Page 89 of Shattering Nash

“The ones from the night my brother attacked me. They showed up, offered him rehab instead of jail. One of them checked in on me but said I can’t talk to Cody just yet.”

“Aw fuck, Charley,” Penny muttered.

She heard the rumbling of engines and jerked her head. “I hear them pulling up.”

“Don’t answer. Fuck!” Penny snapped. “Make sure the door is locked and do not fucking make a sound. Put your phone on vibrate and wait for me to call you back.” Seconds before the line went dead, she heard Penny snap. “Shit.”

Charley immediately silenced her phone. She tiptoed to the door but knocked her knee into the edge of the coffee table. She gasped then clamped her lips closed. She bent down rubbing her knee, soothing the ache. She didn’t have her bearings of Penny’s house, and in the dark, it was hard to maneuver around.

Charley made it to the door and reached for the lock. She slid the curtain to the side. Her intention was to see where they were. As her luck would have it, she was met with Gent staring back at her with a menacing smile.

“Hey, darlin’.”

Oh shit.

She jumped back, dropped the curtain, clutched her chest, and pressed her back to the wall. There was only a door separating them. All the panic she’d had with Zeke didn’t even compare to the fear ripping through her body.

“Ah Charley, not happy to see me?” His tone was taunting, and she was feeling it to her core. “C’mon darlin, don’t be likethat. This is my chance to play Prince Charming and save your sweet ass.”

Masculine snickers sounded.

“Hey Charley,” Gent said, and she could tell he’d moved closer to the door. “Playing hard to get? You’re feeding my beast, darlin’. I love a good chase.”

Her stomach sank, and she cupped her mouth. She darted her eyes around the room but kept her body still. She was looking for an escape route. She’d only been to Penny’s house once and hadn’t exactly gotten a tour. She had no idea of the layout in the back of the house. There was usually a back door. If she could just get there and hope they didn’t have anyone watching it.

“Hypothetically, how long do you think it would take for the cops to get here? Five minutes maybe?” Gent chuckled. “I think we can get in before they even get in their cars.”

Charley couldn’t argue with that.

“One more thing, darlin’.” His tone was taunting. “Are you sure Penny locked all the doors and windows in the house? Hmmm…. I find most people forget about at least one.”

Oh my God.It may not have been the smartest move, but she bolted across the room and up the stairs. At this point, she had no doubt they had the house surrounded. Being on the second floor isolated her but it was the only room in the house with access to the porch roof. If it came down to it, she’d at least have one way out.

She slammed the door behind her and grabbed the chair from the desk, hiking it under the knob. At least it was something. She grabbed her phone from her back pocket. Her first thought was to call the police, but Gent’s words played over in her head. Gent and the MC would definitely make it inside before the police arrived.

There was only one person who could possibly help. With her hand shaking, she pulled up his name and hit send. The phone rang twice.

“I was in a meeting and just saw you called. How…”

“Nash.” She gasped. “I need your help. People are trying to break into the house, and…”

“Where are you?” His voice was calm but she heard the urgency in his tone.

“My friend’s house.” She dragged her hand through her hair. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to involve you, but I’m scared.”

“Tell me what’s happening.”

“I wasn’t completely honest about my brother. His dealer has been harassing me, and tonight he cornered me in the parking lot of the store. I managed to get away, but now Killcreek is here. It’s Gent, and he’s got other bikers with him. Zeke said they’ll kill me, Nash, but I don’t know anything.”

“Gent is at the door right now?”

“Yeah. Zeke said he told them I’m holding the missing drugs and when they find out my brother is an informant, they’ll kill me.” She gasped trying to catch her breath.

“Do not open the door,” Nash snapped.

“What do I do?”

“Don’t hang up,” Nash said, and the line went silent.

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