Chapter 87 The devil bargin
Chapter 87: The Devil’s Bargain (Liam’s POV)
I watched the taillights of Julian’s Mercedes disappear into the rain, taking Elena with them. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely grip the steering wheel. I had never felt so useless. I was a "Vance," but without my father’s credit card, I couldn't even save the woman who was essentially my mother-in-law.
I sat in the dark car for five minutes, the engine idling. My father’s text was still glowing on my phone: If you want to play hero, do it on your own dime.
"Fine," I whispered. "I will."
I didn't call my father back. I didn't call Julian. Instead, I scrolled to the very bottom of my contact list, past the scouts, past the teammates, to a name I hadn't touched in three years.
Uncle Marcus.
My father’s younger brother was the black sheep of the family. He didn't do "respectable" business like real estate or hockey sponsorships. He ran a private security firm and handled the kind of "logistics" that people in Northview didn't talk about at dinner parties. My father hated him. They hadn't spoken since Marcus walked out of a board meeting and told my dad he was a "hollow suit."
I hit the call button. He picked up on the second ring.
"Liam?" Marcus’s voice was deep and raspy, like he’d been smoking for forty years. "It’s midnight. Unless you’re in jail or the house is on fire, you shouldn't be calling this number."
"I need money, Marcus," I said, my voice steady. "A lot of it. Right now."
There was a long silence on the other end. "How much?"
"Two hundred thousand. For a surgery and private recovery. My dad pulled the funding because he wants to control me."
Marcus let out a dry, short laugh. "Sounds like Arthur. He always did love using a checkbook as a leash. Why should I help you? You’re his golden boy. The star captain. Why don't you just go back and apologize?"
"Because I love her," I said. "And because I’m done being his puppet. If you give me the money, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll leave Northview. I’ll work for you. I’ll be the 'hollow suit' you need to infiltrate the family business. Just save her mom."
The line went quiet again. I could hear him exhaling smoke. "You know what you’re asking for, kid? If I step in, your father will disown you for real. You won't just lose your scholarship; you’ll lose your name."
"I don't care about the name," I snapped. "I care about Elena. Do we have a deal or not?"
"Check your email in two minutes," Marcus said. "I’ll send a wire to the hospital. But Liam? You belong to me now. When this is over, you’re coming to the city. No more hockey. No more games."
"Deal."
I hung up. Two minutes later, a confirmation pinged on my phone. The hospital bill was settled.
I didn't waste a second. I knew where Julian was taking her. There was only one place Julian went when he wanted to show off his power: the Grand Regency Hotel. His parents kept a permanent suite there.
I drove like a madman, ignoring the red lights. When I pulled up to the hotel, the valet tried to stop me because I was wearing a soaked hoodie and muddy boots. I didn't even look at him. I pulled out my phone and showed him the digital ID Marcus had just messaged me—a high-level clearance for his security firm.
"I’m here for Julian Vance’s suite," I said. "Move, or I’ll have this place shut down for a safety inspection by morning."
The valet turned pale and stepped aside.
I didn't take the main elevator. I used the service stairs, my lungs burning as I sprinted up to the penthouse floor. When I reached the hall, I saw two of Julian’s "hired help"—guys from the gym who worked as his personal bodyguards.
"Vance? You aren't supposed to be here," one of them said, stepping in my way.
"Move," I said.
"Julian said no visitors. Especially you."
I didn't argue. I didn't have time. I threw a punch that caught him right in the jaw, sending him stumbling back into the wall. The other guy reached for me, but I tackled him, slamming him into the heavy oak door of the suite. The wood groaned but didn't break.
"Elena!" I screamed.
Inside, I heard shouting. I heard glass break. I backed up, ignored the pain in my shoulder, and threw my entire weight against the door. The electronic lock snapped, and the door flew open.
The room was huge, but all I saw was Elena. She was sitting on the floor by the window, looking smaller than I had ever seen her. Maya was standing over her, looking like she was enjoying the view.
"Liam?" Maya gasped, her eyes going wide. "How did you—?"
I ignored her. I walked straight to Elena and knelt down. I didn't care that Maya was there. I didn't care that Julian was probably in the next room. I grabbed Elena’s hands. They were ice cold.
"It’s okay," I whispered. "I’ve got you. We’re leaving."
"Liam, you can't," Elena sobbed, her eyes red. "The money... Julian paid it. If I leave, my mom—"
"The money is handled," I said, pulling her up. "I called my uncle. He paid the hospital in full. Julian’s check is worthless now. Your mom is safe. She’s being moved to a better facility as we speak."
Elena stared at me, her mouth falling open. "Your uncle? But you said..."
"I made a deal," I said, not wanting to explain the cost yet. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're coming with me. Right now."
"You think you can just walk in here?" Maya shrieked, finally finding her voice. She stepped between us, her face red with rage. "Julian is going to destroy you, Liam! You’re nothing without your dad! You’re just a nobody in a wet hoodie!"
I turned to Maya. I didn't feel angry anymore. I just felt disgusted.
"You’re right, Maya," I said. "I am a nobody. And that makes me a lot more dangerous than Julian. Because I have nothing left to lose, and I know exactly where all your bodies are buried."
I looked at her phone on the table. "By the way, tell Julian to check his bank account. My uncle’s lawyers are already filing a fraud claim on that 'deposit' he made. Since the bill was already settled by a family member, his payment was flagged as an unauthorized third-party interference. He’s going to be tied up in legal paperwork for months."
Maya looked like she wanted to explode, but she stayed quiet.
I turned back to Elena. She was looking at me like I was a stranger, but she didn't let go of my hand.
"Let’s go, El," I said.
I picked her up—she was too weak to walk in those bare feet—and carried her out of the suite. We walked past the bodyguards who were still groaning on the floor, past the shocked hotel staff, and straight out into the night.
I put her in the car and started the heater. Neither of us spoke until we were miles away from the hotel.
"Liam," Elena said softly. "What did you give him? Your uncle. What did you give him for the money?"
I looked at my hands on the wheel. "Everything," I said. "But it was worth it."