Fighting to Be Free (Fighting to Be Free 1)

I laughed and shrugged. “Dude, you can have my territory, I don’t want it. I’m only here for another two months then I’m going straight.” I ran a hand through my hair, and yawned. “And I’m glad you’re here actually, I wouldn’t be able to keep these guys organised on my own. Once we’ve done with the warehouse job, I’ll assign two of the newbies to you, you’ll boost the cars and they’ll drive them back for you that’s how we usually roll.”

He nodded, pulling out some gum from his pocket, offering me one as he threw one in his mouth, chewing loudly. I smiled and waved it off. “I’m excited to work with you actually, they say you’re the best,” Dodger stated as he slipped on his black jacket and picked up his black leather holdall bag from the table.

I laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. “They say a lot of things; you should know not to believe half of the shit that floats around.” I grabbed my bag too and we both headed towards the minibus.

“How come you’re only doing this for two months then?” he asked as we climbed on.

“Personal issues. I agreed I’d do it for three months, I have just under two left, then I’m going straight. I have a girl that would hate it if she knew I was into this kind of thing,” I explained, skirting the issue a little.

I sat down at the front of the minibus and was just about to put my bag on the seat next to me when he plopped down in it instead, looking at me curiously. “You’re going straight for a girl?” he asked incredulously.

I laughed at the disbelief that coloured his tone - he obviously loved his work and wouldn’t be giving it up anytime soon, especially for a girl by the looks of it. I could understand that, the rush from boosting was definitely addicting. “I wanted to go straight before I met her, but yeah basically I’d do anything for her.”

He pursed his lips and ran a hand over his short wiry hair, his dark brown eyes locked onto mine.

“She hot?”

I settled into the seat, a smug smile on my face as I thought about just how hot Ellie was. “Smokin’ hot,” I confirmed.

He nodded thoughtfully. “You share?” he asked. I raised one eyebrow and looked at him warningly because he was very close to disrespecting my girlfriend. He recoiled slightly, holding his hands up innocently as he shifted in his seat, putting his feet up on the seat in front of him, getting comfortable. “I’ll take that look as a no,” he muttered.

I closed my eyes, deciding to get half an hour’s sleep on the way to the warehouse. Unfortunately, Vincent/Dodger had other ideas about letting me sleep - instead, he talked the whole damn way there. I had never met a guy that talked as much as him, it was like he had a gossipy little teenager trapped inside his butch masculine exterior. My eyes were stinging by the time we got to our desired destination.

As soon as we pulled up a little way down the road, I was wide awake. I stood up quickly, zipping up my black hoodie and pulling out the ski mask from my bag. Usually for a job like this we would disable the cameras but the guy was paying extra for us to leave them rolling to capture the action.

Apparently, it would help his insurance claim. Whatever, it didn’t bother me either way. I’d made sure that everyone was wearing plain clothing, nothing discernible, plain sneakers, no designer names anywhere. Clothes were to be burned tomorrow as per Brett’s orders.

Turning back to the rabble that were pulling this boost with me tonight, I smiled reassuringly. Now that we were here, the adrenalin was rushing through my veins creating that high that I got off on.

“Masks and gloves on, boys. I’m disabling the sound system in there, but the cameras will still be rolling. Once Vincent-” he cleared his throat next to me, so I rolled my eyes and corrected myself, “Sorry. Once Dodger and I have made sure the coast is clear then I’ll call Terry and he’ll open the front gates. No one moves in without my say so. Do exactly as you’ve been told, no hero shit in there or I’ll personally kick your ass,” I said sternly, looking around slowly to make sure they got it.

There was no way I was getting in trouble because some dipshit wanted to be a big shot and do something they shouldn’t. “Wait on the bus then. No one takes off their mask until you’re at least two blocks away.”

I looked down at Vincent and raised one eyebrow. A devilish grin slipped onto his face as he cracked his knuckles and then raised his ski mask to his face. “This had better not mess up my hair,” he joked, winking at me as he pulled it down over his face.

I laughed and pulled mine on too, grabbing my bag and slipping on some latex gloves so we didn’t leave fingerprints. “Let’s go then hotshot,” I teased, nodding at the open minibus door.

We both stepped out into the blackness of the night. The warehouse was about fifty yards ahead, the gates a little beyond that. We didn’t speak as we walked quickly to the darkest part of the perimeter and stopped by the chain link fence. I slung my bag over my shoulder and grabbed the cold metal, immediately starting to climb it. We’d spoken about this a lot on the phone, both of us had been over the plans but it was slightly different having a guy that I didn’t know do this with me, usually I’d be on my own right now. Two people were necessary though, there were two security guards inside, neither of which knew we were coming. I felt a lot better having someone like Dodger with me than one of the other boys; so far he seemed like a pretty decent guy.

I dropped down to the concrete the other side, just seconds before he landed gracefully next to me.