A/N Okay, let me just start this by saying that I am terribly sorry, but I've had a serious case of writers block. It's not like I don't have any ideas, it's just proving to be very difficult to put them into words. And this chapter is definitely not one of my best or will it ever be one of my best. But I figure if I can get this out there, and kind of step over the boulder in my way, maybe I'll have an easier time continuing the story.
Chapter 23
I marched into Division one's office, the guys filing in one by one behind me. I didn't stop until I was at the front, and scanned the semi empty room. Garrett, Ben, and Zafrina ran into the room, and stood into attention at the back just as the clock changed to 6:30. I bit back a smile, my whole team was hear on the dot. Yet I wondered what was taking Jake's so long?
"Where are the members of Division two?" I asked leaning against the edge of the table.
"Tanya came in about three minutes before you arrived, herded her people out, and said they would be two meetings with your own groups." Jessica answered from her desk. I bit my cheek trying to stop my growl.
"And Jake?" I asked.
"Haven't seen him." Mike answered.
I nodded biting my cheek harder, "We'll I guess someone's going to have to bring them back, right?" I sighed aggravated.
I got up and walked out, turned and used my card (now an all access pass), and walked inside. As soon as I saw her I wanted to rip her vampire heart out, but instead I decided not to reduce myself to her level. I cleared my throat and channeled my inner most authoritative self. "Alright, listen up we are having a joint meeting. If you could all please file into division one's office, we can get this started." I motioned to the door.
Kate and Paul stood to leave, "Wait." Tanya exclaimed, she smiled at me, "We've already started here, I was about to start giving out orders for the groups. It would be kind of pointless to make them sit through the briefing again." She stated sweetly.
I looked at her and smirked, "We'll I'm giving YOU an order now, okay? So why don't you step aside, or better yet head to the other room. You're wasting precious time, understood?" I crossed my arms staring her down. "Everybody has one minute to be in the other office!" I commanded. The whole room stood as one and quickly left, Tanya was the last one in the room, standing with a glare pointed at me. "Do you need help darling? I have no problem dragging you over there." I smiled at her. She uncrossed her arms and brushed passed me.
I turned on my heel and followed out stepping into the now crowded room I retook my place at the front.
"Alright, everybody listen up!" The entire room straightened and turned to me attentive. "We are on a code red, immediate move. After personally interrogating the captured suspect, we now have information on our top enemy. Alice!" I barked. She immediately got into action with rose at her side, they brought up pictures of the Volturri brothers, excluding Aro of course, and she nodded at me. She was ready for my instructions.
"These are the heads of the Donovan Clan. On the left we have Marcus Volturri, on the right; Caius Volturri. These men are dangerous, and will not hesitate in killing anybody in their path. We have to strike fast, while we have the upper hand. Sam!" I searched for the older experienced agent. He stood, his expression hard and ready for battle.
"I need you to lead your team and search every home on the list that Alice will hand you," I nodded at her, she looked through a Manila folder and pulled out a sheet of paper, "These are their known associates." she stepped forward and handed it to him. He took it, gave it a glance and nodded at me. "I want you to arrest, every person within those buildings- if anybody resists, don't miss." He nodded.
"3 minutes for prep, move out!" He barked, his people stood up and rushed out. I turned to look at Emmett, "Emmett, I need you to take your group and call in any agent not working a case, you're going to their HQ and they won't go down without a fight." He nodded with a stern expression, with a wave of his hand more agents rushed out of the room to go prep. I peeked a glance at Tanya and she looked on the verge of a mental breakdown, I bit back a smile.
"The rest of you, I want all tech at hands. I need you to bring up every satellite we have access to, keep track of the combat teams, and keep an eye on the enemy's whereabouts. If one of them makes a run for it, shout it out, send in the Calvary, hack in and lock them in their own closet! I don't care but no one leaves their property. Understood?" I commanded, they all nodded in unison, and flew to the computers, some of the pulled out their laptops and set them up on the floor next to the main system.
Tanya had begun scooting to the exit, I stalked over to her. "Going somewhere?"
"Well since you obviously have everything under control, I thought I might excuse myself to go to the ladies room." She answered in a shaky voice.
"We'll think again, I need everybody here." I answered walking over to a table and grabbing a folder. I checked my phone, I had to be leaving soon in order to get to Seth and Charlie on time, I needed to be ready, but I wanted to make sure these guys were set up to take down the enemy.
"Geez, you're given a little bit of power and then you turn into a dictator." Tanya sneered from the side, I stopped rummaging through the papers and faced her with a hard expression on my face. "Do you honestly think rushing into this and bossing everybody around will make up for the fact that you got Edward killed?" She snapped. The buzz on the room came to the halt, everybody turned to stare at the two of us.
"What did you say?" I growled. She had the nerve to speak his name to me? Oh she was in for it.
"You heard me." She sniffed. "All this time you try to act in charge, but you know you don't have what it takes. And besides, we all know your mother is in on this. How come her picture isn't up there, huh? Are you trying to protect one of the agency's enemies? Or are you working with her? For all I know you could be in on this-"
My fist connecting with her jaw brought an end to her attempt at weaseling out of this. Everybody stared shocked, you could hear a pin drop. Tanya lay on the ground, clutching her face, fear and anger swimming in her eyes.
"You want me to bring ALL of traitors in? Fine!" I leered over her, seething in rage. "Kate! Bring up the next photo of the known associates to the Donovan Clan." I looked up at her, she sighed sadly, already having been informed of what was to come next. She swiped her finger on her tablet, and a large photo of Tanya was brought up on the screen. The whole room gasped as one, while I turned to glare at the shocked girl on the floor.
"Tanya Denali, you are hereby under arrest for treason and for plotting against the agency." I stated in an unforgiving tone.
"No!" She screamed. She stood and faced her sisters, "She's trying to frame me! T-t-to get rid of me! She's afraid of what I'm capable of doing! She knows I am better than her and she's trying to get rid of a threat!" She cried.
Kate looked heart broken, while Irina refused to look at the pleading girl. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, it's up to you." I answered, my voice deadly. Already knowing what the coward would do.
"No!" She shrieked. In one swift motion, she pulled out the gun she had strapped to her waist, and had it aimed at my chest. I simply stared at her, unwavering. "You." She spat. "You have ruined my life the moment you stepped through the front doors. First you take my spot in division one! Then you take Edwards love from me! Now you turn my own family against me! I will not let you take away everything I've worked for." Her hand shook as tears spilled down her face.
"Tanya!" Kate shouted rushing to get closer, mike grabbed her and held her at a safe distance. "Don't do this! It's not worth it!" She fought against mike, but he held on tight. "Please, Tanya. Drop. The. Gun." She pleaded.
Tanya looked at her through the corner of her eye, "I've lost everything because of her." She cocked the gun, I simply stared at her, my expression hard.
"You can't lose something you've never had." Kate whispered.
Tanya whipped her head in Kate's direction, shocked at her words. I took the opportunity to kick the gun out of Tanya's hand. Her attention returned to me and she lunged at me, I had expected her to attack, so I managed to stay on my feet, but she still managed to shove me into the wall. She kneed me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me. She retreated her leg, ready for a second blow, this time I blocked it with my palms. I pushed her arms away from me, punched her side, wrapped my arm around the back of her neck, bent her over and thrust my knee deep in her gut. She gasped at the blow. I let her go, and gave one last swing at her face, she was thrown back and landed on the floor.
I grabbed my stomach, wincing at the pain. "Mike. Eric. Take her into a cell. Remove all her possessions before please, and leave them on the table." They obeyed and helped her to her feet. They removed her I.D, her knife, her phone, her keys, and gun strap. Then they dragged her out. Looked over at a stunned Kate, and an angry Irina at her side.
"I'm really sorry guys." I offered a sincere apology, I know it must hurt them. After all she was family. Kate nodded sadly going back to her place. Irina sat down in a chair and hid her face in her hands.
Somewhere in the room, someone's watch beeped, reminding me of the time. I rubbed my face and grabbed my keys from the table. "Alice you're in charge now, I've got to get going." She nodded, giving me a sympathetic look, with a wave goodbye I left.
Well that wasn't part of the plan, but I must say it felt good to finally kick Tanya's butt, although I felt for Kate and Irina. It could not be easy to see your own sister betray you, and then have to pay for her actions.
I sighed heavily on the ride down, I had to admit, now that I was leaving to my destination, it dawned on me more and more that these people- the people I was meeting- could decide I'm not fit for this. And then, what would happen to me? To my family? I actually have one now, the last thing I want to do is lose it.
My phone buzzed with an incoming message, I pulled it out and saw Charlie's name. I wondered what it could be about as I clicked on it.
Change of plans. I need you to come to the house before you head to the conference.
I bit my lip, putting my phone in my back pocket. What now?
...
I sped down the lonely road, the hard rain beating down on my windows and the top of my car. There was one thing I still couldn't stand in this place- the weather. The constant rain still bugged me, it was constantly cold and wet. I pulled into dad's driveway, happy to be out of the slippery roads.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, I sprinted to the front door, already soaking wet by the time I was inside the house. I closed the door behind me with my foot, my hands occupied wringing my hair.
"Dad? I got your message, what's up?" I called out peering up the stairs. Seconds passed without an answer, I walked from the living room to the kitchen, both empty.
"Charlie!" I shouted frustrated by the silence. Maybe he hadn't arrived yet.
The click of the doorknob turning brought my attention back to the entrance, I walked over watching the door swing open. A soaked Charlie stepped out behind the open door. He scanned the room, looking for something, then his eyes landed on me.
"Bells!" He greeted warmly.
"Hey.". I smiled walking over to hug him. The rain on him was cold, but worth it.
"So what's up?" I asked him, trying to sound light hearted but I didn't like the feeling in my gut.
"I don't know, that's why I came. So you can tell me what's going on." He furrowed his brows together, his big brown eyes confused.
"Wait, so you didn't text me?" I asked quietly, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. He has caught on to the mystery at hand and his hand twitched towards his gun at his side...but a click behind us told me it was too late.
"Well if it isn't my two favorite agents, finally the whole family together in one place." A cold voice drifted down the stairs and deep into my core. My teeth clenched together as I turned to stare at my personal tormentor. Before I could release every curse word I knew at her, I was yanked back, my father's back in my line of sight.
I didn't have to look at her, but I wanted to, peering over Charlie's protective stance was rather difficult.
"Renée." He whispered. My heart sank, this was the first time Charlie had seen Renée in over 18 years, and he was at gun point. I don't want to imagine what he is feeling, to have the love of your life suddenly turn up and to have to face them not as the person who you live but as your enemy.
"Charlie." She greeted, a shadow of a longing smile flashed on her face. She gripped the gun tighter, anger taking over. "Wish I could say my visit was for pleasure but- well you know me, business comes first. Move." She growled pointing the gun to the couch as she descended the last few steps.
We both walked over, me still covered by my dad, and slowly took a seat on the couch. I sat down as close to my dad as possible, who knew what the psychopath might do to him.
"What do you want?" I growled, glaring at the monster disguised as my mother.
"Is that anyway to speak to your mother?" She cooed disapprovingly.
"Pardon my manners, but growing up without parents tends to do that to a person." She walked over to stand in front of us, she was on the other side of the coffee table of course, and she was too much of a coward to come close to us.
She frowned, ready to retaliate, but before she could Charlie spoke, "Why did you bring us here Renée?" He sounded angry but tired. He knew this day would come and he was ready to be done with it.
"I need access to the conference." She answered straight to the point.
"Never." I spat. Charlie put a hand on my shoulder, gently he pulled my back. I realized I was on the edge of the couch, ready to pounce.
"And why do you NEED access? What's so important that you have to do it there?" He questioned.
"You are in no position to ask questions my dear." She replied, a confident smirk settled on her lips. My fists balled at my side, it was one thing to mess with me, but she crossed the line at my family.
"Oh come on, the second you have what you want we both know we're dead. So why don't you humor me, as my last request?" He answered calmly. I had no clue how he could keep his calm, I'd be shouting at her for leaving me.
"Fine, I'll humor you." She mocked. "It's not enough to just destroy the people who ruined me, no I'm going to turn the tables on you. When every important political figure is killed at this conference, I will destroy the agency and its branches everywhere. The whole world will blame you, and then YOU will become the hunted. Every country, empire, and dictator will be after your heads. Every single agent will be hunted and killed, just like you do to others."
"Ruined?" I blurted out before considering what I was doing. "You ruined yourself by murdering your fellow agents." I shouted at her.
"I didn't kill anybody! I was set up!" She defended.
"Yeah? And what a way to prove it, aye." I couldn't hold back, there was too many things that had to be said.
"I didn't get a chance to prove it! I was sentenced before even getting a chance to defend myself! And you," her shaking hand pointed at a silent Charlie, "you said you would always be there for me and you just turned your back on me! You betrayed me!"
"I think the fact that you're standing here shows exactly who he betrayed!" I defended. "He saved your life!"
"And I'm supposed to be thankful for that!? For forcing me into hiding?" She sneered, she was starting to lose control of her emotions, her hand and gun were shaking like crazy.
"Nobody forced you into anything, you are just too much of a coward to admit your mistakes!"
"ENOUGH!" She shouted, aiming the gun at me, I stood ready to take the bullet
"Stop!" Charlie finally spoke up, he stood and once more covered me. "Alright Renée, I'll take you, but Bella goes."
"No-" I protested.
"Quiet." He ordered.
"She's not going anywhere." Renée answered.
"Then neither are you.* Charlie replied.
"Oh don't worry, we'll get there. Isabella," she called me and I peered over his shoulder. "If you don't take me there, say goodbye to your father." She threatened. I jumped out in front of him, trying to cover him, but be was stronger and managed to get me behind him again.
"Don't you dare?" I growled.
She was about to answer when my phone rang, everybody in the room froze. The loud rings echoed in the still room. "Give me it." Renée broke the silence.
I reached into my pocket and slowly pulled it out, I reluctantly stretched my band out to her, she snatched it from my hand and answered.
It was Edward. My stomach tightened, he would come here, straight to her. She hung up and smashed my phone, a malicious smile spread across her face.
"Alright I'll take you." I spat out.
I don't think I've ever gone as fast as I had in that moment, everything felt so surreal. Every time I peered down at the clock it felt like time was racing by, and then I would look outside the window and the trees seemed to be passing at an incredibly slow rate. For all I knew I was traveling at 20 miles an hour, although the meter read well over 90. I dialed Alice's number, my hand trembling as I pressed each number, I pressed the speaker button on focused back on the road. My hands slipped on the steering wheel, they were incredibly sweaty.
"You're not supposed to be calling me, I'm supposed to be calling you." She answered after what seemed forever.
"Alice where is Bella?" I asked, weaving through the cars in front of me.
"She left to the conference already why?" She answered.
"Trace her phone, I need to know her exact location." I ignored her question.
"Edward what's going on?" She demanded.
"Now Alice!" I shouted frustrated.
It was silent for a few seconds, I feared she had hung up, "Her phone says she's at Charlie's place. Now tell me what's going on!"
"They're with Renée. Listen to me send every agent we can spare down to forks, and contact all agents near the town, we need to get there fast!" I explained in a rush. The sign 'welcome to forks' stared straight at me down the road. I quickly turned on to Bella's street.
"Everybody's out! We sent all our agents to bring in the accomplices! I-I-I" she stuttered starting to panic, "hold on." Her voice sounded muffled, she must have taken the phone away from her face, "I've got Kate sending every agent in the building, and we're heading there too." She said, he'd voice once again clear.
"Hurry." I hung up and swerved into their driveway, the car screeching to a stop. Gun out, I ran in a semi crouch, straightening up and flattening myself against the side of the door, I took a deep breath, my hand resting on the knob. My heart was beating like a jackhammer. I focused on my target, swing the door open and rushed in gun aimed high. I scanned the living room, it was empty, Bella's phone sat on the coffee table, I quickly searched the whole house, but there was no sign of them.
I cursed and kicked the chair next to me, I heard the click of a gun and swung mine up only to be met with another gun aimed at me, behind it stood a shocked Seth
"Holy crap Edward! What the hell!?" He gasped lowering his weapon. "Where's Bella?" He asked taking a look around the empty room.
"If I knew I wouldn't be standing here." I responded frustrated.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Renée." I spat her name like I would spoiled milk.
"Where would they go?" He asked picking up her phone.
"I think they went to the conference." I rubbed the back of my neck anxious.
"Bella wouldn't reveal that to her, would she?" Seth asked trying to unlock her phone
"I don't think so," I extended my hand to him, motioning for the phone, "not unless she had a leverage over her." I unlocked the phone and the first thing that popped up was a picture of the last 4th of July, it was the whole gang posing holding sparklers.
"You mean like her dad." Seth asked holding up his jacket from the coat hanger.
Exactly." I shook my head realizing what she did. "I know where they went." I told him heading out the door.
A/N Again like I warned you above, not my best chapter or work, but I'm working on it. I hope you guys stick around for the last two chapters, yes only two. Before I went MIA I had said the story was coming to an end, and I plan to stick with that route, I hope you guys can forgive me, and don't hate me too bad, it just hasn't been my season...at all. Thanks, I send you guys much love, and hope to be updating for you guys soon.