Withstanding the Odds

Chapter 8: Nikki

“That's pretty steep Mick. You know how much security alone go along with these kinds of places? Plus, the security detail on each person will be intense. It would be a miracle if we even get in." Miles states next.

“Which is why you all will be on the list."

“You got us on the list?" I ask, not able to take the questions floating around in my head any longer.

“My partner did."

“And who the hell is your partner? I've never known you to have a partner Mick." Amy speaks up once again, but Mick simply ignores the question. His smile grows as he stands and walks around the chair until the back is to his front, then cradles it with his hands.

“Who my partner is does not matter, what matters is what he can do for us. Everyone here is going to be a part of that night and it will all start with a distraction."

“Distraction?" Brody asks and my heart plummets.

“Yes. Firstly, we need the groundwork done for the event itself. Kevin, Amy, Marla, you two oversee that. I'll have Nikki, Miles and Aaron walking around dressed up as the waiters for that evening and Anderson and Brody will be put in charge of the distraction."

My body feels numb as I listen to Mick go into detail of that night of who will be doing what. My heart pounds in my head and I feel sick to stomach as I turn and watch as Brody gets just as animated with this plan as Mick.

“Mick, you sure you want to do this?" Anderson asks, his deep blue eyes pierce at Mick's form.

Murmurs begin flying making Mick shut his eyes with a frustration. I stay rooted in my spot and watch as Mick continues talking to every person in the room. One by one they all fall into his trap, each one after another turn from confused and worried, to anxious and excited. He sells them on the pride they will feel when the night is said and done, he sells them on the total reward and how much money we will all receive. He sells them on everything, and, at the end of the meeting when everyone is leaving, does the plan truly begin.

“Hey Nik, are coming?" Looking behind me, I spot Brody standing at the open doorway. I hold my finger up to him and walk over to Mick who is having a quiet conversation with Charles.

“Mick, do you mind if I speak with you?" Mick's eyes catch mine then nods his head at Charles who gets his nonverbal que and walks away, snarling at me as he does so. I give him the bird, something Mick ignores and come in a little closer.

“What's on your mind Nikki?" Mick asks as he sits down at his previously vacated chair.

“It's about the plan."

“Nikki, I thought I made myself clear earlier. You even admitted– “

“It's not the plan I have a problem with, not necessarily." I sit down myself opposite him.

“Oh?"

“It's Brody's involvement in the plan. Do you really think he's ready to be involved in something like this? It wasn't long ago you were grilling him about not being able to go on simple runs."

“It's strange that all of my bandits have chosen today to challenge my every move." My lips tighten in a firm grip.

“Mick, I'm not trying to challenge you, I'm loyal to you, I'm just nervous about my brother."

“Which is why this plan needs to run perfectly, smoothly. So smooth, that it feels as though we were never there."

“Mick– “

“Brody is ready Nikki. He even spoke to me about it a few days ago."

“But his mindset– “

“Is something I have already taken into consideration. I know he is your brother Nicole, but I hope you understand that he must become a bandit to me, before he could be a brother to you."

I shut my mouth from speaking further. Mick's eyes are trained heavily on mine. He's never called me by my full name and given the fact that he is looking at me like a pit bull trained on their target, I know it's time I dropped the subject.

Leaving Mick's suite, I walk out of the room giving another middle finger to Charles and stop at the end of the walkway spotting Brody's angered stare. He's leaning against the stairway, smoking a cigarette. His foot is bouncing against the floor and looking at his eyes, I would say there is something more in his cigarette than nicotine.

“What the f*ck was that about Nik?"

What?"

“Don't f*cking play dumb, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You were talking to Mick, why?"

“I just wanted to ask him about the plan."

“You mean my involvement with the plan?"

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms at my chest. I can't stand arguing with Brody, but he must see this thing thoroughly. I won't stand by and watch him get caught.

“I don't understand you Nik, I thought you would want me out here with you? You know how good I am." Tossing out the cigarette, Brody stomps on it then walks over to me and throws his hands out. “What do you want me to prove to you?"

“It's not a matter of proving things to me Brody. I don't want you out there because you're not ready. This isn't one of your video games."

“You don't think I know that? I was there with you all those years helping to steal when we needed money and food. I was there with you every step of the way, and now because I've been grounded for a few months, I don't know what I'm doing?"

“Brody– “

“No, I'm done. From now on stay away from me and keep to yourself." Brody marches past me and when I turn, I see Charles smirk as Brody stomps past him.

There is no doubt Mick has heard our argument, causing me even more grief. I shake my head with anger and walk downstairs, right outside.