The Story Of Us - Jones Lesley - Страница 40

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* * *

We have a lovely lunch together, Benny drives us in an old car, which I find out is a Jag XJ something, something, it’s all leather and walnut inside and very old manish, I keep this thought to myself, seeing as he seems to be a bit touchy about his age, or my age, or, is it the ten year age difference between us? I’m not really sure. Our lunch is delicious and we share a couple of bottles of wine and at no stage during the day does Cam mention my escapades of the night before, we discuss countries we have visited, countries we would like to visit. I learn that both his parents are dead, he lost his Dad when he was eighteen and his Mum when he was twenty five; this reminds me of what I’ve been told about his wife and child but he doesn’t mention them and I don’t pry. He’s eloquent and articulate but with a cockney accent, he’s well-travelled and seems to be well educated. He’s sexy, so fucking handsome and I enjoy every minute of his company and all of this terrifies me. The thought that finally, I might be able to move on with my life has my heart galloping like a race horse; I’m not saying that I’m falling in love with Cam, or anything remotely like that, but finally, I’ve found someone who has stirred an interest, someone I want to spend time with. He sets my skin on fire with just his words and I almost combust at his touch, finally I have met someone I want sex with for all the right reasons but I know I have to be very sure of this fact. I’ve spent the last six months being a serial user and abuser of men, I’ve slept with them for all the wrong reasons and with Cam, when it happens, I want to make sure that it’s for all the right ones.

I have no idea where Benny waits while we enjoy our lunch but the second Cam goes to use the gents he’s at my side. “We need to get him out of here as soon as possible, get your coat on and be ready to leave the minute he gets back out.”

I frown as I look at him and my heart rate picks up when I notice the beads of sweat on his top lip. “Why, what’s wrong Ben?”

“Just do it please Georgia, there’s a crowd just walked in here, that we really don’t want him bumping into, believe me.” He walks back out to the bar at the front of the pub, sits on a stool and turns to look at me, he gestures behind me with his chin and I assume that Cam is heading back; I stand and start to put on my jacket.

“You in hurry to get back and wash all those dirty knickers of yours Georgia? I was gonna suggest having a drink at the bar before we leave,” he speaks into my neck and the sensation of his breath on me makes me shudder; I remain facing away from him, I’m a shit liar and I don’t want him guessing that’s exactly what I’m doing when I reply.

“I’m absolutely stuffed Cam, I couldn’t eat or drink another thing but thank you, the food was amazing, you really should think about poaching the chef for Kings.” He turns me around to look at him, he has a frown on his face, which causes a little curve on his forehead, just above his eyebrows, almost like a smiley mouth, I want to reach out and touch it but something in his eyes tells me that he’s not impressed with my last comment.

“What the fuck is wrong with Gino, my chef? He has the reputation of being the best in the southeast, it was the menu I came here to try, not the standard of the cooking.”

Jesus, competitive much?

“It was a joke Cam, ‘poaching’ the chef… Geddit?” He closes his eyes for a second, gives his customary headshake and lets out a long sigh.

“That’s a terrible joke Georgia.”

“No it’s not, it’s fucking hilarious, you’re just too old to get my humour.” Shit, the wines kicked in and my brain is no longer communicating with my mouth.

“Are you trying to really piss me off now Kitten? Coz I tell you what, its working.” He kisses me, a little too hard on the mouth, grabs my hand and leads me out to the bar where Benny is waiting.

As we reach Benny, he stands and sort of walks sideways, as if he’s shepherding us toward the door, he steps in front of Cam and holds the door open for us, I just start to step outside when I hear someone call out. “Oi King, there’s no need to leave on our account, stay and have a beer, we owe you at least that mate.”

His hand instantly squeezes mine so hard it’s painful and he stops dead in his tracks.

“Cam, leave it,” I hear Benny growl, I turn and look at Cam, there is a nerve twitching in his jaw, he’s looking down at me but he’s not seeing me, he’s looking straight through me and I suddenly feel scared and I just know that we need to get out of there.

“Cam, let’s go Tiger, you can come and help me wash my knickers.” He doesn’t flinch. From the other side of the bar I watch as an older man approaches, he’s in his fifties maybe, grey hair, pushed right back off his face, which is craggy, with a huge scar running down the right side of it, he’s wearing an expensive suit which somehow doesn’t match his face or the earring in his ear, he has a cigar in his mouth but is still managing a sneer on his lip.

“Get her in the car,” he says between gritted teeth.

“Cam, please…” I start to say.

“Do as you’re fucking told and get in the car Kitten, else I swear to God I will drag you out there.”

“Cam, Robbie and Josh are on their way, let’s just go, we can deal with this when we’ve got the numbers but not like this, not on your own.” He doesn’t move his head, just his eyes shift to Ben’s.

“Get her, the fuck out of here.” I know I’m not going to win; the grey haired man slaps Cam on the back.

“Cam, what you doing in this neck of the woods? Not your usual stomping ground.”

“Get your fuckin’ hands off me Terry.”

“Well that’s fuckin nice, not seen ya in…” He doesn’t get to finish, Cam’s hands are suddenly around his throat, he picks him off of his feet and pushes past me and Ben as he carries him outside to where the Jag is waiting, he keeps hold of the man’s throat but leans him back against the bonnet of the car, he pins him with just one hand as the man uses two to try and prise Cam’s fingers from his throat. I stand and watch in shock as Cam pulls a gun from the back of his jeans and forces it into the man’s mouth.

I know my mouth is hanging open, I cannot believe what is unfolding in front of me, two other men come flying out of the door of the pub and Benny puts out his arm like a barrier to block their way. “You really don’t want to get yourselves involved boys believe me.”

My eyes lock with Benny’s; surely he’s going to do something? Surely Cam won’t shoot him? He’s talking into the man’s ear, his teeth are still gritted and he has froth at the corner of his mouth. He suddenly pulls the gun from his mouth, lifts him once again by his throat and throws him onto the concrete of the car park, then shoots him twice, once in each knee.

I’m frozen to the spot. Benny unlocks the car, Cam guides me into the back seat and we roar off at speed. I suddenly realise that I’m going to be sick. “Stop the car, stop the car Ben.”

“Keep driving Ben, she ain’t getting out.”

“I’m gonna… ” Too late, my lunch comes up all over the leather seat and all over the floor.

“Shit!” I hear Benny say.

“Keep driving Ben, we’ll deal with it when we’re back on our manor, I’m not stopping here.”

I back myself into the furthest corner of the car, away from my own spew and away from him. What the fuck did I just witness back there and how does he think he’s going to get away with shooting someone in broad daylight? He’s fucking mad and he’s just involved me in a crime. Is this what my Dad does? Is this what being an entrepreneur involves? No wonder Bailey and my Mum said he was dangerous if this is his usual behaviour and what if they get to hear of this, what if my Dad and Bailey find out what Cam did and that I was there? My stomach roils again and I can’t hold it down and this time I can’t stop the cry that comes from me either, I’ve just watched someone get shot, fucking shot, right in front of me.

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