Chapter 8: Double or Nothin’

He was tense, his body rigid and stiff. His jaw was clinched his eyes were darting back and forth, sweeping over the checkout lines.

Something’s wrong.

Oh God.... What’s happening?

Something’s wrong.

Something’s wrong.

My mind was suddenly racing as adrenaline began pumping through my veins. Something was happening, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. Edward had been calm (though aware of his surroundings) the entire time we had been here. I had seen him scan people’s faces and bodies, looking for signs of danger, but he had yet to tense up like this. I was positive that he had seen something.

He abruptly came to a halt and I mirrored his actions, pulling the grocery buggy to a stop.

“Edward?” I said in a hushed voice, quietly asking what was going on.

“Leave,” he answered harshly in a low tone that was demanding and assertive.

Panic rushed through my body and I tried to follow his gaze to see what was happening, but saw nothing suspicious, only casual shoppers. “Edward, what’s going on?” My voice was slightly shaky and it sounded distant in my own ears.

“Bella, get the fuck out of here. Leave the cart. Get in the truck and lock the doors.” He broke his stare from whatever he was looking at, his eyes darting to meet mine. I noticed now that they weren’t just a dull shade of green, they were nearly black. He looked almost feral, and most certainly dangerous. “Now,” he ordered through gritted teeth.

I was terrified of leaving him behind in there, unsure of what was happening. But at the same time, I had no gun. I had no way to defend myself. And although I felt as if I hardly knew Edward, I trusted him. I just knew that he was going to protect me. So I did the only thing I knew to do: I backed away from the cart and sought out the exit, immediately evacuating the store.

I left.