Page 9 of Protecting Her

"Two motorcycles approaching," Marcus said quietly. "Right side, matching speed."

Jude's hand shifted closer to her weapon. "David, got eyes on them?"

"Checking traffic cams." A pause. "Just commuters. But there's a black SUV that's made the last three turns with us."

Carmen leaned forward, close enough that Jude could feel her presence like heat. The morning sun caught the silver in her hair, and Jude forced herself to focus on the traffic instead of how the light played across Carmen's features.

"The last time I was here," Carmen said, voice pitched for Jude's ears alone, "we lost two vehicles to a coordinated ambush. The cartels had bought off half the local security force. They're patient; they'll wait until you start feeling safe."

The proximity of Carmen's breath against her ear made Jude's skin tingle, but the intelligence beneath the casual observation sharpened her focus. "When was this?"

"Two years ago. Different political players, same tactics." Carmen's tone carried years of experience in reading between lines of official reports. "The corporate interests haven't changed, just their proxies. Watch for the private security contractors; they're usually ex-military, probably from the same units you worked with during the coup."

Jude stored that insight away while tracking the black SUV in her side mirror. "Sarah, peel off and get eyes on our tail. Marcus, next intersection we'll?—"

"Test if they follow," Carmen finished, and Jude caught her quick smile in the mirror. "I've done this dance before, Captain. Though usually with less . . . competent partners."

The simple praise shouldn't have warmed Jude's chest. She blamed the altitude and situation for how her pulse jumped when Carmen continued sharing details about previous security incidents, each observation tactically relevant and deliveredwith diplomatic precision that made Jude increasingly aware of the woman behind the professional façade.

"The hotel's security chief is new," Carmen added, shuffling through briefing papers. "Replaced after the last summit. His background check shows multiple connections to corporate interests we're investigating."

"I’ve already flagged him," Jude confirmed, allowing a small smile tug at the corners of her lips at their synchronicity. "His shifts are being monitored."

Their bubble of focused tension broke when David's voice crackled through the comms. "SUV turned off. Clean for now, but satellites show unusual traffic patterns near the hotel's south entrance."

They arrived at the Hotel Gran Diplomático's private entrance twenty minutes later, the morning sun now painting the glass building in blinding streaks. As Marcus did a final sweep of the underground garage, Carmen gathered her briefing materials.

"Thank you, Captain." Her hand brushed Jude's shoulder, feather-light but electric. "I know my experience with local security risks complicates your job."

Jude turned, and for a moment, they were too close in the car's confined space. She could see flecks of amber in Carmen's dark eyes, count her individual lashes, and feel the weight of everything they left unspoken. The air felt thinner, as if Carmen's presence seemed to consume all the oxygen in the space between them.

"Your experience keeps us alive, ma'am," Jude managed, her voice professional despite the heat building under her tactical vest. "The more intelligence we have, the better we can protect you."

Carmen's smile held knowing warmth. "Always the soldier first, aren't you?" She stepped out of the vehicle before Judecould respond, leaving her with the ghost of perfume and the growing certainty that maintaining professional distance was becoming impossible.

Jude followed, scanning the garage's shadows while trying to ignore how the morning light played across Carmen's features. They had a summit to secure, threats to neutralize, and a peace treaty hanging in the balance. She couldn't afford distractions, couldn't risk letting her growing attraction compromise her judgment.

But as they moved toward the elevator, Jude caught Carmen watching her in the polished steel doors' reflection, and she knew she was already fighting a losing battle against feelings that had nothing to do with duty and everything to do with the woman who made diplomatic protection feel like falling.

The elevator ride to the lobby stretched endless, each floor bringing them closer to the public spaces Jude had spent weeks analyzing through security footage. Carmen stood closer than strictly necessary, their shoulders almost touching as they ascended. Through her earpiece, Jude monitored her team taking up positions throughout the hotel.

"Lobby swept and secure," Kate reported through Jude's earpiece. "Local security's trying to access our feeds."

Jude's jaw tightened at the news. A slight movement caught her eye; Carmen had noticed her reaction.

"They'll try to monitor everything," Carmen murmured, soft enough that only Jude could hear. "Watch the cleaning staff supervisor. She reports directly to our friends in corporate security."

The elevator doors opened, revealing the marble lobby spread before them, morning sun streaming through the windows. Jude positioned herself slightly ahead of Carmen, scanning faces and movements while Marcus handled check-in procedures they'd arranged through secure channels.

"Welcome to the Hotel Gran Diplomático," the manager stepped forward, all polished smiles and careful deference. Jude had memorized his background check: Miguel Santos, twenty years in luxury hotels, no obvious red flags but too many connections to local power players.

Carmen handled the social requirements with practiced ease while Jude watched the staff's movements. Two bellhops approached with luggage carts, their uniforms pressed to military precision that set off Jude’s internal warning bells.

"Our finest suite is prepared." Santos gestured toward the private elevator. "If you'll follow me..."

"We know the way," Jude cut in smoothly, catching Sarah's subtle hand signal about the bellhops' earpieces. "Thank you."

The Hotel Gran Diplomático's presidential suite took up half the top floor, a sprawling complex of interconnected rooms that gave Jude's security instincts fits. Too many windows, too many entry points, too many variables to control. She moved through the space with razor-sharp precision, cataloging every potential vulnerability while her team set up their equipment.

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