Over the next few days Louis observes the way the boys operate and realises that something big is going on, they are extremely intimidating when they are on the phone, dressed in suits and talking business. Harry changes into someone dark and dangerous when he's working and Louis completely stays out of everyone's way. He doesn't eat unless he's made to eat a few mouthfuls of dinner and he doesn't venture off the couch. He's actually somewhat scared of the boys and Harry. It's like they forget he's there and who they truly are comes out. Louis doesn't know what to make of it and he's trying to make sense of it all.

He's on his way to the kitchen to get a drink which takes him a little long as he's sore and can't move very fast.

He makes it to the doorway and sees Harry's  anger at full force as he yells at someone on speaker phone. Louis stops in his tracks, none of the boys seeing him. His breathing pics up as he watches the boys talk to whoever is on the phone and threaten them, his dad too. Once the call ends they turn even more serious

"I want this dealt with, find him and bring him to the basement" Harry snarls

"We will get the team on it, he can't have gone far" Drew reassures

Drew, James and Edward then grab guns off the bench put them in holsters under their suit jackets and are out the door leaving Scott and Harry in the kitchen seething.

Harry is ranting when Scott looks up and sees Louis terrified face.

"Harry" Scott tries, but he doesn't listen and keeps ranting

"Harry!" Scott says louder and more desperate

Again Harry ignores him.

"Harry!" Scott shouts

"Jesus, what?" Harry asks Scott annoyed

Harry then follows Scott's eye-line to Louis in the doorway

"Shit" Harry says under his breath and only Scott hears it

"How long have you been standing there for darling" Harry asks, he sounds like he's trying to hold on his annoyance, his voice has a hint of danger and Louis wants to run and hide forever

"Um... just a minute" Louis says timidly

"Eavesdropping?" Harry asks calmly

"Sorry I...just wanted some water" Louis says

Harry locks eyes with Louis and sees how scared he is, Harry really doesn't know what to do here. Normally he would punish anyone for eavesdropping but Louis is an innocent kid who doesn't know a single thing about what they do. Harry sighs and breaks eye contact

Neither had noticed Scott heading to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water out and walking over to Louis.

Louis looks at Scott as he hands Louis the water kindly

"Thanks, sorry" Louis says as he takes the water and turns to leave the room. Harry and Scott watch him go and when Louis is out of sight Scott turns to Harry.

"I think I just gave him a reason to be scared of me" Harry says sighing as he runs his hand down his face.

"He's going to find out at some point what's going on. We forget he's here half the time and I know I don't act as if I need to hide from a 16 year old" Scott says

"I know, I just don't want him to be afraid of me" Harry says

Scott smirks

"Come on Haz, you love the power, especially over your conquests" Scott says cheekily

Harry doesn't say anything in response

"Oh no" Scott says as he realises

"Don't" Harry says angrily

"You actually like like Louis? I...shit well I don't even know what to say. I knew you felt things for him but not...not this much...fuck Harry that's..." Scott says

"I know, nothing will ever happen though, it can't and he's only 16" Harry says

"Well at least he's legal" Scott jokes

Harry does smirk at that

Scott knows how hard this is for Harry though, he can't just have anyone as a partner and come into his life and mean something. There is so much danger around what Harry does and how people will react when they find our Harry has a partner or is close to someone, it won't go down well. Scott thought Harry would either use Louis as a bit of fun or quickly get over him. Having Harry even consider Louis as a potential partner is huge. 

"Well he's scared of me now and probably hates me so there's nothing to worry about anyway" Harry says

Scott is about to reply when his phone rings, he answers and he and Harry get back to work they will have to deal with Louis later.

....

Louis remains on the couch for the rest of the day, pretends to sleep when he thinks someone is coming or when Andy checks on him. He doesn't want to see or talk to anyone and wants to leave.

James comes home around 6 and comes upstairs to tell Louis that dinner is ready and to come downstairs

"I'm not hungry" Louis says, he is slightly scared of his dad and can't look him in the eyes.

Harry and the boys told James about Louis overhearing them, and James supposes it's time to tell Louis what's going on. His own son is scared of him.

"Bud, come on we need to talk" James says

"I'm tired I don't want to, please just leave me alone" Louis tries.

"I can't do that bud, you know that, come on, let me explain a few things okay. The boys want to talk to you, Harry wants to talk to you and we really need you to listen" James says.

Louis sighs, this is all too much but he's tired and upset and just wants to go back home or to Harry's or wherever is away from this place.

Louis gets up slowly and James hovers but Louis backs away and James takes it as his cue to back off and follow Louis out of the lounge and down the stairs to the dining table.

The boys are all seated, Harry at the head of the table, Scott to his right, Drew on Scott's right and Edward on Drew's right.

Andy sits across from Drew and James takes his seat next to Andy, leaving Louis seat next to him and to the left of Harry. Louis is still sore and sits slowly in his chair, everyone watching him. It's quiet. The plates on the table are elegant and filled with a roast dinner, chief prepared but Louis doesn't think he can stomach food.

"How are you feeling Lou?" Drew asks smiling, breaking the silence.

"I'm okay" Louis says half smiling back

There is a huge elephant in the room and Harry coughs at the awkwardness

"Look Louis, let's just get this over with shall we. We know you overheard us today and we need to explain what it is we do" Harry says

Louis looks at Harry who's already looking him, Louis looks into his green beautiful eyes that hold so much emotion and Louis doesn't know if it's good or bad, he can't quite figure Harry out.

"You don't need to explain anything to me" Louis says

"Well we actually do, for your safety as well as an explanation" James says

"My safety?" Louis asks sceptically

"Look Lou, we work with very dangerous people and some of those people could want to hurt you" Scott says carefully

"Like the other night?" Louis asks

"Like the other night" Drew confirms

"Okay well what do you all do then? Louis asks sassily as he sits back in his chair, crosses his arms and waits expectantly

If this wasn't a serious conversation than the boys would laugh at Louis cuteness as he tries to be tough.

"Louis, I am head of the entire London Underground, I own strip clubs, casinos, bars, including Snitch. I bring down sex and prostitution rings. I distribute drugs to the city to keep it clean as can be and running smoothly. I work with the London police and no, they aren't corrupt. I kill people and I save people. But most importantly I look after my family which your dad has always been part of and now you are too" Harry says and his voice is completely level, scary and to the point, Louis knows he's telling him the truth.

Louis looks from Harry to his dad and raises an eyebrow, void of any other emotion. He has no idea how to react to this.

"It's true, I used to work with Harry's dad back before your mother died, I was his close second, like Scott is to Harry, his main man. When your mother died we had to leave quickly and Des helped me get you away from here fast and safely" James says

"Why?" Louis asks his voice now shaking, he can feel he's about to be told something he isn't going to like and he's scared

"Lou, I've never told you this and I'm so sorry, but I never thought we'd be back in this town. I never thought I'd be working for the underground again but I am and you deserve to know the truth" James says

Louis feels like he can't breathe and all eyes are on him as James continues

"I helped bring down an inside job when I worked for Des, I brought down a guy called Tony who wanted to destroy all Des had worked for and take over. I knew of the plan before anyone and I helped bring him down. Tony left town after it all went down but to get revenge on me and what I'd done....he.....he" James says shaking his head not wanting to relive the memories and trying to be strong for Louis

"He what" Louis whispers

"He murdered your mother and you were only spared because she told you to hide under the bed, he didn't know you were in the house" James says

Louis is as white as a ghost, he thinks he may either pass out or vomit

"That's no... I don't remember any of that you're lying" Louis whispers shaking his head, this can't be true.

"When it first happened I took you to see a therapist and she told me you'd blocked it out, that you might never remember it and I was hoping you never would" James says

The whole room is silent while Louis processes everything, he's clammy and breathing quickly, he doesn't want to belive what he's hearing.

Louis then turns to Harry for some reason, he wants comfort or something from him, he has no idea why or what he needs to be thinking right now

Harry looks at Louis sympathetically and tries to comfort him through his demeanour but Louis doesn't understand.

"Okay, ummmm great well, I just... can we go home now!, I want to leave, can we leave now, please" Louis asks his voice shaking

James sighs

"We're sorry kiddo but you can't ' Edward says

"Why?" Louis asks knowing something bad is coming

"Tony, knows your dad is back. Not about you or anything but he knows your dad is back working for Harry and it's not safe for you to be away from the security we have here at the estate" Scott says

"So we're just living here forever now?" Louis asks upset

"Basically, you can have my couch permanently or I can organise you a very comfortable room, it's up to you" Harry says

"Well thanks for giving me a choice in something" Louis says boldly shaking his head

Harry is taken back and Scott and the boys hold back their fond at the way Louis put Harry in his place.

"Watch your tone Louis" Harry says sternly

"I think I'll have your room then thanks" Louis says snappily as he stands up and the boys try not to laugh at Harry's shocked face

"Louis, kiddo" James tries

"I don't even know what to say, just leave me alone, please" Louis says and leaves the room heading upstairs.