22 Chapter Twenty-Two

''Why are you here and what do you want from Vanessa?'' with his back to him, Josh slowly pulled the phone from his ear as Jake demanded sternly.

He turned around ever so slowly, feeling good about himself. He could make out Jake's stiff features from the dimly lit garden.

  ''I don't see why that is any of your business step bro.'' he said in a bored tone but Jake lunged at him, seizing him by the collar.

  ''It is my business because I care about her and I won't let you hurt her the way you did before.'' Josh's eyes narrowed into slits, a muscle ticked in his jaw which gave Jake a boost of confidence. ''Yes, I know what you did you bastard!'' he spat. ''I can't believe you did that to her.''

Josh clamped his hand on Jake's wrists and pried them off him.

  ''And you have the right to?'' he challenged.

  ''What are you trying to say?''

  ''If your idea of care for her is to use her for your stupid revenge then I fear what your love for her would be like.''

  ''What are you talking about?'' Jake fumed.

  ''Oh come on Jaky–''

  ''Don't call me that!'' He snapped.

  ''I know everything so you don't have to pretend with me.''

  ''Who told you that?'' Jake gritted, his eyes narrowing into slits.

  ''It doesn't matter now does it? You've been busted buddy,'' Josh taunted. ''Give me one reason why I shouldn't tell Vanessa about it all?'' he stalked towards Jake and peered at him, sizing him up.

  ''Stay. Away. From. Her.''

  ''You're no one to tell me that, Jaky, what? are you in love with her? Did the revenge plan backfire?''

  ''Say one more word and I'll knock your teeth out.''

Josh pulled back a fraction arching an amused brow. ''Yeah, I figured as much. But I'm here to get back what was mine.'' 

jake's hands fisted at his side and he was only seconds away from swinging at the idiot.

  ''Don't say I haven't warned you.'' he warned. 

  Rella woke up the next morning with sunlight streaming in from the parted drapes of the window and his call was exactly two seconds after. Her lips automatically stretched into a smile, her eyes lighting up.

  "Did I wake you?" his voice was smooth and sultry as opposed to her hoarse and  sleep-filled. 

  "I was awake exactly two seconds before you called."

  ''Did you sleep well?'' Rella recalled the restless night she had wrought with thoughts of him she knew she wouldn't be caught dead telling him about.

  "Yeah I guess.''

  "I miss you." He told her truthfully, his voice dropping into a low seductive whisper and she knew she shouldn't let this conversation head in a direction she clearly want to avoid.

  "Um, I don't think it's ethical to keep your clients waiting.''

  "Why do I feel like you're shooing me off?'' even though she knew that was case, she rolled her eyes and scoffed, "as if.''

  "Yeah? Why don't I believe you?'' Even though he sounded playful Rella didn't miss the tinge of seriousness in his tone which made her wonder what he was trying to get at.