Thread: Caught Between [LeatrixSage x Mr Quixotic]

Youre an ass, you know that? where the first words out of her mouth after the door closed behind Val. Hed taken his dear, sweet time about getting there, and shed already been processed, stripped, showered, and packed into the god-awful orange jumpsuit reserved for the fresh population of what the locals lovingly referred to as, the Tombs. Not to mention the humiliating squat and coffee routine. Remaining quietly meek and mousey throughout the booking process had frayed her nerves to the point that she was spoiling for a good fight just to release all the tension. She was so ready to start an argument that she almost missed the heavenly scent of fresh coffee, but has she breathed in to launch into a list of all her grievances, it broke her train of thought. Bright grey eyes darted from the coffee, to the Krispy Kremes, to the man who sat behind the desk with the same self-assured nature she remembered. It was funny how the sight of him made her want to grind her teeth, something she assumed was a by-product of pervious encounters from their younger years. Even so, if he was the barrier between her and a fresh cup of coffee... she could be nice for a little while. Smiling ruefully, she took her seat in the cold, uncomfortable metal chair that was reserved for the one meant to be answering questions. The chill cut right through the thin jump-suit and made her shiver, something she tried to hide by pulling her long brown hair over one shoulder and shifting to tuck her left leg beneath her. I take it back, any man that gives me coffee cant be a complete ass, she mused as she leaned over the Krispy Kreme box and picked at its continents until she picked one that was somehow better than the others. And donuts, too. Wow, suddenly I feel like I shout apologies. But, I look god-awful in this particular color of orange, and I blame you. She spaced out the last three words, punctuating by bobbing the donut up and down to point in Coles direction with each word before taking a bite. Val sighed as she chewed, her empty stomach grumbling at her. Not to mention the fingerprints they are running. Theyll eventually end up running a wide enough net to figure things out, you know that. What took you so long anyway? Even as she asked the question, Val waved it away, Never mind that, doesnt matter now, its already done. She took another bite of her doughnut and chewed slowly, obviously waiting for Cole to poor her a cup of coffee rather than doing it herself. It was more about establishing who was going to have the power in this little exchange than any laziness on her part. Control was key, and if she didnt have it from the beginning, this entire endeavor was going to be an uphill battle. Hed already left her to wait, making clear the fact that she needed him, he was important. Fine, he could have that point, but he couldnt be allowed to believe that she would just accept any deal that hit the table. Desperate or not, shed give him nothing if she wasnt satisfied with his offer. I have more chips than you think I do, Cole. So, she grudgingly broke the silence, well aware that it allowed him to keep the advantage, and determined to change that fact. You know what I want. What is your price, Cole? she asked as she relaxed back into her chair, allowing him to dominate the room by assuming a submissive posture. Strong men are easy to lure when they think they have the advantage, they stop looking before they leap when they think they have it all figured out. Men like Whittaker tended to kowtow those around them without even realizing what they were doing. Lesser men would hunch and become small and women would simper and flutter and flirt. He fancied himself good, decent, but he was as much a predator among sheep as any of the criminals he chased down and put behind bars. But, sitting in a room alone with Val, he seemed on edge? Because he wants victor, or because of me, she wondered, amused, I hope its me.