Page 10 of To Catch a Sub

He was done with her bullshit.

Landon’s voice was almost a growl when he spoke. “Why don’t you stop playing, and tell us why you’re really here, and what you want.”

THREE

“What I want,” Colette repeated slowly, fighting to maintain her composure.

If only he knew.

If only she could trust him enough to explain this wasn’t about what she wanted. It was about what she needed.

Because without Landon’s help, and protection, she wouldn’t survive.

Colette had to swallow hard to keep herself from blurting out the truth—Landon’s continued point-blank asking her what she wanted had rattled her. It shouldn’t have, but it did.

That was twice now she’d considered simply telling him everything.

Being in his presence was making her stupid.

But she wrestled down the urge, and while she didn’t manage a quip, she did manage silence. When she didn’t say anything, he braced his elbows on his knees, studying her.

“Let’s say, hypothetically, that you’re not just a gem and jewelry expert, but also a thief.” Landon arched a brow in challenge. His expression dared her to play this game. “A very good thief, but still a thief.”

Colette swiveled her chair to face Landon. Their knees brushed.

Colette was about to slide the tip of her pump up the inside of his ankle just to fuck with him. He moved first, caging her legs with his—his feet on either side of hers, his knees squeezing hers together. It was a shockingly intimate and controlling touch. Her skirt rode up to mid-thigh, and his gaze flicked down to her legs.

Because of the table, Anu and Barry—seated across from them—couldn’t see what he was doing. She studied Landon for a moment, calculating her next step. She’d hoped the geo-political implications of the diamond’s recovery would distract everyone from asking too many pesky questions. Unfortunately, the people who worked at Interpol were less motivated by professional glory than she’d anticipated, and her plan was failing.

Colette rolled her shoulders, mentally reworking her strategy. She wanted to be subtle and maintain the upper hand by keeping her cards hidden. That might not be possible.

No more gentle manipulation.

She’d make them protect her.

“Hypothetically…a person could be both an expert and a thief.” Colette smiled at Landon.

“Why does she suddenly have a French accent?” Barry asked.

Colette looked at Barry. “Because I don’t trust the English not to be assholes to anyone who isn’t British.”

Anu raised a brow.

Barry shrugged. “Fair.”

“She was pretending to be British back when she inserted herself into the British Museum investigation,” Landon said. “She’s been switching accents this whole time, just not when you could hear.”

“Wait, this is the woman you told me about?” Barry asked.

Colette twisted—just her head and shoulders since she was effectively trapped by Landon’s legs—to Barry. “What did he say about me?’

“Shut your mouth, yeah?” Landon snapped, sounding markedly less professional than a moment ago.

“Wait, wait. I just…so she’s the one who robbed the British Museum?” Barry asked.

“Yes.”

“No.”