Collateral Blood

15

Sloan woke slowly, the faint light of dawn filtering through the thin curtains of their studio apartment. The events of the previous night felt like a distant, chaotic dream, yet the lingering tension in the air reminded her of the reality they faced. She lay still in the small bed, feigning sleep, as she listened to the faint sounds of the world outside.

Harry was already up, his silhouette cast against the early morning light as he answered his phone. Sloan's heart raced, knowing this was a chance to gather more information about their situation.

Harry's voice was low but urgent as he spoke into the phone. "Tom, what's the update?"

Sloan strained to hear Tom's response, trying to catch every word. "Lucas's forces have retreated. We managed to push them back, but it took everything we had. The safehouse is holding for now, but we need to stay alert."

Harry's shoulders relaxed slightly, and Sloan could hear the relief in his voice. "Good work. I'm glad to hear it. What's the situation with the team? Are there any injuries or significant damage?"

"Nothing we can't handle," Tom replied. "We're assessing the damage and making repairs. The perimeter is secure, and we're ready for anything. How's the situation with Sloan?"

"She's here, safe for now," Harry said, his voice guarded. "We're laying low and trying to keep out of sight. I'll keep you updated if anything changes."

"Understood," Tom said. "Keep your head down. Lucas won't take this lightly. We'll be ready for whatever he throws at us next."

"Thanks, Tom," Harry replied. "I'll be in touch."

As Harry ended the call, he let out a deep, relieved exhale. Sloan kept her eyes closed, listening to the sound of him moving around the small apartment. The brief sense of calm was a stark contrast to the turmoil of the previous night.

Sloan finally opened her eyes, pretending to wake up, and stretched her arms. "Good morning," she said, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Harry glanced over at her, a tired but relieved smile on his face. "Morning. You've got good timing. I was just getting an update from Tom."

Sloan sat up, trying to sound casual. "Anything new?"

Harry nodded, his expression serious. "Tom said Lucas's men have retreated. They managed to defend the safehouse, but the situation is still precarious. We need to stay on our toes."

Sloan's mind was buzzing with the new information. The knowledge that Tom and the team had managed to fend off Lucas's forces was reassuring, but it also made her more determined to understand her own role in this dangerous game.

As Sloan moved about the studio, her gaze inadvertently drifted towards Harry. He was in a simple shirt, his toned torso and tattoos partially visible. The sight made her heart skip a beat. The intricate designs inked across his skin were both captivating and intimidating.

Focus, Sloan! she chided herself. This man kidnapped you and is part of a dangerous gang. You shouldn't be thinking about how attractive he is.

But the more she tried to push the thoughts away, the more they persisted. Harry's body was a stark contrast to the image she had of him as a ruthless criminal. There was a rugged allure to him, something that was difficult to ignore despite everything she knew about him.

Determined not to be swayed by her unexpected attraction, Sloan shook her head slightly, forcing her mind back to the pressing issues at hand. He's a criminal. He's involved in gang crime and violence. This attraction is irrelevant to our situation.

Yet, as she continued to move around the small space, her thoughts lingered on his presence. Despite the danger he represented, there was something undeniably magnetic about him. Sloan found herself grappling with conflicting emotions—her need to understand the truth and her growing, unsettling feelings towards Harry.

As she was absorbed in her thoughts, Harry's phone rang. He answered quickly, his tone shifting to professional urgency.

Harry's expression darkened, but he maintained his composure. "Zayn. Sloans in. She's all for us now. What's the plan?"

"Given the situation, I think it's time for Sloan to get some training," Zayn suggested. "She's shown she's against her father, but we need to ensure she can handle herself. It'll also help us integrate her into our operations better. We should consider moving back to the warehouse where we initially planned the kidnapping."

Harry mulled over Zayn's suggestion, his gaze shifting to Sloan, who was now trying to seem nonchalant but was clearly eavesdropping. He recognised the determination in her eyes and saw the opportunity to turn her newfound resolve into something actionable.

"I agree," Harry said. "We need to bring her up to speed and ensure she's prepared for what's coming. It's the right time to relocate back to the warehouse. It's secure, and we can use it as our base of operations to retrieve the product we lost."

Harry turned to Sloan, who had been quietly observing. "We need to move back to the warehouse. It's the safest place for now, and we need to prepare for the next phase of our plan. It's also where we can get you some training."

Sloan's eyes widened, but she nodded, understanding the urgency. "Fine. I'm in. I want to help, and if training will make me more useful, then let's do it."

Harry appreciated her willingness and picked up his phone again. "Zayn, make the arrangements. Have Tom and the troops return to the warehouse as well. We'll meet there and finalise our plans. We need everyone back on the same page if we're going to deal with Lucas and get the product back."

"Understood," Zayn replied. "I'll get Tom on it and prepare the warehouse for your arrival."