Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Spy Games

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 23:

My life had taken such a surreal turn over the last 24 hours I still couldn’t begin to comprehend it. So I stayed in bed. I slept until 3 PM, not wanting to deal with life.

A part of me was ecstatic. Angela had come out to her father and chose me. When she told me I swear my heart stopped beating for a second.

A part of me was upset about Sasha offering Angela a place to stay. I had a bed big enough for the two of us. Why did Sasha have to be a pussy blocker? Plus she was pregnant? Probably? On purpose? We are in the middle of an op. Who the hell does that to a body like Sasha’s? Fucking Dodo.

Jack was going to tell Angela everything. A part of me was very happy. I would have no secrets from her. Another part wondered what the reaction from the Cullen’s would be when they learned another person knew their dirty, sparkly secret? I mean she could push a button but Ang wasn’t exactly survival material. She refused to let me show her my guns, because she was scared of them. She wouldn’t even look at the works of art.

Still she had shown strength I never knew she had. Lying in bed, it was a little hard to come to grips with. I believed she hadn’t really loved me because she wasn’t willing to take a risk. Now she had taken the ultimate risk for me and of course paid the price. I almost felt guilt over it. I mean I had infiltrated two groups of very secretive monsters and been entrusted with every secret they had and gladly betrayed them. Not a problem, no guilt, no remorse, I mean I’m a spy, that’s what I do. Now though, now I was pretty sure I felt guilt.

It was up to me to make her happy. Before when we were sneaking around it was fun and games. She had her family and I fought for my time with her. Now she was mine, completely mine and I would be lying if I said that didn’t freak me out a bit.

The Cullens were back. That sucked major balls.

At least I wouldn’t be expected to cozy up to any dead bodies this time or be groped by Eddie. If he tried to put his cold dead arm around me, I would shoot him in the nuts. Two things I knew Edward Cullen could not outrun were Eleanor and a bullet.

At some point I suppose I would have to visit La Push and explain my outing to Jake and the rest of the dog pound. That would most likely end with the outing of all of our secrets but I would let Jack handle that. He wants to be commanding officer he can worry about how to handle shit like that.

I had to get out of this bed. It was obvious what was highest priority here between vampires, werewolves and my maybe girlfriend. I had to see Angela. We needed to figure out what we would be. I wouldn’t let her hurt me again.

I also needed to find out if she was really ready for what was to come, the school finding out, the rumors about us that would spread like wildfire through this soggy town.

So throwing on a pair of skin tight black leather pants and a short Harley Davidson sleeveless grey tee I walked out to Eleanor and prepared myself to take care of the highest priority on my list.

And he was waiting for me outside.

Reverend fucking Weber. I would have rather seen Edward at this point. I had only seen him around town and on the very few times I had visited Angela’s house but never spoken to him.

He didn’t look happy.

“I think you and I need to have a talk Isabella Swan.”

“Weber, what brings you to my humble home?”

“My daughter is under the mistaken belief that she is a lesbian and in love with you. What have you done to her!?”

Stay calm Bella. Just relax and do not murder the man.

Yet.

“Why don’t you come inside? I am sure you don’t want my neighbors seeing or hearing this.”

He followed me without a word and once I closed the door, I knew he was mine. There were no witnesses.

“Your daughter is gay and she is in love with me. The gay part I had nothing to do with. I suppose it is genetic. The being in love with me part? I loved her back. It tends to grow between two people.”

“My daughter is not gay!”

“I would have to disagree with you based on experience. Of course you will just have to take my word for it.”

“Does your father know what a sinful harlot you are?”

“Does he know? He takes pride in it. What are you doing here Weber? You have heard about me, probably started a lot of rumors about me. You know what I did to your nephew. You have to know you can’t threaten me. What is the point of this?”

“You are going to convince my daughter to repent and come back home and ask for forgiveness from God and her family.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I believe I have a bit more influence in this community than your father. Do you want to be responsible for your father losing his job?”

Okay now he made a fatal mistake. He threatened Dad.

“I know that won’t happen.”

“You do? You think I am bluffing?”

“I think you are going to be hurt and wake up in a hospital under arrest for attempted rape.”

Let him chew on that for a bit.

“I… I don’t understand.”

“You see Weber, in small towns like this a local preacher man like yourself, probably does have quite a bit of influence. You probably could give my father trouble and I can’t take the chance of that happening. I need you to listen to me carefully because this is important. When you are rotting in a prison cell you are going to want to know exactly how I did it.

The first thing I am going to do is beat the hell out of you. I’m not going to hit your face though; I’m going to scratch it. I’m going to use my knee to knock your tiny testicles into your stomach. I’m going to snap your wrist and then I am going to put you to sleep. Once you are out, I am going to rip my shirt open. I will pop the button on these tight leather pants I have. I am going to take your hand, with those perfect manicured fingertips and I will use it to scratch my chest, my belt line and my face. My DNA is going to be under every one of your fingernails. I’m going to drop your pants to your knees and then I am going to call 911. I am betting every one of my neighbors saw you come inside with me. After I call 911, I am going to jump on the coffee table, cracking it. I am going to hit myself in the mouth, splitting my lip. I will bang my head against the wall. When Daddy gets here with his deputies, they are going to see me scratched by your fingernails, beaten and bleeding, my shirt torn and the button of my jeans ripped off and you on the floor with your pants around your ankles. I will explain that you found out that Angela and I were having an affair and you decided to show me what a real man can do. You tried to rape me and I managed to knock you out by kicking you while I was on the floor and you were standing over me with your pants around your ankles. You will wake up in a hospital with a headache, handcuffed to a bed and my DNA under your fingernails. You want to talk about rumors? How is a local preacher accused of rape because he is a homophobe going to sound for your career? I am going to make this good Weber. Innocent girl assaulted by perverted preacher? This shit is going to make CNN. I will probably get a book deal out of this.”

I saw it in his eyes. He could see the whole thing playing out. He also knew I wasn’t bluffing.

Weber started to back towards the door.

“Don’t bother. You know you aren’t faster than I am.”

“You are evil.” he whispered.

“I’m not the one who kicked my daughter out of my house because she didn’t fit my notion of right and wrong and heaven and hell and then tried to use my position as a spiritual leader to threaten a man’s career because of his daughter’s sexual preferences. A much better man than you. He has never attended a church service but he loves unconditionally and has dedicated his life to helping others. From what I understand of Christianity he seems to fit the bill. You are the fucking bigot. The only reason you are alive is because you are Angela’s father but if you think you will threaten my father, prison is the best you can hope for. I can make you disappear. A lot of people disappear in this area. Lot of forest, lot of trails and a lot of animals. Some bodies are never found. Am I evil? I prefer to think of myself as assertive and proactive but you can call me evil if it makes you feel better. I don’t really give a damn what a pile of hypocritical shit like you thinks. When Angela wants to see her mother and brothers, I will be with her. If you cause any problems, for Charlie, for her, for anyone, by rumors or threats, always remember I can reach you at any time. I can take you at any time. I hear everything. You might be sleeping, dreaming of Heaven and wake up in Hell. I don’t fuck around Weber. I can and will kill you and I will get away with it. Do you understand?”

“What are you?”

“I’m your daughter’s girlfriend. I am also the one person in this world you do not want to fuck with. Yes or no? Do we have an understanding or do you spend the next thirty years in prison being a cell block whore?”

“Yes, we have an understanding.”

“Good. Show yourself out. When Angela is ready, she will come by to see her mother and brothers and I will be with her. Do not bother her. Do not so much look at her wrong. She is staying with my relatives. You really don’t want to visit them and you really don’t want them to visit you.”

I patted him on the cheek, walked to the door and motioned for him to leave.

“Why have you done this to me my Lord?” the good Rev asked.

“Because fuck you, that’s why. Get the hell out of my house.”

What can I say? God answers in mysterious ways but I’m blunter.

The drive to Jack’s was not without its drama. A black Mercedes was waiting for me a few blocks from my house. I suppose I could have out ran him but really didn’t feel I should have to. Not yet. Instead I pulled over and stopped, forcing the car to either stop behind me, continue on or just pull up beside me and say hi.

The car opted for number 3.

He pulled up to my left and rolled down the passenger side window.

“Eddie! I wasn’t sure which one of you was stalking me today. Why aren’t you in your Volvo? Oh right…”

“Good morning Bella. I think we need to talk. In fact I insist.”

“You insist?”

“I insist.”

“Well since you insist by all means let’s talk.”

I hit the dog whistle and he writhed around in the driver’s seat in pain, trying to pull his ears off. His screams were starting to attract attention so I turned my music up.

Deciding to have mercy I stopped the whistle and aimed my shiny Sig with its brand new marble piercing bullets at his forehead. It would be a shame to waste such great hair on top of his skull but sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.

“How did you enjoy our talk Ed?”

Eddie growled at me.

“You really think you are fast enough to shoot me?”

“In the open? No, I would simply hit my little training toy and while you are rolling around on the ground, I would split open your skull. Janet doesn’t have shit on me.”

“Who?”

“Janet? The gothic teeny bopper who made you roll around land cry like a little bitch in the castle?”

“Jane?”

“Whatever. You know who I am talking about. Eddie if you think you are going to follow me around and harass me you are going to be sorely disappointed. I love pussy but you’re not the type I’m looking for.”

‘Bella, I don’t understand what is going on. Can we please talk?”

“I think everything was made clear this morning. Your family is safe as long as you do what we tell you. You don’t and its hunting season. What is hard to understand?”

“I want to know what happened to you! This is not you! The Bella I left is not you. There is no way you could have acted like you did when you were around me! You were the perfect lady! Who are you? What have you done…”

“Eddie you know it’s me. Sure someone could make me look like your beloved Isabella but you know what my heroin laced blood smells like right? You can’t read my mind, that can’t be copied. The fact is I am that good of an actress and I did play you. You made it so easy. I was sent to do a job, find out what you were, and you made it so fucking easy I almost feel guilty about the pay I received until I earned it in Phoenix.”

“I know a part of you loved me, Bella.”

“I’m a lesbian. Have been for a long time. You want the truth? The only hard part of this whole operation outside of the James situation was spending time with you. If you really want a girlfriend one day, I have a few suggestions. Number one take a girl someplace fun instead of sitting in a fucking field on top of a mountain all the damn time or playing elevator music in your house. Don’t sneak into her room without her permission and watch her sleep. If you simply cannot help yourself from watching her sleep then don’t look at her panties.”

For a guy with only slightly more facial expressions than I used to have he was not good at hiding being caught.

“Yeah, I knew about it. Stop the tortured monster crap all the time. It isn’t attractive. I can go on and on but I’m charging you for more advice.”

“I don’t believe you Bella. I love you, no matter what you have become.”

“I haven’t become anything! I became what I had to be to attract you! You got played. I would say I’m sorry but I’m not. It’s my job, no hard feelings, business is business and all that. You talk all the time about what monsters you vampires are. I did what I had to do to protect my kind from yours. Deal with it.”

Ed was silent for a moment, just staring at me with tortured eyes.

“I know you feel something for me. Emotions like that cannot be faked. Not what we had.”

“I thought Jasper was the emotional expert. Have you asked him?”

“I am not speaking to him right now.” Eddie hissed. “Even Alice won’t speak to him.”

“Then I did him a favor. I have places to be Ed. I think we have said all we need to say to each other.”

“What do you think would happen if the student body were to find out you are gay Bella?”

Excuse me?

“Is that a threat Eddie?”

“It was just a question.”

“Are you planning on coming back to school?”

“Of course. How else can I protect you? Your uncle wants our assistance with the Victoria situation correct?”

“Yeah with her, not protecting me. As far as the student body, I think when you return to school you will find things have changed. The school is kinda like the vampire world and Arial and I are the Volturi. I will be telling everyone. Then I am having the biggest coming out party in history. You aren’t invited. Later Eddie.”

“I’m not done with you Bella.”

A hole was punched through Eddie’s front windshield. I never heard a thing.

“Did I get his ear?” Ty asked.

Edward was touching his ear. A tip seemed to be missing.

“Ty says we are done Edward. You should think about the fact that he was aiming for the tip of your ear and he is far enough away that you can’t read his thoughts. Take care of yourself.”

I rolled up my window and left Eddie parked on the road, pondering how to put tiny crystal shards back onto his ear. I had dealt with two assholes today already and I was at my limit.

“Nice job threatening the preacher man. I could have taken his ear tip off too.”

“I appreciate the offer Ty but I don’t want him harmed until it is absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, I want him gone for good with no way it can be tied to us.”

I pulled up to Jack’s five minutes later. Arial was waiting for me outside.

“What’s up?”

“I listened to your conversation with the preacher. Not bad. I expected you to just kick his ass.”

“I am getting wiser in my old age.” I admitted. My manipulation skills were growing and I was proud of that.

“Edward will have to be taken care of quickly and decisively on Monday.” Arial pointed out like I hadn’t already thought of this.

“We will but right now it is Spring break. I missed the first weekend but we are going to have some fun and not worry about vampires or werewolves or anything else for a while. Let your Dad do what he gets paid to do.”

“What did you have in mind?” she asked, perking up.

“I’m thinking me, you and Sasha head to Florida tomorrow. I think it’s time to introduce my girlfriend to my mother.”

“She is your girlfriend? You are just taking her back?”

“Yeah I am.”

“Bella…”

“Arial, she got kicked out of her house for me. She loves me. I love her. What do you want me to do?”

Arial shook her head and looked at the ground. I knew I had her when she looked back at me.

“Fine. I give her credit, she showed some balls, but if she hurts you one more time Bella, I will kill her. At the very least I will hurt her very badly.”

“No you won’t.”

“Yes, I will.”

I shivered a bit. I knew Arial would.

“Let me talk to her. Where is she?”

“Dad has been explaining things to her. They have been at it for over four hours. I have walked in and out. She mostly just sits there with a shocked look on her face.”

“I can imagine. I probably need to be there.” I moved inside only to see her walking out of Jack’s little office where he listened to my life. I wondered, briefly panicking, if Angela heard my conversation with her father.

Jack and Sasha walked out behind her, and with a nod they were both gone. Okay, how would she react to this? She could run away screaming or she could be understanding. Maybe a little freaked out but calm. Hopefully she wasn’t catatonic.

She took her glasses off and wiped her eyes and said one word.

“Phoenix.”

“Yeah, it’s more of a code name really. You can still call me Bella.” I told her with my best nonchalant grin.

“No, in Phoenix. You were beaten, tortured, you could have been killed, you had that… venom… running through your veins. You almost died.”

Oh yeah. I do my best to block that memory out.

“Why did you do that?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time?” Not one of my better. Hawk has even started a scrap book he calls Bella’s bigger fuck ups. That one is still on the first page but not knowing my left from my right in Italy may replace it soon.

“I could have lost you before I ever had you. Then I let you go. Now you have these things hunting you?”

“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

“You have to hide.” she told me.

“Never have, never will. Not again. You on the other hand have to seriously consider what you could potentially get into if you become involved with me. You will have to be with me or guarded by someone at all times. You can be as much of a target for Victoria as Arial or my Dad. The Cullens are back as I am sure Jack told you. I spoke to Edward a few minutes ago and he has informed me that he and Alice will be finishing the school year at Forks High. If you want me then you won’t hide either. We are going to be in the open. Edward is obsessed with me and he will not like you being near me. They may have to work for us if they want to stay in one piece but they are not going to be happy about it. Everyone will know you are gay. I won’t hide anymore. I’ve been through too much and I want you but I want all of you. I won’t be your dirty secret anymore. I was good with that before but I deserve more. Maybe I don’t deserve it but I want it and I will find it.”

“I’m good. I want everyone to know.” she sounded sure of herself.

“You sure?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

I walked up and kissed her. I couldn’t think of any reasons to stay away from her anymore. If something happened to her I would probably never forgive myself but at least she knew what she was getting into.

My gentle kiss turned into more at her insistence. I was a bit surprised when her hand stroked my ass but I wasn’t complaining. I lifted her shirt and…

“Not to be insensitive but shouldn’t you two find a room? Preferably not mine?”

Arial.

“Sorry.” Angela whispered.

“I’m not.” I told Arial, giving my best imitation of a vampire growl.

“Look are you two coming out in public?”

I checked Angela’s face and saw she was smiling.

“Fine. We need to get ahead of the publicity. I am calling the minions. Meeting at your house?”

“Sounds good.”

An hour later Angela and I sat side by side on the love seat in my living room. Gathered around were Arial of course, along with Jessica, Lauren, Ben, Eric, Mike and Tyler.

“Thank you all for coming.”

“No problem Bella. We were actually a little surprised. We all figured you and Arial would be off in some exotic location like Cancun or the Bahamas or maybe Daytona Beach.” Mike said.

Nope, just a day in Italy. Time to get to the point.

“Monday there are going to be some changes. I want us all to get ahead of them. First of all I want you all to know I’m gay. I have always been gay. Everyone in Phoenix knew and it is time everyone here knew.”

Silence.

“But you and Edward…” Jessica started.

“He was pretty. I had a major concussion before I arrived her, sort of let myself go. I thought I would give a guy a try and he was as close to a woman as I could find here. As I have said before, when he dropped his pants and I saw his tiny penis I realized it just wouldn’t work.”

“That makes sense. I knew there was a reason you wouldn’t go out with me.” Tyler commented. I managed not to roll my eyes.

“Yeah, I had my suspicions too. I never could understand why you kept looking at my tits in the locker room.”

“You have great tits Jessica.” I admitted. I could feel Angela tense. Should probably cut that topic off.

“So you and Arial are coming out?” Lauren asked.

“Wait what?” Arial asked.

“Oh come on. You two are so gay for each other. We figured you two might be bi and that was why you had your fling with Cullen but the way you are around each other… it’s kind of obvious.” Lauren said with an approving smile.

“I am not gay. Bella and I are cousins and best friends. That’s it.” Arial told them.

“So why wouldn’t you go out with me?” Mike asked.

“You are not my type.” Arial told him coolly.

“What about the way you two seem to revolve around each other? It’s like you are two sides of the same coin. You both seem pretty intimate with each other.” Jessica said.

“This is so hot.” Eric observed. “I imagined you and Arial getting it on a lot but it actually happens. This is so great. Are you two going to kiss at school or like grope each other?”

“I am straight!” Arial practically screamed. “Bella is family! That’s just ewww. I mean if I was gay, I would totally do her if she wasn’t family but as it is, I am not gay.”

“I get that you two are family but come on, you do have sort of a codependent relationship.” Tyler fairly commented.

“Arial is my heterosexual life mate. I do however have a girlfriend. We have kept it a secret until now but we won’t any longer.”

“Who is your girlfriend?” Eric asked, looking directly at Lauren. Good Lord that boy has an active imagination.

“I am.” Angela said loudly.

Silence once again descended in the room.

“Angela?” Ben asked.

“Yes Ben.”

“Does your Dad know?” Ben looked a little ashen.

“Yes, I told him last night and he kicked me out. I’m staying with Arial.”

“You left me for a girl? I mean right after Cullen left, you… and then you and Bella were studying together all the time and… you broke up with me for another woman?”

“Get over it Ben. She is gay. It’s not like you were trying to hit it. Don’t let your silly male ego get you hurt.” I told him.

“Of course. It’s just kind of sudden. This is going to shock the school. Not Bella so much because no one is surprised by anything you do but Ang? I mean this is…”

“I understand, Ben. This isn’t the best way to find out but it would have been exposed eventually anyway. We prefer to do it on our own terms.” Ang explained.

“Anyone have any problems with this?” I asked.

Everyone in the room shook their heads.

“Good, now we have work to do. Jessica you are going to make as many phone calls as possible. I want you to be personally involved in this and not rely on word of mouth. I do not want the story deviated from, any more than what will happen naturally. Angela and I have been secretly seeing each other for most of the school year. I kept my sexuality a secret so Angela wouldn’t be discovered, but Angela came out to her father. The compassionate Christian pastor kicked his daughter out of his house in the middle of the night. He is a bigot, but she chose to be with the one she loved rather than live a lie. Everyone got that?”

“Is that why you stayed with me and cried the entire time?” Jess asked. She cried the entire time? “And you were blowing up Arial’s phone?”

“Yes.” Ang said quietly, not looking at me.

“This is so hot.” Eric whispered.

“Eric if you say that again I am going to hurt you.” my heterosexual life mate told him.

“Listen up people, Jessica isn’t the only one who has a job. Lauren you are going to contact the cheerleaders, anyone who has any bit of popularity and tell them the romantic story. Mike and Tyler, you have the jocks. Eric and Ben, the geeks and goths are your job. Ben if you want to stay out of this and have time to come to grips, I understand. Eric can handle the geeks on his own. By Monday I want everyone to know and I want it clear that if anyone has a problem with it, they can speak to me themselves. If I hear of anyone saying anything negative, they can expect a visit from me to address it personally.”

“No problem Bella.” Jess said quickly. She was such a good minion.

“Consider it done. Anything else?” Mike asked.

“Yes, the Cullen’s, at least Alice and Edward have decided to finish the school year at our lovely institution.”

That caused quite a storm of anger. Who knew my minions hated the freaks this much?

“Quiet! I want this spread as well. Edward is to be called Tiny by ever girl in school. I want their lockers fucked with, air let out of tires, and one other little thing that you all do not know. Alice and Edward are on a special wholistic diet because they have some strange disease. They pretend to eat at school because they don’t want to seem different.”

“The Cullen’s are freaks. What difference does it make?”

“Lauren? I’m talking.”

“Sorry Bella.”

“Every day there will be a rotation of people sitting with them. Everyone can pick a day, no less than three people. We are going to make them eat. Sit there and make sure they clear their fucking plates. I don’t give a damn if it is the jocks, geeks, a few goths, whoever. This has to be done. I want them eating every day or not in the cafeteria. Basically we are going to make the remainder of this school year hell on the Cullens. Everybody got this?”

“Bella could you stop saying geeks?” Eric asked quietly.

“No. When Best Buy opened up a technical support business called Geek Squad that term became socially acceptable. Blame Best Buy if you have a problem with it. Now does everyone understand the plan?”

Nods around the room.

“Ben?”

“I just want Angela happy. If this makes her happy then I am glad.”

“Good man. You have all been good friends to me since I have been here. Okay maybe not at first, but I believe we have all become quite close. I want to thank you for this. We have had some good times and we have a couple more months to have even more great times. I want you to know you all mean the world to me.”

I am such a good liar. Still the minions needed positive reinforcement often to ensure their compliance. This must be what running assets is like for CIA agents.

“You are so cool Bella.” Mike whispered.

“Thanks Mike. You are… a good friend. Okay we have a lot of work to do so let’s get it done. I will be available by phone if anyone encounters any problems. Please, please stress that if I hear one homophobic comment from anyone there will be consequences. I don’t want anyone permanently hurt this close to graduation but examples may have to be made, alright?”

A chorus of agreements. I kissed Angela who was actually smiling. Eric started to whisper how hot it was before Arial slapped him in the head.

It was 6 PM and I had accomplished quite a bit today. I would need to take a few shots and relax in the hot tub tonight to go back to sleep at a decent time.

By the time we had arrived back at Uncle’s Jacks. The entire gang as there including Dad, and we ate grilled chicken and baked potatoes that Jack had cooked.

“You aren’t going to Florida tomorrow.” Jack told me.

“And why not?”

‘Because Sasha and Dan are going to Seattle tomorrow. Angela, I believe you said you wanted to go?”

“Yes.”

“Speak up girl. Shy don’t work in this family.” Connolly told her.

“Yes.” Angela said louder with a grin.

“We are going to Seattle tomorrow?” I asked, not remembering Arial or Angela mentioning this.

“No, Angela asked me for help with something and I am taking her to Seattle with Hawk as backup.”

“You’re my backup.” Dan said quickly. Sasha brushed him off as she always did when these guys said something stupid.

“Why are you going to Seattle Ang?”

“It’s a surprise.” she said, quiet once again, so I didn’t push.

“Besides you have work to do in the morning. The five of you can fly out Wednesday and spend the rest of the week there. Hawk and Sasha are both going with you.” Jack explained. Without knowing if Vicky would follow it probably would be a good idea to have as much backup as possible.

“I’m going to Florida too?” Ang asked.

“Of course. I thought you would like to meet my mother.”

“That should go great. I can’ imagine you getting into any trouble there.” Dad grumbled. I ignored him.

“You think she won’t like me?” Ang asked Charlie, very quickly.

“She might like you too much. Considering she had sex with Bella’s last “friend” I would just say to be careful.”

“Dad! How did you even find out about that?”

“I told him.” Ty explained.

“Who told you?”

“Jack.”

“Jack?”

“What? Besides it’s late and Jake hasn’t tried to contact you. You said you would be by later today to explain everything, you being gay and all. You should probably call him and tell him you will be by in the morning. Arial you can go if you want to.”

“I think I’m going to Seattle.” Arial said with a grin. I didn’t like that grin.

“Fine, I’ll go myself.”

“You said she was done! She came out, there is no reason for her to be around him anymore!” Angela nearly yelled, forgetting her inside voice.

“Christ girl you ain’t got to be jealous. Trust me, puppy ain’t got a chance.” Ty chuckled.

“That’s not it! They are monsters! One attacked her already!”

“I’ll be fine Ang. What do you want me to tell them Jack?”

“I haven’t thought about it much with everything else going on. I guess play it by ear. I will be close. Tell them everything if you want.”

“Thanks for the direction Dodo. Great fucking plan, play it by ear.” This is why Sasha usually handles his thinking.

“Do what you need to do. If they look like they aren’t taking it well, start shooting. Like I said, I will be near and Dante will be close as well. You got this.”

I called Jake who was uncharacteristically quiet and said he would be waiting for me. He also asked me to come to Sam’s house. I didn’t like it, but I had my dog whistle and Eleanor if I needed to make a quick getaway.

I kissed Angela goodnight and she begged me to be careful. Careful? I couldn’t remember the last time I was careful. I lied of course and told her I would.

After getting drunk the with Charlie at home, I managed to get to sleep at a decent time. Charlie didn’t approve of underage drinking but I convinced him of the need for it considering recent events and he agreed since he knew I would be doing it with or without him regardless. Connolly told me he would be watching my window all night so I could sleep a bit easier too.

At eight AM I found myself at Sam’s front door. Emily answered and quite frankly she looked scared to death.

I could have whispered that she would be okay but a very mean spirited part of me enjoyed her discomfort. It was wrong and I realized this wasn’t her fault but I had offered her help several times and she refused. Fuck it. I wouldn’t out her but she could sweat for a bit.

“They are inside.” she told me as a way of greeting.

They?

Walking into the living room, I saw Jake was present. Of course he wasn’t alone. Embry, Quil, Sam, Paul, Jared, a very young boy and… one of the hottest bitches I had ever laid eyes on.

“Bella.” Jake greeted tersely.

“Hey Jake. I see you didn’t want to have a private conversation?”

“I think you have some explaining to do.”

“I really don’t. I’m here as a courtesy. If any of you think of giving me shit, I walk.”

“We will see about that little girl. Nice leather jacket for such a warm day. You think you can draw before one of us stops you?” Paul asked.

“I guess we will find out Paul. Maybe I should leave now?”

“You aren’t’ going anywhere! It’s your fault these leeches are back and the redhead wants you! This is all your fault!” the hot chick practically screamed. She had a real Rosalie Hale vibe going on that I found myself liking. Too bad for her I was taken. Jake sniffed the air.

“Holy shit you are gay.” he whispered.

Oops. That’s embarrassing. What can I say? Bitchy women turn me on.

“Do I know you lady?”

“No, I’m Leah Clearwater. My father is dead because of you!”

“Because of me? I would remember killing him I think.”

“I phased because this damn redheaded bitch is after you! He had a heart attack when he saw me. My brother and I phased at the same time! Because of you!”

She stepped up.

Okay.

“Back off bitch. Those fucking leeches were here before I arrived and they left because of me. Sorry about your father. Wait are you Leah… the one who was engaged to Sam before he dumped you for Emily?”

Oh great. No wonder she stayed in a constant state of pissed off. If she was a wolf, she had to do whatever her ex said? I would have just killed him by now.

“Can we all calm down? Bella why don’t you have a seat?” Sam suggested.

“No, I think I will stand. I’m not exactly feeling a familial groove going on right now.”

“Why did you go after Edward Cullen? Why did you tell him you are gay? Why didn’t you tell me you were gay? Why were you going out with him in the first place?” Jake asked. He did not sound happy.

“Uh, experimental phase?” I tried.

“Try again.”

“Maybe we should leave her alone Sam.” Emily suggested. “Her secrets are her own. I’m betting he put some sort of vampire spell on her, right Bella?”

“Bullshit. What is your game Swan? If you weren’t fucking the leech then why were you pretending to? Why did you go after him? Why did you bring him back just to blow him off?” Paul asked. I was really sick of his voice.

“I didn’t go after him, I was taken. I tried to escape and ran into him accidentally.”

“Bull…”

Before the word shit exited Paul’s mouth, I had drawn my Sig and walked up, pressing the barrel to his forehead.

“I guess that answers the question of whether you are fast enough to take my gun Paul. Now if you say another word, I am going to carve your head into a fucking canoe. We got each other?”

I suppose he recognized the conviction in my words because he just pissed his denim shorts.

“I don’t owe any of you answers. Jake went out of his way to tell me what he was. Paul threatened my sister and couldn’t take getting the shit beat out of him so he turned into a big dog in front of me. You offered to protect me. I never asked you too. You don’t want to then don’t. I don’t give a fuck; I can protect myself. But if you think I am walking into a pack meeting to be intimidated by you assholes, you have another thing coming. Leah? Sorry about your Dad. You blame me for his death one more time and I will make sure you see him soon. We all understand each other?”

Silence.

No, I felt one of them moving behind me.

He rushed me.

I would kill LaHote and try to turn in time.

I knew I didn’t have time.

Until the sound of a gunshot deafened me. I briefly wondered if I had pulled the trigger without thinking but Paul’s very scared face was still looking at me.

“Anyone else want to try to rush Bella?”

I recognized that voice. He didn’t talk much but it was unmistakable, in its deep timber tone and absolute calmness.

Dante.

I backed up from LaHote never dropping my gun.

Dante was beside me.

“I think it is time you all had a seat. We hoped Bella could try to explain the situation and you would all remain calm. Apparently, many of you are still dealing with temper issues so I will be killing anyone who moves and try to explain to whoever is left alive what is going on.”

No one said a word. I glanced down and saw Dante had an M16 in his arms.

“We… aren’t you the guy working on his doctoral thesis on Native American studies?” Sam asked.

“That is what you I have told you Uley. I would recommend you all file out calmly and walk to the tribal hall. A man named Jack Webb is waiting for you. Your elders have already been summoned. If any of you attempt to phase as you call it and run, I will kill the rest of you. There is a sniper outside. Don’t bother looking, your eyesight isn’t that good.”

“You shot me!”

I checked the floor and saw Jared was holding his lower left leg. That was a lot of blood.

“You’ll live. It could have been your head. It looks like the bullet went straight through. You should heal in what? Fifteen minutes?”

“It fucking hurts!”

“Don’t be a pussy. I’ve been shot six times. After the second you barely notice it anymore. You were going to attack a woman I have sworn to my brother to protect. I take my oaths seriously. Now fucking move.”

I was seriously beginning to love Dante.

Jack greeted us in the hall. Billy Black was there along with a woman and a very old man with thick glasses, long white hair and maybe weighed 150. He had a walking stick next to his chair, meaning only one elder was fully mobile.

I sat at the end of the table while Jack sat at the other. Dante stood against a wall so silent you would forget he was there if it wasn’t for the big rifle cradled in his arms.

Thirty minutes later all was explained.

The people gathered did not take it well.

“You betrayed us.” Sam whispered, looking at me.

“No I didn’t. You did Sam.”

“We trusted you! We protected you! We… wait what do you mean, I did?”

“Jack found out about wolves when you phased. Our operative saw you change. There are big bear sightings all over this area. It was only a matter of time before someone came looking for answers. If you guys would be more discreet then maybe none of this would have happened. Besides as I pointed out earlier, you all were practically begging to tell me your secrets.”

“So what do you want from us now? If you think we are going to be studied you are out of your damn mind. I would sooner die.” Jake told Jack, trying to sound tough. Jake would sooner lick Jack’s feet than die. He had a lot to live for. He had… that Rabbit and… a girl… no he found out she was gay… college… no he has to stay here and run in circles around his reservation… okay maybe he would rather die.

“I don’t want to study you. We know everything about you already except how it is possible for you to grow larger in wolf form and frankly it has something to do with your DNA and the extra chromosome. Our guys will unlock it, the same way we figured out how to stop vampires.” Jack told him.

“You know nothing about us! What DNA?”

“I have been tracking you for months Uley. Your wolves leave quite a bit of hair on tree barks when they decide to throw fits in the wild. It was easy to collect.” Dante told him.

“There is no way you have watched us. We are too fast for a normal person to keep up with.” Sam told him.

“If you say so Uley. What I want from you is to work with us and the Cullen’s to stop this Victoria. Once she is gone, I am done with you. We can all cover more territory together.”

“You expect us to protect Bella after this?” Leah asked, seriously turning me on with the tone of contempt in her voice.

“No I expect you to work with us and the Cullens to take this bitch down. You have done a good job scaring her but you will never catch her. Now that she knows about you, whether she gets Bella or not she will never leave your people alone and will most likely target your tribe just to fuck with you.”

“We will catch her! We almost had her two days ago!” Sam retorted, not convincing Jack apparently.

“No you didn’t Uley. Dante will you explain why the wolves will never catch her?”

“Uley your wolves patrol in a clockwise direction four miles around the border, four hundred feet inside judging by the tracks. Every other hour you close to within a half mile of the residential area and search for scents and then back out to your regular scheduled route. Jake or Paul watch Bella’s house almost constantly because Jake is in love with her and Paul hopes to catch a glimpse of Jack’s daughter. You ask how I could keep up with you? I didn’t have to. Your tracks told your every move. All I had to do is sit in a tree and watch you come by. As far as Victoria goes, she is fast and has the advantage of being able to move from the ocean through the trees without ever touching ground. You can’t stop her there or smell her. You need the Cullens and you need us. You are going to help because it is in your best interest too. Without us this bitch could bother you for the next ten, twenty years. We can fake Bella’s death and relocate her. Then what do you think would happen? You think she would live and let live?”

No one had an answer to that. I looked at Billiam.

“Hey Wheels, you are the chief. Anything you have to ask?”

“No Bella. I’m good.”

Glad to see someone is still afraid of me. I wonder if him and the Rev could form a support group for men whose balls now belong to the Phoenix.

“Glad to hear it. So you in Uley?”

“Yes, I suppose we don’t have a choice.”

“There is always a choice Sam, until it gets taken away by some Indian voodoo. Right?”

Yeah, I saw it in his eyes. He knows I know about imprinting.

“Some things are not your business and that is final.”

“Nothing is final until I pull the trigger. I will decide what is final.” I replied, making sure this big fucker didn’t think he could intimidate me in the least.

“If that is all, please resume your normal patrolling. If you find her and can force her in a certain direction, one of you please call Bella. I hear everything Bella hears so we can have the Cullen’s ready to trap her or we can be ready. Paul you are to stay away from my daughter. Do not speak to her unless spoken too. If anything happens to either of my girls, I’m bringing in a hunting team and we will study all your dead bodies in an underground lab at an undisclosed location. We all got each other?” Jack asked.

By the nods around the table I suppose we did indeed all have each other. Good to know, one big happy team.

As everyone filed out, Jake politely asked me if he could have a word. Technically he did have a right to be pissed, so I decided to give him a moment, gesturing to Dante that I would be fine. That man had a glare that put Jack’s to shame. Beautiful long black hair as well. Reminded me of Angela who I hoped didn’t take forever in Seattle today.

“What can I do for you Jake?”

“You played me.” It wasn’t a question.

“I did not. I didn’t lead you on. I told you that you were like a little brother to me. Unlike Cullen I never pretended to date you or love you. You’re a good kid but that’s as far as it goes for me. I hope we can be friends, I really do, but don’t ever say I played you.”

“When I stopped answering your calls you showed up in a wet t shirt telling me you wanted to talk about trying to have a relationship.”

Oh yeah. So I played him a bit.

“Then you cried. It broke my heart.”

Yeah… that reminded me I still needed to get Arial back for that. But how? That wasn’t just a practical joke, that was a huge emotional shot she felt was done for the greater good. There is no way I’m going to let her get away with it but I didn’t want to hurt her the way she stabbed me in the heart… wait, I’m supposed to be talking to John… damn it! Jake. My name recall had improved but its slipping on me now with all the drama.

“Yeah, that was my bad but come on Jake, you heard everything. I’m a spy. I did my job.”

“You are an 18 year old girl who is in over her head.”

In over my head? Who the fuck does he think he’s talking to? In over my head?

“Considering I have learned every secret about vampires and werewolves in would have to disagree. This 18 year old girl has you all, vampires and wolves by the balls. Why would you think I am in over my head?”

“You would be dead if not for us. That leech in the clearing would have killed you.”

“Occupational hazard. I’m not afraid of dying Jake, if it means taking these monsters down. You ever heard a bunch of humans screaming while these bastards fed on them? I have and I will do whatever I can to take these things down, even if it means I die. We all do our part. Some of us run around an Indian Reservation in circles on four legs and some of us save the world.”

I turned to walk away when I felt his hot hand on my shoulder. I didn’t turn around, instead reaching into my coat.

“I love you. I won’t give up on this. Maybe you don’t believe it now that you love me but I won’t give up.”

I did turn around at that.

“Jake it isn’t going to happen.”

“Ever seen Chasing Amy?” he asked with a cocky little smirk I wanted to blow off his face.

“Yeah, it’s the only science fiction movie Kevin Smith ever made. Touch me again and you get shot. See ya around, puppy.”

I made it to Eleanor and drove home, Jack following me. When I reached my house, I saw I had a text.

From Edward.

/I know you love me. I know we are meant to be. I’m not sure what traumatic event happened to you that has made you believe it is natural for two women to be together but I will help you through this. Please tell your family to stop shooting me. I love you my Bella/

Fucking great. I usually ration my drinking out, trying to partake every two or three weeks. This however was a good enough reason to curl up in my hot tub and get wasted.

I walked downstairs in my little black bikini and she was there.

I think she was there.

“Angela?”

Her glasses were gone. Her hair was down and she had on the tightest little shirt and blue jeans that looked like they were painted on, covered by black leather boots. She was wearing makeup.

“Hey. I told Sasha last night that I planned to start dressing the way I always wanted to but was never allowed. She insisted on taking me on a shopping trip today. So what do you think?”

“I think I want to…” throw you on the floor and rip those new clothes off of you. Tie you to my bed and lick every single inch of your skin? Grab your face and grind my pussy into it?

“I think you are beautiful. I know you are. My God I’ve always known but this…”

“You should see what else she bought me. I was a bit uncomfortable at first but she was really nice. Even Arial was nice. She told me a few things you liked as well. I uh… I just want to be me. So you think I look…”

“Fucking beautiful.” I whispered.

“Thanks. You are looking pretty hot yourself. Big date?” she was smiling so I guess she wasn’t too uncomfortable with how close to nude I actually was.

“Nope. Just me, a bottle of bourbon and my hot tub. Too bad you don’t have a suit or you could join me.”

“I don’t care if I have a suit. I’m joining you.”

Oh fuck yes.

“Let me get an earplug.”

“Earplug?”

“Yeah. I’m about to make you say things you never have before and Jack doesn’t need to hear. You really ready for this?”

“I’m not waiting another minute. Think you could hold off on the hot tub for a while? I really want to be with you in bed for our first time.”

“Dad happens to be patrolling with Connolly tonight. I think we could handle that.”

She reached out her hand and I took it. It was time to claim my mate.