Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 21

"There must be something on it," I hypothesise, unlocking the filing drawer on the side of my desk. I look at everyone's reports from the previous month and quickly pull up Collings' file. "If he wants it back badly enough to actually have someone break in, then there must be something on here that he doesn't want me to find in case I happen to go over the information again," I continue, wanting to read it but finding it nearly impossible thanks to the only light source being the glow from my monitor screen. "He must have made a mistake and accidentally added in something he wasn't supposed to... Something probably related to my father."

"What do you mean by that?" asks Victoria. She watches as I lock the cabinet up again and dispose of the key inside my desk before switching off the monitor. Standing up along with with me, the top of her head falls just below my chin.

I look down at her, "The papers with all those girls? The girls who are like ghosts in the system? Collings was the one who gave me that information to add to the Project 28 Reading. That wouldn't be weird if he actually worked under Des' name."

Out of habit I look both ways before I exit my office, wanting more than anything just to get out of this damned building. I desperately crave the feeling of relief that I know will only come over me when I am back in my flat and away from the strains of the corporate life and shady people trying to fucking break into my office. Bastards.

The lift is warm from the lack of air conditioning and air flow, and I begin to feel sick as I step inside of it. Gripping the handles provided, I am thanking Victoria for being the one to press the button that will take us to the parking lot beneath Bolton.

Underground is no better.

The lights continue to flicker and cast unsettling shadows that jab at my uptight subconscious. I need fresh air.

"Harry," she warns, sounding irritated that I left her hanging.

"Get in," I urge while unlocking my car. I put the air on full blast before stepping on the gas pedal. "Collings isn't under Des' name for the Project. He works under Charlie Mann, group 7. A group in charge of innovation and renovation concerning the Underground. The only finances he should be bringing in is the cost of supplies and things used to spruce up the place. Not the names of nonexistent women."

"You're saying he's lying, then?" she assumes.

"I'm saying that either group 7 is lying about their position on the Project, or Collings has been isolated by my father to perform a special task... A task that also includes Christopher. He knew about Collings bringing in the information for me. He told me to print out the modified numbers, and then send you the original."

"I'll do a quick cross reference with Group 7 and see if I can find anything, but I have a feeling that Collings has been chosen. If it was a group effort, Mann would be the one dropping by your office, not Collings."

"Hopefully this gives me some sort of lead as to what we are dealing with," I state, looking over at the papers taken from my desk.

"We?" she questions, putting emphasis on the word in order to fully catch my attention. I can't tell if she sounds irritated or intrigued.

"Yes, we," I confirm, glancing at her as she sits still in the passenger side. "This concerns Bolton just as much as it concerns Swann, and I am determined to figure out what the fuck is going on around here. I am sick of being lied to as much as you." Suddenly she is looking at me and I can actually feel her eyes studying every move I make. "What is it?"

"Where are you taking me?" she asks, completely ignoring my question.

"Where am I supposed to take you?"