Page 14 of A Labor of Hate
I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the window.“I know this might come as a bit of a shock to you, but you don’t have the effect on women that you think you do.”
“And what effect do I think I have?”
I sighed, already exhausted from the day.“I’m not going to tell you something you already know just to stoke your overinflated ego.If you’re looking for compliments, go see the data analysts.”
“Because we both knowyou’reincapable of saying anything nice, don’t we?”
The corner of my lip twitched.“Only when the source material doesn’t give me anything to work with.”
His chair squeaked faintly as he leaned back.“I’m not convinced you’ll be able to pull this off, newbie.You can’t come up with a single nice thing to say about your husband, but you’re going to convince one of the most meticulous, paranoid masterminds of the narcotics world we’re a legitimate couple?”
I twisted in my seat, realized how impossible that was with my new belly, and settled on swiveling my chair.Much less intimidating.“Really, Colt?You’re fishing for compliments?”
His dark eyes flicked over my face.“Not compliments.Humanity.”
That was rich, coming from a rigidly scheduled robot like him.Did he really think I was incapable of humanity?Why did he think I was an agent to begin with?The chance to spare other families from the fate mine had suffered was the whole reason I’d agreed to this.If he thought I was the villain, he had his wires crossed.
“That’s a bit overdramatic, don’t you think?”
He shrugged and it was a wonder his shirt moved with the contours of his shoulders rather than standing rigid as a posterboard.“I think it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder whether you’re up to the task given your… track record.”
“My closure rate is just as good as yours, in case you haven’t noticed.I work late, I’m on time—” At his scoff, I narrowed my eyes into laser beams.“I know this goes against your programming, but being exactly on time isn’t the same as being late.”
“Debatable.”
“It really isn’t.”
He turned his attention to watching the conference room door, which was as good as dismissing the matter as far as he was concerned.“That wasn’t the track record I was talking about, anyway.”
My eyes narrowed further until he was barely visible between the lashes.In an ideal world, it would be this easy to block him from my mind, too.“If you’re talking about the animosity between us, then I have just as much reason to wonder about you.Willyoube able to convince Gauthier?”
He huffed softly, the corner of his mouth tipping upward.“You don’t have to worry about me.I’ve got it under control.”
“Of course you do.Everythingis controlled with you.”I folded my arms, which gave me less of a “don’t mess with me” look and more of a “petulant toddler” with the belly pushing them higher than usual.
As far as the accuracy of that when it came to butting heads with Colt… no comment.
“You can plan out when and how you’re going to wow them with your charm if you want.Write it down to the minute in that little pocket notebook of yours, even.But I won’t be doing that.”I silenced his protest with a raised hand.“And it willbe fine.”
His irritation simmered off him in palpable waves, each twitch and miniscule movement tight as he sat back.“It better be.”
I tuned him out, returning to counting the passing cars to keep from throwing something.It could’ve been the stress or anticipation surrounding our assignment, but most likely it was the natural byproduct of being around Colt.Would he actually plan out how and when he’d prove his devotion as my husband?Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him.But these sorts of social situations could go so many different directions and turn on a dime.I preferred to watch and adjust as it happened, with only the vague outline of a plan that could be thrown out the window at a moment’s notice.The total opposite of him in every way.
Thankfully, for both our sanities’ sakes, it only took three sedans and an SUV passing before McBride returned.
“Sorry for the wait.”McBride smiled sheepishly.“And most of all, Piper, I’m sorry for what comes next.”
My stomach sank with dread while Colt perked up with interest.
“As you well know, Gauthier is cautious.Extremely so.That’s largely why we haven’t been able to nail him yet.”At our nods, McBride continued.“Because of this, any attempts by strangers to get close to either him or his wife will be met with resistance.If you can convince him to give you a chance, you can guarantee he’ll look into you.Not just background checks, but surveillance.”
“Which is why we’re deep undercover,” Colt added.
“Right.And that means everything—and I meaneverything—must make it appear as if your cover story is true.”
“What exactly are you saying?”I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know.
“I’m saying all your belongings must be in the same room.”Before I could argue, he pressed on.“I’m not saying you have to sleep in the same bed, or even in the same room, but I am positive Gauthier will send men to snoop in the house while you’re gone.This means you’ll need wedding photos, vacation photos, ultrasound photos.We’re already taking care of that.
