Page 32 of Shattering Nash

Keely smiled, then her brows dipped, her eyes became the size of saucers, and her mouth fell open. She pointed directly at him.

“Wait! You’re Nash?” Keely’s breath hitched, and she jerked her gaze to Charley.

Oh, this is interesting.

Nash shifted his gaze to Charley, who was seemingly throwing a visual warning to her friend. Charley gave a subtle shake of her head. She may have been trying to mask her annoyance, but Nash saw through it. Apparently, Keely had heard of him. If he had to guess, she’d heard it from Charley.

While he was enjoying the way Charley squirmed, he’d put her out of her misery. For now.

“I am.”

“Well.” Keely cleared her throat, sharing a look with Charley. “I’ve never heard of you, but it’s nice to meet you.”

Bullshit.Nash bit back his chuckle. He’d give Keely credit for her effort even though the recovery wasn’t convincing. He had no doubt that his name had been mentioned. And Nash was intrigued. Charley peeked up at him then quickly jerked her gaze away and fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

“Are you enjoying The Lounge?” Nash asked, and Keely seemed eager to share her thoughts.

“It’s amazing.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “We’ve got the corner of the bar, and I just had the most delicious purple drink.” Keely looped her arm through Charley’s. “You have to try it.”

Charley smiled then looked back at Nash.

“Enjoy yourself, Charley.”

“Thanks for” —She paused and swallowed— “Everything.”

Keely waved and dragged Charley across the room to the bar. From his view he could make out the brunette seated at the end near two open seats.I should’ve known.Nash shook his headand turned, walking toward the doorway. He looked over his shoulder at Charley before exiting the room.

She was shaking hands with the brunette. Then she took a seat on the stool. She’d be safe. He’d see to it. He walked through The Lounge and toward the exit.

Nash stopped by the two main members of security near the entrance. They had several men who guarded the room, but he wanted the main man on this detail.

“Charley Hudson. The woman I brought in? No one goes near her.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nash pushed the door open and walked out. They had surveillance cameras, and that’s where he’d spend the majority of his night. He’d promised Elodie he’d have eyes on her the entire time.

My eyes.

Chapter Six

An hour in the back room and two purple drinks later, Charley was finally able to relax.Kind of.The idea of being in an exclusive section of the X-Lounge was almost too much to take. She spent the first fifteen minutes inspecting the room and everyone in it.I don’t belong here.

Charley, Keely, and her friend, Penny, were sitting at the end of the bar. Aside from a quick introduction to Penny, she hadn’t spoken much. Keely carried the conversation, talking about her connection to Penny through Dahlia. A few other names were mentioned, but Charley didn’t know them. Following the stories was a little hard, but she tried.

Charley felt something brush up against her arm, and she shifted closer to Keely and glanced over to her right. There was a man dressed in a gray suit and blue shirt. He was probably her age, maybe a bit older. Handsome, though very generic.

“Enjoying yourself?”

Why did everyone keep asking her that? Maybe because the truth was written all over her face. She wasn’t exactly counting down the minutes ’til they left, but if Keely wanted to leave, Charley would be halfway out the door.That’s not happening.Keely was totally in her element and loving every minute of it.

Charley offered a shaky smile. “Yes. And you?”

He glanced down her body, pausing on her legs. “My night just got better. I’m Alex.”

She flattened her lips, forcing a smile. “Hi. I’m Charley.”

“What are you drinking, Charley?”

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