Chapter 101
Jasper
I took the opportunity granted by Charlie's visit to go out so I could ring Darius and find out what the position was with Mendoza.
"Major, I'm glad you called. I was going to contact you but I didn't want Bella hearing this conversation."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Mendoza, he's sick. Not only in the head but physically too and I'm not sure what you want us to do."
"You think he's gonna die?"
"Well I wouldn't put long odds on him making it. The cave is damp and cold, which I know is partly why we chose it but he sounds like he's got breathing difficulties. Do you want us to haul him out? Get him medical treatment or just leave him be? Of course if we do haul him out then chances are the authorities will become involved and that could be awkward."
I hesitated, whilst I really wanted to meet Mendoza and beat him to death for what he had done I couldn't just leave Bella, she was so reliant on me right now.
"Give me a few hours, I'll contact you again, how long do you think he has?"
"I'm not a doctor, we could ask Carlisle to give him the once over I guess but he might cause a stink at the way we've been holding Mendoza."
"No, I don't want to involve Carlisle in this, I'll get back to you."
"What about Bella? Is it wise to leave her?"
"No, but Rose will look after her if necessary and I want to meet the bastard responsible."
"OK Let me know what you decide and if you come I'll pick you up."
I was torn, I needed this, I had to see the man who had done these terrible things, had put Bella through so much but could I leave Bella, even with Rose for a couple of days. I would then have to tell my mate that I had slaughtered the man who hurt her and killed her mother and Phil and I really didn't know how she would react to that. Deciding the best thing would be to put my cards on the table I sat her down and explained to her what I wanted to do as soon as we were alone. She was so good about it but I could feel her terror of the thought of being alone, without me, and found much as I wanted to get my revenge I was finding it difficult to justify leaving her. In the end I rang Rose just to put her on alert and she agreed without asking any questions although I was sure she knew why I wanted to leave. revenge was a powerful force driving all vampires not only me but my love for my mate who needed me was equally as and the two feelings were battling it out in my head, should I stay or should I go?
Bella
I had listened to Jasper as calmly as I could and told him that he should go if it is what he needed to do but I didn't speak again, I found myself unable to, if I opened my mouth it would be to beg him to take me with him or stay here with me and I hated the thought of doing either. It wasn't like me to be so weak and clingy but my ordeal in that cellar had left me a different person and I wasn't at all sure I liked the new Bella Swan. He seemed to read my mind because after a few minutes pacing he sat down beside me and took a deep breath,
"If you ask me to stay I will Bella, if you need me here I won't go, you only have to say the word."
I shook my head and managed to wrestle out a couple of questions,
"Why now? Why can't it wait? I know that sounds selfish but I feel he's taking you away from me and I need you Jazz."
He nodded looking grave,
"He's sick, I spoke to Darius and if I want to see Mendoza then I need to go soon."
"You don't mean talk to him though do you? You're going there to kill him aren't you?"
He nodded, not at all embarrassed,
"Yes, he hurt my mate, he killed your mother and Phil, what am I supposed to do Bella? There were others too you know, what about Sophie and the way he treated Kat?"
I swallowed the lump down in my throat,
"What will you do to him?"
"Sorry?"
"You aren't just going to kill him are you? I don't want him to get off that easy Jasper, I want him to pay for what he did, the way he ruined my life."
Jasper
I wasn't quite sure how to answer Bella because I hadn't even thought about what I was going to do to him. To hear those words from her grieved me, Bella had been tender and sweet before her ordeal but now she was bitter and somehow harder, not that it bothered me, I loved her just the same but he had destroyed her innocence.
"Where is he now? You said Darius is looking after him but where?"
"A cave, that's really all I know Bella until I get there, if I get there."
"If you don't go he'll die anyway won't he? Or will Darius or Edward kill him?"
"Not Edward, its not his style but Darius? He wouldn't think twice about taking out a sick bastard like Mendoza."
"Would he drink his blood?"
Now that was a question I wasn't expecting but I answered her truthfully,
"No, I doubt it. He's more likely to take Mendoza apart, a little at a time. Make him pay for his crimes."
"I wish I were a vampire, I'd like to see the look in his eyes as I tore him limb from limb for what he did to Renee and Phil."
She was only interested in justice for her family, not herself.
I shook my head and took her hand in mine, a hand that once again wore her engagement ring although she hadn't said anything about it or us since slipping it back on.
"Don't think like that Bella, revenge is an extremely destructive emotion and you are better than that."
"No, I'm not, I thought I was but I'm not. I want him dead Jasper but I want him to suffer first. I was but not any more, does that thought upset you? If you don't like the woman I've become then that's OK, I understand."
"Bella I love you and nothing will ever change that. I think its time we had an in depth conversation about what it means to a vampire to find his or her mate but first I'm going to ring Darius and ask him to take care of things."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to blame me for preventing you from getting your revenge later on."
"I won't and yes I am sure, you are far more important than revenge, he'll die either way and I can live with that, what I can't live without is you."
Bella
I could hardly believe the words I heard, Jasper was willing to stay with me rather than kill Mendoza personally. How had I been so lucky to find someone like him, I didn't care if he was a vampire, we loved each other and that was all that mattered right now. He rang Darius and I heard the conversation, he was blunt, he just told Darius that I needed him here and asked him to take care of business for him but I wanted to speak to the man who was going to kill my kidnapper. Jasper didn't argue he just put the phone into my hand and walked away into the kitchen where I heard the kettle begin to boil.
"Bella? What can I do for you?"
"We haven't met Darius but I need you to do me a favor."
"Of course, if I can."
"Make sure he suffers before he dies."
"He's been suffering ever since we picked him up Bella but don't worry, I'll make sure. I just hope you can put all this behind you eventually, don't let it ruin your life and you can do me a favor in return."
"If I can."
He laughed at my reply,
"Look after The Major, he's had a hard time of it too and he blames himself for what happened."
"He isn't and I will. Thank you."