Chapter 34 Steele
THIRTY-FOUR
STEELE
“What?” I boom, my voice echoing off the concrete walls.
Livvy’s eyes go wide, and she immediately wraps a hand around my wrist, pulling me into an empty office next to where we’re standing.
Stella and Bailey follow as Finley hangs back with Norah.
But I don’t care who’s here and who’s not as I continue screaming at my brother.
“What the fuck did you do, Styles? And what do you mean they have my girl?”
Liv’s face goes completely devoid of color. “What? What does that mean, Steele?” she says on a choked sob. But I don’t have an answer for her…at least not until Styles continues.
“I…I’m not sure,” he stutters nervously.
“I needed some extra cash, so I agreed to work for him after you left. I figured since I wasn’t actively making bets, it would be safe.
It was mainly just chasing people down, settling their debts, and bringing any money I was given back to Delano.
Some people had it, but others didn’t. I had no idea that he was keeping a running tally of everything I didn’t collect and putting me on the hook for it.
“When he told me how much I owed him, I was shocked. He knows I could never come up with that amount of money, and I told him that. That’s when he suggested I go to you for it.
I refused to put your life or career at risk again when this has nothing to do with you, but we all know that that man doesn’t take no for an answer.
He used his connections to find you himself and sent a couple of guys there just as your girl was leaving this afternoon.
I don’t have any other details—I just know that they took her somewhere and want you to pay to get her back. Fuck, Steele. I’m so sorry.”
“How much?” I grit out, my hand shaking as I do my best not to punch a hole through the table in front of me.
I vaguely notice Maddox, Jett, Theo, Emmett, and Austin slide in through a small crack in the door, too focused on getting an answer to even look up.
Maddox immediately rushes to his girlfriend’s side, her terrified, trembling cries muffled by the fabric of his shirt as he pulls her in.
“Four million dollars.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
I wish I could say I’m surprised that my brother got himself into another mess, but I’m not.
I’ve enabled him for as long as I can remember, settling his debts time and time again, even after he fucked me over.
There hasn’t been a day since he made his first bet that he’s given a shit about anyone other than himself, but I was too blinded by my love for him that I always let it go.
Now, though? Sydney’s life is in danger because of his bullshit, and that’s something I’ll never forgive him for.
“I’ll pay it. I’ll pay whatever he wants, then you and I are through. You’re not my brother anymore, Styles,” I seethe. “Now tell me where to make the drop so I can get Sydney back.”
I can hear him swallow, a choked breath getting caught in his throat as he holds back a sob. But I couldn’t possibly give less of a fuck. “I’m not sure,” he replies, his voice heavy with regret. “I’ll find out, then call you back.”
“You better hurry the fuck up,” I grit through clenched teeth. “If that piece of shit hurts a single hair on Sydney’s head, I’ll fucking kill you myself.”
“Steele, I’m sor—”
I hang up the call, flinging my phone onto the table as my knees threaten to give out.
Crouching down, I fall onto my ass, my head dropping forward into my hands.
My fists curl tightly around my hair, a strangled cry bursting from my throat as the weight of the situation slams into me like a freight train.
In an instant, Austin is at my side, a gentle hand on my shoulder as he speaks softly.
“What do you need from us, Harlow? We’re all right here.”
Moisture pricks at the backs of my eyes, a potent mixture of guilt, fear, and anger tossing me back and forth like a boat in a hurricane.
My frame shakes, and I raise my head, scanning the familiar faces but feeling more alone than I ever have in my life.
My gaze lands on Livvy, who stands like a statue with tears streaming down her cheeks as Maddox holds her tight.
They didn’t have to hear every word of my phone call to know how bad it is, and that Sydney’s life is currently hanging in the balance, all because I couldn’t protect her from my past.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, more to Liv than anyone else. “I’m going to get her back. I promise.”
“How did this happen? Why would someone take Syd?” Emmett asks, pulling Stella close with concern written all over his expression.
I swallow, pressing the heels of my palms into my eyes to combat the tears that are spilling over.
“My brother fell in with some really bad people after I left Miami, and since he doesn’t have the money he owes them, they came after me for it.
They want four million dollars, and they’ve taken Sydney as collateral. ”
“We have to call the cops,” Theo says, his brows pulled tight. “They can’t get away with this.”
I shake my head, exhaling roughly. “Delano runs the biggest underground gambling ring in Florida. He’s got every single cop in Miami in his back pocket.
They’ve covered up murders for him in the past, and he’s paid them handsomely for it.
Even if we call Cleveland PD, Miami will end up involved, and they’ll sabotage the search.
I have to pay him. It’s the only way to keep her safe and get her back home.
” I look up as more tears stream down my cheeks.
“I never even told her I love her. I have to get her back home.”
“It’s Sunday, and the banks are closed,” Jett replies. “Where are you going to find that much money without having to make a wire transfer?”
Fuck.
I probably have about fifty grand in my safe, but with the move to Cleveland and my house being leased, I didn’t feel comfortable keeping any more cash than that. Delano definitely won’t take an IOU, which means I need to figure out a way to get four million dollars—and I need to do it fast.
“You could do cryptocurrency,” Austin offers. “That way, you won’t have to wait for the bank to open, and you can make the transfer at the same time they do.”
“What about after that?” Theo asks, concern evident in his expression. “Let’s say we get her back. What’s to stop this guy from coming for Sydney again when he decides he wants more money? If the police are working for him, there’s no way to guarantee her safety.”
He’s not wrong. Even if I cut all ties with my brother, Delano still knows where to find me. If I’m willing to pay millions of dollars to get Sydney back without hesitation—which, I am—he won’t think twice about targeting her for a second time when Styles inevitably fucks up again.
I hate myself for putting her in this position. She was better off without me.
“Wait!” Stella says, her eyes going wide. “I know someone who can help. You guys focus on getting Sydney back, and I’ll make the call.”