Page 44 of Protecting Her

Outside, cameras continued flashing as reporters rushed to file their stories. Inside, Carmen felt certainty settle in her chest like sunrise. They had crossed professional lines and survived betrayal, found strength in each other, and forged somethinglasting from chaos. Now they faced a future neither had imagined during that first security briefing in Washington.

"Ready?" Jude asked quietly.

Carmen met her eyes, seeing past the professional mask to the woman who had changed everything. "For the next battle? Always."

Two days after their triumph at the Palacio de San Carlos, Carmen strode through the State Department's secure wing in Washington, barely having time to switch her summit notes for intelligence briefs before the joint debriefing began. The transition from public victory to private accounting felt familiar after decades of diplomatic service, though Jude's steady presence beside her made this one different from all the others. The evidence they'd transmitted from Bogotá had sparked immediate action, bringing every relevant agency to the table.

The joint briefing room was filled past capacity, the usual territorial divisions between agencies temporarily suspended by the magnitude of what they'd exposed. Military commanders in crisp uniforms sat alongside diplomatic corps veterans while intelligence analysts crowded the edges of the room. The screens that lined the walls displayed their complex web of evidence: shell companies funneling money to private military contractors, illegal arms deals disguised as corporate security initiatives, and systematic abuse of humanitarian aid programs.

Carmen felt Jude's vigilant presence near the door as she began her portion of the briefing. They maintained careful professional distance—Jude the protective sentinel, Carmen the composed diplomat—but she caught the subtle warmth in Jude's eyes whenever their gazes met across the crowded room. Even here, surrounded by the institutions they served, their connection hummed like a live wire.

"The corporate security contractors operated as part of a sophisticated network," Carmen explained, switching betweensatellite imagery and financial records with practiced efficiency. Her tablet displayed real-time updates from Maria Elena about conditions on the ground. "They weaponized humanitarian aid, deploying former special operations teams to control access to medical supplies, food distribution, and clean water. Communities that refused corporate land acquisition attempts found themselves cut off from essential resources."

Colonel Matthews from Joint Special Operations Command leaned forward, his expression grave. "And they specifically recruited operators with intimate knowledge of our security protocols. Chen's testimony confirms they sought out personnel who could anticipate and counter standard protection measures." He glanced at several files marked classified. "We've identified at least three other diplomatic missions that were compromised using similar methods."

"Which is precisely why we're implementing completely new protection frameworks," Jude added, her voice carrying that particular tone of authority that still made Carmen's pulse quicken. "No more relying on local contractors or conventional security rotations. Every detail gets vetted through our own teams."

Several senior officials exchanged knowing looks at their seamless coordination. Carmen caught whispers about "unusual partnerships" and "crossed lines," but she kept her diplomatic mask firmly in place. Through the window's reflection, she saw how Jude's body posture shifted and her muscles coiled tighter with each murmured comment.

"The evidence transmitted from the secondary safe house has already led to multiple arrests," the FBI's liaison reported, spreading photographs across the table showing corporate executives in handcuffs. "Board members, private military contractors, corrupt officials—the network went deeper thananyone had ever suspected. We're still uncovering connections to similar operations in other regions."

Carmen pulled up the latest intelligence from indigenous territories. "The communities are finally receiving uncompromised aid deliveries. But we need sustained protection to prevent corporate interests from reasserting control through other proxies. They're already attempting to establish new shell companies and foundation fronts."

"We've identified similar patterns in Southeast Asia," Matthews noted, studying Carmen's reaction. He tapped his tablet, bringing up satellite imagery of disputed territories. "Multiple factions fighting over mineral rights, corporate foundations using aid as leverage, and indigenous communities caught between competing interests?—"

"The same playbook," Jude cut in, shifting slightly closer to Carmen's position. Their shoulders nearly brushed, the almost-contact electric. "But now we know what to look for."

The briefing continued as they coordinated responses across multiple agencies. Carmen maintained her professional composure while hyperaware of how Jude moved through the room, their months of working together creating an almost telepathic awareness of each other's positions. Every subtle shift in Jude's stance communicated potential threats or political undercurrents that most would miss.

A senior diplomat Carmen had known for decades—Alexandra Reeves, who'd mentored her through her first peace negotiations—caught her eye across the table and nodded slightly, layers of understanding and approval in the gesture. The old guard knew about sacrifices made for service, about finding unexpected connections in dangerous places.

"The State Department is preparing new oversight protocols," Deputy Director Harrison announced, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. "Particularly regarding…unconventionalsecurity arrangements." His pointed look between Carmen and Jude carried volumes of meaning. "Recent events have necessitated a reevaluation of standard procedures."

"Our results speak for themselves," Carmen replied smoothly, her years of negotiating experience keeping her voice mild. "As recent events have demonstrated." She felt more than saw Jude's slight smile at the diplomatic deflection.

The meeting stretched into evening as they established new frameworks and security measures. When it finally ended, Carmen gathered her files while various officials filed out, their whispered conversations a mix of admiration and uncertainty about what her partnership with Jude meant for traditional protocols.

"They're adapting," Jude said quietly once they were alone. "Though I'm not sure anyone was prepared for our particular approach to diplomatic protection and extraction."

Carmen smiled, remembering safe houses and firefights and quiet moments between danger and victories hard-won together. "They'll adjust. Besides"—she caught Jude's eye, letting her diplomatic mask slip just slightly—"I hear Southeast Asia needs experienced hands."

"Mineral rights disputes, corporate interference, and a high-risk environment," Jude listed, professional distance yielding to something warmer now that they were alone. Her hand brushed Carmen's arm, the touch brief but grounding. "Sounds like our kind of mission."

"Already coordinating with your team?"

"Sarah's running background checks on local forces." Jude's smile held promises that made Carmen's chest warm. "Just keeping my diplomat informed."

They left the State Department together as evening settled over Washington. Tomorrow would bring new battles worth fighting and new truths worth protecting. But they had proven their partnership was stronger than protocol or professional boundaries—a truth even the most conservative officials would have to accept.

The drive from the State Department to her Georgetown townhouse gave Carmen time to shed the day's diplomatic armor. She watched the city's familiar landmarks pass by their unmarked vehicle, feeling tension ease from her shoulders with each mile between them and the formal debriefing. Beside her, Jude coordinated the night's security rotation with her team, her voice low and steady in the dark.

Home felt different now, transformed by everything they'd survived together. Carmen changed from her formal suit into soft silk loungewear while Jude completed her nightly security sweep with familiar precision. The habit should have felt intrusive after so many months, but Carmen had grown to find comfort in the routine, just as she'd grown accustomed to seeing Jude's tactical gear hung beside her diplomatic attire.

"Clear," Jude reported, though they both knew any threats to them had been neutralized days ago. She'd shed her tactical gear but still moved with that contained power that had first caught Carmen's attention in Washington all those months ago.

"You don't have to maintain the security protocols here anymore," Carmen said softly, watching Jude set the perimeter alarms. "We're safe."

"Old habits." Jude's smile held warmth as she moved closer. "Though I might have other reasons for being thorough now."

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