Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Nolen
Vanessa was back to hiding in her house and only coming out when absolutely necessary after coming back from wherever she went two nights ago.
Only this time, her car was parked in front of her place instead of down the block like it had been prior.
It was a strange new development, but I didn't know what it meant.
I never should've let her leave without following her, but the desperation in her voice clouded my judgment.
I was contemplating going to the door and asking Vanessa herself what happened that night when the passenger door opened, and Aaron slid in.
"Hey, man. How's it going? Any change?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. She's back to not leaving her place."
I should've cornered her when she came back the other night instead of watching from my vehicle two doors down. At least maybe I would've gotten some answers.
Aaron groaned. "That's not what I was hoping you would say. I wanted to be able to give Valerie some good news for once."
"Sorry. I wish I had something better to tell you, but Vanessa isn't giving us anything to work with."
"Not your fault. Do you think it's time we pull the plug on this operation? I know Maverick doesn't mind, but we are wasting precious time we could be working on other things."
I thought back to the other night and my run-in with Vanessa. Something big was definitely going on. "Let's give it a bit longer. As you said, Maverick doesn't mind, and I certainly think there's something here."
Aaron almost looked relieved at my assessment. "Thank you. I know it means a lot to Valerie, and therefore means a lot to me."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment. There was nothing more for me to say on the matter, so I kept my mouth shut.
"I'm here to relieve you if you want it."
Looking over at Vanessa's house, I thought about it, but the decision was an easy one to make. "I'll stay for now, but I appreciate the offer."
I had a feeling a change was coming, and I wanted to be here for it.
"Alrighty then. If you change your mind, all you have to do is give me a call."
"I will."
Aaron said his goodbyes before slipping out of the vehicle. I listened to the door shut as I got more comfortable in the seat. With my legs spread as wide as they would go, I propped my elbow on the center console and got prepared for what I hoped wasn't a long evening.
I wasn't sitting there for long when I noticed a man walking up to Vanessa's door. There was something about the man that caught my attention and made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I wasn't one to ignore my instincts, and this person was setting every warning bell off.
I knew those instincts were correct when I watched the man force himself inside Vanessa's house and slam the door shut behind him. I wasted no time getting out of the vehicle and rushing up the short sidewalk.
Thankfully whoever entered the house didn't have the forethought to lock the door on the way in because it quickly gave way when I turned the knob and pushed it open.
I was greeted by Vanessa's scream from somewhere further inside the house. Following the man's voice until I entered the kitchen, I took in the scene in front of me.
There on the floor, curled up in a ball was Vanessa and the gentleman was standing over her as he attempted to kick her again in the arms and legs.
"This will be your last warning. Get the information or your sister dies."
I barely had a second to comprehend what the guy was saying before I jumped into action and tackled the man to the ground.
We rolled around exchanging jab for jab as each of us got the upper hand for a moment before it was ripped away by the other.
I took a shot to the ribs, then another to the jaw that snapped my head to the side and made me lose focus for a second too long.
Just long enough apparently for the guy to push up off me and stumble his way through the house.
I quickly rolled to my side and pushed myself up to give chase but was stopped by my name falling from Vanessa's lips.
It was more of a whisper than anything but just enough to stop me from going after the guy and instead taking care of Vanessa.
"I need to call an ambulance," I told her as I kneeled down next to her prone body. She was still curled up in a ball cradling her stomach. Pulling my phone out from my pocket, I dialed nine-one-one.
I gave the dispatcher our location and the extent of her injuries based on what I saw, which wasn't much.
"The ambulance will be here shortly," I said as soon as I had confirmation an ambulance was on the way.
"No," Vanessa croaked. "Please, no hospital." Blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth where I assumed she was hit before she landed on the ground.
The more I took the time to see the injuries she’d obtained, the more I saw red. I wanted to find the bastard and continue to whale on him for everything he had done to her.
Instead I had to wait for the ambulance to arrive.
I recognized the paramedic immediately as the one who had helped Valerie and then Aaron's mom when they needed it. I think his name was Ryan.
"Who do we have here?" he asked in a cheerful tone.
I wanted to scream that he needed to take this seriously, but the rational part of my brain knew he was just doing his job to make Vanessa comfortable, rather than having her freak out.
And it was working because Vanessa willingly gave her name and described what had happened. Just hearing her describe how she had been punched in the head, then kicked repeatedly made my stomach turn.
I should've gotten there sooner or trusted my instincts and gone to the door when I wanted to. Instead Vanessa got hurt on my watch.
I vowed in that moment not to leave her again, until I figured out what was going on, whether she liked it or not.