Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Vanessa
This was all my fault.
I couldn't stop thinking that as I sat next to my sister's hospital bed as she slept fitfully.
If only I had worked harder to discover who B. Feather was, my sister wouldn't be in this predicament.
"Will you stop blaming yourself," Nolen said from where he stood on the other side of the hospital bed.
"How can I not? It's my job to protect her and look what happened?"
"I think it's time you tell me what's going on."
I looked down at my sister and the bruises that would surely cover her face soon enough. Maybe Nolen was right. I was tired of doing everything on my own, and for once, I just wanted someone to lean on.
I rested my head gently on my sister's shoulder and hoped I wasn't making a huge mistake, trusting this man with the most precious part of my life.
With a shallow breath, I picked my head up and straightened my shoulders.
"I've told you about Hannah and the things she's been through."
Nolen nodded his head and crossed his arms, but he didn't say anything.
"Well, things are a bit more complicated than just her drug use."
"I'm listening."
Gah! Why was this so hard?
Nolen must've seen how hard this was for me because he came around to my side of the bed and put his hand on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."
I started with a shaky voice. "I never truly allowed myself to dive into Hannah's world. I didn't want to know the people she was getting drugs from because it made me so angry. Maybe if I had, I would've seen something was wrong before it all went to shit."
I knew I wasn't making much sense at this point, but I was explaining the only way I knew how.
"I moved to Willow Creek to get away from the problem, but it only ended up following me."
Nolen tensed from his position behind me. I could feel it in the way his hand locked up on my shoulder.
"Hannah got in deep with her drug dealer. At least I think that's who it was, and when she couldn't pay, he asked for payment in another form. I'm not sure what connection he has to Willow Creek. I've tried to figure it out but came up empty."
"What did he want?" Nolen's voice was strained, and I could only imagine what he was thinking. I felt the urge to ease his mind.
"He said I needed to figure out who B. Feather was, or he would kill my sister."
Hannah chose that moment to flutter her eyes open and groan.
"Hannah?" I gave all my attention to my sister as she slowly came around.
"Vanessa," she croaked.
"I'm right here." I gently grabbed her hand and cradled it in mine.
"Everything hurts."
Of course it did. She had gotten the shit kicked out of her, and because of her drug history, they couldn't give her narcotics.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Do you have the information for Joel?"
Anger burned like a hot pit in my stomach. Was that all she cared about? Did she even realize the choices she was making were messing with my life just as much as they were with hers?
"Not yet."
Hannah groaned. "Vanessa, please," she begged, and just like every other time my sister asked for anything, I felt myself caving. I was a sucker for her, and Hannah knew it. I didn't know what that said about our relationship, but I was sure my therapist would have a field day with it.
"Actually your sister does have the information. She just didn't know it yet."
Hannah looked over my shoulder at Nolen through swollen eyes. "Who are you?"
"A friend of your sister’s, and someone who has the information you need."
"You do?" I looked up at him with hope in my eyes.
Nolen's gaze never left mine as he confessed, "I do."
My heart started to skip wildly at the thought of this finally being over. Weeks of agonizing over it had made me sick, but that was all about to change.
"Tell me." This time Hannah begged Nolen, but unlike me, he wasn't quick to cave.
"Actually I would like to talk to Vanessa alone for a few minutes, if that's okay."
Hannah looked like she wanted to object, but I was quick to come to Nolen's aid.
"I'll be back soon."
With some reluctance, Hannah finally agreed.
Laying her hand back down on the bed, I pushed up from the uncomfortable chair and immediately felt the discomfort of my ribs from sitting so damn long.
I did my best not to wince but knew I failed when Nolen turned his worried gaze in my direction. I waved him off before he could say anything and made my way into the hallway.
It wasn't until the door was closed that I spun around and pierced Nolen with an intense stare. "Tell me you weren't lying and you actually know who B. Feather is?”