Collateral Blood

42

Harry and Sloan barely had time to catch their breath after escaping from the warehouse. As they sped away from the scene, Harry's mind was consumed with plans to counteract Louis's treachery. Their immediate goal was to regroup and figure out their next move, but the situation was grim.

The SUV roared down the empty road, and Harry's phone buzzed with a message from Zayn. It was a brief, cryptic note that hinted at a potential ally within the Vipers who might be willing to assist them.

"Zayn says there's someone who might help us," Harry said, passing the phone to Sloan. "We need to meet them and see if they can provide us with any leverage against Louis."

Sloan's face was still pale from the shock of the previous encounter, but determination was beginning to replace her fear. "Who is this person? Do we trust them?"

Harry shook his head. "We don't have many options right now. It's worth a shot. We need all the help we can get."

The meeting was arranged at an old, abandoned diner on the outskirts of town—an inconspicuous location where they could discuss sensitive matters without attracting unwanted attention. As Harry and Sloan arrived, they were met by a nondescript figure who introduced himself as Niall.

Niall was a former Vipers' operative who had defected after growing disillusioned with Lucas's leadership. He was now operating in the shadows, gathering information and biding his time.

"I have information that could be crucial to stopping Louis and saving your operation," Niall said, his voice low and urgent. "But I need to know if I can trust you."

Harry and Sloan exchanged a glance. Trust was a rare commodity these days, but they had little choice.

"We're in," Harry said. "What do you have for us?"

Niall leaned in, his eyes darting around the room as if afraid of being overheard. "Louis is planning something big. Operation Raven isn't just about killing you, Harry. It's a cover for a larger plan to take over your operation and dismantle it from the inside. He's been setting up a series of false leads to misdirect you."

Sloan's eyes widened. "False leads? What does that mean for us?"

"It means that everything you've been doing to counteract the Vipers could be falling into their trap," Niall explained. "Louis has set up a series of safe houses and meetings that are designed to lead you into a confrontation where he's already positioned to take you down."

Harry's expression darkened. "So, we're walking into a trap."

Niall nodded grimly. "Exactly. But I can help you. I know where the next meeting is supposed to be, and I can guide you to a safer location where you can regroup and plan your next move."

With Niall's help, Harry and Sloan managed to avoid the immediate dangers posed by Louis's traps. They were guided to a secure location where they could regroup and reassess their strategy. As they settled into their new temporary base, Sloan found herself reflecting on the complicated nature of their situation.

The emotional weight of her deception and the dangers they faced were beginning to take their toll. She wanted to confide in Harry, but every time she tried to broach the subject, she found herself hesitating. The close quarters and the tension between them only added to the strain.

Harry, too, was wrestling with his own feelings. The realization that Louis had been manipulating their every move was infuriating. He had also noticed the subtle shifts in Sloan's behaviour and could sense her internal struggle. He knew she was dealing with a lot, but he couldn't afford to show weakness.

Later that evening, as the crew settled down and Niall continued to provide updates, Harry's phone buzzed with a new message. It was from an unknown number and contained a single line of text:

"The real betrayal is yet to come."

Harry's stomach twisted with unease. He showed the message to Sloan, who looked equally disturbed.

"Do you think it's from Louis?" she asked.

"Could be," Harry replied, his voice tight with frustration. "But it's also a reminder that we need to be vigilant. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that nothing is as it seems."

As they prepared to face the next challenge, the tension between Harry and Sloan was palpable. They both understood that the stakes had never been higher, and the web of deceit was tightening around them. Trust was more important than ever, but with every new twist, it became increasingly difficult to determine who was truly on their side.

Harry and Sloan spent the night strategizing with Niall, formulating a plan to confront Louis and salvage what was left of their operation. The pressure was immense, and the urgency of their situation left little room for error.

As they finalized their plans, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold. The sense of impending danger loomed over them, casting a shadow over their every move.

The next steps would be crucial. They needed to outwit Louis, expose his plans, and reclaim control over their operation. But with each passing hour, the web of deceit grew more tangled, and the line between ally and enemy became increasingly blurred.

The battle for survival was far from over, and the true nature of the betrayal they faced was yet to be revealed. As Harry and Sloan prepared for what lay ahead, they knew that the greatest challenge was still to come.