Page 169 of To Catch a Sub

Landon finished wrapping the fresh bandage around her breasts, then pulled a wrinkled men’s dress shirt out of a pocket. “Here. I grabbed it from Rolf’s trunk.”

She pulled it on, buttoning it closed. It was comically too large, like wearing a tent. She’d never loved a garment more than she loved this shirt.

“Ready?” He offered his hand.

Colette placed her trembling fingers in his. “Yes.”

“Stay with me,” Landon said, then winced.

She wondered if he was thinking about the last time he’d said that to her.

“I will,” she replied softly.

Landon guided them out into the hall, his left hand behind his back, holding hers.

She was shaking with nerves, sure that around each corner Damien or one of his men would be waiting for her.

There was no one, and once they made it outside and around to the front of the building, she realized why.

Andrei and Rolf had ten men lined up on the gravel. A few lay on their stomachs, wrists zip-tied together behind their backs. At least two had what looked like tranquilizer darts sticking out of their shoulders. The conscious ones were on their knees, hands on their heads. Rolf held a gun on them as Andrei worked his way down the line applying zip ties to wrists.

Colette slowed, scanning the line of captives.

“Anyone dead?” Landon asked.

“No. Though the one you threw down the stairs needs a hospital,” Andrei answered. “We managed to obey Rolf’s no killing order.”

Colette listened, but she was scanning the men, making sure…

Damien.

He was the end of the line, and Rolf kept the rifle trained primarily on him. The rage that twisted his features when he saw her clinging to Landon’s hand made her stomach clench.

She wanted to run. To get as far away from here as possible. Instead she minced her way barefoot across the gravel behind Landon, shaking her head as he offered, again, to carry her.

“Wife,” Damien called out.

She flinched, leaning into Landon. Like a whipped dog cowering.

No.

She was better than this. She’d never been one to let pride get the better of her, preferring to be smart rather than proud, but she wouldn’t let him cow her any more.

An hour ago she’d had to silently accept and go along with the abuse. Play the part Damien forced her into, because that was the only way to survive.

Colline had died in that room, leaving only Colette.

She rested her head against Landon’s shoulder for just a moment, her hand at his waist.

“Damien,” Landon growled, stalking forward.

Colette followed behind him, the long sleeves of Rolf’s shirt covering her hands.

Landon hauled Damien to his feet, then dragged him off to one side, away from the others. Rolf stayed with the now-bound men, but Andrei followed Landon.

Damien’s hands weren’t bound. He was the only one Andrei hadn’t gotten to. The casual way he stood, arms at his side as if he wasn’t worried, despite the fact that Landon looked ready to commit murder, made Colette uneasy.

Damien looked around. “You’re not Interpol.”