Page 161 of Seeking Shadows

The clerk hesitated. “Are you sure? This is just trash.”

I paused carefully, keeping my gaze steady. “I said I’d rather handle it myself.”

He tensed, and I could tell I was pushing his limits. My expression was just the right balance between patience and veiled threat—a trick I’d learned from watching guys who could actually play the mobster.

“S-Sure, sir,” the guy stuttered, handing the cart to me before disappearing as quickly as possible.

I pushed the cart through the aisles, keeping a steady pace. Everything was going well, until a woman in a too-tight lab coat and an exaggerated smile appeared in front of me.

“Mr. Mitchell!” She touched my arm, holding contact for an uncomfortably long time. “We need you in the synthesis department. Your expertise is highly valued here.”

Translation: You are beautiful, and I want your attention.

“I’m busy,” I replied, without stopping walking.

She continued to follow me, biting her lip in a way that seemed rehearsed. “Maybe we can… work together later?”

The cart creaked softly.

An icy tension ran down my spine.

Mia.

If she moved—if she even breathed any louder than she should—this girl was going to die right here and now.

I forced a tight smile. “I’m not much for partnerships.”

Before she could insist, I quickly turned the corner, pushing the cart with more force than necessary. When I finally entered the storage room and closed the door behind me, I let out a sigh.

I waited.

One. Two. Three seconds.

Then Mia threw the pile of lab coats aside and sat down, looking at me like she wanted to kill me.

“So, Mr. Mitchell…” She crossed her arms. “You’re quite valued here, huh?”

“Don’t start.”

"I think you should go back and offer your expertise to her."

I massaged my temples. "Mia..."

She rolled her eyes and stood up from the cart. "If I hadn’t been hiding, I would've ripped her tongue out."

"I know."

"And her eyes."

"I know, Mia."

She snorted but seemed satisfied that I understood.

I took a deep breath, adjusting my jacket. "Now that you've survived the trauma of hearing someone hit on me, can you show me where this tunnel is?"

She beamed. "Ah, yes! The secret tunnel full of armed guards! Let's go!"

I sighed.

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