4. Austin

Chapter four

Austin

T he next couple of days, I spent on a knife’s edge. I heard nothing from Joel, yet somehow I managed to get through each day.

I’d confronted Grandpa about the store again, but he’d smiled and sipped his tea. Frustrating old goat.

I carried the chip with me everywhere, even though I was not entirely sure what I expected it to do.

What had the man said? Use it for protection or assurance? I didn’t think I needed protection, but maybe an assurance that I wouldn’t be detected. That I’d be able to fly under the radar, go unnoticed.

As that thought settled in my mind, subtle changes began to happen. I’d be ignored in a line of people. Not that unusual, but when you were at the front of a queue, and they addressed the person behind you, not once but twice, that was weird.

The moment I spoke up, a look of surprise would appear on their faces, and they would mutter an apology, saying they hadn’t seen me. Maybe there was something to this after all.

I tested out my theory, starting small with some petty shoplifting, stealing from right beneath their noses.

As long as I didn’t speak, it worked, and I amassed a pile of chocolate bars, cans of soda, and anything else that took my fancy.

Even Grandpa failed to notice me a couple of times when I walked into the house, but the moment I removed my coat with the chip in the pocket, he’d look at me puzzled, then back to the door.

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

And when the chip wasn’t on me, he could see me. Maybe this could work.

I’d walked past the abandoned shop several times since visiting and not once had it looked like when I first saw it. The dull door didn’t morph into glossy red with a shiny brass knob. I must have imagined the whole thing, but the constant pulse of the chip in my pocket told a different story.

Slowly my confidence grew, and that gnawing doubt I’d been carrying around for the best part of a week faded, replaced with cautious optimism.

This could actually work.

One more test and I’d be happy.

Joel had called a meeting. I slipped on my light jacket, the chip tucked into the inside pocket. The last thing I needed to do was lose it.

I let myself into his house and strolled through to the open plan lounge and dining room where we’d held our meetings.

Pete and Freddie were already there, along with another man I’d not seen before.

Seemingly undetected, I listened as he spoke quietly to Joel.

“This Austin. He can get us what we want, yes?”

“I told you. He’s the real deal. It’s like he’s a walking lucky charm.”

“You’d better not be lying to me.”

“Uncle, why would I lie to you? He can get away with anything, probably even murder.”

“Well, let’s not go that far, but once this job is done, there’ll be plenty more needing doing. We could do with someone like him on the payroll.”

What the fuck? That was not what we’d decided on. This would be our last job. We’d all agreed, but as tempted as I was to walk straight back out the door and away from it all, I stepped closer.

Maybe I could work this to my advantage. If I could hide from everyone else, then why not Joel’s uncle?

“Where the fuck is Austin?” Pete walked right by me into the kitchen and returned with a couple more beers for him and Freddie.

“He said he’d be here. Don’t fret.”

I’d get no more information from hiding. Time to make myself known. I walked back to the front door, took off my coat, and hung it over the end of the banister.

“Hey, what have I missed?” I grabbed Pete’s beer and took a swig.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Pete asked.

“I had to run a few errands for Stan.” I turned to Joel’s uncle. “And who are you? I thought it was just the four of us meeting today.”

“Oh, this is Uncle Nick,” Joel said.

I offered him my hand, but as his sweaty palm touched mine, a shudder ran through me. Fat, pudgy fingers gripped my hand and squeezed. If he wanted a pissing contest, he’d get one, and I squeezed harder, all the while staring into his piggy eyes.

Why had I never met him before? I’d known Joel for years but never once had I met ‘Uncle Nick’.

“What’s he doing here?” I released his hand and slouched in the easy chair by the window, my leg slung over the arm. No way was I letting them see how rattled I was.

“Uncle Nick has an interest in this next job.”

“Maybe he should get someone to do it, then. I’m not giving up any of my share.”

“No one’s asking you to,” Uncle Nick said, but I didn’t believe one word.

“Then what’s his interest?” I refused to address him and talked to Joel directly.

“Don’t sweat it, man. Just do your stuff, which is why I called the meeting. We… I… thought about what you said about doing it on a busy night when you’d be less noticeable. With that in mind, we’re a go for Saturday.”

Fuck, that didn’t give me much time. It was Thursday already. It wasn’t impossible, though, and the sooner we got it done, the sooner I’d be out of here.

“Pete will sit outside in the car, waiting. Freddie and I will come in with you and keep watch, and if we see any of the goons coming for you, we’ll head them off. You just need to do your stuff. Move around so you don’t win too much at each table.”

“I know what I’m doing.” This wasn’t the first time I’d done this. Although the stakes were much higher this time.

The plan, as always, was I’d hand off the chips to Freddie and Joel so I never had too many at the table. We never wanted to draw unwanted attention. This casino was so big I could play most of the tables without arousing suspicion.

Having the magic chip would help me blend in so much more, and the anxiety I’d experienced a week ago had calmed until it was now a small inconvenience.

I was more worried about Grandpa.

“I’ve organised for my guys to go in and generally cause some mayhem. Rowdy drunks, that kind of thing. It’ll hopefully take any attention away from you.” Seemed Nick had more than a passing interest in our next heist.

“I’m sure we’ll manage. We did the last two times.”

“He’s only trying to help, Austin. Let him.” Joel’s wariness of the man standing next to him was patently obvious in his stance and tone.

I had no such reverence for the man.

“Let’s get this sorted, then. I have other plans I need to make.” Namely getting Grandpa out of here.

While Joel droned on for another half an hour, I never once took my eyes off Nick. Now I knew what he was up to, I was determined to get the job done and skedaddle before I could be brought onto the payroll.

My task was easy enough. As long as I had the chip, it should be a piece of cake. The confidence that had deserted me earlier in the week had returned, and I had no doubt I could achieve what we’d set out to do.

Yes, I could have walked away from it. Any sensible person would have, but pride, cockiness, call it what you will, prevented me from doing that.

This was a chance to get out, out of this life, out of Liverpool. The money we’d earned from the last two jobs was probably more than enough, but until this one was done, I’d not see a penny.

One more reason to stick around.

Saturday came around quicker than I wanted it to, and I’d not managed to do everything I’d planned. Nerves set me on edge all day, and I’d snapped at Grandpa for spilling his tea, then felt bad about it and eventually made him his favourite meal.

Chicken pie and chips.

“I’m out this evening. Sandra from next door is going to come in and make sure you get to bed all right.”

Thank heavens for Sandra. She helped out when I had to work late, and as far as both of them were concerned, that was where I’d be this evening.

“You’re all dressed up. You sure you don’t have a date?”

“No date. I thought I’d make an effort tonight.”

He eyed me suspiciously, and I didn’t blame him. I never dressed like this for work. At least I’d forgone the fancy suit.

Sandra turned up at seven thirty on the dot and sat chatting with him while I finished. I slipped on my coat and patted the pocket, checking the chip was still there.

I didn’t need to bother. The steady thrum of the chip ran through me.

Remembering how invisible I’d be, I made a point of saying good night to them both and left the house.

“I’m not sure what time I’ll be home, Sandra. Hopefully not too late.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s okay. Get to work. Don’t want you being late.”

That put my mind at ease. A little.

I stepped out into the cold evening, my breath misting before me, and hurried to Joel’s house. We were planning on going in Pete’s car, grabbing a few drinks first, and then making our way to Temptation.

I wondered, not for the first time, if I’d see Dante there. His image had not left my mind since seeing it one week previously.

Maybe subconsciously, and that was another reason I’d not pulled out.

While the others knocked back their drinks, I nursed my soft drink for the best part of an hour. I preferred to be in control, and alcohol would only dull my instincts. I needed to be sharp, keep my wits about me, or else it could all end in disaster.

What was keeping me here? Absolutely nothing stopped me from getting up and walking out. Loyalty and friendship tethered me to these men in a way most people wouldn’t understand. Despite their faults, they were my adopted family, and I wouldn’t let them down.

Soon enough it was time, and I drove us to the casino parking close enough should we need to make a run for it but far enough away not to rouse suspicion.

Pete slipped into the driving seat. Joel, Freddie, and I walked up to the impressive building with the name Temptation in red capital letters on the facade.

“Holy fuck.” Freddie voiced what I’d been thinking.

Enormous glass-and-black doors led to an ornately decorated foyer, done in gold and red so bright it hurt my eyes.

“I think we’re in the right place.” Joel’s dry comment broke the tension, and we all laughed.

A redheaded woman greeted us. “Gentlemen, welcome to Temptation. Please check in your coats. I wish you a wonderful and lucky evening.”

Shit. The chip was in my jacket pocket. I’d need to transfer it without anyone seeing.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I said and scurried to the men’s room.

I locked myself into a stall and leant against the door, breathing deeply. I slipped the chip into my shoe. A lot of these places patted you down before allowing you in. I’d spotted some security monitors in the hallway before the main casino and some pretty hefty men standing guard.

This place wasn’t messing around when it came to security.

I flushed the toilet and took another deep breath.

It was now or never.

Smiling at the cloakroom assistant, I checked in my coat and tucked the ticket into my pocket.

A behemoth of a man stood by the security barrier. He had to be at least six feet eight, maybe taller. He had dark hair tied in a low ponytail, and a black jacket stretched across an impressive back. We wouldn’t stand a chance against him if anything went wrong.

I’d just have to make sure it didn’t.

One of his colleagues wafted a wand in our general direction and waved us through into the main room.

The low, black ceiling gave it an intimate feel. The small lights set into it made it look like the night sky. It also bore a striking resemblance to the back of the tarot cards I’d seen earlier in the week. Our feet sank into a thick, black carpet. This wasn’t at all like the last few casinos we’d been in. This had money written all over it. Everywhere we looked screamed wealth from the deep green leather chairs to the subdued lighting.

A long bar ran the length of the room, and smartly dressed bartenders served drinks to patrons, dressed up to the nines.

I looked over at Joel and Freddie. Yup, I’d been correct in my assumption they’d look totally out of place. At least I looked halfway decent.

“Right. Let’s grab a drink and get started. Which table do you want to visit first?”

I looked around, and my heart stopped for a moment.

Dante.

He looked even better in the flesh, and as he walked by, his alluring scent wafted over me. I wanted to follow him and bury my nose in his neck. He was taller than I’d anticipated and so much bigger built in person.

“Austin. Let’s go.” Joel pulled on my sleeve.

“What? Yeah, of course.”

I needed to forget him and concentrate on the task at hand, namely stealing from him.

“I’ll start with roulette.” It was always an easy starter, and most newbie players played it.

Funny, but although I could feel the chip in my shoe, I couldn’t feel it. The buzzing sensation when I carried it was missing. What did that mean? I couldn’t afford to worry about it now. I had work to do.

“Let’s get started. As soon as we can, we fuck off out of here.”

I walked towards the roulette table, my insides quaking.

There was no turning back. It was now or never.