Fighting to Be Free (Fighting to Be Free 1)

“You know, I could have a look at the others if you want. Maybe fix them up and you can sell them?” I offered, I’d been thinking about this a lot recently.

He frowned, “Yeah? And what would you get out of that?” he asked sceptically.

I shrugged, “What would you sell them for in the state that they’re in?” I asked curiously.

He thought about it, “I don’t know, hardly anything. No one’s crazy enough to buy a car that doesn’t work, present company excluded of course,” he joked, laughing.

“Ok, well how about this: I fix them up, you sell them and I get half of the profit,” I suggested.

He frowned, “Half?” he asked, obviously thinking about it.

“Only half of the profit. So, for example, if you buy the car for $100 and sell it for $200 then I get fifty. That way you’re still making more than you normally would right and I get some too. Plus they won‘t just be worth $200 when I‘m done, you‘ll probably sell them for a good four or five hundred,” I suggested hopefully.

“Um… I’m not sure Jamie. It sounds like a good idea, I’ll speak to my Dad and see what he thinks.

We’ve never been into selling working cars, only parts,” he said nodding.

Oh God, that would be awesome if he went for it. I’d still get to fix cars and make money at the same time, the only trouble was they didn’t know about my past, I had a feeling that no one would want to buy a car from a convicted murderer when they found out.

“Connor, if he wants to go for it man, I can start as soon as you want. You already have all the parts lying around, it wouldn‘t cost you anything. It’s worth a try, right?” I nodded to the scrap yard behind me, this was actually an awesome idea and I’m surprised they haven’t thought of it before.

“I’ll ask him and give you a call,” he said happily, “Wanna go for a drink tonight?”

“Sure, I’d like that,” I said honestly. It was nice to have someone to talk to, and I could certainly use a drinking partner.

Just as I was about to arrange the details my cell phone rang. Shit, the only ones that had the number were Brett and Ray. I grabbed my phone from my pocket roughly, hoping for it to be Ray, it wasn’t.

“Hey Brett,” I said with forced politeness, don’t get me wrong I liked Brett but I just didn’t appreciate being forced into something by a threat of violence.

“Hey, Kid. So, I’m just about to send you the list for tomorrow night, be at the warehouse for nine pm. I‘ve done the scouting, should be easy,” he said happily.

“Sure Brett. See you then,” I answered, snapping the phone shut swearing under my breath.

“Problem?” Connor asked.

I shook my head, “Nothing I can’t handle.” I was trying desperately not to look forward to tomorrow night, but I just couldn’t help it, the thought of doing a boost was looking better and better everyday.

My phone beeped and I opened it, eager to see the list for tomorrow night. I stared at the screen shocked, the excitement that I was trying to keep at bay was bubbling over as I looked at the last car on the list.

1) Audi R8 Spyder

2) Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione

3) BMW Z4

4) Porsche Carrera GT

5) Bugatti Veyron

I laughed, holy shit I’m in real trouble. A Bugatti Veyron was an awesome car and the price alone was enough to make me feel weak at the knees, they cost a cool $1.7 million. Even the Alfa Romeo was a rare car, I think there’s was only five hundred of them made. Wow, this boost would be awesome. I could feel myself being suckered back in at the thought of driving them, I really needed to stay strong.

I went for a couple of drinks with Connor after he finished working, he honestly was a great guy.

“Christ, look at her,” he said, nodding discretely as a pretty brunette girl walked in.

“Yeah nice,” I muttered, pretending to be interested. It’s not that I wasn’t interested, I mean jeez this girl was hot and I was a guy for goodness sake, but I just didn’t want to get into anything like that.

I was 14 when I got sent down and I had a lot of attention from girls and even women in their 20’s, but I’d never been with a girl. I couldn’t, I was ashamed of my body. I mean, yeah I was fit and in shape, but my past was clear across my skin and I just didn’t want anyone to see it and ask about it.

No one knew and I wanted to keep it that way, hence no girls seeing me naked. Hell, I’d love to hook up with a girl but I just couldn’t see it happening to be honest. I would probably die a virgin, but that’s cool, I’d already accepted that and was ok with it.

After a couple of hours I made my way home, I could barely sleep that night, it was hard to sleep anyway because of the noise that usually went on until about 2am, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the cars and the rush of adrenalin I would get tomorrow. I made sure I slept a couple of hours through the day too because the boost would probably take all night.

At eight thirty I drove over to the warehouse, trying to rein in my excitement. As I walked in I saw Terry sitting there with another guy I recognised from when I used to work for Brett.

“Hey Rob,” I said grinning. Rob had been on a lot of boosts with me in the past, he was an ok guy.

“Hey kid,” he said slapping me on the back. It was so easy to fit back in with these guys, they didn’t care where I’d been or what I’d done, it was just easy acceptance.