Chapter Forty Three

Peter

I could see where Bella was coming from and there was no point explaining that it wouldn't bother us. When you were a vampire very little was private any longer if you were with any other vampires but I didn't expect Bella to understand that let alone accept it. I opened the door and she flew out ahead of me and up the ladder to the deck. I followed behind admiring the view, even in jeans Bella was something to look at. Reaching the deck I saw Darius and The Major standing there, both dripping wet and waited. Was he going to have calmed down enough to be safe? His eyes met mine and although they were cold he nodded curtly, well I would survive to fight another day but it had been a close run thing this time.

Jasper

I was ashamed that I had lost control and attacked my friends but I still felt angry and resentful. They had taken me away from my mate and refused to let me back until I was calm, did they really think I might hurt her? Were they crazy? Seeing Bella appear just in front of Peter my first reaction was to suspect he had been trying something in my absence but then her face broke into a smile and she ran forward throwing herself into my arms not caring I was wet and dirty from the lake water.

"I missed you Jasper."

I held her close and found my anger evaporate only to be replaced by a need so great it hurt and I pulled her against me so I could feel her body crushed against mine and she could surely feel the urgency of my desire.

Peter cleared his throat,

"Well after all the excitement I think we should regroup and hunt, Darius could come up with something at any minute, or we could be waiting fucking months, but we should be ready just in case. So I suggest we all hunt, meet up with Rose, Emmett, and Charlotte and decide on strategy."

What was going on? Peter talking about leaving Bella unguarded except for me? It wasn't like my recently cautious friend.

Alice and Jay had appeared and were standing together with Hunter.

"You really think its wise?"

I scowled at Jay, what the fuck did he know? But before I could speak Peter cut in again,

"Yeah as a matter of fact I do. We should all be at full strength, after all we know Caius, you don't and he's a scheming little fucker who is also cold and calculating and he could decide to attack at any time.

"Then surely we should split up and hunt in two shifts not leave Bella alone."

I felt my rage start to build again,

"What's the matter Jay? Don't you think I can look after my mate? Think you could do a better job maybe?"

Bella stroked my face trying to calm me and I could feel her concern but was it for me or him?

"Jasper please, I trust you to keep me safe and that's all that matters surely?"

I nodded swallowing down my anger with difficulty.

"I still think we should take it in turns."

Alice tried to hush Jay but I'd had enough, I pushed Bella gently aside and stood waiting in the center of the deck,

"You think you're the better man Jay? Think you know better than the rest of us? Come on then and prove it."

Peter

I rolled my eyes, my arm was still sore from the last fucking bite and now I would have to wade in and save that dickhead. I started forward as Jay did pulling free of Alice's grasp and for two pins I'd have left him to get his head ripped off but the point of this exercise was to keep him alive as well as Bella so I resisted the urge to punch him in the mouth and was about to step in but she beat me to it stepping in front of Jasper and putting a hand on his heaving chest. Looking into pitch black eyes. He was ready to kick ass. I'd seen that look before and it never boded well for his opponent.

"Jasper listen to me. I don't care what Jay says and neither should you. Let me deal with this please?"

Bella

He had wrenched his eyes from Jay to me and I smiled reassuringly but I could see a strange fire glowing in the pitch black orbs, a hunger that was devouring him and I understood exactly what Peter had meant. Jasper was being consumed by this need to bond with me. He swallowed hard then nodded once and I turned to face Jay my body pressed against Jasper at my back.

"You need to keep out of this Jay, You never took my advice before and look what happened to you. Listen to me now and go, I'm in no danger but you are. If you don't believe me then ask Alice, look at her face, she knows."

Jay turned and glanced at Alice whose face was tense, her eyes wide with fear.

"I was only thinking of your safety Bella."

"Really? You weren't too concerned with my safety when you left me on the road between Portland and Forks."

He had no answer for that but of course it upset Jasper again and I cursed myself for bringing it up.

Jasper

I should push Bella aside and rip his head off, be done with it but she was holding me back with her body and I found it difficult to concentrate on anything but the feel of her warm body against mine.

"So you do as Peter says and when you get back we'll talk, about exactly what Maria said to you and what the hell is going on OK?"

Jay tried to out stare Bella and I was amused to see he lowered his eyes first looking ashamed of himself. He shrugged tensely,

"OK, whatever you say. Come on Alice."

"Nope that's not the way it works while we're trying to keep your ass out of the fire. We'll split up in two parties. I already hunted on my way back from Major sitting so I'll go with the veggies, and that means you unless of course you want human blood?"

He glanced at Alice plaintively and I knew he craved our diet not hers but she won the war of silent pleading.

"OK, you, Alice, Em, and Rose will come with me. That leaves Darius, Hunter, and Char to go off together."

"Is it wise to associate with the others? We might be spotted. I thought that was why they were staying away in a hotel."

"It was but we've had a change of plan. We'll all meet up after hunting, in the forest so no one sees us and decide where we go from here."

"Just as a matter of interest who put you in charge?"

I could see Peter getting angry himself so I spoke up,

"You want to hold a vote Jay? OK. All in favor of Peter taking over for now raise a hand."

Everyone, including Alice, raised her hand deflating him completely and he went off with Peter head bowed. Well a little humility wouldn't hurt the newborn.

Darius waited until they were out of sight,

"Are you sure it's wise to associate with the others? Jay could be right, they might lead Caius to us Major."

"I think Caius is of the opinion that maria has Jay so he's looking for Bella and I. I'll feel happier with us all together, especially if the Volturi are involved, I don't want anyone harmed by the guard because they were out on a limb. You, Peter, and I are the best fighters we have, That leaves Rose and Emmett undefended except for Charlotte, but this boat isn't going to be big enough so find us somewhere else."

He grinned, nodded farewell to Bella and disappeared after the others although I knew he wouldn't be joining them, Peter would make sure someone had eyes on us, and the others would be close enough to return in an emergency but at least for a while Bella and I would be truly alone.

"Well done Bella. You handled that like you were born for leadership."

She smiled shyly,

"Actually just wanted peace and some time alone with you that's all."