HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) (35 page)

Victoria pointed to where
he hid.

Megan looked around the group. Detective Cooper walked up to her, pointing his weapon, relieving Victoria. He was supposed to be a good guy. Megan had
trusted him.

“We have your girlfriend. Come out, AJ, or we’ll shoot her. Do you want her death on
your conscience?”

Silence. She held her breath. What would
he do?

AJ slowly walked from behind the metal pile with his hands up, his Beretta hanging from his fingers, his gaze on her. Damian moved forward to retrieve the weapon. He searched AJ and removed his backup weapon and handed it to
his boss.

Despair gripped her as all hope fled. What chance did they
have now?

His gaze moved to the Magician. “You must be Marcus Bryant, Megan’s ex-fiancé.”

“You don’t
seem surprised.”

AJ casually strolled to Megan’s side, turning to her, his gaze holding her captive with an expression she couldn’t read. He shifted. “My brothers and I unraveled it piece by piece until we had the final piece – you. You and this bunch you call leaders did little things wrong here and there. Nothing noticeably incriminating by itself but put them all together…” His voice
trailed off.

A hard, evil glare from her ex met the eyes of each
man present.

“It struck me as odd that you kept after Megan, when I heard you had a new fiancée. I didn’t know it was Victoria. Good job on keeping
that secret.”

AJ had known who it was and hadn’t told her? A spike of anger fought its way through her fear. How could he have not told her? They were a team. After everything, he still hadn’t
trusted her.

Too many competing emotions swirled through her. This bit of news took last place compared to what they currently dealt with. Staying alive took first, and AJ’s demeanor worried her. How could he be so calm in the face of death? Did he really think he could overpower these men
by himself?

Marcus pulled Victoria closer, leaned down and brushed a kiss to her lips. “We’re leaving after we dispose of you. We’ll be enjoying drinks on the beach in some
remote island.”

AJ lowered his hands. “Well, about that. We knew you lived beyond your means so we dug hard and found your money here and in
offshore accounts.”

Marcus turned and glared at Lawrence who hunched his shoulders and stuffed his hands in his jeans’ pockets.

“Of course, we weren’t sure if you were just another layer or actually the Magician. But, you screwed up with
the hospital.”

“Oh yeah. How’
s that?”

“You sent Todd. He’s been under surveillance for months now. He called and gave you the specifics of my guards. Not only did he use his FBI phone, he called you on your personal cell.” AJ grinned and shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard to find good help
these days.”

“How’d you know he
was mine?”

“When I kept him in the dark, we had successful raids against you. Plus, he talks too much when he’
s drunk.”

Marcus’s expressive, dark eyebrows rose in query. “
And Allan?”

AJ shrugged. “I suspected him after Megan was shot at.” He grimaced. “The first time. You really should’ve taught them how to hide bribe money better. Allan and Todd gave us the stepping stones to
your fortune.”

“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. Marcus 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.”