Page 45 of Shattering Nash

Nash stood in front of his security team with his eyes trained on one man. He wasn’t exactly new to security, but only having four years in, he was still in the vetting stage. It was a long process working up the ranks in the Underground. Years spent proving their worth and value.And you fucked it up in one night.Travis had been assigned the simple task of making sure Charley arrived home safely. And he had failed.

“You were specifically told you to follow them and make sure they all arrived home safely, correct?” Nash’s voice echoed through the room, his anger undeniable.

Travis gave a curt nod. “Yes, sir.”

“And did they all?”

He straightened his shoulders. “I don’t know how I missed them. When they pulled into the parking garage at Trey’s I just figured I’d park on the street and wait for them to come out.”

Fucking idiot!

“Which probably would’ve worked out in your favor” —Nash paused before snapping— “If there weren’t two exits.”

It was rare for him to raise his voice with anyone, let alone his men. Nash ruled his own throne among the security teams with direct orders, no room for failure, and meticulous control. That was completely derailed with the disappearance of Charley. He’d sent security to confirm she’d made it to her house safely. She hadn’t. In fact, no one knew her whereabouts.

“Fucking. Find. Her!” The heat emanated off his words, followed by a sharp snarl.

“Yes, sir.” Travis stepped back in line with the rest of the men.

Nash waved his hand for them all to exit and rounded his desk.

“Which one?”

Nash jerked around, glaring at Travis, who was the last man in line.

“You said findher. There were two women,” Travis said.

There were two, Charley and Penny, but Nash was solely focused on one. This was not the first time he’d slipped.

“Both of them.” He snarled.

Travis nodded and started to the door but stopped mid-step. Oz was standing in the doorway, eyeing him and the security team. He walked inside, and security filed out.

Nash lifted his chin. “Sir.”

Oz arched his brow. “Who are we missing?”

Fuck!There wasn’t much that went through the Underground that Oz didn’t know about. The majority of the information came from Nash directly. This was one piecehe hadn’t planned on sharing. It wasn’t detrimental to the organization. Nash saw no need to bother Oz with a small mishap.

“I had Elle’s guests and a friend followed home last night to ensure their safety. One was dropped off at Trey’s apartment, and the other isn’t accounted for.”

Oz slowly cocked his head. “You mean the othertwo.”

Fuck!

“Yes.”

“Elodie spoke with Dahlia this morning. Charley went home with Dahlia’s friend, Penny. Apparently, they were inebriated and there was concern on the woman’s end that they shouldn’t be left alone.”

Nash steeled his features but inhaled a breath.

“You seem relieved.”

I am.When he’d gotten word from Caine earlier about Travis’s missteps, he went into a panic. This mini-infatuation with her was becoming all consuming. It was hard enough trying to get any rest with his mind on her kiss. None of which he’d admit to Oz.

“Being Elle’s guests, I am.”

Oz slowly nodded but didn’t respond. Nash had worked for Oz long enough to know how he operated. Nash could gauge his moods, and more specifically, his suspicions, like no one else.

---