Page 40

I’m done.

Charley wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take.

Between the attack, the kidnapping, the threats, and the lies, she was ready to throw in the towel and wave her surrender flag.

Ace had left her in the room at the clubhouse for what felt like forever, just to have another guy come get her and walk her outside.

A sense of relief washed over her when they made it to the front door, but quickly faded when she saw Caine waiting for her instead of Nash.

“Where’s Nash?”

“Oz wants to see you.”

“But…” She whipped her head around just as the door was closing.

“Charley,” Caine snapped, immediately getting her attention. “I don’t want to do this the hard way. Do you?”

She had no idea what he meant by the hard way, and she didn’t want to find out.

Her shoulders sagged from the weight of everything that had happened.

The only person who could possibly make this easier was Nash, and she wouldn’t even get that.

Her eyes welled, and she exhaled, fighting against her tears.

She heard the stone crunching under his boots, then Caine placed his hand on her back.

He was barely touching her but maybe this was his way of soothing her.

If this was all she got, she’d take it. He walked her to the car and put her in the backseat without another word. They drove to the X-Lounge in silence.

The only interaction they shared was when Caine stretched his arm into the backseat.

It was dark and hard to see, but when the streetlight hit the metallic packaging, she smiled.

She took a piece of gum, thanked him, and settled in her seat.

Who knew chewing gum could be so comforting?

Or maybe it was just the gesture from an unlikely source.

The ride was shorter than expected. When they arrived at the club, Caine parked in the back lot closer to the door and got out. She grabbed the handle but the door was already opening. He escorted her inside and up to the second floor. She took a quick peek at the balcony, but it was empty.

As they walked down the hall, she knew exactly where he was taking her. Oz’s office was manned by six security guards, three on either side. She didn’t make any eye contact.

Caine opened the door, gesturing her to walk inside. Charley slowly entered in, darting her gaze around the room.

“Come on in, Charley. Welcome.”

She spun around, coming face to face with Sal and Oz. She sucked in a breath but stood frozen, staring at the two men. Sal offered her a warm smile as he approached her. Oz was less than welcoming.

Sal stopped a few feet away. “You’ve had quite the night.”

That was an understatement. She couldn’t find the words or possibly even her voice. She settled on responding with a nod.

Sal reached for her arm, took it gently, and led her to the seating area on the right side of the office.

“Have a seat. You must be exhausted.”

Charley sat, clasping her hands on her lap. She peeked over at Oz. His scowl sharpened, and she shifted her eyes to Sal. It was better to focus on a friendly face.

Sal sat in the chair closest to the couch. “Would you like something to drink?”

“N-no.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “No, thank you.”

“Shall we get started then?”

Started with what?

“I don’t know anything.”

“You were unaware of your brother’s extracurricular activities with drugs?” Oz asked. His voice was eerily calm.

“I knew about it.”

Oz tapped the edge of his cigar in the ashtray. “But you were unaware that Zeke was his dealer?”

She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I knew.”

“And when you told Elodie that your brother had moved,” Oz paused. “You were unaware that he was in rehab?”

Charley flattened her lips and squeezed her hands.

“Answer. The question.”

“I knew.” Her voice cracked.

Oz arched his brow. “It seems to me you knew a lot.”

Shit.

“In the course of a few weeks, you lost your apartment, were physical assaulted by your brother and his dealer, chased by the MC, and then held against your will, lied to everyone around you, and put yourself in danger countless times. All to cover up for your brother.” Oz’s scowl hardened. “Was it worth it?”

Charley visibly winced. It could’ve been from his brash tone or the truth he’d laid out.

“He’s my brother.”

“That’s not what I asked you. Was doing all that worth finding yourself in this position? And in case you haven’t figured it out yet” —He took a drag from his cigar, slowly blowing out the smoke— “You’re in a very bad spot. So I’ll ask you again. Was it worth it?”

Not many people would understand, especially those who’d never been in the position.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Why?” Sal asked.

“I’m all Cody has. And for the most part, he’s all I have.

He’s made mistakes. A lot of them. And some of the worst choices a person can make.

Most people probably would’ve given up on him years ago.

I mean, they did. His friends, our family.

I don’t fault anyone. Cody made life hard when his addiction was out of control. ”

“Honey, you can’t help someone who can’t help themselves.”

Charley nodded, fighting against her tears.

“I know. But you can be a reason someone gets better. Give them a purpose. Show them that even if everyone around them gives up, they’ll always have someone in their corner.

I wanted to be that for him. Because I know if our roles were reversed, he’d do the same for me.

So yes” —She glanced up, looking directly at Oz— “My brother was worth it. He still is worth it. And I’m not going to give up on him just because the rest of the world decided he’s unworthy or broken.

I know what you see when you look at someone like my brother.

I know what the world sees. But you’re not seeing the real him. ”

Sal hummed, and she glanced over. His eyes were locked on Oz. “Sibling relationships are hard to navigate.”

“Yeah,” she muttered.

Sal smiled then shifted his gaze to her.

“The world sees them one way, but you know the real them. All the flaws and scars. You know them better than most. The real them. Maybe the side they keep hidden as a form of a shield, but it’s there, and you see it.

It’s what keeps you loyal and loving. It keeps you from giving up on them. ”

Charley couldn’t have put it better. Her eyes welled, and she nodded.

Sal chuckled and pointed between her and Oz. “You two have a lot more in common than I expected.”

We do? Charley couldn’t see how they had anything in common. She peeked over at Oz, whose hardened stare was locked on Sal.

“I should be going. It’s bingo night at the center.

” Sal stood, and her nerves spiked. He was leaving?

Sal was the only person keeping her from straight up panic mode.

The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Oz.

Charley sucked in a breath, watching Sal walk across the room and out the door.

Then there were two.

“Nash didn’t give you up, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

She peered over at Oz.

“He had a lot of information regarding your situation and chose not to expose it until I forced his hand. Even then, he fiercely protected you. It’s a side of Nash I’ve never seen, and I’ve known him for two decades. You must mean a lot to him.”

This might put her over the edge. She’d held herself together through everything the night threw at her. But this was too much for her to handle in her weakened state. Tears streamed down her face, and she wiped her cheeks.

“Is he here?” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat.

Oz didn’t answer right away. He stared at her with little emotion but didn’t appear as harsh as earlier.

“On the balcony and probably very angry that I won’t let him in.” Oz sighed. “But you and I have unfinished business, and until we work that out, you’ll remain here and Nash out there.”

“Okay.” She was willing to do whatever she had to so she could see Nash.

“You lied to Elodie.”

Charley nodded.

“You will rectify that. Tell her everything, and she will choose how to move forward with you. Or not.”

Her heart broke at the thought of losing her friendship. Charley wouldn’t and couldn’t blame her. She’d accept whatever Elodie wanted. It still ripped at her heart knowing it could end.

Oz cleared his throat. “I think we both know which way she’ll lean, don’t we?”

I hope so.

“It was Noelle who exposed yours and Nash’s relationship. She also offered up information on a conversation she overheard in regards to your brother. That was what got this ball rolling. She was very eager to share in your downfall.” Oz smirked.

Who? The only Noelle she knew of was from Keely. She worked at the Bowery. But Charley had never even met her.

“I don’t even know Noelle.”

He lifted his cigar to his lips. “She had a lot to say. And because I’m fair, I’m going to allow you the same courtesy.”

What? “I don’t understand.”

“Noelle was eager to tell your story. Now she can tell it again to you, and we’ll see if all the facts line up. Stand up and follow me.”

She immediately followed his command and pushed up from the couch.

What the heck is happening?

****

Nash walked down the hall toward the elevator flanked by Ridge and Cyrus.

They’d met him at the back door of the X-Lounge.

He took the elevator to the second floor.

When the doors opened, he shoved his phone in his pocket and walked out.

He was heading straight to the offices, but the small crowd gathered on the balcony had him turning around.

Trey and Rogue were staring back at him. Surprisingly, Rogue didn’t say a word.

He marched over, stopping a few feet away from Caine.

“Is she in Oz’s office?”

Caine gave a curt nod. “Yes, he gave strict instructions that no one was to enter.”

“Okay.” Nash stepped to the side to pass, but Caine matched him.

“He said no one, sir.”

Nash glanced past Caine at the hallway then hiked his brows. “Including me?”

“Everyone.”

What the fuck?

“She’s fine, Nash.” Caine’s voice was low, and he stared straight ahead. “He called in Sal.”

Nash cupped his mouth but didn’t push. Caine was doing his job. He may have been under Nash command, but they both had the same boss. He turned, heading back toward Rogue who was openly smirking.

“Been fucking demoted, huh?” Of course, he would deem taunting appropriate at a time like this.

Nash ignored Rogue, rounded the bar, and moved to the center of the balcony. Trey sidled up next to him, resting his hand on Nash’s shoulder.

“She’s safe, Nash.”

“Yes.” His gaze darkened. “After a night of fucking hell, Trey.” He drove his hand through his hair and stopped mid-step, locking eyes with a woman across the room.

“What the fuck is Noelle doing here?”

“Oz specifically requested she be present.” Trey eyed him.

He may have trusted Oz, but he didn’t trust Noelle and her ulterior motives. Once everything settled down, Nash would be having a long talk with Oz, and especially Trey about her proposition and her desire to move back to Oz’s security.

For now, that wasn’t his priority. Charley was the only person he’d focus on. He made his way to the opposite side of the room putting some distance between himself and the others.

Nash was standing, resting his back on the wall near the elevator. No one talked, and there was an underlying tension that everyone felt. He was looking up at the ceiling when he saw a figure out of the corner of his eye. Nash straightened and watched Sal come toward him with a smile.

For anyone else, it may’ve been reassuring. For Nash it wasn’t. He poked his head in the balcony and gave a quick wave. “Night, everyone.”

He said it in such a calm and easy demeanor. The polar opposite of what everyone on the balcony was feeling. The doors to the elevator opened, but Sal made no move to enter. He stood in front of them, a few feet from Nash.

“I like her.” Sal smiled, followed by a small chuckle. “She’s strong.”

Nash turned toward Sal.

“That wasn’t the description you expected, right?

” Sal shrugged with a smile. “Probably wouldn’t have been my first. I would’ve went with sweet, kind, and beautiful.

Don’t get me wrong, your girl is all those things.

But she’s more. There’s this misconception that strong women have to be loud, hard, assertive, and even aggressive.

And all of that may be true. But I believe strength comes from endurance.

Struggles one has faced. The long ones. The day in and day out.

Those are the hardest. Not knowing when you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you keep on going.

Because in the end, no one knows us better than we do ourselves. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

Sal smiled and grasped his forearm. “You got a good woman, Nash. Well done, son.”

Yes, I do.

It was another few minutes of waiting in silence until movement from the hallway had him jerking his gaze.

Caine stepped aside, and Oz walked through the door on to the balcony.

And he wasn’t alone. Charley was a few paces behind.

She met his stare, and something sparked in her eyes.

Oz walked past him and took a seat at his usual table.

He pointed to the chair beside him. He expected her to immediately follow his orders.

Everyone did. But Charley surprised not only Nash but everyone else in the room.

She walked back in his direction, picking up her pace as she weaved through the tables and lunged for him, wrapping his arms around his neck.

Among Oz and the others, he’d always kept a professional demeanor, never straying from expected protocol.

Not this time. Nash didn’t even hesitate, circling his arms over her back, pulling her tightly against his chest.

“You want me to stay close?” he whispered, brushing his lips to the side of her head.

Charley didn’t respond, but she nodded against his neck.

He held her for a few more seconds, then led her to Oz’s table, encouraging her to sit next to him.

Nash took a step back, only a foot. He wasn’t looking for permission from Oz or anyone for that matter.

If she wanted him close, then that’s where he’d be.