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He arched his brow. “You can have the kid, we got no use for him. But the cops? We get the first shot at them.”

What the fuck?

“No.”

“This ain’t up for fucking negotiation. Them working to take down Anders? We want everything they got.”

Nash sighed, gripping his hips. He hadn’t followed up on the pending deal between Inez and Anders, but this made it clear they hadn’t come to an agreement.

Ace held up his hand. “Just a few days. Then they’re all yours. You got my word.”

Nash didn’t like it, but his hands were tied. After all, if not for the club, they’d still be looking for them.

“Alright.”

Killcreek wasn’t a heavily populated area, but it was large in acreage. Most of it was rural with a small main street similar to Ghosttown, yet very different. Killcreek had no intention or want to make their town inviting. And it showed.

The motel was tucked in the woods right off the highway. With the exception of a small, beat-up sign, there wasn’t any advertising. Ridge and Nash followed Ace’s pickup truck and the van down the winding driveway. When the clearing opened up, there were two cars parked in the lot and a black SUV.

Nash watched the SUV as he got out. All four doors opened at the same time. Caine and Jared got out from the front, and Trey and Rogue from the back. They met halfway in the parking lot.

“Oz sent us,” Trey said. “We’ve got a few cars down the road with more security.”

“Appreciate it,” Nash said and turned to the motel. Killcreek had already kicked in the door and were hauling out two men who appeared to be in their late forties. Ace walked out of the room and pointed over his shoulder.

Nash headed to the open door and walked in. The scent of cigarettes, greasy food, and mold forced him to swallow his breath.

On the bed was a man, mid-twenties in a wrinkled T-shirt and worn-out jeans. He never even looked up. He just kept rocking back and forth.

“Cody,” Nash snapped.

He slowly lifted his head. His eyes were glazed over, and his lips were chapped and peeling. Nash clenched his jaw. If Charley saw him like this, it would break her.

Nash heard the footsteps but kept his eyes locked on Cody.

Rogue sidled up next to him. “Cut that fucking cancer out. You want that stain on your woman for the rest of her fucking life? Fuck him, Nash. He don’t fucking deserve her loyalty.”

It wasn’t often he agreed with Rogue, but this time he was right. Charley had spent the last eight years having his back and been disappointed every time. Then left picking up the fucking pieces of his wasted life.

Nash had made his decision. Or so he thought.

“We’ll stand behind whatever choice you make. But I’d be remiss not to advise you” —Trey paused— “See him through her eyes. Not yours, Nash. Hers . ’Cause in the end, with Charley, those are the only ones that matter.”

Fuck, Trey!

Nash bowed his head, internally struggling with his decision. When he looked at her brother, he saw all the grief, chaos, and danger he’d brought onto her. But she’d see something different. Charley would see a man worth fighting for.

Fuck!

“What do you wanna do with him?” Trey asked.

Nash cupped his mouth, staring at Charley’s brother.

His “rehab” was in the form of detoxing cold turkey.

His bloodshot eyes stared across the room, and his face was pale and gaunt with hollowed cheeks.

If Nash had to guess, Cody was wishing for an end.

It would be easy enough to accommodate his wishes.

In a way, it made sense. It would certainly make her life easier without having to worry about him.

He’d never be a possible burden on his sister ever again.

But that’s not what Charley would want. He knew his woman, how much she loved her brother.

Charley was invested in seeing Cody come out on the other side.

“Fucking take him out, Nash.” Rogue growled.

“Or we make a call to Sal,” Trey said. “He’s got connections. Could probably get him into a rehab tonight.”

Kill him or help him?

Nash walked over to Cody. He was a zombie of sorts.

“I’m going to offer you something you do not deserve.” Nash said.

Cody looked up.

“But she deserves it.” Nash ground his teeth, narrowing his gaze. “I’ll get you in a facility.”

He shrugged, shaking slightly. “I can’t afford…”

“Did I ask you to fucking pay for it?” Nash snapped.

Cody clamped his lips and scratched his arms. If he had to guess, the cops had kept him drugged when they needed him and strung out as a punishment.

“You’ll be admitted tonight, and you will remain silent. You will never talk about this with anyone. Because if you do, it’s fucking over. There will not be a second chance. And I’ll fucking do it, personally.”

“You have my word.”

“Your word means shit. Make no mistake, I have no issue with ending your pathetic existence. Yet again, you have Charley to thank for bailing you out.”

There was a little life that lit in his eyes. “They wouldn’t let me talk to her.”

“And you won’t until you’ve completed your program and proven that you are worthy of her love.”

Cody straightened, showing signs of life. This was a good thing. Even through his drug induced haze, he still remembered who stuck by his side. Even when it was undeserved.

“I’m going to do everything in the next three months.”

Nash snorted. “Year.”

“What?” Cody knitted his brows.

“You’ll be in for a full year, and unlike prison, there’s no time served for good behavior.

Three hundred and sixty-five fucking days and not a second less.

You only get one chance. One slip up, and it ends for you.

And if that’s the case, I will tell your sister of all the horrific things you’ve done.

I’ll create the most demonic acts, so she’ll only see you as a monster.

I’m going to make it impossible for her to faithfully mourn you.

I’ll make her hate you, and you’ll become a distant memory. ”

His eyes welled. He was showing signs of humanity. Good.

“I’ll do it.”

Only time would tell.

Nash hardened his stare and turned, walking out of the motel room. That was only part one of this situation. It was Nash’s time to show humanity. But that’s over now.

He pulled out his phone, pulling up the number and texting the message.

Nash: I need a favor.

Sal: Name it, son.