This work investigates in detail the interaction between colloidal core and protection shell for N(octyl)(4)Cl-stabilized cobalt particles of 2.5 rim average diameter. We have analyzed the electronic and geometric structure of these particles using the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra measured at both Cl and Co K edge as well as the extended X-ray absorption fine structure measured at the Co K edge. The metal XANES data are interpreted based on FEFF8 real space full multiple scattering calculations for a suitable reference system. On the basis of these results, we propose a detailed model describing how the protection shell is anchored to the core of the particle. To show the broad applicability of this model, it is then used on Palladium particles stabilized by the same technique.