Les Chats du Guerre

10: Unexpected (Is A Kind Term)

To be honest, you had anticipated most of the reactions that Sam would have to your offer to work together after you'd claimed part of the treasure without him, a lot of them involving angry words and a hurt expression.

And yet you had not factored in the possibility that he might reject you outright.

He didn't even have the decency to respond to your message, simply letting it linger there and you eventually just accepted that he simply did not want to work together with you.

Well. Time to figure out if he really meant it when he said he wouldn't take you down just because you were on different sides.

It was no secret within the treasure hunting community that Samuel Drake was out for blood after he lost a decent sum of a fortune to some 'rich bastard and his two hired lackeys', spotted a few nights later nursing a stiff drink and a sharp expression.

So it didn't surprise you that he was intent to find the rest of the treasure to compensate, and you didn't have the benefit of his affection this time to protect you.

So yeah. You were a tad jumpy when you landed in the Netherlands.

Clarke had assured you that everything would be fine, his hand on the small of your back as his mouth lingered on yours, and you leaned into the kiss gratefully as you stood in your hotel room.

You deepened the kiss, your hands resting on the nape of his neck as he pulled you in closer with a smile.

His cell phone buzzed and he withdrew apologetically, answering it as he kept one arm around your waist.

You listened as he spoke to someone jovially, though when you tried to kiss his cheek he gave you a small frown.

"Did I do something wrong?" You mouthed, and Clarke shook his head as he held a finger up.

"Yes. Yes of course. I'll be there tonight," he declared before he hung up. "Sorry. Potential ally. Apparently I'm supposed to wine and dine him or something."

"So I guess that means you have to take me dress shopping," you replied with a smile, and Clarke looked at you awkwardly.

"Actually, he just wanted to see me," he retorted. "Also, not quite sure how professional it would look to bring you along."

"You're bringing your other ally. What issue could he have with that?" You asked as you stepped back, a frown beginning to form.

"It's not that," Clarke replied, stroking back some of your hair. "It's just...well. You're, err, a little...younger than the other people I've worked with."

Your frown deepened.

"You worked with Abbie when she was my age," you countered, and Clarke kissed your forehead.

"But I wasn't trying to convince anyone to help me then," he replied. "You have to admit, it looks a little...unprofessional, to bring along some hot young thing to a work dinner."

"You do remember I have a Master's degree right?" You countered, and Clarke sighed.

"He isn't going to believe that for a moment, trust me," Clarke replied.

"And you're not going to try to convince him?"

Clarke rubbed his eyes a little with the pads of his index finger and his thumb.

"Trust me on this. It's better if I go on my own when it comes to him," Clarke replied. "Besides, you've always hated acting like a sleaze-ball at Marie's galas to get clients. It would be just like that at this dinner."