Gio

We’re all grinning ear-to-ear. There’s something about holding an item that’s not yours, that you have no right to, in the palm of your hand. Something about knowing you just fucked someone’s day.

I take the diamond from him, putting into a new box I bought for it and sticking it in the sack.

We grab everything in the safe that we can. Filling our bags with rare diamonds and gems. There's also about five hundred grand in cash, that will go straight into our pockets, no middle man needed.

“Guys,” Frank’s panicked voice invades our ears. “We have a fucking problem.”

All of our eyes meet at once. “What?” I ask.

“Cops.”

That one word catapults us into motion. We cinch the bags and run back to the front of the building. Annie is waiting there looking pale and clammy.

“We don’t have enough time.” Frank shouts. He’s getting nervous, reckless.

“Get in the car, Annie.” I instruct. I pull off my mask and gloves, shoving them into the bag and tossing it into the Escalade.

&nbs

p; Charlie and Tony help her to the car, shoving her in the back seat. Frank comes running from the ladder at the side of the building. “We gotta go now.” He says.

“Go.” I tell them. I look at Annie, taking a second to press my hand against her cheek now that it’s uncovered. “Go, babe, I’m sorry for this.”

“What?” Her brows narrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Leave.” I order. “Get her out of here, I’ll distract them.”

I slam the door to the Escalade and give the side a double tap. Without hesitation the car takes off, leaving me in the dust.

I take a deep breath.

The cop cars begin to invade. There are four of them that speed up to the building, nearly knocking me over. They jumped from their cars, guns in hand and pointed at me.

Arms up. Arms always need to be up when you’re dealing with cops, they’ll take any excuse to rid you from the world.

“Stay still!” Someone calls over the bullhorn, and I obey.

As long as they’re here in front of me, arresting me, brutalizing me - they’re not with Annie.

As long as Annie is safe, this will all be worth it.

“No!” The scream that leaves my mouth is deafening.

I don’t even recognize the girl who is screaming, fists pounding on the leather. “We’re not leaving him there! Turn around!” I shout orders like I have the authority.

In this car, I am no one.

Even so, I yell demands. I scream. I wail.

Still, the car moves forward.

The kid in the driver's seat doesn’t even lift his foot from the pedal. If anything, he speeds up.

“Don’t listen to her.” Frank tells him.

Frank is checking the rearview mirror and the police scanner simultaneously. He’s making sure we’re not being followed. He doesn’t give me a second look once he instructs the driver to ignore me.

“Annie,” Charlie tries to use a soothing voice. He places a reassuring hand on my arm. He’s gentle, sweet even. “We can’t go back.” He tells me.