Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Spy Games

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 20:

Ever have one of those days that just started out bad and you knew without a doubt it would get worse? I knew as soon as I woke this would be one of those days.

I had a text on my phone first thing this morning.

/Won’t be in school. Dad scheduled a dentist appointment this morning. Yours is scheduled for tomorrow. You have to babysit Hawk by yourself today/

Great. I get the incredible Hulk at school all by my lonesome and would have to keep the minions in line myself even though I had no desire to talk to anyone today. I had a dream about wolves last night. They were licking my feet and cheek and one was humping my leg. It was disturbing. I had a newspaper and kept swinging at noses but they wouldn’t stop. They kept jumping on me and licking my face.

Once I got away from them, I ran into the wood where I saw him. Edward. He started playing the piano and I woke up screaming.

I and listened to Kid Rock until the damn piano music was out of my head and fell back into some sort of restless slumber.

Now my bestie wouldn’t be with me today. Who would remind me that Angela is a cowardly bitch? Arial was my wall against her.

School sucked. My minions must have suspected I was in a bad mood and kept a respectful distance. Angela kept staring at me. I caught her eye once and she gave me her little shy smile until I shot the finger at her.

Bitch.

Then came lunch. I briefly thought of sitting by myself but I really needed to keep an eye on Jessica. She had recently started dating a guy named Scott and I wanted to make sure that Mike’s whining didn’t steer her from her path.

Of course, I didn’t even have a chance to sit down.

Jack was in my ear.

“Bella, I need you to come home now!”

“Why? What’s going on?” I whispered.

“Get your ass home, now.”

I glanced at Hawk who had his com in as always. He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed my bag. I didn’t bother telling anyone I was leaving. Green wouldn’t fuck with me. She knew I could have her ass fired.

I texted Arial and received no response. That was unusual. Her dentist appointment should have been over. It was just a cleaning.

Hawk drove me home in the car bomb and to my chagrin Jack’s Jeep was in the driveway. I swear it was like he didn’t care if Victoria found out about him. Of course she would probably go after Charlie before anyone else and that scared the hell out of me.

Hawk checked his phone and didn’t move.

“You coming in?”

“Jack wants to speak to you alone. Probably best if I stay out here. I will come in if the house looks in danger of being destroyed.”

Okay…

Walking in I saw Jack was not sitting. He was pacing and he looked very, very angry.

“What the fuck is your problem, Jack?”

“What the fuck is your problem, Bella?!”

Whoa, he was in my face.

“Back the fuck up Jack and tell me what has your g string too far up your ass.”

“What happened in La Push?”

“Uh… you were listening, don’t you know?”

“Not yesterday. I mean when you and Arial went to La Push when the Cullen’s were still here. Hawk stayed in the car, remember?”

“Yeah and you still had Sasha watching us.”

“Sasha isn’t talking and neither is Arial, so you are going to tell me exactly what the fuck happened.”

“Jack, what are you talking about?”

“I had to pull a gun on someone today. Someone waiting for my daughter as we were walking out of the dentist office. A wolf was waiting for her. A wolf you two only briefly met that day. Remember Paul LaHote? Somehow no one told me he is obsessed with Arial and wanted to know how she could use him and leave and not even tell him she had moved here! The next thing I know Arial is cursing at him and telling him to stop being a whiny bitch and he says he doesn’t like being used for sex and dropped. He started shaking so I pulled my gun and placed it on his forehead. I damn near pulled the trigger outside of a dentist’s office!”

This is not good.

“Used for sex Bella? What the hell? I thought you two were just hanging out. Did she fuck him? Please tell me she did not fuck a guy the first time she met him.”

“She didn’t fuck a guy the first time she met him.”

He did say please.

“I can’t believe this shit.” I guess he didn’t buy it.

“What did Sasha say?”

“She said she handled it and talked to Arial already. I asked her if Arial had sex with this damn kid and she told me she handled it!”

“Then why are you yelling at me?!”

“Because she won’t say anything else and Arial won’t tell me anything but you are. You fucking owe me.”

“I owe you? I fucking owe you?”

“Yes. You were a fucking wreck when I moved to Phoenix. You were a scared, bullied little girl living in Renee’s shadow and afraid to peek your head out of the condo. I am the one who taught you to defend yourself, who gave you confidence, who gave you whatever you wanted. I’m the one who stepped into the place that your deadbeat dad should have filled. I love you like my own daughter and you seem hell bent on doing everything you can to piss me off. Sneaking Arial out all the time? Maybe if she didn’t see you fuck every girl you met since you were 15, she would treat sex with a little more respect!”

Wow. Okay then…

“I appreciate you are a little upset right now. Why don’t you go home and calm down Jack, because at this moment I really want to hurt you.”

“You are going to give me answers.”

“You don’t want answers, Jack. Let Sasha handle the parenting like she has always done and back off. Go back to your fantasy land and stay there in blissful ignorance. Get out now.”

“No! Did she really not know him and fuck him?!”

“Your damn right she fucked him and it is your fault, not mine!” I yelled.

“What the hell are you talking about? Why is it my fault?”

“You want call Charlie a deadbeat dad? What the fuck were you? Arial grew up the first twelve years of her life seeing you a couple weeks a year because you were off playing super soldier all over the world. Fighting was more important to you than your own daughter! You let Ted, Marianne and Kelly raise her. You would still be running around with your boys if they hadn’t been murdered! You came back because you had to! Then instead of letting her grow up you have her placed into a box and never let her out! She has had you or Hawk up her ass 24/7 every damn day of her life. She can’t have a normal boyfriend because you scare them off. If it wasn’t for me and Sasha, she would never have any freedom at all! She had sex twice, because she is 18 and has had two opportunities! Thank God for Sasha or she may as well have been in a convent!”

“That is not your business!”

“She is my sister and that makes it my fucking business. Besides, I’m the one who encouraged her? Is that what you think I am Jack? A fucking whore?”

“I didn’t say that!”

“Yes, you did.”

“I didn’t mean that.”

“You never mean anything. You don’t think unless it is about a battle. You didn’t know how to be a father so you taught her to be you and then placed her in a box! That is how you handled it and now you want to blame Arial, Sasha and me? Fuck you, asshole. Get the fuck out now.”

“You know what, I don’t even know why I bothered. You are probably proud of her for fucking some guy she just met. What the fuck were you doing while this was going on? Looking to get laid?”

“I was having incredible sex with a beautiful woman in the diner bathroom! I’m a whore remember?”

“Go to hell, Bella.”

“Try to give her some space and maybe she could have a normal relationship. You think one guy in any school we have ever been in would ask her out after seeing you or Hawk? Hawk especially but you have never met a teenage boy that you didn’t look like you wanted to eviscerate the moment they looked at your pretty prize in a box.”

Jack shook his head. “Fuck you. You think she was in a box before? Stay the hell away from her. Obviously, I can’t count on you for any help. The next time you do something stupid you can get yourself out of trouble.”

I hit him in his fucking mouth.

“Cut it out Bella.” he told me wiping the blood from his lip.

“Fuck you Jack. You have a problem with me, bring it on.”

“I’m not fighting you.”

I kicked his thigh and elbowed his nose.

“Cut it out!”

“Hit me, fucker! Try it! You have a problem with me handle it like the big tough man you are!”

I attempted to kick him in the head but he blocked and tossed me into the couch. I grabbed a lamp next to it and threw at his head. He ducked, but I still caught his ear.

“You fucking bitch!”

Two swings later and I missed both.

“You can’t beat me. I taught you everything you know.”

I swung and he caught my arm like I hoped, trying to put me in an arm bar. Instead I used his momentum to swing around to his back and slapped his brachial nerve in his neck. He dropped.

“Actually, Sasha taught me quite a bit, asshole. Maybe she can teach you how to be a parent instead of a guard dog!”

Jack raised up on one knee.

And tossed the coffee table at me. As soon as I had it off, Jack was on top of me. I went into guard but he grabbed my wrist. I slid my legs up his body, just like Sasha taught me and locked my feet around his neck, twisting and rolling him over, my wrist wishing it could break already and his arm getting tired of being attacked to its socket. We both broke and stood in front of each other quickly.

“You aren’t walking out of here.” I told him.

“Why shouldn’t I? I thought you wanted me to leave?”

“You called me a whore.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You said you were going to keep Arial away from me? Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“I’m emotional right now!”

“You told me to never let my emotions control me!”

“You never had a daughter that had random sex with a werewolf who is now stalking her.”

“We going to dance or stand around and talk? Talking has never really been our thing has it Jack?”

I executed a perfect palm strike to his already bleeding nose. Jack kicked high and barely missed my head. He could have knocked me out if he wanted. I knew I couldn’t really take him and he was playing with me. That pissed me off even more.

“Protect your head, Bella. If you are going to start a fight make sure you can finish it.”

I ran towards him as he moved towards me.

Until a very large foot struck his face and I found myself lifted off the ground into Hawk’s arms.

Jack was on the ground and I was in the air.

“You two need to stop playing. Neighbors are starting to notice.” Dan said calmly.

“What the hell is going on?” Charlie asked walking in. Jack wiped blood from his nose and mouth. I brushed back my hair and realized I felt like a walking bruise.

“Just working out family business, Dad.” I told him, trying to catch my breath.

“The living room is destroyed.”

Jack and I took a look around and realized there was indeed broken glass and shattered wood all over the floor. The couch was turned over and Charlie’s recliner had been tossed to the side. When did that happen?

“Yeah sorry about that Charlie. Bella and I aren’t always good at communication.”

“Did you attack my daughter?” Uh oh. Charlie was getting pissed. I didn’t need him trying to fight.

“I attacked him Dad, as you can see by the blood on his face. Jack and I have been doing this for years. No big deal.”

“Years?”

“Yeah.” Jack agreed. “I need to go. I just found out I’m a dead beat dad who doesn’t know how to let my daughter grow up normally. Maybe I will call Renee and ask her how she does it. Bella is so fucking normal I should have asked Renee for guidance years ago.”

“Get the fuck out of here you asshole.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Bella.”

“You need to talk to Arial and apologize for being a shitty father and fall at Sasha’s feet for covering you for years. You can stay the fuck away from me and stay out of my ear.”

“Hey Charlie, now that Bella has a dad in her life maybe you can talk to her about the dangers of casual sex and having a little self-respect. I forgot to have that conversation with her and my daughter.”

“Get out now Jack before I hurt you! Hawk?”

“Yes?”

“Would you please put me back on the floor?”

“You two promise to behave?”

“I will, if he will.”

Jack sniffed back blood.

“I’m good. See ya around, Phoenix.”

“Don’t count on it.”

Jack walked out and Hawk let me down.

“You two really need to work on your communication skills.”

“Seems like we said all we needed to say, Dan.”

Hawk rubbed my head and walked out.

“Bella are you okay? Do I need to kill him?”

‘No Dad. I’m fine. I’m just out of breath.”

“Did he hit you?!”

“No. He could have if he wanted to. I made too many mistakes, let my emotions get the better of me. I should have known from the past not to underestimate him. I attacked and he defended.”

“The past? How often have you two fought? What the hell is he doing fighting you?”

“Somebody had to teach me to fight! You weren’t there! You were here! Nobody else gave a damn!” I screamed, frustrated beyond belief and not being able to stop my mouth.

Charlie shut up and his eyes dropped to the floor.

Fuck.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have said that.” I already felt like shit. It was true he had never been there for me before but he was trying his best. I hadn’t gone out of my way to be here for him either.

“You are right, I wasn’t there.”

“It’s okay, Dad. It’s not your fault. Jack and Sasha… anyway, it isn’t your fault. Don’t ever think that. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Maybe it was my fault. Maybe it was Renee. I didn’t know and really, what good would casting blame now all these years later do. We are where we are and nobody is perfect. All of us make mistakes. I made a lot.

I did know one person whose mistake needed to be punished immediately.

“I have an errand to run. I will be back later. I think we are going to go out tonight for dinner, okay?”

Charlie nodded his head but wouldn’t meet my eyes. I wrapped my arms around him.

“I really am sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

“Maybe I did. I haven’t been the best Dad.”

“I haven’t been the best daughter but trust me as far as parenting skills go you have Renee beat by a mile.”

“We are kind of a screwed up family, aren’t we?”

“We are what we are. I love you and you love me. That’s all that matters. I will see you later.”

“You really think it is a good idea to go out with that vampire looking for you?”

“If she wants me, she could come in here and I couldn’t stop her. No point in hiding. I’ll be back. Love you.”

I walked to the car bomb and pulled what I needed out of the back, a two foot long tire iron, and placed it inside my jacket. I grabbed the brass knuckles under my seat and drove to La Push.

The closer, I got the angrier I became.

I didn’t know where that fucker was but I knew Jake would know. If he didn’t, I would beat it out if Wheels.

I skidded to a stop in front of Jake’s house and was glad to see Bill on the porch. His eyes got wide when he saw me and he began slowing rolling back towards the door.

“Where the hell is Jake, Bill?”

“He is sleeping.” he answered quickly.

I barged past Wheels into the house. Turning the corner I found Jake face first on his bed snoring.

I should let him sleep. He looked so exhausted.

“Jake! Wake the fuck up!”

He didn’t move.

I grabbed his ear and pulled.

He still wouldn’t wake up. Damn he slept hard.

I thought of finding a lighter and putting it up to his ear until I looked out his window. There those fuckers were.

Uley, Embry, Jared and the target were walking towards Jake’s house.

I stormed past William and headed towards those fuckers, slipping on my brass knuckles, the tire iron safely secured under my black leather jacket.

Paul looked pissed. Good, he had no idea what pissed really looked like.

“What the fuck did you do?” I screamed.

“What did I do? What did she do? She thinks she can play with my emotions and just toss me away like garbage?”

“You are fucking garbage; you piece of shit! I have heard all about you LaHote. You use women and lose them constantly. You are a fucking player who got played and your tiny balls can’t take the hit can they? Your little ego got hurt so you follow her? You tell her father she had sex with you? What the fuck is wrong with you? God you are such a fucking bitch! You feel like a man, crying like a little boy in front of her all the time. Pathetic piece of shit! I should have killed you the moment she was done with you!”

“Paul, what is she talking about?” Sam asked.

“Stay out of this Sam.” Paul practically growled. “You need to take your ass back to Forks. I don’t know what kind of game you are playing with Jake but if you are anything like your bitch cousin, he doesn’t need that!”

“You motherfucker, I’m going to kill you.”

I swung with my right brass covered fist and struck him in his nose. It was indeed hard but brass was brass and the bone gave. Blood poured out and it encouraged me. He was tough but he could be hurt.

I hit him twice more in the face then whipped the tire iron from my long inside coat pocket and swung at his knee. The bar rebounded and shook in my hand but he hopped up and started bouncing on one leg so I did it again. I stepped inside his good leg and he tripped. Once he hit the ground, I was on top, pounding his already bleeding nose until I could feel that fucker shattered completely.

“Stay the fuck away from her you motherfucker or I swear to God I will murder you! I will kill you friends, your family, anyone who looks like you!”

His hand shot up and hit my chest, sending me flying back onto my ass. I rolled back and jumped to my feet.

Fuck, he was up. His nose wasn’t bleeding. His leg was fine.

The fuckers heal fast. I knew what I had to do. I had to kill him.

He was shaking.

“Bella, get back!” Sam yelled.

“It’s too late now.” the Call or Cameron kid said, seeming to find this funny. I reached for my gun when I realized I left it in my truck.

Paul exploded into a silver wolf. A very big wolf.

I took off running, hoping Uley could keep him calm until I reached my gun and would be able to shoot him. Head shot. One shot between Grandma’s big eyes and he was done.

“Bella, he is chasing you. I need you to drop so I can get a clean shot and take him out.”

Thank God for Dante.

I prepared to drop until Jake ran towards me.

“Jake get out of the way! You are screwing up the shot!”

He had to get out of the way. Something told me Dante wouldn’t hesitate taking Jake down to get to LaHote.

Jake wouldn’t stop running towards me. Fuck it, I tried to warn him. Maybe if Dante shot Jake, LaHote would be scared off and I could hunt and kill Paul myself.

I hit the ground and Jake jumped over me. Rolling over I saw his brown wolf slam into Paul’s silver wolf.

The two were snarling, biting at each other and rolled off into the forest.

“I need to calm them down. Jared, Embry, take Bella to my house.”

Sam ran off in the direction Jake and Paul rolled. I could still hear trees being knocked down and growls the air.

“Guess, the wolf is out of the bag now.” one of these idiots said.

“C’mon, Bella. They could be a while.”

I reached my truck first and opened the door.

“You get in the middle and I’ll drive you.” Jared told me.

I pulled my gun and placed it against the Jared’s head.

“You tell me where Sam’s house is and I will drive. You two get in the back of my truck.”

“Uh… what are you… where did you get a gun?”

“Where did you get brass knuckles? Aren’t those illegal?” Embry asked.

“You fuckers want to give me directions and get in the back or you want to die here and now and I find it myself? I am not sitting between two guys who can turn into those monsters I just saw.”

Jared gulped.

“Go onto the main road and go three blocks down, take a right and the first left and it’s the blue house on the right.”

“Thank you. Get in the back.”

On the short drive over, Jack was back in my ear.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Fuck you, Jack,” I whispered.

“Bella I’m sorry, you were right. I’m an asshole and I shouldn’t have taken it out on anyone especially you. You know I’m not good at… I love you, Bella. Are you okay? Dante said you beat LaHote up and he turned into a wolf?”

“I’m fine.”

“You say something Bella?” Embry asked from the bed of the truck. I pointed my 9 mm over my shoulder and he shut up.

Pulling up into the driveway Jared had my door open before I could move.

“We won’t hurt you. You think you could leave the gun in the truck?”

“No.”

I slid out and placed my Sig in my coat pocket.

“Hey, don’t stare at Emily’s face. It bothers Sam.” Embry told me.

Stare? Bothers Sam? I give a fuck what would bother Sam? Whatever. Hearing that name made me think of the Emily I met in the Diner. I wondered if I would ever see her again. I wondered if I could convince her to let me use her to make Angela jealous. Then I remembered that I didn’t give a damn about Angela.

Walking inside, I saw a sight that damn near knocked me on my ass.

It was my Emily.

What the fuck happened to her face?

What the fuck was she doing here?

Sam’s Emily? Was she a fucking spy too?

“I figured Jake would find a way around Sam’s order. So you are Bella Swan, the vampire girl.”

So she knows I fake dated Cullen. But she doesn’t know it was fake. Wait, what is she doing here?

“And you are Emily? The wolf girl?”

No way, right? She must be visiting… what the fuck happened to her face?

“Yep. At least I’m engaged to one.”

You have to be kidding! That is taking it a little far even for a spy. Have his baby why don’t you? Oh my God is she actually having sex with him?

“Here you go boys. Only one until your brothers return.”

Did she just bake muffins? Did this card carrying member of the lesbian community and the proud owner of the best tongue I have ever encountered just bake fucking muffins?

Focus Phoenix. This is the break you needed. Forget about her face and her tongue for a moment.

“What did you mean about Sam’s order?”

“Alpha order. We have to do what the Alpha tells us. It’s a wolf thing.” Embry explained.

“Really? So Sam told Jake not to tell me and Jake had to do as Sam says?”

“Yep. We can read each other’s mind too when we are in wolf form.”

“Embry shut up! You are giving away trade secrets. This girl runs with vampires!” Jared told him, verifying what I knew they knew.

“See if you can get them to tell you more.”

Fuck you, Jack.

“You can’t really run with vampires. You know, because they are fast.”

“Yeah? Well we are faster.”

“Is that right? How fast are you?”

“Fast enough to catch that leech with the dreds. He won’t be around anymore.” Jared told me proudly.

I was impressed. They not only caught him but killed him. I knew Dante found the ashes but I still had my doubts.

Embry was smirking, making me want to murder him despite never really having done anything to me. It was just that kind of day. “So you must be freaking out, huh?”

“No. You aren’t the first”… monsters… “people I’ve met who are different.”

“Jake was right. You are good with weird.” Sam said, walking in followed by Jake and LaHote who I still planned to kill.

Paul laughed at me.

“Sorry.”

“Fuck you. I still plan to fuck you up. Stay away from her.”

“Yeah, we will see.”

I pulled my gun.

“Whoa! Let’s all calm down. Paul will leave your cousin alone. I promise you, Bella. Please put the gun away. What are you doing with a gun anyway?” Sam asked.

I placed the gun back in my pocket.

“I heard there was a wildlife problem in the area. Saw a giant pack of wolves a couple days ago. I thought better safe than sorry.”

“You’re welcome by the way.” Paul told me sarcastically.

“Seriously burn in hell asshole. If you shut up, I might convince Arial to let you have your balls back since apparently, she took them with her. I didn’t have a chance to check since I was being attacked by a big tough werewolf but do you look neutered in dog form? I wasn’t sure if Arial literally took your balls or just whatever pride you had left.”

Paul stood up and I reached in my pocket.

“Paul.” Jake warned him. I turned and looked at him, irritated to see was smiling. I guess he thought this was a happy moment.

“Bella, move closer to the window. I can fire over your shoulder at anyone coming towards you. Just don’t move.”

I did as Dante told me, casually moving to the biggest widow looking out on the front yard. This guy must be a hell of a shot. Of course if he ran with Jack and Connolly he would have to be.

“Hey Bella, you think we could talk?”

“Sure Jake. I think a talk would be good.”

I followed Jake outside, relieved to be out of the twilight zone. What the fuck was Emily up too?

We walked along the beach in the open. I didn’t think Jake would attack me but I kept my hands in my pocket and stayed three feet away to give Dante a clear shot if he had to take one.

“Bella, see if you can verify that the wolves aren’t killing hikers.” Jack ordered. Asshole. I was still pissed at him.

“So now you know. I’m glad you figured it out. I really wanted to tell you but Sam wouldn’t let me. I hate keeping secrets from you.”

“Jake, I have to know, what is going on. Why are you… it isn’t right Jake.”

“What? I’m not the right kind of monster for you? I guess you only like blood suckers like Edward.”

I winced as I thought of my nightmare last night. Edward playing the piano.

“Still can’t stand to hear his name. Are you ever going to get over him?”

Would I? I didn’t know. He may haunt me forever. Every time I step into an elevator, he may very well pop into my head.

“It’s not about being a wolf, Jake. How can you kill people?”

“Bella, we aren’t killing people. We only kill the monsters that do kill people. Vampires.”

“So you became a wolf because of the Cullens being here? But they left a long time ago. Why is it still happening?”

“Because of the one leech who is still killing people. Some redheaded bitch keeps trying to get into Forks. We haven’t been able to catch her yet. She is slippery. For some reason she keeps coming back, like she is after someone in Forks. We have managed to turn her away and chase her back into the ocean every time but she keeps coming back.”

“Victoria.” I whispered.

“Yep, that confirms it. I’m a little worried that these dogs can’t catch her.”

Aren’t you a fucking genius, Jack?

“You know her? That figures. Any idea what she wants?”

“Number one don’t be an asshole. Just because I know her and she is…” don’t say hot… ” it doesn’t matter. We aren’t friends. I do know what she wants though. She wants me.”

“Why?”

“Edward’s family killed her boyfriend when he came after me. She thinks she should kill me instead of going after the Cullens.”

“Why you?”

‘Because she is a scared little bitch who is going after the easiest target.” I told him. It was the best theory I had come up with. Either that or I am bringing out feelings in her she has denied for hundreds of years and it is easier to kill me than face them.

“I need to talk to Sam and let him know.”

“Yeah, you do that. I would love to talk to Emily more. Get to know her a little better. Why don’t you and the boys go be wolves for a while and I can hang out with her?”

“That would be great, Bella. Emily doesn’t really have any friends since… anyway I’m sure she would love to spend time with you.”

She certainly loved it last time.

When we returned to the house Jake asked Sam and the pack to go for a run so he could share what we talked about with their little Vulcan mind meld trick that must be how they communicate. My theory of coordinated barks was shot to hell.

But at least I was alone with Emily.

“Okay I don’t even know where to begin.” I told her.

“Me? I couldn’t believe it when Sam told me you were fucking a damn vampire!”

“I wasn’t fucking a vampire! What the hell are you doing engaged to a giant fucking werewolf? And what the fuck happened to your face?!”

Emily sighed.

“Remember when I told you my cousin had a boyfriend who disappeared for weeks and then returned?”

“Yeah. Oh fuck that was Sam? Didn’t you say your cousin was like your best friend? You are engaged to her ex?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to be. Apparently, and don’t tell them I told you this, but there is this thing called imprinting. A wolfman looks at a girl and suddenly they are connected. I got into an argument with Sam about it. I wouldn’t do that to Leah, my cousin. Anyway we argued about it and he lost his temper. When they are new wolves this is pretty easy to do. He turned into that big dog close to me and his paw hit my face.”

“That fucking asshole! And you are still with him? How are you even with him? No way you are bi. You were way too good to be bi.”

“The imprint works both ways. I felt connected to him and couldn’t stay away.”

“Holy shit.”

“Holy shit.” Jack agreed.

“So he… this imprint thing turned you straight?”

“Yes, I guess. We have sex, I want to have sex with him. He doesn’t know I’m gay. Or at least I was.”

“You have no attraction to women now?”

“Not a bit.”

I pulled my jacket down and raised my shirt.

“These do nothing for you?”

“Nope. Believe me I wish they did.”

“Son of a bitch.” I whispered.

“I know.”

This poor bitch. This was wrong on so many levels.

“So if I look at one of these fucks, I might be…” Oh God no. I had to get sunglasses. I had to get out of the state.

“No you have no worries. One of the main purposes of an imprint is to breed stronger wolves. At least that is a theory. If that is the case pale faces like you should be safe.”

“You plan to have his fucking puppy?! Have you completely lost your mind?”

“Yes I have lost my mind or at least my mind has been taken over. It hurts me to be away from him for long!”

I had to ask. I needed to know if Paul’s death had become a higher priority than Victoria.

“So Paul didn’t…”

“No, he just wants your cousin because she is very good and his ego can’t take being used, the same way he uses other women. I personally thought it was hilarious. I guess since you tried to kill him, he made a scene?”

“In front of her father. Seriously though, Sam rips your face off and you are with him? How can you justify this in your mind?”

“I have no clue.”

A brilliant idea flashed into my brain.

“Let’s go to the bedroom. I will tie you up and bring you back from the dark side.”

“It won’t work, Bella. Believe me I wish it could. I don’t want to be in love with him.”

“I can find a way to get you out of this, Emily. We can also find a plastic surgeon because… damn girl.”

“I know. It doesn’t matter. He finds me attractive and I am stuck with him forever.”

“Fuck that. I know a guy who knows people. We will figure this out.”

If we could flip her… back… she could be a great asset.

“Who do you know that could help with this? A vampire? No thanks. By the way Miss lesbian USA, what the fuck were you doing dating Edward Cullen?”

Oh yeah.

“C’mon, I figured out what he was and had to know more. Who wouldn’t? Before I knew it, the fucker wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“That’s it huh? Sam said you lost your mind when he left you in the forest.”

“I lost my mind? That was the greatest day of my life!”

“Careful Bella.”

Fuck you Jack.

“The greatest day of your life? Bella, look at you. You didn’t look like this the last time I saw you. I mostly remember your naked flesh but I noticed the clothes you were hiding under. You either changed or you were hiding something. I defintely would have remembered that tongue ring. What is going on?”

“He was pretty.” I tried.

“What?”

“He was pretty. None of the other vampire chicks were available and he was the closest thing to a female in the whole damn coven.”

“Bullshit. What kind of game are you playing, Bella?”

“Get out of there. We have all the information we need.” Jack instructed.

“I don’t have time for this Emily. When you get your head straight and you want a real plastic surgeon instead of some Indian medicine man who wants you to breed puppies give me a call.”

“I’m stuck in this, Bella. Please understand, this isn’t a choice I made.”

“Like I said, when you want help getting out let me know. I know people who can fix this. In the meantime keep our conversation to yourself and we can both stay in the closet. Sound good?”

“Yeah, sounds great.”

Emily looked a bit relieved. Ridiculous.

“And when you want a real orgasm give me a call. I won’t even try to impregnate you with a puppy.”

I walked outside never feeling as sorry for anyone as I felt for her.

Then I saw Paul LaHote and remembered I still had business to take care of. He was still alive.

“Dante, can you take out LaHote?” I whispered very quietly. He was a couple hundred yards away.

“Of course.”

“Do it.”

“No! Dante you do not have clearance to fire! Bella, we need these fuckers. It is too soon to start a war with them.”

“Fine.” fucking Jack.

Sam walked up and placed a hot hand on my shoulder. I brushed back, wondering why he thought he had the right to touch me after I had seen Emily’s face. Bitch better stay the hell away from me with his paws.

“Bella, we protect humans from vampires. We will protect you. I give you my word.”

Yeah, that worked out good for Emily, didn’t it Sam?

“Thanks Sam.”

“A wolf will be near your home at all times.”

I’m fucking moving. My house is turning into supernatural central.

“Great.”

“Bella, can I drive you home?” Jake asked. “I would like to talk some more about us…”

“No, I can drive myself home. Thanks for the help. Paul, if I even hear of you looking at Arial again and I will kill you.”

“How do you think you are going to manage that leech lover?”

He stepped up.

I pulled my nine and shot him in the foot.

He howled and hit the ground. Jack said he needed him alive, not in one piece.

“Imagine what one of those going into your brain is going to feel like. Actually you won’t feel anything because you will be dead. Sam, can you keep him under control or do I need to kill him now?”

Sam and his boys stood around with wide eyes staring at Paul on the ground who was holding his bleeding foot.

“Sam!”

“What? Oh yeah… yes, I will keep him under control. He won’t approach or speak to your cousin again. I will order him not too. Just please stop pointing guns at people and don’t shoot anyone else.”

“I make no promises. Thanks for the offer of protection. I’m glad you guys are going to be around.”

Until Victoria is dead. Then you bitches had better stay the fuck away from me.

“Of course. Bella, I know you kept the secret of vampires so I am sure I don’t have to stress the importance of keeping this to yourself.”

“Of course you don’t, Sam.” because it wouldn’t matter anyway. No way I would have kept this a secret.

“Thank you, Bella.”

“Bella, are you sure you don’t need a ride…”

“Positive Jake.” Not from you anyway. I can’t believe he thinks after what I just saw on Emily’s face that he would think he had a chance. God knows what will happen to the poor girl who gives the virgin his first orgasm.

When I arrived home, I found Jack sitting at the kitchen table drinking a beer with Charlie.

“I’ll give you two sometime alone.” Charlie said and walked outside. I bet he was going to my hot tub since he was in his swimsuit.

“What do you want? Can’t you just say whatever it is you want to say in my ear? I have to see your face now too?”

“I’m sorry Bella. I talked to Arial. I really talked to her. I know I haven’t let her really live life and it has caused some extreme reactions at times from her. I… look I’ve never been… I don’t know. I love you. I can’t take it when you are mad at me.”

After the events of today I was exhausted. I had attacked, attacked again, been attacked, and then shot a guy in the foot. I needed my hot tub.

“I know Jack. I probably have been… no, this is all your fault.”

“I know. Me and Charlie have been talking about our stellar fathering skills. Arial is coming over to spend the night with you. I apologized but she hasn’t had the best day and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to be around me right now. Sasha told me I’m sleeping on the couch. I overreacted. Maybe. C’mon you know that had to be a shock, right?”

“I will give you that.” I admitted. Her behavior had shocked me as well. But we have all fucked somebody we wish we could take back.

“I will keep Hawk away from the school. I guess with the wolves patrolling he won’t need to stay outside anymore. Do what you two want. Just keep both of you safe. Please Bella?”

“Yeah Jack, I can do that. We will do that.”

“Thanks. I love you, Bella. I better get home. I have a couch waiting on me and I’m sure Arial won’t leave until I am in the driveway.”

He hugged me and I let him. He was an idiot but if he was guilty of anything he loved too much and the alternative was worse.

“Come by tomorrow. Ty is perfecting his device to stop vampires tonight. He will have it ready for you tomorrow.”

“You were serious about that?”

“Yep.”

“Okay. Later Jack. And Jack? I love you too.”

“Thanks Bella.”

Jack left and I thought of going out to talk to Charlie. I needed to talk to him more, really talk to him. I only had a few months more and I had regretted what I let slip out all day. It stayed in the back of my mind.

But first there was one person I had to talk to. I don’t know why, but it needed to be done.

She answered. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or upset.

“Bella?”

“Yeah Ang.”

“Is everything okay?”

“When Mom left Dad and moved us to Phoenix, I didn’t have a lot of friends. I didn’t have any friends. My Mom was this beautiful outgoing woman and I had dull brown eyes and dull brown hair and looked nothing like her. She thought I was going to be popular like her. So I lied. I told her all the time about the friends I had so she wouldn’t be disappointed in me.

It never got better. I was always an outcast it seemed. When I was ten, a group of girls started bullying me. Nothing major at first. Just knocking down my books and pushing me into lockers. Eventually it led to taking my lunch and lunch money. I was too afraid to fight back and I didn’t want to tell Renee. I didn’t want her to know how unpopular I was.

Then one day I guess the leader of the group was in a really bad mood. She caught me on the playground and hit me. I had never been hit before. I was ten and had never been hit with a fist. I took it in my nose and hit the ground. It hurt worse than anything I had ever felt in my life. I just stayed down hoping she would go away, scared out of my mind. Hoping someone would tell a teacher.

Instead the kids circled around me and laughed. The girl started kicking me while I laid on the ground, in my back and ribs and head. Then she spit on me. Her friends spit on me. On my face, Angela. I just laid there, bleeding, scared, humiliated and wondering if I was dying. By the time a teacher had found to me it was over. They had all wandered away.

I had to tell Renee what happened. She was scared of course. She pulled me out and insisted I be home schooled. So I stayed in while she taught kindergarten during the daytime and I studied with her at night. I didn’t mind because I was scared. Maybe on the list of things that could happen to a kid what happened to me was pretty mild but it hurt me. I was so afraid. I had gotten used to the bullying but that attack, it messed me up bad. Renee knew I wasn’t like her; I would get nervous leaving the house and she never pushed. I think what happened shook her up almost as much as it did me so I stayed inside nearly all the time.

Then Jack, Sasha and Arial moved down. Renee explained to Jack why I was homeschooled and wouldn’t leave the condo. He and Sasha started training me with Arial. We learned everything they knew and the next year I went to school with Arial for the first time in four years. She stayed by my side. The girl who had beaten me, she saw me in the hallway and I beat the hell out of her. I hurt her. I broke her jaw, her nose, her eye socket and Arial took out the rest of her friends. We left them on the floor bleeding. I never felt better in my life. I had never felt so powerful and the anger felt so much better than the worthlessness I had felt for years.

So now you know. You wanted to know what happened that turned me into this? I was hit and kicked and spit on and it made me feel weak and helpless and worthless and I hated that. I never wanted to feel that again. I felt I was a disappointment to my mother and I wasn’t enough of a reason for my father to move near me so I worked hard to make myself strong. That is why I am so aggressive and why I am so close to Arial. That’s why I don’t like to open up. I always keep a guard up because I am afraid if I slip someone is going to knock me back on that sidewalk and spit on me. I can’t ever let that happen. I would rather die first.”

“Why are you telling me this, Bella?” she asked quietly.

“I don’t know. I’ve never told anyone who didn’t already know. My Dad doesn’t even know and I never want him to find out. But you took a chance on me and you deserved to know. You asked me before, so I’m telling you. You deserve that much truth from me. I’ll leave you alone now. I won’t bother you at school, I’ll stay quiet. You should know as much as I want to hate you, I love you.”

I hung up the phone and waited.

Arial walked in a few minutes later.

“I heard you shot LaHote.”

“Yep.”

“Thank you.”

“I would shoot anybody for you, Arial.”

“I love you too. Let’s go up to your room and get drunk.”

“I have a bottle of Vodka in my nightstand.”

Arial took her backpack off and pulled a bottle out.

“After today? It’s Patron baby.”