Collateral Blood

37

The dimly lit room of the Vipers' headquarters was abuzz with the final preparations for Operation Raven. Sloan paced the room, her mind racing. Every moment she spent in this den of treachery seemed to draw her closer to the edge. She had played her part well, but the pressure was mounting.

Louis, ever the volatile presence, barked orders as he moved through the cluttered space, finalising the details of the operation. His anger was palpable, and Sloan could sense it in the sharpness of his commands. Her heart pounded in her chest; she knew that the operation was intended to be the execution of Harry, and her role was to be the one to pull the trigger.

At that moment, the Vipers' communications crackled to life. Louis's eyes narrowed as he listened to the static-laden voice on the other end. Sloan's heart skipped a beat. Was this it? Was Harry finally making his move? The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating.

Unbeknownst to Sloan, Harry and his crew had been meticulously planning their assault. The decrypted messages had led them to a series of coded transmissions, revealing the details of Operation Raven. They knew they had to act fast. Zayn, Tom, and Harry moved stealthily through the night, their faces set in grim determination. The plan was to intercept the execution, save Sloan, and take down the Vipers once and for all.

The safe house where the Vipers were headquartered was surrounded by a high fence, the gates marked with the Vipers' emblem. Harry's team approached silently, their movements practised and precise. Every shadow and corner was mapped out in their minds, every sound anticipated. The urgency was palpable as they took their positions, ready to breach the compound.

Harry's heart was in his throat as he thought of Sloan. The way Louis had touched her, the way she had looked back at him... It drove him to push harder, to fight fiercer. He refused to let her down. The encrypted message from Sloan had been a glimmer of hope, a signal that she was still fighting, still trying to help him.

The operation was to begin at dawn, but Harry's team had other plans. As the first light of morning began to seep through the sky, they moved in, taking out the perimeter guards with silent efficiency. Each movement was calculated, every shot deliberate.

Inside, Louis and the Vipers were gathered around a table, the final arrangements for Sloan's task laid out. Louis's hand was on the trigger of a gun, an ominous symbol of the fate that awaited Harry. Sloan stood to the side, her face a mask of determination as she tried to keep her composure.

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted outside. The Vipers' headquarters was under attack. Panic spread like wildfire through the room. Sloan's heart raced as Louis grabbed her, dragging her towards the door. She stumbled, the fear in her eyes masked by a determined resolve.

Harry's team had breached the inner perimeter. They moved through the building with ruthless efficiency, their eyes scanning every corner for their target. Tom and Zayn had taken out most of the guards, leaving only the core members of the Vipers to deal with.

Sloan found herself pushed into a corner, trying to stay hidden. Her breathing was shallow, and every sound seemed magnified. The battle was raging around her, and she could hear the shouts and the clash of weapons. Louis was furiously barking orders, trying to maintain control.

As Harry entered the room, his eyes locked onto Sloan. The relief that washed over him was quickly overshadowed by the urgency of the situation. The Vipers were closing in on them, and every second counted.

Louis, still gripping Sloan's arm tightly, tried to push her towards the exit. But Harry was not about to let her go. With a swift motion, he knocked Louis aside, his gaze fiercely protective as he moved towards Sloan. The room erupted into chaos as Harry's team engaged with the remaining Vipers.

Sloan's eyes met Harry's, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. The tension between them was palpable. Harry reached out to her, his touch gentle yet firm as he pulled her closer. "We need to get out of here," he said, his voice low and urgent.

But before they could move, Louis reappeared, fury etched on his face. He charged at Harry, the fight between them fierce and desperate. Sloan's heart pounded as she watched, torn between the desire to help and the overwhelming fear for their lives.

The battle raged on, and it seemed like an eternity before Harry and his team managed to overpower the remaining Vipers. The building was in ruins, smoke and debris filling the air. Sloan, exhausted and shaken, clung to Harry, her relief mingled with lingering anxiety.

As the last of the Vipers were subdued, Harry turned to Sloan, his eyes searching hers. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice a mixture of concern and determination.

Sloan nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice trembled slightly. "But we need to get out of here. Lucas will come for us."

Harry nodded, pulling her close as they made their way out of the destroyed headquarters. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for now, they had survived. The fight was far from over, but with Sloan by his side, Harry was more determined than ever to see it through to the end.

As they drove away from the wreckage, Harry's hand brushed against Sloan's. It was a simple touch, but it spoke volumes. The connection between them was undeniable, and despite the chaos, they had found a moment of solace in each other's presence.

The road ahead was fraught with danger, but for now, they had each other. And that was a start.