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“Thank you,” Charley blurted. “I just don’t understand why you’d want to help. You don’t even know me.”

“Yes, I do.” Her response was instant without any hesitation. “Look, last night you said you only had one friend. Keely. Well” —She sighed and folded her arms— “Now you got two. And I help my friends when they need shit. So get your ass up, and let me fucking help my friend.”

Penny disappeared past the doorframe, and Charley sunk into the couch. She could spend hours rolling over Penny’s intentions or reasoning. Or she could be thankful. It was rare that a stranger stepped in and offered everything Penny had laid out, including her friendship.

Thanks, Penny.

****

Motherfucker! You had one job.

Nash stood in front of his security team with his eyes trained on one man.

He wasn’t exactly new to security, but only having four years in, he was still in the vetting stage.

It was a long process working up the ranks in the Underground.

Years spent proving their worth and value.

And you fucked it up in one night. Travis had been assigned the simple task of making sure Charley arrived home safely. And he had failed.

“You were specifically told you to follow them and make sure they all arrived home safely, correct?” Nash’s voice echoed through the room, his anger undeniable.

Travis gave a curt nod. “Yes, sir.”

“And did they all?”

He straightened his shoulders. “I don’t know how I missed them. When they pulled into the parking garage at Trey’s I just figured I’d park on the street and wait for them to come out.”

Fucking idiot!

“Which probably would’ve worked out in your favor” —Nash paused before snapping— “If there weren’t two exits.”

It was rare for him to raise his voice with anyone, let alone his men.

Nash ruled his own throne among the security teams with direct orders, no room for failure, and meticulous control.

That was completely derailed with the disappearance of Charley.

He’d sent security to confirm she’d made it to her house safely.

She hadn’t. In fact, no one knew her whereabouts.

“Fucking. Find. Her!” The heat emanated off his words, followed by a sharp snarl.

“Yes, sir.” Travis stepped back in line with the rest of the men.

Nash waved his hand for them all to exit and rounded his desk.

“Which one?”

Nash jerked around, glaring at Travis, who was the last man in line.

“You said find her . There were two women,” Travis said.

There were two, Charley and Penny, but Nash was solely focused on one. This was not the first time he’d slipped.

“Both of them.” He snarled.

Travis nodded and started to the door but stopped mid-step. Oz was standing in the doorway, eyeing him and the security team. He walked inside, and security filed out.

Nash lifted his chin. “Sir.”

Oz arched his brow. “Who are we missing?”

Fuck! There wasn’t much that went through the Underground that Oz didn’t know about. The majority of the information came from Nash directly. This was one piece he hadn’t planned on sharing. It wasn’t detrimental to the organization. Nash saw no need to bother Oz with a small mishap.

“I had Elle’s guests and a friend followed home last night to ensure their safety. One was dropped off at Trey’s apartment, and the other isn’t accounted for.”

Oz slowly cocked his head. “You mean the other two .”

Fuck!

“Yes.”

“Elodie spoke with Dahlia this morning. Charley went home with Dahlia’s friend, Penny. Apparently, they were inebriated and there was concern on the woman’s end that they shouldn’t be left alone.”

Nash steeled his features but inhaled a breath.

“You seem relieved.”

I am. When he’d gotten word from Caine earlier about Travis’s missteps, he went into a panic. This mini-infatuation with her was becoming all consuming. It was hard enough trying to get any rest with his mind on her kiss. None of which he’d admit to Oz.

“Being Elle’s guests, I am.”

Oz slowly nodded but didn’t respond. Nash had worked for Oz long enough to know how he operated. Nash could gauge his moods, and more specifically, his suspicions, like no one else.

His best course of action would be to change the subject.

Nash circled around his desk, grabbing his phone. “Ace was able to set up a meeting with Inez for Wednesday evening.”

Oz smirked. “She’s making you wait?”

“Yes.”

Nash shoved his phone in his chest pocket and started toward the door. He expected Oz to walk out, but he remained standing next to it with his gaze locked on Nash.

“Have you set up a meeting with your contact in regards to Charley’s situation?”

Nash shook his head. “Still waiting to hear back. I reached out to another contact, who told me he’s on assignment and due back this week. I have a back-up if this one doesn’t come through.”

“How many?”

Nash knitted his brows. “Sir?”

“How many times did you reach out to your contact?”

“Several.”

Oz narrowed his gaze. “I want an exact number.”

Nash could’ve lied, though he’d made it a habit to never do that with Oz. In this realm, honesty was key, along with trust. Besides, Oz would read right through it. He’d already had his suspicions from Nash’s behavior.

“Eight.”

“You’re certainly diligent when it comes to the safety of Elodie’s employee.” Oz cocked his brow.

Nash had no response. It was important not to give the King too much ammo to use at a later time. Nash had learned of this a long time ago. Instead, he’d offer a reasonable and convincing excuse.

“I know how important she is to Elle.”

“And to a few others, it seems.” Oz walked out without another word.

Nash grabbed the back of his neck, tossed his phone on his desk, and muttered, “Shit.”

What the fuck am I doing?

This was not Nash. He didn’t get distracted or obsessive with anything or anyone.

His head was all over the place and not in the right state when it came to Charley.

He’d spent half his night replaying in his head every word she’d said before she left.

She hadn’t been in her right mind, totally intoxicated.

But he found the most honest of admissions resulted when inhibitions were lowered.

Fuck! He needed to focus on anything but her. Impossible.

His phone rang, and he walked over, glancing down. Unknown Caller. He answered on the second ring but said nothing.

“Been on assignment.”

A sense of relief washed over him, and Nash dragged his hand over his mouth. This was the call he’d been waiting on. He rounded his desk, taking a seat in his chair.

“Did you get the information I sent?”

“Yeah, got it in front of me. Not gonna lie, this one has got me stumped.”

That was not what Nash wanted to hear.

“How so?”

“Can you meet up in an hour?”

Nash slid back his cuff, taking in the time He’d be cutting it close for his daily meeting with Oz. But this would take priority.

“Yes. The usual spot.”

“See you then.”

*

All members of the Underground had a strict rule of not associating with the authorities.

However, Nash had some contacts that played both sides.

Connections he’d made through the years.

Some he’d even known two decades earlier.

They may have taken different paths, but having trusted allies on both sides only made the Underground stronger.

Not everyone agreed, but there was value in insider information.

The SUV pulled up in front of the abandoned house outside the city limits. The rural area was seldom used unless utilized as a detour. It was out of the way with not much to offer. The perfect location for one of their safe houses. The Underground had several throughout the entire state.

Due to the proximity to Lawry, it was strictly used for meetings, primarily by Nash. The house was half a mile off the road in a heavily wooded area. The driveway was overgrown, making it less appealing to civilians who happened to wander or make a wrong turn.

“He’s arrived,” Caine said, putting the truck in park and gesturing to the sedan tucked in the corner of the dilapidated building. “Should I wait here?”

Nash had known Chris Sullivan for years. He was a trusted ally of the Underground. But everyone knew he wouldn’t take any chances. The only men he could truly trust were those in the organization.

Nash opened the door. “No, come inside.”

As his most trusted member of security, there wasn’t much Caine didn’t know. He’d become the lead of the most elite crew in the Underground. Of all his men, he trusted Caine the most. He’d been working under Nash for over ten years. There was a solid bond and deep respect.

They entered the house, and Nash turned just as Caine closed the door. He situated himself at the entrance.

Sullivan was waiting in what would’ve been the dining room of the old home. There were no furnishings or decorations.

“Nash.”

He nodded, ignoring the formalities. “What do you have for me?”

“Not much. It was a late filing, but I pulled the report and didn’t get much more than you already have.”

Nash ground his teeth. This was not what he wanted to hear. “I don’t have anything.”

“Exactly. There was a 9-1-1 call. A neighbor reporting a disturbance at that address. The caller said she heard screaming and shouting and what sounded like furniture breaking. Dispatch broadcasts a possible domestic in progress. It was initially answered by an officer a few miles from the area. But there was another car closer, so they took it. Mitchell and Becker. According to their report, they spoke to both the man and woman living there. Siblings. Cody and Charley Hudson. The officers report said they were eating dinner. Nothing out of the ordinary nor did they see any visible signs of a disturbance. They did it by the book, separating both man and woman. They had the same timeline of events, and no distress was observed by either party.”

“Did they speak to the neighbor?”

Sullivan nodded. “Yeah. An older lady who the brother claimed has been a pain in the ass over a parking dispute a while back. Constantly reporting them to their landlord. The officers believe she called in a fake report just to fuck with them.”

Nash cupped his mouth. “No signs of a fight?”

“According to the officers, none.”

What the fuck? It seemed plausible, a perfectly believable story. But Nash had always gone on instinct and gut feeling. This all seemed too convenient. It didn’t explain the scarf, though it could’ve been a fashion choice. Still, something felt off about this.

“What about the brother? I didn’t find any priors.”

“He doesn’t have any. Neither does the sister.”

That came as no surprise with Charley.

Nash paced around the room and folded his arms. “Tell me about the officers.”

“Partners for a while. Both been with the force for years, maybe twenty.”

That peaked his interest. “And they’re still working patrol?”

Sullivan sighed, smirking. “Well, that’s an interesting story.

They’d moved up the ranks. Good standing in the force, a few awards and service medals through the years.

And then they fucked up. They were both involved with a huge case.

Mitchell was one of the leads. Cases like that you gotta keep tight.

But Mitchell liked to brag, talk about how the takedown would go with anyone willing to listen.

He learned his lesson a little too late, and the case went to shit.

Too bad for him. He definitely would’ve been promoted had it been successful.

Instead, he was demoted, along with Becker, and neither one has been put on another big case since then.

A lot of people still hold a grudge over that one. ”

“What was the case?” Nash asked.

“Huge drug ring.” Sullivan snickered. “I’m sure you remember. About eleven years ago. Donaldson’s crew.”

All of the Underground had been on high alert when word came out about the raid.

Information had been leaked, they’d been tipped off, and they were able to move the product to another location days before the bust. It wasn’t directly in the line of fire for them, but Donaldson’s was a heavily connected crew.

Ironically, it was Sullivan who’d leaked the information to Nash. It was good to have connections in all facets. Aside from the irony, there was nothing connecting Charley and her brother. And yet, Nash couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something didn’t feel right. He couldn’t let it go.

“Talk to the officers. Confirm everything.”

Sullivan’s brows shot up, and he snorted. “For this? Nash, there’s nothing here.”

Maybe. Or maybe not. Nash wasn’t willing to take that chance.

“Then it’s an easy job you’ll be handsomely compensated for.”

“Alright. Give me a few days, and I’ll be in touch.” Sullivan walked out, and Nash tucked his hands in his pockets, sharing a look with Caine.

Something is off.