Chapter Twelve

Bella

When Emmett stopped me at lunchtime to tell me he'd give me a ride to their place I smelled a rat. I'd been driving myself back and forth for months so why did I suddenly need a lift? I wanted the choice to leave when I decided. Not to have to ask someone to take me home. Alice had disappeared so I had only one person I could speak to. I went into the cloakroom making sure it was empty and rang him.

"Yes Bella?"

"I'm worried Jasper. I'm supposed to be going to the Cullens this evening for a talking to about you, but now Emmett is trying to get me to travel with him. I think they are up to something but I don't know what".

"OK, what do you want me to do? I'll pick you up from school if you like or I can follow Emmett and see what he does, your choice. Just remember if you involve me things go down the way I decide. Is that clear?"

I thought for a minute.

"Think about it and text me before you leave. I won't let any harm come to you Bella".

"I have to go" I whispered as I heard voices and the door opened. "Bye Jasper".

All afternoon I thought about what he said. I had to accept his choices if I asked for his help. Alice had said he was dangerous even deadly. Was I prepared to aim such a weapon at the Cullens? Edward yes, but Emmett? I loved my big brother but if he was doing what Edward asked then it made him no better. I decided to give him a chance so just before school ended I sent a text,

"Just follow unless I shout help".

His reply was short and to the point "OK"

Emmett looked ill at ease when I met him at his truck.

"Why don't I just drive myself?" I said, giving him an out.

"No Bella I like you making me laugh on the way home".

I got in and fastened my seat belt. As we drove away I knew he was in on it.

"This isn't the way to your place Em".

"Nah, I've just got to pick some stuff up for Esme first".

OK, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Really Em? Or are you taking me somewhere for Edward?"

He started and I knew I was right.

"Listen Bella, he's worried about you. The major is one dangerous mother fucker. You shouldn't be messing around with someone like that".

Emmett its not your decision or Edwards for that matter. Where are you taking me?"

"Ah Bella don't make this difficult. I'm not going to hurt you".

"No just kidnap me".

"Its not a kidnap, just a trip".

"Oh just a trip? And what if I tell you to take me home or I'll ring my Dad". I got my phone out.

"Don't Bella. I'm just trying to keep you safe".

"Yeah well its my decision who I see, not yours or Edwards or any of the Cullens so I'd like you to turn round and take me back to Charlie's or your place".

He slowed down undecided, then shook his head. "Can't do it Bells".

"Do you know what will happen when the Major finds out what you've done?"

I saw his hands shake on the wheel, "Edward said he won't find out".

"Oh so Edward knows does he? He knows where the Major is right now? Why don't you ring and ask him?" He fumbled his phone out of his pocket and rang Edward.

"Hey I've got Bella and she's really pissed. You sure you know where the Major is?"

"Not exactly but I'm only a few miles behind you and he's nowhere to be seen" Edward sounded nervous. "Well pull closer cos I'm shitting myself here".

As Emmett closed his phone I looked at him. "So he doesn't know where the Major is?"

"Not exactly".

"Well I do Emmett and I can tell you that he could be on you before Edward catches up so pull over".

Em looked at me and smiled, "Good try Bella".

"Really?" I said as we heard a thud at the back of the truck.

"Last chance Emmett, because if he gets in here its his show".

Em pulled up on the grass verge and looked nervously around. I unbuckled and opened the passenger door. Emmett was dragged through his open window in a choke hold.

"Good decision Cullen"

Emmett looked at me,

"OK Em. That was your last warning. Next time I wont intervene".

Jasper dropped him and walked back to his truck. He looked at me waiting to see if I would follow him. It was decision time. I knew if I walked to his truck he would take me away with him. If I stayed where I was I'd never see him again. As he started the engine and backed up I made my decision. I ran to his truck and jumped in.

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere you want darlin'" he said with a heart stopping smile.

As he backed up at speed Edwards Volvo screamed up behind us. Emmett feeling braver now his brother was here, drove his truck to hem us in.

"Stay in the truck" Jasper snapped, getting out of the driver's door. He looked like another of his names The God of War, tall, muscled, and menacing, his long blond hair blowing in the wind as he stood arms hanging loosely at his sides. Edward got out and stood at his back while Emmett huge and forbidding with an angry expression faced him.

"You have no right to take Bella" he shouted.

"I don't need one. She decided for herself" Jaspers reply was quiet by contrast.

"She doesn't know what she wants. She doesn't know what you are like".

"So why not? Don't tell me you haven't tried to frighten her with stories of my atrocities".

"She doesn't believe them. She's too gentle and trusting to believe such things of any man".

Jasper stepped back and opened his door,

"Bella, these gentlemen want to take you back to Forks. Do you want to go with them?"

"No" I said as firmly as I could.

I was scared for him. Emmett was so big and strong and Edward so fast. Jasper turned to smile at me,

"Don't worry darlin'. These two are kittens but I'll try not to kill them for your sake".

Then he shut the door again.

"Well it seems Bella doesn't want to go back with you, so if you'll move your vehicles I'll be on my way. I really don't want to hurt you".

Edward snarled and my muscles tensed.

"Very impressive Cullen, do you have any more party tricks?"

Emmett moved a few steps closer and Jasper turned back to him.

As he did so Edward sprang at him with a terrible snarl. I thought Edward was fast but Jasper was a blur. He swung round and pulled Edward from the air. As he took hold of Edwards arm and leg to swing him round Emmett attacked from the rear. I scrabbled across to the driver's side and flung the door open. It cracked as Emmett hit it and flew off into the trees with a sound of splintering wood. Emmett who'd been thrown backward got up and ran at Jasper again but he wasn't there. As Emmett looked round wildly I heard a sound on the roof and saw Jasper launch himself at the huge man. They fell to the ground in an untidy heap and I heard snapping jaws and breaking limbs.

Terrified for Jasper I looked around in case Edward was coming in for another attack but was stunned to see him sitting in the road, one arm and leg totally detached and flung across the far side of the highway. I knew he would heal but at the moment he was writhing in pain. For a heartbeat I felt sorry for him then remembered he'd attacked Jasper first. A pale limb crashed into the windscreen and I heard Emmett shout in pain. When I looked out the windscreen I saw Jasper holding Emmett up by the throat one arm missing from Emmett's side lay on the hood of the truck. I climbed out and approached Jasper but his curt

"No. Go back to the truck and wait" stopped me in my tracks.