Page 34 of Shattering Nash

“What were you studying?”

“Nursing.”

Penny’s brows shot up. “You’re a nurse?”

Charley’s smile faltered, and she muttered. “It didn’t work out.”

She had so many plans that had all taken a backseat in favor of taking care of her brother. Charley had no regrets. But every once in a while she thought of how different things would’ve looked if life worked out for all of them.

****

Well done.

Nash had been watching the monitors since he’d left Charley in The Lounge. He’d found other reasons for focusing on the surveillance cameras, but it was mainly for her. Ridge, Caine, and Cyrus were more than able to identify any issues that arose, but Nash had a vested interest in one in particular.

Nash had been careful not to react when the man sat beside her at the bar. It was a busy night and seating was limited. However, when he turned and spoke to her, Nash was seconds from calling down to security. He didn’t have to. They followed his initial orders, and one of his men put an end to that conversation. Scaring Charley in the process. It made him wonder what trauma she’d gone through to put her so on edge in almost every situation.

“She’s practically sitting on her friend’s lap.” Ridge snickered.

Nash kept his gaze locked on Charley. His security had done their job, and Nash appreciated the man’s care in the detail of not touching Charley. That would’ve been unacceptable.

“I think it’s safe to say security has got it under control.” Cyrus tapped the screen.

“I want eyes on her.”

Cyrus slowly turned with a smile playing on his lips. “All three of them or just Charley?”

Nash narrowed his gaze at the insinuation. Cyrus had been spot on calling Nash out for his flub. However, Nash wouldn’t confirm or deny. He’d give him nothing. This small infatuation with Charley was not up for discussion. He needed to remove himself from this situation. He had plenty of things to do in his office. One pressing matter actually included Charley. He needed to find a backup contact if his original didn’t pan out.

“Alright.” Cyrus tapped the screen pulling up the room camera. He hit some buttons, and the camera zoomed in on Charley. Keely had left, and it seemed Charley had moved seats, sitting next to Penny. “How long are we babysitting?” The tease in Cyrus’s tone didn’t go unnoticed, and Ridge softly chuckled. Nash ignored them both.

“For as long as they’re here.” Nash straightened and pulled the phone from his pocket.

“Who are we spying on?” The female voice was familiar but foreign within Oz’s security.

He turned, and in the doorway was the last person he’d expected to see. Expected or hoped? It had been quite some time since Noelle had been moved from Oz’s command to Trey’s to work as Dahlia’s security. At the time of her appointment, Nash was opposed to the idea, though he’d kept his concerns to himself. It turned out, he’d been wrong. Noelle had found her place working under Trey and essentially Rogue. She’d probably never move up, but she was in the higher ranks with them.

Noelle peered around at the men. None of them paid her any attention. For his part, Nash lowered his chin in greeting then addressed his men.

“Eyes on her until she leaves, and let me know before she does.”

“Yes, sir,” Ridge said.

Nash slipped past Noelle and started down the hallway. She hadn’t been invited, but he heard the clicking of her heels. When he rounded the bend, she called out.

“You’re going to make me chase you?”

Nash stopped at the door to his office. He sighed as she got closer.

The corner of her mouth curled. “Hi.”

“What can I do for you, Noelle?”

Her eyes darkened. “I have some unexpected time off. I was thinking we could grab a drink and catch up. You know, for old times’ sake.”

They had history. A lapse in his judgement a few years ago. He’d been under the impression they were both filling a physical need with no strings attached. It didn’t work out that way. A month-long sex-based affair had Noelle wanting more. Nash never committed to anyone, and as with all his women, he’d been upfront with Noelle. When he’d ended things, she’d gotten extremely cold with him. Nash understood. She’d obviously caught feelings, and he hadn’t. He’d continued to look out for her as he’d always done. A protector. When Noelle was moved to Dahlia’s security, she seemed to soften a little bit. Nash attributed the change to Dahlia.

Noelle had made a grave error years ago, and by all accounts, she should’ve been dealt with accordingly. It was Nash who’d stepped in on her behalf. It was before they’d become intimate, and he’d had no loyalty or ties to her. But her mistake spoke more about the depth of her compassion than her ability to work in the Underground. It was for that reason alone he’d asked Oz to spare her. But she would never be part of Oz’s, Rogue’s, or Trey’s top line security crews. Those positions required a hard, ruthless core. And Noelle had proven she didn’t have one.

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