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Ridge nodded before he could finish. “Yeah, he said that can wait.”

Fuck! Nash couldn’t think of anything that took precedence over an emergency with a transport.

“Something’s off here. No one knew about this meeting with Trey and Rogue,” Ridge said.

Including me.

Caine shared a look with Ridge. “And they brought in Noelle.”

What the fuck? Something was definitely off. Nash cupped his mouth. Leaving without an explanation was not an option. Neither was making Charley wait any longer in her panic. He pulled out his phone, and started to text.

“I need you both to go down to this address. Pick up Charley and bring her to my house.” He hit send, and seconds later heard both their phones ping. “Stay with her until I get there.”

“Yes, sir.” They started toward the elevator, and Nash walked toward Oz’s office. After the meeting, he’d send a text to Charley informing her of the change in plans. He wasn’t risking a phone call. Hearing her voice might’ve had him ditching Oz in favor of her.

Nash walked into the room and stopped a few feet from the door. Oz, Rogue, and Nash were seated across the room. Noelle was standing at the edge of Oz’s desk.

“Sir?”

Oz angled his head and hardened his stare. “Have a seat, Nash.”

Fuck!

He walked across the room. The only available seat was on the couch next to Trey. It wasn’t normal practice to have him literally sit in a meeting. He’d been present for quite a few but always in the background. A secondary support for Oz. This was a whole new realm.

“Is there something you’d like to share?” Oz gestured to Noelle. “She’s been more than forthcoming with events none of us knew about.”

Fuck! Nash clasped his hands and shifted his gaze to Noelle. He had no idea what she could’ve possibly told them. But he knew she’d conveniently left out the part of her wanting to come back to Oz’s security. And this is your in?

“Well, this is fucking interesting.” Rogue snorted and eyed Nash. “Golden boy keeping secrets?”

Nash ignored the dig and turned his attention to Oz. “I don’t know what she would’ve told you, Oz.”

Oz took a drag from his cigar. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Nash?”

He’d never kept anything from Oz. He’d been a loyal solider in the Underground, and aside from Sal, Rogue and Trey, Oz’s most trusted ally.

“Noelle.” Oz waved his hand.

“Charley came by the Bowery a few days ago. She was dropping something off for Keely. When they left, I was outside but neither of them saw me. I overheard them talking about Charley’s brother.

Mentioning his drug addiction and how he was in rehab.

How she lied to Elle.” Noelle paused. “And you. Apparently, her brother’s dealer has been bothering her, and when Keely told Charley she should tell you, she refused saying she didn’t want to bring you into it. ”

Oh fuck! And now she was running scared from this threat.

“Tell me, Nash.” Oz said, pausing briefly. “Why would Charley be concerned with you knowing about her past that she’s continually lied to Elodie about?”

When he didn’t answer, Noelle stepped forward. “They’re sleeping together.”

Nash ground his teeth, sending her a scathing glare. He felt all eyes on him at that very moment.

“Oh.” Rogue laughed and settled back into his seat. “Now, I get it. You’re fucking her? Must be damn good pussy if you’re willing to throw away decades in the Underground for a piece of ass.”

“Rogue!” Trey snapped with a warning in his tone.

Nash ignored the comment, solely focused on Oz who had Nash pinned in his stare. He understood how this looked, especially with minor details from an untrustworthy source. Nash would never and had never betrayed or turned his back on the Underground. And he wouldn’t do it to Charley either.

“Anything else, Noelle, because you seem to have your finger on the fucking pulse?” Rogue taunted.

“That’s all,” she said.

“Leave.” Oz’s harsh tone had her rushing to the door, closing it behind her.

Oz pointed at Nash. “I have no interest in who you fuck, Nash.” Oz narrowed his gaze. “Unless it affects my life, my woman, and our son. Which obviously, it has.”

Fuck! He dragged his hand through his hair, and the room was drowned in silence.

“Nash.”

He glanced up at Oz, knowing the only way to save Charley was to lay it all out there.

“A few days ago, I met with Sullivan. He had a guy who’d worked with the officers involved with Charley’s brother and the incident that night.

It turns out, Cody was involved in an informant situation, and the main target was Zeke, a local dealer and her brother’s.

Zeke works under Anders. He’s semi-lower level but working up the ranks.

They were hoping to set him up, nail him, and work with him in taking down Anders. ”

“Jesus,” Trey muttered covering his mouth. “Charley’s brother is the informant?”

“Yes, but she knew nothing about it,” Nash said, drawing in a breath. He clasped his hands resting his elbows on his knees and addressed Oz. “She’s not a threat, sir.”

Rogue scoffed. “Not a fucking threat? Is that what you said, Nash? Her brother is a fucking informant. She’s been covering his ass, lying the whole fucking time to Elle. And you, Nash.” His lips twisted. “But you don’t think she’s a threat? Fuck me, Oz gives you way too much fucking credit.”

Nash clenched his jaw. “This was her brother, not her. There’s no proof that she knew anything about it.”

“Is there proof that she didn’t?” Oz asked.

Nash tightened his fists. “Her word.”

“Not fucking good enough,” Rogue snapped.

Nash wouldn’t waste his breath trying to reason with Rogue. He’d already decided Charley was the enemy. He’d use his time convincing Trey, and hopefully, Oz.

“Charley doesn’t have knowledge of the existence of the Underground.

She knows nothing about our world. The only reason she’s involved is because of her brother.

The cops told her they would spare him jail for the assault and send him to rehab.

She thought they were helping him on good faith because that’s who Charley is.

She didn’t know there was a whole other deal with Cody to turn on Zeke and set him up. ”

Trey glanced over at Nash. “You can’t be sure of that.”

“Yes, I can, Trey, because I fucking know her.” He shifted his gaze to Oz. “And if you need another reference to her character? Ask your wife.”

Nash knew mentioning Elodie would get a reaction. He didn’t care.

Oz narrowed his gaze. “An operation to take down Anders? That hits a little too close to us, Nash.”

Nash nodded. “I agree but Charley has nothing to do with it.”

“Bullshit!” Rogue scoffed. “I say we get rid of her ass. Elle can find a new manager. Hell, she can have one of mine.”

Nash slowly angled his head. “If you touch her, I will kill you.”

Rogue raised his brows and smirked. “Is that right?”

“Yeah, Rogue, it’s fucking right.” Nash shot up off the couch, and Rogue followed suit. They were chest to chest, glaring at each other, waiting on the other to strike.

“Pussy that good you willing to take a shot at one of the kings?”

“Rogue.” Oz growled. “Take your seat.”

Rogue smiled, waiting on Nash to take a swing. For all his control, he felt it wavering. He was on the edge. Nash felt a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back, and Trey stepped between them, facing Rogue.

“Should I remind you of your wife’s involvement, which came with documented proof and a direct threat to the Underground?”

Rogue twisted his lips. “Fuck you, Trey. That ain’t the same.”

“No, it isn’t,” Oz said. “Quinn was well aware of every aspect of her involvement. Something she concealed for quite some time. We made concessions for her.” Oz looked over at Nash. “I’ll consider making them for Charley. Where is she?”

Thank, fuck!

“I have Caine and Ridge picking her up now. The dealer Zeke thinks she has his missing product, which was mostly likely lifted when the officers went to her house the night of the incident. I can say with a hundred percent certainty she’s not in possession. I’d bet my life on it, Oz.”

He slowly nodded.

When his phone rang, Nash didn’t look for permission or even hesitate to answer.

“You have her?”

There was a small pause before Ridge responded. “She’s not here, sir.”

His stomach dropped. “Are you sure you’re at the correct address?”

Ridge repeated the address. It was the same as the one Charley gave him. Maybe in her panic she’d mixed up the numbers? Or worst-case scenario…fled.

“There are signs that she’s been here though.”

Trey furrowed his brows. “What signs?”

“The door to the house was wide open. Someone left in a hurry.”

“Fuck,” Nash snapped.

This was bad.