Here's chapter six! :) let me know how you're liking it so far x

Zayn slept almost 17 hours, drifting in and out of a conscious state due to the blood loss and fever

He was irritable for the most part once he awoke, but he gathered a small meeting with his gang nonetheless; he knew that there was a discussion at hand and that they would need to act immediately

"So?" Liam questioned, the last of the three to gather into the board room to see what it was that Zayn so desperately had to say

Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration "We have a problem" he announced, sat in his back-facing chair with his legs perched either side gracefully "I believe I underestimated Peter and his gang of fools" he said

Zayn strained out a laugh "I'll say" he murmured, shifting to a more comfortable position

"He's linked with Hughes and his men, no doubt" Harry stated "In Paris together, no doubt" he added "But surprisingly, that isn't the worst of it" he said

"No?" Liam quizzed, brows furrowed in confusion.

"No" Zayn confirmed "The worst part is that they found out that the kid is living with us" he said "Fuck knows how, but they think he's important to us"

Harry squinted "Why is that so important?" He asked

Niall squinted at him "It's a problem because Peter has clearly gone off of the rails to target us" he stated "And anyone that they believe we care about will be a target too" he said

Harry raised a brow "Again, how it that a problem?" He asked

"Because, you psychopath, we don't want the kid to be murdered before we can get him back home" Zayn snapped at him"That was never the plan" he added.

"Touché" Harry murmured "We do need that money"

Niall blinked at him "You're crazy" he deadpanned "A real fucking sociopath, you know that, right?" He quizzed.

"Thank you" Harry replied

Zayn bit back a laugh, averting his gaze to Harry before his eyes could linger on his wounded leg for a second longer "We can't have the kid killed" he said finally "So we have to find a way to either convince them that he's no longer in our possession or-"

"Or we kill them" Liam said easily "Always the better option" he stated with a shrug "Peter never really has been one for negotiations"

Harry shrugged, blatantly agreeing "Suits me" he replied "But how do we know that they're the only ones who know"

Zayn turned to him "Hang on, didn't you just say you're not bothered if the kid dies?" He asked "Now you're willing to execute anyone who knows about him?"

Harry shrugged "I was kidding" he promised "Of course we can't let the kid die, it goes against every moral I have" he said

Liam shrugged "Or maybe you just want to kill someone" he said "I have to admit that I do" he added

"Don't be so eager to play with death, Liam" Harry told him "Or else death will begin to play with you"

Liam rolled his eyes, unbothered "So what's the plan, boss man?" He asked

"We're going to throw one hell of a party" Harry announced

***

Loyalty was futile in an industry that was forever revolving around money and fear

Fear itself is a man's biggest motivator; with a knife to your throat there is almost anything you can make a man do and with millions of pounds to play with, you can make the man your puppet

Those with loyalties were rare. Every associate that Harry had once trusted had betrayed him in some way or another; now with Peter included. The two had never been friends, as such, hardly ever partners. Peter was a nutcase with only half his head screwed on and Harry knew better than to work with those who had lost their minds in the game. So he kept the man sweet as he went off of the rails, still exchanging deals every now and again to secure the bond. That, however, wasn't enough for the money thirsty. Peter wanted more. Wanted to exterminate the social ladder so that he could make his way to the top as if power would satisfy his insatiable desire for something more

It never did. Harry could tell you that much. Money at his disposal, a loyal gang and power in his hands and the man still felt incomplete

Point being made, Peter was now just another target on their lists of people to kill; his gang included

And so, they formed a plan in the form of a part extravaganza, to lure in those who were most thirsty for money and power

A casino party with only the elites on the guest list. Any man with greed in his heart would be sure to make an appearance. If anyone at the party recognised or tried to make a move on Louis, they would be stopped. And it wouldn't be pretty for them

So that's exactly what they did. After a short discussion, it was agreed on both ends that the boy would be used as bait in order for the gang to know who had a vendetta against them, or who was working with Peter

Peter himself was inevitably invited to the party, though sources made it clear that he was most likely still in Paris

The house was set up into a casino for the night; a gluttonous man's best friend. Poker tables here, cash slots there. All with a hefty price to win and to lose

More people than expected turned up at their mansion that night, and so the plan had to be adapted to fit their needs. Louis found himself surrounded by gang members that reminded him all too deeply about his past and his life with Mark. Cold hands. Painful words. Bruised skin

He blinked back tears as Zayn wrapped a protective arm around his shoulders, half to steady himself with his wounded leg and half to comfort Louis

Harry tended to the guests with wide smiles and open arms; a façade that he'd learnt primarily from his father. A grin encasing a hundred years of sorrow

With Harry's good looks and natural charm, it wasn't hard to encapsulate the guests, as everyone was already hanging onto his every word as if the curves of his lips told a prophecy

"Mr. Styles" a girl began, she smiled at him as she spoke

Harry maintained his act, plastering on his fake persona and smiling right back at the blonde "Have we met?" He asked gently, looking her over "Guess not, I would have remembered someone like you" the lies rolled from his tongue like a politician

Her eyes lit up at this "And I you" she replied easily, lips twitching into a grin "I've heard so much about you" she told him "You're not as scary as everyone says you are" she accused lightly

"Wouldn't want to scare you off" he shot right back, placing a hand on her back "Have you tried the wine?" He questioned, leading her over to a table where many were playing poker

Zayn raised a brow, scoffing as the two walked away, folding his arms across his chest and squinting at their now distant figures

"Wow, you're not at all obvious" Niall muttered, brows raised Zayn "He's just playing his part, you know?" He added "No one's stealing your best friend"

"Whatever" Zayn grumbled "He can be friends with whoever he fucking wants" he muttered before striding away

Niall shrugged to himself before taking a sip of his liquor. He made sure to only drink enough to remain unsuspicious, but little enough to remain fully focused on the task at hand

Liam was looking around as the plan set itself in motion. As more people than expected had arrived at their mansion, they decided to place Louis in an area that wasn't welcome to the public. Anyone who followed him out of the main quarters was an easy suspect. Liam would be on standby to make sure that the teenager wasn't harmed during all of this

Louis had surprisingly agreed to the whole extravaganza. If the gang had known about his past entirely, then they may not have been so incredulous to his lack of reluctance. For the first time in what felt like forever, someone was fighting for Louis' survival. They wanted to keep him well and alive and, even if it was solely to uphold their end of the deal with Mark, it was a lot more than anyone else had done for him

Louis resigned to one of the deeper parts of the house with Niall as Liam walked over to Harry to let him know that the plan was about to be set in motion

"Styles" the hit man called, gaining the attention of a few men, to whom he smiled at politely

Harry grinned before excusing himself from the table to see Liam "Something happened?" He questioned immediately

Liam shook his head "Everything's in place" he promised "I was just saving you from looking so uncomfortable" he teased, nodding towards the girl that was previously perched right next to him

Harry stifled a laugh "Thank you for pointing that out" he muttered sarcastically "I hate parties" he admitted, shaking his head in disgust "Especially with people like this" he added.

Liam nodded in sympathy "I know" he replied

"Aren't you meant to be on look out?" Harry asked

"Niall and Zayn are there" the hit man told him "But nothing's happening" he added

Harry let out a sigh "And what am I to do?" He questioned, raising a brow

Liam grinned "Keep our guests entertained" he stated "Between Zayn and yourself I'm sure you can manage" he added, tone teasing

Harry bit back a smile "Keep the kid alive, would you" He ordered "I have a bargain to fulfil"

Liam rolled his eyes "When have I ever let you down?" He asked

"When have the stakes ever been so high?" Harry questioned

Liam raised a brow "I can think of a couple of times" he replied easily, the memories whirling around in his brain; fast and fond

"Get to work" Harry demanded, a playfulness behind his command that only Liam could sense

A fearful edge to his tone that only Liam could hear

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