Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 22

Madison and I walk the streets of London town, crossing over bridges and going past shops who are slowly getting into the festive spirit of the Holidays. The warmth buzz caused by the beer is started to wear off, so we both are huddling deeper into our coats as we fight the icy breeze.

My mind is alight. After our session at St. Michaels Pub and Brewery, I'm left with even more questions that are screaming to be answered. Who is Maizy DuBois? Where did she disappear to? Would any of the girls on the list also happen to hang out at that pub? Who is the second guy hanging out there if the first one is so obviously Theodore Collings? What is the bigger picture being made from these tiny pieces?

Madison interlocks her arm with mine and soon her head is leaning against my shoulder as we walk, giving me a sense of belonging. I am exactly where I need to be right now.

Her hair smells of strawberries and suddenly I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, desperately aching for a taste of her lips. She feels like a prize. A girl gorgeous and voluptuous enough to be paraded around, yet solely belonging to me in the bedroom. For the first time since my arrest I actually feel better. She makes me feel like I matter and I actually don't question it. I was never the type who was ever interested in getting to know someone long term, but seeing Madison has me questioning a future together more and more.

But deep down I fight it because I know that nothing serious could ever blossom between us until I left this world to join hers.

I think about it. Leaving. Leaving Bolton. Leaving my father. Leaving the tragedies that nearly tore me apart and the unethical decisions I have to make every day. Leave the money that kept me fed all these years, and also the money that fed my ego. Leaving everyone I know to go and have a normal life. Doing what, though? Living in the shadow of Mads? That's not how I was raised. I was raised to be the one on top. To be the one giving the orders. Madison should be joining my world, not the other way around.

If it really came down to it... Would she tell me no? That the only way to prove I was committed to her was to resign from my position at Bolton? Given the choice... Would I take it? I shower in guilt and dark thoughts but when it came down to it... How could I leave? Bolton and this lifestyle is all I ever knew. And although it is unpredictable, I find comfort and reliability in it. I know the business inside and out, and I know all the lives that make it up. I am rarely surprised and I know I have a role to play.

Stupid boy, I laugh at myself, the only way to leave is through disgrace or death. You were born into it. You're not like the others. You're not like Collings or Jenkins who worked really hard to get to where they are now. Your surname determined your future before you were even conceived. It's useless to pretend otherwise. You'll only drive yourself crazier.

And maybe I am crazy.

For wanting both.

Because I know that I can't live without the other. I won't know how to breathe or to survive because I've been breathing this air for too long.

I stop as soon as I see just a hint of his face stepping out from the theatre doors.

"What is it?" Madison asks with alarm, her eyes darting around as if trying to see some invisible culprit.

"Jarwins," I growl.

I think of a way out of this situation as one sibling steps out from the doors but I know it is hopeless. They'll see me any second now.

And they do.

They aren't even that far away.

"Good evening, Mr. Styles," Alexander Jarwins greets with a coy smile, his words sharp and clear and easily slicing through the air between us. "Lovely evening to be out, is it not?"