Collateral Blood

5

The SUV made its way through the darkened streets, Harry glancing occasionally in the rearview mirror to ensure they weren't being followed. The smoke from the grenade was beginning to clear, and the night air was calm, but the gravity of their situation weighed heavily on him. The kidnapping of Sloan Montgomery had gone as planned, but the real challenge lay ahead—keeping her secure and ensuring that their rivals, the Black Vipers, wouldn't find out.

Sloan sat in the backseat, her hands bound and her fear palpable. Her eyes darted around the vehicle, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings and the masked men beside her. The earlier panic was replaced by a numb resignation as she tried to come to terms with her new reality. The world outside the window was a blur, and her thoughts were a chaotic mix of confusion and dread.

Harry turned to Tom, who was seated beside him, and spoke in a low voice. "Keep an eye out for any potential followers. We need to make sure we're not being tracked."

Tom nodded, his eyes scanning the darkened streets. "We'll take the back roads to avoid detection. The safehouse is still a good distance away, but we'll be there soon."

Harry's mind raced as they drove. The safehouse, a secluded location known only to their team, was the next crucial step in their plan. It was well-protected and hidden, designed to keep Sloan secure until they could negotiate with the Black Vipers. He knew that their success depended on how well they managed this phase of the operation.

Meanwhile, Sloan's thoughts were tumultuous. The loss of her sense of safety and control was overwhelming. She had always trusted in the stability of her family and her home, and now, that trust had been shattered. The realization that her father, Lucas Montgomery, was involved in something dangerous and criminal had left her reeling. The confusion of the smoke grenade and the fear of the masked men had compounded her distress.

As the SUV turned off the main roads and onto a narrower, less-traveled path, Sloan could see the landscape changing. The streetlights became sparser, replaced by dense trees and shadows. The vehicle slowed as they approached a hidden gate, which Harry opened with a remote control.

The gate creaked open to reveal a long, winding driveway that led to a large, isolated property. The safehouse was well-hidden from view, surrounded by trees and set far back from the road. The house was a sturdy, modern structure, fortified with security measures to prevent any unwanted visitors.

Harry parked the SUV in the garage, and Tom quickly got out to disable the vehicle's tracking devices. The garage door closed behind them with a heavy thud, sealing off any view from the outside. Harry and Tom moved with practiced efficiency, their movements synchronized as they prepared to transfer Sloan into the safehouse.

As Harry opened the rear door of the SUV, he saw Sloan's fearful eyes meet his. "We're at the safehouse now. You'll be alright," he said, his tone attempting to be reassuring despite the circumstances.

Sloan was escorted out of the vehicle and into the safehouse by Tom. The interior was stark but functional, with minimal furnishings and reinforced security features. She was led to a secure room with a single bed and a small window covered by bars. The room was designed to be both secure and comfortable enough to prevent any unnecessary distress.

Once inside the room, Harry and Tom removed Sloan's restraints, though the sense of confinement and the starkness of the room kept her feeling trapped. Harry's demeanor softened slightly as he spoke. "We'll be keeping you safe here until we reach an agreement with your father. Try to stay calm. This is a precautionary measure, and no harm will come to you if everything goes as planned."

Sloan didn't respond, her mind racing as she tried to process everything. The isolation and uncertainty were almost more overwhelming than the initial fear of the abduction.

Meanwhile, Lucas Montgomery was back at home, his concern growing as he saw the smoke dissipate and no sign of any fire or disturbance. The lack of immediate danger led him to suspect that something more sinister was at play. He and Maria hurried back inside, searching for Sloan. Their growing panic was evident as they realized their daughter was missing.

Lucas's anger and fear boiled over. He immediately suspected that rival factions might be involved, knowing that the tensions with the rival gang were high. His mind raced through possible scenarios as he began calling his contacts, trying to find any leads on Sloan's whereabouts.

Back at the safehouse, Harry and Tom prepared for the next steps. They set up surveillance and communication systems to monitor any possible attempts by the Black Vipers to locate the safehouse. Harry also contacted their negotiator to begin the process of reaching out to Lucas Montgomery with demands and conditions.

As the hours passed, Sloan remained in her room, the silence punctuated only by the occasional sound from the house's security system. Her fear and uncertainty were palpable, but the realization that her father's world was far more dangerous than she had ever imagined kept her alert and anxious.

The safehouse was secure, but the tension was far from over. The operation was only in its initial stages, and the negotiation process would be complex and fraught with danger. Harry knew that the success of their plan depended on maintaining control and ensuring that their next moves were calculated and precise.

For Sloan, the night was a dark abyss of fear and confusion, with no clear end in sight. The kidnapping had shattered her sense of normalcy, and the uncertainty of her future left her feeling vulnerable and isolated. As she lay on the bed, the weight of her new reality pressed heavily on her, and the night seemed to stretch endlessly ahead.