Chapter Eighty Seven

Carlisle

When Edward rang with the news that he had read Victor Mendoza's mind and that the guy was crazy it didn't come as much of a shock. From the things Bella and especially Kat had told me I'd pretty much guessed he lived in an alternate universe where the girls he kidnapped were his children, his wife and belonged to him. If he hadn't been crazy he wouldn't have kept them in such squalor and treated them so terribly. He would do it again if he were given the opportunity, his kind always did so I was relieved that he would never be allowed to roam free again. I doubted he would live much longer, his death was only delayed now because Bella needed Jasper at her side.

Finding that his brother was a people trafficker didn't come as a surprise either, the whole family was warped in some way or other. I had done my research and found out their mother had died after Victor was born and he was brought up by a strict and unyielding father who beat them and kept them locked in the house starving and filthy. The boys and one sister were taken into care but the father snatched her and her body was found a week later dumped in a river close to the house. The two boys testified against their father and he was sent away for life but the two boys were already damaged by his treatment of them. The elder, Martin, drifted into petty crime and then found a sponsor who helped him climb the ladder in the local organized crime where he found his niche.

Victor meanwhile appeared to be better adjusted and went on to find work as a meat packer. He married and had two daughters, Ellie and Kat. Victor was fired from his job for fighting and shortly afterward his wife reported him for abusing her and the children but when it came to it she refused to press charges. Later that year she found out he had another daughter named Kat with a friend of hers and there was a violent altercation at the woman's place of employment.

The other woman Valerie Hunter vanished with her three year old daughter and two weeks later the wife and two daughters were found dead at the house. The police suspected Victor but they couldn't prove anything and he was given an alibi by his brother for whom he was now working. So the elder brother stepped in to save victor and he decided to replace his family with a new one which is where Bella and Sophie came in.. His youngest daughter replaced Kat and Sophie became the wife who had reported him once before so he made sure no one would ever do so again.

From Edward's words I assumed that Marcus Mendoza wouldn't be a blight on society much longer and I sent some money down to give to the girls they had rescued. That way they could make their own minds up what to do, stay in America or return to Mexico. It was all I could do at present but I was sure Darius and Edward could handle the rest and I was proud of Edward for finally getting his hands dirty and taking on the evil in this world instead of being merely a watcher on the side lines. I told Esme and the others purely because I felt they should know their brother was finally growing up and Charlie because it was Marcus Mendoza's people who had stabbed him and ended his human life.

Charlie decided he should speak to Bella, he understood that until she was strong enough to hear the truth about us they couldn't meet but he needed to speak to her and know she was getting better. Not that he disbelieved Rose but it wasn't the same as hearing it from his daughter's own mouth. After the call he rang Darius and asked them to wait for him to rejoin them, he wanted to "speak" to Marcus Mendoza personally. I thought it was probably a good thing to have him out of the way while the Volturi were sniffing around, after all they were not aware of his special gift yet.

When the call came from the Volturi Alice and Garrett were about to leave to visit Bella so I motioned for them to hang on, I wanted to know what Aro had to say first.

"Carlisle, how is Bella and the two children you spoke about?"

"Very well Aro, Bella is recovering slowly and I thank you again for your kindness and understanding at this time."

"Not at all, we are never intractable unless it is unavoidable. There was something I thought you should know regarding the children. I know you said that the two would be brought up in your family but I understand that the elder child has actually formed an attachment to Captain Whitlock and his mate. I do hope it is understood that she must stay within your family. after all it would be wrong to separate siblings."

"Of course, that was understood Aro."

"Good, I would hate for there to be any misunderstanding between us. Caius is also concerned that someone else might learn of the girls gifts and attempt to snatch them from you."

"Hardly likely with both Captain and Major Whitlock around wouldn't you say?"

"Never the less we thought it expedient to have someone watch over the situation, someone we can trust to keep the girls, and of course yourselves, safe."

That I didn't like the sound of and I hesitated, waiting for the ax to fall and sure enough it did.

"Caius and I had a talk about it and decided it would be as well to send someone who could protect the children with ease."

I groaned inwardly, please tell me they aren't sending Jane or Alec, the thought of either hanging around the family for years was not a happy one.

"So, Felix is on his way as we speak and I do hope you make him welcome Carlisle, after all your hospitality is well known."

"Felix? Aro is sending that behemoth to look after two small children? He'll frighten the pair to death, he scares me."

I nodded at Alice's words, I couldn't disagree,

"We have no choice Alice, he's already on his way and if I were to argue we might well lose both the children. We will just have to do our best to make him welcome, After all I doubt it is an assignment he is relishing himself. It might be as well to warn Jasper though. but not in Bella's earshot, she has enough on her plate right now, we don't need to frighten her further. perhaps Garrett you could have a quiet word with Jasper while Alice distracts Bella."

"How do you think Kat will react to seeing Felix? He's not exactly child friendly is he."

"No and he's going to scare Bella to death. I think she will have to know about us before she meets him. My main concern isn't any of them though, it's Peter."

Alice giggled,

"Peter is going to go ape when he hears this news. I'm just glad we won't be here for the explosion, best of luck Carlisle."

Of course Alice was right but saying so only made Esme worry, she knew Peter was a volatile personality and by the time he and Charlotte got back with Kat from the cinema she was too wound up to sit down.

"Peter could I have a word?"

He looked at me suspiciously but nodded and winked at Kat,

"Show Esme the picture you drew of the animals in the movie."

He followed me outside then turned crossing his arms,

"I just know I'm not going to like whatever it is you have to tell me so just spit it out Carlisle. Have the Volturi changed their mind about the kids?"

"No, as long as the two children stay together."

"Together? Well we thought it might come to that and Esme did offer for us to move in with you although I prefer the idea of the house with an annexe, give us all a little space."

"I think Esme is arranging that as we speak Peter but there is something else."

His face turned stony,

"Oh yeah?"

"They are sending someone to keep the children "safe" and before you say anything let me tell you it is non negotiable."

"OK I don't like it but I can see its a foregone conclusion so whats the catch? Fuck! Don't tell me its Jane or Alec, they give me the shivers."

"Ah no, actually its Felix"

He burst out laughing,

"Felix? I'll bet that pissed him off, babysitting duties. Well it could be worse."

Peters reactions never ceased to amaze me, just when you thought you'd got his measure he would do something totally out of character and knock you back to the start again.