Page 33 of Drift

And as for Ben…

“Fuck.” Ben stumbled, knocking into Chris, in turn making Chris knock into a waitress who carried some plates. Chris just managed to save the woman and silverware as he threw Monique a glare.

“Jesus,Ben.” Monique sat rubbing at her ankle as she scowled at how her drink spilled a touch. “You still reading thatHow Not To Get Laidbook as well as having no balls? You don’t ever mess with a woman and her chocolate, got it?”

Ben flustered as a few chuckles from a nearby table drifted over. The café wasn’t that busy, and it showed. Jan tried so hardnot to react, instead opting for grabbing a napkin off the tray and cleaning the chocolate up as Chris threw them both a look.

Seemed Monique had heard the comment over the hot chocolate and council shit. She’d been brought up in the Eastend, the rougher side of London too, only her look never called it. Like Jan lately, she’d never followed the in-crowd, even in dress code. Where most women wore a suit in the MC account’s department, she opted for a beige and cream maxi length summer dress that finished just above the ankle. Adjustable detachable shoulder straps let her customise the look, but with lace-up Roman sandals, beige wide brim felt Panama cap, and matching beige crouched cardigan that had that styled oversized look, she was better placed walking a field of tall grass, dragging delicate fingers through it as her long blonde hair called out country girl. It never went unnoticed how she’d opted to sit in a restaurant called the Farm Retreat. But where she had that sensual country look, it came with a country girl attitude that was ready to fight in the hay bale as much as roll around in it with Andrea. Monique had one tough bite, but then he’d heard it ran in her family with her older brother, Jason.

Monique eyed Chris up, more Ben, then waited for them to leave before easing back into her chair and scowling at her hot chocolate.

“What’s up? Well… besides losing a few marshmallows?”

Monique kicked him under the table as she smirked. “Jay’s not replied to my text I sent over the weekend. Fuck Wales and him moving there. I swear he did it deliberately to get out of putting up my Ikea furniture. And as for a few marshmallows?” She sniffed. “They’re this girl’s favourite.”

“Maybe you should check where you put your foot in future, huh?” Jan started running over Monique’s work, but Monique pinched the tablet back off him.

She lowered her look, all innocence. “I think the word you’re looking for is… accidently leave said slender offering.” She tutted as she scanned over her own work. “I never put… deliberately. I just happened to have needed a stretch.”

“As they were walking by. I saw what you did,” said Jan. “Christ, you’re what? Five foot one?” He tossed the napkins back on the table as the cashier who’d Chris knocked into smiled down on them as she passed by. “Chris is five-eight, Ben six foot, and you still….”

“What?” She tapped at the iPad.

Jan gave up. “Nothing,” he said with a shake of head and a smile. “But I maybe see why Jason moved to Wales. You really ought to get to know Jack a little more. What with your ‘accidental’ foot play and his mukka tipping…?”

Monique raised a brow, and Jan waved her off. “Private joke. Mukka… Jack’s nickname for Gray.”

“Really.” She offered a heebie-jeebie shiver. “YourMukkalooks like he’ll eat me….” A scowl. “And not in a flattering,you bat for the same LGBT side, so I’ll cut you some slack with the noose I’ll slip around your throat.”

“Gray’s… just Gray.” Jan plucked at his mobile phone but hid it discretely in his lap as he started to text. “So long as you behave—” He buried a grin. “He will too.”

“Oh I bet.” Monique put her iPad on the table and she sat back. She had damn good instincts. Jan couldn’t deny her that, but then she’d been spot on about Ben and Chris’s mean streaks.“When you asked me to drive up to the manor to get you,” she said over to him, “both of them stood there, all smiles with you, but as soon as your back was turned…?” She winced. “Children of the Corn,I know where you sleep at nightstares from both Gray and Jack. I double-checked the locks on the doors and windows that night. Christ, even the neighbour’s cat flap in case Jack sent his mean Maine in after me.”

Jan laughed. “No you didn’t.” He sobered a little. “Did you?” He thought it over. “Ah, your new car. Routine.” Jan winced. “They’re just used to you turning up in an MC Merc.”

Monique waved him off, then pinched some cream and licked at her finger. “Never did understand why we all get the same ones with the MC.” She shook her head and a long blonde strand drifted over her lips. “I mean, I like the offer, I’d just, y’know, wanted to choose my own.”

She’d done just that, instead taking the money and purchasing a smaller engine. Jack would have been able to name the make, model, and tyre-size numbers, but a car was a car to Jan. Nothing more. She’d forgotten to let Jan know the car had come through, so having a new one turn up outside Gray’s manor gates hadn’t gone down well, certainly not with Ray, and they’d both gotten an earful over making sure they phoned ahead with any changes.

Gray hadn’t really been pissed off that day, nor Jack, just more… “It’s just goddamn Monique” in their looks. They knew she didn’t run with the crowd either, but also didn’t run with crossing the ts, or more the security checks of Ray’s when it came to pulling up outside the gates. Jan had learned to long ago, and still kept with the habit despite Jack forcing Gray’s hand to back off a little.

Jan smirked as he tried to finish his text message. If what Monique said was true, though, it was funny how Jack had stayed as quiet as Gray over Monique turning up in a new car, especially as Jack had been the one to callquit iton all “unnecessary” security check-ins. Oh the irony there.

“Forget it. I’m sure they’re both big pussycats in bed, even if that damn cat looks set to take up most of it.” Monique shifted her hat and ran a hand through her hair, taking the long blonde strand off her lips. “And that’s us done. I think we’ve done all we can for tomorrow,” she added with a sigh. “And.” Quiet. “Jan, really? Are you seriously texting someone else at the dinner table? Jesus, can’t a lady getsomeattention here?”

“Weren’t you just texting your brother?” Jan looked up quickly, more hid his phone with a grin. “I mean, erm… no, I’m not?”

Monique narrowed stunning hazel eyes. “Can’t you manage half a day without texting either one of them?”

Jan quickly sent the message, aDid you manage to not kill Sam today?“Just one for Jack,” he said sliding her a look. “Promise I’ll do Gray later.” He was away for the day on Nottingham business, so he wouldn’t disturb him unless it was vital.

Monique choked a cough as she slipped her handbag off the back of the chair. “Who youdois your business, sweetcakes.” She stood and nodded towards the door. “Just make sure Dick and his trick overhear the name dropping. You know it upsets their dear little foreskins.”

Jan slipped his phone away when he got no message, then got to his feet. “Evil.” He held the door open for her. “Anyone tell you you’re pure half-pint evil?”

She scooted past. “Andrea, multiple times when we’re cuddled in bed together and I make her get out of bed and do the coffee. All… nekkid and still hot to the touch.”

Jan laughed, grateful the café door had closed behind them as Monique cheekily rested her head to his shoulder for a moment as they headed towards her car. Jan pulled her in close. She brought a taste of playing out in the streets until well after dark to fight off hunger. And that same fight came in her eyes, so they handled everything as those kids on the street corner, sitting on the curb and telling stories to pass the time and ignore the dicks in life.

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