Page 38 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“They’re for temporary footage. Once we’re done here, we will remove it. But you didn’t want extra bodies, so this way, one of us can keep an eye on the ground should something happen.”
“Smart thinking.”
“It’s what you pay me for.” I smiled.
Von led me into the suite, and I took a quick walk around, checking all internal access points, noting the balcony that led outside the main room and the one off the bedroom. There was a large dining room with massive windows, which could be a threat if X was the type of person to have snipers after them. I hoped that wasn’t the case.
Other than that obvious threat, which I pointed out to Von, everything looked fine. The chef and their team were already working on the meal. Von insisted there was no need to check them, as they were X’s team.
I nodded and headed out of the space. Soon, the execs would arrive, and I didn’t want to be in the way. By the time I stepped back outside the room, Raymond was already there.
“That was fast.”
He held up the tablet and swiped through the screens showing the working cameras. “We’re all set. All the cameras are up and running, and I swept the grounds. There are no obvious threats.”
“Good.” I took the tablet from him, wondering how the hell he’d done that so fast.
I didn’t question him, though. I didn’t want to start any bickering, and it was good I didn’t, because the elevator slid open at that moment, and the execsall stepped out. One by one, they walked by us, nodding as they did. We gave each one a pat down and then allowed their entry.
Ten minutes later, the elevator opened again, and out filed four large men, a hooded figure in the middle. They walked to the door. Von stepped out and nodded to me. She’d already insisted we not give X the pat down.
I stepped aside, nodding at the men, but intuition screamed at me. I couldn’t figure out why, but the men felt familiar. When I glanced at Raymond, I could see his tension. His jaw tightened, and he kept his eyes forward, making zero contact with the men.
X paused, their hooded head turning toward Raymond for a moment before they entered the room. As they passed me, I got a distinct smell of heat, like after running in the summer sun. It was a warmth that filled my nose and head. It was misplaced. It was warm outside, yes, but the sun had set and the temperature dropped.
“That was weird.” I kept my voice low as I spoke.
“Was it? Didn’t notice.” He pointed to the tablet in my hand. “Look, I’ll take the perimeter checks. You stay here with the tablet.”
“What?”
“I think it’s better if one of us stays stationary.”
“You want to change up the plan now?”
“Yes.” He looked at me sternly, and there was a flash of something dark in his expression. Something was bothering him. If he was upset, it was better he was not near the clients.
“Okay, that works for me.” I nodded, and Raymond walked away.
Nothing happened. I stood outside the door alone, checking the tablet periodically, sometimes seeing Raymond and other times not. He returned just beforethe doors opened and the execs filed out, all drunk off their asses and grinning from ear to ear.
“Things must have worked out.” Raymond winked at me before the four guards stepped outside the room and, once again, he tensed up.
They filed out before X, who once again had the hood over their face—I wondered if they kept it on the entire meal. They still smelled of that summer heat when they left.
Is that a special brand of cologne or something?
“Jericha, Raymond, thank you so much for being here.” Von exited last. She draped a shawl over her shoulders. “You don’t have to stay. The chef will keep the room for the night before returning home in the morning.”
“Did everything go well?” I asked.
“Yes, perfectly.” Von looked like she was ready to pass out. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t know X was bringing their own security. It felt like a waste having you both here.”
“An added layer of precaution.” I said. “I understand, though. It would have been helpful to be in communication with their team.”
“Agreed.” She spoke with a long yawn. “Well, I’m going to head out. I have a long drive home. You two have a good night.”
“Drive safely!” I waved as Von walked toward the elevator. As soon as she stepped inside, I relaxed.
