“Hey, Mase,” said Jake. I was at home, working on the travel
plans for Bella, Charlie, and Alice, with the possibility of Linda and her son,
too. I’d have to do some background checks on Linda, Michael and his partner before
I could even give them the option of joining us. “Charlie actually kicked Alice
out.”
“No shit?” I breathed. “What did she do?”
“Not following through on her promises she made to Charlie. The
apartment is a mess. Alice had drugs and she called your girl a whore. Again.
She also ripped into Charlie, too,” Jake growled. “That girl … she’s trouble.
But, the boyfriend? I think he’s got a major influence.”
“You got a name?” I asked.
“I do. Charlie told me. I’m going to tell Seth that name. I may
have freaked him out when I flashed my badge,” Jake snorted. “Alice, too. Look,
Little Bells is, she’s upset. Understandably so. Charlie’s a mess, too. Linda’s
going to stay with him and comfort
him.”
“I don’t need that visual, Jacob.” I shuddered, my mind delving
into the pervy recesses, all starring Charlie and Linda. Ewwwww! “Anyway, when you get back, I need you to run a background
check on Linda Newton and her family members,” I said.
“Did you tell your mom about Bella?” Jake asked.
“That would be affirmative,” I sighed. “Are you on your way
back?”
“I’m making Charlie some tea while Linda is talking to Bella in
the demolished bakery,” Jake answered. “The place is empty. Anyway, I just
wanted to let you know.”
“About the bakery or that the evil sister has been evicted?” I
quipped.
“Well, both,” Jake answered. “Look, the water’s boiling. I’ll
talk to you when I get back.”
“Drive safely, Jake,” I said, hanging up the phone. I tossed it
onto the still messy bed. I smiled, remembering how that bed became messy.
Shaking my head, I walking back to Bella’s bedroom. I was nearly done moving
her clothes into my closet. After I’d finished my video conference with my mom,
I did some work at the consulate before I had one of the military officers
drive me back to the condo. I spent the afternoon moving Bella’s clothes. It
was oddly domestic and I found comfort in doing so.
I also started working on dinner, making a new recipe. It was a lasagna
dish, with alfredo sauce, spinach, cheese and chicken. I was assembling the
lasagna when the door opened to the condo. I blinked up, seeing Bella walking
in. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy. I walked toward her. She looked
at me, running into my arms and clinging to my sweater. I felt her tears
against my chest. “Cherie,” I
breathed.
“I don’t know why I’m crying,” she sniffled. “Alice brought this
on herself. I … I just …”
“Bella, it’s understandable that you’re upset. Alice made poor
choices and those choices resulted in Charlie throwing her out,” I said,
sitting down with her in my lap.
“I helped,” Bella muttered. “I packed up her shit, but …” She
idly toyed with a string on my shirt. “Dad gave her some money and I put a note
in her bag with my cell phone number. I’m terrified that she’s going to go to
the paparazzi or do something ... like get killed. With her being out there …
with her loser boyfriend …”
“I know you’re worried, but she’s an adult and she’s made her
choices,” I whispered, kissing her temple.
“It still sucks,” she grumbled, putting her head on my shoulder.
“Masen …”
“What is it, love?”
Who is Alice's boyfriend? Jake said he knew but did not tell Edward.
ReplyDeleteJasper
DeleteAlways good stories 😄
ReplyDeletelove it
ReplyDeleteIs Jasper somehow connected to Emmett???
ReplyDelete