Sleight of Hand [Show 'em Who's Boss #1]

9: The Deadly Game

"You're daydreaming, aren't you Ebony?" says Jakob from across the table in the dimly lit room. I have been drawn back out of remembering past events and I'm suddenly reminded of the important game that is currently taking place. His voice is soft and calm. For a moment it feels as though we aren't playing this stupid game. It feels like old times; me and Jakob eating pizza whilst shooting each other on the Xbox.

I guess the situation now isn't really much different. Just replace the game controllers with a real gun.

I blink in shock when Jakob suddenly aims the gun towards me.

"I could end this all now, couldn't I? I could pull the trigger until that one bullet kills you. Then take the money all for myself. How easy it would be to cheat." His words mirror my thoughts just a moment ago. I had considered grabbing the gun and shooting him. It is almost as though he had read my mind and plans to kill me before I can kill him.

"You wouldn't do that though, would you Jakob? Admit it, you're loving this game." I can just tell that he is having fun. He likes taunting me and he enjoys the adrenaline rush this deadly game is giving him. Our hearts racing in panic just before pulling the trigger and then that intense relief as we realise that we have survived a round. Even I have to admit that in a way this game is fun even though I am absolutely terrified. It's good to be scared.

"You're right. I'm not going to kill you. I don't trust you though, Ebony. I know what you're capable of. You've pointed a gun at your father's head and threatened to kill him. You killed men on that night you saved James Morrisby. You swore you were going to kill me. There's every chance that you'll point this gun at me."

He twirls the gun in his hand as though it isn't a dangerous weapon. Every word he's just said is true. I had killed people before. I would have killed my father. I swore that I was going to kill Jakob. Now I'm not so sure that I could kill him though. I'd like to, but it's hard to destroy someone you love, even if the one you love is willing to destroy you.

"We made a deal, Jakob. We shook on it. This game is the final decider. I'm not going to kill you. I promise. I won't go back on my word."

"Don't be so sure about that, darling. I haven't told you all there is to tell yet. Once you know everything you might be itching to kill me."

"You almost sound like you want to die. Don't tell me anything if you don't want to."

A cold breeze comes through the broken window and I shiver. It makes the light swing more violently once again. One second Jakob's face is bathed in light, the next he is cloaked by the shadows.

"Don't you want to know all my secrets before you die?"

"I don't plan on dying today, Jakob. Keep your pathetic lies to yourself."

I don't want to hear the truth, or what Jakob says is the truth. He's lied enough to me. Everyone has lied to me and I just can't take it anymore. Jakob can't be trusted. He's not going to suddenly tell me the truth now, is he? Not if he's been lying to me for years. I don't want to hear it anymore.

"Okay, I'll have my go then, shall I?" he flicks the safety off and aims the gun at his head once again. I feel like I should freak out again. It really should bother me that he could die. But this time I don't react.

He pulls the trigger and yet again, nothing happens. Jakob grins. At any other point in my life, Jakob grinning would be the cutest thing in the world. He always pretends that he's this tough, emotionless guy but I'm lucky enough to occasionally see through that façade.

When he grins now though, it scares me. He is grinning because he is still alive. Grinning because each time one of us had a go, there is more chance of the next person dying. This grin is sadistic. It is a grin that alters my view of Jakob altogether. He makes me sick. What's worse is that I know I still love him, and that makes me sicker.

"Your turn, sweetheart." He places the gun back on the table in front of me.

"Don't call me that," I reply, glaring at him. I pick up the gun.

I want to act a little more like Jakob. I want to twirl the gun in my hand as though I'm not scared of the weapon, to laugh in a situation as tense as this. I don't want to be afraid but I am. The fear is gradually beginning to overwhelm me. I desperately don't want Jakob to know that I am scared but I get the impression that he already knows.

"Do you remember when we first met, Ebony?" Jakob asks and yet again his voice sounds softer. This is the sensitive side of Jakob that I rarely get to see and secretly love. We spend forever pretending that we're not like other couples but really we are. We can do clichés as well as the best-selling romance novel; we just look cooler whilst doing so.

"Yes, we hated each other back then too."

"That's because we're too similar. Opposites attract, we repel."

"We're nothing alike." And yet as I say it I know I'm not right. We are so similar in many ways. I just don't want to admit it, I guess. No one would want to be told that they're similar to Jakob; it's the worst insult ever.

"I can remember that day perfectly; as though it happened only yesterday."

I briefly glance down at the gun in my hand, wondering if Jakob is purposefully stalling for time here. If he is, shall I help string this game out a little longer or would it be easier to just get it over and done with?

I want to say something sarcastic but my mind is elsewhere. Whilst Jakob is remembering the day we first met, I am remembering the days that lead up to this stupid game.

★★★