Chapter Fifty Seven

Jasper

I was glad things had changed but until I knew why we would stay on high alert and that meant Charlie and Bella staying here a little longer, not that either of them seemed very perturbed at the idea.

"I'll have to ring mum though or she'll send the Army, Navy, and Air Force looking for me."

Emmett laughed at Bella's words but she turned,

"Emmett, you have no idea what my mother is capable of, you've heard the quote "Be afraid, be very afraid"? It was coined for her!"

While Bella went through to the kitchen to get her phone mine started to buzz and looking at the screen I could see it was Darius.

"Tell me you had something to do with the Romanians change of heart."

"How perceptive of you Major. I must admit in all modesty that I had a little to do with it."

"Go on."

"Well I thought that if they knew the Volturi knew of their plans it might make them think twice and I thought hearing it from the horse's mouth was the best idea so I did a little tampering with the cell phone signals and somehow Aro's cell phone linked in with Stefan as he spoke to Dante about their plan for you. It would appear Aro was more than a little outraged and rang Vladimir direct, with a little more help from me. I knew he was the most cautious of the two. The conversation was interesting to say the least, and by the end of it the Romanians, well Vladimir had promised to send the new gifted vampires they had discovered to the Volturi to be checked out."

"He agreed?"

"Well it was that or the might of the Volturi would come to fetch them. So, what would you have done?"

"Thank you Darius, I owe you."

"Yes you do. I've also let your friends know that the fun is over, at least for now, some were most upset so you owe a few of us now. In fact the slate is getting a little crowded but I'd like to meet this mate of yours and that would be part payment."

"We'll visit as soon as I'm sure she's safe."

"I guarantee it Major. Bring your friends with you. I haven't seen Peter in far too long, is he still as arrogant as ever?"

"Almost as arrogant as you."

"Never. When you get here I'll show you in person. I look forward to your arrival."

Bella

I'd forgotten Edward and Josie had gone through to the kitchen and walked in on an argument,

"I told you there was nothing to worry about. She's a mouse and he's all muscle and no brain. It was obvious this Dante was never going to do anything it was all a trick. I wouldn't be surprised if Jasper wasn't in on it. He probably doctored their food himself or got that idiot Emmett to do it."

I stood unable to believe what I was hearing, even now Edward couldn't resist the urge to put the boot in, he really was that small-minded! I coughed as I walked in,

"Don't let me stop your fairy tales Edward. You know something Josie, your mate is an idiot and I think he's met his perfect match in you if you believe such garbage."

Edward turned with a hiss of anger,

"You know nothing girl. He's a vampire and he's drawn you in, when he's had his fill of you don't expect to live. He'll screw you then drain you and your precious father. You really think he cares about you? If he'd gone to fight it would be because it's all he knows, fighting and sex, there's no love, so don't think there is whatever he says. At least I was honest about why I was attracted to you and I ran away to keep my family safe, not you. He brought you straight back to me, now doesn't that tell you something?

Jasper

I heard Edward's words to Bella even as I talked to Darius but before I could excuse myself and react Emmett was moving. There was a crash in the kitchen followed by a scream and several oaths as Edward came flying through the doorway to hit the far wall and slide down looking amazed. Emmett came through after him shaking off Josie who was trying to claw his eyes and grabbed Edward again before he regained his footing and slammed him back against the wall again holding him by the throat and putting his face right into Edwards.

"One more word from you Edward and I'm gonna disconnect your head from your body, rip your tongue out and throw it on that fire. I've had it with you and your vicious mouth. Now get back in there and apologise to Bella right now."

Edwards passage was aided by a kick in the rear from Emmett which propelled him through the door way to crash into the table which had been laid for dinner. Plate and cutlery went flying and Edwards headlong flight was stopped by the huge range. He staggered to his feet amid the smashed crockery and started forward but Josie grabbed his arm.

"No Edward,, He'll kill you."

"So, at least your mate has some sense. I'd listen to her if I were you Edward."

Emmett walked forward quite deliberately and for the first time I saw his potential, gone was the buffoon, the loveable clown, in its place was a stone cold killer.

Bella

I had shrunk into the corner as Emmett came through the door like a raging bull and literally threw Edward out of the kitchen before turning to me,

"You OK Bella?"

I could only nod I was so shocked and he mirrored it before returning the way he'd come equally as fast. Josie looked from him to me and I could see she was going to attack so I shouted a warning. Emmett brushed her off as if she was a fly and carried on while she got to her feet ready for another go but she'd forgotten the most important fact. Rose was in the room and there was no way she would stand aside and watch her mate attacked, especially by a girl and one she didn't particularly like. Rose was on her in an instant and had her on the ground, handfuls of hair torn from her scalp and Rose's arms around her throat pulling back on her head as she hissed in her ear

"You lay another finger on my mate and I'll dismember you, bitch"

Josie was so shocked she lay perfectly still.

"Understand?"

She nodded mutely and Rose let her go but still wary as Josie got to her feet and put a hand to the bald patch on the side of her head but didn't move towards Emmett and Edward.

She did the most sensible thing, stopping Edward from renewing his attack and taking him outside to cool down. As for me, I hadn't realized I was shaking until Jasper took me in his arms and stroked my hair."

"Did he hurt you Bella?"

"No, I'm fine really."

I knew if I'd said yes nothing would have stopped Jasper from killing Edward and I was sure Emmett would be there at his side to help, I had more than one champion in the family and that made me feel really good inside.