Chapter 30

THIRTY

SALEM

F allon and I hopped into her new Aston Martin, the sleek vehicle practically purring beneath us as she revved the engine.

"Nice ride," I remarked, admiring the luxurious interior of the car.

Fallon chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Had to spend my recent stolen funds on something, didn't I?"

I laughed, the tension in my chest easing slightly at her lighthearted joke. "Well, you certainly picked something good."

As we sped through the streets of New York toward our destination in Union City, New Jersey, Fallon regaled me with dark-humored jokes, her quick wit providing a welcomed distraction. Despite the seriousness of our task, I found myself chuckling at her antics, grateful for her ability to lighten the mood.

As we neared the heavily guarded building that housed Massimo's cash store, she shot me a sideways glance. "Ready for this?"

I nodded, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. "Are you kidding? Breaking and entering with my bestie? What a perfect way to spend the day."

Fallon chuckled behind the wheel as we approached our destination with caution. She expertly navigated the streets, her confidence unwavering as we drew closer to our target.

"Here we go," Fallon said, her voice low but resolute as she parked the car in a secluded spot nearby.

I took a deep breath, my pulse quickening with adrenaline as we prepared to embark on our mission. "Let's do this."

We exited the car and made our way toward the building, our footsteps echoing in the empty street. My senses were on high alert as we approached the entrance.

The building stood like a fortress amid the urban sprawl of Union City. Its exterior was imposing, with tall, concrete walls that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The windows were small and heavily barred, offering no glimpse of what lay within.

As Fallon and I approached, I could see why my father had chosen this as one of his cash stores. It exuded an aura of menace and danger, as if daring anyone to try to enter.

The entrance was guarded by two massive doors, each reinforced with heavy steel bolts and chains. A security camera perched ominously above, its unblinking lens surveying the area with a cold, mechanical gaze.

Cohen's quick work had already neutralized the surveillance cameras, allowing us to move undetected. With the threat of electronic eyes removed, we made our way to the inconspicuous side entry, a nondescript door that blended seamlessly into the building's facade.

As we neared the door, I was thankful for the precision of our planning and the seamless execution of our strategy. Every detail had been meticulously accounted for, every contingency planned for. Now, it was time to put our preparations to the test as we ventured further into the heart of Massimo's fortress.

Fallon approached the door with the quiet confidence of a seasoned thief. She pulled out a small toolkit from her bag, containing an array of lock-picking tools and gadgets. With practiced precision, she set to work, her nimble fingers moving with skillful dexterity as she manipulated the lock on the door.

I watched as she worked her magic, her movements fluid and graceful. It was as if she were dancing with the lock, coaxing it open with gentle persuasion. Within moments, the door yielded to her expertise, swinging open soundlessly to reveal the darkened interior beyond.

Without hesitation, Fallon motioned for me to follow as she slipped inside the building, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floors.

With Fallon's guidance, we navigated the darkened corridors, our movements silent as we sought out our next entry point. We soon came across an air vent conveniently located within reach. Fallon gestured for me to boost her up, and with a grunt of effort, I lifted her toward the grate covering the duct. She easily removed it and slid inside, her lithe form disappearing into the darkness beyond.

I followed suit, hoisting myself up with her help from above and squeezing through the narrow opening. Inside the duct, the air was stifling and thick with the scent of metal and dust. I crawled forward, the sound of my own breathing echoing in my ears as I made my way toward the main vault where Massimo's fortune awaited.

As we approached the vault entrance, Fallon and I dropped down from the duct, landing with a soft thud on the cold floor. We found ourselves face to face with two burly guards, their expressions hard and unforgiving as they glared at us with suspicion.

Without hesitation, I sprang into action, delivering a swift blow to the head of one guard, sending him crumpling to the ground, unconscious. Fallon followed suit, her movements swift and precise as she incapacitated the second guard with a well-placed strike.

With the guards dealt with, we turned our attention to the vault door, a massive slab of steel that loomed before us.

As we approached the vault, Fallon paused, her keen eyes scanning the area for any signs of security measures. With a nod of reassurance, she produced a small device from her toolkit—a sophisticated electronic lock pick designed to bypass even the most advanced security systems.

I watched as she manipulated the device with ease, the soft hum of the device filling the air as the lock began to click open. It was a delicate balance of technology and skill, each movement calculated as Fallon worked to breach the vault's defenses.

Finally, with a satisfying click, the door swung open, revealing the treasure trove of cash that lay within. My heart pounded with exhilaration as Fallon and I stepped inside, our eyes widening at the sight before us. Piles of money stretched out as far as the eye could see, a paper display of Massimo's illicit wealth.

We stood amid the towering stacks of cash, and there was just one final act left to play.

I reached into my pocket and retrieved a Zippo lighter. The flame flickered to life, and without hesitation, I held it to the nearest pile of cash, watching as it caught fire and began to smolder.

Fallon watched with a mixture of amusement and contrition. "I could've bought myself a few more cars with that money," she remarked, sarcasm in her voice.

I chuckled, the flames reflecting in my eyes. "Who needs cars when you've got a bonfire like this?" I quipped, offering her a playful wink. "Besides, I'm sure you'll find some more money to steal. Then you can have all the cars your heart desires."

As the fire raged on, consuming the stacks of cash with voracious hunger, I quickly sent a text to Cohen, instructing him to disable the sprinkler system. We couldn't afford to let anything dampen our victory.

With our mission accomplished, Fallon and I made our way to the back exit, slipping out into the fresh air. Behind us, chaos erupted as Massimo's men scrambled to save the burning money. We paid it no mind, manic laughter bubbling up from deep within us as we made our escape.

We had set up a makeshift poker table in the living room, surrounded by an array of screens displaying Cohen's video footage of the other three cash stores. Our eyes flickered between the monitors, waiting for any sign of movement from Massimo's men.

As we waited on standby, Fallon, Cohen, Lennox, Cole, and I gathered around the poker table, the screens casting a soft glow across the room. The atmosphere was strained, but the familiar rituals of the game helped to ease the pressure, if only temporarily.

Fallon deftly shuffled the deck of cards, her movements precise and practiced. "Alright, who's in for a round?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I'm in," Cohen replied. His fingers drummed impatiently on the table as he eagerly awaited his hand.

Lennox chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a confident grin. "You're on," he said, his voice dripping with playful bravado.

Cole nodded, a competitive fire burning in his eyes as he surveyed his cards. "Let's do this."

My own focus narrowed as I studied my hand. The clinking of chips filled the room as we placed our bets, the tension mounting with each passing moment.

"So, Salem, you planning to bluff your way to victory again?" Lennox teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

I grinned back at him, my confidence unwavering. "You'll just have to wait and see," I replied, my tone laced with mock arrogance.

Cohen chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "I wouldn't count on it."

At one point, I glanced over to where Remington and Mateo stood off to the side, engaged in what seemed to be a serious discussion. Their voices were low, but Remington's laughter suddenly rang out, breaking through the quiet intensity of the room.

"If you think you can get her to say yes," Remington said, chuckling as he clapped Mateo on the back before walking away. Mateo's smile was wide, almost manic, as he turned to look at me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Then, with a playful wink, he sauntered over to join the poker game, leaving me curious.

As the game progressed, the comforting rhythm of shuffling cards and the playful banter of family filled the room. Fallon's quick wit kept the mood light, her teasing remarks drawing laughter from the group.

"Alright, Salem, show us what you've got," she quipped, her eyebrows raised in mock challenge as she glanced at her cards.

I grinned back at her, my competitive spirit ignited. "Careful what you wish for, Fallon," I replied.

Cole chuckled as he examined his own hand. "I wouldn't underestimate her if I were you."

Lennox smirked. "I've seen Salem work her tricks before," he added, his voice filled with playful admiration.

Cohen nodded in agreement, his gaze flicking between each of us. "You never know what she's capable of," he said, his tone thoughtful.

The tension in the room escalated suddenly as Cohen's urgent shout cut through the air, halting the poker game in its tracks. We all turned toward him, our hearts pounding in unison as he gestured to the screen displaying the live footage from the three cash stores.

"There's movement," Cohen announced. "Black, armored trucks are pulling up to each location."

Lennox wasted no time, his fingers flying across his phone screen to call the men stationed at each cash store.

"We need eyes on those trucks," he said, his voice commanding as he relayed instructions to his team. "If they leave before we get there, follow them, but do not engage until we arrive."

Cole and Mateo sprang into action, their expressions excited as they prepared to lead their respective teams into the field. With a final nod of assurance, they hurried out of the room with Lennox, leaving behind a palpable urgency in their wake.

Cohen, Fallon, Remington, and I remained behind, our eyes glued to the screens as we monitored the unfolding events. Cohen's fingers flew across the keyboard with practiced precision, his expertise in hacking and surveillance proving invaluable in situations like this.

Fallon's sharp eyes never wavered from the screen, her mind calculating every possible scenario as she provided tactical support. Remington offered quiet reassurance, his dark gaze flickering between each monitor.

With each passing minute feeling like an eternity, I brewed a fresh cup of coffee for each of us to help us stay vigilant, the comforting aroma filling the room as we huddled around the screens, waiting anxiously for any sign of progress.

An hour passed in tense silence, the only sound the steady hum of the machines and the occasional clink of a coffee cup being set down.

Finally, Cohen's voice broke through the silence, drawing our attention back to the screens. "They're on the move," he informed, his fingers tapping away at the keyboard as he tracked the progress of the armored trucks.

With bated breath, we watched as the trucks departed from each location, their movements closely monitored by Cohen's surveillance. With a few deft keystrokes, he switched the view to display the body cams of each team, allowing us to witness the action firsthand.

All eyes were fixed on the screen as Cohen zoomed in on Lennox's team, who had managed to intercept their targeted truck first. We watched the scene unfold in real-time. In practiced formation, Lennox's team sprang into action, their movements a well-choreographed routine of efficiency and expertise.

Shotguns in hand, they converged on the armored vehicle, prepared to breach its defenses.

With a series of coordinated blasts, they compromised the back doors of the truck. The sound of shattering metal echoed through the night.

With the doors breached, the team moved swiftly inside, their weapons at the ready as they confronted the startled guards within. In a flurry of movement, they disarmed and subdued the occupants. Their years of training and experience shone through in every action.

As the dust settled, one of Lennox's men took control of the vehicle, steering it away and toward our agreed destination with Massimo's cash inside.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as we watched the truck disappear into the night. Cohen skillfully manipulated the screens, switching the view to Mateo's team as they closed in on their target. Adrenaline surged within me as I watched the scene unfold, my heart pounding.

Mateo's team had their target cornered in a narrow alley, the shadows looming ominously around them. At Mateo's signal, they sprang into action, surrounding the car with a calculated intensity that left no room for error.

Small charges were placed on the doors, poised to explode on command. We held our breath as we waited for the blast. With a deafening roar, the charges detonated, the force of the explosion reverberating through the alley. The men inside the car put up a valiant fight, but Mateo and his team were relentless, their movements fluid and decisive as they swiftly took them out.

Two down, one to go, I thought, my pulse quickening with anticipation as the screen shifted to Cole's team.

They were in hot pursuit of their targeted truck, weaving through the chaotic streets of New York City in a heart-pounding chase. I watched the scene unfold, my breath catching in my throat with each narrow escape and hairpin turn.

Trying to stop the truck's momentum, Cole's team unleashed a barrage of spikes in its path, creating a makeshift roadblock that brought it to a screeching halt.

Cole and his team wasted no time approaching the truck, their movements swift and coordinated as they seized control of the vehicle with ruthless efficiency.

As we watched the screen, relief engulfed me, mingled with a fierce pride in our teams' accomplishments.

But even as we celebrated this small victory, I knew the real battle was still ahead of us. Massimo would not go down without a fight.