Page 97 of Shattering Nash

“Police station?” Rogue said.

Nash spun around, sending a scathing glare in his direction. “Shut the fuck up, Rogue.”

Rogue laughed. “I love a golden boy unhinged. What do you say, Nash? Wanna go another round?”

“Rogue,” Oz warned.

It wasn’t enough for Nash. He rushed toward Rogue, stopping only a foot away. The tension was high as Trey moved closer. He was prepared to separate them. Again. This time it wasn’t necessary. Nash wasn’t going to take a swing at Rogue. At least not physically.

“When your woman went up against Killcreek, it wasn’t just Trey standing there making deals on her behalf to ensure her safety. I was right there, motherfucker, making sure Quinn was safe. You remember that? ’Cause she does. Said it to me right in front of you. She felt safer because I was there.” Nash clenched his jaw. “I was there for your woman. I’m not asking you to return the favor, Rogue. I just want you to shut the fuck up!”

Nash had reached the end of his rope. All his control wavering, he walked across the room and slammed his fist into the wall, shouting, “Fuck!”

Nash braced his arms on the wall, and his head hung low. Never in his life had he lost control like this, nor had he felt this desperate or hopeless. When he felt a hand on his shoulder, he expected to see Trey standing next to him. It was Oz.

“Go see Inez.”

“She’s not gonna open the door.”

Oz narrowed his gaze. “Then you break the fucking door down, and you tell her the order to do it came from Sal.”

It was an order, retired or not, no one disobeyed. Not even Inez. Nash was out the door and in his car within minutes. Oz offered security, but it would be less threatening coming alone. What should’ve taken at least twenty minutes was cut down to ten. He was aware with her high-end security, she’d been alerted that he was on his way up to her apartment. It was confirmed when he stalked down the hall and saw her door ajar. He didn’t even bother knocking.

Inez was standing in her kitchen, leaning against the counter with a drink in hand.

“Well, this is a fucking surprise.” Her tone laced in sarcasm.

“Where is she?”

When Inez shrugged, Nash slammed his hand down on the counter. She didn’t even flinch.

“Where the fuck is she, Inez?”

“Safe. And she’ll remain that way since I decided I’m keeping her.” Inez took a drag from her cigarette.

What the fuck?

His brows shot up. “You’re keeping her?”

“Why not? She’s obviously safer under my protection than she is under yours.”

Nash grounded his teeth and hardened his gaze. “Inez.”

She laughed. “For fucks sake, Nash, lighten up. Plenty of women out there. Find another one.”

“She’s not a pet, Inez,” he snapped.

“Ah baby, you’re all pets to me.” Inez winked and took a swig from her glass.

Nash fisted his hands. Dealing with Inez required patience he didn’t have at the moment. He glanced around theapartment. Clearly, Charley wasn’t there, but Inez knew where she was holed up. Process of elimination had his mind going to one conclusion.

“Can’t get in touch with Ace.” He snarled. “There a reason for that?”

“My boys didn’t force her out, Nash. She ran out of that house like her fucking life depended on it, and they grabbed her. She was running from you.” Inez raised her brows. “Someone’s been feeding her the truth about you and the Underground. Got that girl scared of you.”

He drew in a level breath, trying to control his heartbeat. Charley was the last person who had anything to fear from him.

“I would never hurt her.” He spoke through a clenched jaw.

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