The following morning we made our way downstairs to the lobby, feeling blissed out, our things on a bellman's cart, already ready to bring down once we checked out.
As we walked into the hotel's lobby, we were met with the rest of the family.
"Looks like someone had a good night," Emmett commented, wincing.
Edward gave him a look before pulling me in the direction of his parents.
"I take it you handled business last night?" Edwin asked, eyeing me tactfully.
Edward's face becomes unreadable as he nods in response, squeezing my hip as he does.
Elizabeth smacks Edwin as she smiles at me, "Smettila di disturbarli, tesoro." She chastised. (Stop bothering them, darling.)
They exchanged looks before Edwin sighed and nodded, "Very well." He sighed, before turning to look at Edward. "We need to talk, in private." He says.
Edward squeezes my hip, before nodding and following him down the hall.
"Don't worry, dear. Everything will be fine." She reassures me before leading us to one of the smaller banquet halls for breakfast.
But it wasn't.
I knew immediately that something was wrong if the ride to the private airport was anything to go by.
Finally, I grew tired of the tense silence and broke once we were seated.
"Something is going on." I quietly said, which caused Edward to tense immediately.
He remains silent but nods in response as he stares ahead. "I promised to keep you safe." He finally says quietly.
I nodded, "You did. And you have so far." I whispered, as my brow furrowed, wondering what he was getting at.
He sighed, "The war has started. Endrizzi found out that we left to get married and he attacked the family that had been hosting the events leading up to the wedding. A lot of people were hurt and killed. He's trying to get you no matter what the cost is. And I'm not going to risk it." He informed me.
I frowned, "Okay, so, what happens now?" I asked.
He swallowed. "We're going to land in Chambery. I'm going to give you the name and number of a personal contact, and you are going to call him. And only him." He finally told me.
I frowned, "Why?" I asked, growing more agitated as time went by.
He sighs, "Because I am not about to allow you to fly back to Italy in the middle of a turf war, with a psychopath who is obsessed with you." He informs me.
I frown, "Whah-What about everyone else?" I asked him.
He shakes his head, "The rest of the ladies will be taken to a different location, where we have already set up a security detail, and living arrangements. There is already a plan set in place. I promise once this is over, I'll find you. But first I am going to make sure you and everyone else is safe." He says.
I frowned, "Does Felix…?" I trailed off.
He shakes his head before I can really finish the question.
"Nobody knows where you are going to be. Only my father and I know who to contact. You'll be safe. If he does ask, I'll tell him that you're safe. But no one else can know where you are going to be. It's for everyone's safety." He tells me.
I swallow back as I look at Alice and Rose, who were smiling and talking quietly to Emmett and Jasper. I wanted to tell them, but I knew this wouldn't be safe for them.
"They're under our protection. Felix agrees that he screwed up in bringing them here, even if it was to distract you. As far as anyone knows they're going to be posing as Emmett and Jasper's fiancées. They'll be safe. My brothers know how to protect them." He reassures me.
I swallow as I turn to look out the window, wanting to object but knowing that this is the only way to end this.
After a few moments, I realized that the jet was tilting to land.
I feel Edward's hand squeeze mine as I look out the window.
"You'll be safe." I hear him whisper to me, reassuringly.
I don't answer, as the jet slowly lands.
"There is a red car waiting for you near the exit. Keys will be hidden on the visor," he informs me.
I nod. "Will you be contacting me?" I asked, as the pilot came out of the cockpit.
He nodded, as he slid his hand into mine, and kissed the back of my hand. "If and when I get a chance." He tells me.
I nod, as he hands me a gray duffle bag, and leans in to kiss my lips before kissing my forehead.
"Bella, where are you going?" Rose asks.
I look at her, shaking my head before walking out.
As soon as I got off the jet, I made my way to where Edward told me the phone was located.
His contact's name was Henri Babineaux.
As it turns out Henri was a businessman, who traveled to and from France on business whenever the occasion arose.
Edward asked him to fly me out to an unknown location, and since Henri owed Edward a favor, he had no choice but to do it.
At first, I had hoped that the situation would be over quickly, but I soon realized that it wasn't.
Henri had taken me to Yorkshire, England, had set me up in a house, and gave me a few numbers to contact in case of an emergency, along with a car to get around.
I spent time trying to finish up my degree when I first arrived in the new town.
But as days turned to weeks and weeks, I realized that I probably wasn't going to hear from anyone.
Unless absolutely necessary.
Once I realized that this was the case. Months begin to pass, and I finish it, I find a place to work part-time in the nearby village.
I had to distract myself. From everything.
Given the circumstances, I thought this was a pretty good opportunity for me.
Henri and his wife Eve visit from time to time, bringing things and updates.
Eventually, I gave up hope that anyone else would be coming to take me back to Italy.