I stood up, stretching my hands that had been gripped too tightly around a gun and the blonde for longer than expected. I honestly felt bad for Rebecca, I could obviously tell from day one she had deep feelings for Claire. The way she looked at her and fiercely protected her from me, made it crystal clear.
It would definitely bother me like it was bothering Rebecca, if I walked in and saw what she did. Her ex in bed sleeping with the one person she detested curled up in her arms, no matter the innocent circumstances behind two people sharing a bed. I paused, frowning, I actually never wanted to think about Claire in bed with anyone before me, it made my stomach churn in jealous envy.
I rubbed my eyes, I was still tired even as I slept perfectly for most of the night. The clock blinked 9:50 at me, telling me I almost managed to get a full nine hours of sleep. I groaned softly, taking the opportunity of Claire tied up with Rebecca to shower quickly and dress. Choosing clothes that were in between casual and business casual, going with a pair of decent jeans and one of the cream colored button downs hanging in the closet. For whatever reason I wanted to look presentable for Rebecca, eliminate any chances for her to concoct even more rude comments to sling my way.
I found Claire in the kitchen, leaning over the sink, her shoulders hunched over as she was deep in thought. I smiled at the simple sight of her from behind, even wearing pajamas, she was beautiful. My heart did the skip jump it did whenever the blonde was near me, the feeling drifting into the pit of my stomach and starting to bring life to areas of my body that had been dormant for too long.
I swallowed down the building desire of wanting to know how warm Claire's skin would feel without the baggy shirts and pajama pants she wore to bed, focusing on anything else. Like the way I felt empty, but relaxed and lighter now that all I had before me was her.
I moved closer to her, "Hey you, Good Morning." it was a soft greeting that I wondered if she heard it, Claire made no move when I spoke. I moved to stand right behind, noticing the faint smell of something burning, I reached out, my fingers grazing her elbow, "Claire?"
She flinched at my touch, turning the faucet on quickly. Claire smiled as she glanced at me, "Morning." She saw me look down at the black mess in the bottom of the sink, "I burnt some toast. “Claire waved at the mess, washing the embers down into the drain before turning around, her back resting against the counter, she reached towards me, her hand running down my arm to settle in mine. Her soft smile, the one that appeared when she was tired, crossed her face, "Did you sleep well, Kit?"
I nodded, lacing my fingers into hers, "I did, but I think I could sleep more if given the chance." I squeezed our hands together, "How are you?"
Claire sighed, looking down at our hands, knowing what I was asking underneath the simple question. "She's hurt, upset." Claire's thumb made soft circles around my knuckles, "I expected it when the time came to tell her or when she saw I finally moved on." The soft smiled turned tight, "Rebecca will be leaving in a few hours to get the townhouse ready for us. Then she will be leaving to take permanent position in Geneva tomorrow or the day after."
I was mildly taken aback by how quickly it seemed Claire was moving Rebecca on, "Does this mean I'm done with training?"
Claire slowly removed her hand from mine, nodding, "Yes. All that is left is getting you settled in at the house. You will be diving right into work tomorrow morning." Claire brushed past me, picking up one of the two coffee mugs sitting on the island. "I know what you're thinking, she is moving onto her new assignment quickly, but it was planned to go this way months ago. It has nothing to do with you or us." Claire shuffled to the coffee maker, topping off the cup in her hands before walking to the staircase that lead down to her basement office.
Claire was sad and tired, something was bothering her and my jealousy crept to the front of my mind, I spoke on it before she left the kitchen, "Claire, are you okay?"
She took a deep breath, "I don't like hurting people, Kit." When she looked in my eyes, I saw nothing but complete sincerity. Claire set her mug down and strode over to me, her hand finding what I was beginning to realize was her favorite spot on my cheek. Looking into my eyes, Claire leaned forward, kissing me softly.
My hands fell to her waist, holding her and resisting the urge to pull her close against me. My heart pounded as my hands squeezed her hip, I knew in time, just kissing this woman would not be enough.
Claire broke apart from me, looking down and licking her lips lightly, "I am also trying to get used to this, Kit. Us." She slowly looked up, "This us is so frighteningly new for my brain that it has actually stopped thinking. Letting my heart guide me." Claire suddenly grinned, blushing and shaking her head at the sudden wave of embarrassment that washed over her. She dragged her fingers down my jaw slowly before her hand fell away from me, "I have a few things to do for the Centre. After that, we can go to your house and grab whatever you may want or need." She bit her bottom lip, in an adorable way that made me want to kiss her again, "If you would like, I was thinking we could have one last lunch at Paco's?" Something was on her mind, her face was telegraphing it.
I smiled, more so grinned, Claire making me want to do that more, "Sure, lunch would be perfect."
Claire nodded, kissing my cheek before returning to her mug and disappearing downstairs.
There was something strange in the air, I thought it was because of the newness of having someone know everything and not having to hide myself behind lies and deflection. I grabbed the lone mug on the counter, filling it with coffee and taking long drinks of the warm, brown liquid.
I wanted to ask about the argument I had heard bits and pieces of, but knew I should wait until Claire and I were alone. Somehow having Rebecca in the house would most likely stifle any honest conversation. The two women had a lengthy friendship mixed with a short relationship, it would be expected there would be a sense of unspoken respect to maintain.
Halfway through the mug of coffee, I suddenly walked to the cabinet and removed the box of scotch I had hidden up there the night before. Removing the bottle from the box, I carried it to the liquor cabinet Claire had at the edge of the sitting room. Carrying the weighty, expensive bottle, I felt free. Free from the amber liquid that once controlled me. I would always have a taste and a craving for it, but now I finally wanted to stay sober, I finally had reasons to. One being the blonde one floor below me.
I bent down in front of the cabinet, pushing whiskey and gin bottles out of the way to make a spot large enough for the Chivas.
"Little early for a drink, don't you think. Ms. Witmer?"
Groaning internally at the thick sarcastic venom of Rebecca's words, I set the Chivas into its new spot, "I don't drink any more, Rebecca." I stood up, closing the cabinet door, turning to face the woman who was slowly becoming my arch nemesis, "I was finding the Chivas a new home among better suited friends. I no longer need it." I kept my tone light and almost humorous, I did not want to rile up the former NSA agent.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow, smirking at me, "You say that now, in time you will be back at it. You've already slipped too many times to prove me to believe otherwise." Taking a step closer, Rebecca handed me a thick packet, "This is the rest of your training. The access cards and codes to the townhouse with instructions on how the security system works and lastly, Senator Avondale's monthly itineraries until spring."
I took the packet with both hands, "I mean it Rebecca, I am sober for good. I love...Claire is far too important to continue living as I have." I bit back the words, changing them mid-sentence, I didn't want to add insult to injury, add to the hurt she was carried on her face so poorly.
Rebecca stared at me, obviously trying to get a read on me, her stare intense and unnerving, "Not to use my Great Aunt's silly recycled phrase, but a leopard doesn't change its spots." She folded her arms tightly over her pristine pale green button down, "I have met many others like you, Kit, drowning themselves in the pity of whatever they think they deserve to be pitied for. Then make half as
sed attempts at change when they find a shiny new penny that might give them hope."
My jaw clenched on its own, Rebecca was pissing me off and I tried to keep from biting back, "You don't know me." I gripped the packet, the paper envelope crinkling under my fingers, "Whatever you think you saw this morning, it’s wrong. Whatever you think I am, it's wrong." I held her stare, returning the intimidating glare she was handing down. "You have no idea what my past is and how much I care for Claire. I am willing to sacrifice everything to keep her alive and safe."
Rebecca laughed, her hands moving to hang off her hips, "Anything but wake up when someone is in the room where she is very vulnerable to an attack. Great job protecting her. Obviously sleep takes precedence over the safety of the woman you "care" so much for." Rebecca flicked her hand in front of my face, "You're nothing but full of shit and excuses, Kit."
I threw the packet on the table above the liquor cabinet, the thick slap of paper meeting hard wood made Rebecca flinch ever so slightly. I closed the small distance between us, inches away from her I waited until I had her eyes on mine. When they were, I saw the smallest glint of fear in her eyes from rushing her like I did.
"The front door was opened at 9:10 am. You disarmed the system at 9:12. I heard the five digit code beeping as you entered it. You then moved through the kitchen, the sitting room before making your way upstairs at 9:18." I craned my neck closer to the woman, "If it wasn't for the Chanel No. 5 you seem to bathe in at times, I would have shot you in the right shoulder and right lung with the gun in my left hand hidden under the pillow. If you paid any attention at all to anything other than your rampant jealousy, you would have noticed I was laying on top of Claire in the standard shielding position we are all taught in day one of defense tactics. Shielding a Fallen Asset 101." I paused for effect, "Anyone who wanted to get to Claire, had to go through me." I watched as her pupils dilated ever so slightly, "I faked it, played dead to save you and Claire from any more embarrassment."
Rebecca knew I wasn't lying, both of us had the training to monitor eye movements. The fluctuations and twitches everyone does when they are lying or trying to avoid the truth. I leaned back after I was certain she had read me loud and clear, "Don't ever assume the lengths I will or will not go to, to protect Claire. I will kill and be killed for her."
Rebecca smirked, looking away from me, "The sacrificial lamb look doesn't suit you, Kit, so don't lay it on that thick." Clearing her throat, her eyes returned to mine, "Do assume the lengths I will go to keep her safe, Kit." Rebecca leaned closer to me, "If you value your life and freedom, you keep her alive and safe as you promised. If you love her like she loves you, you will change your damn spots and never look back."
I snapped back, "Are you threatening me?" I wanted to laugh in this woman's face, I could run circles around her.
Rebecca's smirk fell into a genuine smile, "No, Kit, it's not a threat. It is my dedication to seek out your quiet demise from the world of protection and the world in general if anything that you can prevent happens to Claire. If she is harmed, well, the rest is self-explanatory for a smart girl like you." The smaller woman stepped back, pushing much needed space between us. "I will see you in the capital tonight."
With that, Rebecca left the room, leaving me to decipher her words. Did she threaten my life or just a life full of misery? I sighed, I didn't like the woman, but I knew I could not underestimate her.
I turned to the top of the cabinet, retrieving the packet I had thrown and left the sitting room.
I forced a smile when I ran into Claire, dressed in her usual of the only pair of jeans I ever saw her in and a pale faded red V-neck, asking if I was ready for lunch. "Of course. Just let me drop this in my room and I'll meet you at the car." Claire smiled genuinely, the strange sadness was gone from earlier, replaced by the smile that had caught my heart's attention the first time it came my way. Claire winked at me and jogged down the stairs.
In the bedroom, I set the packet on the dresser. My hands laid on my hips as I looked around the room, I had the overwhelming need to prove everyone wrong. That I could love Claire like Davey saw I did, love her like I did and wanted to, and prove Rebecca wrong that I could love and keep her safe at the same time.
I also had to prove myself wrong that history could be broken and not repeat itself.
_______________________
Lunch never happened.
It took me forever to dig around in my house and pack bags, that when Claire and I finally left to head back to Malibu, the freeway was gridlocked. Shut down due to a massive car accident that would keep everyone in an exhaust ridden holding pattern for hours.
Claire was distracted and not by the traffic jam, her phone had rung incessantly since the media had gotten their hands on the juicy tidbits revolving around the incident at my house. She was fielding multiple calls from reporters and fellow politicians, trying to have her point of view given. I focused on driving, more like sitting in traffic listening to the radio and playing some addictive quick paced puzzle game I downloaded to my phone.
Just as I was about to break level 44 of the game and set a new high score, Claire tapped my forearm, "Kit, see if you can take this next exit. We need to get to the airport soon, our flight has to take off within the hour to avoid the incoming snowstorm on the east coast."
I didn't look at her until I beat the level, when I did, I hissed excitedly and turned to the blonde smirking at me. "I don't recall telling you that you could download apps on that phone." Claire peered closer, "Smashburger?" She pushed the phone down with one finger to get a better look. I pulled the phone away, shutting it off and hiding it in the driver's side door and away from the prying eyes of the Senator.
"I get bored sometimes reading emails." I focused on maneuvering the car to the far right lane to hit the next exit, "And no, you never told me that I couldn't download apps. You just said not to lose the phone."
Claire laughed, leaning back in to her seat, "I thought it was a given when I told you the phone was encrypted and highly classified." She sat in her seat, body angled towards me. "I thought you to be more of a Tetris girl."
I leaned over the steering wheel eyeballing the tiny space between the front end of the Lincoln and the dirty pig truck in front of us, "I couldn't find a full version of Tetris for free, so Smashburger it is." I turned to look behind and couldn't help but smile back at the way Claire was looking at me.
Although we had not had much deep conversation at the house while I threw underwear and brand new tailored suits on the bed, griping that I couldn't find shit in my room. Things were easier between us, the thick air and the thick tension that managed to follow us since my first day was gone. Our conversations, however minimal and however long they took before another call came for Claire, were all easy and light, nothing significant and nothing forced like before.
Claire had a silly ease about her and a dry sense of humor when she found my collection of beer t-shirts. Holding each one up against her chest, "Maybe I will take the Pabst Blue Ribbon one and wear it at the next Foreign Press dinner."
I laughed lightly at the recent memory, making Claire poke my shoulder, "What's so funny?"
I shook my head, "I am just thinking about the PBR shirt you wanted to take." I looked over as I found the exit, "The one I yanked out of your hand and threw back into my closet?"
Claire smirked, nodding, "Yes, good thing I stole the Miller High Life one. It was actually the one I wanted, I used the other shirt to distract you."
I went to say something about her audacity to steal a former drunks coveted beer swag, when her hand glided over my shoulder to rest on the curve of my neck, "Take the next right after this light, the airport is four blocks down."
I nodded and swallowed hard, her touch was always warm and now it was sending flutters down to my stomach. I drove, enjoying the first moment with Claire that was not full of strife and angst. We were just two women in a car enjoying each other’s company. Never mind the fact I was he
r bodyguard and protecting her from multiple threats issued by multiple enemies.
Claire's hand left it's place on my neck as I pulled into the large, private airport. "Pull the car over to that large plane next to the small white one."
I followed her orders and parked the car next to the white Learjet. Claire exited first and was greeted by an older man wearing the typical pilot uniform, standing right outside the steps to the jet. I collected my things and stepped out, coming face to face with a large younger man with the typical bleach blonde hair and blue eyes of a surfer kid, grinning at me.
"Hello Ms. Witmer, my name is Jake. I can take the car from here." He held out his hand for the keys. I looked over to Claire, she was busy talking over something on a sheet of paper in the pilot's hands. "Ms. Witmer, if there is anything you would like to take on the flight with you, please take it now."
"All my bags I guess? They need to go with me." I popped the trunk and walked to the rear of the Lincoln. Jake reached down and grabbed the two large duffel bags I had, lifting them with and setting them to the side. "I will get these to the jet for you, but first I need to load the car on the cargo plane. Senator Avondale would like the cars in Washington right after you arrive. She likes to keep a punctual schedule and I don't want to be the reason she might be late."
I felt my jaw drop, looking at the massive grey cargo plane with the rear hatch open. I pointed at it, "You mean she is having my car flown back to D.C.?"
Jake grinned wider, "Yes Ms. Witmer. Senator Avondale always has her cars transported back and forth by air." He held out his hand again and I dropped the keys in his palm, still in awe of what Jake explained to me. He fisted the keys, hopping into the driver's seat and sped off with the Lincoln. I watched as he expertly drove the heavy car up the large ramp and came out a few seconds later, running back over to me, picking up my bags with a smile and then running over to the Learjet. Jake disappeared at the back of the jet and my eyes were drawn back to Claire waving me over to the stairs.
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