Page 85 of Shattering Nash

Sullivan led Fitch out, but Nash and Ridge remained. A million different thoughts were rushing through his mind. The main one at the forefront was knowing Charley had been assaulted.Fucking strangled.

He looked around the room and noticed Ridge staring at him intently.

“Thoughts?” Nash arched his brow.

“Not sure you’re going to like what I’ve got to say, Nash.”

Probably not.

“Say it anyway.”

Ridge grasped the back of his neck. “Clearly, she was injured. Enough to be covering her neck for a while. She didn’t need a police escort to go to the hospital. She could do that on her own. Why didn’t she? Unless…”

Nash exhaled a breath, grasping his waist. “She knows he’s an informant, and she’s protecting him.”

Ridge gave a curt nod.

Nash dragged his hand over his mouth. If that was the case, there was a new level of concern, and it wasn’t for Charley. But for the Underground.

“Do you think she knows?” Ridge asked.

Nash had no response.

Chapter Seventeen

For the fourth night in a row, Charley was scheduled for the closing shift at the Boutique. It was a purposeful move since Elodie had been coming in to open. She assumed Oz had insisted she limit her hours again.Glad I wasn’t witness to that argument.

“Anything else you need us to do, Charley?”

She spun around to see the other three girls on the opposite side of the counter. Charley peered around the store.

“It looks great.” She rounded the counter. “You can all head out. Go enjoy your Saturday night.”

“Why don’t we all go out for a drink?” Emma asked.

“Yes,” Isla said.

“I’m in.” Saylor raised her hand then turned to her. “How about you, Charley?”

She smiled but shook her head. “I have a few more things I need to do. But you guys go and have fun.”

The girls grabbed their things from the back and started through the store. They waved as they headed to the door. Isla was the last to walk out, and she stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

“One of these days we’re going to make you come out with us.” Isla winked and walked out the door.

Maybe one of these days Charley would go.

She swept the floor and pulled extra hangers, bringing them into the back room. She grabbed her jacket, prepared to finally leave, but the garbage piled up by the back door had her dropping her pocketbook on the desk.

Keys, Charley!She reached into her bag, pulling them out and tucking them in her back pocket. The last thing she needed was to get locked out and have Elodie come down.Again.She tapped the opposite pocket making sure she had her phone on her.

Charley grabbed a few bags and pushed her hip into the door. The cool breeze hit her face, and she gasped. She knew the temperature was supposed to drop but wasn’t prepared for the arctic blast. She shivered and rushed across the parking lot to the dumpster in the back. She’d just heaved the last bag in when a different kind of chill raced up her spine.

“Charley!”

She spun around, knocking her back into the heavy metal of the dumpster.Oh shit!Her heart pounded as he inched closer. She darted her gaze around the empty lot. There was no one in sight. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced her nerves to settle.

Zeke advanced as if he was stalking his prey.

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