The Cunning (Dark Romance 18+)

64

"If I didn't know any better I'd think he gets off on having the shit kicked out of him," Sam said as he and Jase returned to the car. Jase chuckled, opening the driver's door, ignoring the dull ache in his knuckles after their informal chat with Ollie. He leaned over, taking a rusty-coloured cloth from the glove box to wipe his switchblade. Sam flinched at the offensive odour radiating from the rag, Peter's blood hardly aged like a fine wine.

"Remind me to burn that," Jase muttered, tossing it back over the Glock lying in the glove box.
They stopped for cigarettes on the way back, making jokes about a drunk in the shop when they entered the house. The jovial back and forth ceased in the living room doorway.

The energy was stifling. Tommy and Kieran were sitting at the table, looking shameful. Adam was in Jase's armchair, staring dead ahead with flared nostrils. An angry vein popped out on his forehead. Jase followed his glare to Madison, who was semi-conscious on the sofa. Blood plastered her hair to her face, drying under her nose and glistening on her busted lip. Her wrists were bound with zip ties so tight they were cutting into her skin, skin defiled by cigarette burns up her forearms.

"What's going on?" Jase asked calmly, his attention flickering back to Adam.

"Your little girlfriend is best mates with McKinney," he replied. Madison didn't say anything. Jase raised his brows, it was a hefty accusation. He let the information sink in, figuring out how best to deal with the situation. It wasn't as though Madison wasn't cunning enough to somehow be involved in some intricate scheme with Mitch, but that didn't feel right. Adam had a reputation for shooting first and asking questions last.

"Right," Jase said slowly. "So, you did what?"

Adam looked at him. "Taught her that keeping secrets from us is a bad idea."

Jase turned back to Madison. There was no anger like he would have expected. She wasn't seething at Adam with a burning desire to slit his throat or sink her teeth into his flesh. She looked empty, defeated. Each lethargic blink released fresh tears down her sore cheeks.

"I'm assuming you have some sort of proof?" Jase continued, waiting to see if Adam's actions were somewhat justified. After all, she wasn't renowned for being transparent.

Adam took what looked like a folded piece of paper from his back pocket, holding it out to him. Jase unfolded the small rectangle, at first glance the picture of three teenagers could be mistaken for anyone. Upon closer inspection of the two boys and young girl, he understood how Adam had come to his conclusion. The girl was Madison. Her bob cut looked ill-suited to her round face, braces drawing attention to her teeth. The boy in the middle was unfamiliar but the one next to him was vaguely recognisable. He had acne and hair swept to the side, concealing one eye but there was no doubt it was Mitch.

Jase tried to hide the hurt. He placed the picture on the coffee table, ignoring the smug look on Adam's face. Crouching in front of Madison, he took his switchblade from his pocket, tugging her wrists towards him and brushing off her pained whimper.

This was a knock to his pride, at best, humiliating after the things he'd done for her at worst. He knew what he had to do to regain control—no more distractions

Madison looked exhausted, which was understandable. He would make it quick, but this was the last straw. If he didn't kill her, assuming what Adam said was true, and Mitch got anywhere near her, everything she knew about the house and the business would be at his disposal. Jase couldn't have that kind of information getting into the wrong hands.

Madison was having trouble keeping her eyes open, her body gently swaying.

"I didn't know," she said, her voice hoarse. Jase had the knife underneath the zip tie, ready to cut when he stopped. Bruises were already mottling her face, and the burns on her arms gave the impression of a rare skin condition. Adam had dragged her through hell and back since he'd been gone. He clenched his jaw. Madison continued with a struggle. "I didn't know it was him you were dealing with," she insisted through croaked whispers. Jase narrowed his eyes at her, trying to gauge whether she was being sincere. "I would have told you. I swear."