Page 23 of Bratva Past

Chapter Nine

It didn’t take longto move Lucy into his home. There were a lot of her parents’ things she wanted to keep with her, and Isaac was more than happy to keep anything she wanted. All it took was a full weekend.

He knew it was hard for Lucy, but she did surprise him when by the following Monday, she had put her house up for rent. She already had a realtor in mind, who had a reputation for finding good homes with the right clients. Isaac intended to keep an eye on the situation, as he didn’t want his woman taken advantage of.

By Tuesday, he felt good. Having Lucy in his home, close, was a dream come true. That very morning, he had stepped out of their home and found her staring at his truck. He had to wonder if she was trying to figure out a way to take that first step, and he had no intention of rushing her.

He walked her to work, kissing her on the lips, and then made his way back to his garage. He didn’t need his car, and as he arrived, Bill had already left him a car to work on. Driving it into his lot, he parked it on the ramp, got out, and made his way to his office, where he changed into overalls. Once done, he was back on the lot, and spent the next hour checking over the car, which was in relatively good condition.

He was just about to head in to contact Bill, when he saw an older man he knew as Harry, heading into his garage. They had talked as he fixed up the bus for them. He liked Harry.

“Hey, Harry, long time, no see,” he said, putting his clipboard beneath his arm and stepping up close to shake the man’s hand.

“Good to see you, Isaac,” Harry said.

Lucy had told him over the weekend that all the ladies at the care home adored him. Harry was a little hesitant. He couldn’t blame the man.

“I’m doing good,” Isaac said. “Keeping myself busy. Bill finally gave in and I’m working on the car for him.”

“That’s good. Bill is loyal, trust me, he hated that you came along just as he found someone else. He has a hard time letting go, even though it did cost him.”

He agreed.

“Have you come looking for a job?” Isaac asked.

Harry had once confided in him that he had always wanted to be a mechanic, but his father didn’t want him to be, and instead he worked in accounting, a job he hated. However, according to his dad, cars would come and go, but taxes were for life. The job paid the bills, put his kids through college, and allowed him to enjoy early retirement. At least, that is what Harry said.

Isaac didn’t need to work. He had plenty of money stashed away, but he didn’t want to live that way. He wanted to work hard, which is exactly what his father would have wanted for him, and that was what he would do. His father’s final wish for him: work hard. This was how he repaid his father. It was how he made amends for everything that happened.

“I’m pretty sure you don’t need a man like me working for you.”

“Why are you really here, Harry?” Isaac asked.

“Lucy.”

Isaac nodded.

“She’s a good woman. She’s a kind woman, Isaac. I also know she is a woman who has spent a lot of time falling for you.”

He looked toward Harry, a little taken aback.

“Oh, yes, when you first arrived, Lucy had a crush on you. I heard her tell Marge all about it. You were the strange man, the new guy, and she would take detours coming past this place, just to see you. I know she is falling in love with you, but I also know you’re a man with a past, Isaac. You keep your private life private, and there are reasons for that.”

“My past is never coming back to haunt me, sir,” Isaac said. “And as for Lucy, I love her. I’ve loved her for a long time, but I waited. I know she has dealt with a lot of loss, and I’m not here to cause her any trouble. I’m here to stake my claim on her. I want her as my woman, as my wife and the mother of my children. I want forever with her.”

Harry looked at him, and continued to stare. Isaac had no doubt he was being assessed. Harry was measuring him up, and this had happened to him many times. He never looked away. Nothing frightened him.

“Good,” Harry said. “You’re a good man, Isaac, hopefully we can keep it that way. Now, do you want to tell me all about this car?”

Isaac laughed. “Is that it?”

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