(This is a very short chapter, but I wanted to split Harry's point of view from the next chapter so here you gooo)
Harry's POV-
Cecelia drops everything and rushes over to me. I find myself scowling when I notice her not-so-subtly barge past Melody and almost knock her over. That was definitely on purpose; the conniving little bitch.
Once we're outside I cross my arms across my chest and watch as she pathetically tries twirling her hair around her finger in a failing attempt to get me going. Sure, we fucked about a month ago. Sure, she was fun. Sure, she's got an incredible body and sure, she's no where close to being ugly. But her personality is no short of being the devil himself. Not to mention on top of all of that, her annoying, whiny voice.
Let's just say her and I and our short-lived fling, or whatever she wants to call it, are history.
"Are you busy tonight?" She asks me, still twirling her hair around like a bloody idiot. God, she's annoying.
Rolling my eyes I reply, "I have lots of business to deal with Cecilia, I don't have time for your attempts to seduce me". Even if I were still attracted to her, which I'm not, nothing could distract me from my business. Melody thinks she can trick me and get away with it? I don't think so. My body fills with excitement when I think about how I'm going to deal with her when I find out what she's hiding. She's been warned, and I can't wait to see the look on her face when I catch her out and get to punish her.
I'm torn out of my plotting thoughts against Melody when Cecilia speaks up again, "Oh come on Harry!" Oh shut up Cecilia, "Your business can't keep you occupied forever and I'm sure you're just dying for a repeat of last time. You seem stressed baby, let me ease your mind tonight..." Oh believe me Cecilia, it can.
"Come here" I lower my voice, an attempt to convince her that I'm just as into this as she is. She obliges to my entertainment and inches closer to me. I reach out and wrap my hand around her neck ever so slowly just the way I know she likes and apply pressure, my face only only inches from hers. I can feel her heart pulsing under my palm and I smirk, listening to her shudder as my mouth makes my way to her ear. She likes rough? I'll show her rough.
My hold on her neck tightens before I whisper sharply, "If you ever shove Melody ever again or lay a single finger on her I will personally make sure it is the last thing you fucking do. You want a job that pays? I suggest you go back in there and do what you're getting paid to do. Understood?"
Cecilia gasps at the hold I have on her but manages to nod vigorously in response. I consider holding her there in my tight grip for a bit longer; I even consider tightening my grip around her neck until she turns purple but decide against it. I release her and she's a spluttering mess, gasping and holding her neck as she stares at me in disbelief.
"Get back to work" I order. When she turns for the door I grab hold of her wrist and spin her around again, "Oh and Cecilia? Make sure you're kind to Melody".
"Yes, of course" she replies quietly and I smile, winking at her.
"Right, let's go back in there then and act like none of this happened".
....
3 hours later-
"Where the hell is Niall?" My patience is becoming thin and I am becoming more and more irritable by the minute. He's been M I A since I saw him talking with Melody this morning and I need answers right now otherwise I'm going to lose my shit. So far no one has heard of him or seen him, despite my many groups of men searching this camp top to bottom for him.
"Harry, we found him!" I hear one of my youngest recruits, Reece, I think his name is, call out. I instantly snap out of my thoughts and rush around the corner where Reece and Will are standing, each holding Niall in place.
What a sight that is to see.
"It's about fucking time! Where have you been?" I bark out, standing toe-to-toe in front of Niall.
"Nowhere. Just went for a walk" His face is straight as he shrugs, and if I hadn't known him for as long as what I have then I probably would have believed his sad sop of a lie. Considering the circumstances, I don't believe a word coming from his mouth.
"No where, hey? So you just decide to take a lovely stroll through the forest without telling anyone where you were going? Don't think for one second that I'm believing that story. Although, I'll give you credit Niall; it's almost as good as your oh so convincing story about the guns earlier".
Niall sighs, "What are ya gonna do then, hey?"
Threatening challenges? My favourite.
"Don't make the mistake of forgetting that I am in charge of this camp and that I know where your Mother and sisters live" I spit. I know that threatening Niall, a good man who I've known longer than oxygen itself, with his loved ones is low, but honestly right now I couldn't give a fuck about how much of an asshole that makes me. I wouldn't actually put a hand on his family members; but he doesn't need to know that. Until I get my answers, I'm ruthless. "Don't make the mistake of thinking that I will hesitate on burning their lovely family home to the ground along with them inside of it".
Niall's eyes widen and he grinds his teeth together, a response I was looking for. Though, pissing me off even more, he doesn't say anything in return. A response I definitely was not looking for.
"Tell me what the hell you were up to Niall or so fucking help me!" My hands grip his shirt aggressively as I shake his shoulders and I can't contain my anger anymore. Nobody in my gang keeps secrets from me and doesn't come clean about it when asked.
"Fine! Fine, Jesus!" Niall shoves my body off his and I stumble backwards, a deep glare etched into my features.
"Well?" I press.
"Here, see for yourself" Niall reaches into his pocket and my other men quickly retrieve their guns in case he tries to pull anything. I watch as he hesitantly pulls out a note and flicks it towards me, allowing me to swiftly catch it.
"You've read it?" I question him as I examine it and slowly lift it open, revealing messy handwriting. God, where did this person learn to write?
"No, I didn't want to pry".
I scoff, "How noble of you. Trusty old Niall, always trying to do the right thing. Though obviously you have no interest in nobility when it comes to your gang".
His head lowers, presumably out of shame and I roll my eyes in irritation; I'll deal with him later, but first I need to read this letter.
'Dear Melody, how nice to receive word from you. I was half starting to believe that you no longer wanted my help but here I am, stunned that a trusted gang member has approached me and told me of your wishes to meet with me tonight. I guess even the most trusted will always turn their backs on what's familiar for a pretty woman such as yourself. What did you have to do to get him to do that dirty deed for you? I can only imagine...
Luckily for you my schedule is free tonight and I would be more than privileged to meet up with you to discuss further action to do with your Father at our disclosed location, although the horse stables seem a little too risky for me.
Meet me where we first became acquainted, near the fruit trees behind the main tent instead, 11pm sharp as instructed by you.
I am counting down the hours,
Dearly, Ethan'
By the time I finish reading the letter my body is shaking with crippling anger and I scrunch up the note, tossing it to the dirt as I turn and send a punch right into a wooden post nearby used for the tying up horses. My knuckles split and I look down at them carelessly, ignoring the shooting pain running up my arm before flicking my head back up and looking Niall in the eyes. How the hell could I have let something like this pass me? Secret arrangements regarding Melody's disgraceful excuse for a Father? And it went by completely untraced by me? Our job is to keep shit like this from happening.
"You had better tell me this instant whose side you're on. You're either with us or against us, no damn place in between. In the 23 years I've known you this is your first offence against your own, so with that bared in mind I am going to pardon your fucked up betrayal and give you a second chance to prove yourself to me. Deny my offer or go against me and you will be exiled, along with your family. It will not be pretty and I'm sure you know that. So it's your choice Niall; you know damn well that this offer wouldn't stand for anyone else so I'd suggest choosing correctly". The anger I feel pulsing through my veins in this very moment is more than I've felt in years. Sure, I knew something was being kept from me; but this? Melody teaming up with Ethan, a man I loath entirely, a disrespectful traitor, for arrangements to plot against me and Niall joining in on it all?
I just can't fucking believe it.
Niall's voice pulls me back to reality, "Of course I choose this gang, I would never betray you all, and although I felt I was keeping something from you I didn't believe it was going to affect the gang; I thought they were just hooking up. I'm sorry, I was just trying to make up for the guilt I was feeling for not helping save Melody. That feeling is shit, and I just wanted to feel better about it".
I nod my head slowly, processing Niall's words. No doubt I believe him this time, and it feels slightly relieving knowing he didn't betray us purposely. Yet that alone doesn't allow me to shake my anger. Ethan and Melody hooking up? The mere thought makes my skin crawl. I'm still beyond furious at Melody, and as much as I would love to storm into that kitchen and drag her out of there and punish her right here and now, I choose not to let my revenge run short.
They want to play games? I'll play along and make it more fun than ever. I really bloody hope that there's no rules though, cause I love to play dirty.
Rubbing my hands together I say, "Right then. Men, prepare yourselves for a secret meeting tonight at 11pm sharp. You don't think our friends will mind some new company joining in on their secret conversation now, do you?" A smirk covers my face as the three men in front of me smirk too and chuckle.
If we're going to pull off this plan I have in mind for tonight then we're going to need men; a lot more men, and that for me will be a piece of sweet tasting cake.
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Love me some Harry's POV! What about you guys? Like I said at the start of the chapter this is only a short chapter as I wanted to split up his point of view and the next chapter if you understand what I mean? Ps. I'm sorry if there are mistakes, I haven't gone through and edited it yet but wanted to update x
Thank you again for reading and being continuously supportive!
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Till next update... x