Page 44

It had been a few days since she’d left the sanctuary of Nash’s house.

It was time and she knew exactly where her first stop would be.

Charley drew in a deep breath and grabbed the doorknob, opening it up. There were three women walking out, and she held it open for them. She stepped into the shop and was met with a welcoming smile. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until now.

“Hi Elle.”

Elodie rushed over with her eyes welled. She wrapped her arms around Charley, taking her in for a hug. If there was ever any doubt Elodie wouldn’t forgive her, those thoughts were dashed within seconds.

After a long embrace, Elodie ushered her into the back office and closed the door behind her. With the new renovations, she’d gotten a private office, though it wasn’t very big. Elodie turned, eyeing Charley from head to toe, then scanning her face.

She drew in a breath and sighed heavily. “Oz told me you were okay, but I just want to see for myself. You’re okay, right?”

“I’m fine.”

Elodie gave a subtle nod but eyed her once again. Her concern was obvious. “He said you were but…”

“Elle, I’m fine, I swear.” Charley offered a smile in hopes of convincing her.

This was not at all how she’d expected this to go. She’d gone over a hundred scenarios, and this hadn’t been one of them.

“I want to apologize for…”

Elodie waved her hand. “I accept it, we’re good, it’s done.

What? No . Elodie deserved an apology, an explanation and groveling. Charley had intended on giving her all of it.

“I’m really sorry about all the lies and…”

Elodie rushed forward, grabbing her hands.

“I’m not upset with you, Charley. I understand why you did it. I just wish you wouldn’t have felt like you had to. That’s a lot to carry on your own.”

“I’ll tell you everything.”

Elodie held up her hand. “That was part of my deal with Oz. If he told me, I wouldn’t ask you anything.

Usually, I wouldn’t make a deal like that but” —She paused— “Oz said you lived it. You didn’t need to rehash it in detail.

It would be easier to move on if you didn’t have to keep talking about it. ”

Oz said that?

“He did?” She knitted her brows. “So he told you everything?”

Elodie chuckled. “Knowing Oz, probably not. But I don’t need all the details unless you want to share them, Charley. If you need to talk about it, then I’m here, and if you don’t, I’m still here.” She sighed with a small smile. “As long as you’re okay now, that’s good enough for me.”

“Thank you.”

The knock on the door had both of them turning their heads when Isla peeked inside. “Sorry to bother you guys, but Keely is here looking for Charley.”

Shoot! Keely had been her next stop. She’d left dozens of messages in the last few days.

“She’ll be right out,” Elodie said.

Isla smiled and closed the door.

“How much does Keely know?”

Charley shrugged. “Nothing, really. I mean, she knows about my brother going to rehab and his dealer harassing me. But that’s it. I didn’t want to involve her with my mess.”

“Protecting her.” Elodie smiled. “Let’s keep doing that. The less she knows the safer she is.”

Charley had no intention of telling Keely about anything that had happened. She was still processing it herself and wouldn’t involve her innocent friend.

“Once I speak with Keely, can I start working again?”

Elodie knitted her brows. “Don’t you want to take some time off?”

She drew in a breath. “I want life to go back to normal.”

Elodie pulled her in for a hug and held on a little longer than usual. Elodie released her and started to the door. “When Keely leaves, come back to my office. There’s one subject we need to discuss and for that, I want full details.” Her lips twitched. “Nash.”

Charley laughed as they walked down toward the showroom. Keely was looking through a rack then jerked her head. She rushed toward Charley, and she felt a pang of guilt.

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling you.”

Charley wasn’t as prepared as she thought she was. But Elodie saved her.

“She lost her phone. Sucks, right?”

Keely gasped. “Shit, Charley, that does suck. I’ve lost mine like three times.”

Thank you, Elle.

Charley chatted with Keely. Thankfully, her friend was a talker, and after a five-minute conversation about the lost phone, Keely was on to another thing. Charley’d spent the last thirty minutes at the register listening to Keely talk about her disastrous date.

“I’m not dating anymore.”

Charley shrugged. “You’ll meet someone great, Keely.”

She snorted. “Doubtful.”

This feels normal.

“My shift ends at nine. You want to meet up and grab dinner?” Charley asked.

Keely’s shoulders sagged, and she pouted. “I have to work.”

“What time?”

“Seven.”

Charley looked up at the clock and widened her eyes. “It’s six fifty-four.”

Keely groaned and pushed off the counter. “Another write up.”

“How many do you have?”

Keely shrugged. “I stopped counting after eight.” Keely headed to the door just as someone was walking in.

“Hey,” Keely said, smiling up at Caine. As per usual, he didn’t say a word. He barely spared her a look. It didn’t stop Keely. She moved closer, and he narrowed his gaze.

“We met before. We were at the X-Lounge. You were there when we were leaving at the end of the night. I almost fell, but you caught me. A very gentlemanly move.” Keely’s teasing tone did nothing to chip away at Caine’s hard exterior. He looked across the shop, ignoring the comment.

“I asked you if I could ask you a question, and you said no.” Keely laughed and held up her hands.

“I get it. Probably not the first drunk girl you encountered that night at the club. I’ve been told I’m a little annoying when I’m hammered.

A little too much fun.” She chuckled and waved her hand.

“Probably shouldn’t be reminding you of my negative qualities.

” Keely was beyond flirty, but it totally worked for her.

Charley wished she had some of Keely’s personality.

Keely tucked her hands in her back pockets and cocked her hip.

“So? Do you remember me?”

Caine slowly angled his head, his sharp scowl angrier than usual. His eyes drifted over her body and lifted to meet her gaze.

“No.”

Ouch! Charley winced at his ferocious tone.

She looked at Keely, who seemed just as surprised at his response.

Her smile faltered, and her face pinkened.

Keely recovered, but Charley could see her smile was forced.

It was a rather harsh response, and it definitely put Keely in a place no one ever wanted to find themselves. Not memorable.

“Well.” Keely’s laugh was off, and Charley felt it to her core.

Her friend was embarrassed. “Lots of drunk women at the club. After a long night, I bet we all start looking the same. Anyway” —Keely looked over to the counter where Charley was standing and waved— “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye, Charley.”

“Bye, Keely.”

Keely stepped away from Caine and walked to the door. Charley heard a faint, “Bye.” It was meant for Caine and not reciprocated. Keely walked out at the same time Caine’s phone rang. She couldn’t hear the conversation but a minute later he was walking through the store and headed toward the back.

“Not all lies are bad, especially when they spare someone embarrassment,” Charley said, staring down at the inventory of earrings on the counter. Caine stopped next to her, and she looked over.

Caine’s intense gaze almost had her wishing she’d kept her mouth shut and minded her own business. Almost. But how could she? Keely’s pain was obvious, and her feelings had been hurt.

Charley shrugged. “You could’ve lied to her.”

Caine’s gaze hardened. “I did.”

What?

Caine didn’t allow any time for questions. He walked to the back, and Charley turned, watching him until he disappeared down the hallway. A few seconds later she heard the back exit door open and slam shut.

If he lied then that meant Caine did remember Keely.

Interesting.

****

“I’m spending way too much time in Killcreek these days,” Nash said, shaking his head.

Ridge laughed. “For a town with nothing, it’s become quite the main attraction.”

Driving to Killcreek wasn’t in his plans for the night, but when he got the call he’d been waiting on, everything else took a backseat. Ace was vague with the details but summoned Nash up to the clubhouse.

Ridge turned down the familiar driveway. Much to their surprise, Ace and a few others were waiting outside. He pulled up along the side of the building, and they got out, walking to meet the club.

“Ace,” Nash said.

The president of the club lifted his chin. “Got another present for you, brother.”

“Yeah, man, it turns out it was a real good thing you didn’t kill Zeke,” Gent said.

Nash arched his brow. That was still up for debate. Had he been given the opportunity, he would’ve taken Zeke out.

“You’re never gonna to guess where Charley’s brother and those cops are hiding out.”

“Where?”

Ace smirked. “Killcreek.”

Nash couldn’t contain his surprise. “What?”

“Cody had been reaching out to Zeke trying to meet up to return his missing product. That’s how it all started with his suspicion ’cause your girl told him her brother was in rehab.”

This was something he knew.

“And he called again?”

Ace nodded. “Yeah, wanting to meet up. In Killcreek. Right off the highway. A little mom and pop motel. Rarely gets any customers, but every once in a while someone shows up. Perfect place to hide.”

Nash knitted his brows. “You allow them to run their business in Killcreek?”

It was unheard of.

Ace smirked, and shrugged. “We got our reasons. But it’s your lucky fucking day. The owners will let me know if they start moving, but I suggest we don’t waste time.”

This was fucking perfect.

“You got a safe house close by?” Nash asked.

Wraith stepped up, pointing to the right. “We got one about four miles from the motel. We can transport them in the van.”

Nash nodded, looking back at Ace. “Let’s go.”

Ace grabbed his shoulder. “This comes with strings, Nash.”