Page 95 of Shattering Nash

“No. She never told me anything like that.”

Inez burst out laughing, which rolled into a cough. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, circling the small living room.

Charley clasped her hands, looking over the bikers one by one. She’d seen them all before with the exception of one. He had a large frame, mohawk, and a scowl that had her shifting her gaze to the floor.

Inez pulled out her chair, placed it directly in front of Charley, and sat.

“Here’s the problem, fancypants. We got Zeke telling us a story that doesn’t paint you in a good light. He says you’ve got his missing product that your brother was holding. Your brother, the informant.” Inez narrowed her gaze. “It’s not looking good for you.”

She could only imagine how this must look to everyone.

Charley slouched in her seat and tucked her hands under her thighs. “I didn’t steal anything, Inez. I swear. I don’t know about Zeke’s stuff. You can check everything in my apartment. I-I’ll give you my key.”

“Aw baby girl, we flipped your apartment hours ago,” Gent said with a smile playing on his lips as his gaze dropped to her lap. “Nice panties, by the way. You don’t strike me as a thong gal, but I like it. Got a great visual.”

A frantic shiver raced through her blood.

“Charley.”

She looked over at Inez. “Don’t tell me what you don’t know. Tell me what you know.”

This would be her only chance with Inez, and she wouldn’t take any chances lying.

She swallowed the knot in her throat. “My brother has been an addict for a while. He’s gone to rehab a few times, but without fail, he always goes back. But he tries.” Her voice shook. “A few weeks ago, he was having an episode, I guess withdrawals. I didn’t know he was back to using, but I kind of suspected it. His behavior was different. He was yelling because he thought I took his stash.”

“Did you?” Ace asked, and she looked up, nodding.

“I thought it was from before his rehab and didn’t want him to come across it. It was a small bag of pills. I flushed it, and when I told him, he got really mad, and he um—” She paused, feeling the heavy weight of the admission.

“What did he do?” Inez asked.

“He wrapped his hand around my throat and started to choke me.” Charley dropped her chin to her chest as a tear fell down her cheek. “I fought with him, trying to get him to let go, and I was begging him to stop.” She sniffled. “And he did.”

The silence lingered.

Inez reached out, putting her fingers under Charley’s chin, forcing her to meet her stare. It was impossible to read Inez’s expression. Her face was tight, the corners of her eyes crinkled, and her brows knitted together in a severe scowl. Anger would’ve been her first guess, until her gaze softened, and she slid her finger under Charley’s eye, wiping away her tear.

The moment was short-lived. Inez sat back and lifted her chin for Charley to continue.

“A neighbor must’ve heard the disturbance because two officers showed up, and…”

“You get their names?” Ace asked.

“Mitchell and Becker.” She cleared her throat. “They took Cody out of the house, and I was alone for a while, then when they came back they said they could get him into a rehab out of state. They told me I couldn’t have contact with him for a while, but they’d call and give me updates.”

Inez furrowed her brows. “Have they?”

“Just once. A few days after. Becker said my brother was doing good and settling in, but it would be weeks before I could talk to him. And he reminded me.”

Inez squinted. “Reminded you of what?”

“That I can’t say anything to anyone or it would jeopardize the deal for Cody to go to rehab instead of jail.”

Inez shared a look with Ace, and he scoffed. “And you believed that shit?”

She darted her gaze between him and Inez. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Christ!” Inez laughed, shaking her head. “I always forget what naivety and innocence looks like.”

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