Chapter 8: Don't fear death, welcome it.

Complete darkness covers the entire room. The ceiling fan moving is really the only noise that's heard. Its midnight so everyone is asleep. Ste has his arm draped over Brendan while his head is lying on top of his chest. Brendan moves slightly and Ste snaps out of his sleep. He slowly disentangles himself from Brendan's body and gets out of bed trying hard not to make any noise. He makes it to the door and sees Brendan is still sound asleep so he makes his way to the restroom. Ste looks into the mirror and he looks tired. That would be because he hasn't been able to sleep for more than one hour before waking up. Then he would lie there for a couple minutes and go back to sleep only to repeat the same thing over again. It's the nerves. Today's the day. The Heist begins today and hopefully by tomorrow morning they will be 50 million pounds richer.

Ste heads to the kitchen and drinks a glass of water before going back to the bedroom. As he enters he sees Brendan is now awake just staring at his now empty spot on the bed.

"Sorry did I wake you?" Ste climbs back into bed and pulls the duvet over them.

"Kinda. Felt like something was missing. Where did you go?" Brendan moves his arm so that Ste can shuffle back into his spot.

"I was just thirsty. Let's go back to bed."

"Steven. You have been tossing and turning all night. You ok?"

"Yeah course. Just got a bit of nerves is all you know. Biggest robbery I ever been a part of and I'm not even good at that. I just don't want to mess up...and I don't want anything to happen to you."

Brendan squeezes him a bit more tightly and gives him a kiss on his forehead. "Don't worry about it. We'll be fine ok. I'll make sure no matter what that you make it out safe."

"What about you? I'll watch over you."

"No Steven. Just focus on you. I can take care of myself. Now go to sleep. We're gonna need the rest as we are going to be up for more than 24 hours."

Ste leans in and gives Brendan a kiss. It's a slow kiss and it's gentle. Neither one wanting to stop. Not knowing if after today this will be the last day they spend together.

They both wake up around 10 AM the next day and get ready. The kidnapping is to take place around 6 PM so there's plenty of time. Ste decided that instead of the trench coats they should wear high visibility jackets as it looks more believable. They put on white shirt and black trousers and then lay the jackets by the door for when they leave.

"Alright so we gotta go meet up with Warren and Walker at 2 and make sure we are all on the same page."

"Bren I still don't trust Walker. He's always so reserved like he's thinking of his own ideas. And you're gonna be stuck with him. What if he does something?"

"I'll make sure to watch him at all times. Besides we need his help to get the money. After that well I could care less what happens to him."

"So we still thinking of just taking all the cash once we hid it in the warehouse."

"Yep. This is the only place that could easily disguise the wads of money. When Warren and Walker leave we just pack it all up and take off."

"Can't wait."

They end the conversation and continue their morning routine until it's time for them to go meet up with the other two.

Warren is already there waiting outside but lets them know Walker is going to be late. The van was having engine troubles so he had to go take it to a shop and get it fixed.

Once inside they place all the materials and supplies needed in the middle of the room. Brendan hands Warren the high visibility jacket and makes sure each one of them has the fake badge and hat. Walker finally makes it and is given his supplies as well. They all go over the plan one more time.

"Ok so this is just step one we're talking about. So me and Walker will head over to the Depot first and inform you guys once the manager leaves. Make sure to be in position to chase after him once he hits the motorway. Flash the light and pull him over. Get him back into the car where Ste will proceed to hand cuff him."

They all decided that it would be better if Brendan did the talking to the manager as he can be very manipulative when he wants to and can easily make a case that the manager will eat up. Ste on the other hand would be stuttering and fidgeting and forgetting the plan entirely so he is just to wait in the car and be prepared to pounce once Brendan shoves him in.

"While you two do that Walker and I will be over at his house informing his wife that he's been in a horrible accident and doesn't have much time left. She will be hysterical and won't resist when we tell her we could take her to the hospital. And of course she won't leave her kid by himself. After that you two meet us here."

Warren hands Brendan a piece of paper with the address and direction of their meet up point.

"The guy sees his family and we let him know what he has to do to keep them safe. Once he agrees we get em all in the van and head over to the depot. We all clear?"

Everyone nods and gets all their supplies, including the weapons. Warren and Walker leave as they have to go be on the lookout. Brendan and Ste follow soon after and get into the 'police car'.

Brendan and Ste are now parked by the side of the motorway. Not much has been said. Ste was getting even more nervous as the time approached. He starts biting his fingernails at one point.

"Can you stop you're gonna make me mess up my part. Just breath it'll be fine."

Ste nods and looks out the car window as he hears a clock inside his mind just constantly going tick tock. He sees a small red Volkswagen beetle car.

"Punch buggie red!" Ste punches Brendan in the car and lets out his loud donkey laugh.

"You seriously want to play this game with me Steven?"

"Yep."

"Fine. Punch buggie blue!" As Ste was looking at Brendan he caught a blue Volkswagen pass them.

"Owww! Fucking hell Brendan. You punch too hard."

"See I can take care of myself."

Ste moves off his seat and tries to playfully choke him while Brendan struggles to push him off. "Break out of this huh." He now is completely over Brendans lap while still applying a chokehold on him. "You would be dead-"

Brendan lets out a laugh and reaches back to catch Stes wrist. He grabs them and releases his hold on his neck. "No I wouldn't."

They're about to continue their fake scenarios until Brendan phone goes off. Ste reaches for it and hands it over to Brendan.

"Green he just left the Depot. He should be coming pass you in about 15 minutes so get ready. Me and Blondie are off to do our part. Watch yourselfs ok."

"Right. Thanks Chilly."

Brendan hangs up the phone and moves Ste off him.

"He's on his way put your jacket on and get ready. Remember when I'm talking to him you step out of the car and move to the side of it. Make sure he doesn't see you.

"Got it."

10 minutes pass by and the motorway is pretty dead. Luckily for them the managers' car is easy to spot so when Ste sees it pass he hits Brendan on the shoulder and snaps Brendan back into reality. He on the other hand was watching the hills next to him not even paying attention.

"Ready?"

Ste nods so Brendan starts off the car and catches up to the manager. When they are close behind him they turn on a makeshift siren they made that isn't very loud. The car in front of them slows down and pulls over to the side. Ste quickly gives Brendan a kiss and Brendan grabs his knee for a second before he puts on his hat and steps out. Ste watches him walk over to the car and when he sees them talking he opens his door and crouches down next to the door and waits for his signal.

Brendan taps on the driver's side window and motions for the manager to roll down the window.

"Hello officer. What seems to be the problem?"

"Yeah I ran your plates and it came up that you have a few unpaid parking tickets."

"That must be a mistake I think I only gotten one ticket and I paid it immediately."

"Well maybe someone else drives your car and acquired a few. But I could double check make sure it isn't a computer error. Do you mind just stepping out and taking a seat in the car. Wanna make sure we have all the correct information and don't feel like walking back and forth all the time." Brendan gives a very genuine laugh and the manager laughs right with him. Easy as that Brendan has him hooked. As the guy collects his phone and wallet Brendan takes his hat off and shakes it once. Ste sees it and walks to the back of the car and waits. He watches as Brendan starts making random conversation and sees the guy buying everything he says. He's laughing and smiling. Ste chuckles to himself when he thinks he won't be smiling for long. Once Brendan gets the guy into the backseat he closes his driver side door at the same time Ste opens the back door. Ste grabs the guy from the back but he's much stronger than they both thought as the guy is able to get an arm free from the hold. He tries jumping out of the seat but Brendan is already in front of it.

"Stay still. I really don't want to pistol whip you but I will."

The guy swings his free arm backwards and hits Ste straight in the eye making him lose the last inch of his hold he had. But that was the wrong move. As the next second Brendan is punching him in the face and is basically leaned over him almost chocking him to death.

"Don't you fucking lay your hands on him again. Do you hear me?"

The manager slightly nods as blood is seeping out his mouth.

"Brendan I'm ok. We need him."

Brendan releases his hold and motions for Ste to zip tie his arms and legs together. They both look around and make sure they haven't drawn a crowd. They tell him that he is to remain laid down in the back seat and if he tries to move they'll shoot his brains out. They hastily get back into their seats and speed out of there.

Warren and Walker get lost finding the house. They had written down the directions on how to get to there but apparently they wrote one part wrong and took a turn they weren't supposed to. After countless numbers of dead ends they find the house and try to calm themselves back down. They walk over to the front door and ring the bell. While they wait Walker decides to be the one to talk.

"Can I help you?"

"Hello Mrs. May. I'm sorry to disturb you at this time. I'm DI Smith and this is DI Hawthorne. We needed to inform you about the car accident your husband Greg May was involved in about an hour ago."

"Oh my god is he ok?" She starts tearing up and her son come running and stands behind her.

"We don't know the severity of it but judging by the cars damage it looks severe. We can get take both you two to the hospital if you like. I don't think you should be driving in this condition."

"Yes thank you." She grabs her purse and takes her sons hand as she follows and gets inside the car.

She soon starts asking questions when she realizes that they are nowhere near the hospital.

"Where are we going?"

"Short cut."

They know they don't have much time so Warren speeds up and sees Walker get his gun out. As soon as he does the wife suspects something is wrong and tells them to pull over. Luckily they're at the meet up point so they stop the car and Walker points the gun at her.

"Sorry love you're stuck with us for a bit. Don't worry you won't get hurt as long as you do what we say ok."

She starts crying and holds onto her son tight. She gets out of the car with a gun to the back of her head as they walk around looking for the other group members. They're not there. Warren calls Brendan's phone but he doesn't pick up.

"Seriously where the hell are they? We're already running behind time."

A phone starts to ring and Warren makes a dive for it.

"What?"

"Where the hell are you?!"

Warren can barely hear him. There's a loud noise coming from his side of the line.

"We're both here. Where are y'all two?"

He vaguely hears a struggle on the phone and Stes voice calling out for Brendan.

"Hold on." Then he clearly hears someone's head slam into something metal. He assumes it's the car. "I told you to keep still. Don't make me have to slam your head through the window."

"Green? Bambi?"

No one responds back and he can't make out what's happening. He hears gravel moving and he presumes Brendan drops the phone as it cuts off.

"What's happening?" Simon has got the wife and son in the van now and has them tied up.

"I have no clue. Think that Greg fella is giving them a fight."

"They do know we need him right."

"Yeah but you know once you mess with Brendan you're gonna end up a bloody mess. Oh there calling. Yeah?"

"Mate this fucking guy refuses to get on board. He's been punched, chocked, cut, and had his head slammed into the cars hood. Yet he keeps saying no."

"Don't worry once he sees that his family will get hurt if he doesn't follow the rules he will be quiet. Now where are you two?"

Brendan describes the location and they all realize that yet again the directions were wrong. They stay on the phone as Warren walks them through it. Finally they both make out Brendan and Stes silhouette coming towards them as they are pulling a guy behind them. Brendan throws the guy onto the dirt floor and Ste kicks him in the ribs to keep him still.

"Trouble huh?"

"Next time Foxy you take the guy. Fucking covered with blood. And Steven here will probably have a black eye tomorrow morning. Let's get on with this."

They wait a little until they see Greg get his mind back and they lift his head so he sees his family tied in the van. Walker emphasizes that he will take so much pleasure in shooting his precious wife right in front of his face if he keeps struggling. After everything gets explained the manager agrees to help. They throw him next to his family and Warren gets into the driver's seat while Ste, Brendan, and Walker jump into the back with the family.

"Alright guys we spent too much time on this part so we are going to have to make up time somewhere if we plan on getting away with this."

Walker leans back and keeps the gun pointed at the hostages as Ste and Brendan sit at the back a little.

"How's your eye?"

"It's fine Brendan. Doesn't hurt just having trouble seeing out of it. What about your neck?" Ste is still fuming about that. When they had gotten to the meet up location and Brendan went to pull the guy out of the car he leaned up and bite him right on the neck to the point where blood started pouring out. The guy didn't get far as he was tied up and he ended up with Ste on top of him slashing him with a knife till he was dragged off by Brendan.

"It's burning but nothing too bad."

They recline back and keep quiet as the van drives to the Depot where the main step will happen. Ste shuffles over to Brendan and kisses him on the neck. Brendan looks at him and brushes his fingers over Stes swollen eye and then they both concentrate back onto the job.