A Princess's Gentlemen

Chapter 4

-Third Pov-

A man's ragged, frightened breath filled the air as he ran. Terror filled his face, sweat dripping, breathing in short gasps, he ran, trying desperately not to make a sound. He's crouched in a dark corner. But then he saw a shadow move blindingly fast past him.

He jerks around, then another shadow flew past, too fast to follow. He bolts. He ran up a flight of stairs, harsh lights from the exterior of the mill striating him. He moved as fast as humanly possible. Someone or something charged after him at an inhuman speed through the maze of pillars and walkways.

They dodged skull-crushing beams, leaped from one floor up to the next, up ladders, scaffolding, and beams, up, and up, getting closer and closer to the security guard. He desperately runs for his life, looking over his shoulder with terror.  The person was closing in on him.

but then he bolts out a door and burst out onto a stair landing. He loses his footing and trips, breaking through the rail and pitching over the side, into the air, and stops, hovering mid-air, a yard from the landing. A hand grips his shirt then yanks him out of the air and with incredible strength.

His guttural scream was choked short as blood sprayed on the landing.

-Odette's Pov-

The waitress places a sirloin steak was set in front of Charlie as Bella and I slid in. Cora beams at Bella and me as she sets a plate of cod in front of her, and chicken in front of me. Several loggers at the counter offer Bella and me welcoming smiles. But, Bella shrinks in her seat at the attention.

Charlie was oblivious. "Can't get over how grown up you are. And so gorgeous," Cora smiled at us. Bella glances at Charlie, who keeps his eyes on his steak. A bearded, hippy logger, who I can't remember, appears behind Cora, leaning over her shoulder to look at Bella and me.

"Member me, honey? I was Santa one year," he asked. I was slightly freaked out. "Waylon, she hasn't had a Christmas here since she was four," Dad told him. "Bet I made an impression, though," Waylon replied. "You always do," Charlie agreed. "Let the girls eat their cod and chicken, Waylon,"

Cora told him as she turns to us. "When you're done, I'll bring your favorite - berry cobbler. Remember? Your dad still has it. Every Thursday." "That's great, thank you," I thanked her as Bella couldn't remember if her life depends on it. I giggled at her face.

Cora shoos Waylon away. Left alone now, Charlie and Bella both reach for the salt and knock hands. Charlie goes for the ketchup instead. We ate in silence as we heard a burst of laughter from a nearby happy family only serves to emphasize our discomfort. Bella tries to bridge the gap.

"So... you eat here every night?" Bella asked. "Easier than washing dishes," Charlie replied. "I can cook," I replied. He looks up as if confused by the concept. "I did the cooking at home, in Phoenix," I explained. "My older sister, Christine, is not great in the kitchen. She poor boyfriend"

Bella laughed. "She's like mom," Bella smiles. "I remember...," Charlie added as they all laughed, recalling an especially bad dinner. I smile at the two.  "How was school? Meet anyone?" Charlie asked us. "A few people...," Bella replied. "Do you know the Cullen family?"

"Are people talking about them again?" Charlie looked at us. "No... well, a little," I replied. "Not in a bad way" "Just 'cause they're newcomers. We're lucky to have a surgeon like Dr. Cullen at our podunk hospital. Luckily his wife wanted to live in a small town. Lucky his kids aren't like a lot of the hell-raisers around here," Charlie told us.

".....Okay," Bella nodded her head. "I just don't like narrow-mindedness," Charlie continued as he returns to his food.

Silence.

-Later that night-

I was doing my homework as I talked to Christine on the phone. "If everything goes well, Jay and I could be moving to Forks permanently, we'll stay in an apartment in Port Angeles" Christine told me. I chuckled at the idea. "That would be cool but what about your school? Which is why your in Italy" I asked as I played with my flower pen.

"We decided to do the online classes" I hummed at the information. I looked at the time. "I would love to talk to you all night but I have to go to bed, hopefully I dream of a gentleman," I tell Christine as she chuckles. "Especially a southern one. They are just-" Christine groans as I laugh at her.

I laughed harder as I heard Jay say something in the background. "Okay I love you good night" I hang up and thought about what she said. I remembered Jasper's face. His coal-black eyes and the fury they held.

-Dream-

I was holding Jasper's hand as we stood in the sunlight. When the sunlight hit our skin, we sparkled. I was looking up at him as Jasper places his fingers on my cheek, leaning in for a kiss. The kiss was soft and passionate. He picked me up bridal style as we continued to kiss.

-Dream?-

I gasped as I sat up in bed. And Jasper was in my room as I turned to switch the light on. When I looked back, he was closer to me as he sat next to me. We looked into each other's eyes as we pulled each other into a heated kiss.

Jasper hovered over me as he kissed down my neck. I moaned lightly as his hand rubbed my inner thigh and sucked on my neck. "I love you Darlin" he whispered lightly.

-Dream ends-

I gasped as I sat up in bed and turned to switch the light on. When I looked back, I saw no one there. I was confused, not only by my dream but by thinking of Jasper. I sighed as I slightly hoped it was real