Jimmy's Game (Ruthless) (8 page)

It was as she walked away Jimmy noticed a large bruise on her thigh, calling after her he said, “How’d you get that,” pointing to her leg. With a look of hatred she replied, “Fucking Alfie Stubbs that’s how.” “I always knew he was a wanker, never could work out what you saw in him; anyway I thought that was over long ago?” Raising her eyebrows and shaking her head she replied, “It was; only he seems to have a problem with that, he keeps fucking turning up; he’s nothing but a punchy pig when he’s been drinking!” “Does Alfie still work the doors down at the Paradise Club?” As she nodded he said, “So are you going to shake your tits then or what!” Laughing she began walking away before she called over to Shane and said, “Can you put some music on.” They watched her gyrate up and down the pole, making several lewd comments as she danced. Billy said, “Fuck me I wouldn’t mind giving her one!” It was obvious the feeling was mutual amongst the four men and especially Shane, as he’d slept with most of the dancers. He was very good looking and built like an ox, there was never any shortage of girls.

They waited until she finished dancing before leaving the club. The time was just after four.

Nick had arrived in the Ukraine with the Russians. Uri had booked him into a high class hotel before taking him to meet with another man at a club. Uri introduced the man as Sven; he was the man who wanted a partner in England. Shaking Nick’s hand Sven said, “Uri tells me you are interested in doing business with us?” Smirking Nick replied, “Well that depends on the business.” “Uri has told you I am looking to send girls to England? I understand there are many people who would pay good money for the right girl? I can supply many girls, but I need someone who can deliver them to the buyers.” “Yeah there are people who would pay for that service,” said Nick before he smugly added, “with the right man running things for you. What sort of figure would a man like that be looking at?”. “Let’s say for every girl I send, you make three thousand in English money. I can send maybe, three / three hundred and fifty a year.”
Liking what he was hearing Nick said, “What exactly would I have to do?” “Just keep them somewhere for a few days until their buyers are ready. I send about fifteen at a time. Over a year you make a million, a good deal yes?” The Russian could see that Nick was keen to know more. Thinking about the offer Nick knew that keeping the girls would not be a problem; he had several properties and warehouses that would be suitable. Taking several minutes before answering he then said, “When do you need my answer?” “By tomorrow, I need someone now. I have eleven girls waiting to go and my colleague in England has let me down.” “Ok, you’ll have my answer in the morning.” Uri interrupted and said, “Good, then tonight we have some fun. I take you to one of my clubs.” “Sounds good to me,” said Nick.

Ten minutes later Nick and Uri were leaving after thanking Sven for his hospitality.

The club Uri took him to was right up Nick’s street, full of young girls that he could do whatever he liked to. Uri joked and said, “You like to get rough, yes.” Nick nodded. “Pick a girl,” said Uri. Scanning the room Nick pointed to a very young girl, she looked to be about fourteen. Uri called her and another girl over, and then along with Nick took them to a room under the club. It was like a dungeon, badly lit, there were shackles hanging from the walls, a selection of whips and torture implements were housed on a wooden table. The only normal thing was a bed with black satin sheets on. Uri could tell by Nicks face that he was going to enjoy being there.

“This room is only for my best clients,” said Uri. “Down here you can do whatever you like, but I should tell you if the girl dies I’ll expect you to pay for her, the price is twenty thousand in English money.” “Don’t worry I won’t kill her,” replied
Nick with a smirk on his face. Within minutes both men were slapping the girls around. Uri was as much an animal as Nick, dragging one of the girls and forcing her onto the bed, where he ordered her to blow him. While doing what he’d ordered, he told Nick to fuck her. The other girl huddled in the corner of the room absolutely terrified. When they finished with the first girl, Uri ordered the other girl to join them. The two men continued to torture them as they drank vodka and snorted coke.  Pitifully the girls begged them to stop. Nick punched one of them in the face and said, “Stop your fucking whining bitch!” Then he dragged her to the bed with the other girl. Within minutes both girls were handcuffed and gagged while the two men raped and beat them. It was three hours later when they finally stopped. One of the girls was barely alive by the time the two men left and returned upstairs.

Back upstairs in the club Uri called a woman over. She was about fifty, heavily built with a hard chiselled face. As she stood in front of them, Uri said, “Attend to the two girls downstairs.” Without answering him she just nodded and left.

Uri poured them a drink while they talked about business. Nick listened then said, “I want to make it clear, if I agreed to work with you it would be entirely down to me. None of my associates back in England are to know about it.” “That is your business Nicolai, we just send the girls. Maybe you see one you like as a replacement for Maria. You were very stupid to gamble with her!” “Don’t worry she knows better than to talk.” “I’m not worried, but she is a problem that needs to be dealt with, there are people in England who have expressed their concern to me. I assured them you would deal with it.” Arrogantly Nick replied, “Consider her taken care of!”

They drank heavily that night, finally leaving the club around half four in the morning. “I will see you later Nicolai, Sven expects us at midday, do not be late. I will pick you up at eleven thirty,” said Uri as the driver pulled up at Nick’s hotel.

At Jimmy’s apartment Gladys and Maria were getting along just fine. She had really warmed to the elderly lady. Gladys had a sort of grandmother thing going for her, with grey hair and a plump happy round face; she made Maria feel very comfortable. They chatted about her husband Arthur, who was approaching his seventy eighth birthday.  Maria noticed the look of love and pride every time she spoke of him and her family of three daughters and seven grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly and saw regularly. Gladys took a sip of her tea and said, “So how long have you known Jimmy? I’ve known him since the day he was born; I can remember his father being thrown out of the hospital for being drunk. His father was a dreadful man; I don’t know how Jimmy and his mum survived the terrible beatings. Did you know his mum committed suicide?” Maria shook her head as Gladys continued, “Oh yes it was a real tragedy, Joan was such a lovely woman.” “Poor Jimmy, I had no idea. I don’t know anything about his past; I only know him through my ex-boyfriend.” “Oh yes him, young Jimmy told me you had a bit of a falling out when he rang me; but looking at your face it looks a bit more serious than a lover’s tiff! I hope you’re not thinking of going back to him?” Maria shook her head. Gladys continued, “Well thank Gawd for that, you’re better off without him love. Fifty years I’ve been married to my Arthur and he’s never so much as raised a finger to me, Gawd love him.” Unsure of what to say Maria just smiled and listened as Gladys chatted on about blokes who hit women, and how in her opinion they weren’t worth a pint of cold piss. One thing Maria had learnt about her in the short time she had known her was, she was honest, down to earth and she certainly didn’t pull any punches. If Gladys thought it, she said it. Maria had to smile when Gladys said, “You should find a nice boy like Jimmy, he’s the salt of the earth, they don’t come any better than my Jimmy.” Nodding her head in agreement, she listened as Gladys added, “Take me doing his cleaning love, I know he doesn’t really need me; he keeps the place lovely, which is unusual for a bloke. I know he only keeps me on because he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings, but between me and you love I don’t need to do it, my Arthur gets a good pension from the railway; he worked there for forty eight years.” Maria interrupted and said, “Why haven’t you packed this job in then Gladys?” “Same reason love, I wouldn’t want to upset him; anyway, the extra money pays for me bingo.” They both chuckled. Maria suddenly jumped as the front door opened. Gladys could see that she was nervous so in a calm voice she said, “Don’t worry love; it’s only the lad’s back.” They waited for the lounge door to open. “Alright girls, has Gladys talked you to death yet babe?” said Jimmy laughing as he entered the room. Gladys looked at Maria and said, “Cheeky devil, take no notice of him love!”

Walking over to Gladys and putting his arm round her shoulders, he said, “You know I love you Gladys, now get the fucking kettle on!” Leaning over he affectionately kissed her on the cheek as she stood up. Smiling she said, “I’ll make you three a drink, but I’ve got to be going my Arthur will want his dinner.”

After putting the kettle on she returned to the lounge and said, “Right kettles on, pots tea’d so I’m off. Nice to see you Mickey, say hello to the family for me.” “I will, you take care now Gladys, regards to Arthur,” replied Mickey. Then she looked at Maria and said, “I hope to see you again love, and keep away from that ex-boyfriend he’s bad news that one.” “I hope we see each other again too, bye Gladys.”

Mickey noticed how much calmer Maria seemed. When he asked her how she was feeling, he was relieved to hear her say “Better thank you,”, because he wanted to speak to her about what she knew about Nick. Talking to Gladys had obviously been good for her, but he didn’t want to start questioning her straight away about her time at Nick’s. For the time being he thought it was best to wait, his theory being that the more comfortable she felt, the more she would tell them. Jimmy came in from the kitchen carrying three mugs of tea. Smiling he said “So how did you get on with Gladys then babe?” Without hesitation she replied, “Oh she was lovely, and it was so nice to hear her talk about her family.” Mickey piped in and said, “I don’t suppose you managed to get a word in did you?” “Not really, but I enjoyed listening to her. What could I have said anyway, the last three years of my life have been as a prisoner.” They both noticed she looked tearful. Jimmy tried to cheer her up by saying, “Don’t worry about the last three babe, let’s look forward to the next three.” His words seemed to have the desired effect as she nodded her head and smiled.

They talked about Gladys for over an hour. Mickey could see a change in her as she chatted, then he thought to himself that apart from Shaun’s wife Ann, Gladys was probably the only female she had actually talked to for the last three years. Jimmy could also see that she was looking and acting more relaxed, that was until he said “Right then babe, as all three of us are here maybe we should talk about Nick.” Immediately her whole demeanour changed. Mickey looked at her and said, “How about we leave it for another time, after all Nick’s out of the country so there’s no hurry we’ve got a few days.” With a look of relief she smiled and nodded her head, as Mickey added, “I can’t stay much longer anyway; I’ve got to go over a court case that’s being heard in the morning.” “You’re welcome to stay and eat with us,” said Jimmy. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll grab something on my way home, but before I go, what’s happening tomorrow night Jimmy?” Usually they would go to Dixie’s, but with her staying there Mickey wasn’t sure if their plans would change. Jimmy grinned and said, “I’ll probably give the club a miss tomorrow mate. I’ll have the night in with Maria,” he jokingly added, “Now she’s actually talking to me!” Interrupting them she said, “Please don’t change your plans for me. I’ll be fine here on my own. If you like I could do some baking.” They both smiled then Jimmy said, “Actually babe I’m happy to give the club a miss, but I might need to pop out for an hour about eight. If you’re sure you’ll be ok, you can do whatever you like. If you want to cook I’ll sort you out some stuff, just write me a list; I’ll get it for you.” Mickey interrupted and said, “Where are we going tomorrow night at eight?” “No you’re all right Mick, I’ve just got to see someone down the Paradise Club, shouldn’t take long.” Mickey grinned he knew he was referring to Alfie Stubbs. Jokingly he said, “Fuck me Jimmy for Christmas I’ll get you a fucking cape and a mask, your becoming a right fucking super hero!” They all laughed as Jimmy said, “Piss off! I can’t let it go, Simone’s a good kid, thought I’d just help her out that’s all.”

Maria just sat there looking at them, until Mickey smiled at her and said, “It’s alright babe, like you one of the girls down the club is having a bit of ex boyfriend trouble. It must be the fucking week for it! So shall I pick you up about half seven then Jimmy?” “I don’t expect you to go with me Mick; I’m only going to have a friendly chat with Alfie that’s all.” “That’s what worries me,” joked Mickey, “I’d best go with you, just to be on the safe side.” “Cheers mate, half seven’s fine.” Five minutes later Mickey left.

Jimmy explained to her about Simone and the trouble she was having with Alfie. When he finished talking she said, “You’re very kind, Simone is lucky to have you as her boyfriend.” “I’m not with Simone; she works for me. In fact I haven’t had a regular girlfriend for well over a year.” Pulling a sad face he jokingly added, “No one wants me.” Judging by the look on her face she was happy to hear he didn’t have a girlfriend. In fact he was really beginning to notice how she had come out of her shell; maybe she was beginning to trust him.

By the time they turned in for bed he had managed to get her to chat quite a lot, although he deliberately didn’t mention Nick, simply because he didn’t want her to feel pressured. Her last words to him before saying goodnight were, “What would you like for breakfast in the morning?” “Anything will be fine, as long as you eat with me,” he replied with a grin.

The following morning saw her cooking the breakfast. Since her arrival, with one exception, she always said that she had eaten earlier. Jimmy’s theory on that was, she probably hadn’t eaten at all. So from that morning he would make it clear he would like her to join him for breakfast.