Protecting Her: A LesbianSapphic Military Romance (Honor Bound Book 5) by Emily Hayes

Author:Emily Hayes [Hayes, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

7

JUDE

The encrypted message lit up Jude's phone: Security compromised. Multiple assets turned. Get out now.

David's warning scrolled across her screen as she maintained her position near the conference room door, watching Carmen navigate the latest round of negotiations. Morning sun streamed through bullet-resistant windows, painting patterns across the marble floor that her tactical mind automatically cataloged as potential cover points.

"The indigenous councils reject these terms." Carmen's voice carried that particular blend of steel and silk she used when cornering opponents. "Your corporate interests cannot override established treaties."

Victor Ramirez from the consortium shifted in his expensive chair, jaw set tight. His security detail—the same contractors Jude had been watching all morning—adjusted their stances with too much precision. She counted four visible weapons between them and spotted the distinctive bulge of shoulder holsters under their tailored suits.

Her phone buzzed again. Sarah this time: Hotel security feeds showing unauthorized access. Last night's team compromised.

Ice settled in Jude's stomach as more messages from her team flooded in. The pattern was familiar; she'd seen it in Yemen before everything went wrong. Small changes in security rotations, unexplained equipment glitches, local police showing too much interest in their movements. She'd missed the signs then. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

"These negotiations are finished." Ramirez stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor tiles. "Until the indigenous leadership shows proper respect for progress⁠—"

"Progress?" Carmen's laugh held no humor. "Is that what you call burning villages and poisoning water supplies?"

Jude caught the subtle hand signal between Ramirez's contractors. She'd run enough protection details to read the silent communication: they were coordinating positions and preparing for something. Her body hummed with combat readiness as she tracked their movements while maintaining her relaxed stance. She subtly moved closer to Carmen.

Another message: Police bands showing multiple units mobilizing. No official orders given yet.

Through her earpiece, she heard Kate's fingers flying across a keyboard. "Facial recognition found three of our hotel security team in cartel databases. Recent bank payments traced back to corporate shell companies."

Jude watched Carmen press her advantage at the negotiating table, her hair catching sunlight as she leaned forward. To anyone else, she appeared completely focused on diplomatic warfare. But Jude saw the almost imperceptible tension in her shoulders that meant she'd picked up on the room's shifting dynamics.

Their eyes met briefly across the space. In that split-second contact, Jude saw that Carmen had already read the situation. The slight tilt of her head conveyed volumes: What do you need me to do?

More messages illuminated Jude's phone. Marcus reported suspicious vehicles near their exit routes. James confirmed that hospital staff had been asking questions about their medical arrangements. Sarah documented multiple security breaches at the hotel.

The contractors were moving again, their choreographed repositioning creating coverage zones that made Jude's combat instincts scream. She recognized the pattern from her own training: standard special operations forces procedure for coordinated action in confined spaces.

"Perhaps we should recess," Carmen suggested smoothly, gathering her papers with practiced efficiency. "Give everyone time to consider their positions.

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