Jimmy's Game (Ruthless)

by Karen Clow

  On the way to the Paradise Club they talked about Nick coming back. Mickey said, “Well we knew he wouldn’t be gone forever, fucking shame, but talking of Nick I’ve been asking questions about Maria. According to Tony he thinks it was Maurice who may have initiated her going to Nicks. I’ve asked him to dig around for me, but he won’t dig too deep for obvious reasons; although there’s no love lost between him and Nick, he is loyal to Maurice. When I thought about it Maurice had a falling out with Nick around the time she moved in, now I’m curious as to whether she had something to do with it? Let’s face it; we know Maurice didn’t meet his Russian boy at a club. Perhaps that black bastard is not just buying kids he’s fucking selling them as well, anyway Tony might come back to us on that, now let’s sort fucking Alfie out. We can worry about Nick when he’s back, as no doubt the fucker will contact us.” “Yeah no doubt he will.”

  When they drove past the club they could see Alfie and another doorman chatting. There were only a few punters going in because it was early. They parked just round the corner and walked back to the club. They were both familiar with John the other doorman. As they approached John said, “Alright lads, what brings you two down here then?” Jimmy nodded and replied, “Alright John, I’ve come to have a word with Alfie.” John looked concerned from that moment he knew it wasn’t a social call. Trying to make light of it he laughed and said, “Fuck me Alfie what have you been up to?” Shrugging his shoulders Alfie replied, “No idea, but it looks like I’m just about to find out.”

  Jimmy walked over to him, leaving Mickey talking to John. “What’s the problem Jimmy,” said Alfie, arrogantly. “I’m hoping there won’t be a problem Alfie, but I need to speak to you about Simone.” “What’s she been fucking saying the bitch?” “Fuck me mate she didn’t have to say anything, the bruises you gave her said it all!” Alfie could see by the look on Jimmy’s face that he meant business, but being as cocky as he was, he wasn’t about to back down and say nothing, with a menacing look he replied, “Fuck me Jimmy did you drive over here because of that fucking whore, I wouldn’t have thought she was worth the petrol! Fucking cheeky cow she let me take her out a couple of times then fucking blew me out! No fucking stripper is doing that to me!” Jimmy could feel his temper rising as he listened to him. Trying hard to stay calm he replied, “Just leave her alone Alfie, she doesn’t want to see you again ok? It’s not good for my business her dancing covered in bruises, so let’s just leave it at that shall we, there’s no need for it to get nasty, I’m sure you’ve got loads of other women?” “I can have the fucking pick mate; she was just a fucking stripper!” “Glad you see it that way, now you have a good evening.”

  Jimmy walked over to Mickey and said, “We’re leaving Mickey.” Once they were out of sight, Alfie told John what had been said then added, “I’ll teach her a fucking lesson sending that fucking psycho down here to talk to me!” John looked serious as he replied, “Do yourself a favour Alfie, just forget about it don’t mess with him, I’ve seen him in action; it’s not worth getting your head punched over some stripper.”

  Driving back towards the club Jimmy said, “Shall we go to Sweet Cheeks, we can get ourselves a blow job?” “Fuck it why not,” replied Mickey with a huge grin on his face.

  It was after two o’clock when Jimmy was dropped off back at the apartment, he entered quietly so as not to wake Maria. Lying on his bed in the room next to hers he thought about her, he liked her being there; she seemed to fit right in.

  Alone in the darkness he thought about making love to her and despite having had a blow job just a couple of hours earlier, he found himself masturbating as he imagined having her.

  CHAPTER 11

  It was two days after returning from the Ukraine when Nick made contact. He arranged to meet them at Dixie’s at four o’clock on Sunday. Jimmy didn’t tell her about the meeting, he would wait till the day because he knew it would worry her. Things with her had been going from strength to strength with every passing day and he didn’t want that to change.

  On Sunday after she was told about the meeting with Nick, she said, “Please don’t go Jimmy, I would rather return to him than see you get hurt.” She got herself in quite a state, so much so that he called Gladys and asked if she could come and keep her company while he was out.

  Mickey sounded his horn outside the apartment at quarter to four, fortunately Gladys was already there. “Right girls, I won’t be long and Maria stop worrying,” said Jimmy as he opened the door to leave. Gladys replied, “You take as long as you like love, my Arthur’s gone fishing he won’t be back ‘til tonight. You sort that ex boyfriend out and tell him she doesn’t want him back!” “Don’t worry I intend to. Cheers for this Gladys, I’ll see you girls later.” Moments later he was leaving the building.

  Inside Mickey’s car they talked about Nick as they drove to their club, if nothing else the meeting would let him know that Maria wasn’t going back to him.

  Pulling in at the club they spotted Nick’s car. Billy was waiting for them at the door. “Alright Billy what are you doing here?” asked Mickey. “Left me fucking jacket here last night, wished I hadn’t come back for it!” “Why’s that then?” “Fucking shit head was waiting he asked me to let him in, so thought I’d wait around see if you needed me.” “Cheers Billy, who’s with him.” “Just Shaun, do you need me to hang about?” “No you get off, we’ll catch you later.”

  When they entered the club they could see Shaun standing at the bar, Nick was sitting at a table just in front of him. Mickey said, “Alright lads.” Jimmy simply said, “Shaun,” then he nodded his head to acknowledge Nick before saying, “Chuck us a bottle and some glasses Shaun.” Shaun poured himself a drink and then placed a bottle of scotch and three glasses on the table for them. Mickey was the first to speak when he said, “So how was your trip?” Nick arrogantly replied, “Good, but I didn’t come here to talk about my trip, I came here to take back what’s mine.” Already pissed off by his attitude Mickey replied, “Well that’s the problem isn’t it Nick, she’s not yours; you lost the bet remember?” Jimmy interrupted and looking directly at Nick said, “Let’s cut the fucking bullshit, she’s staying with me and nothing you can say or do is going to change that!” The tension between them was heavy, especially when Nick replied, “I can see she’s got to you, have you fucked her yet?”

  Mickey knew that if Jimmy lost his temper and gave him the impression that anything physical had happened between them, there would be hell to pay, so he quickly interrupted and said, “Come on Nick you worked her over real good, it’s a miracle she can walk let alone fuck, but don’t take my word for it ask Shaun, after all he brought her to Jimmy’s.” Without hesitation Shaun confirmed what had been said, even adding, “Aye boss she was in a bad way, tell you the truth I didn’t think she would last the day.” His words seemed to have the desired effect. Mickey being the diplomat of the group said “Is all this really necessary, we’re all friends here, fuck me Nick we work together, I can’t believe all this is over a woman.” Smirking Nick replied, “You’re right the whore isn’t worth it and like you said I lost the bet, so just name your price Jimmy and we can end this.” Jimmy snapped at him and arrogantly replied, “I told you she’s staying with me!” Nick was furious; banging his fist down on the table he knocked a glass onto the floor smashing it. Trying to stop things from escalating Mickey looked down at the shattered glass and said, “Don’t worry about that Nick, just calm down.” “I wasn’t going to worry about it, I came here to talk business so I’ll ask again, what’s your price?” Jimmy was fast approaching the point of thumping him as he replied, “You fucking deaf or what? I’ve told you she’s not for sale!” “Everything has a price Jimmy and if I can’t have her nobody will!” Suddenly without warning Jimmy lunged at him. Shaun immediately grabbed him and said, “Sit down Jimmy I don’t want to hurt you!” Nick nodded for him to release him and then said, “I’ll give you a few days to come up with a price, I will expect an answer, don’t f
uck me about I’m warning you!” “Don’t fucking threaten me you arsehole! I’ve told you she’s not for sale!” Nick stood up to leave then glancing back at Mickey said, “Talk to your friend before someone gets hurt, and call me, I have a job I want you to do next Friday.” Then he stormed out, followed by Shaun.

  After he’d left they talked about what had been said, it was clear to Mickey that neither man was going to back down. Grinning at Jimmy he joked and said, “Maybe we will end up taking Billy up on his offer, especially if he can provide the boots!” Although they laughed, Jimmy was seething as he said, “If Nick wants a war, I’ll fucking give him one!” “Calm down Jimmy, what we need is something to slow him down because I don’t think there’s a compromise. Do you think she’s up to talking about it now, only she might give us something we could use against the bastard?” “I’ll speak to her later; she’s definitely more at ease with me now. I think it’s finally sunk in I’m trying to help her, only problem is she knows he won’t back down; she’s obviously a threat to him. You don’t think he would take her out do you?” “I wouldn’t put anything past the bastard, so let’s find out what she knows then we’ll know if we need to worry!” Pouring them another drink as he added, “How are things going with you and her on a personal level?” “I fucking fancy her that’s for sure, but she always looks so fucking scared, she has let me hold her a couple of times without pulling away and we did sort of kiss. Truth is if I keep lying there at night thinking about her I’ll have to get a fucking support bandage for me wrist!” They both laughed.

  Back at the apartment Gladys had managed to keep her calm. Despite not really knowing the truth about her and Nick, she knew that Jimmy was meeting with him, that was why he had asked her to stay with Maria. They were just talking about her grandchildren when they were interrupted by the phone. Gladys noticed Maria looked edgy, so she smiled and said, “I’ll just get that love, it’s probably Jimmy sometimes he rings to ask me to do something for him.” Picking up the phone she said, “Hello.” An unfamiliar man’s voice replied, “Oh good afternoon, I’m sorry to bother you but Jimmy said I could phone anytime to speak to my niece Maria.” “No bother love,” replied Gladys, “She’s right here; we’re just having a good old chinwag. Maria love it’s for you.” “Is it Jimmy?” “No love it’s your uncle.” Suddenly Maria felt sick to the pit of her stomach as a feeling of panic ran through her body, she didn’t have an uncle, but she didn’t want Gladys to think that anything was wrong. Handing her the phone Gladys quickly said, “I’ll just pop off and make a fresh pot of tea love while you have a chat with your uncle.”

  Placing the phone to her ear Maria softly said, “Hello.” The moment she heard his voice, she knew it was Nick. Shaking from fear she just stood there, too scared to speak but listening as he shouted, “Now listen here you fucking bitch! If you know what’s good for you and that bastard Jimmy you’ll get your fucking arse back here! Who was the old witch who answered the phone?” Stammering through fear she replied, “His cleaning lady.” “Well you had better not tell her anything you fucking whore, do you hear me!” Unable to answer him through sheer terror she was speechless. When she didn’t reply he shouted down the phone. “I said do you fucking hear me bitch!” In desperation she forced the word “Yes” from her lips. Nick continued to terrorise her when he said, “I’m not playing games bitch! I fucking own you and you know what I’m capable of, so fucking get back here! You’ve got till Friday, if you’re not back by then, some fucker’s gonna die! Do you understand you fucking cock sucker?” With that he slammed the phone down. Standing there frozen to the spot and shaking from head to toe, she thought she would pass out. Gladys appeared, sensing that all was not well she asked, “Is everything alright love?” Unable to speak Maria placed her hand over her mouth and rushed towards the bathroom.

  Outside the door Gladys could hear her vomiting. “Are you alright love?” she called, but there was no reply. She was just about to call again when the bathroom door opened. “Blimey love you’re as white as a ghost and look at you, you’re shaking like a leaf.” “Sorry Gladys I’m not feeling very well.” “I can see that, perhaps it’s something you ate, or maybe some bad news from your uncle?” “No I think it was the curry I had last night, it came on so suddenly.” “Perhaps you’ve got a touch of food poisoning love? That’s the trouble with this foreign grub; I’m bloody sure half the time you don’t know what you’re eating. Like I always say to my Arthur, you can’t beat good home cooking.” Maria simply nodded. Fussing over her Gladys smiled and said, “Perhaps you ought to go and lay down love, I’ll pull the bed back for you.” Gladys assumed that she was in the guest room. Taking her by the arm she said, “Come on love you have a nice rest; you’ll feel better in no time. I’ll stay with you if you like?” “No I’m fine Gladys honestly. I’m feeling better already; you get off home now I’ll see you later.” “If I go will you rest?” “Yes I’ll have a sleep.” “If you’re sure then love, try and have a kip. Give my love to Jimmy.”

  Waiting to hear Gladys leave, she sat out on the side of the bed with her arms around her tummy and began to shake and sob uncontrollably. Telling herself that she would have to go back; she couldn’t risk anyone getting hurt, especially Jimmy, although she would need to convince him that she wanted to go back.

  Finally she lay down and drifted off to sleep, only waking when Jimmy returned and called out, “Babe I’m back.” “I’m in here,” she replied. “What are you doing in here?” asked Jimmy as he entered the guest room. “I wasn’t feeling too good, Gladys made me lay down.” “Yeah that sounds like Gladys; she’s a regular old Florence Nightingale!” Forcing a smile she replied, “Yes she’s lovely.” “Are you feeling okay now?” “Yes thanks; I’m not sure what it was, probably something I ate.” “Well you’ve had a tough time; it’s not surprising you feel a bit rough, fancy a cup of tea?” She nodded her head, but before she could offer to make it he said, “I’d best stick the kettle on then, oh and I hope you won’t mind but Mickey will be joining us for dinner tonight, I’ve asked him to bring something over from the restaurant. I thought we could go over what we discussed about Nick.” Immediately he noticed that with his words she looked uneasy. Nervously she said, “Yes about that, we don’t need to discuss it I’ve made a decision.” “What decision babe,” he asked looking confused. Trying to sound convincing she replied, “I’ve decided to go back to Nick.” His expression changed to one of anger as he replied, “You are fucking joking I hope!” “No I’m not joking Jimmy and I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for all that you’ve done for me, because I am.” “What the fuck is going on Maria?” Noticeably shaking and with tears in her eyes she replied, “Nothing’s going on; I just want to go home.” “I don’t fucking believe this, something’s happened I fucking know it has!” “Nothing’s happened I just want to go home, back to Nick; I don’t belong here.” “So exactly what the fuck are you saying Maria, you fucking love him or what?” “Yes that’s it, I love him.” “You’re a fucking liar, he’s fucking brainwashed you, yeah that’s it, you’ve been fucking brainwashed!” Tears were streaming down her face and she was shaking violently as she replied, “Please Jimmy calm down, don’t be mad with me.” Clenching his fist he shouted; “Mad with you that’s a fucking understatement! To be fucking honest Maria at this precise moment I’m not sure who I want to fucking kill the most, you or fucking Nick!” Terrified of what he may do to her she said, “Please Jimmy I never meant for any of this to happen, please don’t hurt me, please forgive me.” Feeling anger as well as disbelief he shouted, “Hurt you! I wouldn’t fucking hurt you!”

  Neither of them paid any attention when they heard the phone ringing until the answer machine cut in and a familiar voice said, “Are you there Jimmy, its Gladys?” Welcoming relief from the ongoing argument between them, he walked out of the room and picked up the phone. Maria stayed in the bedroom.

  A few moments later he said, “Yes Gladys I’m here, what can I do for y
ou?” “Sorry to be a nuisance love, but I was a bit worried about Maria; I know she said it was because of something she ate, but I think it was something to do with that phone call she had from her uncle.” “What call?” “When you were out she had a call from her uncle; he said you’d told him to call anytime. I know it’s none of my business Jimmy, but I just had a strange feeling about it that was all. The poor girl she was as white as a ghost, not to mention sick as a dog!” Realising immediately that the caller had been Nick he replied, “You’re just an old worry guts Gladys, but what would we do without you, she’s feeling better I’ll tell her you called” “Thanks love, have a nice evening.” “And you babe, say hello to Arthur for me, catch you later.”

  Knocking on the bedroom door he waited for her to say, “Come in.” Hearing the fear in her voice, he knew she was afraid of him as he entered. Standing in the doorway looking down on her as she sat on the bed, he realised just how vulnerable she was. In a calm voice he said, “You’ve spoken to Nick haven’t you?” Immediately she shook her head. “Don’t fucking lie to me Maria, Gladys told me.” “Please Jimmy it doesn’t make any difference; I’ve got to go back.” “You haven’t got to do anything, he doesn’t fucking own you!” For the first time she raised her voice slightly as she replied, “Yes he does! You know it and I know it, everybody knows it that’s just the way it is!” “Your wrong Maria I can’t and I won’t accept that, you said you had the means to put an end to all this and as far as I’m concerned nothing’s changed!” Hysterically she sobbed as she screamed, “Everything changed when he called me; you just don’t understand!” “You’re fucking right I don’t understand, so explain it to me!” “Just leave it Jimmy, please I’m begging you.” He wasn’t about to give up on her so he continued to shout until she finally broke down completely. Sobbing and shaking uncontrollably she blurted out, “If I don’t go back he’s going to kill someone, I’ve got to return to him by Friday!” Holding her tight he kept repeating that he was sorry for shouting at her, but he had to know what Nick had said. She tried to tell him, but no matter how he much he tried to comfort her she couldn’t stop crying and shaking. In a last ditched effort to calm her down, he gently pushed her onto the bed then leaning over her kissed her on the mouth. Moving hesitantly at first, because he didn’t want to scare her, then more passionately when she reciprocated. For a moment she seemed to calm down as she began to melt into him. Other than their brief kiss in the kitchen, it was the first time in her life she had felt a tender kiss. Because she seemed willing, he gently probed her mouth with his tongue, when she reciprocated, he could feel his body responding. Never before could he remember a time when he had felt such overwhelming desire for a woman and he’d certainly had his fair share over the years, but she was different her innocence and vulnerability attracted him. He wanted to show her what real lovemaking was, not as she had known with Nick who had simply used her body anyway he wanted. As they kissed he wanted to fondle her and kiss her all over, but he knew the time wasn’t right, the Doc had said that she needed time to heal.