HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) (34 page)

“No. This is about your being a material witness for the government. You need to testify against Damian. He might try to prevent you from making the trial. We can’t take
that chance.”

She nodded. “Okay, so I go into protective custody until after the trial. I think I can live with that. Could I go with your brothers instead of with the marshals? Kate told me they sometimes take protective
custody jobs.”

Megan had been so driven lately on identifying the crime boss, she’d forgotten about the murder she’d witnessed. She had pushed it to the recesses of her mind. This murderer would be put behind bars, and she’d help. She’d promised Kevin and
her mother.

But being away from AJ for so long tore at her heart, at her entire being. Didn’t some cases take years to go to trial? She didn’t want to be away from him that long. Maybe they’d allow him to visit her. He
was FBI.

There was that
maybe again.

After listening to his brothers, she found that he may have ruined his career by choosing to protect her versus handing her over to the FBI. She didn’t want to be the reason he’d lose his job, but she was glad he’d make the choice he had. She’d survived, and she’d fallen in love, finding her
soul mate.

“Megan, it’s more than that. You’ll go into the Witness Security Program. You’ll be relocated and provided with a new identity. No one, not even your family, will know where you live, and you won’t be able to contact them. You won’t be able to write for a newspaper
anymore either.”

Her heart stopped.
No. No. No.
This couldn’t be happening. She wouldn’t leave everything behind. She loved her life, her friends, her job and this man.

She jumped up, her expression mutinous. “No! I won’t
do it!”

AJ stood beside her. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms in a soothing motion. “Megan, you have to if you want to live. There’s no
other option.”

“But once the trial is over, he won’t have a reason to kill me. Why can’t I go back to my life?” There had to be another option. One that
involved AJ.

The sadness in his eyes and his drooping mouth answered her before he spoke. “Nothing is bigger than revenge, my little dove. You’ll help ensure he lands in prison for a long time. Crime bosses don’t forgive
or forget.”

“Do I really have to do this?” She couldn’t walk away from her parents especially after their loss of Kevin. Her mother would never be
the same.

Leaving her job and new friends would be just as hard. She didn’t want to give up writing. It was
her life.

And what about AJ? He would be in danger too. She wanted to ask him to leave and go into Wit Sec with her, but suspected he’
d refuse.

She wouldn’t walk away without trying. A rejection wouldn’t kill her. It would only break her heart. Nervously she asked, “Will you go
with me?”

* * * * *

AJ turned away from her. The pain in his heart tore at his entire body. From the beginning, he’d known this would be Megan’s life once everything was resolved. Letting her go wasn’t supposed to rip apart the soul she’d helped him repair. He’d fallen in love and couldn’t do anything about it except tell
her goodbye.

He had to find Jake and right the wrong he’d done to Emily. If he left with Megan, he’d no longer have the resources at his disposal. Yes his brothers could do it alone, but this had been his fuckup, and that meant he had to clean it up. Which meant he couldn’t leave. Even once he found his brother, he couldn’t be with Megan. Arthur might cross some lines with him but, he’d never allow AJ to know where she’d moved, or what her new identity
had become.

“No,” he answered softy. He turned back to her. “I can’t.”

Tears slid down her cheeks. “I won’t get to see you again,
will I?”

He shook his head. “No. I won’t be allowed to be involved in your relocation, know where you go, or what your new identity
will be.”

He wrapped his arms around the woman he loved, hugging her tightly as she wept on
his shoulder.

When she looked up at him, the same need that held him together showed in her eyes. Without speaking, he released her, took her hand and led her to the bedroom. His brother knew what AJ had needed to do tonight and wouldn’t come back. Matt would keep his vigil out in
the cold.

“This is our last night together. We won’t waste a moment of it.” He needed to savor the feel and taste of her. It had to last for
a lifetime.

“Then stop talking and make love to me.” She smiled seductively, tears wet on
her face.

They relieved themselves of their clothing and tumbled on the bed, ready for each other, ready to
be one.

A silent consent passed through them to
bypass foreplay.

AJ held himself above Megan. “Look at me, my little dove,” he said in a gravelly voice. “I want
to remember.”

He entered her slowly, his strokes slow and deep, her liquid heat enveloping him. Their two hearts beating as one. He trembled with his need to stamp his memory on her. To make every moment count for both
their lives.

Soft, loving kisses passed between them along with deep gazes into each other’s eyes. Love, loss and pain slid over
her eyes.

He flipped over, placing her on top. They didn’t speak, both lost in the sensual feelings of being together. They explored each other’s bodies leaving emotion-filled imprints that would last
a lifetime.

He gritted his teeth, holding onto the pleasure, holding back his release. Sex with others would never be the same. He belonged
inside her.

They surrendered completely to the fire, passion and love that flowed
between them.

She shifted their rhythm, a moan of ecstasy slipping from her lips, a sheen of sweat covered her flushed body sending a tremor thundering
through him.

As she climaxed, she whispered her love for him. He bit his tongue to prevent himself from returning the sentiment when he came deep inside her, shuddering
with bliss.

She would remain in his heart, soul
and mind.

He’d never anticipated his life would change when he’d been sent to threaten a
pesky reporter.

An unchallenged tear escaped down
his cheek.

The day had finally arrived. The day for Kevin. The day for her family. They would have justice. Tiny pinpricks scurried across Megan’s neck and down her spine. Everything had to proceed as planned today. This could be their
only opportunity.

Earlier, she’d argued with AJ and his brothers about her and Victoria’s participation. This was both of their stories. They’d both dug into it and brought valuable information to light. They’d both helped make this plan a success. They’d share credit for the article naming the Magician so it stood to reason they should also be included in person
this time.

The men didn’t agree. They kept talking about security, blah, blah. She’d follow AJ’s orders this time to prevent herself from ending up in the situations she had recently. This was the most dangerous thing she’d done to date. His brothers reluctantly backed down after AJ stood up for her, reminding them it wasn’t their decision
to make.

Then he and his brothers battled about how things would be handled. He wanted to do this without them, but Jesse said AJ had no choice. The problem had been that he refused to provide them with the location of the meeting. Her heart skipped a beat. She understood his need to catch the crime boss, but why did he have to push his brothers away at this stage? They
needed them.

Things became heated and words were spoken they’d each come to regret, and his brother slammed the door on his way out, calling AJ a few names she wouldn’t repeat. She worried that his family relationship might
be irreparable.

She’d never expected his brothers to leave AJ to handle this by himself. But they had. It felt like when they’d first started. Just the two of them. He’d returned to the broken man she’d
first met.

The man who still lived in anguish, caring nothing for himself, who had to do things alone, and the one who had broken
her heart.

After today she’d never see him again or feel the safety and love in his arms. She’d miss that tingling through her nerves when he looked at her with lust in
his eyes.

Her life, while it’ll be new, would be over. She’d never recover from this heartache. How would she put the thousands of shards of her heart
back together?

She had to push those thoughts to later. Before they parted ways, they had to finish this, and today was
the day.

At least the weather cooperated. The beautiful blue sky lit with the blazing sun, small clouds drifting swiftly though the air which meant no snow. Most of it from the last storm had transformed into water running over the streets and lawns. Large piles of the icy mess remained on the sides of the road and parking lots where they’d
been plowed.

“Why didn’t you let your brothers help us? We could use it. You can’t handle
them all.”

He’d said that only one of the men at the meeting would be armed. That’d be Damian. The man who had ruined
her life.

“Megan, my little dove, quit worrying. I can handle this. My only concern is that you’ll be there. I know we have to part, but I don’t want to see anything happen to you.” AJ pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of
her head.

And she’d never let anything happen to him. She’d be his backup
if needed.

They arrived forty minutes early to meet Victoria and find their hiding places. With the entryway plowed, they didn’t have to trek through the two feet of snow behind the warehouse. Megan kept looking over her shoulder, certain his brothers had secretly followed. No
cars appeared.

She took a calming breath. Luck was with them. Today would be successful. At the warehouse, they had large piles of snow, pallets and stacks of scrap metal to hide behind. She and Victoria hid together behind a
snow bank.

Moving to a different spot, AJ walked behind the building to keep foot prints from showing in the
piled snow.

Before he walked away, he moved close to her and touched her lips softly with his. “I’m not happy about you being here. You promised to do what I said. I want you to promise that no matter what, you’ll
stay put.”

What did he mean by no matter what? A slight trembling grabbed her body and let loose. “I promise.” If he thought she’d stay hidden if his life was in jeopardy, he didn’t know her
very well.

The pain in his eyes overwhelmed her. Reaching up, he removed his glove and lightly stroked her cheek with his palm. She leaned
into it.

Victoria cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt but I’d like to hide before someone shows up and decides to
shoot us.”

He hugged Megan tight and whispered, “Trust me, my little dove.”

He turned from her, and her blood turned to ice. What did he have planned that he hadn’t shared? Whatever it was, she’d be there backing
him up.

She and Victoria settled down to wait, brainstorming on how to pull the story together. Victoria had a sharp mind. The two of them worked well together. They had wanted to split up, but AJ had refused, saying it would be easier for him if he had to worry about only
one spot.

“I could sneak to that pile closer to AJ without his knowing,” Victoria said. “It’s a small stack, but I can sit instead
of crouch.”

If anyone moved closer it would be Megan. And there was no way she’d sneak there without AJ knowing. “No. Let’s just stay put. Do you have your
phone ready?”

“My recording app
is open.”

“Great. I’ll get photos. Either you or AJ will hear what’s happening and be able to record it. We’ll get what we need for our article and finally catch this
evil man.”

“I wish Kevin was here,” Victoria said wistfully. “He wanted to break
this story.”

Megan dropped her head and closed her eyes. Victoria had had a crush on her brother. Thinking of him saddened and angered Megan. The Magician
would pay.

After AJ arrested him and the marshals arrived, the ones he’d purposefully told the wrong time so he could handle it alone, she would walk out and face the man who took something precious from her and her family. She felt the gun in her pocket. No, she wouldn’t kill him, no matter how much she’d like to
do so.

She wished she’d had the phone number for that FBI director guy or Kate. Megan would have ensured someone was here. The more she thought about it, the more she worried. Great, heart palpitations to deal with on top of
everything else.

The first vehicle arrived, and her pulse raced. “I hope they don’t check behind
these things.”

Victoria waved her hand. “Your man said he’d keep us safe. He’s kept you alive so I trust him. Look here comes
two more.”

Knowing someone else trusted AJ warmed Megan’s heart. He’d die before he allowed someone to hurt her. The thought sent a shiver snaking down her spine. He would
not die.

They expected all of the bosses. AJ had best be right about only Damian carrying. Otherwise, she might shoot
AJ herself.

It was time this mystery was solved. The Magician had kept his identity secret for too long. Kristen had reminded her that as a journalist she had to remain open-minded. It was a long shot, but the Magician could be a ‘she’ and not a ‘he’.

Of course they parked near AJ. He knew they would which was why he hid her back here. But he’d share
the recording.

Kevin, it will finally end today. I just wish it would bring
you back.

She peeked around the snow as the occupants exited their vehicles. She snapped photos. She’d seen a photo of everyone except Lawrence, and well, the big boss. She moved from person to person. She reached one face and gasped. It couldn’t be. That couldn’t be
the Magician.

* * * * *

Anger and hatred rolled through AJ’s stomach. This son of a bitch had attempted to kill the woman he loved. There would be
no mercy.

He turned on the recorder Devon had provided. Sitting still long enough to collect incriminating evidence would be difficult. His hands itched to slap cuffs on the no longer illusive
crime boss.

Ah. An extra had arrived. He’d been right about him. Thank God he hadn’t trusted him with
any information.

“What the fuck is going on? Can’t you control your business?” the Magician yelled. “With the exception of Lawrence, you’re all lucky I haven’t put a bullet in you. Thank God, my money
is safe.”

Lawrence
stood taller.

AJ caught himself from laughing out loud. Right now Devon was draining all of the Magician’s accounts in the U.S. and abroad. Lawrence wouldn’t be standing tall
much longer.

A finger pointed at Damian. “You let two people slip through your fingers. They have been making our lives hell. Why are they
still alive?”

The chief enforcer shuffled his feet, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket. “We’re doing everything that we can. Since you can’t get the information, we have to rely on the word on the street. Every time we’ve located where they were staying, they’d moved by the time we got there. We’re going to catch
them though.”

“You’d best because I can’t find out where they’re staying from Megan or my contacts. We can’t afford any more of their trouble. I want more people looking for them, people ready to pull
the trigger.”

The Magician turned to Carl. “And how the fuck did you lose a shipment, Jimmy and
twenty dealers?”

The man blustered. “We usually get a tip when the DEA is planning a raid. We didn’t get it this time. We never expected they’d hit the dealers
so hard.”

“We pay well, but there are times when you won’t get a heads up. You need to have a plan to keep my money and product where it belongs. If you think you can’t do it, then I can find
someone else.”

“No, I can handle it,” Carl said nervously. “I’m working on getting business back
to normal.”

“You’d best. You’re lucky you didn’t get picked up when Jimmy did. I’d bet they know your true identity
by now.”

Carl shrugged. “Maybe they’re not
that smart.”

The Magician shot him a scathing look. “They’re both smart. With an FBI agent and an investigative reporter out there, you’d best watch
your back.”

“I already am,”
Carl responded.

The Magician turned to Paul. “How the hell did you lose your entire team and an escapee? You’re supposed to be the best there is, you fucked up with Denzel and now this one. What the
fuck happened?”

AJ could almost feel the heat radiating off the
crime boss.

“I think they got to Tony. I thought he’d just skipped out on us. He kept talking about a girl back home. It didn’t occur to me that one of my own would be used
against us.”

Oh boy. This kept getting better. How the hell had these assholes been so successful? They
were idiots.

“You lost an employee and didn’t think to amend your plans? Didn’t think that your mission might be in jeopardy? Are you taking our product or something because going ahead was the most fucked up decision you’ve ever made? And they had to have collected the info on all of the escapees from you. With the exception of me, no one else has all of that data. We fucking lost our
entire setup.”

Paul hung his head, his fists at
his side.

The Magician looked at Erin. “I don’t even want to hear it from you. You never should have hired the Richards brothers
as pimps.”

Men shuffled and looked anywhere else except at their boss. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We will focus all of our energy in finding those two problem-makers, and then we’re getting back
to business.”

“Problem,” a
voice whispered.

* * * * *

“Get up.” Megan turned with her finger to her lips for quiet and froze. Her heart skipped a beat. She looked into the barrel of
a gun.

“I said get up,”
Victoria said.

Fear sent a shiver surging through Megan, leaving her body shaking. She took a deep breath and attempted to speak over the pounding of her heart in her ears. She swallowed and forced out her words, “Victoria, what are
you doing?”

The journalist stood. “Get up and put your hands up. I know you have a gun in your pocket. Reach for it and
you die.”

Megan did as told. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t part of the plan. Did AJ have a backup plan? She should’ve pushed him to use his brothers. The marshals. Yes. When would they arrive? Would it be in time to
save them?

Victoria removed Megan’s gun, taking away her hope of fighting back. She could take the woman but not the rest of the men. How could she have been so wrong about someone she called her friend? What had changed Victoria? She’d work just as hard as Megan to get to this point. “Now move. The boss is waiting
for you.”

She walked on wobbly legs. They had told Victoria everything. That meant AJ’s plan had been exposed, which meant they knew he
was here.

“Honey, look what I have here.” Victoria smiled and walked to
the group.

Revulsion burned the back of Megan’s throat and curdled in
her stomach.

“Well, well. I knew if we put out the bait, you wouldn’t be able to pass up watching this meeting, thinking you could capture me. That’s why Victoria was on the story. To keep an eye on your brother and
then you.”

Oh God. They had been set up. They’d been lured here
to die.

The Magician smiled, and it sent a cold chill through her. “It’s good to see you, Megan. But someone is missing from the party. Where is your boyfriend? Where is
AJ hiding?”