Chapter 36 Steele
THIRTY-SIX
STEELE
I pace back and forth, every muscle in my body wound tight as I stare at my phone on the table. It’s been fifteen minutes since I called my brother and told him to have Delano contact me directly, and I can say with absolute certainty that I’ve never felt more helpless.
The first thing I did after I hung up the phone was check my security cameras, desperate for any clues I could find as to Sydney’s whereabouts.
But the horrific scene that played out as I stared blankly at the screen was something I’ll never forget, leaving me with even more questions than I had before.
With the device clenched in my shaking fist, our friends looked on as two large men wearing all black knocked Sydney out with chloroform, threw her limp body into the backseat of a van, and pulled out of view.
Livvy was inconsolable, her loud sobs echoing off the walls as Maddox held her tight.
It took Emmett, Jett, and Theo to hold me back from bursting out of the room in a rage, while Austin attempted to calmly remind me that I need to keep my head on straight so I can make the transfer.
I’m no good to Sydney if I can’t pay Delano, and that’s my main priority.
If it all goes according to plan, he’d better be behind bars within minutes of my girl being in my arms, or I’ll be on the first flight to Miami to deal with him myself.
Fuck how dangerous he is—he hasn’t seen dangerous yet.
The room is eerily quiet as we wait, the sounds of Livvy sniffling and my shoes padding anxiously across the carpet filling the empty space until a loud, booming voice filters in from the hallway.
“Where the fuck are they?” Every head turns toward the door, eyes wide and full of panic as heavy footsteps approach, and a very angry Mr. Grant enters the office with concern written all over his face.
As soon as his gaze lands on his daughter, her cheeks raw and soaked in tears, he rushes her way.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” he asks. “Winnie said she heard you scream from the other end of the hall. Are you alright?” He looks around. “Where’s your sister?”
No sooner are the words out of his mouth than another loud sob tears from her throat, her knees buckling as Maddox catches her and pulls her tighter to his chest. Mr. Grant’s expression morphs from one of confusion and worry to pure terror, and I know I need to speak up.
Fear spreads through me all over again like wildfire, the thought of telling him out loud that I couldn’t protect his daughter—that her life is in peril because of me—causing me to physically choke.
The words get lodged in my throat, and I sputter out loud, garnering my boss’s attention as Austin thankfully steps in to tell him all the things I can’t.
“Sir,” he says, extending two cautious palms in front of his body. “Sydney was kidnapped.” Mr. Grant’s eyes go wide, his skin going completely pale as he tries to make sense of what he’s hearing.
“What?”
Austin continues. “Steele’s brother got messed up with some bad people, and because the two of them have been spending so much time together, she was caught in the crossfire.
These aren’t the type of people we can just call the police on without putting her further at risk, but I can assure you that we have a plan to get her back.
I know I’m asking a lot from you right now, but I need you to trust us. Okay?”
He stands frozen for several seconds, his stare completely blank as Austin’s words slowly settle in.
My pulse hammers, the uncertainty of whether or not we’ll actually be able to deliver on that promise so heavy on my heart that I feel like I’m being crushed.
There’s a real possibility that not calling the cops isn’t protecting her any more than attempting to get them involved would, but I know we can’t leave her rescue up to them.
I’ve seen firsthand how Delano has gotten away with the most heinous crimes and the families he’s torn apart in the process, while the authorities turned the other cheek.
I refuse to let my family become one of them. And that’s exactly what Sydney is.
My family.
I’m snapped back to the present at the same time as Mr. Grant, a loud roar bursting from his chest as he lunges in my direction without warning. In an instant, he’s got me by the collar of my shirt, his eyes full of fire as he growls at me through clenched teeth.
“I fucking knew it was a bad idea to bring you here. You’re nothing but trouble, and I should’ve kept Sydney as far away from you as possible. If anything happens to her, I swear to G—”
He’s cut off when my phone vibrates against the table, both of our heads turning toward it as the words Unknown Caller flash across the screen. I pull out of his grip and dive at the device, putting it on speaker as adrenaline pumps through my veins.
“Where is she?” I seethe, trying my best to stay composed, so he doesn’t hang up.
As much as I want to tear into this asshole for what I saw and that video, and God knows what else his henchmen have put her through since then, I can’t.
The entire situation is like a ticking bomb at this point, and if I don’t clip the right wires, it may just explode before we can get her back.
“Well, Hello, Steele,” Delano drawls, his voice full of condescension. “Long time, no talk. We really miss you in Miami. Couldn’t have worked out better for my business, having a choke artist like you playing right in our own backyard. How’s Cleveland?”
“Fuck you,” I spit, my breath coming out in heaving pants as what’s left of my patience begins to slip from my grasp. “Where the fuck is Sydney?”
He clicks his tongue. “Now, now, Mr. Harlow. Is that any way to talk to the man who could end your girlfriend’s life with a simple text? I suggest you watch your tone with me, or you’ll get her back in a box.”
I close my eyes, taking a deep, calming breath. “I have your money—four million dollars worth of crypto in an untraceable account. Tell me where she is, and as soon as you hand her over, I’ll make the transfer.”
He chuckles darkly. “I like your style, but we’re doing this my way.
We’ll bring your girl right back to your place, where we have eyes all over the property.
As soon as you see the van pull in on your security camera, you make the transfer, and we’ll leave her on the doorstep.
But I’m warning you right now, if you go within ten miles of the place before we arrive, I’ll pull the plug, and she’ll be at the bottom of Lake Erie long before you can save her. Understood?”
“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I want to see her. She has to be outside so I can ensure that she’s unharmed. If there’s so much as one hair out of place, you’ll have a lot more to worry about than not getting your money.”
“Threatening me will get you killed, Steele. You prepared to die over this girl?”
I lift my chin, not letting a second go by before I answer his question with all the confidence in the world.
“One hundred percent, motherfucker. Especially if it means making you pay for hurting the woman I love.” My eyes lock onto Mr. Grant’s, his gaze softening as his posture eases just the smallest amount.
I didn’t want him to find out about my feelings for Sydney like this, but I can’t bring myself to give a fuck.
My only regret is that I didn’t tell her the moment I realized.
That’s what I should’ve done. It’s what she deserves.
“Fine,” Delano relents. “You have thirty seconds once she’s out of the car to pay me, or you’ll never see her again.”
He gives me the info I need for the transfer, telling me that his men will have Sydney on my doorstep at seven o’clock, sharp.
That’s two hours from now, which may as well be a lifetime, but it’ll give us an opportunity to get every detail of our plan sorted out so that nothing goes amiss.
Delano is fucking crazy if he thinks I’m going to let Sydney sit by herself for however long it takes me to drive there, so while I may be keeping a safe distance from the property, I won’t be far when they arrive.
I end the call, a shaky breath leaking from my lungs as I lower down into a chair and drop my head into my hands. Tears prick at the backs of my eyes, my body feeling like it’s been to hell and back over the last forty-five minutes.
“So, this guy,” Mr. Grant says, his tone much quieter than before.
I lift my eyes, the pit in my stomach growing heavier the moment I see the sadness that’s painted across his expression.
His little girl is missing, and he’s feeling every bit of the pain and despair I am right now, if not more.
I hate myself for doing this to him. If I had been strong enough to cut Styles off the first time, none of this would’ve ever happened.
I just hope that the Grant family—Sydney included—can forgive me.
I clear my throat, a deep crease forming between my brows as they pull together.
“He’s a very dangerous bookie in Miami. I’ve known him since we were teenagers, and he and my twin brother used to run an illegal gambling business together.
Miami PD knows about everything he’s done, and they’re all either too afraid to speak up or they’re perfectly content being paid off, which is why it isn’t safe to call the authorities.
I’m afraid that if we piss him off, it’ll make things worse for Sydney.
” Tears spill over, my next words like gravel as I force them from my throat.
“I can’t risk anything happening to your daughter, sir.
I love her, and I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t protect her like I should’ve. ”
He nods tightly, his stare falling to his lap as I break down.
I hear some rustling behind me, the pressure in my chest alleviating just the smallest amount when Austin’s hand squeezes my shoulder in a much-needed reminder that I’m not alone.
I understand if Mr. Grant doesn’t want to accept my apology right now.
I wouldn’t, either, especially without knowing for sure that I’ll get her back home.
But I will. Then I’ll do whatever it takes to earn their trust, one by one, for however long it takes.
“It’s not your fault, Steele,” Livvy adds with a sniffle as she leaves Maddox’s embrace and moves into her father’s. “You couldn’t have known that this would happen. And if you did, I’m sure you would’ve kept Sydney out of harm’s way. She’s going to be alright. We’re all going to be alright.”
Her father looks to her with a weak smile, turning his somber expression back to me. “I get that he’s dangerous, but what’s to stop him from coming after her again in the future? I can’t sit by and not involve the police when my daughter’s life is in jeopardy.”
“Mr. Grant,” Stella says softly, stepping out of Emmett’s arms and crossing the room.
She lifts a gentle hand to his forearm, squeezing as their eyes connect.
“I know this is asking a lot, but I need you to trust that this monster will be taken care of. I made a pretty good friend when I was on a nursing assignment in Florida. He’s an FBI agent who was wounded on the job, and I helped save his life.
Before he left the hospital, he gave me his card and told me to give him a call if I ever needed a favor in the future.
I’ve had it in my wallet ever since, not assuming that one day, I’d actually need it.
They’re aware of the situation, and he’s promised me that Delano will pay for what he’s done. ”
He glances around the room, a million questions hidden behind his gaze as he dips his chin in a resigned nod. I know this is hard for him as a parent, especially with how overprotective he is of his daughters, but I truly believe that this is the only way for us to guarantee Sydney’s safety.
Because right now—and forever—nothing is more important to me than she is.