The Skin Thief

Chapter 34

Mr Salt storms into the restaurant, barging past Nial, who was waiting to take him to his seat. Steve lets out a huff and looks at me.

"Are you sure you want to serve him today?" he asks, wincing slightly.

"I'll be fine," I assure him, then falter as three security guards walk in behind him. My stomach lurches with a bubble of hot fear. My mouth dries up and for a second, I feel nothing but searing panic.

"Oooof," Steve says, not looking at me. "Something bad must have happened. Probably to do with his scumbag lawyer friend."

I feel my face pale at the mention of it.

"Ivy?" Steve asks. I gulp and force on a smile.

"Yeah?"

"You okay, you looked a little pale there."

"I'm fine. It's just going to be a little weird serving a man whilst he has three huge bodyguards hovering over him."

"It's a bloody nuisance is what it is," Steve sighs. "Still, you'd best not leave Mr Salt waiting or his already foul mood will get even worse."

"On it," I sigh and walk toward the VIP section.

Gareth sits with Owen and both are leaning over and whispering in harsh voices. I gulp at the three huge security guards sitting at the tables on either side. All of them stare at me and my stomach drops. How am I going to plant the listening device now? They're watching me like a hawk.

"Sir," one says standing and walking over. He pulls out a strange, electronic device.

"What?" Mr Salt snaps, "Can't you see I'm talking?"

"It is best, before you start talking, that we sweep the area for bugs."

Fuck.

Mr Salt huffs and sits back as he swipes over and around the desk for listening devices. I ball my hands into trembling fists, thankful I haven't already planted the tiny devices that sit in my pinny pocket. Thankfully, they aren't active at the moment.

Another guard approaches me and holds out his hand, stopping me.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

"We need to make sure you aren't carrying any weapons," he states, looking at me blankly.

"Does it look like I have any weapons?" I ask, trying to sound as polite as possible. I gesture to my clothes. The white blouse is fitted and the black trousers are also tight against my thighs. The only loose piece of clothing on me is the flares of the trousers. It is obvious that I'm not carrying weapons. Even the pinny pocket is flat.

"Ma'am, we are just doing our jobs."

"And I'm trying to do mine," I reply, knowing that it's over for me if they search my pocket. My heart races in my chest and it takes all my effort not to let my fear show on my face. I pat the pocket and then again gesture to my clothes.

"I am clearly not armed, and I don't feel comfortable with a grown man touching my body in the name of 'security.' It's highly inappropriate."

He sighs and crosses his arms, raising a brow. I grit my teeth in frustration. I need to get to Mr Salt. I can't work him if his goons are keeping me away.

"We either do a quick pat down, or you go and work in another part of this restaurant."

I look into his eyes and smile calmly.

"You can either let me pass, and do my job, or I file a complaint with your boss for sexual harassment," I tell him, my voice cold. His mouth twitches and he clenches his jaw.