"So, what exactly are you suggesting?" I needed clarification before I even considered it.
Hadrian leaned forward, one hand braced on the table. A glimmer of something danced in his eyes—excitement? "You and me," he said. "Training Scarlett. Together."
"Why?"
"She won't trust just one of us," he answered easily. "I don't know what scared her to react the way she did last night, but we both know she's curious—and perhaps a natural submissive. We both know she wants it. Any good Dom can see that plain as fucking day. I say we give her a choice."
I reached up and scratched the underside of my jaw as I mulled his words over in my mind. I doubted she would trust just me. As much as I wanted to train her myself, I also wasn't quite sure about keeping her. I had Mirry to consider. I had my own weakness to protect. But maybe just for this operation—just for this job—I could give something to the little thief that she seemed to need so much.
"She won't be willing right away," I said.
"We won't tell her what we're doing."
I glared at him. "You know that's not how this works."
"I'm not saying we go forward without a contract in place," Hadrian growled, and his brows lowered, "but I don't think it would be wise to let her in on our plan."
"You want to trick her into a contract," I accused. I could feel my face heating with anger as it surged through me.
Hadrian's eyes rolled. "Stow it, Captain America," he snapped. "You're a goddamn criminal just like I am—so is she. I'm not trying to trick her into anything. I'd say we're trying to gently goad her into accepting what she already wants but is too afraid to ask for."
"Why is it that you think she's afraid?" I asked again, realizing he hadn't truly answered me last time.
He shrugged. "There are loads of reasons she could be afraid—could be the power exchange. For a woman who's only ever relied on herself, giving up power would be difficult. It'll feel wrong."
"It's not wrong if she takes pleasure in it."
"Weknow that, but she doesn't," Hadrian replied. "If we go at her head on, she'll run."
"And how would you know?" I demanded.
He pursed his lips. "I have my ways and you have yours. What do you say? Are you in or out?"
I thought about his proposal for a long moment but was interrupted by the chime on Hadrian's computers. My eyes went to it as he, too, glanced to the side.
"It's her," he said. "She's back." His gaze returned to mine. "Now's the time to make a choice, Wolf. Yes or no?"
Trust—it was difficult to earn, so very easy to lose, and even harder to rebuild, but as I stared at Hadrian, I sensed no malice in him. Not about this. He and I were one and the same when it came to the mighty power exchange. We needed it and there was a beautiful sub in our presence that needed what we could give her.
"I'm in," I said as the key in the door jangled and the knob turned.
Hadrian grinned. "Looks like we have two missions, then, friend," he said just as our new target entered the flat.
It was time to plan some recon.