Lie to Me // Harry Styles A.U.

#12 HARRY

There's so much
Left unclear
But it's time
Taxi's here
--

Alexander was trying so hard to make it seem like he was genuinely sorry for the danger he put us through. This man had no emotion towards the people he supposedly cared about. The only time we would get a reaction out of him was if his reputation or 'empire' was threatened.

"Since when do you bandage your injuries? Are you going soft on me, Edwards?" God, he was annoyingly observative.

"The man looked rusty, I was worried I was gonna get...tetanus." I quickly made up an excuse, not wanting to go into detail for the real reason I was all cleaned up. If Blake taking care of my wounds meant she would be close to me at all times, I'd get tortured day and night.

He's confirmed my observations of being a self-absorbed backstabbing wanker multiple times before and he did it again. He completely disregarded the situation he put Asher and I through last night and spoke about another job that needed to be done for him. "I have an assignment for you. And only you." His favor caught me off-guard, it was too early in the day for this.

Why come to me and not his right-hand man Asher? I allowed him to go on without asking questions. "I need you to go pick something up for me. It's located in Los Angeles and I know you're familiar with the area." I tensed at the name of my hometown.

"So is Eli."

He shot me a displeased look. "Do you really want me to explain to you why I chose you over him or can I continue disclosing the job to you?" The underlying message in his sentence enraged me. He always belittled and disdained Eli, simply because he had more of a heart than all of us combined. Alexander thought it made him weak and unworthy of serious jobs. He would only assign drop-offs and pick-ups to him, making Eli feel increasingly isolated.

I stayed quiet as my mind roamed with different ways I could pummel him as he started to run on, "The package is in Los Angeles, around Riverside. It'll most likely be under the name Einar but if that doesn't budge, ask for Atkinson. There will be two things that'll need to be brought back home: a wooden crate and a small duffle bag. The bag will contain our usual, cocaine and heroin, but don't even think of asking around for the contents of the crate. Y'hear me, Edwards?"

Atkinson was not a well-known name, actually not a name at all. We knew all the drug port and gang leaders in SoCal by name but Atkinson has never been brought up. I kept my mouth shut though, I didn't want to extend my time in his presence any longer. "Yes. It's none of my business and I genuinely don't care." I spoke with no emotion in my voice nor face. "When am I supposed to do this?" I really hope this wouldn't fall on top of my prior arrangements.

"This weekend."

Fuck.

"You'll arrive there anytime on Friday to settle in, you'll have the whole day Saturday for yourself and then I will send you the specifics for time and place Saturday night. It would be efficient for you to come back by Sunday evening, but I don't need to see you till Monday morning. As usual." He was leaning towards me on his desk, hands intertwined as he rested his elbows on the desk. His neck was craning up to me as I didn't want to get myself comfortable on the chairs. "Any questions?"

"Can I bring company?" I really didn't plan on going back to Los Angeles for the rest of my life. But now that I have to, I'd like to have someone around to keep my thoughts distracted and help me not have a breakdown in the middle of Riverside.

At this, he straightened his back and brought back his stone facial expression. "No. Absolutely not. None of the other boys are to be notified of this. Not even Eli. I understand you guys have your plans for the weekend, but this time you are counting yourself out. Don't allow them to ask questions. And definitely do not tell them you are heading to L.A."