Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Bodyguard

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 11:

Esme POV

I knew I should have done what Jasper told me. This was out of my league. I knew what I could do. I wasn’t the helpless woman Carlisle believed me to be. I also wasn’t Victoria.

Still as I ran across the desert at night the lure of the trails was impossible to resist. I would simply scout them out. Find her hiding place. I recognized Edward’s scent. The smell of his venom was strongest. He was in pieces I would imagine. But not burnt. She kept him alive for some reason.

I would simply follow the trail and find her hiding place. Then I would let Jasper know and he could take care of the problem. I’m sure he had his two friends with him.

Still when I found the depression in the ground and the barely concealed cover leading to the underground tunnel I couldn’t resist. What is eternal life without a little danger? I cracked the door in the ground open. I wonder how long she had been hiding here. Not a bad place for a vampire to hide from the Volturi. Underground in the middle of the desert.

I listened intently. The only strong smell was Edwards. He was in there.

“Esme?”

If that fucker just gave me away I was…

“Esme I’m alone. They have left.”

Okay. Fine. Lets go see how our little boy is doing. The tunnel was completely dark but I could smell wooden beams supporting the structure and barely make them out with what little light was available from the closed door above. The deeper I walked the light went away until not even my eyesgith could make out anything. I walked in a straight line until I felt a wall in front of me. I looked to the right and saw enough light that I could make out a door.

“Yes Esme. Just open the door. It’s safe. Victoria and the others are gone.”

I cracked the door and saw the bit of light from Edward’s cell phone. It was still on, in his hand on the other side of a quite spacious cavern. It looked natural. Victoria must have found it somehow and burrowed down to break in.

“There is a lighter in the corner and torches at each corner.” Edward whispered. I found it after some fumbling and lit up the torch. The room was instantly flooded with light.

Holy shit.

Edward’s torso and head was thrown on the ground without care. His arms and legs lay in each corner.

“Thank God you are…”

“What the fuck have you done Edward?” I asked, already irritated with him.

“Esme language…”

“I will fuck you up if you don’t tell me what you have done!” I told him, grabbing his hair and lifting his face to meet mine.

“You called Jasper?”

“He called me. Bella knows you have set Victoria after her.”

“That is not true! I planned to destroy Victoria. She… we met in Bella’s apartment. I stayed outside and she hid inside. We hoped Bella would arrive. She would scare Bella and I would burst in and rescue her. My plan was to actually kill Victoria…”

“With Bella there? In the apartment? She is pregnant! Are you a fucking… nevermind.”

“Esme what is wrong with you? I was trying to win her to our family. She is my Mate.”

“No she isn’t you idiot!” Damn this child. All this mate crap. Mate this, mate that. Fucking ridiculous.

“It is not ridicu…”

“I realize you can’t help reading my mind but you will respond only to what I ask. Understand?”

“y… yes.”

“What happened?”

“Bella never arrived. We waited all day and night. I went inside to discuss rescheduling with Victoria. She was angry. I saw her thoughts. She no longer hid them. She had planned to kill Bella and I. She planned to double cross me!”

“Of course she did! You were going to do the same to her!”

“But she didn’t know that! Regardless she told me she was tired of my games. She blamed me for James death once again and once again I told her it was Jasper who killed James. I kept Emmett out of it of course. I told her Jasper had a thing for Bella, betraying me and Alice both.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Because she had help. They arrived quickly. Four vampires. Not newborns. I believe they belonged to Maria.”

Oh fuck.

“Jasper’s Maria? Why would Victoria…” Of course. She would have to align herself with someone. She certainly did not have the skill to handle newborns. She is in or near Maria’s territory. Maria had gone silent after Jasper left her but she was not dead. If Victoria wanted to go after Jasper who better than Maria to align herself with.

“Regardless she and her vampires tore me to pieces. They dragged me here and tortured me. My toes… I no longer have toes. She bit by torso, pulling chunks of flesh…”

“Why did she torture you? Why not kill you?”

“She wanted to know where Bella truly was. She believes Bella to be a succubus of some sort. She told me James became completely obsessed with her after seeing her in the clearing. She wants her dead of course along with Jasper and I.”

“Then why are you still alive?”

“She wanted to kill Bella in front of me.” He admitted.

I closed my eyes. It was going so well. The Volturi were concerned with her, not us. She was running, they were chasing, we were living our boring lives.

“Esme you have to put me together. I have to get to Bella. I have to get to Houston.”

“You told her Bella was in Houston?!”

“I told her it was the only other place I could think of since the moron she allowed to impregnate her resided there. She burned my toes Esme! I have to go to Houston and find Bella. Save… Jasper has already spoken with her? You know Jasper wants her. This is a disaster!”

Looking in his eyes I realized he would never leave her alone. Never.

“You are right Esme. She is mine and I will never stop until I have her forever.”

I tossed his torso to the floor.

“Please Esme. Place me together so… Esme?”

I suppose he read my thoughts. It wasn’t really hard. Having to hide my thoughts, my private thoughts for a hundred years has been a bane on my existence. Bella was having a child. Creating life. I was dead. I walked and I talked but I was not life. Neither was he. The problem was as long as he walked and talked he would be intent on taking her life.

“Esme what are you doing?”

“I think you will be happier this way Edward. I know I will.”

“Esme no!”

I dropped the torch on his chest. He lit up immediately only screaming for a few moments. I watched him burn to ash. It was the least I could do.

Stupid fucker. Walking to the corners I tossed his legs and arms into the fire. The smoke was quickly filling this room up. I ran outside into the sun. No one around for miles to see how pretty I was in the sun.

My phone rang. Alice.

“Esme? I just had the strangest vision. It hit me so fast… I think it will be soon. It may have already… I saw Edward burning!”

“I’m sorry. Did you see who did it?”

“No. Just a torch falling… Esme why aren’t you more distraught?”

“I’m busy right now Alice. I have work to do.”

I hung up the phone and sent a text to Jasper. Victoria may be in Houston. Not alone. Edward dead. That was all he needed to know right now.

I ran in the open. Perhaps I can make a pretty sparkling sight for a plane flying over. Regardless I had wasted enough time. I was done. Done being who Carlisle thought I should be. I would control my life.

My first decision? Head to Houston and see if I could help out some old friends.

Bella POV

“Welcome Bella. Thank you for coming.” Leggett said, standing up to take my hand. I admit taking in this office slash conference room, I was glad Garret bought me this outfit. Black dress and red coat with black high heels. Simple, professional. Had I come in blue jeans I would have felt at a disadvantage psychologically. Mr. Leggett was 55 years old, a tall man with dark hair graying at the sides. Interesting that he didn’t bother to hide the grey but used it as a tool almost. He was wearing a suit that probably cost more than my college education. He made his billions in oil and natural gas and survived the two downturns in the oil industry in Houston. Rumors said that he may have participated in insider trading. Rumors also said Ty and I were responsible for the 46 ferrets unleashed during the faculty Christmas ball.

I wouldn’t bring up his dirty business if he didn’t bring up mine.

“I appreciate the invite Mr. Leggett.”

“And who is this?”

I forgot for a moment that Jason was with me. He never said a word. Just followed me. His footsteps were unusually quiet.

“I’m head of her security.” Jason responded.

“I wasn’t aware a college student such as yourself was in need of security already. What agency do you work for son?”

“I’m the head of her security dad.”

“Yes, you said that. I only mean that if Bella did not feel safe then perhaps I could pay…”

“I’m the head of her security. All you need to know. Do not ask any more questions. I will stay silently in the background. Pretend I’m not here.”

“Of cou…”

“And no more questions.”

“He’s also the head of my public relations department. He has amazing people skills.” I added on.

“I see. Bella would you have a seat? Can I offer you anything? A glass of champaigne?”

“I’m pregnant. If I wasn’t I would ask you for Vodka straight or perhaps Patron.”

“I see. I wasn’t aware… congratulations.”

“Thank you Fred.”

“So Bella the reason I asked you here today is I understand you and Ty are in a relationship. Obviously by the ring on your finger and your good news, it is a serious relationship as I have been led to believe. I have had people looking at Ty for a while now. These people tell me that he plans to use you as his representative in contract negotiations.”

“Yes. Should Ty be drafted I will…”

“Bella let’s not play around. You know and the world knows that we are taking Ty with the first pick. I can’t officially talk to him but since you aren’t officially his agent there is no reason we can’t speak. I would like to talk to you about some very exciting plans we have for marketing Ty and building the Houston Rockets into a championship team.”

“By all means, I would love to hear this.”

“Let me say first Bella that you and Ty of course are going to be very rich people. I believe I have worked out a contract that will make the two of you well off and allow the Rockets to attract premium free agents to our team. We want to offer Ty a 3 year deal at $8 million a year for the first three years and if things work out like I believe they will, we can carry over for a fourth year at $10 million. That will allow us to have additional space under the cap to perhaps sign…”

“Ted.” I interrupted him.

“Fred…”

“Whatever. Did you just tell me that you wanted to offer Ty a three year contract at 8, 2.4 million under the allowed rookie salary cap with a team option of 10 mil for the fourth year? Have you lost your damn mind?”

Apparently Fred was surprised.

“Bella I am sure Ty growing up here in Houston understands the need for a better supporting cast and how that can only…”

“What you have done to screw up this team’s roster since you bought it is your problem. You want better players break the cap and pay the luxury tax. You can still afford it despite the losses you have incurred with your mismanagement of this team. Ty will sign for no less than ten mil for three years and at the end of three years we are going to be free agents. You can negotiate with us like every other team in the league. I was considering coming down from 10.4 to 10 so you could sign a decent center without paying the tax. Honestly though Ted… sorry Fred… you are pissing me off right now.”

“Bella I don’t think you understand how this works. What if something happens to Ty? He injures his knee and at the end of three years he has no career?”

“Then we will take our thirty million guaranteed and use coupons to grocery shop and try to get by. You wanted to buy an NBA team, you take the risk. At this point you are hemorrhaging money into this team. It is the only business you have ever had Fred, which you have failed at. Perhaps sports just aren’t your thing.”

Fred sat back and took a breath. Then his pleasant smile came back.

“Bella we don’t want to start our relationship with a hold out.”

“Exactly. Rookie contracts are restricted so no hold outs are needed. You offer the max, we sign, that’s the deal.”

“We can’t afford to pay the tax, Bella.”

“Not my problem. The team may not but you certainly can. The takeover of Allen energy in Scotland last month has given you nearly five hundred mil in straight capital from the sale of inventory alone and you have barely started valuating the raw price of the plants you plan to take down and sell for parts. Was it one hundred and twenty thousand tons of unused coal?”

Fred seemed a bit surprised.

“Yes… how did you know this?”

“You looked into Ty? You think I wouldn’t look into you? I’m young, I have no experience as a sports agent but I am not stupid Mr. Leggett.”

Fred was silent for a moment.

“What if I say no?”

“You look like a cheapskate, the city of Houston and the powerbrokers you deal with will think you are a pussy and Ty plays in Italy for a year for $40 mil. They don’t have a salary cap there and Europeans like to win. Then we go back into the draft. Maybe. I hear Italy is lovely. So is England. The Euro League has become quite popular. I may like it there. Ty would be bigger than Lebron in Europe.”

“I see… You don’t understand. We need a quality point guard…”

“I can get twenty guys from the street courts in this city who can get the ball to Ty and stay the hell out of his way. You got two picks. Ty’s point guard at ASU is planning on going to Russia to play. Thinks he has no chance here. He will sign for whatever low ball you offer him for a chance to play in the League. D League has a number of point guards at minimum. A point guard hasn’t carried a team to a championship since Magic Johnson retired. Stop acting like you need Chris Paul. You need a bus driver. Someone to call plays, hand the ball off and stay back.”

“You going to pick the players too Bella?” Fred laughed.

“Couldn’t do worse than the GM you have. Rumor has it you are trying to hire Greg Frost to be GM and head coach. Any chance of that actually happening?”

“He wants to work with Ty. He is a believer in the triangle and thinks that… I’m sorry, the triangle is…”

“Triangle offense created by Tex Winters, perfected by Phil Jackson who won eleven NBA championships between Lakers and Bulls working with Jordan and Kobe. This guy was an assistant for Jackson during his last championship with the Lakers. Tried to institute the offense with the Kings but he didn’t have a Jordan or a Kobe. Fired last year despite a .500 winning percentage. A good choice if you can get him. Like I said, do you have a shot?”

“Yes… Bella I want this to work. I want a winning team.”

“So you bring me in here to try to lowball me off the bat? That the way you work Ted?”

“Fred.”

“You stop fucking around with me and I’ll get your name right.” I told him honestly.

“Fair enough. So Bella tell me what you will want? Is the ten still on the table or am I up to 10.4 now?”

“Ten will work but there will be other details that won’t affect the salary cap. They will be a part of the contract under the services section in return for the marketing you will expect Ty to do for you.”

“Marketing?”

“You pay him ten mil to play ball. You want him to talk nice about you or show up to team events there is a cost.”

“Bella it doesn’t work like that.”

“I know. But I’m a new agent who has no idea what she is doing so you are going to bear with me. It won’t be hard. Just a few things that a man of your stature will have no problem with.”

Fred looked concerned. I would be too if I was him.

“Go ahead.”

“Ty is going to have a separate ltd set up in his name. I will take care of this. You are going to provide stock options as a gift for the right to use him as a spokesperson for your company on a limited basis. Stock options. Meaning I want a low price when we get them. Perhaps after the next Middle East flare up. We will hold those for the term of his contract and release them at the end for whatever the price is or sooner if I see an energy crash coming. I’m thinking a hundred thousand shares, fifty from Sun energy and fifty from Inertech. Completely legal and outside NBA restrictions as a gift for marketing and additional services.”

“Those shares could be worth millions or…”

“I said options. Not shares. I would take a risk on shares and I don’t take risks. That’s your job. You are the billionaire industrialist.”

“I see. Anything else?”

“Floor tickets for Ty’s mother and brother. They like to watch from mid court, player’s benches side.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be in my box. I’m thinking 22.”

“Your box?”

“Yes. You have 32 luxury boxes you sell at two hundred thousand a season. You have only sold ten. Ty will sell the rest for you. So I will have one for no cost during the duration of his contract. Ty will be starting a couple charity organizations in Houston. I will have my own powerbrokers to impress.”

“I see. The wives actually have a place reserved…”

“Good for them. I’m an agent. And I want my fucking box.”

“Bella I don’t know if this is all…”

“Fred?”

“Yes?”

“You want to win right?”

“Yes.”

“Give me and my man what we want and step back and let him win. It’s what he does. I have an attorney in Tempe who we have an arrangement with. He will draw up the contract. We can tweak anything you might want to discuss then. Understand though these are our demands. I won’t negotiate. Ty would like to have a long career with the Rockets. Try to fuck with us now and you are going to be a developmental team for three years and then watch us go to New York, Boston, Dallas, or LA. Ask Cleveland how it feels to have a hometown hero leave the city at the start of his prime and win championships somewhere else. You want the hometown discount in four years, for instance us taking 35 a year instead of the 45 LA offers you play nice now.”

Fred seemed to be looking at me with a little more respect now. He wasn’t smiling. That was good.

“I expected a gold fish and a shark walked in.”

“Not a shark. We can be a benefit to each other Fred. We can all get what we want. Don’t get greedy now and turn this into a mess.”

“Bella I have to say this has been an enlightening conversation. I agree that we can both be beneficial to each other. When shall we have our first official meeting?”

“We will only need one. Day after the draft. My contract will be drawn. I will have it on hand along with my attorney should any minor changes need to be made. We sign, tell the press how much we love each other and the family atmosphere that the Rockets will have, kiss a few babies, sign a few autographs and then we go to work.”

I stood up. I was ready to spend some more time with Renee and pray that she is not fucking Jeff. I wanted to see Ty and I had to set up a visit with his father before we left tomorrow.

Fred kissed my hand and I bit down a grimace. I hate that crap. Reminds me of Edward.

“Can I walk you…”

“We know the way out. Have a nice day.” Jason told him. He opened the door for me and I walked out. As soon as I was out he was in front of me.

“Garrett we got an all clear on the outside?”

I didn’t hear what Garrett said but I suppose all was okay as we kept moving. Walking out into the sun I saw our black SUV sitting at the front. This time I was placed in the back and Connolly sat in the front while Garrett drove.

“Bella?” Jason asked.

“Yeah?”

“Are you and Ty really that serious? Because I have never been as turned on in my life as I was in that conference room.”

“Yeah… uh pregnant, about to be married, it’s pretty serious.” I told him in disbelief.

“Connolly…” Garrett started.

“Hey, hey, just uh letting you know there are always options out there that are warm blooded if you ever decide to trade him in.” He looked back and winked. Garrett was shaking his head.

He was kidding.

I think.

Garrett looked at his phone.

“Text from Jasper. Victoria may be in Houston. Step it up Connolly.” The smile left Jason’s face.

“Sweet. I haven’t killed a vampire in four months. I hope the bitch does show up. Save us a trip to Arizona.”

In four months?

“Okay, who the fuck are you guys?”

Ty POV.

Yeah. I was a bit irritated Bella went to see the Leggett guy without letting me know. Mom told me I shouldn’t be so damn hard to wake up. Still though since she irritated me a bit it was probably okay for me to irritate her. Mom was heading to work, Jeff… freak… was watching TV with Renee and Phil and tryin to get a reaction out of astronaut. Bella was gone. Supposedly she couldn’t wake me. I wasn’t worried. I couldn’t have gone with her anyway. Besides if she isn’t here she can’t tell me no.

Time for Ty to play ball at the old court.

I got my favorite sneaks out, lucky shorts, Jordan Jersey over a black tee and I was ready to light some fools up and remind them who owns this neighborhood.

I stepped out and my good mood was ruined.

“What the hell you doin here? What part of shadows didn’t you understand? The shadow under that cowboy hat don’t count bitch.”

“Afternoon to you as well Ty. Got a text that the red head may be in Houston with others.”

“Where is Bella?!” This couldn’t be good.

“Relax. Your hand picked bodyguard has her. You on the other hand… well I promised Bella I would protect you so I will. That means where you go I go. Peter and Char are around as well, checking perimeters.”

“That bitch don’t even know what I look like. I doubt she watches TV much.”

“No but she has been in your apartment. Somethin tells me there are more than a few pictures of you in it.”

“What can I say? Bella likes my face. Speakin of it’s too sunny for you to be goin with me. You can’t walk in this neighborhood looking like you are right now. Somebody will shoot you and the bullet will probably bounce off and hit me.”

“Well I guess you should probably stay in. Bella won’t be happy if she finds out you are goin to play a pick up game with gang members regardless.”

“Bella doesn’t control what I do.” I told him straight up.

“That’s why you are rushing out while she is gone? Wouldn’t be a big deal if I texted her and told her what you were doin then? Since she don’t control you?”

Motherfucker.

“So it’s like that huh?”

“Hey go where you want. But I go with you. I made her a promise. I keep my promises. To her at least.”

“Fine but you can’t go like that. Come inside before somebody sees you.”

I walked straight to my room hoping Renee didn’t notice this fool. She was meditating, Phil was watching television and Jeff was watching Renee’s tits. It was all good.

Jasper was in front of me in my room when I turned to tell him to come in. Startled me a bit. I saw him sniff.

“Yeah. You know what that smell is don’t ya playa?” I grinned.

“Feet. How does Bella sleep with you? You put plastic bags on those big ass feet of yours at night?”

“Fuck you Roy Rogers. I ain’t got much time to get there before she gets back. Since you are comin with me you got to try to blend in. I got just the thing.”

I tossed him a hoodie and a NY Yankees flat bill cap.

“What the hell is this?”

“Put the cap on your head.”

“Yankees?”

“Put it on.”

He tried to bend the bill.

“Don’t do that. It’s supposed to be flat.”

“It looks ridiculous on me.”

“You haven’t even seen a mirror yet.” I said straight, holding in a laugh. It did look ridiculous.

“This isn’t going to give me enough cover from the sun.”

“That’s why you wear the hoodie. It’s 60 outside. People won’t look at you twice. Throw the hood over your cap and keep your head down. Hands in your pockets. Even with those gloves people gonna think you a child molester they see a white guy walkin around with black gloves.”

“Who is Tupak?” he finally asked noticing the picture on the hoodie.

“See that is shit that will get us both killed if it’s heard on the streets. You can’t say that. Just stay quiet… you think that Charlotte could put some cornrows in your blonde ass hair. Make you fit in a bit better.

“The damn thing hangs to my knees.”

“Its allright. You look good.” I lied.

Looked like a rich whiteboy wanna be half time crook. This shit alone was worth it.

“It looks like a dress.”

“No it don’t. You just look like a guy who hasn’t filled out yet. How tall you go? 5’5? 5’6?”

“I’m 6 foot tall.” He answered angrily.

“I can check with Renee, see if she got something more your size. Or you gonna be a baller?”

“Let’s go so I can see some homeboy break your knee. Bella can’t put that on me.”

“You say Garrett got her?”

“Yeah why? Worried? Suddenly wishing I was protecting her?”

“Yes I’m worried. A psycho vampire after my woman. No, I don’t wish you was with her. If you were in my position would you want you with her? Tryin to talk her into givin up her life to be your booty call forever. Fucked up man.”

He actually didn’t have a comeback. Just looked to the side.

“You ready?” he finally asked.

“Hell yeah.”

We walked side by side to the court. Got there in about five minutes. Sun went behind some clouds so he should be good. Hood looked like it was working. When I got there the whole fucking court stopped playin. Everybody around it stopped talkin or dealin.

Everybody was starin at me.

“Is that a white guy?” I heard from the back. Okay, so maybe not everybody was starin at me.

“Mothafucka runnin Tupak? Who the fuck he think he is?”

“Wearin a fuckin dress. Yankees my ass. Cracker got redneck written all over him.”

“Worst damn Narc I ever seen. Pickin bitches up from the trailer park and bringin em into the wards.”

“I didn’t know Eminem had a little boy.”

Damn. I thought the Tupak sweatshirt was a good disguise. Shoulda gone with cornrows.

“Ty can I have your autograph?!”

I saw a little boy runnin my way.

“Sure little man.”

I knelt down to sign his ball.

“Who is the white guy Ty?”

“This Buford. He’s my man servant. This pen ain’t good. Buford I believe there is a Sharpie in the pocket of your shirt. I need it please.”

“Her you go Mr. Gavin sir.”

That shocked the hell out of me. I looked back over my shoulder and saw he was smiling. Damn shame this fucker wantin to fuck my girl. I think I could like him if it wasn’t for that. I gave him a wink and signed the kids ball. Fo I knew it I had fifty kids around me with shirts and balls. Some of the older kids stepped up too. I signed everything for everybody till my hand was getting sore. I took a look at the court when the last kid stepped back.

I recognized a few of the guys. Not who I would call friends. Everybody on that court though… I could see it in their eyes. They wanted a piece of me.

“I know you grew up on this court but everybody grows up and moves on. Ty those guys ain’t feelin nothing but jealousy and resentment right now. You really wanna do this?” Jasper asked, quiet like.

I took a breath. I really did.

“You right Jasper. Comes a point we all move on. Probably time for me to be movin on from this patch of Earth for playin least ways. Let’s head back to the house. I miss my woman.”