by Sheila Kell
“I’m impressed. You’re a top notch investigator. How you managed to infiltrate my organization without my knowledge was ingenious, but I won’t lose sleep over ridding myself of a federal agent.”
He glared at Damian. “You’re still alive because someone fucked up. We will remedy that now.”
Megan gasped. He freely admitted to having people killed. Who was this man? How could she have been fooled? She’d never questioned his extravagant spending on her. She’d noticed his two phones, but hadn’t thought anything of it at the time.
“Why me?” Fear made her voice tremble.
He leered at her. “You were a means to an end. I had to keep tabs on you and your brother before Victoria was assigned to help. He started nosing in my business long ago.” Marcus raked his gaze over her. “Pity. We had a good time.”
Victoria’s narrowed eyes filled with hatred at Megan.
She sniffed and wiped away a tear that silently slid down her cheek. She’d failed Kevin. She’d failed her family. Her mother would have to deal with both of her children disappearing not knowing if hope existed.
A part of her had believed she’d survive this investigation. Especially after she’d paired with AJ. They hadn’t done anything stupid except for trusting Victoria. Okay, maybe they’d done a few other things they shouldn’t have, mostly what she shouldn’t have. But, in the end, she knew she’d have justice for her family. She’d end this crime boss’s reign.
“Why? Why did you do this?” Megan asked.
“Why not? I plan to retire soon and in style. I certainly can’t do it off the shitty pension the bank pays. I needed money and lots of it. Drugs were a no brainer to start with. You’d be surprised what you can get past DEA.” Marcus shook his head with a look letting them know he held a secret.
“It was making me money but not fast enough. I decided I needed to expand my business, and I needed more of a challenge. Who better to lead my business in other states than other drug kingpins?” He laughed. “It was exciting breaking them out of prison and watching everyone scramble to find them. You can’t believe the rush I felt when we succeeded in keeping them hidden.”
“Since you’re planning to kill us anyway, why not tell us everything. Let Megan and I at least die knowing the truth.” AJ requested.
Her stomach plummeted to the ground. Had he resolved that they’d be murdered? No way would she accept that. She had to find a way to save them. Fighting Victoria from the beginning and bringing her in as a hostage would have been an excellent start. Hindsight. Think.
“Oh, you mean that I am the Magician,” Marcus pointed a finger at his chest, “and I am a drug lord and, oh yeah, I break criminals out of prison for money. Something like that, AJ?”
“Yeah, something like that. How did you decide who to break out of prison?”
“I guess it doesn’t matter if I tell you. It’s not like on the movies where the police are coming in to save the day. There is no cavalry. I made sure of that,” Marcus said looking around. “Your desire to bring me down alone has been your downfall, yours and hers.” He gestured to Megan. “We’ll be gone before your precious marshals arrive.”
She witnessed AJ’s jaw tighten. Someone else had betrayed him.
“How were clients selected?”
He had to be buying time in hopes the agents arrived early. But whose side would they be on? The last marshals had no qualms taking down his men. However, Marcus knew the plan today.
“I chose our clients personally. Ones who could pay and would add to my empire. My services are costly.”
Megan clenched her fists at his cockiness. Hopefully AJ still recorded this so someone would have it after they found them. No. Damian would take their bodies away. No one would find them. Bile rose to her throat, and she forced it down.
“How did you contact them?”
“Oh, AJ. It’s so easy to blackmail or bribe someone to bring messages in and out of prison. We just had to find the right person, and then we had a line to our client. I assume you know the rest.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I figured it out. It’s remarkable how you pulled it all together. You’ve used some ingenious ways to break them out of prison. At least you accomplished it with as few people injured as possible.”
“Why, AJ, it almost sounds like you admire me.” Marcus’s face hosted a boasting grin.
AJ’s face remained impassive. The same as when he’d looked at her that first time. His earlier words returned to her about how he expected to die finishing this. But he’d sworn to protect her.
“Admire you, no. Despise you, yes.”
Her ex chuckled. “AJ, AJ. You do make me laugh. You’re about to die and instead of begging for your life, you insult me.”
Keep him talking, AJ. Interrogating Marcus answered questions her reporter curiosity had held. It wasn’t the time, but if he kept talking, they’d stay alive long enough to figure out a plan.
“What about the hits? Did you order all of them?”
“Of course, the hits came from me. That reminds me, what happened to those you killed? I’m sure you didn’t actually murder them, so where are they?”
Marcus’s face pinched as the light came on.
AJ nodded and smiled. “They’re all in Wit Sec and have turned on the organization. People don’t take too kindly to someone wanting them dead. We have a host of witnesses awaiting your trial.”
Marcus threw his head back and belted out a laugh. “What trial? These are the only people who know my identity, and they’d never turn on me because they’d incriminate themselves. And you and your girlfriend won’t be alive to tell the police nor lead them to my men. My inside men will drive the feds in circles while they continue to look for the Magician, especially knowing he was responsible for your disappearance.”
Marcus turned to Megan. “And, you won’t get to print another front page story about me, no more exclusives, baby. You’re a talented writer, but I’m tired of all the negative publicity.” He looked her over. “It’s a shame you wouldn’t listen. You’re just like your brother.”
She dropped her arms and fisted her hands at her sides. Something snapped in her. Rage overtook her senses. “You ass! You had Kevin killed and act like it’s nothing. I’m glad I dumped you.”
His hostile glare told her she’d stepped over the line. Marcus turned to Detective Cooper. “Do it.”
Allan pointed his weapon at Damian’s head and fired. Her ape man dropped in a loud thud.
A scream worked its way to her throat, but no sound passed her frozen mouth. They had murdered Damian in front of her. She and AJ were next. She looked at the love of her life. As if feeling her gaze, he turned. She could’ve sworn love was the emotion flaring in his eyes.
“I want her.” Victoria’s voice carried a murderous lilt.
“By all means, baby.” Marcus gestured her forward.
Detective Cooper told them to get down on their knees.
“Kill her first,” the man she once thought she loved said to Victoria. Then he turned to AJ. “I want you to watch her die.”
Victoria moved to Megan, and Detective Cooper tried to force AJ to his knees.
AJ swung to her with a wide smile, winked and said, “Playtime.”
A shot echoed and both Victoria and Detective Cooper fell. Okay, maybe two shots. Then all hell broke loose.
“Police! Drop your weapons! Get your hands where we can see them!”
The H.I.S. team, dressed in all white, appeared from the snow and formed a tight circle around Megan, pulling her back. Federal agents filed out of the warehouses on each side of them.
She moved and leaned down until she found a crack in her white wall.
Detective Phillips stopped at Detective Cooper’s body, a look of disgust on his face. He turned to her. “I’m sorry, Ms. Rogers. I had no idea.”
From inside the Hamilton team circle, she sighed before replying, “I trusted him, too.”
AJ and Marcus still faced each other. Mar
cus attempted to raise the gun, but AJ launched himself at the man, knocking them to the ground.
Her wall caught her peeking and closed the opening. She moved around until she found another small spot to watch.
Marcus and AJ wrestled for control of the weapon. When AJ broke it free from Marcus’s grasp, he tossed it out of reach.
Now, why would he do that? He should’ve used it. Not to shoot, although it wouldn’t hurt her feelings if he did, but to control the situation.
Next thing she knew Marcus had rolled them until he was strangling AJ, gripping his neck tightly.
One of the men shifted in front of her. She pushed him without budging the man. “Move! I can’t see.”
He ignored her. She continued to shift until she found a sliver of open space.
Was that AJ on top? Yes. Yes. Her heart leapt. It was him. He’d pinned Marcus down, drove a fist into his jaw, and with the swiftness she’d witnessed before, flipped him, planted a knee in his back and pulled his arms back to cuff his hands.
He did it! She tried again to get around the men surrounding her to no avail.
“Where is she?” AJ’s voice carried to her.
Suddenly the men stepped away but stayed within reach, allowing Megan to see AJ stagger to her, sweat running down his temples, blood on his lips, and running his leg.
He engulfed her in his arms, his forehead resting on hers. “Are you all right, my little dove?” His body trembled next to hers.
She pulled back. “Why did you do that? Why did you risk getting shot? And why the hell didn’t you tell me about your brothers? And why did you fight Marcus?”
Gathering her back against his chest, he tucked her head under his chin and kissed the top of her head. “He raised his gun, but I wouldn’t let him go down with death by cop. He has to face justice. As for my brothers, I’m sorry I worried you.”
He loosened his grip as she pulled back. Reaching up with a surprisingly, shaky hand, she wiped blood from his mouth. “Are you okay? Your leg is bleeding. Maybe you busted your stitches.”
Instead of answering, he leaned down and kissed her deeply. A kiss filled with passion that turned into desperation. She leaned back. Something was wrong. There was something he wasn’t telling her.
She brightened. “You saved me like I knew you would. I love you, AJ Hamilton.”
He reached up and pushed her hair behind her ear. “Megan,” he said in a tortured voice, “it was almost too late. Victoria wanted to shoot you. I didn’t think Neftali and Jesse would make their shots in time. I’ve never been so terrified.”
She loved this man. He might not tell her he loved her but he does. Things had changed for the better. They now had a chance.
“It’s okay. I’m okay. And since Detective Cooper shot Damian, I don’t have to leave.” Elation filled her. She stood on her tiptoes and placed kisses all over his face. Things had been set right. Kevin had justice, and she had AJ.
Her mom would be glad to see her finally settled down. And in time they’d give her grandchildren. She’d have to keep close with Kate to learn how to deal with the threat of death to AJ on a daily basis. Megan sighed, contented.
He cleared his throat. “Megan, Damian may be dead, but you witnessed this. You heard his entire confession, so nothing changes for you. If I’d known they’d kill Damian, I’d never have let you come, and you’d have been free. I’m sorry, my little dove, but they are still taking you into protective custody from here. The Department of Justice will want you as a material witness. Without Wit Sec, you won’t survive to testify against Marcus or his men.”
Her heart plummeted. Chilled fingers twisted through her, freezing everything in its path. This couldn’t be. Things should be right. They should be together.
“No, AJ. Don’t say that. I want to stay with you.” He couldn’t be saying goodbye. Couldn’t be leaving her. “Can’t the others here testify instead of me?”
“It won’t matter, Megan. These assholes will have you killed if you don’t leave. I don’t want you to die. We’ve worked too hard to keep you alive.”
“What about you? Won’t they try to kill you too? Can’t you come with me?” He couldn’t do this to them.
“Megan, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” His hand lightly rubbed her cheek.
No! No one else would make her tingle with only the briefest of touches. She couldn’t live without it.
“I don’t want this. I don’t want to leave you.” Her voice cracked. She fought to keep tears at bay. She’d finally found her other half, and he was walking away. A knife sliced through her heart.
“Megan, you know you have to go. You can’t stay with me.”
She stepped back and wrapped her arms around herself. Their time together meant everything to her. How could it mean so little to him that he could just walk away?
He couldn’t do this. She threw her arms around his shoulders and pulled herself tight. “No, AJ. Don’t leave me. I need you.”
He leaned back and lifted her chin with two fingers and then lowered his head for a soft, slow kiss that she put all of her love into. He loved her. It came through in his kiss.
Matt interrupted them. “AJ,” he said touching him on the shoulder. “It’s time to go.”
AJ lifted his lips from hers. Megan no longer attempted to hide the tears now streaming down her face. This could not be goodbye. It just couldn’t. How could he not feel this pain?
He wiped a tear from her face. “Don’t cry, my little dove. This is for the best. I need you to live.”
“I love you, AJ. Why can’t you come with me? Why can’t you be with me?” She didn’t care that she begged. They belonged together.
“Don’t make our time together anything more than it was. Someday, you’ll find someone to love, and you’ll forget about me.”
She’d never forget about him and the heated awareness when he was around, the tingling paths he burned over her when he touched her. Nothing could be more painful than this. How could he just rip her heart out like it was nothing?
“No. No. That’s not true. Don’t do this to us, AJ.”
He dropped his arms. “It’s time, my little dove.” He lifted his hand and with his thumb wiped more tears from her face. “Have a great life, Megan Rogers. I’ll never forget you.” He turned, walked away, not looking back.
Megan fell to her knees sobbing uncontrollably, thinking she’d died.
EPILOGUE
Five months later – Ogden, Utah
“Ms. Sykes. Ms. Sykes.”
Megan chuckled. Of all of her students in the summer English class she’d been substituting, Brandon never went a day without seeking attention.
“Settle down, Brandon. What can I do for you?”
“Do we really have to finish The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before summer school is out?”
His pitiful frown made her want to laugh. It had almost worked on her the first week she’d filled in. Thankfully, she’d been warned about his antics.
“Yes, Brandon. You were supposed to have read it this past school year.”
“But, but, there’s not enough time. Summer school is almost over.”
“I promise you, Brandon, there is enough time. You just have to make this a priority. If you don’t, you can’t move up to Sophomore English. Is that what you want? To stay back while your friends move up?”
“Hell no!” His sheepish look faded under her stern, teacher stare. “I’m sorry, Ms. Sykes. No, I don’t want to repeat this class. But I have too much to do to read.”
She rose from the uncomfortable chair behind her desk, stretched and moved to her student’s desk. “Brandon, this is a decision you have to make. You keep telling me you’re an adult now. Well, it’s time to start acting like one. An adult does what they have to do first not necessarily what they want to do.”
When he looked at her with a blank stare, she continued, “That means you make the time to read this book. Nothing else is more important. Do you understand?�
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The class bell rang, saving him from attempting a feeble response.
Loudly, she called out, “Class, take advantage of the rain expected this weekend to complete your reading assignment. One more week. I’ll see you on Monday.”
The teenagers almost fought to be the first out of the door. She didn’t take it personally. Not everyone enjoyed this course, or summer school. Becoming an English substitute teacher hadn’t been what she’d imagined she’d be doing, but she enjoyed it. She hoped a full time position opened this coming school year. Rumor was the teacher she filled in for might not return. She kept her fingers crossed. This is what the marshals had trained her to do since she couldn’t return to journalism.
She’d been angry when she’d first been set up in Ogden, Utah. Even with the agents who attempted to help her acclimate, loneliness had consumed her. The only other time she’d made a big move, Kevin had been there to help her settle in. She didn’t have anyone this time. She didn’t have anyone anymore.
AJ’s handsome face flashed in front of her. She quickly pushed it away. She’d worked hard to force the memories they’d made down as far as possible. They flooded back up more than she’d like. Sometimes she let them stay for a while, remembering the joy and love they’d shared.
Before they’d forced her on to her new life, she’d been allowed to submit one final article naming Marcus, and detailing the meeting she’d witnessed. Well, as much as the police would allow her to report. At first, she’d read Kelly’s follow up articles online. Now, she didn’t search them out. The agents kept her informed enough.
In the beginning, she’d prayed AJ would come to her with the agents and tell her he loved her. Her prayers had gone unanswered. If he’d really wanted to know where she was, he could have found out. It had been five months. He was back to his old life, without her.
She had been settled in a cute little three bedroom, two bathroom cookie-cutter house in a friendly neighborhood. When she’d moved in, most of her neighbors came by to introduce themselves, bringing cakes and pies. They’d made her feel welcome. She’d slowly begun making new friends. However, many of them weren’t sure what to think of her.