Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
The Steele empire doesn't collapse overnight. Turns out, even when the federal government freezes your accounts and the media starts circling like vultures, it still takes time for the dynasty to bleed out.
Three weeks to be exact. Three weeks of headlines. Three weeks of investigations. Three weeks of watching Jack’s perfect little kingdom start to rot from the inside out.
I sit in a chair at the back of the security booth, my shoulders pressed carefully against the back of it as another news clip plays across the TV mounted in the corner. The anchor's voice cuts through the low hum of monitors and radio chatter.
“Multiple charities connected to The Steele Group are now under federal review after investigators discovered irregularities in funding transfers…”
A snort comes from the seat beside me.
“Irregularities,” Nick scoffs, leaning back into his chair. “Interesting way to put it.”
“Pricks,” Parker mutters under her breath on my other side.
Slater slides a file down the wall-length desk to Karson. “Two more board members resigned this morning.”
“Smart men,” Karson mutters, flipping the folder open to scan its contents without much reaction.
I watch the men buzz around the room quietly, my fingers curled loosely around the water bottle in my lap.
Maverick leans in to look at the paperwork in front of Karson.
Slater and Jeremy tap on their keyboards while simultaneously watching Perdition’s security footage.
Cole and Elias enter the room, both smiling at me before they take a seat.
Three weeks ago, just sitting upright would have my ribs screaming.
Now the pain is duller, more manageable.
The bruising on my side and face has faded from violent purple to a sickly yellow.
The staples in my scalp are gone too, and I’m finally able to shower properly without too much assistance.
Karson still hovers over me like a hawk though, refusing to let me strain myself at all.
Jerry says I’m healing. I call it waiting.
Nick leans into my shoulder, drawing my attention to him.
“They’re starting to panic.”
My gaze shifts to the television again. Jack Steele stands at a podium outside his corporate office.
Reporters shout questions at him while his security struggle to shield him.
It’s the first time he’s made an appearance, I’m sure against the advice of his lawyer–Andy’s father.
His smile is tighter now, but still there.
I tilt my head slightly, eyes never leaving the screen.
“Not enough.”
The room falls silent. Karson’s eyes lift from the file he’s still flipping through, settling on me.
“What would be enough?” he asks.
I meet his gaze calmly. “For them to realize there’s no way out.”
Nick lets out a low chuckle. Karson doesn’t laugh. His storm-colored eyes stay locked on mine. Slowly, the corner of his mouth lifts.
“Good thing we’re just getting started.”
I hold his gaze a second longer, then flick back to the TV. The image has changed.
Melissa Steele pushes through a crowd of reporters outside of their home, one hand raised to shield her face from the cameras. Her head of security shoves the press back as she’s rushed toward a waiting Bentley. She disappears into the back seat as the anchor’s voice cuts through the noise.
“Melissa Steele, founder of The Children’s Legacy Fund, declined to comment today as questions continue to mount regarding the foundation's ties to The Steele Group. The charity is now part of the expanding federal investigation into the company's financial practices.”
My chin lifts slightly and a slow smile curls at the corner of my mouth. I watch the Bentley disappear from the screen. For the first time since I’ve met her, Melissa looks scared.
Good.
They spent my entire life controlling every piece on the board like a fucking game of chess. Moving me where they wanted. Sacrificing whoever they had to. All while smiling for cameras and raising a foundation that pretended to save children like me.
Now, it’s my turn. Only this time, they don’t get to see the moves coming.
“So,” Cole claps his hands together, the sharp sound breaking the quiet tension in the room. “What’s the next step?”
Nick stands from his seat and glides toward the center of the room. Everyone watches his move in silence. Elias shifts beside him, arms folding across his chest as he leans against the edge of the desk.
Parker slides her hand into mine, lacing our fingers together, and leaning her head onto my shoulder. Karson and Maverick both stare at our interlaced fingers. Parker notices immediately and snorts.
“Possessive assholes,” she whispers.
I huff a quiet laugh, and for a moment, the tension in the room loosens just enough to breathe.
Then Nick speaks.
“Men like Jack Steele don’t fall fast,” Nick says calmly.
“First, the money disappears.” He taps the folder in front of Karson. “Then the friends.”
Jeremy tilts his head. “And after that?”
Elias shifts his weight, one shoulder lifting in a casual shrug.
“After that,” he says. “They start making mistakes.”
Nick nods once.
“And when men like Jack start making mistakes,” he adds quietly. “They’re finally vulnerable.”
The clip of Melissa trying to escape the press replays on the television. Then another of Jack, his smile looking thinner this time, more strained.
The cracks are starting to show.
“They’re crumbling,” Nick shoves his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “But they haven’t fallen.”
Not yet.
My thumb rubs absentmindedly over Parker’s knuckles as I watch Jack disappear behind a wall of bodyguards.
All those years. All those lies. All the pain they built their empire on. It’s finally starting to break.
Nick rocks back on his heels.
“But it’s coming.”