Chapter 38 Steele
THIRTY-EIGHT
STEELE
“Can you see the security feed?” Austin says from the driver’s seat of his car as I sit beside him, my eyes glued to the device in my hand.
We’re parked behind a cluster of trees right down the road from my house, trying to stay out of sight while being close enough to get to Sydney as soon as Delano’s guys pull away.
It’s six fifty-seven, and I’m on edge, ready to have her home safe and sound.
“Yeah,” I reply. “They still haven’t arrived. Do you have the transfer ready to go?”
He holds up my iPad, which he’s got logged in to some underground trading site and linked to my bank.
We’ve already purchased four million dollars’ worth of crypto, and it’s ready to be wired straight to Delano’s account as soon as I see that Syd is unharmed.
Stella and Emmett are sitting in a grocery store parking lot a few miles away, waiting for my cue to call her FBI agent friend.
To no surprise, the feds have been trying to nab Delano for years, but every time they had a solid lead, Miami PD would sabotage the investigation and cover it up.
They’ve forgone a few small unregulated sports betting charges in the past, waiting for the day that something bigger would come along and they’d be able to put him away for good.
While I’m not sure that kidnapping Sydney would result in more than a slap on the wrist for someone with his resources, the added unlawful extortion will definitely do the trick.
Maybe some of his employees will confess to even more crimes to save their own asses.
If that happens, there’s a good chance Delano won’t be seeing the light of day again for a long time, if ever.
“Fuck,” I breathe, watching the screen as the same white van from earlier pulls into view. My heart rate speeds up, sweat dotting the back of my neck as anxiety grips me everywhere. The vehicle comes to a stop, the sight robbing every molecule of oxygen from my body while I wait for her to emerge.
“You’re okay, Harlow,” Austin murmurs, and fuck if I don’t need the reassurance.
I’m so jittery that I’m barely even able to hold the phone steady as two men in black ski masks step out and pull open the back door.
Everything after that happens in slow motion, from the way one of them reaches in and toys with something on the floor to the moment my girl—my everything—steps out onto the concrete driveway.
A sigh of relief rushes from my lungs as the man unties the rope around her wrists and removes her blindfold, her eyes immediately finding the security camera above my front door.
She looks like she’s been through hell, but is still as beautiful as ever, causing my heart to do flips in my chest because I’m so goddamn in love with her.
I can’t wait to touch her and to tell her everything I should’ve said a long time ago.
“Are we good to send?” Austin asks, breaking the spell Sydney has me under. I nod in response, looking on as he taps the button marked TRANSFER. A rainbow-colored wheel spins on the screen for what feels like a lifetime, finally forwarding us to a confirmation page.
Just like that, four million dollars is gone, yet I’ve never felt richer.
The man without his hand on Sydney’s shoulder pulls his phone out, reading whatever just came through before lifting his chin toward the other.
Seconds later, they’ve returned to their vehicle, leaving Syd all alone as they pull out of sight.
It takes everything in me to refrain from reaching my foot over the console and slamming it into the gas pedal.
I know Delano told us to wait, though, so I take a few seconds to text Stella and give her the all-clear.
A minute later, Austin pulls onto the road, going well above the speed limit as we drive the short distance to my house.
As soon as we make the turn into my driveway, and I see her sitting by the door with her knees hugged to her chest, the weight of the world lifts from my shoulders.
It’s like I can truly breathe again, knowing that she’s really here—physically unharmed—and I can see her with my own two eyes.
Even though she’s clearly shaken up from the events of today, she’s home. She’s safe. She’s mine.
“Sydney!” I’m out of the vehicle before it even comes to a complete stop, the soles of my shoes pounding against the pavement as I rush toward her. At the sound of my voice, she lifts her head, a choked sob bursting from her throat the moment she sees me.
“Steele!” she replies, scurrying to her feet just as I reach the steps and yank her into my arms. I cradle the back of her head, holding her tightly to my chest as her small body trembles.
Her shoulders shake, and she breaks down, her loud cries muffled by the thick fabric of my hoodie.
She gasps for breath, her small fists clutching onto me like I might disappear if she lets go.
But I won’t. I’m in it for the long haul, ready to drop to my knees and beg for forever with her if I have to.
“It’s okay, baby,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head.
“You’re safe. I’m never leaving you again—not even for a second.
” Tears fill my eyes, but I fight them off, desperate to stay strong for her.
She needs a rock right now—a soft place to land after the most terrifying thing she’s ever experienced—and I want nothing more than to be exactly that.
I allow her as much time as she needs to let it out, whispering gentle words of praise and encouragement into her hair.
After several minutes, her anguished wails fade to quiet whimpers, which eventually subside as she takes deep, soothing breaths.
When I’m sure she’s finished, I delicately cup her cheek and lift her gaze to mine.
She smiles weakly, her blue eyes sparkling as she looks at me like I’m the only man in the world.
I’ve never witnessed anything more perfect in my entire life, and I can say with absolute confidence that I never will.
“I love you, Sydney,” I say, unable to stop a tear from spilling over.
“My beautiful, brave, sassy girl. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you earlier like I should have.
I wasted so much time being scared that you wouldn’t feel the same, but now I realize how stupid that was.
I love you so goddamn much, baby. More than anything in this world. ”
“I love you too.” She sniffles. “The only thing I could think about while I was sitting in that warehouse was getting home to you. I couldn’t bear the thought of you not knowing how I felt.”
I smile softly, pressing my lips to hers as relief like I’ve never known wraps around me like a thick blanket. “Let’s promise to never leave things unsaid from now on, okay? Every moment counts.”
She nods, using the pad of her thumb to wipe the moisture from my cheek.
“I promise.” Fuck, this woman is so stunning, even after being put through hell.
I’m sure the aftereffects of today will plague her for years to come, but I plan on being right here beside her through it all.
If she needs someone to stay awake and watch over her while she sleeps, I’ll do it without question.
If she’s too anxious to leave the house by herself for any reason, I’ll be her personal bodyguard.
And if, at the end of my contract, the Renegades decide that I’m not a good fit, I’ll retire so I don’t have to be away from her.
This experience has made me realize that there are things in life that are far more important than football, and Sydney Grant is one of them.
“Come on,” I say, ushering her toward the car where Austin awaits.
“It’s not safe here, so I’m taking you back to your apartment.
Your family is already there, and everyone else is on standby to come over whenever you’re ready for company.
I’m going to get you buckled in, then I’ll go inside for Angus.
I’m sure he could use some cuddles from his mom. ”
Her eyes go wide, and she freezes. “Oh my God, Angus! The poor guy has been alone all day, and I’m out here crying.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Baby, he’s fine. I gave Finley access to the video monitor in the living room, and she’s been checking on him. Apparently, he’s been sleeping the whole time.”
A grateful smile plays at her lips as I help her into the vehicle.
Austin reaches back, giving her a hug and some kind words while I fasten her seatbelt and press another chaste kiss to her lips.
My stomach ties into a tight knot the moment I leave her, hurrying around the house for Angus and all of his belongings before rushing him out to her.
I don’t even bother to get anything for myself, figuring I can just order what I need when we get to Sydney’s.
One thing I know for sure is that, even if Delano and every one of his henchmen are behind bars, there’s no fucking way we’re ever coming back here.
I’ll just pay off the remainder of my lease and leave the bad memories right where they belong—in the past. We’ll create a fresh start together, wherever Sydney wants to go.
From this point on, everything I do will be to keep her safe and happy. She’s the love of my life—my reason for breathing—and I’ll never let her down again.