by Sheila Kell
He dropped his head and rubbed his forehead with his hand. He’d made his choice when he’d decided to keep Megan from the FBI. Right or wrong decision, she belonged with him. He wouldn’t change his mind now.
“Then I guess we part ways here because I’m not quitting and I’m not turning her over.” The man tried to have him murdered, was responsible for so much carnage and pain, and his boss wanted him to walk away. AJ thought Arthur knew him better than that. Wasn’t that why he’d chosen him for the mission? He’d said something about his inability to back down.
“You have three days. After that you’re on your own, and I won’t stop the law from chasing you.”
Hell.
It was what AJ expected…it was what he would have done. But he would see this through till the end, no matter the consequences.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
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?”
“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.