Nick couldnât figure out how heâd been so damn stupid. Maybe it was more important to be part of the gang than he liked to admit. Maybe he was mad at the world in general and figured it was only right to get his licks in when he had the chance. And certainly heâd have lost face if heâd backed out when Reece and T.J. and Cash were so fired up.
But heâd never actually broken the law before.
Not quite true, he reminded himself as he pulled himself through the broken window and into the back of the electronics store. But theyâd only been little laws. Setting up a three-card monte scam over on Madison for suckers and tourists, hawking hot watches or Gucci knockoffs up on Fifth, forging a couple of IDâs so that he could buy a beer. Heâd worked in a chop shop for a while, but it wasnât as if heâd stolen the cars. Heâd just broken them down for parts. Heâd gotten stung a few times for fighting with the Hombres, but that was a matter of honor and loyalty.
Breaking into a store and stealing calculators and portable stereos was a big leap. While it had seemed like a lark over a couple of beers, the reality of it was setting those brews to churning in his stomach.
The way Nick saw it, he was trapped, as heâd always been. There was no easy way out.
âHey, man, this is better than swiping candy bars, right?â Reeceâs eyes, dark and surly, scanned the storeroom shelves. He was a short man with a rough complexion whoâd spent several of his twenty years in Juvenile Hall. âWeâre gonna be rich.â
T.J. giggled. It was his way of agreeing with anything Reece said. Cash, who habitually kept his own counsel, was already shoving boxes of video games in the black duffel he carried.
âCome on, Nick.â Reece tossed him an army-surplus bag. âLoad it up.â
Sweat began to roll down Nickâs back as he shoved radios and minirecorders into the sack. What the hell was he doing here? he asked himself. Ripping off some poor slob who was just trying to make a living? It wasnât like fleecing tourists or selling someone elseâs heat. This was stealing, for Godâs sake.
âListen, Reece, Iââ He broke off when Reece turned and shined the flashlight in Nickâs eyes.
âGot a problem, bro?â
Trapped, Nick thought again. Copping out now wouldnât stop the others from taking what theyâd come for. And it would only bring him humiliation.
âNo. No, man, no problem.â Anxious to get it all over with, he shoved more boxes in without bothering to look at them. âLetâs not get too greedy, okay? I mean, we got to get the stuff out, then we got to fence it. We donât want to take more than we can handle.â
His lips pulled back in a sneer, Reece slapped Nick on the back. âThatâs why I keep you around. Your practical mind. Donât worry about turning the stuff. I told you, I got a connection.â
âRight.â Nick licked his dry lips and reminded himself he was a Cobra. It was all heâd ever been, all he ever would be.
âCash, T.J., take that first load out to the car.â Reece flipped the keys. âMake sure you lock it. Wouldnât want any bad guys stealing anything, would we?â
T.J.âs giggles echoed off the ceiling as he wiggled out the window. âNo, sir.â He pushed his wraparound sunglasses back on his nose. âThieves everywhere these days. Right, Cash?â
Cash merely grunted and wrestled his way out the window.
âThat T.J.âs a real idiot.â Reece hefted a boxed VCR. âGive me a hand with this, Nick.â
âI thought you said we were just going for the small stuff.â
âChanged my mind.â Reece pushed the box into Nickâs arms. âMy old ladyâs been whining for one of these.â Reece tossed back his hair before climbing through the window. âYou know your problem, Nick? Too much conscience. Whatâs it ever gotten you? Now, the Cobras, weâre family. Only time you got to have a conscience is with your family.â He held out his arms. When Nick put the VCR into them, Reece slipped off into the dark.
Family, Nick thought. Reece was right. The Cobras were his family. You could count on them. Heâd had to count on them. Pushing all his doubts aside, Nick shouldered his bag. He had to think of himself, didnât he? His share of tonightâs work would keep a roof over his head for another month or two. He could have paid for his room the straight way if he hadnât gotten laid off from the delivery-truck job.