The apple of her cheeks turned the cutest shade of pink. It contrasted her tan skin beautifully.
"You like making me blush, don't you." It wasn't a question. We both knew what I was doing.
"Maybe a little." I winked at her.
I chuckled under my breath when she cleared her throat. "So who was the call from?"
I sighed. I much preferred staying in our own little bubble, but that wasn't possible.
"Hendrix. He thinks he found Joel. I need you to take a look at this picture for me."
Vanessa went solid beneath my touch. I hated it. All I wanted was for this to be over so she could feel safe again.
Using the hand that wasn't anchoring her to me, I took my phone out of my pocket and pulled up the email Hendrix had sent me.
I hadn't bothered to look at the picture too closely before I turned it around to show her, otherwise I would've understood why her face went pale as a ghost.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Vanessa
Oh God. I felt like I was going to pass out.
"That's…" I swallowed down the lump in my throat and tried again. "That's the man who pushed his way into my house."
Nolen turned the phone around and cursed. "How the fuck didn't I notice that?"
I didn't have an answer to that question. I would remember that face anywhere, but I had the chance to look into his evil eyes before he attacked me.
"So this isn't the guy who was blackmailing you?"
I shook my head. "Who is he?"
"This is Joel Daniels. I thought it was the person who was blackmailing you because of what Hannah said, but now I'm more confused than ever."
So was I.
"So this is the man Hannah's in love with?" I didn't expect Nolen to know the answer. I was more or less thinking out loud.
"Unless both guys are named Joel."
Stranger things had happened, but in this case, I didn't think that was what was going on.
"I can't believe she sent her boyfriend to beat me up."
The Hannah I knew would never do such a thing, but I was starting to learn that I didn't know my sister at all.
"We don't know anything for sure, but we'll figure it out."
I knew. Deep down I knew it had to be true. Hannah hated me, so it wasn't a far stretch to think she would be okay with someone threatening me.
"I think my sister is involved."
It made sense. At least I think it did. My brain was a little foggy from all the information I was getting.
Nolen gave me a look that was full of pity.
"Don't look at me like that."
