She studies me over the rim of her glass. "You're very committed to this job."
"Someone's trying to kill you. Seems worth being committed."
"Fair point." She settles onto the couch, tucks her feet under her. Picks up a book from the side table, then sets it down again. "This is weird."
"What is?"
"Having someone just... here. In my space. Watching."
"I can give you privacy if?—"
"No, it's not that." She picks at the edge of a pillow. "It's just been a long time since I've had to share my space with anyone."
"Yeah. I get that." I lean back in the chair by the window. "I've been solo for four years. This is strange for me too."
"At least you're not the one being shadowed everywhere."
"True. I'm the shadow."
She almost smiles. "Very ominous. Do you practice that in the mirror?"
"Daily. Right after my tactical scowl drills."
That gets a real laugh from her. "I knew it. There's no way that level of intimidation is natural."
"Natural talent, actually. My sister says I came out of the womb glaring."
"Your sister sounds smart."
"Claire's brilliant. Rhodes Scholar, ran off to England, then came back to run the family ranch when she realized our parents were getting older."
"Sounds like she's the responsible one."
"Absolutely. I'm the one who joined the Marines and became a professional problem solver."
"Is that what you call it?"
"Better than 'professional breaker of things.'"
She grins, picks up her book again. Opens it, reads for maybe thirty seconds, then closes it. "I can't focus with you watching me."
"I'm not watching you."
"You're literally staring at me right now."
"Situational awareness. You're in my field of vision."
"Uh-huh." She sets the book aside. "What do you actually do on protective detail when the person you're protecting is just... existing? This seems incredibly boring for you."
"It's not boring."
"Watching me read is not boring?"
"I've done worse assignments. Spent three weeks in a hide site in Helmand Province watching a compound. Nothing happened. We just watched."
"That sounds terrible."
"It was. But we had Santos with us, and he's a surprisingly good conversationalist when he wants to be."
