Chapter 117

The Major

I knew Bella was unhappy at being left behind and I would have preferred to have her by my side but I knew only too well how dangerous it could be in the citadel especially for a human and I could lose her in a heartbeat so deciding keeping her safe was the most important thing I asked Peter and Charlotte to take care of her for me until I got back.

"You want me to babysit the human? My place is by your side not nursing some human Major."

"Bella happens to be the most important thing in my life Peter. I need to know she's safe."

"Then take her with you, I'll help keep her safe."

"No, Just look after her for me Peter, please."

He grumbled and swore, but he could see I was serious and Charlotte spoke for the two of them,

"We'll look after Bella for you Major I promise, but she's not going to like it."

"She's already made her objections very clear but once I'm gone she'll be OK."

Bella

I was furious with Jasper for leaving me behind with two babysitters although Peter didn't look any happier than I felt about the situation. I stayed at Jasper's side until the very last moment still hoping to change his mind but when he finally kissed me and handed me to Charlotte before setting off with the rest I couldn't help the tears of anger and fear that trickled down my face. I refused to go back up to the apartment until they were out of sight and now I would be worried until I knew they were safely on their way back home.

By emphasizing how dangerous Volterra could be Jasper had made me more concerned for the others, especially him. I know the danger was greater for me because I was human, but the place was swarming with Aro's guard, all of whom would be loyal to him and ready to kill anyone who threatened his rule.

Back upstairs Peter was pacing the floor swearing low about being used as a fucking babysitter and I was with him all the way.

"Peter, for heaven's sake, The Major trusts you to keep Bella safe for him."

"Yeah? Well, my job is keeping him safe not some girl. He coulda asked Carlisle or Emmett, why me?"

"Perhaps because he trusts you more."

"Why don't we follow them?"

They both looked at me as if I were mad.

"You can protect me as well in Italy as here and you'd be close enough if he needed you."

Peter's face broke into a grin,

"Damn girl now that's what I call good thinking."

Charlotte was shaking her head vociferously,

"No, we promised to stay here with Bella and keep her safe Peter. You can't break your word."

"Ah, actually you just promised to keep me safe, where wasn't mentioned."

"See Charlotte, Bella's right, we can keep her just as safe in Italy and I'm close enough to help if The Major needs it. Right let's get the fuck out of here shall we?"

Charlotte was still protesting as we took a cab to the airport and the Gods were smiling down on us, or at least Peter and I because there was a flight for Italy leaving in three hours and headed for Florence which was fine. Then I remembered I didn't have a passport but when I hesitatingly told Peter he just reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a passport which he handed to me.

"I guess Darius guessed we might need that. Maybe he got a heads up from Alice, the fortune teller."

"Do you think he told Jasper?"

Peter shook his head, a glint in his eye,

"Now do you really think The major would have left you in my clutches if he thought for even a moment that we might pull a stunt like this?"

Thinking about it Peter was right of course but I was still concerned Jasper might find out what we were doing and put a stop to it so I didn't relax until we were actually in the air.

I sat between Charlotte and Peter who decided to continue the argument as to what we would do once we landed.

"If you think I'm allowing you to march Bella into Volterra you are very much mistaken."

"Well I'm not spending my time dicking around in Florence, it's too fucking far from the action."

"Not far enough for my liking and you Bella. If you try anything at all I will tie you up and sit on you until the others get back. Do I make myself perfectly clear? The Major is likely to kill us all for this little escapade anyway."

Thinking about it Charlotte was probably right. In my eagerness, I hadn't thought about Jasper's reaction when he found we were in Italy, but it was too late now.

When we finally landed Charlotte hailed a cab and instructed the driver in perfect Italian while Peter and I looked on in admiration.

"Where did you learn to speak Italian like that?"

She smiled angelically,

"My grandmother was Italian, from Naples, she taught me and now I am going to give you the lecture. Bella, you are to promise you won't leave the hotel room unless I am with you. Peter, I need you to promise you won't leave the hotel room with Bella unless I am there. Both of you are also going to promise me that you won't be going to Volterra."

We tried to work her round but she was adamant and finally both of us promised and she checked for crossed fingers before allowing us to sit back. The hotel was mid range but comfortable enough and the room had its own bathroom and small sitting area. I took advantage of the shower to rid myself of the travel grime and as I dried my hair I could hear Charlotte and Peter in the next room.

"What's the point of flying all the way here if we can't go to Volterra where all the action is? It's fucking stupid."

"No, stupid would be bringing Bella to Italy, stupid would be taking her to Volterra, madness would be allowing The Major to see her in the Volturi citadel, This is the most sensible option, the only option that might just keep us alive when he finds out what we did Peter."

Listening to Charlotte I understood she was right but I wasn't going back to the States, not until I knew Jasper was safely out of Volterra and Aro dead. I finished dressing and joined them again to find a room service trolley standing by, the smell of food making my mouth water.

"Well, while you look after Bella as she shovels that disgusting shit into her mouth I'm going to hunt. I'll be back soon."

"You'd better be Peter, no long side trips."

Once he'd gone I apologized to Charlotte for putting her in this position.

"It's OK Bella, I knew Peter wouldn't be able to stay away from Italy but I don't want his stupidity to put you in danger so please whatever he plans, do not go to Volterra with him."

"I won't. I just hated being so far from Jasper and I'm terrified something will go wrong, that Aro will find some way to influence him into staying."

"Bella, Charlie will make sure Aro doesn't use any of his tricks on anyone and he knows how important The Major is to you."

"I guess so, its just...now I found him I'm scared of losing him again."

"That won't happen, but so they can concentrate on what they are there for please don't tell him how close we are if you speak to him and I'm sure you will."

"He promised to keep in touch, but I won't say anything about being in Italy and maybe we can get back before he knows we came."

"A forlorn hope, Peter won't be able to resist turning up in Volterra, let's just hope it's after the smelly stuff hits the fan, that way The Major won't be so angry."