Page 105 of Shattering Nash

Oz tapped the edge of his cigar in the ashtray. “But you were unaware that Zeke was his dealer?”

She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I knew.”

“And when you told Elodie that your brother had moved,” Oz paused. “You were unaware that he was in rehab?”

Charley flattened her lips and squeezed her hands.

“Answer. The question.”

“I knew.” Her voice cracked.

Oz arched his brow. “It seems to me you knew a lot.”

Shit.

“In the course of a few weeks, you lost your apartment, were physical assaulted by your brother and his dealer, chased by the MC, and then held against your will, lied to everyone around you, and put yourself in danger countless times. All to cover up for your brother.” Oz’s scowl hardened. “Was it worth it?”

Charley visibly winced. It could’ve been from his brash tone or the truth he’d laid out.

“He’s my brother.”

“That’s not what I asked you. Was doing all that worth finding yourself in this position? And in case you haven’t figured it out yet” —He took a drag from his cigar, slowly blowing out the smoke— “You’re in a very bad spot. So I’ll ask you again. Was it worth it?”

Not many people would understand, especially those who’d never been in the position.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Why?” Sal asked.

“I’m all Cody has. And for the most part, he’s all I have. He’s made mistakes. A lot of them. And some of the worst choices a person can make. Most people probably would’ve given up on him years ago. I mean, they did. His friends, our family. I don’t fault anyone. Cody made life hard when his addiction was out of control.”

“Honey, you can’t help someone who can’t help themselves.”

Charley nodded, fighting against her tears. “I know. But you can be a reason someone gets better. Give them a purpose. Show them that even if everyone around them gives up, they’ll always have someone in their corner. I wanted to be that for him. Because I know if our roles were reversed, he’d do the same for me. So yes” —She glanced up, looking directly at Oz— “My brother was worth it. He still is worth it. And I’m not going to give up on him just because the rest of the world decided he’s unworthy or broken. I know what you see when you look at someone like my brother. I know what the world sees. But you’re not seeing therealhim.”

Sal hummed, and she glanced over. His eyes were locked on Oz. “Sibling relationships are hard to navigate.”

“Yeah,” she muttered.

Sal smiled then shifted his gaze to her. “The world sees them one way, but you know the real them. All the flaws and scars. You know them better than most. Therealthem. Maybe the side they keep hidden as a form of a shield, but it’s there, and you see it. It’s what keeps you loyal and loving. It keeps you from giving up on them.”

Charley couldn’t have put it better. Her eyes welled, and she nodded.

Sal chuckled and pointed between her and Oz. “You two have a lot more in common than I expected.”

We do?Charley couldn’t see how they had anything in common. She peeked over at Oz, whose hardened stare was locked on Sal.

“I should be going. It’s bingo night at the center.” Sal stood, and her nerves spiked. He was leaving? Sal was the only person keeping her from straight up panic mode. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Oz. Charley sucked in a breath, watching Sal walk across the room and out the door.

Then there were two.

“Nash didn’t give you up, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

She peered over at Oz.

“He had a lot of information regarding your situation and chose not to expose it until I forced his hand. Even then, he fiercely protected you. It’s a side of Nash I’ve never seen, and I’ve known him for two decades. You must mean a lot to him.”

Thismight put her over the edge. She’d held herself together through everything the night threw at her. But this was too much for her to handle in her weakened state. Tears streamed down her face, and she wiped her cheeks.

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