Page 71 of Burn the World Down

I guessed I’d leave. Nash had a life he liked, work he was good at, and friends.

I swallowed. I had nothing. A degree I’d never used. No job. No home.

God, did he think I was using him?

Suddenly, I needed to move, to do something. I rose and started to stack the dirty plates.

“Leave it, Georgie,” Bastian said.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t mind.” I grabbed the plates and headed for the kitchen. I needed to escape.

I felt Nash’s gaze burning between my shoulder blades.

I stacked the dirty plates in Bastian’s fancy dishwasher. Once I was done, I glanced up and spotted a small balcony off the kitchen, the glimmer of the Las Vegas lights outside. I slid open the glass door and slipped outside.

The air was cold and the wind whipped at me. I breathed deeply and wrapped my arms around my middle. The lights below were a blur. Honking horns and the thump of music from somewhere close combined into a strange melody.

I just needed to stay focused on Snyder. On revenge. On avenging Viv. My hands curled on the railing.

I couldn’t risk getting too attached to Nash. I had to keep my heart locked up safely.

I didn’t hear the door, so I jolted when I sensed someone behind me.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Bastian leaned an elegant hip against the railing beside me.

“I needed some fresh air.”

“You won’t have long before Nash realizes you’re missing.”

I glanced at him. “I’m not using him.”

Bastian turned to rest his elbows on the railing, his gaze on my face. The wind ruffled his thick hair. “I never suggested that.”

“I…I came here with nothing but problems. He’s taking care of me, helping me. He deserves someone way more together than me. He has all of you, he has a good life.”

“He deserves what makes him happy.”

“He’s going to kill for me. Kill again. The thing that he left behind.”

“He wants to help you. He’d do anything for you.”

I blew out a breath.

“You know he carries a photo of you in his wallet. The girl he never forgot. I think you give him far more than you realize, Georgie.” With that, Bastian slipped inside, leaving me churning with conflicted emotions.

CHAPTER 25

NASH

After she’d returned from the kitchen, Georgie had been quiet. I kept an eye on her, worried she’d overdone it today.

The guys were all having a bourbon. I swirled mine around my glass, glancing at her.

Maybe it was just fatigue, but she looked like she was thinking about something.

Someone’s phone beeped, and it was Bastian who pulled his cellphone out. He frowned, then caught my gaze.

I stiffened. “What?”