"There has to be something more we can do." The frustration in Nolen's tone was clear as day, and I hated that I didn't know how to help.
"We're doing everything possible. Joel isn't talking, and you haven't found any connection except thatLos Cangrisis involved. Not even the partial picture you have is popping anywhere."
Los Cangriswas the gang that has tried to infiltrate this town on more than one occasion. Willow Creek Security continued to put a stop to it, but it would appear they weren't done trying.
"Maybe I need to take a crack at Joel?"
I knew even before Maverick answered it would be a bad idea to let Nolen anywhere near Joel after what he did to me.
"Yeah, no." Maverick didn't sound the least bit enthused by that idea. "I think it's better to let Hendrix handle it."
What did they mean by let Hendrix handle it? Wasn't Joel in police custody? I thought that was who Nolen meant when he said Joel was taken care of after we learned he was behind my beating.
"I should be the one handling it. Vanessa ismyresponsibility." I could practically envision Nolen beating his chest like a caveman with that statement, and it had me rolling my eyes. Men and their possessiveness. It was hot as hell in the bedroom, but damn did it have to bleed out into everyday life?
I didn't get the chance to contemplate the idea more before my doorbell was ringing, followed by excessive banging.
Geez. Who the hell was that?
I couldn't hear what Nolen mumbled as I made my way to the front door, but he beat me to it.
"Let me see who it is first before we go opening any doors."
This time, I did roll my eyes. He was taking this protectiveness just a little too far as he pulled his gun from the back of his pants.
I seriously doubted whoever was blackmailing me would show up at my front door in broad daylight after going to so much lengths to keep their identity a secret.
The few times I had met my blackmailer had been under the cover of darkness, and his face was always shadowed enough that I didn't get the best look at him. Even the picture we had barely gave us enough to go on.
"Fine, but can we do it quickly before they bang down my front door?" I asked impatiently.
The pounding of a fist didn't stop the whole time and was only getting more urgent the longer we stood there.
I waited anxiously as Nolen looked through the peephole and then cursed under his breath.
"Well, who is it?" I asked with attitude.
"Your fucking sister," Nolen hissed.
My hackles rose at the venom in his voice even though I knew it was warranted after the things she’d said to me in the hospital.
"Well, let her in so we can see what she wants." The resignation in my voice didn't go unnoticed.
I was so sure Nolen was going to ignore my request when he didn't immediately turn the doorknob. I should've known he would need to have the last word. "If she hurts you again, I'll take care of her myself."
I didn't bother to ask him what he meant by that. I just waved for him to move this along. The faster I dealt with her, the faster she would leave.
With yet another curse under his breath, Nolen opened the door.
"It's about fucking time." Hannah pushed her way into my house, looking disheveled with her hair sticking up in different directions and wrinkly clothes on her body.
"What are you doing here, Hannah? I thought we said our goodbyes in the hospital."
Hannah looked at the two pissed-off men like they were bugs on her shoe she wanted to squish.
"Do you really need your bodyguards to talk to little ole me?"
I glanced over at Nolen and Maverick. "Can you guys give us a few minutes?" I asked with a sigh. I wasn't too keen on talking to my sister after how we left things, but I also didn't want Maverick to be privy to my family drama even if everyone knew what happened.
