Page 73 of Shattering Nash

The coffee was just about ready when he heard his doorbell. It put Nash on high alert. He didn’t live within gates, but it was extremely rare anyone ever ventured up his driveway. Hegrabbed his phone, pulling up his security surveillance. It was state of the art. He saw two men standing at his door.

Fuck!

Dressed in only sweatpants was not how he wanted to greet his security, but he needed them gone as quickly as possible. His relationship with Charley remained undefined other than his internal thoughts.She’s mine.Nash wasn’t about to give her up and let her go. He was still trying to work out the logistics in his mind how this would work out. His life in the Underground had always consisted of solitude. This was new territory for him. Until he figured it all out, he needed to keep it private.

He walked to the stairs and down. It wasn’t lost on him that security were at his house and not at his request.

Nash opened the door. Caine and Cyrus were standing on his landing a few feet away. It wasn’t unheard of for them to drop by his house, but it was usually preceded by a phone call.

“Something wrong?” He eyed both men.

“Oz asked us to swing by. He messaged you and hadn’t heard back,” Cyrus said.

He silently cursed. Nash had made it part of his hourly routine to check his messages. When he’d gotten home to Charley, he’d abandoned that routine. He’d charged his phone, curled into bed with her, and hadn’t given anything else another thought.

“My phone died.” For anyone else, it would’ve been an acceptable excuse. Not Nash.

Cyrus shrugged. “Okay. Sorry to bother you, Nash.”

That’s right, Cy. Let’s end this.Nash was seconds from a clear getaway until the elevator bell sounded, and the doors opened. Her soft giggle echoed through the garage.Fuck!

“I couldn’t help myself. I had to use the elevator.” Charley laughed, draping her hand over his back. “Unfortunately, I hit lower level not realizing that was the garage.” She moved to hisside. The second she clocked the men at his door, she gasped and ultimately froze. She was standing by his side in a T-shirt barely covering her ass.Was she wearing panties? I have no fucking clue.

Charley grabbed his arm and skittered behind him. He felt her face press into his bare back and heard a small groan.

“Alright, well,” Cyrus said, fighting against a smile. He looked at Caine, raising his brows. “We should head out. We’ll catch up with you later, Nash.” Cyrus backed up with Caine following. But he wasn’t done. He glanced over his shoulder with a small smile playing on his lips. “And, uh, bye Charley.”

She melted deeper into his back, muttering, “Bye.”

Fucking Cyrus!

Nash closed the door and turned. He wrapped his arm over her shoulder, walking her up the stairs. Her face was in her hands, clearly to hide her embarrassment. Nash rubbed her arm and walked her over to the couch.

“Sit down.”

She wiggled on the couch, her face strained. “I’m so sorry. I messed up the buttons, thinking lower level was this floor. Then I saw you at the door, but I didn’t realize you were talking to someone.” Her stress level was at an all-time high when it shouldn’t have been. He grabbed her arm, pulling her over his chest.

“It’s fine.”

“We’re failing at discretion,” she said.

Nash smirked. He couldn’t agree more, but on his end, he knew Caine and Cyrus wouldn’t repeat what they’d seen. She’d briefly mentioned her conversation with her friend, but he wasn’t concerned.

“You and I aren’t a secret, Charley. But considering you work for Elle and I work with Oz, it’s a delicate situation.”

The corner of her lips tugged down. “You don’t think they’d approve?”

He slid his finger over her forehead brushing her hair from her eyes.

“I have a feeling Elle would happily approve.”

Charley smiled and cocked her head. Thankfully, she’d ignored his omission about Oz. Nash had worked for him for years, almost decades, and he had no idea what he’d think. Nash had solely dedicated his time to the Underground and been about the organization without any distractions.

“So,” Charley paused. “No one ever randomly shows up at my apartment. If you want, you could come over and stay at my place tonight.”

No, I don’t.He’d have to put a little finesse on his response so as to not offend her.

He slid his hand over her cheek. “Getting tired of my house?”

---