Edward

I was worried about Bella.

Jasper said she didn't go home with him and I panicked a little but thought better of it. I knew I could call her myself.

The problem was, she didn't speak to anyone.

She wasn't talking.

I had fucked her up so badly that my beautiful self assured angel had lost her voice.

I finally decided to call her anyway. I could always leave her a message. Maybe she could text me a response.

The phone rang several times and just when I thought it was going to go to voice mail she answered.

"Are the kids okay?" she asked quietly in a whisper.

No greeting, I must have scared her.

"Yes," I answered immediately. "I'm sorry if I worried you, I just wanted to check on you and see where you were. Jasper said you didn't go home with him."

"No," was all she said.

"Um, so, are you okay? Where are you?" I asked, wanting more from her.

"I don't think I'm going to make it for my next visit," she said softly.

"What, why not? What's going on, Bella?"

"I have to go. I have something I'm trying to deal with. It needs to be taken care of before I can see the kids again."

I was about to respond but then I heard a man's voice. One I didn't recognize.

"Bella? Bella, where are you?" it called sounding a little panicked.

I could tell she tried to muffle the phone but I was still able to hear her. "I'm here, I'm right here," she said in a comforting voice.

"I thought you had gone," he whimpered.

"No, no, see, I'm here," she soothed.

He must have noticed the phone because he suddenly snapped. "You were on the phone! Who did you call? What did you do? Is your dad coming for me?" he yelled angrily.

I heard a loud thud and clattering. She must have dropped her phone. I was in a panic listening to someone attack my Love.

"No, no, I didn't." She didn't sound like she was in pain but calm. "I was just telling people to stay away, that I was fine and not to come looking for me. I didn't want anyone to bother us. You don't want anyone to bother us do you?" she asked the man.

I heard a sob. "No, no, I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to," I heard the man cry again.

I heard her calming him. "Shhh, it's okay, I know you didn't mean to hurt me, I know."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I was just so scared."

"I know, I know. Come on; let's get you something to eat."

Bella must have forgotten I was on the phone because I sat listening to silence.

My father came into my study with a concerned look on his face. "Is everything alright, Edward?"

"I don't know where Bella is but I think she might be in danger."

"What are you doing with your phone?"

"Listening, she forgot to hang up."

"Then don't, I'll have it traced. We'll get you to her. If she needs help, she'll get it," my father said confidently.

Bella

I was brought out of my wallowing by my phone ringing.

I was going to let it go to voicemail when I saw it was Edward.

I grabbed a shirt off the floor and tucked it by James, knowing he would know if my scent was not there.

He snuggled into the shirt and onto the pillow as I slipped away.

I was worried that Edward was calling because something had happened to the kids. I snuck down the hallway, carefully shutting the door behind me before I answered.

I asked him if the kids were okay and he answered yes immediately. I was instantly relieved and then annoyed that he had worried me.

He started to harass me about where I was.

I brushed it off, telling him I would not be making my next visit.

I would hopefully be getting James settled into a mental hospital then.

I heard James wake and quickly hung up the phone.

I called to him letting him know where I was trying to soothe him but he freaked when he saw I was holding my phone. He grabbed me, slamming me hard against the wall.

I dropped my phone and it skidded under the couch. I would have to retrieve it later to call Jake and tell him to stay away.

I knew getting upset with James would make things worse.

I quietly chanted to myself, if I'm calm he'll be calm, in my head. I forced the pain out of my mind and did my best to soothe him. I needed to keep him calm or he would really hurt me.

I knew when he broke down sobbing again I was safe once more.

This was going to be a long two weeks.

Edward

I sat listening, hoping for any sound that would let me know she was okay and begging that she would not be hurt again.

My father came in with a man and they hooked something up to my phone. They could record and listen to everything that was going on.

The man asked if I had the charger for my phone, not wanting it to go dead.

I realized that her phone would eventually go dead and my chest ached. I had to get to her before that happened.

He plugged my phone in, keeping it charged as we listened.

The silence gave way to footsteps.

"Are you feeling better now?" my Bella spoke sweetly to someone.

"Yes, thank you," the man replied.

"Why don't you take a shower and I'll wash your clothes," she offered.

I heard someone shifting and something creaking.

"No, no, no, no, no," was his terrified answer.

Apparently, he was not well mentally because the thought of showering freaked him out.

"Jamie," she said his name softly, "Jamie, look at me. Look in my eyes, do you see me?"

He must have answered.

"You're safe, Jamie; I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, I promise."

I heard the man sob, muffled by what I assumed was Bella. He cried for a while and when he finally settled down, I heard Bella speak again.

"See here? You have some mud on your clothes; you don't want to get the bed all muddy do you?"

He must have shaken his head no.

"Okay. I'll find you something to wear. Will you be okay with changing your clothes?"

"Will you stay with me?" the man asked timidly.

I tried not to get angry but I was pissed, this ass was hurting my Bella and now asking her to watch him change!

"Of course, Jamie, I'll keep you safe," she soothed as if she were talking to a child and not a grown man.

I was surprised by the soft sobbing I heard again. That man was all tears.

I didn't know what had happened to him but I didn't like that he was using my sweet Bella's kind heart to his advantage.

I was shocked when I was informed that Bella was at her home in Forks. I loaded the kids and my family into the jet and we headed for the small town that my Love called home.

We arrived at my home down the road from Bella's and I got the children settled into their rooms and met my father and Demetri in the living room.

Demetri was working security on Bella now that he knew where she was.

He was supposed to tail her constantly but she had a knack for losing him without even trying.

This time, it I prayed it didn't mean her life.