Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 459

Chapter 459

+25 BONUS

Hayden didn't push the conversation further. He must've sensed that | was still upset.

When | finally saw Steve, he was in a prison jumpsuit, his once stylish hair shaved down to almost nothing. I'd

never seen him like that before. It almost brought tears to my eyes. Steve had clawed his way up to success,

earning a spot in Jace's circle purely on his own. But now, everything he worked for could be destroyed.

"Steve," | called softly.

He looked up and smiled. "What are you doing here?"

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That smile-sas always, like nothing could break him. No matter what, Steve always had a bright

smile for me, like his world was all sunshine.

| couldn't speak for a moment, and he laughed. "What? Do | look so bad you don't even wanna talk to me?"

| shook my head. Jace said Steve had been in a bad place, but here he was, still smiling like nothing was wrong.

But | knew better. He was putting on a show, hiding his pain for my sake.

"You'll always be handsome," | teased, playing along.

He let out a bitter laugh. "No need to butterup."

"We know you were set up. Jace and Hayden are both working on it. You just gotta hang in there, okay? It'll be

fine," | said, trying to reassure him while steering the conversation toward what | needed to know. Steve looked

surprised that we believed him. Since his arrest, no one had been able to hear his side.

"We don't have all the details. Just tellwho's approached you lately, and how things started with

Danilo. Don't leave anything out," | urged.

Steve closed his eyes, silent. | thought he was trying to remember, but when he opened them again, he said,

"You guys need to stay out of this. | don't wanna drag you down." His voice was full of despair.

"We're not leaving you to deal with this alone. No matter who's behind it, we'll make sure they can't pin this on

you," | said firmly.

"It's no use. This isn't Kehimark, it's Houston. You don't know the people we're up against," he muttered, shaking

his head. "Steve-"

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"If you're still my friend, then listen to me. Leave. Go home. Don't stay here," he said, gripping the bars between

us, his voice rising.

"I'll leave, but | call this way. Can we at least talk a bit?" | tried to calm him down by changing the subject.

He shook his head. "There's nothing to talk about. Just go. The sooner, the better."

"There aren't any flights right now," | reminded him, hoping to buy more time.

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Chapter 459

+25 BONUS

He tightened his grip on the bars, then let go, exhaustion taking over his face.

"Please, just tellwhat happened," | pleaded.

He sighed. "About a month and a half ago, someone from a club called Quartz Cue approached me.