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 intended. This story is written for the legally recognized adult population. According to the e-mail response I received from them, FF doesn't allow gratuitous descriptions of sex and extensive graphic violence.
Authors Note: 13's up next week, we're heading home on Sunday, thank God. I forgot a shout out to TA, I'm sorry, I thought I mentioned the site in the first AN. Thank you to Impassionate Magic who were the masterminds behind the Torch Awards and thanks to all you guys who read and voted. All credit goes to you for D&D having won the People's Choice for Story. Once again I can't tell you guys how much I love you, thank you. TA and IM have an amazing list of talented artists and authors there so show them some love and drop by if you're running low on something good to read.
Quick queries/replies, you guys know that the part where Bella ran through the forest and morphed from 16-years-old to 3 and back again, in Chap3 was a dream right? I only got one message where someone misunderstood but just in case there are any others, it never actually happened, she mentions in Ch3 that her subconscious messes with her by starting from her current age and La Push, because when it really happened she was a toddler in Forks (hence her running there in the dream to reach the source of it). On to another question, yes, a lot of people who cut can't hide their wounds, however, a huge number of them can. Bella's character as such, has spent almost her entire life hiding so many things, for her this is just another added to the pile. Last, it's true, one thing that all the people we had the opportunity to interview had in common was that they were terrified the first time they did it. Feel free to send me more questions regarding the issue, I am not qualified to give advice but I am more than willing to listen or share my knowledge on the topic.
Anyone hear Shinedown's, Breaking Inside? It was one of the songs I was listening to when I first wrote the chapter, suggested to me by Blair because it reminded her of Bella's character. It sounds amazing, I grew to love it quick. Thank you to everyone who reads this story or any of my others, I appreciate the support and love writing for you. All my Mobward lovers ILAW will be updated next week as well. This chapter still owes a shout out to MissNerdiie who gave me an idea that I loved so much reworked part of my chapter to fit it in the first time this was up. As always I love JustJJ and awesomella with my all, thanks for all the work and help they put in.
Dine and Dash
*~*~* Chapter Seven – He's Angry Safety *~*~*
"The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it..." (Nicholas Sparks)
The phone call played on repeat in my head. I'd defended myself, by any right, I should feel relieved. I didn't. Something was wrong and it set cold uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.
My body was on edge not knowing what to expect. I was however grateful for the fact that I was in the Res and not Forks. Dad called to check up on me, there was some sort of issue regarding a case and he needed to head down to Seattle earlier than planned so I could stay the night at the Blacks. Here, I was safest; they wouldn't dare venture into Wolf territory. My stomach felt like it was hosting a rock concert, I was so anxious.
Getting into Jake's car, I waved my goodbye to Sam, Embry and Paul. Adjusting the seat to a lower level, I told myself I was doing it for comfort and not because I was hiding from any eyes that could be watching on the outside. In the corner of my eye I caught Jake give me a curious look.
"Nothing," I said, shaking my head with a smile and leaning back to appear sleepy.
He hit the road and we made our way home. I couldn't wait to see Sarah. All these thoughts about Renee were making my head spin, I needed to ground myself and Sarah always knew how to do that.
I needed the mother that I've always had and known.
I opened an eye and looked at Jake as he drove, contemplating getting up or not. Familiarity washed over me the closer we got to home but I couldn't find it in myself to feel at ease with the emotion. My mind still relentlessly drifted to thoughts of Renee and the photo.
"Jake." I spoke up shattering the quiet.
"Yeah?" he answered distractedly, avoiding a large branch that had fallen onto the road.
"If I ask you something will you tell Charlie?" I asked, needing to be sure.
Eyes wide, his head immediately moved to the side to face me. "Course not Bell. What's on your mind?"
"What do you remember about Renee?" When I said it my voice was so soft I was sure he wouldn't be able to catch the question.
Surprise and slight worry spilled into his features. I now had his full attention. His mouth formed a frown as he concentrated and then he expelled a breath. "Honestly, not much aside from what you already know."
He grimaced at the less than pleasant memories that flooded both our minds but continued when I gave him a look asking for anything else.
"I remember how she looked. You look a lot like her—" he stopped and chanced a worried look at me to see how that information was received.
It was the first time anyone had told me that and I wasn't sure how it made me feel but I wanted more. Satisfied that I was composed he continued.
"She had different eyes though and her hair was red but it had highlights like yours does in the sun, kind of strawberry like. You've got Charlie's eyes and a mixture of their hair." He thinks some more, "Renee was 'bout the same height as ma and she had a voice like hers too; not too soft, not too sweet, just right. You have her smile too, I can't remember it too well but yeah I'm pretty sure you have it," he paused and raked his brain for anything else he could think of.
Angled in my seat to face him, I waited patiently for him to continue. Like a sponge I was greedily absorbing everything he was saying. A short lived chuckle escaped him at something that popped to mind.
"You had crazy hair like hers when you were a kid, curls all over the place. I used to think it was cotton candy." He sobered and a somber look took over, he shook his head. "Why are you asking about this now?"
I thought about it for a second, I didn't know what to make of that photo, nor did I know what to make of my feelings. Why was I asking?
"I was just wondering," I answered honestly. "I don't remember all that much about her. Only the bad parts…"
I looked closely at him to see if I could decipher anything from his reaction unfortunately his face showed he genuinely didn't have anything to offer me.
"Was there another part?" He asked, perplexed. The expression he wore at some memory he was recalling made him look like he'd tasted something bitter.
Hello dead end, my name is Bella Swan, it's so nice to run into you again.
"Guess not…" I murmured and adjusted myself in my seat as the house came into view.
To my surprise Jake detoured, missing our turn completely. The motion sending me flying towards the door, he headed towards the beach. I said a silent thanks to the person responsible for inventing seatbelts and looked at Jake for an explanation but he was unfazed driving like a maniac down the street. I was used to his driving but that didn't mean it didn't make me grab the seat any less tight. My earlier dizziness was rising to the surface again.
"We goin' to the beach?" I asked trying to keep the unfamiliar need to blackout at bay.
"Yupp." He popped the 'p' and continued driving, oblivious to my current plight.
"Why?" I hastily undid my seatbelt as he parked and cut the engine.
"Because," he said looking out to the water, "this is our beach, c'mon."
He jumped out and I followed suit. We walked to the steep and rocky edge and he hopped down. My bandaged hand still safely tucked and hidden inside the sleeves of both my shirt and hoodie, I braced my hand without fear of being found out to his shoulder so he could help me down like Seth does for me and Leah when he's around.
We walked towards the water. I liked it here. The rain had turned the sand to slosh and it was cloudy and growing dark as night approached but it was still so calm.
A chilling breeze howled as we made it closer to the water and perched ourselves on some driftwood. I tugged my layers tighter to fight off the cold and watched Jake patiently as he looked out to the water as if it could help him with whatever plagued his mind.
"The first time we sat like this you were 'bout this high," he laughed his snort-like Jacob laugh at the memory, lifting his hand a little from the ground indicating how small and young I was back then. He smiles, "Hey, you remember that one time you followed me here? It was after I got suspended and dad blew up?"
I nodded as the argument revived itself from my subconscious. Jake was still a little lanky kid back then. He and Sam got into a fight with some kids from a visiting school. The guys they fought with were a year older than them, I think, and they had started the brawl but Jake and Sam had to bear the brunt of the blame because their behavior reflected badly on the school. They got suspended for a week and Billy had gone ballistic.
"I wanted to be left alone," he recalled.
"And I said I understood… then sat down next to you to wait until you were done being alone." I laughed hard remembering it, he did too.
"I thought you were joking." His voice blended into the howling wind as the memory cloaked us in its warmth, "But then you just sat there with me for hours."
"This place is just you and me Bells," he says after a moment. "You can tell me if something's on your mind about, Renee? I'm not going to tell anyone and I'm not going to judge, Bella. Regardless, of what she did… she's your mother. You're allowed to wonder about her," said looking at me, emphasizing both his point and his concern, "no one can hold that against you."
He was being dead serious and letting me know it. I never appreciated Jake so much in my life like I did in that moment.
I gave it strong thought before I could answer. I had no idea where to start. I go with my thoughts as they come to me, my self-preservation instincts not wanting me to open my mouth at all. Taking a breath I tentatively step outside of my comfort zone.
"I don't remember anything about her." I say quietly.
Talking and thinking about it makes me feel sad on so many levels, the fact that I don't remember having a mother like everyone else does despite the fact that I do have one. Then I also feel ashamed, because admitting that she didn't want me and dad is hard because it's not just that she didn't want us, she resented our presence to the point that she actually said the words. Cruel and ironic, the one memory of her that I do have is the one of her saying how badly she wished I were dead and gone. Even speaking to Jake is hard because I know that Renee went hard against them too. She went out of her way to hurt and insult everyone holding to Forks before she left.
I laugh mirthlessly, my heart heavy, "Except how bitter she was." I mutter and take a breath. "How badly she wanted to get away from dad and me…"
I shrug uncaringly but my insides feel like I'm being crippled because I'm speaking the words out loud, I stop. "I remember her words and her hate but nothing else. I guess I was just wondering if there was ever a time when she wasn't like that?" Getting back on track, I remember the photo, and go on, "She couldn't— I mean how—"
I stop completely and try to word it properly in my head before speaking again, he waited patiently.
"No one could be like that forever could they?" I asked looking at him for answers, "She couldn't have been like that from the beginning? There had to be a time when she wasn't like that right?"
I couldn't for the life of me picture the Renee that I knew engraving her name on a tree with Charlie's or holding me with that kind of tenderness in the photo.
He nodded and thought for a second, "I'm sure there must've been a time when she was different, Bells. I can't remember anything too well, besides the stuff we already know and what I told you in the car."
I shrugged, accepting that it was what it was and we sat silently for a while.
My fingers unconsciously run across the bandage, tracing the scar that sits in secret beneath two layers of clothing. I look down at the baggy sleeves and wonder why I hurt less now. "I always think she left because of me." I say as my nails start to bite into the bandage that I know is hidden there.
"Don't say that," he cuts me off sharply, "you were just a kid Bell. Renee was upset with everyone. I don't think anyone understands what happened with her. It was her problem."
"Jake, why do you hate her so much?" I asked realizing that I'd never really inquired before. I know he personally despises her.
"My last memory of Renee wasn't too pleasant," he says vaguely, bitterly looking out to the water again.
"What was it?" I knew Jake well enough to know he was avoiding saying something, something that he's trying to spare me from. But I need to know. "Come on Jake, tell me," I nudge his shoulder with mine, and coaxingly throw his words back at him, "our, beach remember."
"What do you know about the day she left?" he asks.
"That's not fair. I asked first."
"Bella," he draws out my name patiently.
When he does that I brace myself for the worst.
"I was in my room hiding under the blanket. At least that's how it seems in my mind. It's kinda fuzzy, I was little." I lied through my teeth, not feeling comfortable with the memories I had privy to through my recurring nightmares. Looking out at the water I avoided his eyes while he nodded accepting my answer.
"You remember that night," he says, "I'm asking about the day. Do you know why you were in bed?" he asked, an undecipherable expression on his face even though he was trying to keep his eyes gentle.
"I was scared." I answered truthfully and his eyes darkened a bit, his mask of gentleness slipping at the answer.
"You were bleeding." He said bitterly, his eyes cruel as he stared down the crashing waves, angry at God knows who.
Ice crawled up my spine and gripped my heart in its cold claws. I fisted my hand tightly and put on a strong face ignoring the uncomfortable feel of the bandage between my fingers. No matter what, I wanted to know, I needed to know. But I wouldn't let anyone see that it hurt, I hadn't ever let them know and I wouldn't in future, they'd moved on and were happy, they were good people and deserved that.
"You were at my house," he said losing himself to the memory, "we were just kids back then. I didn't really know you too well— I mean I knew who you were but I didn't really know you or what to do with you. I was just a kid myself, and you were so little I didn't really understand," he said almost apologetically.
"I remember that everyone was upset lately, and it all came back to your mother, Renee. Ma and dad used to be up sometimes at night and I'd hear them talking. I can't remember the details but I know it was about Renee. She was destroying Charlie, they didn't understand it, Renee was out for blood from everyone she knew. Ma used to worry about you a lot too."
He takes a breath and I mimic it, "That day," he says, from his expression I know it's the same one, the one from my nightmare, "Charlie dropped you at our place before he went to the station. I can remember that part so clearly, his uniform, he asked ma to babysit you 'cause the boss was on his ass and he couldn't miss work again. Ma took you from him and Charlie left."
It sounds so simple but he's so angry. He flung a stone at a wave as it broke against the shore and sat quietly for a while. I didn't know what to say so I said nothing, waiting for him to go on.
"I remember thinking he looked pretty sad," he said sympathetically. "Renee had left that morning, with no word to him," he goes on getting more and more on edge, lost in his thoughts as he recalls it all, "no bathing you, no feeding you," he sneers, "when ma fed you, I couldn't believe something so small could eat so much so fast."
A rueful smile touched his face before disappearing again to the harshness he was trying and failing to keep at bay, " I was in the lounge playing and you were in the corner coloring in one of my books. I never understood how you were always so quiet. I heard something loud slam outside. It was a car," he cringed like he could hear it in that very moment and at his next words I did too, "Renee stormed in the house and starting yelling. Ma ran out and tried to calm her down but she just kept walking towards you. She said there was no reason for you to be there, she'd just been out for a bit."
"You and I just sat there looking at them. There was so much screaming and then Renee grabbed you. She lifted you up so roughly, you began crying. I didn't know what was happening but I knew it was scary watching her make you cry. Mothers weren't supposed to make their babies cry," the way he was speaking now, so lost back in time and I could almost him at six years old again, "Ma was telling her to let go of you but she wouldn't listen. I started crying too. Everything was so loud, it scared me…. then she did it. She slapped you so hard there was blood dripping down your mouth."
His eyes were hard and angry staring at the black water again. I was grateful for that because the steel hold I had maintained thus far on my composure was slipping fast. Slowly the memory I'd managed to block out as I child eased back in. I didn't remember everything but I did remember that I was hiding from her under the comforter when dad came home, when they were fighting. That's why I wasn't asleep, I was scared, of her...
"Ma ran into the kitchen to call for help but Renee was gone with you by the time she got back," Jake watched silently as I processed the pieces.
Bile rose in my throat as I thought about what I was going to say next. "I found this picture..." I trailed off.
"What picture?" he asked as he dug around his pockets and fished out his cigarettes.
"It was a picture of me and Renee. I was a baby, no teeth or anything, and it was Christmas… and she looked kinda— I don't know— kinda happy?" I finished quietly, finally defeated enough to just say what caused all this honestly, "It got me thinking."
He looked thoughtful, even curious, "I get it. I'd be the same." He took a long pull and let the smoke out his nose. "Where'd you find the picture?"
"Charlies room." I said, twisting my wrist to get my good hand out the big sleeve so I could nab his cigarette. I take in a lungful.
"Why don't you ask him?" he offered.
"I don't think he likes thinking about Renee. Pretty sure it hurts." As the words left my mouth I knew them to be true, wounds like that don't just go away. I know it too well.
"Can't really blame the guy," Jake shrugged, "but Bell, look I'm not sure why she changed, what went wrong or if anything went wrong at all, but if your dad married her and they had you, then I'm willing to bet my life that she was a good person at some point," shifting his eyes to me as he concluded he spoke firmly, meaningfully, "she got a kind man to marry her and she had you. That's pretty darn good if you ask me."
He smiled emphatically at me. I knew he didn't like her. No one did. Even me, though I was beginning to question things, it didn't excuse anything that had happened. Yet here he was, trying to be unbiased as he spoke to me about her.
"Jake?" I said, handing him the cigarette back.
"Yeah?" he asked, taking a pull big enough to finish the large remainder of the Marlboro stick.
"I'll always love most that I have a brother like you."
He beamed, a huge grin at me, taken aback by my sudden brutally honest confession.
"And I'll always love being your brother Bella," he ruffled my hair but then made me look at him now completely somber.
"I won't leave Bella," he said meaningfully. "No matter what happens, I can't speak for everyone but I can promise you that I'll never turn into Renee."
It was my turn to be taken aback. Completely floored… just how perceptive was Jake?
He didn't feel the need to say anything more, but I knew better, he'd said it all without meaning to. He got up allowing me to process his words and we made our way back to the car in the darkness of the night.
Jakes phone startled the silence between us from within the pocket of his hoodie. He grabbed it and flipped it open. "I'm listening," he answered, not bothering with a hello like a normal person. There was a brief pause and he went irate at whatever was said on the other end. The Jake from the beach was long gone. "I'll be there in 5." He wrenched open the door and we got in, "cover for me by ma."
I nodded in agreement, "What happened?"
"Seth's call," he answers, "there was a break in at JC's place. Place was trashed when he got there. We're heading there now."
"Shit," I nodded and jumped out as he idled by our house. "Be careful," the warning floated to him as I shut the door behind me.
He nodded once in acknowledgement and slid down his window. "Take these," he tossed my medication from earlier at me and peeled out.
Toeing off my muddy boots, I balanced them and the medication precariously in my arm as I unlocked the door.
"Darling you look dreadful."
I heard as soon as I walked in.
I shook my head at Sarah, "At least now I know were Jake gets his charm from."
She laughed at the quip and drew back the drapes to peer outside, "Where's he off to?"
"Meeting some of the guys at one of their places." It was true, details were omitted but it was true nevertheless.
"That boy's got no time for family anymore." She shook her head and moved away from the window.
"Yes he does, he's just busy a lot."
She laughed at my defensiveness and walked towards the kitchen. "I was just getting some dinner, you can eat with me. It's been a lonely day."
Dropping my shoes in my room, I looked back at her confused. "What do you mean?"
"Oh," she dismissed with a wave of her hand, "it's just the old age catching up to me, gets pretty lonely in the house now that you kids are growing up."
"You're not old." I watched her closely from the corner of my eye as she smiled her wide crinkle smile. She looked different, she looked whitish. "You okay?" Concern slowly leaked into my voice as I reached out to hold her hand with my good one, the other still snug and easily covered by my layers.
"Cramps." She tapped my hand reassuringly and glanced down to her stomach.
Oh! I cringed, thinking about the cramps I got during that time of the month too. Even if Sarah was an awesome mom she was no exception to Mom Nature.
"I'll warm some milk up for you."
She started to complain but stopped when I grabbed the milk carton out the fridge anyway. Pouring a healthy amount into a coffee mug, I warmed it the microwave, pushing thoughts from yesterday that it now served as a reminder of.
"This is supposed to be the other way round, you know?" She sighed as I handed her the glass.
"We'll take care of each other," I hugged her over her shoulders quickly.
She smiled affectionately and bumped her head to mine. "Yes we will. Now sit and eat, your food's getting cold."
My chair scraped against the floor as I pulled it back and sat before a bowl of chicken soup and bread rolls. It smelled heavenly but I had no appetite since the beach. Grabbing the bread, I nibbled on it and swallowed a spoonful of soup to please Sarah.
She wasn't fooled, "You will finish all of that," she chided from across the table, "It'll make you feel bette— Isabella what happened to your head?"
I start at my full name and wanted to smack said head! I forgot to cover that shit up again.
"I bumped it while getting into bed. It looks worse than it is." I took a hefty bite of bread hoping it would help us drop the subject. No such luck.
"It's bruised black Isabella, how hard did you 'bump' it?" She asked as she snuck a hand under the table to discreetly clutch at her aching tummy.
On autopilot my good hand moved and slid her mug of milk closer to her. I watched her and she watched me. Eventually she sighed and gave in, picking up the milk and taking small sips.
I tilted my head happily and took another sip of soup. A white flag of peace mentally waving between us.
"It doesn't hurt at all." I lied effortlessly. "Just bruised, it'll disappear in no time."
She thankfully bought it. "Billy says the case Charlie is working on is big. They believe one of the felons from another jurisdiction fled to Forks. If that's true and their leads are right then they're real close to nabbing the person who murdered that poor Derek man, in Seattle. If you ask me, justice like that is what this place needs, what with all the growing crime rates and gangs."
She prattled on. I internally did a happy dance for my ability to not choke when she said 'gangs'. Then the light bulb went off. Dad was working on a murder case? This was the part of his job that I hated.
"It sounds dangerous." I mused out loud.
"Charlie's a very skilled policeman honey, there's a reason he made it to Chief so young. Plus he's got an excellent team behind him." Her reassuring words did nothing to quell my fears but I didn't say anything to the contrary.
Praying her words true, I watched as she fought with the pain she was feeling.
"You should go to bed. I'll finish up here."
"Nonsense, I'm going to watch you have every last drop of that soup before either of us even thinks of leaving this table."
"Fine." I grabbed the bowl in my sleeve mittens, and in a very unladylike fashion brought it to my lips, and drank. Forcing the liquid to the pit of my stomach even though my throat felt like sandpaper.
"Put down that bowl." Sarah scolded in surprise.
Ignoring her I drank until it was all gone and swiped at my mouth with the back of my sleeves.
"Dear God you and him grow more alike every day. I swear one day I'm going to come home to two sons!" She chided as I dropped my bowl into the sink and went back to steer her towards her room.
"And the day that happens I want you to know I'm the better looking one," I grinned as she momentarily forgot her rant and chuckled.
Pulling the covers back, I let her lay down and hurried off to grab a hot water bottle. Filling it, I tightened the cap and walked back to the room in time to see her struggling to get a pillow to her lower back.
"Here," removing the pillow, I replaced it with the hot water bottle. Tucking the blanket tightly around her to ensure the bottle can't move from its position. Pleased with my job I turned to leave and caught her looking at me intently. "What?" I asked.
"When did you get so big?" she reached out one arm and tapped my cheek, "Thank you darling."
I smiled back at her. "Goodnight Sari."
"Goodnight baby."
She closed her eyes and I turned out the light, exiting the room.
Sneaking into the kitchen, I did an awkward one hand wash of our dishes and then went to my room. It was late and I was tired. Sitting on my small bed I peeled off my shirt and pulled my hand to my face. Today sucked. Inspecting the bandage I swallowed guiltily as it paid tribute to my statement and forced me to amend it. I suck!
Lowering my hand, I started to remove the material. Layer by layer, I peeled until only a thin sheet was left and I paused.
Ruby drops dotted it in places around the dark maroon of the old blood. Slipping off the last sheet, I peered at the cut on my hand, sure enough it wasn't ripped open but minuscule spots of blood could be seen. Slipping on a robe, I walked to the bathroom and rinsed it out in the sink. The small amounts tainted the water pink as it swirled down the drain. Dabbing away the moisture with a black towel, I looked ahead. The reflection in the mirror startled me. The girl looking back at me was white as a sheet, there were heavy bags under her eyes and a bruise on her forehead. I fingered the throbbing bruise lightly and breathed in deeply, adjusting my hair to cover it up. But a little part of the tender skin still peeked out. Grabbing a new bandage I began rewrapping my wounded palm with trembling hands because the drops were already replaced my new ones. Small amounts of blood slowly leaking back.
Terrified, the material slipped between my shaky fingers. Dipping down, I quickly grabbed it and hastily enveloped my weeping palm. I wrapped until the entire roll was used up and my hand looked mummified. Opening the bathroom closet, I got hold of a bottle of cover up from Sarah's shelf and applied a layer to my forehead. Blending it with practiced precision, until the bruise lightened and disappeared.
Looking back to the mirror I felt a sense of false satisfaction but I was going to hold onto it for as long as I could.
"Just breathe, Bella. All you have to do is breathe. One breath after another and one day these scars will fade and everything will be over. All this will be the past." I pep talked myself in vain, taking once last big breath, I dropped my towel into Jakes hamper so as to not raise any suspicion and grabbed the old bandage before I walked out.
Back in my room, settled in a pair of comfy socks, sweats and a long sleeved t-shirt I stared at the ceiling blankly doing just that; breathing. Breathing until sleep took me, my last lucid thought, a flash of the photo I'd seen.
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
I was running out of my room, bursting out the front door and stumbling my way to Charlie's. I was turning into the toddler all over again as I sprinted. I was pushing faster than I usually did. Hurrying the process along. Hoping to get to the house faster and maybe find something that I'd missed before. Jakes child-like yell, asking where I was going came a little softer this time round but I still didn't stop to answer him, his voice was softer so that meant my sprints were succeeding, I was getting to the house quicker this time.
I had no time. I had to keep moving. Dad needed me and I needed to see Renee for myself. I panted loudly every lungful of air burning my chest. The evil moss covered earth that pierced me didn't deter me as I ran this time. It fought hard to stop me but I pushed harder to get there. I needed to see Renee. To see for myself, when she looked at me if I could find any resemblance at all to the woman in the photograph?
The familiar feel of my sides hurting and chest heaving welcomed me as I broke through the trees and saw our house. Through the mind of my child self, I pictured my happy, lovable and awkward father was in desperate need for me. But could I save him? Maybe save her? When I was destined to die here?
My first step on the porch sent me back to my sixteen-year-old self in bed in place of the child of three. Covered by my comforter as Renee's words filtered through the door and tortured me like it tortured my father. This time I grabbed at the comforter trying to pry it off me, I had to get to the next room. It tangled and choked me. Harboring my attempts and keeping me away from saving more than just dad this time?...
I could picture in my minds-eye, Charlie's tired face that day. He'd pulled his double shift at the station, and stood quietly watching her wreck the room and grab her bags, wondering what had he done to displease her, what had gone wrong. He looked confused, he looked angry, he looked heartbroken. Her words shocking and hurting him as he tried to tell her to keep her voice down lest she wake their child and I hear her curse our family to the depths of hell in return. Her words killing him slowly, as he looks on, not stopping her from dispelling her troubles onto him.
I yelled for him, telling him, I'm here dad! But the words were choked down and drowned out by both the comforter and strong connotations of my mother's statements as she ripped out the life from him word by word.
I fought. I fought so hard but I couldn't break free. This dream was different, and I feared it was my father that would die instead of me if I didn't get to him. Putting my all into my fight, I cried out desperately when I couldn't win the battle.
Someone help! Help him! Help me get to him! Help me get to them!
I shouted in my mind because the words refused to escape my heavy chest. I was frantic and desperate, working against time. I knew what came next, I would close my eyes forever in this dream and wake up covered head to toe in issues in reality but I couldn't go yet, not this time.
Something had changed, I realized as I tasted the copper on my tongue. I needed to know why or what, before I was pulled out. I felt it in my subconscious slowly as it happened. Something new. The dream had altered… Allowing me the glimpse of a blurry, vague, outline of a woman for the first time ever. My overloaded mind felt like it was going to explode in confusion. I gasped painfully trying to make sense of what was happening. The hazy image of her when she shut the door to a broken Charlie now visible right after that final nail in the coffin, wishing my birth undone and slamming us away. It hurt. I didn't want to see anymore.
But the dream was finding sick pleasure in the surrounding pain and telling me to bear witness. And so I did. Forcing myself to see, I caught it, the only perceptible thing in the image as she fled, leaving us behind closed doors. Hidden in the night, away from dad and I, drops of salty glistening moisture leaked from her dark blurred orbs. Freezing menacingly to ice as they free fell through the cold darkness outside and journeyed to my arm. Ripping apart the flesh of my wrist and sending blood flooding out to stain the white virginal sheets. Everything faded to the background, leaving me vulnerable to the shards of tainted ice that relentlessly broke through my veins ending my life.
I screamed in horror, finally knowing all this time what had slit my wrist. It felt real, I was unable to handle the pain for the first time in my subconscious because it felt like it was slipping into my reality. As I breathed my last I saw the blanket being pulled off my fading writhing form, freeing my soul from my prison, someone looking down at my body and lifting me up.
"Edward?..."
"I'm here."
Covered in a cold sweat, I shot up in bed at the hushed velvet voice in the dark.
I wasn't alone and on instinct a scream tried to form on my lips. A firm hand clamped against my mouth stopping that attempt. Still on edge from the nightmare I struggled to get away but was pulled up to a solid body, my back resting against his rock hard chest.
"Be quiet," he warned soothingly, "it's me. You were having a nightmare."
A ten pound hammer started thumping against the inside of my ribcage. Was I still dreaming? I had to be.
"Emwad?" My body panting and sweating in the dark room, I mumbled into the hand in disbelief.
He chuckled. "Something like that. Now you gonna be quiet?" He asked against the shell of my ear.
Still shaky and disorientated by the dream I nodded furiously and he began removing his hand.
Spinning around I could do nothing but stare. Even cloaked in darkness I could make him out. Sure enough Edward was in my tiny bed, looking deadly gorgeous in dark jeans, a black hoodie and a wicked smirk, showing his sharp teeth that gleamed through the dim night as he watched me try to come to terms with what was happening.
"What the— How the— Huh?"
I could feel him watch me deliberately.
"You were having a nightmare."
Still held prisoner in his arms, I shivered as a breeze blew softly against my wet skin. My eyes drifted to the wide opened window in my room.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed in a whisper, realizing he broke in while God knows who was in the house.
"I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by," he deadpanned, his condescending smirk made its usual earth-shattering appearance and he nonchalantly leaned back on the bed dragging me with him.
Still jumpy from the dream my body crashed into his before I could stop it. I shot a worried glance at the wall across from my bed, the one that separates Jakes room from mine.
"Somehow," I whispered in frantic sarcasm, "I find that hard to believe."
Edward's chest vibrated under my hands that were pressed between our bodies, his hoodie was warm and saturated in the intoxicating musky, smoky scent of him. He held me tighter to him when he felt me try to pull away, effectively stopping that attempt. The strength and masculinity that rippled from his solid muscled body burnt my fingertips with its fire. The reason for my labored breath began to change with every second I spent with him. I felt his smoldering gaze watch me motionless locked to him.
"I wouldn't worry about Jakey boy. The dogs are otherwise preoccupied for tonight." He said knowingly, too knowingly.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean it's you and me. And though all things considered it should be a brilliant setting," his voice was deceptively sweet as he switched on the bedside lamp, "I. Am. However. Pissed. Out. Of. My. Fucking. Mind." Now visible, his burning hard eyes bore into me, looking frightening enough to shake me to my very core. "Get your ass up and out that window." I recoiled at his words and he held on tighter. "Or I'll help you," he hissed in promise.
Shaking my head in a firm no, he chuckled though the sound held no amusement.
"You know after your disappearing act and that fucked up conversation I thought you'd know how very little patience I have right now even if fucking with those mutts put me in a minutely better mood," he mused aloud, grabbing me by my upper arms and yanking me up with him.
"Put these on," he tossed my boots at me.
I watched him dumbfounded as he walked over to my little table and looked over the contents. His eyes darted to me noting my lack of compliance he shot a look to the boots and grabbed a piece of blank paper.
"When you're done write down what I tell you to."
"Are you crazy do you know what time it is?" I whisper yelled, my mind still half asleep. He couldn't be serious.
Glancing easily at his watch he answered with a mirthless smirk, "Eleven fifty six."
Then again, he could be.
"How very helpful of you." I choked out at his arrogance. "I'm not going anywhere."
He rolled his eyes. "You know," he took a step closer to me and snapped a fist around my wrist when I tried to back away, "I liked you better when you were quiet." He whispered spinning me back to him.
I went straight into his chest and he clamped his hand around my mouth again. I shivered, despite the harshness of his look and actions, his touches were calculatedly tender. He looked pissed, furious and frustrated, a caged animal.
"Write the damn note or we'll leave without it and let your little family sweat it out 'kay love?"
His voice alone told me the threat was not empty. My thoughts drifted to Sarah ill and asleep in the next room, not to mention Jake would lose his mind if I suddenly went missing and he found out the Fangs were responsible. Gang bloodbaths were still not high on my to do list and my dad didn't need the added stress along with the case he was working on. Holding me firm against him with the hand against my mouth, he raised the sheet of paper to the wall with the other when I dropped my vain attempt at trying to pry myself loose of his hold. Begrudgingly I took the pen from between his fingers and scrawled out the note he narrated, saying I left early for school with one of my friends. I filled in Angela's name knowing that they wouldn't question it as she'd done it once or twice before when we had stuff to do for class.
"Good girl," he said impressed and stubborn being my middle name I wanted to bite him, so I did. "Fuck," he hissed, low in my ear, "not now babe." He deadpanned, unfazed walking us towards the window and dropping the note on my table.
I firmly rooted my feet to the ground trying to make this as difficult as possible. He sniggered and threw me a warning glance before switching off the light again. Unable to speak, I settled on glaring in the dim night glow. It didn't disturb him. He ducked down and slipped an arm around my legs so fast I didn't know what was happening until I was in midair and being handed through the window.
I freaked at having someone who wasn't Edward around. The person outside the window grabbed onto my sides, lifting me from him. The palm that Edward had over my mouth was replaced by one that belonged to neither of them. I screamed on instinct now knowing that there was more than one person outside but it was subdued by the third person. I calmed down fractionally when I saw Edward slip out the window after me.
"Lll meh goh" I shouted, the sound muffled into the hand as I struggled in vain to get free.
Why was Edward giving me to someone else? I knew this was a bad idea. Who the hell were these people?
"Got spunk this one," the chest of the person restraining me vibrated as he spoke. I stilled. My eyes large in recognition, it was James voice.
Why did it always have to be James, I thought ruefully back to the fateful dare day he caught me running out of Nell' Ombra.
Then I heard the third person's voice and decided to look at it as a blessing, because the one who was clamping his hand over my mouth while his cousin jimmied a thin wire under the window to shut and lock it, was Jasper.
"Well, she'd have to," his accent caressed his words even when he whispered.
He and James chuckled at their little joke and Edward turned with a smirk at them. Looking over my head at James, he walked forward and despite how angry he looked I felt instant relief.
"Dammi la mia ragazza (Hand my girl back)," he said.
I didn't know what it meant but he slipped his hand beneath Jasper's to replace it over my mouth and took me back from James. Edward's arms locked around me in an unbreakable hold and my heart began beating faster as he walked us through the midnight darkness away from the house and into the forest so that we were hidden in its veil.
"Behave," he growled as we slipped through the trees and I began wriggling to get free when I saw the silhouettes of their bikes on the road up ahead being guarded by Mr. Muscle.
Emmett grinned at Edward, two dimples denting his scary face as he waved a spray can. Edward chuckled in response and swung his leg across his bike as Emmett carelessly tossed the can over his shoulder into the forest.
Settling me between him and the front of the bike, Edward released his hold and pulled a hoodie over my head giving me a pointed hard look to put my arms through the sleeves. I flinched, recoiled and he ignored it, just waiting for me to do it.
Despite his obvious terrifying fury, the fact that he'd thought to bring me something to keep warm entirely confused me, it contradicted so much. Was he angry with me or not?
And despite my new strong hate towards him I had to admit that the thought that everything was now over made me kind of sad. He and I just always fight, but this was different. I normally fight him and though he shoves right back it's always with his own agenda. Teasing, confident, cocky, condescending, cynical, always getting some sort of kick out of it, the bastard. But now there was absolutely nothing, he was furious, completely murderous. For the first time he was keeping me at arm's-length, like he does with everyone else.
I shook my head against the thoughts. Who cared right?... It had all been an act, he'd been playing me, manipulating me. I didn't get any of it, why he was here, why he was so pissed, by any right the one who should be pissed off was me…
My fingers had balled themselves into fists inside my too big sweater to fight the cold and urge to scream again. I complied and put on the hoodie to buy myself some time to plan my escape but before I could get any semblance of a good idea in my head he secured a helmet on it and ultimately shut me up entirely from the shock; the hoodie and helmet were too familiar even in the meek visibility of the night.
He leaned his frame over me when he caught my train of thought and sniggered, his voice soft and caressing my ear like a hiss made of silk and velvet. "Where'd you think I was when I called you?" he said as he started up the bike, "See the way I figured it?" he mused out loud as he locked his hand on the handle bars around me, "If I could see firsthand that you weren't in your room when I called you, then you were probably at the dog pound."
Leaving me to chew on the fact that he'd called me from my very own room earlier on, he shot down the road like a rocket. Flanked by James, Jasper and Emmett, we were slicing our way through the cold and dark space, the distance between Forks and La Push growing smaller and smaller, as we picked up the pace yet again.
The earlier dizziness that had been plaguing me was slowly starting to resurface, clawing its way up and taking hold of me. The wind whipping at us no longer felt thrilling as my stomach churned and head span. It was a speed I could handle usually, but not today. Lack of sleep, blood loss, rehashing old memories, possible heartbreak and my blacking out bout were apparently a bad combination with a midnight bike ride and kidnapping. My head felt heavy like it had when I'd blacked out earlier and I swayed. Instinct forced me to grab onto his arms for support. The rush and roar of the bikes grew distant as I struggled for consciousness and my vision blurred. An arm snaked around my waist, gripping me tightly, closely, safely and things went black.
~.~.~D&D~.~.~
"The fuck. She's still out of it we should call Carlisle," says the drawl.
The next voice reminds me of ice blue and dirty blonde, but I have no name for it, "Hey Ed, she's coming to man."
The drawl comes back, "Bout time. What happened?"
All these voices swirled in my head but my mind was foggy, I didn't recognize them. Where was I? I was lying flat on something soft and my head felt ten times heavier than it should.
"Bella?"
That one. That one I recognized. Edward. My lids felt like concrete as they attempted to open only to immediately shut again against the light.
"Easy," a hand covered my eyes and I opened them grateful that they were cloaked. "Wake up piccola (baby)." Slowly, he pulled back his hand giving my eyes time to adjust.
I squinted as the light gradually came in, "What happened?" my voice was scratchy.
"You tell me!" He asked sounding a bit hysterical, a mixture of concern and deep, deep fury.
"Easy, bro." James voice sounded distant.
I frowned, the movement causing my head to throb a bit. "I think I blacked out?"
"Yeh think." Jasper said incredulously.
In a kneejerk reaction I turned in the direction of his voice. Too fast, my mind screamed in protest. I grabbed at my head and waited for the room to stop spinning, ignoring their voices so that I could get a read in on myself. I felt horrible, everything ached, really ached like I'd been beaten for days with a baseball bat.
"Shit. Slow down." He says, tone the same but moving from wherever it was before.
A glass came up to my lips and my mind told me to drink. Mechanically I swallowed. Coke. Gulp after gulp I swallowed until the glass was pulled away from me.
"You okay?" glass held in his hand, Edward was looking at me intently, some of the venom had slipped out of his voice.
"Am I okay?" I repeated trying to comprehend what was being asked, not fully realizing I'd spoken aloud. "Yeah, I'm fine. Probably the flu." I said more to myself than them.
"Are you sure?" he asked again.
Now, the haze was fading and the memories were sorting themselves. Edward was in my room. He blackmailed me into leaving. I felt dizzy on the bike and now I'm— Where am I?
I glanced around the room we were in some sort of warehouse or garage. Fear stirred in the pit of my stomach at my unfamiliar location but I swallowed strongly against it. The room had Shadow Fang graffiti along the walls, there were a few doors, one a large metal garage type, some tools, a large flat screen with sleek speakers and I was laid on a black leather sofa next to a makeshift coffee table. The bikes were parked across the room from us on the bare concrete floor. Edward knelt at eye level with me wearing an undecipherable expression and we were surrounded by his members from earlier on tonight.
My throat felt like sandpaper as I tried find the energy to put force behind my words. Giving myself time to build up my strength, I realized my breathing was difficult. Pacing myself I spoke gently. "Edward, why am I here? I told you before, I'm done."
"I don't recall agreeing." He cussed under his breath, sliding a Snickers bar out the coffee table. He ripped open the wrapping tossing it to me.
I took it and ate. Sugar seemed like a good idea with the dizzy spell. Bite by bite, I could feel fragments of my strength returning. This was harder now that he was here in person… and he didn't look like he was faking it… My heart was rearing for a fight, one that it was likely to win in a moment so close to him.
But what else did I possibly have to go on? He'd lied, told me I'd be getting the same rate as the others when I took the job. But that wasn't true. He was paying me more than the others, $10 is what I make an hour period, my tips are over and above that. After what Tanya had implied it made me feel it too, slutty.
"It's not up to you." Even I could hear the lack of conviction behind the words. It was difficult staying strong now that he was in front of me.
"The hell it's not!" He bit out and his temper was ablaze again.
He looked to be warring between concern and anger. He sounded angrier now than he had earlier in my room though. Was he angry that he had to babysit the Wolves girl? Since when did I start passing out in any case? I grimaced at the thought. Was I getting weak? How pathetic Bella!
"Why are you helping me?" I asked evenly.
To my surprise he answered.
"Question for a question," he said still crossed between cynical sarcasm and possible underlying worry, "You eat and we'll play 20 questions," with his head he directed me to the bar again, "You blacked out on my bike it's kind of customary." He answered dismissively, never breaking eye contact. His voice trembled indicating how hard he was fighting to keep it controlled and snap. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I answered his question before moving to my next one, "Why'd you bring me here? Where is here?"
"That's two questions. Closest place we could bring you to."
The reply was to the point. I felt unnerved under his furiously composed gaze.
"I don't want to be involved in this thing between you and them." I said knowing he'd know who I meant.
He smirked but it wasn't in anyway amused. "And yet, here you are," he raised a brow and looked around the room exaggeratedly, "dead center at the source of it."
My brows pulled together in confusion but he didn't let me say anything. Nudging the bar at me again he kept me locked in place with his hardened eyes.
"Why weren't you at your father's place?"
"Dad sent Jake to fetch me," I looked away from him, knowing his normal reaction to their names and that I didn't want to deal with it while I felt like crap, "Did you do that to Jared's place?" I asked the question, already knowing the answer from what Emmett had been holding on the roadside as he kept watch.
"Yes," he answered evenly, no trace of guilt.
"Why?" I couldn't help the question.
"It's not your turn yet," he ignored me, "what was the nightmare about?"
That one threw me for a loop. I hadn't expected him to bring it up, I'd momentarily forgotten about it myself. "I c-can't remember." I answered.
He didn't believe me. "You called for me. Something was hurting you. What was it?" he asked stiffly, his green eyes staring intensely at me.
I felt trapped. No one besides me knew about that dream. So many years of convincing everyone nothing was wrong anymore, being the only one who knew it kept coming back even now. I didn't want to discuss this with anyone, let alone him. The need to deflect was practically choking me. "Why aren't you asking me why I quit?"
"Because you're not quitting," he raised a brow at me as I put the last of the sugary bar into my mouth.
"That wasn't a question." I pointed out to him.
"Good girl! You're lucid." He said mockingly and appraised me, "Now tell me what the fuck happened to your hand?" he demanded his entire body went from faux relaxed to deadly in the blink of an eye.
I paused mid-chew. My eyes darted fretfully to my arm. Sure enough, not only had me sleeves been pulled up to my elbows but both my hands were bare! He'd unwrapped the bandage and looked twelve shades of scary as he stared me down. Shame burned wildly in my throat, my cheeks flamed, and defensiveness built up a shield around me as I fisted my hand tightly oblivious to the pain it caused to shoot up my arm.
"I fell while holding a knife!" Part true my mind said to me.
"You're lying," he growled low, the force of his flaming green now bordering on black eyes making me want to shrivel up and die. "Explain now," he ordered, his control slipping more and more with each word uttered, "While you're at it, explain that mark on your forehead."
Shit, how the fuck had he seen that one?"I fell." I said.
He shut his eyes tightly his entire face contorting with the temper he was failing to control. Now, that I heard it out loud I realized how laughable that sounded but this time is was true, I did fall.
"Forget it, I don't have to explain anything to you." I said feeling my own temper rising, I'd quit, I didn't have to answer to him anymore.
He breathed heavily through his nose, I could see how very badly he was losing the fight to not shake me and it terrified me. I wanted to disappear but the next words hissed out his pink plump lips held me in place.
"I do pay you more than everyone else," he admitted with his eyes still shut, his voice even but spoken through his teeth.
My eyes must've grown to saucers. Did he really just bring that up himself? And how'd he know why I quit?
"Why— How—"
"I already know," his level reply shocked me.
My eyes remained glued to him, noting that there was no trace of dishonesty to be found. I huffed a breath out my nose. I wanted to hurl curses at him for confirming it with his own mouth.
Snapping his eyes open, they told me to shut the fuck up because he wasn't done yet. "I will pay you as much as I want," he said. His voice somehow not harsh, just even, like he was trying to explain something that was very simple, something that there was no two ways about. It wasn't up for discussion.
"You do get paid as much as Rose does," he went on. "She's also able to raid the cash register or safe whenever she wants to. It's no different for you."
Angry tears were forming behind my lids. He was confirming everything Tanya had said like it meant nothing to him. I suddenly didn't care how he knew what had happened. I just wanted to beat my fists at him, try and make him feel what I was feeling since she'd called me his whore.
His jaw locked and his veins snaked their way from his neck to tick at his temple. Whatever he was thinking about had him looking murderous. I felt fear on behalf of whoever it was directed at because I could tell it wasn't me. Facing Edward now, while he looked so terrifying it was like staring straight into the eyes of Reaper I realized that despite everything I didn't think he could ever feel anger like that towards me.
"You can do whatever the fuck you want there." He spoke calculatedly, emphatically reiterating his message like he wanted me to get it. He paused for a second before evenly continuing, his eyes sharp and tone piercing without effort. "Including, decking Tanya if she fills your head with bullshit."
My ears perked up like a bloodhound.
"And preferably if she ever enters my office again without permission," he added as a second thought, unblinking and unmoving. "Tanya is manipulative. She knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Though she's not gonna be a problem for you anymore."
It was unreal the amount of things spinning in my head as he remained inhumanly statuesque before me. Any sense of relief I felt was pushed aside when his voice dropped to a dangerously low level, each word spoken deliberately.
"But if you ever walk out on me like that again I'll do a lot more than fuck up one of the mutts cribs. You're worried about the Wolves," the pauses between every word spoken, precise and with purpose, effectively unnerving me, "I'm meeting you halfway, you working for me is a pathetic pretext to keep you. But don't fool yourself, I'm gonna keep you either way. It's just that this way, you get to stay a bit longer with your 'friends'." He cocked a brow and sneered at the word.
"It took me a long time to get to you Bella," he said, honesty running rampage in his severe words. Despite how harsh he sounded I could still see the quiet beseeching in his eyes that belied it, the need for me to believe him that he kept so well hidden. "I'm not letting you walk away now." He said soberly, looking me in the eye with unfathomable torrents of passion crashing in his jade orbs. His voice finally lowered to the note that I knew and recognized as mine, "You will continue working for me and I'll pay you whatever I want because I take care of my people. I take care of you. Anything you want is yours." He said quietly, pushing my hair back and running his fingertips over my bruised skin softly, as he did so his eyes grew more intense, never leaving mine, "But you, Bella, are mine."
I gasped at his words, the lickings of fear, panic, confusion and lust burned in me.
"However, what happens next is up to you. You either, stay willingly and work in my territory... for now," he added, "or you piss me off some more and I just keep you here so that the war you're trying to avoid between the Wolves and I happens right before your very eyes."
Like a joke of fate as he spoke the words a loud crash sounded outside one of the doors. Glass shattering. Stampeding of footsteps and things being toppled followed.
I jumped up, startled.
Edward chuckled and woke up too. Easily towering over me, his sinfully beautiful condescending smirk remained as the others ran out towards the commotion.
"Wolves." Emmett called over his shoulder in confirmation as he left, shutting the door behind him.
I froze immediately. They were here. Oh dear God, they were here!
My head searched the area in panic. I needed an escape. Reading my mind Edward grabbed my forearm preventing me from trying to leave. I looked to Edward pleadingly.
"Edward—"
He shook his head, "You give me your word you'll be there tomorrow or I'm gonna let your 'brothers' outside see you sneaking around with me."
I stared at him in shock, "I didn't come here willingly! You forced me!" I whisper yelled.
"I know that. But I'll let you explain that to them," he told me in no uncertain terms. He was really going to use everything I'd said against me to get his way. Leaning back casually he tilted his head, "Personally I can't wait for the part when you get back to the dog pound and they find that note in your handwriting lying about your whereabouts… Now, tell me Bella how understanding are they gonna be?"
I swallowed thickly, my face paling at his words. He had me there. They wouldn't believe me. Even if he had blackmailed me. It looked too far-fetched, everything would implicate me. He had me and he knew it.
"I'll come back." I whispered slowly in agreement.
He walked closer and I flinched back but he didn't stop, softly he pushed back some of my hair and lifted my chin to look at him. His tender actions a stark contrast to the predator that stood before me. "Good. Because after today I hope you know I wasn't playing when I said I'll come for you if you don't."
"I know," is all I could get out, their voices were getting closer and my heart was beating so fast I was afraid they'd hear it through the walls.
His eyes darted briefly to the door then back to me in an air of eerie calm, the exact opposite of me in that instant.
"I'm done playing games, Bella. I'll fetch you myself." I was about to protest. Edward fetching me was madness, I had enough problems I didn't need any more but he shook his head once determinedly warning me not to challenge him. "How you deal with them," he nudged his head to the door, "is up to you but make it happen because make no mistake, I will be picking you up."
A loud crash resounded outside and a series of cusses belted out from both sides of gangs. He growled menacingly, a layer of dark humor coating his smirk, the gangster in him eagerly itched to go outside and bare the fruits of his wicked deeds of the night.
"Fine!" I whispered hoarsely as I recognized Jakes voice somewhere close, my tone bordering hysteria at the predicament I was in.
His attention snapped back to me immediately, intense emotion burning in his eyes now when he looked at me for the first time downright petrified before him.
"I'll do it just help me! Please!" I was not beyond begging at this point.
I'm floored when he wordlessly leaned forward and locked his fingers around my wrist. Following where he lead was as easy as breathing… and quite honestly we were moving as fast as my damn breaths! We were moving like a freight train. He pulled open the furthest door, the dark passage beyond it leading out to a dodgy looking alleyway.
"Go through." He said, his tone soothing.
I eyed him skeptically and he shook his head in dismissal.
"You'll be safe," he promises, "my guy's outside, he'll get you back safely."
"Right," I said scowling, of course he had someone hiding to get me out, he'd basically told me this was his plan moments ago.
He chuckled though I could tell his initial anger had not completely disappeared, I'd fucked up when I went against my word and left after I told him I wouldn't, I had a feeling that he'd told me to stay there in Nell Ombra for my own safety. His next words are almost confirmation.
"Don't be like that. You didn't give me any choice." He said seriously, a touch of emotion in his eyes. Quickly pulling me close he held me securely, burying his nose in my hair and breathing warmly he placed a kiss atop my head. "I told you I'd take care of you, Bella. You're just so fucking difficult."
"Better than being easy." the retort slipped out so naturally and I felt him smirk into my hair because I was fighting him again. "You run hot and cold all the time." I said, my body refusing to move away from him, it reveled at having him close again, he feels so safe yet is so dangerous.
He snorted amused. "We're a match made in heaven," he deadpanned, I could practically hear him rolling his eyes. "Glad you took the time to notice Cappuccinetto (little cappuccino). But right now bolt," he smacked my ass, a boyish lopsided grin on his face at my mortified look.
Glaring through my blush I turned to run, knowing now was not the time to be stubborn but he held my arm gently stopping me. Keeping me in place, he leaned down towards me.
"You know, the fact that I'm not using the best fucking opportunity I have to fuck over those mutts right now, and willingly hiding you from them should tell you this is about you and not them." he said, looking at me contemplatively.
He allowed the heavy truth of his words to sink in before his walls were up again and his usual leer worked onto his handsome face. "They're just a bonus," he snickered, dipping down to seize my lips with his quickly and stepping us backwards. His lips wrapped with mine, his teeth biting and scraping at the flesh deliciously until we were outside and my back made contact with the cold alley wall. He broke the kiss and stepped back with one last lingering look to my forehead as he slid his fingers lightly along my slit palm until we no longer touched. His eyes burning with question, he shut the door and said, "Go."
I knew better than to waste time and dwell on it in such a freaky setting so I turned and did the smart thing. I did as told and bolted! Grateful for the sugar burst from the chocolate I ran straight through the dark, haunted alley with no sign of dizziness, only to be spat out panting on the side street of the building. In the darkness I made out the silhouette of a man on a bike, he stuck out his hand holding out a helmet and I took my cue moving quickly towards him.
The engine roared to life under him as I got closer. And as I grabbed the helmet, now that I could see him up close, I shuddered at the sight of the guy dressed in their colors. He smirked watching as I fumbled in fright before regrouping and putting on the helmet.
"Hop on, Bella."
Nodding automatically I got on behind him, grabbing onto the top of his shoulders as he took off into the night. Words were beyond me, I settled on mentally telling myself I had nothing to fear, Edward had said it was okay. Clutching onto that one thought for dear life I tried to forget the anxiety building in my stomach at the knowledge that Tyler Crowley the guy I've been in the same school as for 2 years was not only a part of the Shadow Fangs but I was now on the back of his bike… headed in the exact opposite direction of the Reservation, Charlie's house and Forks itself! Please God, don't let this turn out to be a mistake…
~.~.~ Thanks for reading! Love and God bless, Kat;) ~.~.~
Prompt Status CH7: Full chapter posted here.