Money Over Everything

Chapter 1

"How much longer with the vault?" I ask impatiently.

"Just about there!" Damien shouts over the noise.

The sound of the plasma cutter echoes throughout the room. I can't see his eyes through his welding mask, but I'm sure he's as worried as I am.

I look down at my hands and they're shaking uncontrollably. I've never been this anxious before.

I try to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I don't want everyone else to see how visibly nervous I am.

Across the room Courtney and Raiden stare at the door, guns ready. Ali stands behind Damien with the bags in her hands. Chance stands beside her, waiting on an update from Kyler and Tyler.

This is the riskiest job we've ever attempted. It's gone about as well as to be expected at this stage, but I have this aching feeling in my stomach that something is going to go very wrong. The quicker we can get into that vault, and out the window, the better.

Looking around at the team, it makes me incredibly proud. They have been amazing. I can never thank them enough for what they've put into these jobs. I know this wasn't what they originally signed up for, but I couldn't have asked for a better group, including Damien.

Pulling off this job will just be an addition to the long testament of why they are without a doubt, the best I could have ever found.

"Got it!" Damien yells.

I snap out of my trance.

Flipping up his mask, he sets the cutter down and pushes it out of the way. He stands up and gives a pull on the top of the opening he's cut. It makes a loud screeching sound as it starts to come loose. Everyone covers their ears.

"Little warning would have been nice!" Raiden yells sarcastically.

Chance runs up to help him lower it to the ground. Once it's on the ground they both take a few steps back, Ali looks to me and I give her a nod. She tosses Chance a couple bags and they both climb into the vault.

We wait in silence. The only sounds coming from the inside of the vault. You can cut the tension in the room with a knife.

Courtney and Raiden continue staring at the door. I see a bead of sweat leave Courtney's forehead. She's nervous, she's never been nervous before. Seeing everyone looking so unsure does nothing to ease the anxiety that is only building inside of me.

I jump a little as I feel a nudge against my shoulder. I quickly look over and see Damien now standing beside me.

He gives me a look as if he's asking, "Are you okay?".

He reaches his hand out to meet mine and I give him a quick reassuring squeeze. Before I can say anything to him, I see Courtney raise her hand, signalling us to stop and listen.

Damien and I look towards the door trying to focus on whatever sound Courtney may have heard.

We look at each other confused. I can't hear anything other than Chance and Ali. I give a light tap on the vault and they stop moving. Ali pokes her head out. I put my finger to my lips to signal her to wait. We all wait silently for a few more seconds. As I go to signal Ali to continue, I hear it.

We all hear it.

The ding of an elevator.

"What's the chances someone is here by accident?" Damien whispers to me.

I stay silent, staring at the door. He already knows the answer. This is no accident. I try to listen closer, but I can barely hear anything of the sound of my heart beating intensely.

Chance comes out from inside the vault. I jump slightly at the sudden noise in this silent room.

"How many?" I whisper, not wanting to know the answer.

"Eight." He pauses, "And more on the way."

"Fuck. This is just what we need." I mutter under my breath.

I take a breath and shake my head. I need to focus; we can still do this. We're already into the vault we just need to bag up the money and get out of here.

"Ali and Chance get the cash loaded into the bags as fast as you can! Court and Raiden get ready

to take them out as the come through the door! Damien, help me flip these tables!" I bark as quietly as I can.

Damien grabs my arm and turns me to face him, "J, we

need to get out of here!"

"Don't you think I know that?" I snap back at him as I glance towards the door, "But we both know we're in to far now so shut the hell up and help me get these tables flipped!"

He shoots me a glare. But as he opens his mouth to argue, we start to hear a beeping sound.

Slow at first, but within a few seconds it starts to speed up.

"Everyone down!" I shout in desperation.

As soon as I get the words out of my mouth there's an explosion at the door. I dive down and cover my head. Debris flies through the room, and my ears ring from the blast.

The room is full of smoke and I can barely see. I blink my eyes trying to make something out. I squint and I can see Damien shouting at me. I feel blood drip down my face, some debris must have sliced my head. The ringing in my ears is so loud that I can't focus on anything else. I try to get up, but I fall back as a bullet hits me in the chest. My vest absorbs it, but it knocks the wind out of me.

I look around trying to collect myself and I can see Damien start making his way towards me. I try to sit up, but I'm so stunned that I'm having trouble picking myself up. Damien gets in front of me, shielding me from the incoming bullets. I look to either side of him and see Raiden and Courtney firing at the men trying to come through the door.

"J!" Damien shouts trying to get my attention.

He puts his hand on my chest checking to see if I'm bleeding.

"I'm good!" I yell, still struggling to hear.

He flips the table in front of us to shelter us from the gunfire and then helps me sit up.

"Gun!" I demand.

He pulls over the bag with the extra guns in it. He passes me an assault rifle and then grabs one for himself. I give my head one last shake and then get myself squatted behind the table, firing towards the door.

I see Ali poke her head around the corner of the vault, her arm shielding her head.

"Bags are loaded what's plan B!" She shouts.

What is with everyone asking questions they already know the answer to? There is only one way in and out of this job.

"We exit like planned! You and Chance get strapped in first!" I order.

I give her a half smile, trying to reassure her that we'll be

alright. But I know at this point it'll be sheer luck if we all make it out alive.

I look to Damien. His cheek got cut during the blast and there's blooding dripping down his face. He quickly ducks down behind the table as a bullet nearly misses his head.

I bend down beside him, "I miss the days when this was easy!"

"It was never easy with you!" He laughs.