Collateral Blood

36

Sloan sat in her dimly lit room, the file Louis had given her spread out on the small table before her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she read through the documents, her mind racing with the implications of what she was learning. The file detailed a chilling plan: the Vipers intended to execute Harry, and Sloan was to be the one to pull the trigger.

The room felt oppressive, the shadows cast by the single lamp on the table seeming to close in around her. Each page she turned revealed more about the Vipers' brutal scheme. She could hardly believe the depth of their betrayal—this was no longer just about playing a part; it was about a life-and-death struggle.

The door to her room opened abruptly, and Louis walked in with a commanding presence. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of Sloan, and a smirk crossed his face. "Time to put your loyalty to the test," he said, his tone laced with menace.

Sloan's pulse quickened. She quickly closed the file, trying to maintain her composure. Louis had a look of intense scrutiny, and she knew she had to play her role convincingly.

Louis's eyes bore into hers as he approached. "I want you to repeat back to me what you've just read. And I want you to agree to it without hesitation."

Sloan swallowed hard, her throat dry. She had to keep her voice steady, but the weight of the task before her was almost overwhelming. "The file outlines a plan to eliminate Harry. I'm supposed to be the one to carry out the execution."

Louis nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. And you agree to follow through with this plan, no matter what?"

The room seemed to close in around her as she struggled to keep up the façade. Her mind flashed to Harry, to the brief moments of connection they had shared. Every fibre of her being screamed against what she was being asked to do. She had to convince Louis of her commitment while keeping her true intentions hidden.

"I agree," Sloan said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Louis's eyes flared with suspicion, but he kept his composure. He reached out and grabbed Sloan by the throat, his grip firm and unyielding. Her breath caught in her throat, and she could feel the pressure of his fingers constricting her airway.

"Are you sure about that?" Louis demanded, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Because if you're lying to me, I will know. And I will make sure you regret it."

Sloan's eyes widened, panic rising as she struggled to meet his gaze. She fought to keep her expression neutral, but the fear was palpable. Her hands instinctively went to his wrist, trying to pry his fingers away, but he held firm.

"I—I'm sure," Sloan gasped, her voice strained. "I swear, I'll do it."

Louis's grip tightened for a moment longer, his gaze boring into hers as if trying to read her soul. Finally, he released her, stepping back with a satisfied smirk. Before Sloan could fully catch her breath, Louis leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a forceful, possessive kiss.

The kiss was rough and insistent, his hands gripping her face as if trying to claim her as his own. Sloan's mind reeled, struggling to reconcile the physical contact with the plan she was hatching in her head. She fought to keep her expression neutral, her heart pounding as she forced herself to respond in kind.

When Louis finally pulled away, his eyes were dark with possessiveness and triumph. "You'd better not be lying to me," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I'll be watching you."

Sloan nodded, her throat tight. "I understand."

As Louis turned to leave, he cast a final glance over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. "We have a lot to prepare for. Make sure you're ready."

Once the door clicked shut behind him, Sloan collapsed onto the bed, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The kiss had left her feeling violated and exposed, but she quickly pushed the emotions aside. She had to focus on her mission—she needed to dismantle the Vipers from within and get back to Harry.

Her thoughts drifted to the encrypted messages she had sent him, hoping that he would be able to decipher them and make sense of her warnings. The thought of Harry, of the warmth and connection they had shared, gave her strength amidst the turmoil.

Sloan knew she had to maintain her cover with Louis, to act like she was fully committed to the Vipers' cause while secretly plotting their downfall. It was a dangerous game she was playing, and every misstep could cost her not only her life but also Harry's.

As she prepared for the night ahead, Sloan's resolve hardened. She would follow through with her plan, no matter the personal cost. Her ultimate goal was clear: destroy the Vipers from within, rescue Harry, and finally put an end to the chaos that had consumed their lives.

But as she lay in the darkened room, her thoughts were haunted by the image of Harry and the uncertainty of their future. The stakes were higher than ever, and Sloan knew that every decision she made from now on would be crucial.