{ He's literally giggling and covering his smol mouth with his smol hand, I'm crying :') }

Hey guys! 

I had a little bit of writers block, which is crazy because I ALWAYS have ideas for this book! Anyhow, the next five chapters a pre-written so they can be posted as soon as ya'll hit the update goal

MAKE SURE to answer the questions at the end; they are CRUCIAL for my writing process and I'll update faster if everyone shares their thoughts! It helps me so much 

255 votes and 350 comments for an update

Enjoy! 

Christmas soon passed and new years day elapsed; the days grew cold, but their trails grew colder

Soon they had no leads whatsoever on the mysterious picture they'd received, or on the dead trails of Troy

It was the morning of January 3rd when Harry decided that actions must be carried out against anyone trying to harm them

He gathered all of the boys into the living room at 7am to discuss what further actions should be taken to ensure their own safety

"As of now, we have no leads on anyone of interest" Harry pointed out, Niall sniggered lowly and the green eyed man glared at him "Do you think that this is funny, Niall?" He questioned "Do you see me laughing?"

"No, boss" Niall answered quickly, sitting up in his chair "I was only thinking of how it's our own fault that we have no leads" he explained

"And by 'our fault', he means your fault" Liam translated

"My fault?" Harry questioned, eyes narrowing at Liam "How is this my fault?" He snapped

"You've been rather occupied elsewhere" Liam answered, nodding towards Louis who was sat at the opposite side of the room minding his own business

"I have not" Harry argued "I've had my eyes and ears open, as always" he stated

Liam, Niall and Zayn shared a look before the blonde man spoke up "Whatever you say, Harry" he said quietly

"As I was saying" Harry barked, silencing the three men "After all of our sudden encounters with rival gangs, I think that it's about time we get on our feet and find a way to end them all" he announced "This being said, we cannot afford to speak of our plans aloud" he explained "Either way, necesitamos matarlos" (We need to kill them) Harry stated "Todos ellos" (All of them) 

"English, please" Liam replied in a bored tone

"Nuestros planes no pueden ser revelados solo porque eres demasiado estúpido para aprender un segundo idioma, Liam" Harry argued (Our plans cannot be disclosed just because you are too stupid to learn a second language) 

"Okay, you know that I have no idea what you're saying, right?" Liam questioned

"Harry" Zayn sighed "Siguele la corriente, por favor?" (Humour him, please)

"Él no tiene idea de lo que estas diciendo" Niall added in (He has no idea what you're saying) 

"Then maybe he should have taken the time to learn a second language" Harry stated "Like I said, we cannot afford to be speaking openly in English about our plans"

"And why's that?" Liam asked "Because you think we're being watched?"

"Possibly" Harry answered

"Well can't we just move away?" Liam questioned "Or at least speak in the planning room which we know is secure"

"This is our safe house, Liam" Zayn replied "It is meant to be the safest place out of our three houses"

"Well maybe it isn't safe enough anymore" Liam argued

"We will protect this house at all costs" Harry said firmly "It holds my mother's flower garden" he muttered "And my only memories of her"

"Nothing will happen to this house, Harry" Zayn comforted "Te prometo que" he added and Harry smiled (I promise you)

"Are we back to Italian now?" Liam questioned

"Spanish, actually" Niall corrected

"Whatever" Liam muttered "Let's just stick to a language that we all know"

"Which idiot can't speak more than one language?" Harry questioned "Despicable"

Liam smirked and pointed to Louis; Harry's eyes widened and his face softened dramatically

"He doesn't count" Harry blurted "It was an insult purely intended for you"

"You just insulted your boyfriend" Liam mused "And it serves you right"

"Shut up" Harry growled "I did no such thing" he snapped "He is perfect, and he does not need to speak more than one language" he ranted "You however, are an idiot"

Liam smiled to himself "Says the idiot himself" he muttered

"Unless you want me to stick a pistol in your mouth, you should shut up" Harry threatened

"Whatever happened to no death threats?" Zayn grumbled

"That month has passed" Harry told them

"He's right" Niall confirmed with a sad sigh "I marked it on my calendar, it was the best month of my life"

"You did what?" Harry asked incredulously

"I just...never mind" Niall mumbled "Can we just get on with a plan?"

"I have a better plan" Liam mumbled "Louis" the man called just before Harry was about to speak

Louis looked up to see all four boys looking at him and he blushed a pretty shade of pink "Uh...yes?" He asked

Liam looked at Harry briefly and the green eyed man's eyes widened "You wouldn't" Harry said

"Oh, I would" Liam replied "Take it back or I'll tell"

"I'll do no such thing" Harry huffed, folding his arms across his chest

"Harry paid us to let you-"

"Shut up, shut up!" Harry shouted, cutting Liam off and shoving a hand over the man's mouth

"It's only fair" Niall added in "You broke your promise multiple times"

"Don't you dare!" Harry threatened, glaring at Niall who cleared his throat

"Harry paid us to let you win poker" Niall rushed out, smiling at Louis "One million each"

Louis' eyebrows raised significantly and Harry blushed red

"I didn't" The curly haired man lied "I didn't do that!"

"You...paid them?" Louis questioned, an amused smile on his face

"No" Harry replied, folding his arms and looking down in embarrassment

"Are you lying to me?" Louis asked with a raised eyebrow

"Yes" Harry grumbled, still not meeting Louis' eyes

Louis grinned at this "You paid them a million pounds to let me win a round of poker?" He repeated

"Please, let's move on from this subject" Harry begged, his usually dominant persona diminish as Louis grinned at him

"Did you?" The small boy pressed

"Yes" Harry grumbled, not meeting Louis' eyes as his cheeks burned in embarrassment

There was nothing he hated more than being caught in an act of kindness; one people saw that there was kindness in you, they also believed that you were worth saving. Harry knew that he wasn't

"That's adorable, Harry" Louis gushed, unable to stop himself from smiling

He was so unfamiliar with the thought of someone going to any length to make him happy; the idea of Harry paying the boy's just to make Louis feel good about himself, was astounding to the blue eyed boy

"It is?" Harry asked, blinking at Louis who nodded quickly

"Thank you" he replied and Harry finally cracked a smile

"Well that backfired" Liam huffed, rolling his eyes at the sickeningly cute couple in front of him

"He was meant to be embarrassed for years" Niall muttered to Liam

"And Louis was meant to laugh at him" Liam grumbled back

Instead, Harry stood up proudly and announced that the meeting was cancelled before whisking Louis upstairs with him

"Our leader is becoming soft" Liam announced

"In a good way" Zayn clarified "Would you rather him chop off our fingers whenever you teased him?"

"He's no fun to tease anymore" Niall cut in "He's a sap"

"Only for Louis" Liam corrected

And he was utterly and completely right

***

"Zayn, a word" Harry requested, poking his head around Zayn's bedroom door

The darker haired man quickly closed his sketchbook and stood up to face Harry "Yes?" He questioned, stepping into the corridor to talk to the green eyed man

"I need a favor" Harry stated and Zayn raised an eyebrow

"What kind of a favor?" Zayn asked

"Well, say yes and I'll tell you" Harry replied

Zayn scoffed at this "The last time you pulled that trick, you tried to make me kill my girlfriend" he pointed out

"Which you did anyway" Harry shot back

"Okay, fair point" Zayn agreed with a sigh "Yes, I'll do it"

"I need you to track Niall and Liam's phones" Harry told him "Report any suspicious behavior"

"You don't trust them?" Zayn asked

"Their loyalty? Completely" Harry answered "But their methods? Not a chance" he explained and Zayn nodded thoughtfully

"I guess I can do that" he said with a soft shrug "What exactly are you looking for?"

"Any messages they're sent" Harry replied "Much like the ones which Niall hid from us" he clarified

"Okay" Zayn muttered "I'll keep a check"

"Anything suspicious, you tell me" Harry ordered

"Of course" Zayn promised "You think we'll find anything?" He asked

"Not likely" Harry replied "Though we're all on edge, and we're all known to make stupid decisions whilst under pressure"

"Who can blame us?" Zayn replied lightheartedly and Harry smiled

"Also, Liam has become a light sleeper" he explained "I hear him wandering when night comes" he added "It wakes me when he walks above my bedroom"

"Well it's not like any of us can get a good night's sleep when we're in fear of being executed in the middle of the night" Zayn stated

"Speaking of which, I had another uncomfortable dream last week" Harry confessed

"I thought that you said they'd stopped" Zayn pointed out, furrowing his eyebrows at Harry

"They did stop" Harry insisted "For a while" he added in a grumbled tone

"You said that sleeping besides him put you at ease" Zayn accused

"And it does" Harry agreed "Though apparently it isn't that easy to rid myself of demons"

"So what are you going to do about it?" Zayn asked and Harry shrugged

"Nothing" he answered finally "There's nothing to be done"

"Well you can't just continue to wake him up" Zayn stated

"It's only happened once" Harry replied "Maybe twice" he admitted quietly

"Well, sort it out" Zayn told him

"I can't just 'sort it out', Zayn" Harry said with a groan "Ridding myself of nightmares has consequences"

"Like drinking yourself to sleep so that you black out?" Zayn questioned with a raised brow

"That worked in the past" Harry replied "I can't do that now"

"Old habits die hard, brother" Zayn stayed with a shrug, giving Harry a pat on the shoulder

"I'm serious" Harry said firmly "I told you this so that you can come up with a reasonable solution"

"Have a hit before bed, drink yourself to darkness, take a couple of pills" Zayn listed "That's how you used to handle it"

"Zayn!" Harry snapped, making the brown eyed man jump slightly "Are you seriously encouraging me to relapse?" He questioned

"No" Zayn said quickly "I just don't know what else to suggest" he admitted "And if I suggest what I really think, you'll probably kill me" he added

"Spill" Harry replied shortly

Zayn scoffed at this "Did you not just hear me?" He questioned "You won't like the alternative, Harry" he promised

"Don't make me ask you again" Harry told him

"Maybe you should talk to someone" Zayn blurted "Like a therapist or-"

Harry burst into laughter at this, grinning at Zayn and clapping the man on the back "You never cease to amuse me" he pointed out "Now, what's your real suggestion?" He questioned

Zayn raised and eyebrow at Harry and shrugged reluctantly as the taller man caught on

"What, you were serious?" Harry questioned, eyes widening significantly "You think that seeing a shrink will solve my problems?" He asked

"You don't know until you try" Zayn replied with a shrug "It doesn't have to be a shrink, just at least talk to somebody" he said

"I talk to you" Harry pointed out

"Which hasn't worked" Zayn stated "Maybe I'm not the person you need to be talking to"

"You're the only person that I can talk to" Harry replied with a sigh

"In time, you'll be able to talk to someone else" Zayn promised and Harry smiled, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder

"Maybe" he agreed

Although the concept seemed impossible a year ago, he'd made so many other changes recently, that this didn't seem a stretch anymore

"Anyway" Zayn started, placing a hand on top of Harry's "Liam and I have some business to attend with the Crow's" he explained and Harry nodded "We'll be back this evening" he promised

"I'll be in my office collecting all of the necessary files so that we can reschedule this morning's meeting" Harry stated "Be back by 6 o'clock so that we can all meet in the planning room" he ordered

"Of course" Zayn promised, giving Harry's hand a soft squeeze before letting it go altogether so that the man could withdraw himself

"Good" Harry replied with a satisfied sigh "I'll see you then, brother" he added and Zayn gave him a nod before retreating to his bedroom to get ready

So, as planned, that day was very much filled with all four gang members completing their individual tasks

Liam and Zayn both went out on s delivery task, Niall spent the day training in the attic, and Harry used the time to go through a set of files regarding missing people in Paris and all of their dead rivals

Louis came wandering into Harry's office in the early evening, after he'd spent most of the day in the garden

"Any luck, munchkin?" Harry questioned, looking up from his papers to glance at Louis' sulky face

"It's never going to grow" Louis complained "It's too cold outside" he pointed out

"Give it time, my love, it's only been a couple of weeks" Harry replied "It'll soon grow" he promised

Louis nodded slowly, offering Harry a shy smile in return "Okay" he said softly

"Wanna come and give me a cuddle?" Harry asked, holding his arms open for Louis

"Harry Styles asking for a cuddle?" Louis questioned, grinning as he walked over to Harry "That must be a first" he added, climbing into Harry's lap and hugging the man tightly round his middle

Harry hummed softly at Louis' contact "You looked adorable" he explained "Just wanted to hold you" he admitted "Besides, I like to cuddle you"

"Well, I like to cuddle you too" Louis said softly, whispering the words against Harry's neck "Makes me feel so safe" he whispered, nuzzling his face into the crook of Harry's neck and making the green eyed man smile

In reality, as long as he was with Harry he was in the most danger

***

6 o'clock soon came around and, as promised, all four boys gathered in the planning room at Harry's request

Louis had gone about showering and preparing himself for bed, so he wasn't at risk of hearing anything gruesome that night. Just in case of a break in, Harry loaded up the monitor cameras on the upstairs corridors so that he could make sure Louis was safe whilst he conjured a plan with his gang

"This" Harry started, gesturing to the table of files "Is what we have so far" he explained, stepping forwards and pushing at the pieces of paper gently "This is everything we have on Peter, the brothers and Edward" he stated "All of which are now dead"

Liam hummed at this, sitting down at the large table and opening one of Peter's files "Though their gangs have been dismantled, there are still people out there who wish to kill us" he pointed out "For example the remains of Peter's gang that are still in France" he added

"That trail went dead months ago" Niall cut in, taking a seat at the table and picking up one of Edwards files

"Even so, we must investigate it" Liam stated, flicking through the file "We still have the receipts that Paul gave us" he added, holding up the list of messages between Peter and an anonymous source

"Those are a far reach" Harry told him

Liam rolled his eyes at this "Well, obviously" he agreed "But everything we do is a reach" he pointed out

Harry hummed in agreement "Touché" he said "You can focus on France if you wish" he told Liam "Find out all you can about the occupants of the hotel we looked into"

"Why can't we just go to France?" Niall asked

"There are now five members of this gang" Zayn told him "One of which has never been abroad, and his first time should definitely not be for a murder spree" he scolded Niall

"Well said" Harry agreed, giving Zayn a nod

"So he's an official part of the gang now?" Niall questioned, looking at Harry with a raised brow

"I think that was made clear when he attended the ball with us" Harry answered "Though he's been a part of us for a long time" he added

"Well, I always thought that a good gang needed five members" Liam announced, clapping his hands together happily

"This doesn't mean that he doesn't still need twenty four hour protection" Harry told the boys "He's still vulnerable"

"Of course" Niall agreed quickly "His protection is our highest priority" he stated

Harry looked between the three boys with a smile "Yeah?" He questioned

"Obviously" Liam cut in "You seem to forget that we all love him" he stated "You're the only one who won't say it" he accused, raising an eyebrow at Harry

The green eyed man swallowed at this and the other three boys looked at him expectantly "I-I..." he cut himself off, coughing a couple of times before continuing "I care for Louis" he said firmly, nodding to himself "Yeah" he muttered "I care for Louis" he repeated

Zayn snorted at this, eyes crinkling at the sides as he laughed at Harry "You're ridiculous" he said simply, shaking his head in amusement "Utterly ridiculous"

"Oh shut up" Harry grumbled, a red blush covering his cheeks as he sat down at the table and picked up some papers about Lawrence

"So you're really going to sit there and not talk about it?" Liam questioned

"Yep" Harry muttered, not sparing Liam a glance as he looked through the papers "This conversation is finished"

"Until next time, Styles" Zayn told him "We'll keep bringing it up unit you tell us the truth" he reminded

Harry swatted the man with the stack of papers but said nothing more on the subject as he read through the files that he had stored

"Must we really go through all of these?" Niall questioned, flicking through the file on Edward half heartedly "What's the objective?" He asked

"The objective is to find any loose ends that we can tie together" Harry reminded "We need to make sense of the picture that we received of Louis' biological father" he stated

Niall sighed loudly "Surely this can't help us" he replied "Mark already said that the man died almost fourteen years ago"

"And then we received a picture of his dead body with a hand missing, and saw a non decomposed hand stuck to a ceiling" Zayn stated "He didn't die fourteen years ago" he added firmly "He died recently, and for a reason"

Harry hummed in agreement "We need to find that reason" he said

"Again, I don't think that reason is in here" Niall argued, holding up the file into the air for the three men to see this "This is useless and we're wasting our time"

"What would you have us do?" Liam questioned, raising an expectant eyebrow at Niall

"Nothing" Niall answered bluntly, shrugging as he spoke

"Are you out of your mind?" Zayn questioned "Or has someone been sending you messages again?"

Niall rolled his eyes at this "Of course not" he answered "But I'm just saying that maybe we should wait for a lead rather than trying to make up something from nonsense" he suggested

"Who's to say that we will ever get a lead?" Harry asked "It may be in months or even years" he reminded

"Then so be it" Niall said, shrugging once more "If we convince ourselves to believe nonsense stories that we've made up in our minds from these loose ends, then we may be straying from the real reason why that picture was sent"

Zayn blinked at Niall for a couple of seconds in confusion before speaking "I think he has a point" he said finally and Niall nodded at him "Though he's too stupid to word it correctly" he teased

"Elaborate" Liam ordered, eyeing the two men curiously

"I think what he means is that if we try and make up a story from nothing, it may not be true. Therefore we will have blocked our minds to the multiple possibilities and we may miss the real reasons when they come to us in natural circumstances" Zayn explained and Liam furrowed his eyebrows

"So you agree that we should do nothing?" He asked incredulously

Zayn rolled his eyes at Liam "Not nothing" he corrected "Just waiting for the truth to come to us"

"So nothing?" Harry questioned for clarification

"Well...yes" Zayn answered with a shrug "Not without a lead, anyway" he finished

Harry sighed, running a hand over his face "I don't feel comfortable doing nothing when someone who I care about is in danger" he confessed "It makes me feel uneasy"

"I agree" Liam added in "I can't sit around and stare at the walls" he argued "We have to search for answers"

"Answers won't just come from thin air" Niall told them all "We're tiring ourselves out chasing loose ends and nonsense stories" he stated "We need rest"

"Okay" Harry said finally "Okay, you're right" he confessed "Though we can't simply do nothing" he disagreed "I'll assign you all a small task to see if there are any links, if not then we wait for some real evidence" he announced

"Agreed" Liam said "Meet in the middle" he added and Harry nodded at him

"Zayn, I'd like you to look into the conversations between Peter and the anonymous source" Harry ordered "Find out who was on the other end of the messages" he said "What we first thought could have been...you know, could actually be a connection to Troy"

"On it" Zayn said, playfully snatching Peter's file from Liam's hands and opening it

"Niall, there is three known members of Edwards gang that have seemed to escape" Harry explained "Track them down and pay them a visit" he said

"A visit?" Niall repeated

"One in which they die" Harry clarified and Niall nodded

"Sounds good to me" the blonde man agreed

"And me, boss?" Liam questioned when Harry didn't say anything

"You and I are going to take a little trip to France" Harry announced

I'm sorry for the time taken to update! Y'all only hit the target a couple of days ago! But thank you for the support, and for waiting! Please answer the questions down below, they help me develop my chapters! 

Questions: 

Thoughts on Liam and Harry going to Paris? 

Why does Harry keep having recurring dreams? What's haunting him? 

Is Louis safe when he's with Harry? 

DOES HARRY LOVE LOUIS? If so, does he even realise it yet? 

Vote? Comment? Ilygsm. Mwah x