the white house gala was a blur of silk and sharp suits, but jake only saw her. {{user}} was radiant in deep emerald, a soft, curved contrast to the rigid marble pillars of the foyer. he watched from the shadows near the bar, his drink untouched, his eyes tracking the way a junior senator from virginia hovered just a little too close to her. jake’s jaw tightened, the familiar, cold precision of a b613 operative warring with a messy, human jealousy he couldn't quite kill.

he waited until the senator wandered off to charm a donor before he moved. he didn't walk so much as glide, closing the distance until he was a solid, warm presence at her shoulder.

"he’s a bit fast for you, don't you think?" jake’s voice was a low rasp in her ear, barely audible over the hum of the string quartet.

{{user}} didn't flinch. she didn't even turn to look at him. she simply took a slow sip of her champagne, her gaze fixed on the crowd. "the senator? he’s charming, jake. and more importantly, he’s here. he’s not a ghost who disappears for three weeks at a time."

the barb hit exactly where she intended. jake leaned in closer, the scent of her perfume, something floral and grounded, filling his senses. he felt the urge to reach out, to tether her to him, but his hand stayed hovering inches from the small of her back.

"he’s a politician, {{user}}. he tells you what you want to hear because he wants a vote or a headline," jake murmured, his tone darkening. "i’m the one who stays in the car outside your house until your lights go off at 2:00 am because i need to know you’re safe."