burned with embarrassment and I mentally smacked myself but now was not the time to worry about them… I'm about to be arrested!
Edward smirked at me cocking his head to the side. I shot him a desperate look, praying that by some miracle he'd play along just so that this fool would dub this a friendly prank and piss-off without blemishing my perfect permanent record.
No such luck.
"That so?" Waylon eyed me dubiously and turned to Edward for confirmation.
Edward stood predatorily still, making no move to commit one way or the other. Waylon turned back to me and I watched with a pounding heart as Edward smirked at me easily over the cops back. I softened my eyes in desperation and shot him an imploring look, practically begging him to let me off the hook. He in turn smirked and with piercing green orbs looked me dead in the eye and mouthed out, "Go out with me?"
My eyes widened with fury, "Like hell!" I mouthed back momentarily forgetting that officer Waylon was facing me not Edward. Waylon turned an odd shade of red thinking the words were directed at him. "Oh God, no! Not you! Him!" I rambled and speedily tried to point to Edward but James hold on my forearms prevented me from moving them properly so I simply managed to bend my elbow a fraction.
Waylon stared at me with annoyance "Right. Another fun part of your 'friendships' I'm sure?" I snapped my mouth shut afraid of offending this idiot cop any further and looked to Edward for help again.
Edward raised his brow asking for my 'final' answer and I haughtily shook my head in a firm 'no'.
Sam would have a cow, and then he, Jake and the rest of the guys would go ballistic, start a gang war! Didn't Edward understand that all hell would break loose?
Clearly not.
Much to my dismay he crossed his arms and while smirking at me shrugged his shoulders basically telling me, 'Then you're on your own'.
I have to admit that I was a bit shocked that he was letting go of the 'date' thing so easily, he seemed pretty adamant on going out with me before and he didn't strike me as the type who gave in easily or ever.
"Come on, Princess." The Detective spoke up. "The stations got a date with you."
I huffed at Waylon's choice of words. Idiot Edward must've caught the unintentional pun too because he chuckled and watched me with calculating eyes and a condescending crooked grin.
Waylon stepped forward to escort me to his cruiser and James finally released his hold of me after receiving a fractional nod from Edward.
Even now, Edward looked like the forbidden fruit. So tempting but coated in explicit danger. He was the guy parents warned their little girls to stay away from. He oozed sex appeal and his presence was commanding and strong. He was beautiful and shrouded in a dark mystery. His calm presence had lethal under tones that screamed he was dangerous, much like his eyes which could only be described as doorways to his soul, because it was only through them, that you could tell that there was a storm going on beneath the calm. Like right this very second, he was unmoving but you could practically see the wheels turning in his head at the deep contemplative look in his eyes… he was waiting for something…
As I stepped towards Waylon, I could feel Edwards gaze burning my skin with possession. He watched me with those precise calculating eyes that held deep seas of churning emotion in them, and I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be too long before the storm would swallow me whole into it. If I didn't get out now the walls I built so carefully around me would become the ship that the fury of the storm broke against the merciless rocks and I'd become the sailor that drowned in the storm that was Edward Cullen.
"Just out of curiosity, what repercussions will she face?" At his voice all activity stopped. I stared wide eyed at Edward and watched ruefully as Waylon turned to face him.
"Well she's a minor," Waylon scratched his chin and answered Edward, "and it's a small crime… so she won't go to trial. But she's going to have herself a permanent record, don't worry. Lil' lady will think twice before viewing criminal offenses as a game."
I swallowed but kept my stare fixed on Edward, did he really want to enjoy my misery this much? I was so piqued that I opted to leer at His-Smirking-Highness instead of pointing out to the idiot cop that Edward was well aware what criminal offences were!
Edward watched me closely making sure I knew what I was headed towards if I didn't agree to go out with him but there was no way I was going to give in, not just for the sake of the Wolves but for the sake of my obstinacy, so I instead stubbornly met his stare head on and remained quiet.
"… Finalmente ci siamo incontrati (finally we have met) and Bella… I'm going to make sure it isn't the last. I want you. And I always get what I want…"
I'm not sure why I remembered it. But his soft, amused and determined stance in this moment immediately caused me to recall his earlier words to me with such clarity that it set me on fire despite the chill it sent down my spine. He was looking at me the exact same way that he had yesterday... after kissing me… after his promise to me…
I should've learnt my lesson earlier, Edward Cullen was not one to be refused, I should've just taken the bloody date!
"That won't be necessary officer, far too harsh." Edward rocked on his heels unaffectedly. It was a ruse. "I think Miss Swan and I can work out a deal." Time seemed to be moving in slow motion and I held my breath as he continued, his gaze holding mine with no effort at all on his part. "She can work it off at Nell' Ombra for a month."
"What!" I choked out, wide eyed. "There's no way—"
"Think carefully girl," Waylon added his two cents worth, "sounds fair, either that or a tarnished record."
My mouth opened and closed in what could only be described as a comical fish movement. "I can't work for him." I said more to myself than anyone else but needless to say all present caught it. There was no way I could go back and tell the guys that I was employed under the Shadow Fangs all hell would break loose! There'd be bloodshed. Lots of it.
"Well then let's be on our way." Waylon began leading me away.
Edward was still intently staring at me, it could've been my imagination but I think he was restraining himself from stopping Waylon as he watched me be lead across the street to a cruiser—
Holy cow… CRUISER!
My mind kicked into overdrive as the black and white seemed to emphatically grow the closer we got to it. I assume it was Waylon's partner that jumped out when we got to it. She was a pretty African-American woman appearing to be in her mid-thirties. Like Waylon, she was dressed in formal attire that screamed cop if you knew what to look for, being the kid of a cop, it scared me to death at this moment. What struck me though, was that she flashed me a Seattle badge reading Detective Cora Berkshire but the black and white was one of dad's. Why where the Seattle feds in Forks?
She eyed me speculatively like she already knew I was a culprit. The anxiety built up with a fury inside me as reality started to sink in… I was about to be put into the back of a cruiser this time round and it wasn't gonna be dad driving… this cruiser's destination was a permanent record...
"WAIT!" I yelled as Waylon reached for the door.
I vaguely noticed that Edward was right beside me, appearing like he had been about to say something as well.
I looked at him expectantly, hoping that maybe he was going to let me go but he was looking at me too. He studied my face, and the second he found what he was looking for he backed off with smug satisfaction. "Please…" he drawled condescendingly, "ladies first." He prompted smirking at me and I groaned loudly.
"I'll work it off at Edward's."
A breath taking crooked grin worked its way onto his face and I darted my eyes away before I focused on anything besides how pissed off I should be at him!
"You realize you're entering into a verbal contract to avoid charges being pressed by Mr. Cullen?" Waylon clarified what was going on to me and I nodded simply without looking up.
"She'll work for me for the duration of a month and I won't press charges." Edward named his terms.
Again I nodded, only now it was accompanied with a glare shot menacingly at him.
He grinned wide at me. Bastard.
Waylon however ruined our 'moment'. "What you say, Berkshire?"
His partner looked to us and nodded. "The contract stands Detective Forge." Her words were solemnly spoken. "We're both witnesses." She directed that part to Waylon.
"Okay then." Waylon clapped his palm to the roof of the cruiser. "Guess I'll be seeing you often young lady, I frequent at Nell' Ombra." he voiced his parting thoughts as he and Cora hopped in, pulled out and left.
Edward took a predatory step forward and I flinched back only to have myself bump into someone causing him to chuckle like he had yesterday when I tried to run. I turned to face whoever it was and much to my horror I saw the blonde guy from before. His piercing blue eyes watched intently as I swallowed nervously and he smirked down at me.
"Well, well, well if it isn't the Wolves little pet." He whistled low and leaned an elbow against the building wall. He had a southern accent and as he regarded me his blue orbs were a mixture of amusement and that dark undertone that I was now used to gangsters having.
"Lucky us." Emmett chuckled and came to stop right beside him and my eyes had to have widened. He was huge, like massive huge! His bicep was the size of my head! If he wrestled McMahon would have to change the spelling of his show 'cause he'd definitely have something to fucking 'ROAR' about! He grinned at me and I fidgeted my gaze away from him. "Huh, Jasper?"
My eyes practically popped out in recognition of blondes name and he didn't seem to miss it.
"That we are." Jasper nodded once at him before turning his attention back to me in mock sincerity, "How are you darlin'?" he piped in, straightening up and looking over my head to a menacingly amused Edward and matching his grin. "So cuz, what's the verdict?"
Edward chuckled cynically under his breath in return. "Boy's, welcome Forks' own Isabella Swan to Shadow Fang," his eyes darted to me with his head lowered dangerously sexy, "she's now officially part of Nell' Ombra." He smirked and his statement was met with a chorus wolf-whistles from his crew.
I turned and glared hard at him, he met my look head on and didn't seem fazed in the least. "I'm going to burn that place to the ground." I threatened narrowing my eyes at him.
He grinned "Whatever you want amore mio (my love), I can't wait for our extended time together after that."
Swallowing I decided to just get this over with. "Whatever." I said as nonchalantly as I could. "What's this arrangement going to be?"
He seemed surprised by my sudden spin of the conversation but recovered just as quick. "You'll start tomorrow, we'll work your shifts according to your school schedule when it starts up again but for now you'll be working from 12 till 7." He sounded all business, "You'll need to be there an hour earlier tomorrow so we can go over specifics."
That was all I needed right now. "Fine!" nodding in agreement I bit my tongue hard, "That'll give me enough time to murder Mike!" I muttered as I stalked off.
~.~.~
Collapsing on my bed I was for the first time in my entire life grateful that I was nowhere near the Grey Wolves or the Res right now.
I couldn't believe how I managed to get myself into this royal mess. I was not only literally stuck in Shadow Fang territory but I was working at a joint owned by none other than Edward Cullen himself!
I groaned out loud because I also had no hope in hell to get out of it thanks to those blasted cops that had witnessed our verbal contract!
My breaths grew labored as these thoughts and their meanings started to overwhelm me. I didn't know where my shit should start and end, my priorities were blurred right now. What should be at the top of the pyramid of views? The fact that I was stuck working there? What Dad would say? The fact that I hadn't told Jake and the others yet? Which lead to an even bigger indecision of whether I even wanted them to know? Which is crap because I can't hide it? How would I broach that topic with Jake? How would he and the rest of the guys react?
Arg! There were just too many things!
I couldn't handle it right now. I didn't want to. Today was just horrible. Reaching over the bed I pried open my headboard drawer and grabbed my backpack. Shrugging on my jacket I decided to go for a walk.
"Dad!" I yelled down the hall.
Silence.
"Dad?" I tried again walking towards the kitchen after noting he wasn't in the lounge. The kitchen was vaguely illuminated by the hall light. Sighing I finally caught glimpse of the note stuck on the fridge door.
~Problem down at the station, didn't want to wake you. I'll try and be back as soon as I can. There's meatloaf in the fridge. Love, Dad~
On the upside, at least telling dad wasn't going to be a problem for now. Shuffling my sneakers on with some relief, I made a beeline for the door needing to be out the house as fast as possible to clear my head.
The second I stepped out the door I could feel the cool night air bite at me. Tugging my jacket a bit closer I shut the door securely behind me and began walking where ever my feet took me. The steady pitter patter of the raindrops kept me company as I tried to numb the ramblings of my mind.
I wasn't sure why I was like this, but I was. I liked things in perspective and right now I was completely taken over by my torrent of musings and Edward was definitely leaving me out of my element.
Growling out into the night I rummaged through my bag and retrieved my guilty pleasure, my pack Marlboro.
Smoking was a relatively new experience for me. I tried it two months ago on whim. I wasn't an outlet ever expected to be in to but this bad habit stuck. It was a lame way of dealing with things but a small blessing in its own way because it stopped me from doing things that were monumentally dumber to relieve my tortures.
No, I'm not suicidal, never have been. I'm definitely not selfish enough to screw over my family with my bullshit. I just have a problem— I deal in strange and screwed up ways, if I deal at all. Sometimes, most times, I just opt not to invite more shit than I have to, so I let sleeping dogs lie… and if I feel them waking, I pull what I like to call a 'Bella'— I run. It's innate. I can't help it. It's a basic instinct, that's deeply set in the very marrow of my bones. I'm so good at it too, it's practically a gift. I sense danger, be it physical or emotional and I run.
No matter what happens I cannot fully sink, I will always pull through, but sometimes I have this self-destructive side that comes into play… It's like a lifejacket that requires payment to keep you floating. I'm not sure why I do it, but I do.
When I was younger, the core of my problems was easy to name— Renee. As I grew, I found that no problem I ever faced was bigger than her. Regardless of what went wrong, whether it was school, home, or anything else under the sun, the one thing I could count on was that thinking of her would absolve it… If I something began to overwhelm me, all I had to do was think of her, and all my other problems would disappear, fade into the background. The only thing that would dominate my thoughts was the biggest problem I would ever face in my life— my mother.
In some warped form of messed up irony, she became my coping mechanism for handling bullshit. If things became too much, I'd think of her and everything else would be erased. For that moment, I could focus on dealing with my swarming hate for her. It was easier because, however, big a problem Renee was to me, it still just left me with one problem to deal with, as opposed to numerous torrents of others.
So, here I am, focusing yet again, solely on my 'mother' and lighting up a white bodied demon of relief. I watch the smoke emit from the glowing red tip as I take a drag.
I hate the way it burns my throat. I hate the taste of the tobacco. But that's probably the reason why I keep at it. Not only is it a known relaxer but the cigarette is the personification of my mother. It's bad for my health, it hurts me and I hate it, but it's a sick pleasure knowing that at least with this there is an end. With every pull I burn her up until nothing remains, until she disappears like the cigarette…
The tar scuffed my shoes as I dragged my feet. I was close to town now and it was getting late. I inhaled deeply as I took the last puff of the cigarette. I enjoyed watching the angry, red, glower of it with sick pleasure, before dropping it to the ground and stubbing it out with my toe.
Rocking back on my heels, I tilted my head to the sky. The tiny droplets of water peppered light kisses on my windswept face. Opening my eyes, I stared intently at the sky, willing the stars to appear. I scoffed at the thought, I was too old for such childish notions…
Burying the sadness, I put on my big girl panties and turned in the direction of home. I wouldn't be in any trouble with dad, if he was home he'd most probably think Jake had picked me up to go out like he usually did.
Picking up my pace was a pretty dumb idea considering how wet the ground was. A thin layer of black ice lined the floor. I hadn't even noticed how cold it'd gotten until I fell. Righting myself, I bent down slightly to dust off the wetness from my knees, and my eyes aimlessly danced forward, catching a reflection through one of the windows. My breath caught.
That was Sam's Hurricane. Straightening up, I spun in direction of the Jeep.
What the hell would they be doing in Forks?
Slowly, cautiously, I began walking forward. At most, I was hoping one of them could drop me home, but as I neared the side of the building yells became predominant, and on instinct my pace picked up.
The cold wind picked up almost trying to keep me away. Fighting against the breeze I finally rounded the corner.
Jacob, Seth, Sam, Jared and Paul were facing off with Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and James. Edward looked perfectly menacing and Jacob seemed to be matching his vibes.
Shock immobilized my body. All I could do was stand frozen at the corner of the block, my hand still braced on the wall I had used for leverage to spin the corner. The stances of the nine men before me were positively alarming. Shadow Fangs sheathed in red, black and gold stood menacingly dominating, despite their outnumbered disadvantage to the Grey Wolves in their blue-grey and white colors.
Even from a distance I could see Jacob's muscular frame tremble with rage as he faced Edward. Fear gripped tighter at my throat, I'd never seen any of them look like this. The Wolves looked terrifying.
However, nothing could prepare me for Edward. He and the Shadow Fangs were the epitome of calm, as they faced off with the Wolves. Seemingly unfazed by their blatant fury, but regardless the Fangs looked infinitely more lethal in their predatory stillness. Edward stood tall and looming, as his presence dominated everything around him. His piercing eyes showed the storm that raged behind his composure. Beside him the other Shadow Fangs exuded the same toxic serenity as they sized up my gang. They seemed so dominating, so attuned with each other, that Edward could probably command them without using any words… they fed of the vibes he projected and acted instantaneously in accordance.
My words rang true. I watched in horror as Jacob threw a punch at Edward. He leaned back, fluently dodging the jab and the guys beside him flew forward at his silent signal. Emmett and Paul were head to head, loud cracks pierced the otherwise still night as they came to blows. Beside him James and Sam dueled brutally. Sam retrieved his gun but Jasper, having caught the movement floored Jared, and growling menacingly, flung Sam back against the wall before he could slam it against James temple.
To say I was terrified would be the greatest of understatements!
Grunts, cries and knuckles making contact with flesh filled the night and I could see the sprays of blood as punches were thrown. In some part of my brain, I knew I should move. Stop this madness. But my body refused to cooperate. Not even my voice was in my control. No words could escape my lips. I required air to sound the words that were stuck in my throat, and right now, I wasn't even breathing… because my eyes were trained on Edward.
He was being ganged up on by both Jacob and Seth, but was holding his own. Jake, who already had several cuts and bruises, launched at him but Cullen swiftly moved out the way, a loud smack resonated as his fist made contact with Jacob's gut instead. Seth brought his fist forward with a fury, aiming for the side of Edward's face. Fully alert, he spun away from Jacob just in time, halting Seth's punch with a firm opened palm, sounding out a booming thwap as they made contact. It was now a battle of strength as Seth tried to force his hand forward through Edward's hold. Meeting Seth's gaze, Edward's eyes turned deadly. He closed his fingers around Seth's fist in a death grip, Seth sneered, at either having his shot blocked or at his inability to free his hand from the grip, I'm not sure, and brought up his free hand up to knock Edward off balance. A cracking noise cut across the street as Edward brought his head forward hard, connecting it to Seth's in a head butt. His head flew back and he stumbled a few steps, allowing Edward to turn and avoid an attack from Jacob.
Seth shoved the full force of his weight at Edward from the side, slamming him into the building behind them. Edward grunted having the wind knocked out of him but recovered fast, kicking Seth in the side with his knee and shoving him off.
Jacob seized the window of opportunity to slam his brass knuckles into Edward's face. The cheap shot rewarded in gushing blood from Edward's forehead. My hand flew forward but I swayed as things started to blur. I could vaguely make out Jake's form as he shoved his shoulder into Edward's chest. Edward grunted as his back collided painfully with the hard brick. I looked to my hands that had come up to my face of their own accord. Tears… I hadn't realized I was crying till now.
A feral growl rumbled through Edward at the sight of the blood and he grabbed Jacob's face, thunderously slamming it into the brick with a booming crack. James and Jasper quickly intercepted Seth's attack on Edward from behind, and the second things were cleared… I suddenly found myself breathing again...
Too soon, Sam was up again, and Jasper wrestled him to the ground to keep the gun away. Seth pounced on James back, catching him unawares, and holding him in a headlock. James rammed his back at the wall, actively slamming Seth up against it. Jacob caught the action and growled moving in to plow his fist into James head but Edward, in two quick punches, sent him to the ground along with Seth. James slammed his fist into the back of Paul's head, forcing him to drop the bike chain he was lashing at Emmett in a cheap shot.
Pale as death I watched as these guys went at it like masochists. Waking up for more beatings like it was going to go out of fashion.
Rising again, Jacob and Seth faced off with Edward. Both launched themselves at him but he was too agile. Moving fast to the left, he spun around and quickly cracked his fist into Seth's back, forcing him to his knees. Jacob grabbed a metal rod, and I watched in horror, as he swung it at Edward who had just found his footing after the sharp turn. He ducked his head back avoiding Jacob's swing and caught the rod. Growling the two of them braced their hands on the rod in a firm grip, fighting for dominance.
The veins along Edward's forehead and arms throbbed angrily as he began expanding his holding area. He was actively pushing the bar back at Jacob. Jacob grunted, trying to push with more force but the rod didn't budge any closer to the Shadow Fang.
"She's not going to be anywhere near you, fucker!" Jake gritted out, as his feet started losing ground, slipping back with the upper body strength Edward was exerting on the rod.
Dread filled me as I realized what the argument was about.
Edward managed to fully gain power over the bar and used it to fling Jacob back. He spun the cold metal in his hand as he menacingly stepped towards him. Sneering down at Jake he looked like death. Cynical, uncaring, and threateningly in absolute control. "You're forgetting something, Jakey," he mocked, stalking forward with venom in his eyes, "you're in my town now!"
"Stay the fuck away from Bella, Cullen!" Jake snarled, his teeth barring. "Come near my sister and I swear to fucking God, you cunt, I'll kill you!"
Edward snickered darkly, and spun the bar, the cold metal caught the light and flashed lethally in a star shape. "Don't fool yourself mutt." He carelessly popped his neck, and spit red on the ground. He smirked condescendingly, looking back, his calm stance a pretense… on the inside, he'd come unhinged. He wanted blood. "You can barely make it to stand the fuck up." He chuckled low, "How the fuck do you plan on killing me when you can't pick yourself off the fucking gorund?"
Jake rose with a vengeance, taking the bait. But true to his word, Edward was faster, and dodged him, effortlessly bringing back to the floor.
"She's not just any fucking girl." Jake barked pulling his piece out the back of his jeans. "I told you the first time," he said cocking it, "stay away from my sister."
Edward appraised the silent threat of the gun with too much easiness for my liking. He didn't look fearful at all. Not nearly as terrified as I was.
"And I told you the first time," he lazily nodded his head once, then flashing green eyes snapped back up to Jake, "not even I can keep me away from her. What chance do you have?" Edward snarled back rhetorically, his voice and eyes menacing as he exuded blatant possessiveness.
As if on cue more Fangs seemed to appear. Stalking forward quietly from the shadows… Surrounding them... James smirked and I immediately knew that even without shifting their eyes away from the Wolves, the Fangs were fully aware of the others flanking them.
Edward's eyes glinted sinisterly, a wicked knowing smile in them. "You decide, Jakey. Do you want me to behave—" he smirked, signifying how loosely it was meant, "—and let her work for me. Or do you want her to spend a little time down at the station with Seattle's finest, and I find other means to get my time with her?"
Jake growled, flying forward to throw another punch and something in Edward seemed to snap.
"Right now, Jakey, I'm just fucking humoring you! No one's, keeping her away from me, bitch," he seethed, "don't forget, those are my cops! Not even Charlie Swan can go against this one. It's the Seattle jurisdiction, the Forks pigs have no fucking say in it."
A buzz of activity erupted as sirens went off.
Speak of my father and thy will receive, I thought ruefully. Now my legs deemed it okay to jump to life! Bastard fucking limbs, where were, you when the fight was happening!
Edward, Jacob and the others turned in the direction of the screaming sirens that were fast approaching the street. A scramble broke out as they parted ways, needing to get out of the fight scene before the cops showed up.
"She won't be there tomorrow, Cullen!" Were Jacob's parting words as the Wolves moved towards the Hurricane, still oblivious to my presence in the black shadows.
"Her future's in my hands," is Edward's easily sharp reply, "In fact, Jakey boy, one could say…" he speaks exaggeratedly, before the dark arrogant possessiveness burns through his green eyes again. "I am her future." He smirks, hopping onto the side of a Jeep Wrangler as it sped through.
I hear the chuckles of his gang hauntingly echo through the ripping sounds of engines as they peel out. Letting out whistles and chuckles, with expressions as equally, condescendingly cocky as their leader.
The Wolves snarled but there was no time to lose. The sirens grew louder. The guys raced towards the Hurricane, needing to get out of there fast.
Weighing my options, I decided now was as good a time as any, to make my presence known. It was either that, or wait at the scene of the crime, and explain to either my father himself or his cops, what I was doing here.
Pushing myself forward, I raced towards the Jeep, in time with the guys. Seth was the first to see me, anger and confusion flashed fully across his face as he held open the door for me. Shooting him a rueful look, I hopped in fast. He followed closely and slammed the door shut just as Sam kicked her into drive and sped us away, burning rubber.
The smell of sweat and blood rolled off them, filling the Jeep with the scent of copper, salt and iron. They panted as we flew towards the Reservation.
"What the hell were you doing there!" Jacob yelled.
I started, knowing it was directed at me and that I'd never witnessed this side of him before.
Seth, seated beside me, ignored Jake and turned to me. His voice mirrored the look he had when he had first seen me in the street. "You're crying?" he bristled, suddenly looking furious, "Did Cullen do something?"
That seemed to snap everyone's thread of control. Tension and fury rose like a tidal wive in the Jeep threatening to drown us in its wrath.
"NO!" I yelled, panicking. I needed them to calm down! And I mean, calm down quickly. No more bloodshed was needed in one night! "I saw the Jeep," I hurriedly explained, "and came to see you guys, but stopped when I noticed your… errand."
Jared caught the accusing distaste the word was coated in, but wisely said nothing, knowing that they were exposed.
"What the hell were you doing out so late?" Jacob barked and I looked at him like he grew a second head.
"Why should I be at home? I've been out late before?" I pointed out the obvious.
Huffing out a deep breath, he regrouped. "Yes, and you going out today's brought nothing but bliss hasn't it!" It wasn't a question.
His sarcasm was really getting to me by this point. "I didn't ask to get caught! I didn't even know who the restaurant belonged to!" I snapped back.
Jacob took a deep staggering breath, calming himself. "I know, I know, I'm sorry." He sighed.
Now, this is the Jake I recognized.
"Don't worry, we'll fix it. You're not going there." he sneered at the thought of the Shadow Fangs I'm sure.
"Jake, I've got to." I said softly not wanting to upset him again.
"Like hell you do!" he snapped, simultaneously with Sam.
"Guy's, I gave my word—" I realized how that sounded and quickly backtracked before they could start yelling. "—verbal contract, before two Detectives." I stick out two fingers to emphasize my point. "I can't very well go back on it."
"Of course you can!" Jake explodes, "It won't screw up your file that much! And we'll extract the payment from those Fangs! We'll make them regret it, Bells, I swear!"
My response to this craziness was, surprisingly, cut off by the person I least expected to be thinking rationally right now.
"Jake, she needs things fucking flawless if she wants a shot at the Harvard scholarship." Paul growled out in defeat, sinking into his seat in frustration.
I reached over the seat and hugged Paul tightly, thanking him for trying to think of what was best for me. Silence engulfed the truck. He winced a bit as I touched a sensitive bruise, but hugged me back with one arm when I tried to let get go, tapping my arm, he quietly reassured me that it'd be fine.
"Look guys, I know where my loyalties lie. I'm just stuck for a month working there, but my loyalties lie here. We're family..." I tried to reason softly. My words came out through trembling lips as I fought back emotions. It ended up lacing my words with shocking sincerity. Traces of hurt, that any of them could ever think otherwise.
"Shit Bells, you know I didn't mean it like that." Jake remorsefully tugged on my arm while Paul gave him a look to point out that he, Sam and Seth should've known that they were giving me that impression. Jake caught the look and sighed deeply. "Look, I'm sorry Bells. We were upset at them not you, 'kay? You're family, we trust you completely, we didn't mean for any of that to make you feel like we didn't…"
"It's okay." I tried for a stronger voice but it came out weak and raw due to the previous crying out on the cold street.
We pulled up at First Beach and Sam cut the engine.
Cussing loudly, Jared, threw open the door and stormed off. No one went after him. I guessed it was because Jared's usually the collected one. He needed to calm down and deal with things on his own. No one, except me, even stared after him as he disappeared into the night.
Aside from the crashing of the waves, the vehicle was silent as we thought things through to ourselves.
"I don't like this. Not one bit." Seth mumbled shaking his head, still keeping his eyes trained out the window on the calm waves as they beat onto the sand, such an amazing contrast to the protective anger blazing in his gaze. "She shouldn't be going anywhere near there man."
"I'll be fine," I assure them trying to ease their worries, despite not believing it myself, "he can't do anything to me, I'm tough."
I had them there and they knew it, but they also weren't in the mood to hear anything about the Shadow Fangs causing me any harm so I spoke again trying to dissipate their new bout of anger.
"Besides," I snap my fingers, excited by a new thought, "that one cop said that he's always at the restaurant, so technically, he works as much in my favor as he does in theirs."
That seemed to momentarily quell their arguments.
"One of us will be with you at all times."
I gawked at Jake like he was crazy. "How do you plan on doing that?" I could already see the fish placing their bets in Nell' Ombra. The fish that had been in my table was saying, 'Fight to the finish, winner takes all'. "I'm going to be working, it's impossible for you to keep watch over me every second. And it's their neck of the woods Jake."
"We'll drop you off and pick you up every day." Paul inserted, picking up on what had me irked.
I sent him a grateful smile, seeing as he was always the one who gave me the credit that I deserved, by simply, not babying me. But he gave me a look saying that he wasn't done quite yet…
"And," he went on seriously, "you will have your cell with you, at all times. If you so much as don't like the smell of that stank joint, you call one us immediately, understood?" raising his brows at me, he spoke firmly and I nodded knowing he was being more than fair. "Good," he said solemnly, leaning resignedly back against the seat.
"I still don't like this." Seth mumbled in agitation.
"Well, it doesn't matter does it!" Paul snapped. "What the fuck else choice do we have? This life isn't for her." He said with conviction. "She's going to be someone… she'll be rolling in Benjamin's, build a name and career for herself. She isn't going to flunk out of school. Never, gonna be like us man." He shook his head angrily in the negative, staring out the window at nothing.
Things were quiet, no one said anything.
Paul had pointed out the dream yet again… what could they say to it? They all believed that this life, their life, wasn't good enough for me. They lived at constant risk, nothing was guaranteed, money was made day to day. Some days were good, some weren't, and all days were dangerous.
They wanted, at least, me, to make it to live out my dream. In that sense, I was their dream.
They wanted me to go against the prophecies Renee made for me that dark, ominous, night when she left. Spelling out a future, that I'd amount to nothing, because I would be raised in 'small town Forks', with my 'down in the dumps' father, and his 'down in the dumps' friends, in this 'hellhole' he called home.
But she didn't know anything. I was going to go to an Ivy League school, and make it big. Not just, for my sake but for Charlie, the person who bore the brunt of Renee's hurtful attitudes.
What the guys didn't know was that I was doing this for them as well. I didn't any of that at all for myself if it meant I had to lose any of this. I wanted to tell them that they were wrong, and let them know that all that mattered to me was home, that this place was good enough because of everything it represented… but I knew that I could only let them know by making what started out as my childhood ambition and developed into everyone around me's goal, come true.
I'd make it, because it'd make them happy. It was my way of sticking it to Renee because she'd cut them short. I wanted them to wake up one morning and figure out that I only 'made it' because of my amazing 'small town' relations. I wanted them to be able to walk around with pride at their dream being realized. Dad, the Blacks, the boys… the family.
Pulling out some Kleenex, I handed it to Jake for his bust mouth. His lip curled up at the side in his toothy grin as grabbed it out my hand.
"Surprised you haven't passed out yet." He snickered playfully as he held the tissue to his lip soaking up the excess blood that would usually leave me a bit queasy.
"If I did, there'd be no one to beat your asses for tonight. You didn't even ask me anything before running your errand." I snorted as I handed the tissues around for the guys to clean up. They'd never dress their wounds otherwise. Something occurred to me and I quizzically looked at Jake. "How'd you find out anyway?"
Jake snorted and looked to the backseat, along with Paul and Sam, but they definitely weren't looking at me.
Sam smirked with dark amusement. "Let's just say, if Mike's looking in one direction—"
Mirroring his expression Paul continued. "But, his nose is pointing in another. Don't be too surprised."
And they burst out laughing.
My eyes grew to the size of saucers.
"SETH!" I yelled, swing hard to my side to gawk at him.
He just shrugged. "I ran into him. He spilled his guts without prompting. Took me completely by surprise." Despite his innocent appearance I saw his lips twitch as a grin threatened to escape.
"By that he means," Jake snorted, hissing when it tore open his lip again, "after Mike mistakenly recognized him and worriedly told him about your dare. He proceeded to run him in and spill his guts."
"Yeah, wouldn't expect him to say much to you anytime soon." Sam quipped, a genuine grin on his face.
Seth's boyish laughter died instantly, he looked at me, grim and serious, "If he gives you a hard time—"
"Oh don't worry about Mike," I vigorously cut him off, "it's healthier for him not to speak to me right now!"
The drive home was slow and quiet. The small amount of calmness we had reached at the beach, stretched out and merely quelled the atmosphere in the Jeep, but the undertow of what tomorrow would bring still crept in the corners of our mind, stirring our anxiety.
Sam told me what time he'd fetch me from the house and drop me off in Seattle, and Jake and Seth immediately jumped in saying they were coming too. Paul— God bless him and Rachel with many children in future— gave me a look to say, 'not to worry, he'd handle it'.
I jumped out the Jeep, giving each of them a hug, and light peck on the cheek. And they watched me walk down the drive and get into the house before I heard them drive off.
Cloaked in the shadow of the house, I couldn't stop the dread filling me about tomorrow, because in some nagging corner of my subconscious, no matter how much I tried to stomp the monster down… I was excited about seeing Edward… tomorrow…
~.~.~ Your thoughts? Thank you for reading. Love and God bless: Kat;) ~.~.~
Prompt Status CH2: Full chapter posted here.