Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Bodyguard

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 22:

Connolly POV

Despite our usual loose nature and fun and goofy antics, when a battle is about to commence we become a very serious and deadly unit of men who operate as one with me making the decisions.

There is no room for jokes, or talk for that matter. It is my job, my responsibility to see the mission through and do my best to win and keep my men alive. While we work in support of Garrett it has always been understood that we are one entity on our own. Garrett had his super speed and strength. We had each other and our skills and weapons.

There is no whining or laughter. Just me and my team about to take down and enemy that is quicker and stronger than us. Men who follow my every command without a moment’s hesitation.

We were a deadly whisper on the wind. We are the thing that goes bump in the night. The ghosts people whisper about when walking through a graveyard…

“Sir?” Jack’s voice rang from my earpiece.

Fuck.

“Yeah Jack?” I whispered, already knowing what this was about.

“Your girlfriend is upset and wants to turn into a wolf.”

“”Leah?”

“It’s ridiculous. I’m a shifter and you want me perched in this tree with this guy trying to shoot vampires? Why am I not on the ground doing what I do best?” Leah hissed.

“Because you are a part of this team now. If you fight them closely you could be bit. That’s a last resort. We try to kill from a distance first. Now follow orders and stay by Jack’s side. Do as he says.”

“I don’t know how to use a gun!”

“What?” I asked in disbelief.

“She said she doesn’t know how to use a gun sir.” Jack clarified.

“How do you not know how to use a gun?”

“I’ve never had to use one before!”

Shit.

“Jack show her how to use the rifle.”

“You want me to give your girlfriend a shooting lesson during an active mission?”

“Yes Jack. That is what I want you to do.”

“You think maybe before you bring any more people onto the team, especially untrained civilians, you might do some sort of interview and ask about their proficiency with firearms beforehand? Sir.”

“Jack I’m not loving the feeling I’m getting from you. You want to lead this team?” I asked.

Let’s see how he likes the responsibility…

“Yes sir.”

---

“Well… you can’t. Show her how to point and shoot. If shit goes bad Leah, do what you do.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if she was with the other shifters sir?” Jack asked.

“No. She is on our team now. She is with us.”

“Then maybe she should go ahead and take off her clothes so they don’t get ripped if she has to phase?” Jack suggested.

“I’m going to murder you.” Leah told him quite calmly.

“Jack she is keeping her clothes on. Now shut the fuck up.”

Jack sighed. I didn’t give a damn. I don’t know if it was the imprint or what but she was mine and she stayed with us. Uley had his wolf pack phased and ready to charge in the event they were needed. I had Rudi place a com device in his big ass wolf ear and told him if he heard the phrase Broken Arrow he was to charge. He didn’t appreciate the phrase but he and Black could both go fuck themselves.

“Yes sir.”

“Garrett? Your guys in motion?”

“Yes. Peter and Charlotte are with Bella and Ty at the base of the mountain. Esme is in the house with the family in the cellar. Jasper and I are staged East and West ready to attack where needed.”

“Rudi you got the eyes in the sky?”

“Got everything running. No movement from the mountain yet. You sure she is coming out?”

“She will come…” I ignored the snickers from my team of highly trained professionals… “It’s early. Keep your eyes open and watch the surrounding area. I don’t want to be outflanked because of a secret exit we didn’t know about. They are going to be hunting us while we hunt them. This is a first guys. Stay sharp.”

“This is a last for me.” Demond said quietly.

Okay I had to know.

“What do you mean Demond? You getting a bad feelin? Spill it.”

“Nah, just I got to talking to Ty about where he grew up and comparing it to Compton and before I knew it he offered me a job on his security team once he signs.”

Damn it.

“Yeah me too.” Dante added in.

“What the fuck? He offered jobs to the two black guys on the team? What kind of shit is that?”

“Not just black guys sir. He offered me and Ding jobs too.” Toby informed me.

“You guys aren’t going anywhere. Demond you have two PhDs. You aren’t working as a bodyguard.” I told him decisively. End of discussion.

“Uh my two PhDs got me freezing my ass off on top of a big tree in Washington in January getting paid a lot less to protect him. Hell I ain’t even protectin him. He’s about to go into a den of vampires. I hope he makes it. That offer was sweet. Get my own car too. May as well make bank while I got the chance.”

“He asked if he could talk to me before I left.” Chuck mentioned.

“Me too.” Ryker added in.

“That son of a bitch is trying to hire out my entire team underneath me?”

“Not me. I don’t really think Bella likes me. Can’t imagine why. Not my fault she can’t keep her clothes on.” Dan said. He was on top of the Cullen mansion with a rifle and his XM214. He had standing orders that if more than two vampires approached the house to rain hell down on them.

“Max you still with me?”

Silence.

“Max?”

“How are we supposed to fight the enemy if you keep talking? Sir.” Max whispered.

“Good point Max. Way to focus the team. The family. Thank you.”

Fucking Gavin.

“I’d be willing to stay if I can bring a girlfriend aboard sir. I’ll even bring one who knows how to shoot a gun.” Chuck said. A chorus of agreements arose.

“I’m not his girlfriend you fucking assholes! He is my imprint! I have to keep him safe. Now listen to him!” Leah said.

I dropped my head.

“Well I guess since your mommy told us to shut up we will go ahead and do our jobs… Sir. Long as we all know who is in charge now.” Dan said.

“Connolly do I still have a team backing me up?” Garrett asked with humor in his voice.

“Fuck you. I brought one. One person in. You brought four vampires in.”

“I’m not in anything yet.” Jasper chimed.

“Gavin make you an offer too Whitlock?” Ryker asked with a snicker.

“Nah he can’t protect Bella. She done kicked his fuckin ass. What is he gonna do for her? Gavin ain’t gonna let him do what he wants. The dude only has nine toes left. Course he might join just to see the copy of her video we got. Only chance he’s ever gonna have to see that fine ass in motion.” Dante added sending a round of laughter through the radio.

“Fuck you guys.” Whitlock whispered but I think I caught a hint of amusement in his voice. If Esme hadn’t gotten that toe back on he may not have been in as good a mood.

“We got movement from the cave.” Rudi said making us all shut up. Time to do what we do best.

“Okay, play time is over men. Let’s take em to church.”

Bella POV

“This is fuckin ridiculous.” Ty complained.

Again.

Dad had bought Ty and I some sort of hunting suits that were supposedly scent proof so deer couldn’t smell a hunter. He then sprayed us both from head to toe.

With doe urine.

I didn’t realize they sold deer piss. If this does successfully hide my scent from vampires and I survive I may still get molested by Bambi. Apparently this urine is drawn from female deer who are in heat or something.

“It’s not ridiculous. Even if they can’t see us they can smell and hear us. This may give us an advantage.” I tried to explain, giving Dad some credit and justifying standing here drenched in animal urine.

“Pete what the hell do me and the missus smell like?” Ty asked Peter.

“Humans who got pissed on by a horny deer.” Peter told him honestly. I was afraid of that.

“Told you Bella.”

“Fuck you Ty.” was my witty response.

“They are leaving. You sure we shouldn’t all just attack at once Bella?” Charlotte asked.

“I need to see where they are keeping my friends. Ty and I can protect them and you two can go wild. Just wait for our signal.”

“And the signal? Peter asked. That’s right. I forgot to tell them.

“A scream.”

“Oh that makes me feel good about your plan.” Ty said.

“I can go up myself!” I whispered.

“The hell you are!”

“Then shut up and let me do my thing.”

“They are moving.” Peter told us. I looked up and saw multiple vampires leaving the cave.

“I counted twelve. That what you got Pete?” Ty asked.

“Yep. More should be coming. I didn’t see Maria.”

“It is dark.” I pointed out.

“Not to me. I will recognize her in any situation. Dark, light, deep space doesn’t matter. I will know that bitch. You tell me Bella. Where is she?”

I thought about it but only felt a cluster of vampires. I could feel her slightly inside.

“She is there.” I said with more certainty than I felt.

“Then we all go.” Charlotte decided.

“Bullshit. She probably has a friend of mine in her arms. Let me get the lay of the land. Give us five minutes. We have guns. We will be okay.” I stressed.

“And you are sure about how you want to do this? You are pregnant. This can’t be good for the baby.” Peter said smiling.

“It will be fine if you do it right. Soft landing for both of us. No problem.”

“This some bullshit but if we are going to do it, let’s do it.” Ty agreed.

Peter grabbed Ty and Charlotte grabbed me by the waist.

“Have a nice flight guys.”

Both Peter and Charlotte tossed us in the air.

Very high in the air, above the tree tops. It felt like being launched by a rocket.

The moment I began falling I stopped and hovered in the air. Ty started screaming on the way down. He dropped ten feet before I reached out and grabbed him with my mind. Bringing him closer to me, I grabbed his hand in midair and made us invisible.

I hoped.

I mean I could see him but the idea was no one else could see us.

Damn he was taking a toll on my mind. He wasn’t a small guy. I wouldn’t pass out this time. Too many lives relying on us.

We floated carefully fifty yards to the entrance of the cave. I could make out a small fire in the back giving some illumination to the cavern.

We stood on either side of the entrance on very small ledges. It was a long fall to the ground but on the bright side the multitude of trees growing on the side of the mountain would kill us before we fell too far. Once I was no longer holding Ty in the air I felt instantly better.

Two vampires walked out.

They were feet from us.

One sniffed.

“You smell that?”

“Yeah. Smells like a horny deer pissed over a human body. What the fuck?”

“It was probably Bill. That fucker has some weird feeding habits.”

The two walked in and I softly took a step.

They both turned around quickly and I froze.

“You hear that?”

I glanced at Ty who pulled his gun. Shaking my head furiously I reached out to a loose stone overhead and drew it to me allowing it to drop at one of the vampire’s feet.

“Fuckin outdoors. These humans with guns have me freaked out. Let’s get busy. See what the queen bitch wants us to do next.”

“Shut up man. She might hear you!”

This time I let them walk until I could no longer see them. Ty made the first move inside and I followed his lead.

The cavern twisted a bit but fortunately we didn’t see any vampires until we got closer to the area where a fire was being burnt.

“The twelve have left?” A female voice asked. I could only assume it was Maria.

“Yes. They are all armed.” Another male voice answered her. I looked at Ty and saw his eyes were wide.

Those fuckers were going after the team with guns. I guess it never occurred to me that vampires would use weapons against humans.

“Excellent. It will never occur to those idiots that we may use our own weapons. If they wish to kill from a distance we can as well. Has the tunnel been completed?”

“Yes. It opens up on the east side covered by fallen trees. Their satellites won’t see us coming out. If they are set up as you suspect in a perimeter around the house we should be able to sneak past them while the humans engage our soldiers in the woods.”

Fuck.

“That must be where they have Jasper held captive. The humans will be there as well. You four stay back and guard these hostages. Do not eat them. I may need their lives to convince Bella Swan to give up her secret. Whatever sort of immunity she has to gifts, I want. I have no idea if her family members may survive the battle. If they do, you may all feed on these children as you wish.”

Before I could blink, ten of the vampires had rifles of some sort in their hands and one had a weapon that looked like a grenade launcher. I had seen Rudi and Demond working on a couple in the house.

The next second they were gone. Only four vampires remained with my frightened friends. They all appeared to be okay but I needed to be in front of them. I also needed to hurry. I could hurt one or two but not all at once.

My head was beginning to hurt from keeping the two of us invisible.

“I can’t believe that black boy. Fuckin a white girl? Man in my day his ass would have been whipped and hung in the street.” One of the vampires, an older gentleman with a long beard and tangled long grey hair mentioned. He was wearing what looked like a ragged Confederate grey coat.

I looked at Ty who was standing with wide eyes and his hand on the trigger, gun inches from the vampire. I placed a hand on his chest.

He gave me a what the fuck look. I placed my finger to my lips. We needed to get around them and be in front of the hostages. We couldn’t let what these bastards say, get to us.

“I know right? What about the white bitch? Touchin a black boy. I’d have hung her mother just for given birth to such a harlot. Talk about an impure, nasty whore…”

His sentence was cut off by the blast of the gun. I turned to yell at Ty until I realized I had actually shot the bastard.

Ty was shaking his head and looking at me, I shrugged my shoulders. Fuck it. Between the two of us I had the worst temper. He knew this.

“Where the hell did you two come from? Holy shit it’s the black b…”

Ty fired directly into the grey haired vampire’s face turning his head into a ball of fire.

Unfortunately the other two recovered quickly enough to take action. One grabbed Lauren by her throat and the other knocked Ty’s gun away. He moved towards Ty, his hands reaching for my man’s head.

Until they stopped.

His hands moved back as I stared at him. He looked at me and knew I was doing it to him. I wasn’t sure how long I could hold him. I suppose it was time to send the signal to Peter and Charlotte.

“Pain.”

The vampire in front of Ty fell to the ground. I glanced at the one holding Lauren.

“Stop what you are doing or I will…”

I suppose he stopped talking due to the loss of his sight. I placed him in complete darkness while his comrade screamed on the ground.

He scream was loud but did not last long. The sound of breaking marble ended it. Charlotte stood with the head in her hand while Peter unwrapped the vampires hand from Lauren’s neck. I sent waves of relaxation his way, nearly dropping him. Peter ripped the vampires head off and it was over.

“I thought you two were going to get in front of the hostages and call us?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, Ty totally lost his temper and fired first.” I explained.

“What?!”

“It’s okay baby. I had your back. Listen Peter, there is another tunnel. Maria is leading a separate team out the back of the mountain. The first team plans to attack the team with weapons to distract them while the main force hits the mansion to kill everyone and rescue Jasper.”

“I’m gone. Charlotte can you clean this up?”

“I’m comin with you. Stay here Bella!” Ty practically yelled. Before I could say anything Ty and Peter were gone.

“I guess we should throw these guys on the fire?” I asked Charlotte, wanting a little direction.

“Could someone tell us why we were taken hostage by vampires?!” Jessica screamed.

Time to face the music.

“They were after Edward Cullen. Rounding up all his old friends. They tried to get me but I escaped and decided to come save you guys. Totally Edward’s fault. You are all welcome by the way. Now we really need to get out of here.”

Connolly POV

“Connolly!”

Damn it. Peter was breaking radio silence.

“Quiet.”

“Shut it. A separate team is heading from around the back of the mountain towards the mansion. The guys nearing your team have wea…”

I suppose he was going to say weapons but his voice was interrupted by gunfire lighting up the forest.

“Rudi?”

“Everyone is okay. Looks like they don’t know where the guys are. Just firing into air until they can find someone or hear something.”

Each of us wore a wireless heart rate transmitter while separated on a mission. It allowed Rudi to monitor who was down and who was dead without having to speak more than necessary.

“There he is.” A voice said from the darkness. Oops.

I jumped down from the tree just as the vampires opened fire. I landed on my ass and hopped up, feeling the stabbing pain of cracked ribs. I hit a limb on the way down and knew it was coming.

Two vampires were in the trees above me.

A shot rang out and one vampires head was gone. The other turned to where Max had fired from and I fired, hitting him in the forehead.

“Two down Rudi. Team once you have them in sight. fire. They may have weapons but they don’t have a fucking clue what to do with them.”

“Are you okay?” Leah’s voice broke through.

“Start shooting and worry about yourself Leah. Do what Jack tells you. Uley if you are listening do not charge until the area has been cleared. Unless you have some body armor I am not aware of, you and your pack will get shot.”

“Jasper and I are heading to the house. Esme stay inside with Rudi. You two are the last line of defense. Dan prepare to greet the new team arriving. Peter meet us in the backyard. We will handle the house. You handle the advance team Connolly.” Garrett barked out.

“Rudi they are going to have weapons as well. Get the civilians in the basement.”

“Copy. I have second team coming in at a high rate of speed. They are going to rush the house. There won’t be enough of you to stop them all, Garrett.”

Damn it. They would ignore our vamps and head straight to the house to find hostages.

We would have to pull back and surround the house, if it wasn’t too late.

“Teams not engaging in fire fall back to the mansion. Dan be aware of our guys coming in. Garrett give Dan a wide birth. He can even up the odds a bit.”

Time to get back. I heard my guys engaging in the woods. I had to have faith in them. We were fighting a faster, stronger foe who had weapons and we had lost the element of surprise.

Still, when it came to killing we were better than they were.

Ty POV

Riding on Peter’s back damn near made me puke. Garrett and Jasper seemed surprised to see me.

“Why are you here? Where is Bella?” Jasper asked.

“With Charlotte. They are cleaning up the cave.”

“Step aside gentleman. We have hostiles approaching in the next five seconds.” Hawk said.

The Incredible Hulk walked in front of us with the biggest damn mini Gatling gun I ever seen. That son of a bitch was huge.

Before I could pull my gun he had lit the tree line on fire. Besides flying tree branches the pretty sight of flammable bodies lighting up filled my vision.

Gunfire erupted from the darkness and I found myself pulled behind Whitlock. I know he took a couple rounds in the back. I reached over his shoulder using him as a shield and fired, taking out a dude runnin at us.

Hawk fired again but this time the eruption was stopped short.

“Down! RPG!” Hawk yelled.

We all dropped and I saw the missile head towards the damn house. Thank God my family was in the basement.

Vampires rushed Garrett, Jasper and Peter.

Hawk took a shot in the vest and flew back. Rudi came out the burning hole firing. Two vampires took chest shots but kept moving. Another RPG hit behind Rudi and he flew into me. Hawk stood up and a vampire grabbed him, tossing him away like he was a fuckin ragdoll.

Esme yelled.

I was dazed but managed to look towards the house. She was battling. Girl was throwin down.

With that Maria chick. That can’t be good.

Jasper jumped Maria from behind and she flipped him off into Esme. Peter rushed her and had her in a headlock before two more guys jumped him. Garrett had three on him. Where the fuck did these people come from?

I had to get to my family.

The fuckin house was gonna fall down if it took to many more hits. I ran through the hole and made it to the stairway leading down to the basement. Kneeling down I prepared to make a stand.

Three vampires walked inside, looked at me and rushed. I fired hitting one. The other two’s chests exploded. They dropped to the ground and Connolly came up from behind them and tapped the bitches in the head.

He was covered in black and looked scary as hell. He was calm though. This motherfucker knew what the score was. If he was calm so was I. Everything would be fine.

“This is bad Gavin. We need to get your family out of here. Bring them up. I got my team closing but we are moving slow having to use heavy cover to offset their advantages. I got a chopper comin in to get your people out of here then I am lighting this bitch up from the sky.”

His words didn’t calm me.

Jasper just got thrown into the living room. The door opened and I turned around in time to see Dad running up the stairs with Jeff and Charlie behind him.

“Get Momma. We leavin.” I told him. Jeff ran back downstairs. Connolly took a knee beside me while we guarded the stairwell.

“What’s the deal with your crew?”

“No idea. Rudi keeps track of that and he is knocked out in the yard next to Dan. I think Leah has been shot because I feel like I have been shot in my leg and there aren’t any wounds. Other than that, I have an evac call to get your people out of here then I am lighting this place up. What’s left of it anyway. The bitch had more vampires than we expected. Not a problem. We got this. Just need to get your family out of here that’s all. I hoped to avoid fighting this close to the residence but that back tunnel fucked us.”

Suddenly the fighting stopped outside.

No gunfire, no booms, no yelling and cussin.

No nothing.

“Bella Swan come out now!”

I glanced at Connolly and he nodded his head. I motioned for Dad to keep everyone down there.

We stepped to the wall and glanced outside. Hawk was at the feet of one vampire. Rudi was passed smooth out on the ground. Strangely enough Garrett, Jasper and Peter weren’t movin. Then I saw Maria and knew why.

She had Esme’s neck nearly bent at a 90 degree angle and a zippo lighter at her throat.

“Shoot her.” Esme rasped out.

Connolly raised his rifle slowly.

“Keep bringing that rifle up soldier. I see you. I can smell all your people. Tell them to back down.” My eyes looked at the tree line and I saw Connolly’s team all dressed in black seemingly move out of the shadows, guns trained on her. Next to her was kind of a dorky lookin dude. He must be the mind controller.

Vampire body parts were on the ground. Jasper, Garrett, and Peter seemed to be whole though. In addition to her dork she had 6 vampires still standing.

“It is not in my standing orders to back down. I’m afraid that isn’t an option.” Jason told her.

“Then this woman is dead.”

“You won’t be far behind her. I promise you that.”

“I want Bella Swan now.” She told him.

“Watch my back. You get a shot take it, no matter how slim it is bro.” I told Connolly quietly. I strode outside and raised my hands showing my gun.”

“Drop your weapon.”

“No problem chica. Keep your crazy ass calm and all will go smooth. Think this little fight we have all had has gotten out of hand right?”

“Tyrone Gavin. I know your family is in that house. I know Bella is there with them. Why are you the one to approach me?”

“Somebody gotta talk some sense here. All your guys and all my guys are kinda in the heat of the moment right now. We need to take a step back. Ain’t no need to be rippin her head off. You know the minute you do Rambo behind me is gonna end you. That fucker don’t miss. Every one of your men got guns trained on them. They may be quick but something tells me these humans are quicker on those triggers. Plus you know what Jasper and Peter can do. I bet you are figuring out what Garrett can do.”

The dork walked up to me. Jasper prepared to strike but I waved him off. It was cool. Let the puppy sniff.

“I can’t feel his mind. He is immune to my gift. All of them are. Somehow they have copied Bella Swan’s power.”

“Maybe you just ain’t that good little guy.” I suggested.

“Back away Tanner.” She told the dork. “Jasper if you try to make me relax I promise I will kill her. Judging by your face she is of some value to you. Your gift does not work that quickly.”

Jasper and Peter stared at Maria with some serious looks of hate. Garrett seemed calmed like Connolly. I saw his team had circled Maria and all her remaining vampires had guns trained on them. Hawk looked like he was sitting up slowly, aware of the vamp over him. I saw him reach into his vest probably for a gun.

“Besides I may not understand why Bella Swan is immune to gifts, but I know the bracelets each of you wear around your wrists are why none of our gifts work on you. Step forward young Gavin. Are you willing to trade yourself and your pretty bracelet for this woman?”

“Yeah. Let her go and you can threaten me and all that shit. It’s cool…”

She just ripped Esme’s bracelet off.

“Of course now I have a bracelet. Tanner let’s see what we can make Esme do for us.”

Tanner stepped in front of Esme. Connolly was whispering for me to get back while keeping his rifle on her. I started to step back until Maria let go of Esme. Tanner stepped away and I saw Esme with the same dazed look I had seen on Jasper.

She had a gun in her hand.

I heard the shot. I understood the gun was pointed at me. At my chest. I never had time to brace for the pain or be surprised.

Just as well because the pain never came and the surprise? I was surprised as hell all right.

A bullet was suspended in the air a foot in front of me.

“Ain’t this some Matrix shit?” I whispered, grabbing the bullet to make sure it was real and then throwing it to the ground.

“Fire!” Connolly ordered.

Gunfire erupted and all the vampires not standing near Maria, namely Esme, went down at the same damn time.

Now we had the advantage. Esme shook her head and seemed to snap out of it, probably because Tanner was a headless burning corpse now. She dove away before Maria could grab her for cover. Unfortunately Maria was headin for me.

I just saw a damn flash. That was it, boom here she is and then…

She was floating in the air.

My woman walked out of the woods with Charlotte beside her. Bella’s eyes, her pretty brown eyes were like dark pools of oil they were so black.

“You were asking for me?”

“What are you?” Maria asked her, apparently unable to move in the air.

“What am I? I am a pregnant woman who is tired, hungry, homesick, has sore feet, headache and you just tried to shoot my fiancée. You should know one other thing that is very important.”

Maria was slammed into the ground. Bella stood over her.

“I can kill you with my brain.”