HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) (33 page)

AJ accepted the newspaper and coffee from Jamaal through the crack in the door, slamming it shut after the smartass asked for his tip. It was humorous, but he wouldn’t let him
know that.

Jesse laughed from the
dining table.

“You have some
asshole employees.”

His brother’s dark brows rose. “They could be your employees also.”

AJ had checked it out a long time ago and knew Jesse had added all of the brothers, to include him and Jake, as owners of the company. Jesse kept that information
to himself.

AJ tossed the paper on the desk. Adding the coffee, he set it down so hard that the cover popped off and hot liquid sloshed over the rim. “We’ve been through this before and the answer is
still no.”

Megan walked into the room. “The answer to what
is no?”

“Nothing, my little dove. The newspaper is on the table. I didn’t read it, but I did see an interesting headline.” He laughed when she vaulted across the small room and snatched
it up.

Her excited squeals brought a smile to Jesse’s face. “Is she like this every time she has an article in
the paper?”

Warmth flooded AJ. He’d loved to have had a chance at a life with her. There was nothing like fucking reality to ruin one’s mood. He forced a chuckle his brother must see through. “Mostly.”

They turned to the breaking news on
the TV.

Megan walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. “The busts are all over the news. You should be proud. The footage is outstanding. This will be big news for a while. The deputy U.S. marshals look like heroes. I can’t wait until the other charges are added to
these men.”

Jesse cleared his throat. “AJ didn’t do it
by himself.”

She released him and beamed at his brother. AJ’s hands curled into fists at his sides. For a moment he thought she planned to kiss his brother, but she continued past Jesse to the desk. Picking up the newspaper, she returned to him. “The photo turned out much better than I thought
it would.”

Thank God for Rob. She’d captured that picture right before she’d been shot at. Having the escaped convict on his knees front and center set a slight tremor through AJ thinking about how he could have
lost her.

“I think this article made things up to Kristen.” Megan’s smile broadened. “She’s breathing down my neck for what’s next. Oh. She still wants me to leave you and go to the FBI. I forgot to tell you she knew that I was with you and that you’
re undercover.”

It didn’t surprise him that her boss still wanted her away from him, but he didn’t know how she’d found out he was undercover.
Damn investigative reporters, Megan excluded. They could always find a cop or agent who’d
spill secrets.

“You did a hell of a job on that article,”
Jesse said.

“I couldn’t have done it without you. All of you. Thank you for taking me with you and providing me the exclusive.” She stood on her tiptoes and
kissed AJ.

Fuck it. I’ll tell her later.
“I need more of a thank you than that.” He tugged her to the bedroom, her giggles bouncing off
the walls.

Jesse chuckled
behind him.

AJ didn’t care. He knew how he’d spend his last few days
with her.

* * * * *

AJ laughed and pulled Megan closer. He reached up and brushed her full, pink bottom lip with the tip of his index finger. “You have the softest lips.” He leaned down and gave her a teasing kiss and then straightened. “Are
you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m starving. Besides, your brother is in there and knows what we’ve been doing for the last hour
or so.”

“Who cares what he knows? It’s not like he’s a
blushing virgin.”

She laughed, slipped out of his grasp and raced to the
living area.

He slowly followed, stopping when the secure cell phone rang. “We’re not through, my
little dove.”

“Give it a rest,” Brad growled from where he lounged on
the sofa.

When the fuck had his brothers changed out shifts? Shit, whenever Megan got naked AJ lost focus on everything but the two of them. He’d never been like this. He’d never allowed his professionalism on a job to slip this far. Then again, he might not have a career to return to so what did
it matter?

It mattered because he’d given her false hope. She’d told him she loved him several times, and he’d refused to return her sentiments. He’d told himself it was to make things easier when they split. His love for her, knowing they’d break, had ripped his heart out. He could only image how she
would feel.

He snatched up the phone. “Hamilton.”

“AJ, you said it wasn’
t big.”

He knew his partner would call sooner or later. “The FBI wasn’t involved. Only deputy marshals. Besides, locally it was small, only
one escapee.”

“Damn, but that would’ve been fun. I heard she was there
taking pictures.”

Todd’s interest in Megan disturbed AJ. No, it ate at the jealousy he held for any man who looked at her. She was a beautiful woman. Of course men will look at her. Besides, he had no hold on her. “
She was.”

“Don’t you think it’s time she comes with us? Arthur thinks I can talk you into it whereas he hasn’t been able to. It’s time. Tell me where you are, and I’ll get together a team
for her.”

No fucking way would he hand her over to Todd. It had been hard enough watching her with Trent. AJ and his brothers would continue to keep
her safe.

“She won’t go
with you.”

“That’s what her Marcus has
been pushing.”

AJ growled. “It’s not
her Marcus.”

“Are you going to let me come
help you?”

“No. I’m good
for now.”

“Come on, AJ. You need me at your back. Besides, I’m fucking bored looking at our old cases. They can all wait while I help you
with this.”

He chuckled. Todd preferred action to paperwork. He’d chosen the wrong profession because their jobs involved more paperwork, research, collecting evidence and interviews than heated arrests. “
Maybe later.”

“Found out who the Magician
is yet?”

“Not yet, but I will,” AJ
answered determinedly.

“What can I help do here? Do you have
any thoughts?”

“Some.”

“Want to share? As much as I hate it, I can do research
for you.”

“Nah. I’ve got it.” He needed to work the information he’d received out in his head. Devon had found what he thought was all of the money under dummy corporations. He now dug into the lives of several people suspected of having ties to the crime boss, or being the
man himself.

“Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed I don’t have to sit behind the computer. Are you sure you don’t want me to come get her? I need something
to do.”

“When she’s ready to go, I’
ll call.”

“That works. Just don’t forget me when the
action starts.”

He hated to tell him that no one but his immediate circle would be involved in the takedown of the mastermind behind Magic Shop. They were the only ones he fully trusted with Megan’s life. He hadn’t been partnered with Todd long enough to truly know
the man.

AJ returned the phone to
his pocket.

Flashing his most charming smile, he walked toward Megan. “Now, my little dove, where
were we?”

He captured her gaze, love sparkling in
her eyes.

“You’re about to get your fucking ass kicked with all the mushy shit,” Brad
tossed out.

Clearing his throat, AJ addressed his brother, “Do you have the new information Devon wanted me
to review?”

That’s where his mind should’ve been instead of attempting to quench his thirst for her before he no longer had the opportunity to drink from the sweet yet intoxicating well named Megan Rogers. As much as he’d like to spend the time with her, the woman who helped him see light, who helped him have hope, he couldn’t prolong this
mission forever.

Brad slid a quick glance at Megan. “I think you’ll find his latest research
extremely interesting.”

“The happy couple is here.” Brad didn’t move when a knock sounded on
the door.

Fucking Brad. AJ snagged Megan around the waist before she opened it. “No. I’ve got it.” He removed his weapon and cracked
the door.

“Let me in, AJ,”
Jesse boomed.

Kate leaned forward and whispered, “I’m sure you won’t like the results of Devon’s research, but I’m here to prevent Megan from reading it. We can’t chance her spilling the beans as reporters like to do. By the way, you were right about the Magician’s identity.
Great work.”

AJ put his gun away and smiled. Yes! His computer whiz of a brother never failed them. He must’ve linked the money back. Then he thought of Megan. How would
she react?

His ex-partner jerked her thumb at her husband. “The men are waiting for you to decide how you want to
do this.”

That would explain Brad’s irritation at AJ playing around with Megan instead of
ending this.

AJ opened the door wider. “Come on in, oh great sister-in-law of mine
plus one.”

Jesse glared at him as
he entered.

“Megan, I’m here for some
girl time.”

“But I wanted to,” she pointed to the paperwork on the table, “go
through that.”

Kate waved her hand. “It’ll be there later. Come on. We’re having a mani, pedi, facial party.” She touched Megan’s arm and guided her to the bedroom, closing the door
behind them.

He’d almost snorted aloud when his old partner told Megan what they’d be doing. Kate was not a pampering princess. But it had worked. He grinned at Megan’s reluctance to leave the room. Her eyes had been glued to the file on the table in front of Brad. Beating her curiosity would
be difficult.

His throat closed, and he fought to take a breath. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to tell her what would happen when
this ended.

“Let’s hurry. I’m not even sure my wife knows how to do that mani whatever she called it.” Jesse removed
his jacket.

The brothers laughed. They loved Kate. She’d been good for his brother. Just like Megan had been good
for him.

Before he could torture himself more, his secure cell
phone rang.

“Hamilton.” He paced
the floor.

“Agent Hamilton, FBI Special Agent Tom Martin. I’m on
your wiretaps.”

AJ halted and looked toward his brothers who sported quizzical expressions. “Yes. And?”

“We picked up a call on Paul’s tap from Carl. In what he must’ve assumed was cryptic, Carl informed him of a meeting with their boss tomorrow. Although he never said it outright, it was easy to discern the meaning. I believe this was what you were hoping for.” Pride came through in the agent’
s voice.

“It is. Great job, Agent Martin.” AJ considered his options. “Have you told anyone else
about this?”

“No. I was told by Deputy Director Hall to call you first when we had
something worthwhile.”

“Who else knows?” He could contain this. He could
control it.

“Only me. My partner was on a lunch run when the call went through. He hasn’
t returned.”

“Good. Don’t tell another soul about this, not even your partner or Deputy Director Hall. Do
you understand?”

The agent took a moment to answer. “Um. Is it that important I
break protocol?”

“Deadly.” His tone should’ve conferred to the agent the seriousness behind
his answer.

“Okay. I won’t erase it, and I won’t bring it up when my partner returns. But, if I’m asked by Director Hall I won’
t lie.”

“Thank you, Martin. What were the specifics of
the meeting?”

He listened intently as the agent repeated what he’d deciphered from
the call.

AJ ended the call, looked at his brothers and smiled. “We’ve
got him.”

* * * * *

After they finished dinner, Matt left the room with an excuse of needing fresh air. AJ clasped her hand and led her to the couch. “Megan, we have
to talk.”

She gazed at him and tilted her head. “You’re so serious. What’s going on? If you think you’re keeping me from being at the meeting, don’t even try. We’ve been over this. I’m going with or
without you.”

Jesse had taken the file with him when he and Kate left, but AJ told Megan about the meeting, letting her know what was basically in the file. She trusted him. He could’ve kept this from her but had chosen to share. Tomorrow she’d finally know who the Magician was and witness the arrest. She’d finally close this out and find justice
for Kevin.

Maybe he wanted to talk about them after tomorrow. She mentally crossed her fingers he wanted to have a relationship. He knew she couldn’t go to her home so hopefully he’d ask her to stay with him. Could he be ready to admit that he had feelings
for her?

He looked deeply in her eyes. “Megan, once this is over, you’re going into protective custody with the U.S.
Marshals Service.”

Her heart beat a little faster in her confusion. “Why? It’ll be over? I thought we’d be safe once the Magician was arrested.” She caught the pity in his eyes. “Is this about me telling you that I
love you?”