He Needs Me (Wattys 2020)

3

I haven't been able to sleep at all, it's 2 am and my body is refusing to help me. Groaning in absolute frustration I jumped up from the bed and stared out of the small window that doesn't do it's main job properly.

The estates in front of me disappear into the gloomy darkness, a metaphor for our lives. Living in such a poor area can either bring out the best in you or the worst.

We're all stuck in similar circumstances but what we make of it shows who we truly are.

If we weren't in debt I wouldn't be the person I am, my interests wouldn't have lied in this line of work. When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor.

But whatever happens happens for a reason.

Maybe that reason I'll discover later on.

Glancing towards the parking lot a smile graced my lips. Finn's Range Rover sat idly beside the bins, they're back. I didn't expect them home so soon but boy am I glad.

Excitedly throwing dad's jumper on top of my shorts I slipped on my trainers before running out of the flat quietly. I need to know if the job was completed or not. If the job goes through each team member receives an extra £500. Please god.

This job was quite easy. It was a small job in a car showroom. Ray, the second in command, heard they were getting a new delivery of V-8 engines. New V8 engines go for £9,000 in today's market and rumour has it they have 16.

Well, hopefully had.

It would have been a quick but strenuous heist. I analysed the security for them last week and it was quite poor, to say the least, 3 cameras that are NOT motion-activated along with a fake security system.

Sometimes being cheap hurts. The crazy part it the owners are millionaires, legit millionaires. Corrupt as hell. They mingle with politics and policies on a daily basis.

Can't lie a few times I have felt guilty stealing, I feel as though I've hurt someone and ruined someone's life. That's the reason why I love Ray and Finn, they usually don't allow me to get in on heists that are to do with innocent law-abiding people. If I didn't need the money i wouldn't be living like this.

Manoeuvring through the gangs of tracksuit clad boys I jogged into the street, immediately all eyes landed on me. Unfortunately, it wasn't just the team, in front of me stood a group of unknown males beside Finn and Ray.

I couldn't help but back away slightly, these men are giving off some serious gang vibes.

The unknown men wore shirts and jeans, firstly that's off, where are your tracksuits?

Their eyes lingered on my body for an uncomfortable amount of time, nasty men. Taking a step closer I motioned towards Finn.

"Hey Finn can I speak to you for a second" I mumbled, Finn nodded and shook a man's hand. The darkness enveloping the man, the only part of him I could see is his hand and that looks scary in itself. A gold ring shone on his finger powerfully.

" what do you need?" He asked hurriedly placing his hands in his pockets, pulling him a little further away from the men I smiled.

"Did it work?" I asked impatiently, a chuckle escaped his lips as I clasped my hands together, he knows how I am. Finn reached into his pocket gently pulling out a white envelope, YES.

Grabbing the money I pulled him into a bone-crushing hug before quickly stuffing the money in my bra. He's my favourite person in the entire world. As I tried to back away to go home Finn pulled me back, an excited look on his face.

" there's a big job Storm" he looked back before pulling me even closer, I stared into his brown orbs confused. He has never done that before, he's always been very straight forward. My brain unconsciously went into overdrive at his behaviour.

" the Mafia wants us to steal a painting from the Louvre"

Sorry?

What?

I couldn't believe his words, letting my eyes land on the guys behind him. I squinted trying to make out the faces but unfortunately, my eyesight isn't good enough. Dammit Storm you should have eaten them carrots!

Running a hand through my messy dyed hair I groaned in worry.

" The Louvre, are you kidding me Finn. We've been doing basic bank and office jobs how the hell could we do that"

Anxiousness slowly started to rise in my body,

I'm usually able to calm myself down but right now it seems impossible. If anything happens to me who'd be there to look after dad, no one. I can't do that to him again.

The Louvre is so hard to break into, we'd need so much money and supplies.it'd take me a while to form a perfect plan and I would need to leave dad for a while to. This does not sound good whatsoever.

I need to think because this isn't an easy decision at all.

A sigh from Finn crashed my train of thoughts, looking back towards him I pursed my lips angrily ready to lecture him on his idiotic idea.

" Storm, we get £200,000 each"

" So when do we start?"