Disclaimer: Twilight is owned by the one, the only Stephenie Meyer.

Protection's Plot, which currently has a mind of it's own, is mine. :)

Warning: Some Mafia Torture and suggestion of Rape towards the end of the chapter. Nothing extreme however, nor is it happening to any one of our beloved characters.

Chapter 12 – The Video

EPOV

"What I want to know-" Pop bristled at Jasper, "-Is how the fuck they got a bomb into that car?"

"I checked that fucking car myself!" Jasper seethed, "Just before they got in; there's no way I missed it."

"That means it was put in while they were in there." Emmett reasoned, "The only person that was in there was the driver."

"Nino had been with me since I became the Don-" Pop glared at Jasper, "He wasn't a rat."

"Have you seen Alice?!" Jasper was livid. "She's unconscious because of your fucking driver!" He paused, "You think I would allow that to happen to her because I was too fucking lazy to check under a seat?"

We were in the office in the basement of the temporary safe house. Pop, as the Don, was seated behind the desk, Emmett and I were on the couch and Jasper was pissed off standing in the corner.

After we had made love I held Bella until we fell asleep. Sometime around dawn, I woke up and eased Bella off my chest so I could shower and get dressed for the meeting. I kissed her forehead and left a note on the pillow beside her.

The aim of the meeting was to plan our next attack on Aro. However, it was turning into a sparing match between Pop and Jasper about whether Nino was a traitor or not.

I had never seen my brother so angry but, I understood it. If, he had been too lazy to give the car a proper search it meant that it was his fault that Alice had been hurt and not to mention that the rest of the women had been traumatized. If, Nino was a traitor then Pops was putting the person who had hurt Alice over Jasper.

Nonetheless Alice was hurt, Jasper was devastated and Nino was dead.

It had been only a few minutes since the meeting started and already I wished that I was back in bed with Bella instead of watching Pop and Jasper go at it. I didn't know what Pop's angle was but, it was more likely that Nino sold us out than Jasper forgot to look under a seat.

"Bella said the bomb was under Ma's seat." I interjected into the heated argument, "Ma was the last one to go in the car. She was seated right at the door."

"The first place I looked." Jasper said passionately. "I checked in the compartment below it, I checked under it and I checked that seat. I. Was. Fucking. Thorough."

"Emmett?" Pop asked.

"Mr. C," Emmett leaned back on the couch beside me, "I'm with Jazz."

"Me too," I answered before he even asked for my input.

I had known Nino since I was in diapers but, Jasper had more to lose and he did almost lose her. If I was in Jazz's position there's was a good chance I'd consider shooting our father. So, I didn't even try to calm him down.

I hoped Alice woke up soon; I needed Jasper at his best to help me win this war. Since he was handed an unconscious Alice; the stress of the situation showed on him. Jasper had dark circles around his eyes, his hair was unkempt and he looked like a fucking bum. He also looked liked he lost weight. It which was drastic seeing as Alice had only been knocked out for half a day.

"He got what was coming to him." Jasper growled, "Fucking Rat! He's lucky he died in that fire. I would have done something way fucking worse."

I saw a sadistic look cross Jasper's face and I knew that even though I was the hot headed one Jasper was equally dangerous.

"He saved Alice's life-" Pop reminded him, "-Nino freed her when she was stuck in the car."

"Yea," Jasper said dryly, "After he tried to kill her and just because he had a fucking change of heart doesn't mean he gets off."

"Ever, consider that it could be any one else?" Pop asked quietly. "It's clear that there was a rat; I'm just saying it might have not been Nino. If, it wasn't Nino and we stop looking then the real rat stays hidden among us."

"Alice was the first one to get in," Jasper's voice was low as he took a step forward. "I'm sure no one else went near it. If, you don't believe me then fuck you."

The silence that followed was fucking deadly. Pop and Jasper stared off.

I was pissed about it too but, after what happened yesterday being hot headed wouldn't keep us alive in this shit. I should have seen it coming but, I didn't. We were all too close to the situation to view it objectively. We were all too worried about our women to be paying close attention to the little things.

Aro was way ahead of us. He was sure we would be a church because Ma was a devout catholic. He declared war in her restaurant because he wanted her to hear. Aro knew that she would all force us to church and he would have an opening to attack us. He knew about the wire tap too. He had ordered the hit over the phone because he knew we were listening. Then Aro sacrificed those amateurs so he could hit us where it hurt the most; our women.

Pop and Jasper were still deadlocked in a staring match.

"Fuck all that shit," I broke the silence hoping Pop and Jazz would drop it. "We have to go somewhere else to plan this shit. The girls are distracting us."

"I've run a successful business while madly in love with my wife. Can't you do the same?" Pop asked smirking.

"Had Ma ever been the reason for war?" I grumbled, "Back then the code was respected; No wives or girlfriends were attacked no matter hot shit was."

"True," Pop conceded. "If you think it'll help Edward, we'll leave after breakfast. I want to hit Aro heavy handed soon."

We all nodded in the affirmative.

Just then there was a frantic knock outside the door.

What the fuck?!

After which it flew open. We all pulled our guns and aimed at the person standing in the door.

Bella stood there in her pajamas panting as if she had just run a marathon. Seeing all the guns aimed at her she held her hands up like she was being robbed.

"I'm sorry," She squeaked as we lowered our guns.

"Fuck Bella," I groaned.

"Is everything alright Isabella?" Pop asked.

"Yes!" Bella recovered quickly dropping her hands, "I just had to … run and tell you that," Bella smiled at Jasper, "She's awake! Alice woke up!"

Jasper stood stunned.

"She's asking for you," Bella beamed, "First sentence out of her mouth was 'Where's Jasper?'"

Jasper stayed stationary as if he was slowly trying to process what Bella was saying.

"What the Fuck Jazz?" I asked knocking his shoulder hoping to knock him out of his stupor, "Go get your woman!"

It seemed to have worked because his mouth broke out into a massive grin and he grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "She's awake."

I smiled and shook him back. He pulled me into a very manly hug and repeated, "She's awake!"

He walked past me and lifted Bella off the ground, kissing her cheek. "Thank you Bella."

"She's going to go postal if you don't reach soon." Bella told Jasper as he put her down, "Remember the last time she saw you, you were going off to a gunfight? She's thinks something's wrong and we're hiding it."

Bella pulled Jasper out of the door and through the corridor. Emmett and I followed. We reached the stairs and Jasper starting moving of his own volition. Bella fell back and walked in step with me. I draped my arm over her shoulder and kissed the side of her forehead. She leaned into me and I noticed she was walking stiffly.

"You ok?" I whispered.

"Just a little sore," She whispered back. "I'll be alright."

"I'll kiss it for you later." I offered winking.

Bella stared at me with her mouth open and her eyes were wide. I laughed at her.

As we reached Alice's room, there was screaming, "I WANT JASPER!" There was a pause and then the sound of glass breaking, "Stay the fuck away from me!"

Jasper reached for the knob and opened the door. Instantly he seemed better by just looking at her.

Bella and I exchanged knowing glances.

Alice was standing next to her bed in one of those hospital gowns; a vase posed in her hand aiming at the doctor. The Doc was cowering against the wall opposite Alice. Right next to his head was a fresh water blotch with shards of glass embedded in the wall. She missed by an inch; probably on purpose.

"Put the vase down Alice," Rosalie rolled her eyes from the chair was sitting in while nonchalantly flipping through a magazine. "He's right there!"

Alice was so intent on hurting the Doc she hadn't seen us come in.

"Wait, before you and the Jazz man fuck each other's brains out," Emmett interjected lifting Alice of the ground in a bear hug.

"Emmett!" Ma admonished walking in with blue berries waffles on a plate.

I chuckled loving Emmett's lack of tact and Ma's propensity to reproach.

"I'm happy you're awake, little cous." Emmett kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Em," Alice grinned as she put him down.

Emmett then ruffled her short black spiky hair and she swatted his hand away.

"I'm glad too pixie." I said leaning in the door jam. "I'd hug ya but, you have to put down the vase."

She giggled loudly and handed Emmett the vase. He gently set it down on the bed side table before going to sit near Rosalie. I walked over to her and pulled her to me.

During our hug she whispered in my ear, "Thanks for keeping him safe boss."

"Anytime pixie,"

Alice then walked over to Jasper and they stared at each other. All seemed right in their world as Jasper instantly looked healthier and Alice looked like her old propane powered pixie self. He slowly pulled her to him. I felt like we were invading their private little moment.

Of course Emmett ruined it when his stomach growled as he saw Ma with the plate, "Are those waffles for me Mrs. C?" His eyes looked hopeful.

"No they're for Jasper," Ma said. "He hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday. I was hoping Alice-"

"Ma!" Jasper cut her off. He then looked at Alice who was eyeing him from head to toe. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine." She sent Jasper a stern look and he hung his head.

"Alice won't let the Doc check out her head." Rosalie looked up from her magazine and winked at Jasper.

It was Jazz's turn to look at Alice sternly. His expression softened as she pouted.

Pussy!

Emmett and I smirked at Jasper.

"They wouldn't let me see you. Tell ya what," Alice offered. "I'll let the Doc check my head while you eat." She took the plate from Ma and handed it to Jazz.

"Deal." Jasper nodded.

He grabbed a chair and placed it beside the bed where Alice was sitting. Jasper sat down and held Alice's hand. She motioned to the waffles; looking at him expectantly and he used his free hand to bring it up to his mouth.

"Let's go Doc." Alice said chirpily after she saw Jasper take a bite.

The Doc recovered just slightly and straightened his clothes. Esme walked over to his side of the room and started to clean up the glass.

"I'm sorry Esme," Alice grinned sheepishly. "Oh, Doc I'm sorry too."

"No big deal Alice," Ma started laughing as she placed the shards of glass she had picked up in the bin.

"It's okay," The Doc said wearily, "I've had worse."

"I guess you would have seeing as how you treat gangsters." Alice shrugged.

"Oh no." The Doc shook his head, "Mrs. Cullen is the worse I've ever had. And she wasn't even a patient. See this bald spot." He pointed to a spot on the side of his head, "I wouldn't let her see Carlisle when he was badly hurt, she threatened to shoot me and then actually hit me over the head with the gun after she found out it was empty!"

I smiled as Bella buried her head in my chest to muffle her laughter.

The Doc started checking out the Pixie.

"Bad ass Mrs. C!" Emmett approved from beside Rosalie.

"Don't get in between a woman and the man she loves." She winked at all the girls before heading for the door. "Breakfast in half an hour,"

Rosalie kissed Emmett's cheek before she stood and placed her magazine down. "We're coming to help finish up."

Bella kissed me lightly and squeezed my ass before she whispered in my ear, "I might take you up your offer later."

"Looking forward to it-" I loved her sudden boldness.

Bella and Rosalie headed out behind Ma. Out in the hallway I heard Bella speaking to Seth. I knew it was a fucked up thing to do but I eavesdropped on her conversation.

"Seth!" She greeted him. "How's Sam?"

"He's getting better Ms. Bella," Seth was grinning; I could hear it, "He'll be ready to come back to work soon. I'm looking for the Boss. Ya know where he is?"

"In there," She was smiling. "Alice woke up."

"That's awesome!" Seth exclaimed. "I was worried."

"Everyone was." She paused, "Tell Sam I said hi and…I'm buying him a get well present; any idea what I should get?"

"A whore," He sounded very matter-of-fact before bursting into laughter probably at the look on her face.

"I'm joking Ms. Bella." Seth continued, "Whatever you get will be fine."

"You've been a great help," Bella's voice dripped with sarcasm, "Don't say anything about my gift."

"I won't." Seth promised, "Bye Ms. Bella."

"Later Seth," I listened to her steps recede until I couldn't hear them.

Seth knocked on the outside wall before sticking his head in the open door. For someone who was raised by a gangster the kid had decent manners.

"Morning everybody," Seth grinned, "Good to see you awake Ms. Alice,"

"Morning Seth," Alice beamed, "It's good to be awake."

"Boss," He turned to me. "I got som'n you need to see."

"What is it?" I asked.

He hesitated looking around. I turned to see everyone staring at him expectantly.

"Let's go out hea." I motioned to the hallway and followed him out. Closing the door I gave him the go ahead signal.

He kept his voice low, "So, I went to your mailbox to pick up the cash like I always do right?"

I nodded wondering what else he found in that mail box.

"Someone left this CD in it." Seth pulled out a CD case marked 'Isabella Swan' from his back pocket.

"I already watched it." Seth admitted. "It's a video."

"What happens in it?" I asked intrigued.

"Rossi took hostages. Some people who used to work on Alice's farm."

"The Blacks," I said already knowing.

He nodded, "We never met them cause you didn't allow them on the farm when we were there. He took the entire family."

"We don't know them." I said coldly knowing where this conversation was going.

"He's torturing them." Seth eyes were sad and pleading, "Innocent people, Boss. They have nothing to do this."

I knew what he wanted me to do. But, I couldn't.

"They have no connection to us." I hardened my features. "They're nobody. A few more deaths won't matter."

Fuck! I sounded like Pop.

"You have to watch it." He handed me the CD. "If we don't do som'n they'll die Boss."

"And, it'll be because of me." A voice said from behind me.

I pinched the bridge of my nose knowing that we were about to have a replay of the huge argument we had at the farm.

"Do you always eavesdrop on other people's conversations?" I tried to steer her away from the real issue at hand.

"You're just gonna let those people die?" She asked disbelieving.

"How long have you been standing there?" I ignored her question.

"Answer me!" She poked my chest. "Stop avoiding my questions Edward."

"Stop avoiding MY questions." I stilled her hand, "Don't poke me Bella."

"Fine!" She grumbled, "No. I came to get everyone down for breakfast and I've been standing there for half a minute." She answered my questions. "I wasn't even hiding Seth saw me."

I glared at him. He fidgeted under my stare. I wanted to hit him.

"Don't you dare touch Seth!" Bella shouted at me as if she read my mind.

"You stood there for the entire fucking conversation." I turned back to her.

"Yea I did. And I admit I was wrong to eavesdrop but, I answered you." She crossed her hands over her chest and waited expectantly.

"I don't have answer to you." I knew it wasn't fair the moment it left my mouth.

Fuck! I'm sorry Bella.

"Oh yea," She sucked her teeth, "That's real fucking fair Edward! I have to answer you but you don't have to answer me."

"And don't fucking eavesdrop on my conversations." I growled, "If, I can't trust you; this isn't going to work."

"This is already not working." She hissed, "Are you really so fucking cruel that you'd just sit back and let those people die?"

"What the fuck you want me to do Bella?" I asked

"Save them!" She looked at me incredulously. "They are going to die because of me! I can't have that on my conscience! I couldn't live with myself! "

"You're not in any position to do anything." I reasoned trying to calm her down, "I know you feel responsible but it's not your fault. James is the reason those people are going to die."

"But, you can!" Bella shouted, "You can save them."

"I can't."

"You won't." She viewed me coolly. "Then I will."

"What are you going to do?" I asked wearily knowing what was coming next but, I needed her to say it.

"I'll give up myself for them." She said quietly while Ma, Alice and Rosalie gasped audibly.

I looked around to see Emmett and Jasper staring with wide eyes. Pop's face betrayed his curiosity. Again, I was so wrapped up in the argument that I had failed to see that we had attracted a crowd.

"Shit, Ms. Bella!" Seth exclaimed, "You can't do that."

"Are you outta your fucking mind Bella?" Her sister crossed her arms.

"I'll lock you up in a room and never let you out." I said seriously, prepared to do whatever it took to keep her safe.

"I'll stand fucking guard." Rosalie agreed with me and I was happy that I had someone on my side.

"You can't keep me here against my will!" Bella protested.

"Watch me!" I growled. "It's for your own good."

"I don't know who you are." She looked at me with tears in her eyes. "My Edward wouldn't do this." She bit her lip, "I'll never forgive you."

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. Even if, it means protecting you from yourself and even if, it means you'll hate me."

She hugged herself. "I hate this side of you."

"Then you lied when you said you loved me." I knew it was a low blow and it was untrue.

"I did not lie!" Bella shouted as her tears spilled over. "I do love you."

I laughed cruelly. "Yea, sure. You love me; just not all of me." I mocked her, "It makes sense."

"Edward," Bella was pissed, "Fuck! It's not like that and you fucking know it. I can see through this bullshit you're spewing. You don't fool me. You're hurt and upset and you think I'll want to leave so you're pushing me away first. "

"The only reason I'm doing this is because I gave my word that I would protect you." I gritted out the next sentence, "When this war is over, you can leave if you want to."

"Suppose I don't want to leave?" Bella asked quietly.

"Then you can stay." I paused, "Ma loves having guests over."

She rolled her eyes, "I meant with you."

I wanted to get on my knees and beg her to stay with me even though I was a fucking idiot but, my pride was in the way.

"Are you breaking up with me?" She wiped her face with her palm.

"Are you going to run off and do something stupid?"

"No,"

I pulled her to me.

"No, we're not breaking up." I kissed the side of her forehead. "I'm sorry Bella."

"I'm sorry too Edward." She sniffled. "I love you but you're a fucking idiot."

"I know you love me." I assured her. "And I am a fucking idiot."

"I swear you two are bi-fucking-polar." Rosalie snorted and shook her head.

Behind Bella's back I gave her the middle finger salute.

"Let me watch the video." Bella looked up at me.

"No." I said. "Don't fight me on this."

"Let me watch the video." She repeated pleading, "Please,"

"I said 'No' Bella."

"We'll all watch the video." Pop said with finality.

"I don't want her to watch the video." I said challenging him.

"It will do her some good to see what James is capable of." Pop's reasoning was sound.

"I've seen what James is capable of." Bella turned in my arms to face my father. "I watched him kill Pauly Greco Jr. That's why he's after me."

"That's a part of it." Jasper told her, "The other part is that he found out you were with Edward. He hates Edward."

"Mr. Cullen, I want to see that video." She wasn't going to let it go. "I can handle it."

"After breakfast Isabella."

"Don't be mad Edward." She turned her big doe eyes up to me.

I sighed.

Still EPOV

We settled into the living room. It was a little cramped but, I didn't mind as that gave me an excuse to have Bella on my lap. We were in the single couch and she was wiggling around trying to get comfortable. I don't know if she was aware of the fact that she was sitting on my dick but he was very aware of her.

"Something's poking me Edward." She whispered. "Do you have something in your pocket?"

I laughed into her hair. "No."

"Then what-" She stopped and sat still. "Sorry," she squeaked.

"I was actually enjoying that." I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Maybe, I should sit somewhere else."

"Where?" I asked looking around.

Ma and Pop were on the loveseat. Emmett, Rosalie and Jazz were squeezed in the sofa. Alice was seated on the floor in front of Jasper. She rested her head on his knees and he had his hands in her hair. Seth was messing with the DVD player. There was no space anywhere else.

"The floor."

"Stay," I held her tightly, "Please." I needed the physical contact plus I wanted to hold when she couldn't watch James' video.

She shifted a little before sighing and resting her head beside mine.

"It's playing." Seth moved from in front of the television screen and went to stand in a corner.

A grey bricked wall came into view. Some heavy, thick iron pipes ran along it and little light filtered in from above. I guessed it was the basement of some abandoned industrial building.

"Isabella," A creepy voice filtered through the speakers. "I want you. And regardless of what Cullen does I will have you. I won't stop. I'll keep coming until the day you or I die; whichever comes first."

The voice broke into a laugh that gave Bella shivers. I knew because I felt it. I held her tighter. Ma was watching Bella's face which had paled. I turned my head back to the screen.

The camera moved and a huddled figure appeared. The person had their knees pulled up to their chest and their hands tied behind their back. Long black hair flowed like a curtain around the person's face. It looked like a man.

"Have you met Billy Isabella?" The creepy voice asked a rhetorical question. "He used to work on Ms. Moretti's Farm. Guess what he's up to now?"

Just then a masked man came into view and put a gun to Billy's head. Billy raised his face to the light. His eyes were closed and his lips were moving. I guessed he was praying.

The man with the gun cocked the hammer and Bella buried her face in my neck. I watched intently as he pulled the trigger. It made a click as the creepy voice laughed. It was empty.

"Pow!" the voice sounded off making Bella flinch, "Oops. I guess it was empty. Let's load up and try that again."

The masked man pulled out a magazine and loaded the gun. Two other masked men appeared and lifted Billy to his feet. Bella was looking again. The first masked man put the gun to Billy's knee. Bella didn't look away this time when he pulled the trigger.

The sound was deafening as it echoed in the hollow warehouse. There was a massive hole in his knee and blood gushed from his wound. Billy had been screaming at first but now he quieted to groans as the two masked men supporting him dropped him to the ground.

The women sat in stunned silence. We, the men, hadn't even blinked because we were guilty of doing the same to countless others but they were not innocent. We had seen sheer carnage and massacres before so it would take more than one gunshot wound to scare us. But, I knew I was just the beginning and it was about to get much worse.

Bella, however, had tears running down her face. I knew it was affecting her deeply.

"You don't have to watch anymore." I told her as I rubbed her back. "I can take you upstairs."

"No," She said and wiped her face.

The camera moved away from Billy.

"Isabella," The creepy voice returned. "Look at what you have caused? The reason I'm doing this is because I know you have a conscience. You can't stand to see innocent people get hurt. You want to stop it. You can stop it."

The camera made a turn and closed in on two hooks hanging from the ceiling. It slowly tilted down and revealed two women hanging by their handcuffed hands. They were blind folded and the familiar tall black hair that crowned Billy's head covered their heads as well.

There was quiet whimpering while another masked man appeared and nudged one of the women. She cried out loudly and swung from side to side.

"Hmmm," The voice moaned, "Women, let's have a little fun shall we?"

"Take me!" The older woman cried. "Not my daughter, please take me."

"What do you think Isabella?" The voice chuckled. "Who do you think we should take? Let's play a game to decide. Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo."

"Take me upstairs Edward," Bella requested. "You were right. I can't watch this."

"Catch a tiger by the toe." The voice continued.

Bella wrapped her hands around my neck and I rose out of the seat. I took Bella up the stairs and to our room.

"Don't let me go." She clutched to me like a drowning man would at a straw floating by.

I held her as close as I could without suffocating her.

"Marry me?"

Did Bella just ask me to marry her?

A/N: This chapter really got away from me.

However, something told me to post it.

All forms of criticism welcome.

I'm really curious to hear your feedback on this chapter.

As usual, Nuff Love goes out to my followers, reviewers and visitors.

Special, special big up goes out to Stupidlamb2010, loving the name btw, I dub thee MY REVIEWER OF THE WEEK. :)

Chapter 13 is on the way.