Lily was right. My motorbike looks better than it did before Monty took a baseball bat to it. Steve has done a great job at fixing my Triumph. I almost didn’t recognise her.
At first, all I could do was stare at her, mesmerised by how shiny she is now, not a speck of rust in sight. But then I remembered that Steve wouldn’t have done this for free, and I’d have to find a way to pay him.
“It’s been paid for,” Steve states, handing the keys over to me.
“Let me guess. Lily?”
The old guy with a salt and pepper beard chuckles. I’m sure he’s smiling under all that facial hair, too. “She sure did. Told me to make it better than new, so that’s what I did.”
“How much did it cost?” I frown, dragging my eyes back to my black and chrome masterpiece.
“Never you worry about that, lad. All you need to do is enjoy it.”
I sigh. “It’s not that easy, old man. I can’t let her pay for it.”
“Well, that’s between you and Ms Bennett, but you’re gonna need a good-paying job to cover the cost.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” I sigh as my shoulders drop.
I’m an ex-fuckin’-con. The chances of me getting a reputable job that pays enough money to cover the cost for something like this are extremely slim.
“Hey now. Don’t be so down on yourself. Knowing Ms Bennett like I do, I know she’s not expecting to be reimbursed. Take the gift for what it is.”
I shake my head. “I can’t. I need to pay my own way.”
“She told me about you. Sorry to hear you got the short end of the stick with your mum’s boyfriend,” Steve says as he wipes his dirty hands on an old rag that looks dirtier than his skin. “I can probably give you some work here, cleaning and what not, but the pay is shite. It’ll take you a lifetime to earn enough to pay her back.”
I shrug. “I’ll take what I can get. If you’re happy paying an ex-con?” I fucking hate having to tell people that, but he obviously already knows my situation.
“Nah, lad. I don’t mind as long as you show up and work hard. You can start tomorrow if you’re keen?”
Damn. Is it really that easy?
“Yeah. Of course. What time do you want me here?”
“Seven thirty start. That way we can knock off by four.”
I nod. “Deal.” I spin the keys on my finger, grinning at Steve, who gives me a nod of approval.
Stepping up to my bike, I glide my finger along the leather seat, my mind instantly going to Lily, and how much I’d love to have her on the back of this.
“Were you as built as this before you went in the slammer?” Steve asks as I swing my leg over my bike.
“Nope.” I shake my head, and he nods.
“You get involved in the fights? You know, the ones that the guards turn a blind eye to?”
My brows shoot up at his knowledge of this, and he chuckles. “I’ve seen the inside of the prison a few times back in my younger years. My boys have seen it in more recent times. Said they still run the fights in there.”
“Shit,” I say, surprised. “Yeah. I was a regular in the cage.”
He nods before slipping something from his pocket. A card.
“Well, don’t let Ms Bennett find out I gave you this.” He hands me the card with a name and number on it. “Shiv organises the fighters each week. He’ll hook you up. I’ll let him know you might reach out.”
“There’s a local fight?” I ask, slipping the card into my pocket.
“There is.” He nods. “Underground, of course. Big money to be had, though. If you’re good at it, you should earn back the money to pay Ms Bennett in no time.”
