Free Sweet Seduction Shadow by Nicola Claire

elevated enough to keep me sharp and focused. I snatched up a pair of faded hipster jeans, a black singlet with a single row of shiny black beads stitched into the low neckline, and found a wicked worn and patched tan leather jacket to go over the top. Scuffed, but way cute brown boots and I was done.
    After making my purchase I located the public toilets down the street and used them to change inside. I took my time, having made sure no one was watching me before I entered, I was fairly certain I could catch my breath and alter my appearance, whilst letting a little more of the afternoon slip away. Chrystal's clothes and sandals folded down to take up a small amount of space in my satchel, but I decided although the contact lenses and beads were staying, my hair was getting tied up. I left the beads hanging down the right hand side of my face though.
    Chrystal mark II was born. I was calling her Chrissie.
    Now on to the second part of my plan.
    The Huntly local tavern was only half full, but I expected that at four in the afternoon. There were enough people for me to blend in with. For now it was the best I could to do, and if Goatee and Baldy had got off that bus, I would have seen them somewhere on the streets, I was sure. The longer it took for them to appear, the more I felt sure I'd made a mistake. I'd been keeping a lookout for them, using all of my skills to not be seen, but see .
    It didn't exactly help my heart rate any, but it was enough to make me play the part I needed to play in order to make my next move.
    Although I wasn't hungry or thirsty, part of obtaining a cover was forcing yourself to do things that your body wasn't entirely on board with. I couldn't sit here in a pub, waiting for a giant to befriend, without enjoying some of what the local drinking hole had to offer. I'd stand out if I didn't.
    The smell of yeast and fried chips met my nose as I crossed the room, my boots sounding solid against the scuffed and pock-marked wooden floor. I took a perch on a tall stool at the bar, my back to the end of the counter and corner wall, my front open to the rest of the room.
    "What'll it be, sweetie?" a hard-worn middle aged woman asked as I settled into my seat.
    "Don't suppose the kitchen's open, is it?" I asked hopefully. Lunch hour was well and truly over, most pubs don't start up again until around five pm. I was a lot late and a little early on both counts.
    "I could do you a bowl of chips, I guess. Maybe some chicken nuggets on the side."
    I beamed a smile at her, it was fake, but she didn't know that. The woman chuckled.
    "You better watch out, a smile like that here is gonna get you in a whole lot of trouble." She headed off to put the chips and nuggets in oil and I glanced around my makeshift hide.
    It was a little rough around the edges. The only other occupants were a couple of roadside worker groups downing pitchers of beer. They still wore their reflective jerkins. Their dust covered boots though, had been left at the door. It might have been rough, but it was a clean establishment. I could work with this.
    Twenty minutes later I had my plate of fried goods and a tall glass of Coke in hand. I found a spot in a darkened corner to while away the next few hours. I knew every escape route off by heart, I could see people who entered the premises before they could see me. I was OK.
    My giant arrived at six. I'd had four Cokes, another plate of chips to keep Shirley-behind-the-bar happy, and turned down three propositions by then. But I also had a pretty good lay of the land. These were hard working people. Salt of the earth. The backbone of New Zealand, so to speak. Ordinarily the particular mark I was after wouldn't be found here.
    Luck was all that brought him to me. I'd been contemplating alternate plans when pretty boy walked in. With about five others in tow. Within minutes they were joined by four more. Bachelor party. Perfect.
    It helped that there was a pool table down the far end of the room to