Chapter Fifty Six

Edward

We took the girls to hunt although I thought my "brother" was being far too dramatic about all this, after all it was one man plus a gift which had already proved to be pretty ineffectual. Emmett was keeping a close eye on Irina and Kate with Rose while Josie and I took things more slowly.

"You don't think there's a threat to us do you Edward?"

"I wouldn't say that Josie but I think Jasper has a tendency to over dramatize. With his past its only to be expected. I think sometimes he believes he's still fighting a war and of course it makes him look better in Bella's eyes."

"That sounds a little like jealousy Edward. I don't see what all you males see in the human girl myself. She's hardly sparkling company and she isn't even particularly beautiful, almost like a little mouse most of the time."

"I told you it was her blood that called to me Josie nothing else. I agree with you about Bella, she isn't anything special."

"Yet your brother seems to be very fond of her and he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who has to struggle for female company."

"Oh? You mean you're attracted to him?"

She laughed,

"Edward I do believe you're jealous. Don't be silly, he isn't my type, I like brains with my muscle."

I smiled, glad she saw that he wasn't exactly the most intelligent of men, something Alice never seemed to notice which surprised me but then she was always a bit blind where he was concerned. A caveman who has learned sophistication enough to walk and talk with the real humans!

Emmett

Rose and I kept closer to the girls as they hunted, taking any left overs for ourselves but never losing sight of the fact we were here to protect them.

"Where's Edward?"

Rose kept looking round for our brother and I sighed heavily. I was getting just a bit pissed off with his cavalier attitude to the threat that to me seemed real enough.

"If he keeps on about Jasper and Bella I'm going to smack him one myself. You'd think an intelligent girl like Josie would be able to see through the idiot."

"Emmett you know Edward is jealous of him and he hates to be bested by anyone. He wanted Bella for her blood but I think he liked her too so when she turned up with Jasper it put his nose out of joint."

"Yeah well if he keeps on its not only his nose that's gonna be out of joint now come on, I want to head back, the girls have hunted long enough."

I called them back and they were great reacting straight away but Edward and Josie took their time as if they were out for a stroll in the park.

"Get a move on Edward or I'll leave you behind. You can play hard man with Dante if you want."

"Jasper has really scared you with his talk about that man hasn't he? I doubt he's as fearsome as all that, if he was he'd be coming in to take our dear brother not trying tricks on him."

"Edward just answer me one question."

"Of course Emmett what's troubling you?"

"Are you really as stupid as you appear or is it just an act? Now get your butt back to the house before I kick it there."

Edward

I was heartily sick of everyone's attitude to me these days as if I were a moron, especially Jasper and now Emmett had picked it you too. Josie looked at me as if to say well are you just going to take that sitting down? But I really didn't want to start anything out here. We had no idea if this Dante was around and besides although I knew I could read Emmett's mind he was very fast and extremely strong. The last thing I needed was to be made to look a weakling in front of my mate. She was showing far too much interest in my dear brothers as it was despite her protestations of preferring brains with her muscle.

"Come on lets run back just in case my dear brother needs help. I'm sure he's feeling a little vulnerable with his best fighters away."

Rose snorted in derision but I ignored her and taking Josie's hand started back to the house at a run.

"Edward why do you let them get away with putting you down all the while?"

"It makes them feel better, besides I know I'm the better man I don't have to prove it to the family."

"No...but it would be nice to show me sometimes."

"Why? You think I'm not? You prefer Emmett or Jazz perhaps?"

"Don't be silly, of course not. I just think you should stand up for yourself more."

"I don't want to cause trouble for Esme or Carlisle and if I showed the others up that's what it would do."

She looked at me slightly unsure but she didn't say anything else. I was really hoping this stupid fight with the Romanians would be averted, I didn't want any part of that but it would be difficult to get out of it now.

Emmett

We ran back a little slower than the other two just relieved to be away from Edward for a while,

"Rose, has Edward always been such a pain in the ass or has it started recently?"

"He's always been an ass hole but its got worse since he met Josie, don't worry Emmett its all posturing and chest beating. Blow on him and he'd fall over."

I nodded my agreement while the other two just giggled, even they didn't have much time for Edward or, I noticed, Josie. Was she jealously guarding him or didn't they like her either? I would have asked but we were in sight of the house and the other two again so I decided it would wait for now. We followed them in to hear Jasper on the phone and I suddenly realized he was talking to the Romanians themselves, cutting out the middle man.

"Stefan I don't like the way you send out invitations these days."

"Really Major? I take it Dante was less than courteous. I do apologise."

"Thank you, apology accepted. Now I need you to accept my apology for what I'm about to say only I can see that subtle words don't sink in with you. I refuse your invitation to work with you to overthrow the Volturi. They may not be my first choice but then neither are you and your brother. I'll allow you the single threat to my mate but that's it. If I get the slightest hint that she is in any danger I will be coming for you and I won't be alone."

"I see. Unfortunately we have suffered a slight reversal in our fortunes so we will not be in a position to threaten the Volturi...for now, but perhaps you may be more favourably disposed on another occasion. Oh yes, I understand Dante is still in Denali, if you see him perhaps you could give him a message from us. Angeline has arrived home with an interesting tale. It seems his latest find was not all he made her out to be."

"I see, and I take it you'd like me to finish the job?"

"Well, let's just say he is no longer needed here. He has become somewhat of a liability."

Jazz put the phone down, his expression puzzled.

"Now why have they changed their minds so completely I wonder?"

"No idea Eleazer but I'm going to find out. They must have thought they stood a good chance and I doubt the reversal had anything to do with Dante. He just embarrassed them by failing."

"So, no threat after all, that must be a relief to you Jasper."

He turned a stony gaze on Edward who stepped back a pace before collecting himself and pushing past the girls into the kitchen dragging Josie with him.