After taking a short break to calm down my anxiety, I head back inside. I have the entire afternoon to get through before I have to report to the facility.
Then, shit gets real.
* * *
I arrive at the facility at six. There are already a handful of cars in the lot, most of which I recognize. Before I head inside, I send my brother a quick text. One word.
Me: Ready.
His single word reply comes moments later.
Luke: Ready.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, making sure it’s powered on and the recording device engaged before I grab my handgun from the glove compartment. This shit is going down tonight and I’ll be damned if I’m not packing. Once I make sure I’m loaded with one in the chamber and the safety on, I head inside.
Styx and the two guys that are always with Mattias are sitting in the office. Mattias is on his phone on the far side of the empty space, talking in Spanish to the person on the other end. I head over to the seating area and fall into a chair. I have my bad ass “I don’t give a shit” face on, ever playing the part.
“You ready?” Styx asks while taking a long drag from his cigarette. His gaze is locked on mine as if he’s trying to get a read on me. But, I’m ready for him. I’m better. He has no clue who I am and what I’m capable of doing. He has no clue everything is about to unravel right before his eyes. I will show him tonight.
“Yep,” I reply, taking a pull from the bottle of Jack sitting on the table. I want to drink just enough to let them know I’m part of the team, but not enough to impair my judgment. My plan is to take a few drinks now, eat a little food when it arrives, and then make sure I’m sober and ready for the battle that’s ahead.
Styx doesn’t speak anymore, but continues to watch me as he takes each drag from his cigarette. A lesser man would be crying for his mama. But I’ve got his number. He’s tough, sure, but he’s also cocky. His cockiness is going to be his downfall.
The door opens a few moments later and Gage enters carrying four pizza boxes. It sucks to be the low man on the totem pole. You’re expected to bring food before each heist. It wasn’t that long ago that I was the man bringing pizza and bags of greasy food out here.
Gage sets the boxes on the table in front of me, but doesn’t look over. Apparently, he’s still pissed. Fine by me. Maybe now he’ll leave me the hell alone. Everyone dives into the pizzas as Mattias gets off the phone. He joins us, grabbing a loaded slice before taking the seat next to me.
“Fernando and his men will be here shortly. Before they get here, I need to tell you all to be ready for the unexpected. I don’t know why, but tonight feels off. I’m hoping it’s just because we’ll have outside help where we don’t need it. I tried to leave them out of this job, but Fernando wouldn’t hear of it. This is the biggest job we’ve run in a very long time with big, powerful buyers lined up. We can’t fuck this up,” he says before taking a bite.
The door opens moments later and in walks Roman. He has never been here for a job in the year I’ve been working the facility. That’s how I know it’s the big one: the boss is here. He walks over, grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza, and takes a seat at the desk that is rarely used. Everyone is quiet now that Roman is in the building.
After I force myself to eat a second slice of mushroom pizza, Gage turns his beady little eyes on me. “So what’s this I hear about a girlfriend? How come you’ve never mentioned her before?” he asks. The scene plays out before me. I imagine myself getting up, walking over to him and beating him within an inch of his life just for bringing her up. God, I’m so wired. It feels like I’ve drunk a dozen shots of espresso.
“Just a girl I’ve been seeing,” I answer nonchalantly. Inside my mind, I continue his ass whoopin’.
“Huh,” he mumbles, taking another bite. I feel Styx’s eyes on me, but I restrain from looking over at him. “Sure seemed like a big deal, man. I mean, you were ready to claw Divine’s eyes out when she touched you.”
“Because I don’t want her touching me,” I answer, seemingly unfazed. Inside, I’m as tense as a caged bear.
“She was so upset after she went in the office, she sucked dick like she hadn’t eaten in a week and my cock was a fucking burrito.” His manic laugh fills the entire room, followed by a few chuckles from the guys around us. I internally roll my eyes.
Feeling eyes on me, I glance over and see Roman watching me. The way he studies me leaves me slightly on edge. It was one thing when Styx was studying me, but Roman is a whole different kettle of fish. I wonder if he knows who my girlfriend is. It’s likely that he does, honestly. Not much gets by him.