“Yeah, I was laughing my ass off when I heard about it. I told Boss not to worry about you, you always could look after yourself, kid.” He grinned, patting my back proudly.

I nodded stiffly, “Yeah, I guess. Damn it, I wish I knew Brett set that up though, I got two weeks in solitary for doing that to him,” I grumbled, making him laugh harder.

We pulled up to the warehouse that I had spent so much time in when I was younger. The place hadn’t changed at all, my stomach clenched as I thought about what was probably going to happen to me inside, I just prayed that it would be quick and painless. Brett owed me that, right?

“Come on then kid, let’s go,” Ed said, grinning happily as he got out.

I held my breath as I followed him out of the car. I recognised the sounds of the angle grinders and welders from the warehouse chop-shop where I had spent so many hours leaning how to remove serial and chassis numbers so that we could sell on the cars that I stole to order. I was the best car thief in the Brett’s organisation. People placed their order, Brett found where it was and I stole it, easy, I never even came close to being caught. We didn’t steal any old car though, it had to be top end, we didn’t take anything worth less than a hundred thousand. Most of the time the cars were advertised as ‘un-stealable’ in reality no car is un-stealable, you just need to know how to handle it right.

I reluctantly followed Ed through the warehouse, trying to keep my head up and show confidence.

“Hey kid, long time no see!” someone called.

I glanced over to Ray lifting his welding mask from his face. I smiled, this guy taught me everything I know about cars, well scratch that, everything illegal I know about cars. I walked over and gave him an awkward hug while he patted me on the back affectionately.

“Hey Ray, how’s it going?” I asked, looking over at the silver Porsche DB7 on the ramp, its bonnet removed for easy access to the engine.

“Things are great. I have a daughter,” he stated proudly.

“No shit, really? Congrats,” I said honestly. Ray would be twenty nine now and must have been married for ten years. Him and his wife were trying for a baby when I knew him, he didn’t think they would ever get pregnant.

“Thanks, we called her Samantha, she’s two,” he gushed, grinning. I slapped him on the shoulder, he always took care of me and would make an awesome father.

“I’m really pleased for you man, honestly, that’s awesome.” I grinned, at least someone’s life is working out for them, he deserved to be happy. Yeah he had an illegal job, but Ray was one of the best people I knew and I was honestly ecstatic for him.

“Thanks. How you been?” he asked, sounding concerned looking me over slowly, probably to see if I had any cuts or anything.

“I’m good. I’m about to go see Brett, I’ll talk to you later, maybe we could go for a drink or something?” I asked hopefully. I wanted nothing to do with anyone in this world anymore now that I was trying to go straight, but I loved Ray and would love to keep in touch with him. Well, that’s if I lived through the next few minutes, which was highly doubtful.

“Absolutely, here I’ll give you my number and you can call me and sort something out. You have a place to stay? You could come and stay with me, Tracy wouldn’t mind, you could meet Sam,” he offered hopefully.

I shook my head smiling as I slipped his number in my pocket, jeez I forgot what a nice guy he was.

“It’s ok, I got a place, they set it up for me, but thanks anyway.”

“Kid, come on, you know Boss doesn’t like to wait!” Ed called from behind me. I sighed and gave Ray another man-hug and followed Ed up the back stairs feeling like I was taking the long walk to my death. Maybe I should have stayed downstairs and have him kill me down there, so that poor Ed wouldn’t have to carry my body down a flight of stairs.

I thought about my life as I walked up the stairs, my short eighteen years of life, wasted, a pile of shit, what was the point in me even bothering? I had eighteen years of life and to be honest for about fifteen of them I wished I was dead. Maybe this wasn’t too bad after all, at least I wouldn’t have to bother anymore, I wouldn’t have to try and change, changing would be hard, probably the hardest thing I would ever have to do, so maybe I should be grateful I was about to bite it.

I stopped outside the office door, Ed smiled as he knocked. Crap, maybe I should have given Ray my money that I’d been given, he could spend it on his daughter or something instead of it just being buried with me, damn it I should have thought of that!

“Come in!” Brett shouted through the door.

“See you after Kid, we’ll catch up,” Ed said, opening the door and slapping me on the shoulder as I walked past him into the office.

“Sure Ed, whatever,” I said dismissively, rolling my eyes. Why he was bothering to act like he didn’t know what was coming, was beyond me.

I stepped in and he was sitting behind his desk, his office was still done out exceptionally, just like I remembered it. His huge antique oak wooden desk that had taken four huge guys to carry up the stairs it was so big and heavy, was still pride of place in the centre of the room. The expensive vases and statues behind him, even the house plant on his desk looked exotic. Brett liked the best, he always did. He stood up, smiling warmly at me in his expensive grey tailored suit.

“Hey, Kid! Good to see you,” he said, coming round his desk and pulling me into a hug.