HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) (10 page)

A light red blush crept onto her cheeks. “You disgusting pig,” she
spat out.

“Now you’re getting it, my little dove.” What she thought of him shouldn’t matter but it did. He’d pushed her to that conclusion so it was his
own fault.

“Quit calling
me that!”

“Don’t count on it, my
little dove.”

She visibly gritted her teeth. “Why do you call
me that?”

He shrugged. “It just came to me when I
saw you.”

“Are you really
an enforcer?”

She routed them back to the story. He had to hand it to her for tenacity. “
I was.”

“What will they do if they
find you?”

He turned to her. “They’ll kill me of course. I’m a walking dead man.” He fought hard to keep his voice calm. Fear and pain had overtaken his body. Yes, he feared what would happen next. He’d have to leave everything behind. Thank God he didn’t have a wife and kids. Being on the run, he could never have that kind
of family.

He looked around and scrunched his eyebrows. “Why the fuck are you driving
so slow?”

“I’m doing the speed limit, and I’m not going any faster,” she said through
clenched teeth.

He shook his head and smiled. Yep, a brave
little dove.

“Why are you so determined to bring down Magic Shop, Megan?” He knew. He just wanted to hear it
from her.

“It’
s personal.”

“I hope your life is
worth it.”

“Why did he try to
kill you?”

He chuckled.
Fuck!
He’d be lucky if he didn’t black out again with his stupidity in increasing his own pain level. “You’re good. I’m holding you hostage and all you’re thinking about is a story. I’m not telling you what the meeting was about so that you can print it. No,
thank you.”

Did he imagine it or had her fear turned to curiosity? No. She still shook and held a death-grip on the steering wheel. He’d guessed right. She used curiosity to cover her fear. She’d definitely chosen the
right career.

“Come on,” she cajoled. “You shouldn’t have any loyalty to them. They don’t want you around anymore. Get back at them by giving me the information and I’ll bring it to light. They will pay for trying to
kill you.”

And her brother, he knew she’d left off. “Sorry, Megan. It won’
t work.”

Damian would pay for attempting to murder him. AJ would see to that before he vanished on his own terms
not theirs.

“
You suck.”

“How can such filth come out of a sweet, kissable mouth?” A mouth he wanted to taste again. A mouth he wanted wrapped around his cock. The taste of the pomegranate lip balm she’d worn had him
wanting more.

He mentally shook his head to clear it, needing to keep his mind
on survival.

He groaned. He needed a pain pill. Hell, he probably needed the hospital. Yet all he could think about was seeing Megan naked. He wanted to see her fully naked. Have his mouth on the plump breasts he’
d touched.

“I may be your hostage, but you’re never going to have
me again.”

Damn his thoughts. “Never say never, my little dove.” He turned, met her gaze
and winked.

She scoffed and he swallowed
his chuckle.

“Get off on the next exit then merge right at the
second light.”

With the holiday, the roads were nearly deserted. He wouldn’t put it past her to attempt to gain someone’s attention or stop the car
and run.

“Take a left
on Lombard.”

She slowed for the turn. “Are you going to tell me where we’
re going?”

“You’ll see when we
get there.”

She glanced around nervously. “This isn’t a good part of town.” The locks engaged and he smiled to himself. She’d rather stay with him who’d threatened her with death than have someone on these streets bother her. Funny how her
mind worked.

“I know. Slow down. You can drop me at that corner.” He
pointed ahead.

“Dr-drop, drop you? You’re letting
me go?”

He’d never intended to hold her hostage longer than necessary. He hadn’t wanted to do it in the first place, but knew it had been the only way to get her out of there as quickly as possible. She would’ve called the police and waited. Bile formed in the back of his throat knowing they’d never have let
her leave.

“On the condition that you keep quiet about what you witnessed today. If you don’t, I’ll be coming after you. I’m not joking, Megan. This is serious. Opening your mouth is a death sentence for you. Don’t
test me.”

She sighed with relief. “Thank you for letting
me go.”

“I won’t do it until
you agree.”

It took her a moment but she let out a heavy breath and finally answered, “Okay.”

“You’re free, my little dove. I’m sorry you witnessed such a violent crime. It’s something I wished you’d never have seen. I’m equally sorry to have shaken you up more than you already were.” Why the hell did he keep apologizing? He wouldn’t have with
anyone else.

“I wasn’t
shaken up.”

Ha. She still trembled. He couldn’t resist. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. It hurt to move toward her. But the pain had been worth the startled look on
her face.

“Don’t stop on your way out of the neighborhood. Stay safe, Megan. I won’t forget you.” And he knew he wouldn’t. There was something about her that cried out for him to protect her and to make
her his.

He stepped out of the car and watched her drive away. The stabbing pain in his heart
surprised him.

Goodbye, my
little dove.

Megan locked the passenger door, pulled away from the curb, and with shaky hands she dug into her purse for her cell phone. The fear drained from her. AJ had let
her go.

Son of a gun. He’d kept her weapon and her
pepper spray.

She should call 911 about the murder and the kidnapping. What would they say about a man taking a woman he’d been intimate with for a joyride? That’s what they’d
call it.

First
things first.

“Kristen,” she said excitedly, “I’ve a great story for tomorrow’s paper. I was an eyewitness to
a murder.”

Megan relayed what she’d witnessed along with the kidnapping. Her breath caught at her traitorous action, but he had
held her at gunpoint. It didn’t bother her to broadcast the murder, but part of her wanted to hold back his story. The why of it fathomed her? He is
a criminal
.

Unfortunately, he happened to be a criminal she was
attracted to.

“I’m on my way, and I’m already writing it in my head. I’ll be able to make deadline. I want it submitted before I meet with the police. I have to report this to them. I can’t let
this go.”

AJ couldn’t have truly believed she’d pass up this chance to expose a Magic Shop murderer. Death sentence or not, she’d print this. A cold shiver snaked down her spine. This could be the final nail in her coffin. No pun intended. They would retaliate. Trent had best be as good as his reputation. He had to keep her safe. She couldn’t rely on
anyone else.

Nothing but dead air greeted her. Had she
been disconnected?

“Hello? Kristen?”

Her boss cleared her throat. “I’m here. I’ll start shifting pieces. How big of a newshole are
you thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll know by the time I arrive.” How much would she write? Would she include her kidnapping? Would she do that to him? Why would she try to protect him? He said he killed for a living. Plus, he’d threatened her life. How could she keep forgetting that
important point?

“We’ll make as much room as you need. Let’s get it to print quickly before the police try to force us to pull it. Have Kyle go through your photos and video and choose one for your article. It’ll
save time.”

She preferred to do it all herself, but she didn’t want to miss deadline. While her boss did allow late stories, like the councilman’s, she didn’t think this story would qualify to hold up printing as murder in Baltimore was commonplace. Plus they truly had to have it locked in before she reported it. She had no doubts the police would attempt to force them to
nix it.

“That works.” She exited off
the interstate.

“Are you all right, Megan?” The depth of concern in Kristen’s voice surprised Megan. Of course, she’d never dealt with her boss in a situation
like this.

“I’m still a
bit shaken.”

She’d never witnessed someone murdered, nor been kidnapped at gunpoint either. The shock had worn off, and she didn’t know how she felt
about everything.

She went back over whether AJ would’ve actually hurt or killed her. She hadn’t wanted to chance it since he’d been desperate. Oh, and pointing a pistol at her. Would he follow through on his threat when she published
the story?

“You’ll feel better when we expose this killer. Now, you drive safe, and we’ll see you shortly. And be prepared, your bodyguard is livid.” Her boss disconnected
the call.

Trent would be over the edge when he heard her story. And the fact she’d left that button thingy behind. She cringed. That would have
been helpful.

She couldn’t keep her mind clear of AJ. Her memories kept forcing themselves forward. He’d kissed her goodbye. She touched her cheek. She didn’t know what to think of him. It shouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t see him again. She forced the thoughts back into the recesses of
her mind.

Parking as close as possible to the building housing the newspaper, she hurried into the newsroom. She raced past Trent who reached out to grab her as she half-ran to her desk. She handed her cell phone to her co-worker without breaking stride. “Thank you, Kyle. It’s in video so I trust you to make some still shots from it,” she said over
her shoulder.

“Where the fuck have you been, and why did you leave without me?” Trent’s sharp voice bounced around the newsroom. “I can’t protect you if I’m not
with you.”

“Sorry, Trent. You weren’t available, and I needed to leave right away. Look, I have to write this story. I’ll talk with
you after.”

His nostrils flared and he glared
at her.

“No. We talk about this now,”
he snapped.

Kyle jumped in, breaking her bodyguard’s tirade. “I’ll choose a couple for different story angles. When you finish, you can make the
final selection.”

“You’re good to me, Kyle.” She took off her scarf and coat, sat at her desk, pulled her hair back in a clip and then her fingers magically flew over the keyboard. A first-hand experience was different from what she usually wrote, but she found the story easy to write, so she spilled
it all.

Kelly approached her desk with a cup in her hand. “I thought you might need this. You haven’t come up for air since you
walked in.”

The coffee smelled wonderful. “Thank you so much.” Megan took a long drink, gasped as it burned her mouth and then went back to her keyboard. Different emotions flowed through her. Her mental restraint kept these feelings on the page and not taking over
her body.

She’d considered holding back on AJ still being alive, but decided he knew what he was doing. He’d run and have a new life soon. He wouldn’t even see the article. And if the bosses returned to clean up as he had said, they would know he was
indeed alive.

She couldn’t stop fretting about him. Where would he go? Would he run far away? She hoped he didn’t stay for revenge. Men were stupid like that. Obviously so were some women. But the Magician wanted him dead. He didn’t stand a chance.
Please, run as far from here as you can, AJ.

“Finished.” She raised her arms over her head, linked her hands and then leaned back in a much
welcome stretch.

“You were there? You fucking witnessed this?” Trent didn’t hold his anger in well. His face burned red and his jaw tightened. He had to be a poor poker player. “You went to this without me? What the fuck were you thinking, Megan?”

“Give me a moment.” Oh, he didn’t appreciate being dismissed. She’d remember that expression of narrowed eyes and a tight-lipped frown. She’d probably earn it many times over in the
near future.

The first photo Kyle displayed was a still shot of the boss firing his weapon from the last of the video before she’d dropped her cell phone. It was perfect to go with the story. The killer’s face would be front page. She wished she knew his name. She prayed Kristen didn’t hold it up until she
found out.

She crossed her fingers, submitted her article and artwork and then expelled a breath in a long sigh of overburdened relief. Now, she would be required to relay the events to her friends, and Trent. They wouldn’t allow her to do anything else. Then, she had to notify the police. She snorted. Her priorities might be a
bit skewed.

She rubbed on her lip balm wondering if AJ had already left Baltimore.
Stop it! He’
s gone.

“Where’s Merissa?” Not that Megan should care. She was just glad the woman hadn’t taken up space near her desk to tell her again how she
would die.

Trent would hire more men and keep her safe until she finished this. Taking this man off of the streets would
be huge.

Kelly shrugged. “She left right after you. No one knows where
she went.”

“Based on those photos you had a very interesting afternoon,”
Kyle said.

“We all saw them, Megan. It must have been scary,”
Kelly added.

“We’re all ears.” The gleam in Janet’s eyes told her she was in trouble, no matter what
she said.

Trent narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Yeah, we’re
all ears.”

She relayed her story, from arriving at the warehouse to being released by AJ. They didn’t interrupt her as she poured it all out, but heard a gasp from time to time. She choked up, tears stung her eyes but she held them
at bay.

“Son of a bitch!” Trent walked away removing his cell phone from
his pocket.

“My God, Megan. I thought you’d be more careful. You weren’t supposed to go anywhere without Trent.” Kelly crossed her arms over her chest in the stance he’d
recently held.

“I went to observe a meeting. I told you that. It wasn’t like I knew they’d start shooting at each other. Besides, I’m okay.” If it had been their lead, they’d have done the same thing. It had sounded
safe enough.

As for Trent, he would just have to get over it. She was his employer
after all.

Janet furrowed her eyebrows. “This guy, the one who survived, sounds like a real bad guy. What if he comes back after you for publishing? Isn’t that what
he threatened?”

“Well, he did leave me alive. Besides, he’s on the run, not after me. I have to tell the police the story.” She rolled her eyes. She didn’t look forward to what the detectives would say. AJ had been overreacting. The police wouldn’t have
her killed.

“They will be pissed at you for not telling them what you knew about
the meeting.”

Kelly spoke the truth. “They’re always pissed at me, so I don’t see how this will be
any different.”

Janet stood. “You know you have a big problem, Megan.”

She’d hoped to avoid this conversation. Hoped they’d just let it go and leave things
to Trent.

“You witnessed a Magic Shop boss commit murder. I won’t beat around the bush. They will attempt to kill you. You might not even make it to the police station
from here.”

“I’m certain he didn’t see me.” The boss may have heard her, but he hadn’t seen her.
Not possible.

“Okay. You’re probably safe driving to the station. Don’t you think the Magician will find out? And very quickly?”
Janet asked.

The coffee tossed and turned in her stomach. She would make the crime boss angry. The thought of witness protection popped in her
head again.

“Janet, I’ll talk with the police about protection
this time.”

“It needs to be protective custody but not from the local police. They’ll lead the bad guys right to you.” She paused as if a thought had suddenly occurred to her. “The FBI should be involved. Report this to
them instead.”

Megan hadn’t thought about including the FBI. This conversation was way out of hand. If the police thought it serious enough then she’d follow their advice. Well, follow most of it. Dang Janet for making
her worry.

“Surely they won’t care about one murder. They have a lot of major cases to handle.” Megan could probably talk Detectives Cooper and Phillips out of protective custody but not
the FBI.

“This criminal enterprise involves major crimes. I believe they’d care. In fact, they’d probably jump
on it.”

“Megan, I agree with Janet. This needs to go to them. Otherwise,” Kelly paused then continued in an almost whisper, “well, you know what
might happen.”

“Look. I owe it to Detective’s Cooper and Phillips to bring this to them. They’re working hard to bring this
group down.

“What can we do to change your mind?”
Janet asked.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll go to the FBI also. If they both offer to protect me, I’ll choose the FBI. Will
that work?”

Her pregnant friend hugged her and began silently weeping. “Don’t go to the police, Megan. I beg you, don’t go. Go straight to
the FBI.”

Her choked sobs took Megan by surprise. She didn’t know what to say. This was too much to handle after the day she’d
already endured.

She released her friend. Tears continued their slide down Janet’s cheeks. “Megan, I’m begging you, don’t go to the local police. We won’t ever see
you again.”

“Janet, Kristen trusts the two detectives and so do I. I’ll tell only them. They’ll keep me safe. And I promise to go by the FBI office too. Between the two of them and Trent’s team, Magic Shop won’t be able to touch me. Don’t worry. I’ll
be okay.”

Merissa strode over from her desk. “What’s
going on?”

“Nothing. Nothing. This pregnancy has me emotional. I cry over nothing.” Janet raised her eyebrows. “Where have you been? Weren’t you supposed to
stay here?”

Merissa eyed the two of them suspiciously. “I had some personal business to attend to.” She turned and
walked away.

Before they returned to their desks, each of Megan’s friends hugged her as if it would be the last time they’d see her. Surely they were overreacting. Or was she under reacting? She wished Kristen wasn’t tied up with the big boss. Megan needed her advice. Should she avoid the police? She had to report it, and she couldn’t put it off any longer. Unfortunately, she’d have to discuss AJ. He was a victim, a witness, he’d shot the boss and he’d held
her hostage.

He had to be safe. She didn’t want anything to happen to him. She didn’t know what was wrong with her in relation to him. Even Marcus was better
for her.

Trent returned as she zipped her jacket. “Where do you think you’re
going now?”