Escapade - Larry Stylinson (Re-write)

XXV - River Boys

*~*~*

  It was during Sunday lunchtime, when Harry let Olivia outside to eat her treat, that a Lamborghini pulled up and parked on the side of the road. Harry leant on the doorframe, crossing his arms, and watched Liam get out of the driver's seat. The man walked up to him in silence, through the gate and stopped at what he estimated was a safe distance, in the middle of Harry's path.

He looked at Harry as if he had something to say, but didn't know how to phrase it. Harry waved his hand at him,
"Well? Hurry up, I've got the hob on."

"I know that you know my brother. I know that Louis really likes you. I assume you like him back."
"Statement of fact." Harry said, "Is that it? Because the rice is going to over-boil."
"No. What do you want with him?"
"Nothing."
"Don't use him."
"I'm not."
"He doesn't belong with the River Boys."
"Never said he did."

Liam inhaled deeply and rubbed his temples as he searched for a better way to phrase his sentence,
"Don't bring him into our business, that's what I want to say. Louis' my whole world—hurt him and I'll fucking kill you."

Those deep green eyes of Harry's shifted from the car where they'd been staring to meet Liam's. He stared the man down, and Liam cowered back until his head bowed and a quiet apology left his mouth. Harry smiled. He stepped out of the doorway and up to Liam, taking the brass pistol out of his belt.

"Listen to me very carefully," he said, holding the gun beneath Liam's chin. Liam felt the hammer click, "What I do in my spare time and what I do with the River Boys are two completely separate things. The same concept as 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'. Louis understands the difference, so if anything, he should be the one protecting you. Savvy?"

Harry took a step back, clicked the hammer and put the gun back in his belt, "Like I said, I'm busy so I'll call you when you're needed. Run the cat over and I'll shoot you."

He shooed Liam away and walked back to the house, stopping on the doorstep.

"Why did you bring Louis if you aren't letting him out of the car?"
"He wanted to come."
"I should think he would, since you're here to talk about him. Go and get him."

Liam hesitated. Harry put his hand back on the gun. He watched Liam hurry back to the car like a lost puppy and lean in through the car window.

A few moments later, the passenger door opened and Louis jumped out, holding a gameboy. He looked shyly at Harry, and Harry beckoned him over with a flick of two fingers.

The man walked over with Liam following behind him.

Louis still looked a little shy and a little guilty that he'd got Harry into trouble, so Harry tickled him under the chin. He bent down at picked up the cat, placing her in Louis' arms so he had something to hide behind.

"Do you want to stay? I'll drive you home before dark."
"Hey, no—" Liam said, putting a hand on Louis' shoulder.
"Back off." Harry said, menacingly. Liam did as he was told. Harry looked back at Louis, his gaze softening.
"What would you like to do, Darling?"

Louis rested his chin on the cat's head and thought for a moment. "I want to be with you."

"You sure? You can go home if you want to." Harry asked, and Louis shook his head with a smile.
"I want to stay here."

Harry's eyes shifted back to Liam. "See; Louis can make his own mind up." He looked back at Louis and smiled, "We'll be alright, won't we? It's safe, here."

Harry stepped closer to Liam, and Liam stepped back until he was out of the gate. Harry closed it between them. "Have a good day."

He turned back to Louis and guided the man to the front door, speaking to him as if Liam had never existed in the first place.