Free The Protector by Dawn Marie Snyder

as he went through the list of names, none of them were good enough in my eyes.  “You are more valuable here in DC or back in Tel Aviv helping the Israelis figure out who killed Hassan.” I didn’t say anything then, but this wasn’t something I was going to let happen. She was my responsibility to protect.
    I slowly made my way down the stairs to the couch in the front room. I could see Seth in the kitchen eating something from the fridge. My eyes were heavy with exhaustion as I laid down, worried about closing my eyes and missing something. My only consolation was the crazy red head in the kitchen stuffing his face. He would wake me if something happened.  It was then I let the exhaustion over take me and sleep came easier than I thought.
    I had hoped as I drifted to sleep that it would be a dreamless sleep. But as the water was suddenly overhead, I struggled once again to reach the surface and for the hand that was now reaching for me. I still didn’t know who it was trying to save me, or why?  I let the hand slip from grasp and once again I heard the sobs of the woman I left behind.
    I wasn’t sure how long I had actually slept, but the voices coming from the kitchen and the smell of freshly brewed coffee stirred my senses and drowned out the sobs of the faceless woman of my dreams.  I got up and glanced briefly down at the watch on my wrist. It was eight o’clock. I had managed to get a few hours’ worth of sleep, which was better than nothing. I still wasn’t sure what today was going to hold for Alison or I, but I needed to have the use of all my senses. 
    I walked into the kitchen and saw Alison sitting at the breakfast bar next to Mrs. Walker and Seth.  The ring of Seth’s words from earlier still echoed in my head, ‘Not a good idea to get too close to her.’   I truly didn’t understand Seth’s concern. Yes, this was different. Alison was different, but I was doing my job. 
    As I walked into the kitchen, Alison turned and smiled at me. Considering the events of yesterday and where she was now, she was holding up better than I expected.
    “Good morning,” I said moving to stand next her.  Her hair was up in a twist, but today there were no loose strands hanging out. She wore jeans and a black t-shirt.  The shirt hugged her curves and I could feel the heat rise in my face as images of her last night flooded my head.  Seth caught notice of my embarrassment and turned his head to look at her quizzically. 
    “Mrs. Walker.”
    “Good morning Jack, coffee?”
    “Please.” I stood next to Alison. “You get enough sleep?”
“Enough, thank you,” her voice was soft and no longer hoarse like she had been a few hours ago.
    “She’s been up since 6:30,” Seth chimed in before pouring himself another cup of coffee. “And you were right, she wanted to kill me on the flight to Dulles.” Seth’s grin was huge and there was nothing but satisfaction on his face.
    “You’re lucky she didn’t. Alison, please tell me you didn’t listen to anything this guy said about me?” I looked at her with a huge grin on my face. I knew she was in good hands with Seth but I also knew he would interrogate her about everything in her life. He was one of the best and I was sure Mike would have him asking the questions later today.
    “Hey I’ve only told her your deepest and darkest secrets.”  I could only imagine the look of horror that came across my face. I knew Seth was not serious as my secrets were his secrets and so forth. But the thought of Alison knowing the horrors I had seen and the atrocities I had committed scared me.  I did not want her to have those visions of me in her head.
    Alison’s eyes grew big as she gauged my reaction to Seth’s words.  She looked back and forth between Seth and I only guessing what unspoken words we were sharing.  “He didn’t tell me much,” she quickly stated. “He said you were a nice guy.”
    “He was lying,” I quickly retorted through clenched