The Cunning

109

Janine felt the warmth of Sam's arm as it snaked over her waist, pressing their bodies together, her back moulding into his chest.

"How did everything go today?" she asked. She was hesitant because she hoped it had been awful and Jase had had second thoughts. Deep down, she knew this wouldn't be the case. When Jase made a decision, he died on the hill.

"Madison goes tomorrow," Sam replied, holding her tighter. He couldn't help but think of himself in Jase's position. He also couldn't stop thinking about what Ramon had asked him to do if Jase backed out. It was making him sick.

"That's quick," she mumbled, her heart sinking.

"Jase wants it over. We have no more cards to play. Believe me, I've tried to think of another way to do this but there isn't one. People are turning their backs on us and that's never happened before." Janine didn't mention the time someone had stolen drugs, the outcome of that debacle was probably why no one had turned their back since. "Mitch is shooting up the club, Jase got his hand slashed. Even Charlie crossed the line. Mitch has got the upper hand and the longer he holds it, the further we get backed into the corner. We need to respond, preferably before Benny gets back. It's better to quit while we're ahead." She turned to face him, sitting up a little and leaning over him to flick her lamp on.

"But you're not ahead," she said. Sam nodded slowly, he was well aware of that.

"I know."

"And you think giving Madison over will put you back on top? Surely telling him where he can shove it is more of a power move?" She was still struggling to get her head around it. In her eyes, this wasn't them winning, this was them caving. Jase sacrificing Madison was the equivelent to throwing in the towel.

Sam sighed.

"It's not as simple as you make it sound."

"What's so different between you and me, and Jase and Madison?" she ranted. Sam groaned, dragging his hands down his face trying to curb his growing frustration.

"A lot, Jay. A fucking lot. For a start, you went to school with us. Me and you have had a thing since year nine. Adam knew that, Benny knew that, everyone that matters, knew that. Secondly, you earn your keep. Madison's been here for months and hasn't made a penny-"

Janine interjected, "Because Jase won't-"

"Exactly. Because Jase won't make her work. Because Jase would rather dispose of a client than carry out the job we were paid to do. Because Jase is willing to clean up and redecorate and recarpet a bedroom after she went on a frenzy with his switchblade. Because he's spent countless nights sending me looks every time i've let you have a line but the second she wants to join in, he's holding her fucking hair back and everyone can see it. There is a big difference between us two and them two, and you know it."

Janine turned away from him, trying to hide the tears brought on by his valid points.

"He's actually going through with it then?" she finally asked, sniffing and wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She reached for the cigarettes.

"I hope so," Sam sighed, Janine scowled at him over her shoulder.

"That's not fair-"

Sam shook his head vigourosuly, he didn't want to upset Janine further by being so heartless towards her only friend.

"Not because I have anything against Madison, I really don't. I'm not over the moon about how things are turning out. She's a pain in the arse but I get why Jase has a soft spot, she reminds him of himself. But we all knew this had to end somewhere and this is the one with the least collateral damage. He needs to go through with it because if he doesn't, he's dead."

"What? Because Mitch will kill you?" she scoffed. Sam smiled sadly.

"No. Mitch won't have a reason to keep coming after us once he gets what he wants." He hoped.

"Then why?" Sam didn't want to tell her. He didn't even want to say it out loud but keeping it to himself was eating away at him, he needed someone to talk to. Janine raised her brows, waiting for a response. Sam couldn't think of anything to tell her apart from the truth.

"Ramon asked me to..." Janine stiffened before he'd even finished. "He asked me to deal with Jase if he backs out of the deal." Her eyes widened. This was Sam's best friend and from the look on his face, he hadn't told Ramon to go fuck himself.

"But you wouldn't, right?" she replied. He pursed his lips, he'd been asking himself the same question. Was he even capable of it?

"If I don't, Ramon will send someone else for both of us and that would end up including you as well." The cigarette had been burning between her fingers, an inch of ash was hanging off the end. She chipped it out. She didn't want to know the answer to any other questions.

*

Do you think Sam can do it? Or, do you have any ideas how else they could solve their problems without handing Madison over to Mitch?