24. Nash
NASH
The moment we reach the third-floor landing, I know something's wrong.
Morgan's silhouette is unmistakable even in the dim hallway light—all sharp angles and coiled tension, leaning against my apartment door like she owns the place.
But it's not her presence that sends ice through my veins.
It's the way Eve goes completely still beside me, her breathing shallow and rapid.
"Nash," Eve whispers, her voice tight with something that sounds like panic.
Morgan straightens when she sees us, her dark eyes immediately cataloging Eve's reaction.
There's something predatory in the way Morgan moves, even when she's trying to be casual—like a blade hidden in silk.
Her hair is pulled back in its usual severe bun, and she's wearing all black as always, looking like she just stepped out of the shadows.
"Hey," Morgan says, but her greeting is directed at me. Her gaze flickers to Eve, and I see the calculation there, the way she's processing every micro-expression on Eve's face.
Eve's hand flies to her forehead, fingers pressing against her temple like she's trying to hold something inside her skull. "I—" she starts, then stops, her breath coming in short gasps. I'm pretty certain she's having a memory.
"Eve?" I move toward her instinctively, but she takes a step back.
"My head," she says, and I can hear the pain threading through her voice. "I need... I need to lie down."
I unlock the apartment with one hand while keeping the other on Eve's arm, hyper-aware of Morgan watching every movement. The apartment feels different now with all three of us in it—smaller, more charged. Eve pulls away from me the moment we're inside, wrapping her arms around herself like armor.
"I'm going to lie down," she announces, not looking at either of us.
She disappears down the hall before I can respond, and I hear the guest room door close with more force than necessary. Not quite a slam, but close enough to make her point.
Morgan and I stand in the sudden silence, the air between us crackling with unspoken questions. She's studying me with those sharp dark eyes, reading something in my expression that I'm not sure I want her to see.
"Well," Morgan says finally, moving further into the apartment like she belongs here. "I think whatever came back to her isn't going to help your case."
I sigh, already thinking the same thing. "Why are you here?" I ask softly.
She settles onto my couch with the fluid grace of someone who's never been awkward a day in her life, all lean muscle and controlled power.
Everything about Morgan is deliberate—the way she sits, the way she breathes, the way she looks at people like she's deciding how much effort it would take to kill them.
"We need to talk," she says, patting the cushion beside her. "And not about whatever memory just hit her like a freight train."
I don't sit. Instead, I lean against the kitchen counter, needing the distance and the height advantage. Morgan notices—she notices everything—but doesn't comment.
"Antonio and I dug into Ethan Caldwell," she begins, her voice taking on the professional tone she uses when discussing business. When discussing death. "Your instincts were right. Guy's dirty as hell."
Something cold settles in my stomach. I knew Ethan was wrong somehow—what kind of fiancé doesn't notice when his woman disappears for days? But hearing Morgan confirm it makes it real in a way that twists my gut.
"How dirty?"
Morgan pulls out her phone, scrolling through what looks like photos and documents. "Financial records show some interesting patterns. Guy's been skimming from his employer and business partner—Charles Turner, Eve's father. Small amounts at first, but it's escalated over time."
She shows me bank statements on her phone screen, numbers that don't make sense for someone in Ethan's supposed position. Multiple accounts, transfers that follow suspicious patterns, withdrawals that happen just under reporting thresholds.
"Embezzlement?" I ask, though it's not really a question.
"That's what it looks like."
I nod, working my jaw. "It still doesn't make sense that he'd want her dead, though."
She studies me. "What do you mean 'want her dead?'"
"I got a text to drop Eve." She knows all about my burner phone. "I assumed it would be connected to the missing fiance."
She nods, her mind working. "You think maybe Charles found out? Ethan hurt Eve as a message?"
I push away from the counter, pacing the length of the kitchen because I need to move or I'm going to put my fist through something. "Maybe. If that fucker is using her, willing to hurt her, because he's a sloppy piece of shit, I'll kill him myself."
Morgan's eyes widen. I'm not normally one for death threats, but right now I can barely keep it together.
Especially as the pieces click together with sickening clarity. Eve gets hurt, loses her memory, can't identify whoever tried to hurt her. Meanwhile, Ethan doesn't report her missing because he doesn't want her found. Not yet.
He could be using her for leverage right now for all I know. A way to keep Charles in line and Ethan out of jail. Once I turn her over.
"No one can know she's here."
Morgan gives me a look. "You're going to keep hiding her here?"
"What else do you expect me to do?" I throw my arms out, looking around. "Let her go back to a life that led to her bloody in the street? Call a guy that is dirty and might be using her to keep her father in line?
Is her dad in on this? If I told her parents, would they hurt her, too? Is Eve all just some kind of pawn?
I have far too many questions, and until I get some answers, I won't be putting Eve in danger. There's nothing that would make me risk her like that.
"I let her go." My breaths feel harsh, but panic and anger are warring within me. "I let her walk away because I thought it would be better for her. Good for her."
"Nash…" Morgan stands, but I'm too far gone.
"And then I found her in the fucking road bleeding because of it. And you think I won't do everything to keep her away from them until I find out what's going on?"
She crosses the room to me, gripping my shoulders. "I'm on your side. I just want you to think this through."
"I have." I grit my teeth, so many years flashing through my mind and slamming into this new knowledge. "I'd do anything for her, Morgan. And this time, I'm going to do the one thing I haven't before."
"What is that?"
"I'm going to fight for her."