Page 98 of Shattering Nash

“She doesn’t know that.” Inez scoffed. “You’re all a bunch of assholes. You bring these women in without them knowing anything about our world. Of course she fucking ran. Wouldn’t you? You keep them in the fucking dark in the name of protection. But really all you’re doing is making them so vulnerable that when they become a target, they’re fucking lost. And that’s exactly how she came to me.” Inez pointed at him. “You failed at protecting that girl.”

For as angry as he was, he couldn’t argue with that accusation. It was true.

“Where is she?” Nash asked.

Inez remained silent, sipping her drink.

“She’s at Killcreek, isn’t she?”

Inez shrugged. “Got my boys on high alert. You’ll never get past the first gate without my consent. And I’ve given strict orders. If you try and breach their clubhouse, it’s shoot now, and we’ll sort it out later.”

Nash stalked forward. “I don’t have time for this, Inez.”

“This girl of yours is in a world of trouble. I suggest you fucking make time, baby.”

Nash cursed under his breath, yanked out the stool, and sat, glaring at Inez.

She burst out laughing, pouring vodka in her glass. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you like this. Always the fucking professional. Never loses control. It makes you the perfect second-in-command for Oz.”

Where was she going with this?

“Lot of people compare you to Trey. Of course, you’ll never have that title, but you two got a lot in common. For most people, it’d be hard to see the difference. So fucking controlled and devoted to the Underground. I once heard Sal say ‘Trey humanizes Oz and Rogue.’ He provides the compassion necessary so no one goes rogue.” The corner of her mouth spiked. “No pun intended. You have that too, bringing it to Oz’s side. But you? You have the killer instinct. Protective and loyal, at all costs.”

Where the fuck was she going with this? Nash didn’t have time for this diagnosis on his personality traits.

“Inez…”

“She makes banana bread! She was gonna put a security deposit on a shitty apartment. And I know she can’t afford that. I had that girl sitting in that chair.” Inez pointed over his shoulder to the living room. “She’s got me and half a dozen bikers surrounding her. Knowing that there is no escape. And she never gave up Penny. Charley wouldn’t say her name. Lied straight to my face and stayed loyal to Penny.”

Nash tightened his fists, knowing how scared Charley must’ve been.

“So, if you think I’m gonna hand that girl over without any fucking guarantees andyour wordthat she’s gonna be protected, then you don’t fucking know me, Nash.”

“I would never let anyone touch her.”

She arched her brow. “Willing to go head-to-head with Oz?”

“I already did, along with Rogue.” Heated blood raced through his veins. “No one will touch her. And if they try? They have to go through me.”

Inez took a drag from her cigarette, squinting from the smoke. She lifted her chin and walked over to the counter, grabbing her phone.

“I’ll let Ace know you’re on your way.”

Nash gave a curt nod and was out the door within seconds.

Chapter Nineteen

Charley sat on the bench in the hallway and rested her head on the wall. It had felt as if she’d been awake for days. Sleep wouldn’t come anytime soon. Her adrenaline and her anxiety were through the roof. Not to mention the uncertainty. She was flying blind with little to go on from anyone. Charley was still trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened at Inez’s place. More importantly, all she’d learned about Nash’s real life.

“Have you ever been in a MC clubhouse before? Looks different than TV and the movies, right?” The soft female voice came out of nowhere.

Charley swung her head to the left. There was a girl about her age, possibly younger, standing a few feet away in the hallway, clutching onto a small basket. Charley had assumed she was the only woman in the house since she hadn’t see any others. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or more concerned. Was this girl being held captive too?

“Most people have this idea of women in bikini tops and cutoff shorts having sex in every corner of the rooms.” The woman raised her brows. “That only happens on nights the club throws parties.”

Interesting.And bizarre that they were even having this conversation in the midst of her being kidnapped. It was all so strange. For all the fear running through her body, this woman appeared completely comfortable. For the first time, all night, a calm washed over Charley.

“Hi.”

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