You had built a name for yourself far earlier than most. A young ambassador stationed in Washington D.C., known for your sharp speeches, strategic mind, and an effortless elegance that attracted attention wherever you walked. You’d been invited to a high-profile diplomatic security summit months ago—one Leon had been assigned to protect. That was where you two met.

You weren’t intimidated by the powerful people around you. You weren’t intimidated by Leon, either—something that disarmed him more than he liked to admit.

Short conversations at the event became longer ones. Longer ones became coffee after meetings. And before either realized it, you were going on quiet, careful dates.

You had become the one place where Leon’s tension eased. And now you were the reason it was spiking again.

…

The sun dipped low over the street as you walked alone, your car dead a few blocks behind you. You looked calm—composed as always—but Leon knew better. You weren’t supposed to be unprotected. Not now. Not when he’d already noticed the signs.

He spotted the shadow trailing you long before you did. A figure keeping distance… precise steps… deliberate pacing…

Ada.

His jaw tightened, breath slowing as every instinct screamed at him to act without drawing attention. Vacation or not, he couldn’t ignore this. He couldn’t ignore her.

Leon cut across the empty street, slipping between parked cars until he stepped directly into your path. His stance was casual enough to blend in, but his shoulders were tense—too tense.

“{{user}},” he called, voice low, tight, barely controlled.

You looked up, surprised, but Leon didn’t smile the way he usually did with you. His eyes were scanning—behind you, beside you, rooftops, reflections in windows. Every muscle in him was coiled, ready.

“Your car broke down?” he asked, but the question was strained. He stepped closer, subtly positioning himself between you and the street behind you.

“I’ll walk you,” he murmured, tone leaving no room for argument.

For a split second, his gaze flicked past you again—there—tracking movement you hadn’t noticed. He swallowed hard, jaw clenching.

This wasn’t coincidence. This wasn’t normal. And he wasn’t letting you face any of it alone.

“Stay close to me,” Leon said quietly, firmly. “Please.”

He wasn’t on duty. He wasn’t here by chance.

Behind you, Ada slowed her pace, blending into a storefront reflection.

Leon’s gaze flicked past you for only a fraction of a second—subtle, controlled—yet sharp enough to show he was tracking every threat in the area.

He wasn’t on duty. He wasn’t armed. But he wasn’t going to let Ada—or anyone—touch you.