Devastating Secret™

Gut Instincts

Noah knew she'd make him pay but the scary part was how and when. She acted like they never argued but Noah knew better than to push his luck. He scrutinized everything he ate and drank, even though there were agents tasked with doing just that, he knew Eva could find a way around them. He was even afraid of the clothes he wore, not that he thought she would seriously hurt him, but he knew she didn't think a little payback was hurting him.

He was so jumpy his security detail picked up on it and were suddenly jumpy themselves. It got so bad that a glass dropped, and Noah hit the ground faster than his agents reacted, looking around the room in a panic until Hector asked "Sir, is there something you need to tell us?"

"Everything's fine."

"Sir, any death threats..."

"Kurt's had to retire, his hand still doesn't work right," Noah replied, straightening to his full height.

"Oh," Hector said in understanding then said to his mike "The code is fiery red. Stand down. I repeat do not engage."

"What the hell does that mean?" Rafe whispered.

"I'll tell you outside," Hector said calmly ushering Rafe out. Once the door closed he informed Rafe. "It's the First Lady."

"And we just leave it like that!" Rafe asked in shock.

"Elections are almost over, and she won't really kill him. Besides, he can take her hits. Kurt should've listened."

"What happened to Kurt?"

"She fractured his hand. I signed up to protect him until I retire. They're gonna reassign me to Homeland security, you should think about doing that."

"She fractured his hand!"

"Broke a few ribs as well. Sam says he's staying on her detail. Granger too. What are you gonna do?"

"How can you be so calm about that?"

"He did his job. He protected the President. He got hurt."

"By the First Lady! Don't you think that's a tad odd?"

"She was mad, and he got in the way. Sam told him not to attack."

"You-you you're just okay with her hurting an agent!"

"He wasn't the only one. Jim got a broken nose and Frank's was back on duty in two months."

"Holy Fuck!" Rafe exclaimed. "Aren't all those guys military trained?"

"Frank and Kurt were special forces marines and Jim I think was a ranger."

"And it still doesn't bother you that she was able to take three of them out!"

"Not really. They're not dead, which is what we all expect when we sign on." Finally facing Rafe, Hector assured, "Sam said if they had stopped coming after her first strike the damage wouldn't have been that permanent. So now I follow his lead, she wants to get to Noah, let her. They hash it out then go back to mauling each other in the hall."

"Her training doesn't bother you?"

"I understand it bothers you, the spook!" Hector replied irritably. He was growing tired of defending everything they did to Rafe. The man kept seeing issues where there was none. Eva and Noah were young, they did normal couple shit. It was just amped up because of their training and positions. "Stop seeing problems around every corner and focus on your job." Looking directly at him, Hector added, "Then again maybe you are."

Rafe grew quiet knowing he overstepped a line somewhere. Maybe telling him why he was here wasn't such a good idea. Hector seemed loyal to them and not inclined to break their trust. He expected that of Roger and Sam, but not the other Secret Service Agents.