The Cunning (18+)

18

A short while after they had returned downstairs, Madison went into the kitchen for a third drink. The men in there were loud. A more light-hearted atmosphere befell them as their laughter boomed through the house. From what Madison could gather, they were talking about boxing. Jase was immersed in the conversation, not noticing her behind him in the fridge.

"He's way too quick. Deano doesn't stand a chance," he said, leaning back in the chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. She saw his bottle was almost empty and opened the fridge again, taking one from the shelf, using a lighter to prise the cap off and placing it in front of him. Madison could feel him watch her as she exited the kitchen.

Jase may be desensitised to most things and playing on his sympathetic side was a waste of time but he still had an ego to stroke. Every man in their line of work did. They all wanted money, power, and respect. Madison getting Jase a drink without prompting, then leaving without interrupting their conversation did wonders for his image. It also played into the whole 'women should be seen, not heard' rule they had going on.

All Madison had to do was behave, keep her head down, and let him believe he had complete control of the situation. For now, she would swallow her pride and play to the patriarchy, putting him on a pedestal. People that say flattery gets you nowhere are doing it wrong.

A few moments later, Jase come to find her. He whistled to get her attention before calling from the doorway.

"Everything okay?" she asked when they got to the top of the stairs. He dangled the small baggy of cocaine over his shoulder. Madison swallowed the apprehension camping at the base of her throat. If drugs were the doorway to getting into Jase's head then so be it. She smiled, "I thought the girls weren't allowed to do drugs?"

"A few lines isn't going to kill you. Also, I'm the one that makes most of the rules, so if I decide to break them, I will," he replied, opening the bedroom door. It was the most they'd spoken without any underlying threats. They were practically having a conversation.

Now the ball was rolling, Madison grew brave.

"Why do you make rules if you're just going to break them?" she asked, sitting on the drawers as he proceeded to rack up another two lines.

"Because I can." Madison had guessed as much. It wasn't about keeping the girls in line, it was a power trip. Because he could. What he said was final. It wasn't even for the punter's sake, which made sense considering Janine smoked weed, and they pumped the girls with heroin when and if they pleased. It was because he was bored.

Madison made a mental note that entertaining Jase was likely her best bet in garnering his attention. She needed to keep his curiosity piqued, to keep doing whatever it took to stay on his radar and off everyone else's. So far, so good. It was almost a little too easy. She narrowed her eyes at him.

Janine's words looped over in her head again. Jase liked playing games.

But what was he playing right now?

He took the note out, rolling it up and holding it out to her,

"Ladies first." Madison hopped off the desk, her nerves fizzling out now. Her thoughts and goals were still crystal clear and she was being careful to only sip her drinks. As she took the note, she masked her suspicion with an attempt at a playful smile.

"Imagine you have manners," she replied sarcastically.

Jase smirked. "Watch it." The second rush wasn't as hard-hitting as the first, even though he'd given her more. She stepped away from the phone as Jase turned it towards him. She shuddered as the backdrop hit her. Jase hoovered his line up swiftly, pinching his nose and clearing his nostrils.

"Why did you let me go, Jase?" Madison questioned as he regained his composure.

Jase tilted his head, thinking for a moment.

"We pick up most of the girls off the streets. Girls that already work corners. Promising them better work, housing, and so on. Once they're here and realise what's going on, it's too late. Sometimes we get requests, like you. When I saw you in the shop, your name badge didn't read Madison, it said something else," he shrugged. "As far as I was concerned, you weren't the one we were looking for." Madison examined him but didn't pick up any notes of deception. For a second, her devious buzz dimmed.

"When did you find out you shouldn't have let me go?" she asked.

"About an hour later." He'd known when he saw her on the bus.

This knowledge made her memory of his unwavering eye contact all the more ominous. She recalled how vulnerable his presence had made her feel. Predator and prey had been mere feet apart, and she'd been none the wiser.

"Was that why you were on the bus? To track my route?" she questioned. Jase nodded. How long had they been watching her? They'd been directly outside her front door. And who the fuck had requested to buy her? The questions and cocaine were suddenly overwhelming.

The thought that she'd been so unaware of this surveillance taking place made Madison's skin crawl. Yet it did more to piss her off than upset her. It had all been going on under her nose and years of peaceful living had caused her naturally cautious disposition to wane. Her dad had been away for so long that she hadn't been exposed to the ugly side of the world in a while. She'd forgotten certain kinds of people existed because they didn't cross paths on a regular basis anymore.

Madison stared at Jase, determined not to behave so negligently ever again. From now on, she would notice everything. She would nit-pick and un-weave the house piece by piece. Starting with him.

She stood, leaving the room.

*

Do you think Jase said too much? Or is Madison being the idiot by indulging in Jase's drugs? Don't forget to leave a vote and comment! And thank you for reading :)