The Skin Thief

Chapter 79

We step into the lift and Marcus presses the button for the car park.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"I thought we'd have lunch away from the office today," he says. I sip at my drink and smile as sweet and rich hot chocolate fills my mouth.

"Why's that?" I ask after a few moments. Marcus' smile falters and he gulps.

"There are matters I wish to discuss with you and I'd rather not do it in this building."

I gulp, my stomach sinking. "It's about Mr Salt, isn't it?" I whisper. He turns to me, his jaw clenched.

"What gave it away?" he asks softly.

"The way you left the restaurant the other night. I know something in that meeting spooked you. That and the look Mr Salt gave me." I shudder and nearly gag in revulsion. "And now, you want to talk to me outside of the building that Mr Salt runs. It all leads me to one conclusion."

"You're far too observant, Ivy. It's going to get you in trouble one day."

I laugh and the doors ping open.

"I had hoped it would get me a job," I joke. He lets out a low chuckle and we walk through the car park toward his car.

The lights flash as he unlocks it and I climb inside. Marcus gets into the driver's seat and starts the car, the engine roaring to life with a satisfying growl.

"It's a shame really," I sigh, "now I can't afford to get a car like this."

"Do you even drive?" he laughs.

"I'm a fast learner," I say, unable to stop myself from smiling.

"Well, you would have had to wait longer anyway. The job in my department doesn't pay much better than the one you have now."

We race out of the spot and force presses against my body at the sudden speed of the vehicle.

"One day, you'll see. I'll be like you. All mysterious and powerful."

"It's overrated," he mutters.

"Really?" I ask, my voice soft. Marcus' jaw clenches and his brows furrow. He doesn't look at me as he stares at the road ahead.

"Marcus, what's wrong?" I ask. His hands clench around the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.

"I'm sorry you didn't get the job, Ivy. It was out of my control."

"It's okay. There will be more opportunities. I'll just have to work harder next time."

He licks his lips and takes a sharp intake of breath. I know he's thinking about what Mr Salt said and the way he plans on propositioning me for sex so I can progress my career. But Marcus doesn't know that I know that.

"I'm going to say this once, Ivy. You should get out of this career. Leave the MOD and the restaurant, and never look back."

"What? Why?"

"You're a brilliant and bright woman. I would hate for you to be..." he trails off and sighs. "There are people in this industry, powerful people, who will wear you down until you break. Until you've lost all your spark and you're nothing but a shell who never feels truly safe again. Can you live the rest of your life knowing that everyone around you is scheming and clawing for power and knowing there is nothing you can do about it? There is nothing to stop the corruption because the worst of us are not only being protected, but they're getting richer and more powerful by the day."

"Marcus," I whisper and gulp.

He smiles softly and nods his head. "I know. You're not going to."

"I'm not," I say. "This is what I want to do. This is what I spent years at university training for. I'm built for this and I am stronger than I look."