A/N: It's not mine.
I have no beta.
BPOV
When Emmett drove me home at noon, I was practically giddy with anticipation. Watching Caius deal with the Cullens was inspiring. Felix ripping Edward's tongue out of his mouth was gruesome but funny as hell.
Caius now has us all on a timeline. We were all leaving by tomorrow morning, so I had to tie up some loose ends here. My presence at the trial was an absolute must, so I had no alternative but to pack up and get ready to leave.
Emmett pulled into my driveway and threw the Jeep in park. We climbed out and made our way inside. I was starving since I hadn't eaten yet, so I walked into the kitchen to make myself a salad. I gestured for Emmett to grab a seat at the kitchen table so that I could pick his brain on the trial and his thoughts about Rosalie.
"Hey, Emmy, are you okay with Rosalie being detained by Caius?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I have no issues with it. She's a bitch. Besides, it has come to my attention that she probably isn't my mate anyway," he said nonchalantly like the fact that he spent the past fifty years believing that she was wasn't a big deal.
I finished chopping up my vegetables and tossed the salad quickly. I poured a lite vinaigrette over it, grabbed a fork, and sat down at the table opposite him. "What do you mean by it coming to your attention?"
"Well, as you know, Jasper has caught Alice coming home wreaking like a prostitute," he started and I just nodded my head. "So on one of these occasions, Rosalie sneaked in along with Alice and smelled just as bad. Jasper didn't want to tell me but he did anyway. He felt like I had the right to know. In fact, it happened not too soon after we had come back from watching you compete."
I reached over and patted his arm. "I'm sorry, Emmett. I'm going to have to be honest with you though. I never understood what you could have seen in her. She is the most self-centered person I have ever met. You are this big lovable teddy bear. You need someone to love you just as fiercely as you love them."
"It's alright, Bella. I haven't been in love with her for several years now. It's like you said. She's vain and mean as fuck. I got sick of her hitting me all the time. My mamma raised me that a man is not to hit a woman, but Rosalie was really pushing it," he admitted to me. I wish I could deck the bitch for him. He deserved better.
"I will make you this promise, brother bear. Once I am changed, and we both know that's going to happen, I'll beat her ass for you," I offered not even caring to hide my eagerness.
Emmett wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye. "You love me. You really really love me," he joked.
"I laughed, "Yes, you moron, I do love you."
"In all seriousness, Bells, you are like a sister to me. I had a little sister way back when. The only regret I have ever had with this life is the fact that I couldn't say goodbye to her," he said in all seriousness. Sadly, she passed away in 1986. I attended her funeral. Even though I was hidden behind trees, I was still there. I always imagined that she somehow knew I was still around in a way and that she was proud of me."
"Oh, you big lug, why did you have to make me get all misty-eyed?" I asked as I threw a kitchen towel at him.
"It's part of my charm," he grinned.
"Seriously, though, I have to call my dad and let him know what's going on. He's going to be ecstatic." I grabbed my cell to make the call when someone started banging on my front door.
"I smell a wet dog," Emmett said as he wrinkled his nose.
I walked over to the front door and yanked it open. "Stop knocking like you're the freaking cops, Jake," I ordered. "Even my dad doesn't do that and he is a freaking cop."
"Sorry, Bells, but your dad told me what's going down and I had to come over to hear your take on things. Who's here?" he asked sniffing the air.
"Emmett's here, you hound dog. Come on in. I'll introduce you. Be nice," I said giving him my I mean business look. I led him through the house on our way to the kitchen just as Emmett was walking into the living room. The two monstrosities eyed each other trying to appear intimidating. "Stop measuring your dicks. You're both big and strong. Now, get over it."
"Geez, Bella, you're so pushy," Emmett teased.
"I'll show you pushy. Emmett, this is Jake. Jake, this is Emmett. You can go comparing your dicks away from me," I said stomping into the kitchen. I swear egotistical males surround me. I grabbed my dirty salad bowl and fork and took them to the sink to wash.
"Bells, Caius called Charlie to tell him what happened and that you have to go to Italy for the hearing. You should have seen it, Bells. Your dad whooped and hollered. He even offered his services in turning Edwin into ash. Caius is considering it," Jake said in a rush with a huge grin plastered all over his face. "It was the funniest thing I've seen in a while especially since your dad is usually so stoic."
"Damn, Caius moves fast," I said to myself.
"Get used to it, Bella. Caius is the more ruthless of the three kings. He doesn't like to take his time when he has an enemy to put down.
He's more of the 'strike while the iron's hot' type," Emmett said.
"I noticed that about him. He seems to be a bit bloodthirsty. You know he came over just to watch me work with my weapons."
"I don't blame him. Seeing you with your bo staff was something else. I wouldn't mind watching you work with your other weapons," Emmett admitted to me.
"She's really good. I'm guilty of coming over just to watch her work out. It's hard to believe someone that used to trip over the air is now graceful and can wield some very deadly weapons," Jake added with a laugh.
"Trip over the air, that's a good one," laughed Emmett while giving Jake a high five. I knew those to lunkheads would get along.
"I'm going to leave the two of you to giggle like a pair of teen girls while I head upstairs and pack. No feet on the furniture, Jacob," I yelled out in warning as I ran upstairs. I needed my Samsonite suitcase which I remembered was buried somewhere in my walk-in closet. Fortunately, it didn't take me too long to find it. It was on the floor in the back, hidden by a few trench coats. I pulled it out and opened it on my bed.
I was hoping that I was still going to be able to work out in Volterra. Caius did say that he would make sure I would be able to. He understood how important it was for me to stay on schedule.
I packed plenty of undergarments and socks but was at a loss of what else I should bring with me. I did grab some workout gear along with a couple of pairs of jeans and t-shirts. I grabbed my toiletry bag that I had taken to Florida with me. Luckily, I hadn't bothered to unpack it yet.
I wasn't planning on taking too much with me since Caius told me he would get me anything I needed. Actually, he said he would buy me whatever my heart desired, but I refused to take advantage of his generosity. Either way, I was finished and had nothing to worry about.
I grabbed a hold of the handle on my suitcase and pulled it behind me down the steps making a huge racket on the way. "I'm ready," I proudly declared while parking my suitcase by the front door.
I turned to see Jake and Emmett playing on my PlayStation 4. "Can't the two of you go without video games at all?"
"No," they replied in unison not even looking away from their game.
"I hope you can handle losing to another vampire, Jake. Emmett lives and breathes video games," I warned him as I plopped down on the couch to watch.
The two of them went at it for another hour when my cell rang with my dad's ringtone. "Hi, dad, what's up?"
"I'm calling to let you know that I am going to Italy with you. Caius has agreed to let me have a go at that emo bastard."
"Dad, how are you going to have a go at him? You're human."
"Bella, give an old man some credit, will ya? Caius told me that he had personally forged weapons ages ago that can harm a vampire. He's going to let me pick which one I want to use on the bunny-munching bastard."
"You go, Charlie!" Emmett cheered. "I'm taking pictures of that."
"Dude, send me those pics as soon as you take them. The pack would love to see Edwin get his ass beat," Jake said.
"Did you hear that, dad? You've got your own cheerleaders"
"Thanks, boys, your support is appreciated. I gotta go, kid. Sue is making me pack. She says it's high time I learned how to do it the right way. I will see you in the morning. Love ya!"
"Love ya too, dad."
I shook my head as I hung up. I should have figured Caius would find a way for dad to get his hits in. I just know it's going to be great.
Jake and Emmett left not too long after I hung up with my dad. I finished cleaning up around the house so I wouldn't be forced to come home to a mess. I wasn't sure how long I was going to be gone, so I deiced to have Jake help himself to all my fresh food in the fridge. He's a trash compactor. He can take care of that for me.
After taking a long hot shower, I crawled under my covers. I set the alarm on my phone for six. Caius wanted us all on the jet by nine, so six gave me enough time to get dressed and fed.
CHPOV
Hot damn! My dreams are coming true. When Caius called me to let me know that the Cullens were in custody, I just about shit a brick. Caius was a no-nonsense type of guy, and I can respect that.
He didn't want to sit around and wait for the trial. I decided to ask him if there was a way for me to get a piece of Edwin's ass. I was surprised by his answer.
"Caius, I'm glad to see how proactive you are in regards to the Cullens. I have one special request?"
"What can I do for you, Charlie?"
"I would like to go to Italy with you. I want to see that bastard pay for what he did to my daughter. I also want to ask you if you would allow me to teach that scumbag a lesson."
"Are you asking if I would allow you to dole out your own punishment for him?"
"Yes, Caius, that is exactly what I'm asking. I know I am human, but I also know that vampires and fires don't go well together. Just let me have one good shot at the little prick."
"It just so happens that I have weapons that can harm vampires. I forged them myself several hundred years ago. When we get to Volterra, I shall bring you to see my collection. I think you will find it interesting."
"That sounds good to me. Thanks!"
"There is no need to thank me, Charlie. You and Bella are my family."
After we hung up, I was dancing the jig, and the pack witnessed it. They have been laughing at me ever since. Normally, I would be embarrassed. However, this was a cause for celebration. Caius was letting me bitch slap Edwin.
I went to bed adorning a huge smile on my face. I have never enjoyed flying since it makes me feel unsettled. However, this is one occasion where I cannot wait to get into the air. I was excited about what was going to happen. I was being given a beautiful gift from Caius and it means a great deal to me.
BPOV
I woke up earlier than I had planned due to a case of nerves. I wasn't nervous about the trial. I was full of nerves because I wanted to get on the plane and to Volterra as soon as possible.
I was excited that my beloved grandpa was going to give me some much-needed closure. I felt it deep in my bones that there was a lot of dirt that the kings were going to dig up in the Cullen graveyard and it was going to get ugly. My only regret is that Jasper and Emmett may get hurt by what we all learn.
I managed to squeeze in a quick workout in my studio basement. Since I didn't have time to run my usual mile this morning, I hopped on my treadmill for half an hour and then did my customary stretches and light weightlifting. The weights were to build strength not to become bulky. That is why I only used weights every two days.
After I got cleaned up, I grabbed a healthy breakfast consisting of a veggie-loaded egg white omelet with a side of turkey bacon. I packed some snacks for the jet not knowing if the vampires would even think to have food for us humans onboard.
The trip to Italy was going to take thirteen hours depending on any layovers or refueling. I'm not sure how it works for vampires. All I know is that they probably don't consider human needs since they no longer have those.
Last night, I had given Jake a key to my house and told him to help himself to whatever food he wants or to bring it down to the reservation. He was also going to keep an eye on my place while I was gone. I was sure Jake was going to be hanging out there to play my video games as much as possible.
There was a knock at my front door, and I opened it to see both Jasper and Demetri standing there. "Hello, gentleman," I greeted them with a big smile. "Come in," I said as I waved them inside.
Jasper winked at me. "Morning darlin'. You are giving off some pretty strong emotions there. You're excited."
"I'm so excited that you probably felt it a mile away," I laughed.
"I wouldn't say a mile away, but it was certainly a few blocks away," Jasper replied with a smirk.
"Are you ready to go, Ms. Swan?" Demetri asked me politely.
"I sure as hell am and please do not call me Ms. anything. I'm too young for that."
"Good," Jasper said. "You just won me five hundred dollars."
"Hey! You guys were all betting on whether or not I would be ready to go, weren't you?" I asked pretending to be pissed off.
"Yup, and I'm not even sorry," Jasper admitted proudly.
"Who all bet against me?"
"The entire guard said that you wouldn't be entirely packed yet. Since Emmett was here last night, he couldn't place a bet. Your dad and Master Caius said that they knew better than to even get involved. I'm the only one who knew you would be packed and ready to go," he finished while bending down to grab my suitcase. "I must say, Bella, that you pack a great deal lighter than any female I have ever had to travel with."
I waved his comment off. "I just don't see the reason to pack everything I own. Who would want to lug around that much crap?"
I locked the door and followed the guys to the car Caius had rented. I tried my best to contain my energy since I noticed that poor Jasper was picking everything I was feeling up and he too became bouncy. A bouncy Jasper was adorable, but I would never tell him that. Men hate to be called adorable.
After an hour drive, we had met everyone in a private hanger at the airport. My dad was already there which didn't surprise me. As a cop, he's always up early.
The Volturi jet was huge sleek and black. The interior was elegant and spacious. There was a beautiful crystal chandelier which was something I wouldn't ever think a private jet would have. There were two bedrooms at the back for me and my dad to use.
We all chatted and joked around. My dad was sporting a huge grin happy that he was getting to play a part in punishing Edward. I was happy that payback was coming, and Caius was happy that he was going to get to punish Carlisle. All in all, everyone on the jet was excited to get to Volterra. Meanwhile, the Cullens were still under Alec's gift and completely unaware of how their futures were being discussed so casually.
Volterra, here I come!
