The Cunning (18+)

13

When they returned to the house, Jase tugged his bandana down and ordered the girls be taken upstairs. Adam had gone to return the van. Sam clapped his hands together, rubbing them theatrically.

"Fucking hell, it's freezing in here," he said, blowing out a fog of breath for added effect. He took the girls by their elbows and led them upstairs, ignoring the private whispers they shared in their mother tongue. Benny hung his coat in the cupboard beside the front door and went into the kitchen, discovering the reason for the house's lack of warmth. His reaction was instant with a blood-curdling intensity that made even Jase flinch at the volume.

"Get all the fucking girls down here, now!"

Jase's blood ran cold. Whatever Benny was mad about had something to do with Madison, he could feel it. Benny emerged from the kitchen red-faced, veins popped out in livid ridges around his neck. "The fucking window's broken." Jase had been so preoccupied with his thoughts when he'd left after returning Madison, it hadn't occurred to him how she'd gotten out.

She was dead if they found out it was her, and he was as good as when they discovered he'd brought her back and said nothing. He took the stairs two at a time.

"You stupid bitch," Jase barked when he burst into the room. Madison scrambled to the top of the bed, putting as much distance between them as she could. Her face was red-raw from crying and her legs had all the stability of jelly from the running. "Benny wants all the girls downstairs because you put the fucking window through," he growled, pointing at her. Madison angrily wiped her eyes, panic surging once again as her exhausted brain struggled to think of anything that could save her. She jumped when Jase grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards him to inspect the scab of dark blood dried in her palm. "You're fucked," he partially laughed, though not out of humour. He was panicking too. Madison came to the same conclusion; there was nowhere to hide.

"You mean we're fucked," she shot back, the threat loud and clear. He scoffed, not giving her the satisfaction of a reply because he didn't have one.

Benny was in his battered chair, waiting for the girls to line up. He immediately zeroed in on Madison's hand, the cut needed rinsing. The blood was crusting around the edges, but sticky in the middle. Whilst Jase thought of a suitable excuse why he didn't tell Benny that she escaped, Madison tried to think of something that would keep them both out of trouble. Jase wouldn't come to her rescue with the pathetic shaving of blackmail she had, she needed something more substantial.

The chink of a switchblade opening sliced through the air. Jase was sitting at the table now, slouching, arms folded as if this bored him and there were a million other things he would rather be doing. But his attention was glued to the knife Benny brandished. Madison merely glanced at the blade, too busy trying to piece together a plan that restored the half-arsed protection Jase could supply if she played her cards right.

"There was no trouble until you arrived," Benny said. "Sit down." Madison felt behind her for the cushioning of the sofa, following his order with caution. At any moment, Benny could snap. "Take them back up." He nodded at the other girls.

Sam rose to his feet, steering the girls back upstairs. Annabelle took the lead. Janine hung back, last in line. She flashed Madison an unreadable expression, eyes narrowed, a concoction of concern and curiosity.

Jase sat up, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. Sam closed the living room door when he returned. They waited.

"You've barely been here a week and already I've had you break someone's nose, make no money, and try to escape," Benny said finally. Madison said nothing. The audible howl of wind from the shattered window had impeccable comedic timing.