Love is War (L.S.)

5

"There's been an...incident...at the vault," Styles says calmly, though his face reeks of irritation.

He's seated in his usual spot at the head of the table wearing a black satin blouse, maybe silk, Louis isn't quite sure, and some black trousers. His hair is, as always, pulled into a bun. And he's got a permanent frown etched into his features. The room is filled with everyone Louis met on the first day he arrived. That cued him in that this was not going to be a run-of-the-mill meeting. He sits up properly in his seat and crosses his feet at the ankles. Whatever Styles is about to disclose, he has no choice but to do it in front of Louis.

"What kind of incident?" The blonde to his left asks. Louis recently discovered her name, or code name at least, is Swift. He had seen Styles hand her a small envelope a few days ago that was labeled T. Swift. When he shared that information with Browski, all he got in return was "and what do you want me to do with that name Tomlinson? tattoo it on my ass? get me more!"

"A group from Prussia made a move to get inside and steal the diamonds. They failed, unsurprisingly, and because of the attempt, security has now been upped," Styles explains.

"Why wasn't there more security in the first place?" Louis asks.

Styles' eyes flicker over to him briefly and with a little bit of force, almost as if he couldn't believe he was sparing Louis a glance in the first place. When he made no move to address him, Louis continued.

"It's just that, there's valuable stuff in there and people obviously know you lot exist. They know you'd target them. It's just interesting how they didn't have tight security in the---"

"Are you quite finished?" Styles interrupts.

He fixes him with a harsh glare and Louis just stares blankly right back. It's quiet in the room, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Why are you so concerned about there being security to prevent people like us? Are you not one of us?"

This question was from the three-piece suit guy. Louis also recently found out he went by the name Doherty. (It was written on a coffee cup he was drinking from at the last meeting).

Louis clicks his tongue and redirects his attention back to Styles. Another thing he's been doing is keeping his attention solely on the other man at every meeting he goes to. When others in the room address him during meetings (which is next to never), he ignores them and looks to Styles. He doesn't know if it's the right tactic or not; if it will get him anywhere, but he knows people like Styles. They feed off power. They don't like to appear weak or frightened. They desire praise. Louis hopes that by showing no one else any respect, let alone conversation, while Styles is in the room, he is coming across as if he only cares about the words he has to say, however trivial.

Styles is still looking at him.

"Are you not one of us?" he asks with narrowed eyes.

Louis remains careful of his movements as he responds, "Course I am, was just curious is all."

Styles keeps his focus on him as he licks his bottom lip and furrows his brows. He's never had his attention for this long and it makes him want to squirm a bit in his seat.

Seemingly satisfied with Louis' response, or too annoyed to care any more, he looks away and continues talking. "The group from Prussia has been caught and when they were asked who sent them, they gave Tomas' name. Obviously, theye were lying to protect whoever they were actually working for but because of that, more people are interested in when we're going to strike."

"What do you suggest we do?" a ginger - haired man from the other end asked tentatively. More people have been speaking up like this as of late, but never to offer any advice or comments, just to ask questions as a way to keep the conversation going. Styles usually looks through them or to a spot near them, as usual, and then proceeds to drone on.

"We need to off throw anybody watching us. We need to distract them, they can't know when we're coming. There's an easy job in London - a bank. We'll go there tomorrow."

"What?" Louis asked, he didn't mean to say it out loud. But what the fuck? They're changing their plans? They're going to rob some bank because a few security guards were added? It's still the biggest heist of the century. What could they possibly get from a bank that would compare.

"It's just to confuse them, Louis," Styles says and another round of what the fucks goes off in Louis' head.

Because for one, he was just addressed in a somewhat civil manner. And two, Styles used his first name.

"So," Styles continues, addressing the group. "I've got a plane leaving at 2 in the morning. It's going to be me, Swift, and....Tomlinson. Start packing."

He gets up from the desk then and saunters out the oval-shaped doors, Swift following quickly behind.

On the bright side, at least he'll have more to tell Browski.