by Sheila Kell
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?”
“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 friend
s, 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.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
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.”
