Assassin After My Heart [Zouis]

When Did You Even Care?

CHAPTER 19:

ZAYN'S POV

We all wordlessly drove to the Agency HQ, and I kept staring at Louis, but he refused to meet my eyes. I wanted to do everything in my power to stop him from giving himself up, using himself as bait. That is exactly what Tanner wants! Why would he even do that? He's being fucking stupid, and I can't believe everyone is disagreeing with me.

I don't care anymore. If Louis wants to die, then he should go ahead and fucking die. I don't care if I fail my mission. I don't care if Louis gets hurt by that psycho. I don't care-

Oh who am I fucking kidding? I do care! And that's the problem!

The black van that was our mode of transportation came to a halt in front of the Agency HQ building, the same building where I come in everyday, to report my missions.

All three of us filed out of the van and walked through the familiar corridors to Bryson's office.

"Ah, welcome boys! Nice to finally meet you Louis," Bryson held his hand out, which Louis shook. Bryson sat back down behind his desk, and we took the seats in front of him.

Louis spoke first. "So I'm cutting to the chase. I want to go and meet Tanner where he told me to, and get Marcel back safely."

Bryson pursed his lips in thought. "And I suggested that we bring a backup team with Louis, so that we can ensure his safety and of course, rescue Marcel without Louis having to go with them," Liam put in. Bryson pointed his finger at Liam, grinning.

"I quite like that plan. Good thinking Agent Payne. And-"

"Hold on a minute. Doesn't anyone think that this is a bit too risky? What if they do manage to capture Louis, and we can't save him in time?"

"Look Zayn. There really isn't anything else we can do. If we don't act on this, Tanner will strike again, and next time, it'll be even more dangerous for Louis as we won't know when or how."

"But-"

"He's right, Zayn," Liam sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. Louis remained silent.

~*~

We drove Louis to the address where Tanner had told him to meet up, and it was deathly silent during the ride. A whole van full of FBI agents were right behind us.

"Alright, this is it," Liam told Louis, who nodded solemnly. "You just have to walk a block down, this is Warehouse 19."

"Alright," Louis murmured, and hopped out of the van. I shared a look with Liam, and climbed out behind Louis, seizing his wrist.

"Louis, don't do this," I tried one last time.

"Don't Zayn," Louis sighed, looking straight ahead. "You heard what Bryson said, this is a good enough plan. We have backup. And even if I do get taken, it'll be my own fault so-"

"It's not your fucking fault!"

"It is, okay?!" Louis' volume matched mine. "You won't understand, but it is. I interfered with government computers once, and now I'm paying the price. Now let me go." When I didn't let go, Louis wrenched his wrist out of my grip.

"Fine! I don't fucking care! Go ahead and give yourself up! I'm not saving you!" I yelled at his back.

"I don't expect you to. And when did you even care, Zayn?" Louis asked rhetorically, and started walking away, towards Warehouse number 21.

Well, I lied. I do fucking care about that bastard, and I sure as hell am saving him.

~*~

LOUIS' POV

I looked up at the signs boarded on the run down warehouses, and my heart flipped in the worst possible way when I reached Warehouse number 21.

I took a deep breath and stood at the entrance, nervously tapping my foot. Quite a while later, I heard the sound of an engine, and my head snapped up.

A white van pulled up directly in front of me, and a tough looking guy hopped out. Then an identical guy got out, and he had Marcel in his custody. Oh my God.

"Marcy!" I sobbed in relief, at seeing my best friend alive and well. Sure, both of his arms were restrained by tough looking goons, be he was okay. I gasped when I noticed a purplish bruise on Marcel's cheek, and clenched my fists in anger.

I stepped forward. "Alright. Where the Hell is your boss? Let's get this over with," I spat.

Both the goons shared a look, and laughed. "You're a funny one, pretty boy," the shorter one remarked, followed by a throaty chuckle.

"And a smart one too. Boss told ya to come alone, but you didn't. And boss doesn't do deals himself. So come to us, nice and easy," the other taller goon smirked.

"W-what if I don't?" There were only two of them, and I had a whole team of agents for backup.

The shorter goon chuckled darkly, and pulled out a knife, pressing it against Marcel's neck, who gulped and squeezed his eyes shut.

"It's quite simple really," the other goon shrugged. "We let your friend here go, if you come to us. And if any one of those agents you have for backup make an appearance, this kid will be dead before you can say 'Sam is sexy'."

The taller goon raised an eyebrow at his partner. "Who the fuck is Sam?"

The shorter goon laughed sheepishly. "Nobody, Cal."

"You're unbelievable, Benny! I thought we had a thing."

"We do! I mean- can we please talk about this later?" The other goon- apparently Cal- nodded in agreement.

Benny pressed the knife tighter against Marcel's neck, who whimpered. My eyes widened as I saw some blood trickle down his collarbone. Those fuc-

"Alright!" I cried. "I'm coming with you," I choked out. "Just don't hurt Marcy."

"Now we're talkin'," Benny chuckled, and motioned to Cal, who nodded and grabbed my upper arm in a vice-like grip. Benny let Marcel go, who collapsed on the ground, still crying. I sniffled. Poor Marcy. He got tangled up in all of this mess, all 'cos of me.

"I'm so sorry Marcy," I choked, after he had gotten up. "Just keep walking, a bit father," I told him and he nodded, eyes glassy. The guys will find him.

"Aw, ain't that sweet, Benny?" Cal remarked sarcastically, and they both chuckled, man-handling me towards the same white van they had brought Marcel in.

Before pushing me in, I felt cold metal against my wrists, and then I heard a clicking sound.

"You handcuffed me?" I gasped.

"So that you can't try anything funny. Now, move," Cal ordered me roughly, pushing me inside the van.

I climbed in and they tossed me in a seat at the back, where I laid my head against the glass and closed my eyes. I quickly reopened them, and looked out, hoping to memorize the path, but it was all a blur.

I just hope they can find me in time, I hope that Tanner would let me go when he's done with my brain. And I wonder what he'll do when he finds out I'm not a genius, just an average kid. Will he kill me?

Oh, God. Save me and my brain. Or what'll be left of it.

~*~

Hey! 

Oh, no. Tanner's got Louis now. :'(

**Next update after 58 votes, 13 comments and 210 reads.**

Preview of the next chapter: Tanner and Louis come face to face, and it won't be pretty.

Updates will be slower now, maybe twice a week, 'cos of college. I hate it. I've to study so much! Oh, well. :D

Hope you liked this update.

~bemycupcake xx