A/N: So sorry for the time between updates. Life and medical issues got in the way. Hoping I can get back on track now. Thanks for your patience and support! Mwah!

Um . . . buckle up.

Chapter 22

~On Borrowed Time~

Jimmy's friendly face comes into view. "Hey, man! I heard there's been some excitement there."

"That's an understatement." My tone is clipped. I'm annoyed at Jimmy for putting me in this position, at Bella for making it worse, and at myself for getting caught in their web. I glance over at Bella. "Can you excuse us for a few minutes?"

Her eyes widen, filled with uncertainty. "Uh . . ."

Jimmy chimes in. "It's okay, baby. We'll talk more later."

Bella stares at me. I'm not sure what she's hoping for, but I'm dying to grill Jimmy, and I want her out of the way. "You can leave, or I will."

She turns and scampers from the room, shutting the door. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to rein in the tempest roiling inside me.

"Ed?"

I glare at the screen. "What the fuck is going on?"

Jimmy smiles impishly. "I thought you were going to tell me."

"That's not what I mean. Ever since you showed up, shit's been weird. You're secretive, and Bella is all over the map. One minute she's aggressive and the next she acts like a frightened rabbit. She made me sneak her out of the hospital, for fuck's sake!" I rake tense fingers through my hair, pacing back and forth. "And then Aro accused me of torching The Vault. The police and fire marshal were here earlier questioning me."

"Whoa! What the fuck? The Vault burned down?"

"Where the hell are you, man? You need to get back here."

His face hardens, and he looks to the side. "I'm not sure when I'll be back. I'm trying to finish my business."

My voice drops to an exasperated whisper. "I really didn't want to have this conversation over the phone, but I can't fucking wait for you. I know Bella was whipped. She has old scars and injuries. There are also bruises—some of them fresh."

"You don't want to go there, man."

"Oh, but I do." I glare at his impassive face and have the fervent desire to drag him through the phone, get up close and personal, force him to talk. "You did this, Jimmy. You came to town, brought Bella here, and then you fucking left me holding the bag. You told me nothing about her or what I was getting into."

"Calm down."

"I'm way past that." I lower my voice dangerously. "Who whipped Bella?"

Jimmy scrubs a hand over his face, and he looks ten years older, haunted. "Listen to me carefully, Cullen. I would never hurt Bella. I rescued her from deplorable conditions and abuse. That's all I'm willing to say right now."

This admission brings me up short. I want to push for more, but he's not going to talk. Maybe I can get more out of Bella. I abruptly change the subject, watching his face closely. "Who are you looking for? I overheard part of your conversation with Bella."

Jimmy goes very still. His forehead wrinkles, and there seems to be a struggle waging inside him. Eventually, his face smooths into an impassive expression. "Can't tell you that."

"Why?"

"Because then I'd have to kill you." Jimmy doesn't laugh; he stares through the screen, his eyes cold and predatory, sending chills up my spine.

"What?"

He shakes his head, looking more like himself. "It's not for me to say—not my secret to tell."

I decide to let it go for now and launch into the story of Bella's fall and subsequent trip to the hospital, how Alice discovered old scars and broken bones, and Bella behaving like a caged animal in the ER. Jimmy is visibly upset. I go on to explain how Bella coerced me into sneaking her out of the hospital, but for some reason, I stop short of telling him about Alice taking samples of Bella's meds.

He shakes his head. "That sounds like her. She doesn't like hospitals or feeling cornered."

I gloss over Bella's begging me not to leave her and don't mention that she slept in my arms. I tell him she made breakfast but not that she fed me bacon, and I certainly don't tell him about my shower fantasy. My face burns just thinking about it, and I hope he doesn't notice.

"Listen, there's nobody else in the world I trust to take care of Bella. I'll be back as soon as I can." Jimmy looks off to his left. "Shit—I gotta run, man. Later."

The screen goes dark before I have a chance to respond, and I can't help wondering if he pretended he had to go to avoid any more questions. I gaze at the ghost of my own reflection on the screen, wondering what to do now. Bella obviously has trauma in her past, possibly in the present, and I'm determined to get answers.

I walk through every room of the apartment, finding each one empty. Cursing, I grab a hoodie and wrench open the back door, stopping short. Bella is leaning on the railing in one corner of the deck with her back to me. The orangey-gold rays of the setting sun paint a fiery glow against the highlights in her hair.

I join her on the deck, pulling my hoodie on. "We need to talk."

"I know," she says softly, resigned. Her posture is rigid, one fist clenched tightly, and she continues looking up at the darkening sky, leaving me free to watch her. She's wearing one of my Inkspiration sweatshirts over a pair of leggings. The sweatshirt is long and baggy, completely concealing her petite frame. She looks vulnerable and adorable at the same time, igniting a desire to protect her from whatever haunts her.

"I want to help you, but you have to let me in, Bella."

She shakes her head slowly. "It's not that simple, Edward."

"It really is."

"No . . . it's really not." Bella's voice breaks. A tear slides down her cheek, and she blinks rapidly, swiping it away with her fist.

I lay my hand over hers, expecting her to pull away, surprised when she doesn't. "Look, I don't know when Jimmy is coming home. Right now, I'm the one who's here for you, but you need to trust me." I squeeze her hand gently to soften the blow of my words. "Bella, you have . . . scars. Your scan showed old fractures. Who whipped you?"

She flinches, pulling away from me, and hugs herself. "I'm going to need a drink for this."

"Sure. Do you want to come inside?"

"No. Out here."

"You don't trust me?"

"It's not about you, Edward. You've been so good with me. I—" She falters, shaking her head, and her voice comes out in a broken whisper. "I don't want to feel trapped."

"Fair enough. I'll be right back with drinks. Do you have a preference?"

"Hard liquor. Anything that burns going down."

"I have just the thing."

Retreating to the kitchen, I open a cabinet and grab a bottle of Fireball and two shot glasses. I lean on the counter for a moment and take a deep breath. It seems I'm about to get some answers. Part of me is terrified of what I'm about to hear.

I bring the bottle and glasses out to the table. I sit down, trying to act casual, and pour two shots. Bella turns in place, pressing into the corner. The setting sun bathes her pale skin golden and lends a cinnamon-amber glow to her eyes. She hesitates, using one hand to shield from the light, then decides to pull out a chair and join me. The building shelters the table from the sun, leaving us in shadow.

Tentatively, Bella reaches for a shot, holding it under her nose to sniff it. She brings it to her lips and abruptly tips it back. Her eyes water, and she coughs. "Now that burns going down!" She bangs the glass down on the table. "More. And keep it coming."

I pour her another before knocking back my own. My intention is to remain as sober as I can for this.

"I don't know how to start."

"Just start wherever you can."

Bella nods, running her index finger around the rim of the glass. "What I want you to understand above anything else is that Jim saved me. He keeps saving me. I owe him everything—my life."

"Okay." This isn't the first time she's said this, and it seems vital for her to get across.

She stares down at her shaking hands for a long moment, then takes another drink. "I never had a mother. She left when I was an infant. My father was in the military, and we moved around a lot. There were many babysitters when I was young, and I was a latchkey kid from the age of eleven. I cooked, cleaned, and shopped in the commissary. Other military wives looked out for me. Some of them tried to take me under their wings. My father died in a plane crash when I was fifteen. He named a guardian in his will—Ming Li Zhao. I had only met her a few times in the past when she'd come to see my dad. She was there when the lawyer read the will, and she took my hand and led me to a limo afterward. The driver brought us to collect my things. Ming Li said someone would take care of whatever was left. We drove for many hours and then boarded a yacht. We were on the water for a few days. Ming Li brought me into this room with soft lighting and burned incense, chanting in Chinese while holding my hands. She said it was a death ritual. I asked her to translate it to English, but she said the soul understands, no matter what language the words are in. I did feel lighter afterward.

"We arrived at an island compound. There was a huge mansion at the top of a bluff—that's where she took me. There were several wings, some of them with guards at the entrance. At first, she brought me to a beautiful room and left me alone. I was given whatever I asked for: food, clothes, books, art supplies, movies. Nobody was looking for me, and there was no one for me to call, so I didn't care that I wasn't allowed to have outside communication.

"Eventually, Ming Li took me into one of the locked wings. It was filled with beautiful women and powerful men. There were parlors with poker games and entertainment. Upstairs were bedrooms. Some were suites for the most popular and talented women. Others were available just for the evening. On the lower level were lounges for orgies and several private BDSM sanctums.

"Ming Li put me at the desk and taught me about our customers and what they preferred. There was an intricate computer system that kept track of everyone's preferences and helped make matches. She always told me computers were great, but there was nothing like the personal touch. She coached me how to dress, how to act, to serve drinks, and keep the men happy while they waited.

"It wasn't so bad—until he came to the compound. Ming Li was flustered, rushing around and making preparations. I'd never seen her lose her composure. She wouldn't tell me the name of the man who was coming—only that he was extremely powerful, and it was a great honor to serve him." Bella covers her mouth to muffle a sob. She grabs for the Fireball and pours another shot, downing it.

A sick feeling blooms in the pit of my stomach. I'm scared of what Bella's going to tell me next, but I need to hear it, and I think she needs to tell it. I pour us both another shot and wait for her to continue.

"He was beautiful—blonde hair, striking eyes, very charming. All the men had nicknames. His was Phoenix. I immediately developed a crush and doted on him. He was so kind to me, bringing little gifts and telling me how pretty I was. There came a time when Phoenix told Ming Li he wished to spend time with me. She refused at first, but he was persistent. She sat me down and explained his interest. He wanted to bring me to one of the suites. I had stars in my eyes, excited that Phoenix wanted me. At first it was okay. He took things slowly and gently, but then h-he booked one of the BDSM rooms . . ." Bella chokes up and starts hyperventilating.

I place my hand over hers. "It's okay. You're not there anymore. He can't hurt you now."

She gasps, tears spilling down her face. "Y-yes he can. Jim is trying his best, but he can't completely protect me from Phoenix, and neither can you. Nobody can. Nobody."

"That's not true, Bella. We will protect you."

She tilts her head, smiling at me. "Thank you, Edward. That means so much."

"Do you want to take a break?"

She shakes her head. "No! If I don't get this out now, I probably never will." Grabbing the bottle of Fireball, she brings it to her lips and takes a strong pull, wincing from the burn. "He brought me into one of the dungeons. I had no idea what all the equipment was for. The canes and whips, I could figure out for myself. He trained me to act like a pet. I served him, often kneeling by his side while he conducted business with other members. He wasn't bad at the beginning, but then he started coming in angry and would be rough with me. One night he had me brought to one of the dungeons. He stood shirtless in the middle of the room with his head bowed. I didn't see what was in his hand right away. He was stern with me, told me I displeased him. And th-then I saw the whip. He stalked around behind me, demanding that I remain still, and then he snapped the whip. The pain was unimaginable—stinging, throbbing, and then itching in the days afterward as the lashes healed. After that, he sometimes brought others either to watch or sh-share me. It was so humiliating.

"The punishments continued to escalate until I begged for death, for the torture to end. Just when I reached the end of my rope, Jim came in. He was charming and quirky, almost shy. He started showing up often and would only spend time with me. H-he never forced himself on me. He courted me, sometimes treating my wounds with a gentle touch. When I was ready, we slept together, and it was magic—so different from Phoenix.

"Jim spoke to Ming Li about b-buying my freedom. At first she refused, but he convinced her somehow. I've been waiting for Phoenix to catch up to us ever since. I'm living on borrowed time, Edward."

Anger and outrage sizzle through me, anchoring somewhere deep inside like a huge, barbed fishhook. I grab Bella's hand and look deep into her eyes. "No, you aren't. Phoenix is."

~oOo~

Protectiveward activate! Bella just entrusted Edward with a huge piece of her soul. Anyone else need a shot of Fireball after that one? With Jimmy and Edward looking out for Bella, what could go wrong? Would love to know what you're thinking now. I hope to see you next week!

*Red Kryptonite came in third in the TwiFanfictionRecs Top Ten Completed Fics in 2022! Thanks so much to those of you who nominated and voted! Mwah!

I post teasers and links to updates on my blog and on Facebook in the No Rules Twilight Fan Fiction and It All Started With Twilight groups.

Thanks and gratefulness as always to my awesome betas, SassySue (chayasara) and Wendy wmr1601. These ladies make my stuff much more presentable!

Follow me: atSaritaDreaming, Facebook SarahAislingAuthor, blog saritadreamingdotwordressdotcom.

PSA: Fanfic has made a ridiculous update that will turn email notifications OFF. This is the default setting. You will need to go to "settings" in your FF account and opt in to receive email notifications. Even if you do this, this setting will automatically default back to NO every six months, at which time you will need to change the setting again. Just one more way FF is making our lives difficult.