Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Unlock Your Heart

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 16:

Bella sat behind Edward’s desk and looked at the surveillance pictures for the hundredth time. She kept hoping to see something she was missing. It had been a week; no phone calls had come in asking for anything in exchange for Edward. As the days passed, Bella got more and more pissed off.

She sat back in the chair and turned to look out the window. She couldn’t help but think about their last encounter. She lifted a hand and wiped at the tear that made its way down her cheek.

“How ya doing, Bells?”

Bella turned and came face-to-face with Carlisle. “I keep thinking I’m missing something. I know it’s in these photos, but I think I’m looking for the wrong thing.”

Carlisle walked to her side of the desk and began perusing the pictures with her. He came upon one that struck him a little odd, so he picked it up and walked to the window for better light.

Bella looked up and watched him. “What is it?”

Carlisle turned and looked at the young woman in front of him. If anyone was going to save his son, it would be her. “Look at this.” He pointed to the corner of the photo in his hand.

Bella looked at what he was pointing at and felt her pulse pick up. “I need a dark room, Carlisle!” she exclaimed, snatching the photo from his hand.

“We still have yours set up at the house.”

Bella grabbed her phone and followed Carlisle to his car. She was confident that she had just found a lead, and she wouldn’t stop until he was home with her, where he belonged.

**UYH**

He wasn’t sure how long he had been locked in the little dungeon, but he thought it was about two weeks. For the first couple of days, Edward had refused all food and water. Sometimes even going so far as to throw it at the idiots who were holding him, but he had known that soon, he would have to give in.

Edward had counted five days had passed, and when they came in with the usual bread and water, he hadn’t thrown it. He hadn’t visibly eaten it, either. Instead, he nibbled on the bread just in case it was laced with something. He used the water to swish around his mouth before he spit it back out. He was aware that if there had been anything in the water, he had already ingested it, but it couldn’t be helped. He needed water to survive.

Every day, he had been taken into a room where he was beaten. He knew he had several broken toes and a couple of fingers, but they hadn’t broken his spirit. He kept thinking about getting home to Bella. He knew she was doing everything possible to find him. She was a smart girl, he just needed to stay alive for her.

“Good morning, Eddie-boy!”

Edward cringed at the creak the lock on the door made as it was opened. A blonde head peaked around the side. Edward gave a small wave and then flipped him the bird.

“Now is that any way to greet your host?” James sneered.

“Oh, I’m sorry, James. I guess I left my perkiness in my warehouse next to my dead men.”

James’ eyes darkened with anger at Edward’s attitude. “You know, you should be grateful you’re still alive. I was supposed to kill you!”

“Really? Who wanted me dead?” Edward prodded, hoping to learn the name of the person who had ordered the attack.

“JAMES!”

James turned and muttered an oath under his breath. He pushed the plate of food toward Edward and then quickly shut the door.

Edward got up and walked over, trying to listen, but he only heard the noises, not the words. “Dammit! Come on, Baby, save my life,” he whispered like a prayer.

**UYH**

Bella stood in the darkroom and stared at the picture as it developed. She was stunned with what the image was. She knew he was stupid, but she had no idea he had a death wish. She hung the picture to dry and then turned off all the lights before stepping out of the darkroom.

She walked up the stairs and saw the family sitting in the living room, waiting. For answers, or for orders, she wasn’t sure. She smiled at her brother as she stepped toward him.

“How’s the head, Gar?”

Garrett looked at his baby sister and admired her strength. “I have the occasional headache, but it’s getting better.”

Bella nodded and turned to Emmett. “How’s the shoulder? Giving you any issues?”

Emmett looked at his arm that was still in a sling. “I’m fine, B. I take it you found something?”

Bella grinned. “Felix!”

The bug man limped around the corner. “Yeah, Miss Swan?”

“How’s the leg? Are you up for a pick up?”

“Isabella, what the hell is going on? You need to start explaining, young lady!” Esme demanded, getting out of her chair.

Bella turned and leveled a sharp stare at her. “Sit down!”

Esme sat quickly, shocked that Bella had spoken to her that way. Like everyone else, though, her nerves were on edge. No one could believe Edward had been taken. He was always so in control and level headed.

Bella turned back to Felix. “I want you to drive. Take Emmett and Garrett, and go pick up that little fucker Newton. He has some explaining to do.”

He nodded and left to get the car. Bella turned back to Emmett and Garrett, “You two, use whatever force necessary to get him to the house and into the basement, but I want him alive.”

Garrett and Emmett nodded before rising and following Felix.

“Bella, please, you have to tell us what you saw,” Carlisle begged.

Bella sat down and looked around the room. Everyone looked exhausted and understandably so. She herself had barely slept since she found out he was gone. Her sheets still smelled like him.

“Okay; Carlisle and I looked at the surveillance photos a little closer this morning, and he saw something I had missed. I took the picture and enlarged it, hoping to clear up the image Carlisle had found.”

“Did it work?” Alice wanted to know.

Bella nodded. “It was a car, with the license plate visible. I didn’t need to do a trace, though. I know the car and the plates because I bought them. It was Mike’s car.”

Renee and Esme gasped while Rosalie and Alice’s cries of outrage filled the room. Charlie and Carlisle were on their feet, heading for the gun cabinet. Kate sat back and watched Bella.

She knew Bella could be cold and calculating when it was necessary. Kate had seen it. She wasn’t afraid for her sister- in-law; she knew she could handle this. The only thing she was afraid of was what would happen if Edward never returned. Would Bella recover?

“Calm down. Dad, Carlisle, sit down, please,” Bella ordered. When everyone had calmed and resumed their seats, she continued her explanation. “I just had the guys go pick him up. They will take him to the house and into the basement. Dad, you, Carlisle, and I will interrogate him. Once I find Edward, I am gonna put a bullet in Mike’s head.”

“Bella!” Renee was shocked at the indifference in her daughter’s voice when referring to her ex-lover.

“What, Mother? Do you think I am gonna sit back and let that little fucker go after he took the love of my life?!”

“Bella…” Esme started.

“NO!” Bella stormed to her feet. “That sniveling little shit is gonna die. And trust me…it will be slow and painful. Let’s go!”

Charlie and Carlisle smirked at one another before following her out the door.

**UYH**

Mike sat on the couch, watching a game while Jessica bobbed her head in his lap. He was just about to come down her throat when his front door was kicked in and he had three 9mms pointed at him.

“Awe; sorry you didn’t get to finish, Mikey. Trust me, you’ll be done soon,” Emmett sneered.

“On your feet, fucker!” Garrett ordered. He turned when Jessica squeaked, heaving been grabbed by Felix. “Bring her, too.”

Felix nodded and the three of them drug the duo out to the waiting SUV.

“What the fuck is going on?” Jessica screeched.

“You fuckers are gonna regret this!” Mike shouted. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with!”

“No, Mikey, I don’t think you know what you’re up against!” Emmett laughed.

Garrett and Felix joined in with his laughter as Jessica glared over at Mike.

Mike turned and looked at Jessica as she crossed her arms over her chest. “What?”

“What have you done, now?” Jessica arched a brow at him.

“Shut up!”

“Good come back, Mikey!” Emmett guffawed.

Garrett grinned and turned to Felix, “Let’s go.”

**UYH**

Bella sat at the kitchen table nursing a cup of coffee while she waited for the guys to get back with the idiot. She couldn’t understand why Mike was involved; this had to be more than revenge for her leaving. At least, she hoped it was. Otherwise, she and Edward would never have any peace.

She was broken from her reverie by footsteps behind her. She turned and looked up at her dad.

“They’re here, Sweetie.” Charlie laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Bells, are you sure about this? Carlisle and I can handle it.”

Bella stood and squared her shoulders. “I can do this, Dad. You guys taught me well. Let’s go.”

Bella let Charlie lead her down to the basement where her brothers had Mike tied to a chair. She was surprised to see Jessica tied up beside him.

“What’s she doing here?” she asked as she turned to Emmett.

“Felix grabbed her when she tried to run. Garrett thought it was best to bring her along.” Bella nodded and approached the pair.

Mike looked up and grinned. “You know, Bella, if you wanted to tie me up, all you had to do was ask.”

Bella’s hand cracked out across his cheek before she could even register the movement. Mike’s head snapped to the side from the force of the blow.

“Watch what you say, Michael. My fuse is short, and it was already lit today.” She turned and looked at Jessica. “You probably have no idea why you are here, do you?”

“No, Bella.” Jessica’s voice shook with fear.

Bella grabbed a chair from across the room. She sat it in front of Jessica and straddled it. “Well, let me clue you in. A couple of weeks ago, Edward was informed there was some trouble in one of our warehouses. He left the house and never returned. Now, your boyfriend over here has been meeting with some rather shady individuals.” Bella turned to look at Mike, who had noticeably paled. “That’s right, Mike. We know all about your business dealings. You should have picked a meeting place that wasn’t owned by Emmett.”

Bella stood and began to pace the room as she continued to explain the situation to Jessica. “Now, I don’t know what happened inside that warehouse. What I do know, is that some members of this organization were gunned down. Emmett and Felix were shot, and Garrett was hit with the butt of a gun. Stupid, really; I mean, why not take out three of the highest ranked members of the family instead of soldiers?

“During the shooting, Edward was taken. What I want to know is how the HELL one of these goons was able to get the upper hand on him?” Bella spun around and looked at Mike. “I also want to know how you thought I wouldn’t know that you were there, Michael.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

The men chuckled and shook their heads at his stupidity. Bella grinned. “Oh, Mike, really? Did you forget what I do for a living? Surveillance photos showed you parked half a block up from the warehouse.” Bella pulled her gun out from behind her back and aimed it at his head. “Where is he?”

“Fuck you!” Mike spat.

“No thanks; you’re a lousy lay,” she cocked her gun. “Where is he?”

“I ain’t telling you shit!”

Bella shifted her arm and shot him in the knee. “Wrong answer!”

“You fucking bitch! You shot me!” Mike screamed.

Bella looked at him and gave him an innocent look. “I did! Oh, no! Do you need a doctor?” Bella glared at him coldly, “I am gonna shoot your other knee unless you tell me where he is!”

“I don’t know!”

Bella fired a shot behind his head. “Try again, or I won’t miss next time.”

“Tell her Mike!” Jessica screeched.

“Yeah, tell me, Mike!” Bella mimicked. She once again aimed her gun at him.

“They’ll kill me!”

Bella laughed. “You’re gonna die anyway! Whether they do it or I do, your hours are numbered.” Mike’s eyes snapped to Bella’s. “That’s right; you’re gonna die. All the matters is if it’s quick or slow.”

Mike looked down, knowing that he was dead either way. Maybe if it was by Bella, then he wouldn’t have to suffer. He raised his head and looked at the woman he had once loved. She was so much stronger than he had ever thought. He was a fool to have let her go.

Mike licked his dry lips. “He’s in the old abandoned church on Wabash—in the cellar. Be careful, James and Laurent guard him at all times.”

Bella turned to her fathers and brothers. “GO!” The four men jumped up and ran out of the house. “Felix, stay here and watch him.”

“What!? Bella, no! You have to kill me, please. When they find out….” Mike was silenced by the butt of Bella’s gun on his temple.

“What about her?” Felix pointed to Jessica.

“She can stay here. I need to make sure she’s not involved.” Bella turned and ran up the stairs. She caught up to the others before they left. “I want James and Laurent alive!”

“You got it!” Charlie yelled before Carlisle tore off down the lane.

Bella watched until the car disappeared. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to take comfort in the knowledge he would be home soon.

“They’re coming, Baby,” she whispered before turning to go clean herself up.