The Cunning (18+)

72

Sam, Jase and Kieran sat in the kitchen. Jase's phone was on speaker in the middle of the table. It had rung several times already and Jase was beginning to think Mitch wouldn't answer an unknown number. And then the trill was cut off halfway by static.

"Hello?" A man answered, suspicion leaking through the Nokia. Sam held his breath. It hadn't felt real until then, and it struck him that if Mitch didn't agree to call a truce and take Madison off their hands, they didn't have a backup plan. He could tell both Kieran and Jase were just as aware of the fragility of the situation.

"It's Jase."

A pause.

"You took your fucking time. How did you like the little throwback of Madison?" Mitch asked. Jase ignored the question, he wasn't calling for a chat.

"Madison told us what happened to her brother and your involvement," he replied.

"Did she now?" Mitch sing-songed. Jase could hear his shit-eating grin. "So what do I owe the honour of you tracking down my contact details then, Mr. Davies?"

"I have a proposition for you." Jase's mouth dried. There was no going back once he said the words. Once the plan was in motion, that was it.

"I'm listening," Mitch responded after another brief pause. Jase looked at Sam who nodded, urging him on. Jase licked his lips, preparing himself to take the leap. The hesitation made Sam's palms sweat, recalling what Ramon requested he do should Jase start having second thoughts.

"If you want Madison, you can have her. You'd be doing us a favour." Sam breathed as Jase stepped off the edge. "But if you agree, the bombings, the stabbings, it all stops and you either back the fuck off or work with us." His eyes flickered to the pink scar on his hand and he thought about how quick Madison had been to tend to his wound. There was a short laugh on the other end of the call, Jase would recognise it anywhere; Adam was listening.

"People have been saying you've lost your bottle, but I suppose they underestimated how cutthroat you are when it comes to your money," Mitch said. Jase wanted to rip his throat out.

"Plenty more pussy in the sea," Jase said. Another laugh crackled through.

"That there is. So, you hand Madison over for me to do whatever I see fit, and we agree to a truce? Is that what you're suggesting?" Mitch asked. He was lapping it up, seeing it as Jase giving in.

"That's the idea," Jase replied. McKinney's voice alone made him curl his fists. He could hear the smugness, envision the self-satisfied smirk he had plastered across his stupid face.

"To be completely honest, Jase, I'm glad you've come forward with the suggestion. I was getting bored of the back and forth. You didn't give me as much of a show as everyone said you would but hey ho. Besides, having Madison works fine for me, it's a better plan than the one I had originally." Jase assumed he was talking about her dad. Madison was a participation trophy on his journey to the real prize. Revenge was best served with long blonde hair in Mitch's eyes.

"Is that your way of saying you accept?" Jase questioned, wanting the phone call over and done with. There was another brief pause, a muffled discussion.

"Alright. I'll take her off your hands and you can restore the damage she's done to your reputation. When's best for you?"

Sam rolled his eyes, even he would love the opportunity to knock seven shades of shit out of that cocky twat and things weren't half as personal between them.

"The house, tomorrow. Half nine. Adam knows where it is. Then all of this ends, understood?"

"Loud and clear." He hung up and Jase sat back, lighting a much-needed cigarette.