Page 180 of To Catch a Sub

Rolf sighed and nodded. “First of all, you should never turn or move or shift a fresh piercing.”

“If I ever willingly get my nipples pierced, I’ll remember that,” Colette promised dryly.

Landon squeezed her hand.

“I think he turned the ring so the weld point is actually…inside you.”

“Fuck,” Landon breathed. “Where did Tonsure end up?”

“Why don’t I go find that out?” Andrei purred.

“Later.” Rolf caught and held Colette’s gaze. “The safest option is to turn the rings and cut at the weld point. These are thicker than anything else we’ve cut through.”

She nodded, back to trembling.

“My concern is that the weld might not be…smooth. If there are any sharp edges, turning it could?—”

“Stop,” she said, holding up the hand not gripping Landon like a lifeline. “Don’t tell me. Not knowing might be easier.”

Rolf nodded, then rattled off a list of supplies to Andrei.

Landon kissed her shoulder and neck, whispering about how strong and brave she was until Andrei got back.

Rolf was gentle, cleaning her nipples with water and cotton buds before gently turning the rings. It hurt, but not as much as she feared.

They debated the best way to protect her nipples during the removal for long enough that Colette started to get impatient.

The door to the club opened.

FORTY

Fear lurched through Colette. She couldn’t see who’d entered, because Landon jumped to his feet, putting himself between her and the door.

Andrei reached into his pocket as Rolf rose slowly, his expression hard.

Footsteps echoed in the vast space, the newcomer’s steps unhurried.

“I heard that there was a dramatic incident in England last night, involving three Interpol agents—from three different NCBs—taking down a ten-man Bratva crew.” The speaker was male, his accent either Spanish or Portuguese.

“Where did you hear that?” Landon asked.

Colette tried to peer around the wall that was Landon. Who was this guy?

“Imagine my surprise, when I heard there was a woman involved too. The situation sounded familiar.”

“You knew where we were going,” Andrei drawled, playing with the knife that was now in his hand.

“I thought you were joking,” the newcomer said. “Because I didn’t think you three were that stupid.”

Colette’s eyes narrowed. Was he some high-ranking Interpol agent? She didn’t like the way he was talking to Landon and the others.

“What precisely do you find stupid?” Rolf was back to cool and formal.

“Taking on a Bratva crew by yourselves. Launching an attack that, in a different place, would be considered warfare.”

“It wasn’t warfare, it was a fucking rescue mission,” Landon snarled.

“Did you go there with a plan? Did you have any idea who you’d be fighting? I don’t think you did.” The condescension in his words was mild, but there.