HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) (11 page)

He settled in for the night and thought about his predicament. He had a psycho after someone he loved. He’d spoken with Reagan and his brothers earlier in the evening and had relaxed a little. She’d be kept safe. His tension over Kate wasn’t just because of a killer. The sexual tension between them couldn’t be ignored. He knew he shouldn’t, but he’d have her in his bed.

He told himself that he could still protect her and have amazing sex with her. He had to figure out what it would take to get her there.

* * * * *

He hadn’t been asleep long before the nightmare returned.

Jen picked him up from work, and they were on their way to her parents’ house where their two-month old daughter was being babysat. He noticed they were low on gas and pulled into a gas station.

“I’m going to grab a soda. Do you want one?” Her hand rested on the door handle.

“I’d like a bottle of water.” He leaned over the seat and gave her a quick kiss. “I love you.”

She smiled. “I love you, too.”

He watched her walk away before he filled the gas tank. He liked watching her from behind. She had a luscious ass.

The tank was full, and he wondered what kept her. She should have been back by now. There was only one other car here, so there shouldn’t be a line. He smiled. Maybe she was buying a lottery ticket and couldn’t decide on the numbers. He decided he’d go in and hustle her up. His stomach growled. He looked forward to her homemade lasagna.

He walked toward the store and stopped midway to answer his cell phone.

“Devon, what’s up?”

“My security clearance came through. It’s official. I’m CIA.”

Devon made him feel like a proud papa, but he wished he knew what Devon would be doing. Even though his brother was a grown man, he still worried about him. “Congratulations! This is big. Sounds like it’s time to get the boys together and celebrate.”

Jesse heard a gunshot. His body went on instant alert and a sudden sinking feeling ran through him. Jen was in the store. She had to be all right. She had to be safe.

Frantic to get to her, he pulled his weapon and ran toward the store. He reached for the door before his FBI training kicked in. It took everything he had not to rush into the store, to Jen. After several deep breaths, he calmed himself as much as he could.

He put the phone back to his ear hoping Devon was still on the line. “Devon, call 911.”

“Already done. You can relay through me. Tell me what’s going on.”

He peeked in the window and couldn’t see her. He had to know. He couldn’t wait for backup. It was Jen. His wife.

Ignoring protocol, he put his phone in his pocket and entered the store alone. She lay on the floor with a gunshot wound to her head. There was so much blood. He knew. He knew.

His blood boiled. He’d never felt this much rage. “FBI! Drop the weapon!”

He walked further into the room. The robber held his weapon on the clerk. Jesse fought to keep from pulling the trigger. This bastard had killed his wife. He deserved to die.

The robber turned to him, his eyes wide, his weapon still pointed at the clerk. The robber’s hands shook, and the look in his eyes told Jesse he was strung out on drugs. He’d been in volatile situations before, but he’d never been this much on edge.

He’d been an Army Ranger and was an FBI agent. No punk would get the best of him. “You don’t want to do this. Drop your weapon.”

The blessed sound of sirens filled the air. He needed the backup. He barely held on to his anger. His need for justice and revenge battled within him. As an FBI agent, he upheld the law, but right now breaking it attempted to override that. He’d killed people before, heck it had been his job as a Ranger sniper, but he’d never felt the need to kill someone before today.

“I’m getting my money and getting outta here. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

The clerk pulled a shotgun from under the counter and pointed it at the robber.

“You’re not getting my money, asshole. I’ll blow you away first.”

“Put your weapon down. I have this situation in hand.” He didn’t take his eyes off the robber and didn’t need the clerk interfering. The situation was precarious enough. There were too many guns, and he needed this to end so he could get to Jen.

The robber looked around with panic in his eyes as police cars pulled into the parking lot. Jesse could see when the robber realized he wasn’t getting out of there.

“Police! Drop the weapons!”

Jesse knew the drill. He set his weapon down, knelt and put his hands behind his head. “I’m FBI Special Agent Jesse Hamilton. My credentials are in my jacket pocket.”

“There’s no need for that. Get up, Jesse,” Officer Jeff Brandon, an old friend, said. “Shit. Is that?”

Jesse flew across the room and leaned over Jen. He touched her throat, searching for a pulse, hoping for a miracle. Nothing. His voice caught, “Yeah, that’s her.”

The room went out of focus as he held his wife’s hand, tears filling his eyes. This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t have happened to them. To him and Reagan. Reagan. She’d grow up without her mother all because of some junkie. Life was so unfair.

He refused to release her hand when the paramedics arrived. She was gone. There was nothing they could do for her. He shouldn’t have let her come in by herself. He should have gone in the store with her. He shouldn’t have taken the phone call. He’d have been here. It was his job to protect her. He’d failed. He’d been too late.

Jesse woke with a start, sucking air into his lungs, his heart pounding, sweat pouring from his body. He twisted to untangle himself from the sweaty sheets and then hopped from the bed and paced.
Jen died because I made the wrong choice and wasn’t there. I can’t let the same thing happen to Kate. I have to protect her.

CHAPTER NINE

Jesse walked down the stairs shirtless and with a heavy five o’clock shadow. Kate, acutely conscious of his tall, athletic physique, let herself examine the man before her. Her eyes, drawn to his muscular chest covered with a light sprinkling of black hair, followed the line tapering down to his unbuttoned jeans. Stains of scarlet appeared on her cheeks, and she jerked her head up before he caught her checking him out.

He grunted as he passed her on his way to the coffee pot. He filled the cup she’d left out for him, quickly drank and cursed at its heat.

Her chuckle earned her a glare. Obviously, he didn’t handle mornings well. She wasn’t a morning person herself, but today she had to be. She planned to send him packing.

He turned, leaned back against the kitchen counter and took a cautious sip of coffee. “What’s the plan for today? I won’t even assume you’ll do the smart thing and stay inside.”

Dottie approached him, and he scratched the top of her head.

“Dottie and I are about to go for our morning walk.” She tried to keep her eyes level with his, but they kept slipping down to his chest.

He shook his head. “Didn’t the drive-by teach you anything?”

“Yes. It taught me not to be near you on the sidewalk.” He had it all wrong. She wasn’t the target.

He sighed. “Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll go with you.”

“Are you kidding me? The last time I was with you on the sidewalk, I got shot at.” She held up her injured hand.

He frowned. “Kate, it’s not me he’s promised to kill.” He took a long drink of coffee then set the cup down on the countertop. “Wait for me.”

She snorted. He didn’t get it. She didn’t need him. “Come on, Dottie. Let’s go to the park.”

Her dog eagerly followed her to the door. She dropped her phone and keys in her sweatpants pockets and picked up a bag to clean up after Dottie.

The rain stopped some time during the early morning hours, leaving behind high humidity. Her hair had already started to frizz.

The freedom from having two agents follow her, relaxed her tense body until two large men approached her. Dammit. She’d been a fool to leave her weapon inside. Why hadn’t she listened to Jesse?

Instead of panic, calm and confidence settled in. They may just be walking past her, but she still plotted her chances against them and her escape route.

“Ms. Ross?”

She stared at a mountain of a man with an inherent strength in his face. The sun struck his long hair that had been pulled back into a ponytail, and it gleamed like dark gold.

Please let this be Jesse’s men.
“Yes.”

“I’m Ken Patrick, and this is Danny Franks.” He gestured to a man about her height with short, blonde hair, wearing mirrored aviator shades. “We’re H.I.S.”

Suddenly, a black pug raced to Dottie’s side, barking and jumping up on her. Her dog’s tail wagged with excitement at seeing her favorite playmate.

A short man rushed toward them, and Jesse’s men stepped in front of her blocking his path.

“Move! I know him. This is his dog.”

They stepped apart but remained on alert.

“Sorry, Kate. Skeeter got away from me.”

“It’s okay, Eric. We’ll be over in the park in a moment.”

He looked nervously at the two men, picked up his dog and hurried away.

“Where’s Jesse?” Ken asked.

“Here I am.” Jesse jogged up behind them. “What is wrong with you, Kate? You not only left without me, you let two strange men walk up to you on the sidewalk. Are you trying to get killed?”

She shook her head in exasperation and fought to keep her temper in check. Yes, she shouldn’t have stayed put while Ken and Danny approached her, but she wasn’t wrong by walking the dog by herself.

“How many times do I have to tell you that no one is trying to kill me?”

Jesse ran his hand through his hair, his frustration evident. He looked at the men who had turned away from them, surveying the area, ignoring the conversation.

“Ken, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you at Em’s?”

Ken continued to scan the area. “I heard you lost the FBI detail and thought you could use me here. Rob has things under control, especially with the twins there.”

Jesse nodded. “Hey, Danny.”

“Hey, Jesse.”

“What’s the plan?” Ken turned and crossed his arms over his impressive chest.

Jesse looked at Dottie who nudged his hand with her wet nose, eager to be walked. “We’re obviously going to walk Dottie.”

Ken raised his eyebrows at Jesse.

“I told you this wouldn’t be easy.”

“It never is.”

“After this walk, one of you will walk Dottie. How often, Kate?”

He would not take over her life. “I don’t think so. I’m quite capable of walking my dog. I don’t need your men doing it.”

“Humor me, Kate. For the next few days, let’s play it safe in case I’m right. Maybe we’ll catch our shooter by then.”

“I don’t need to humor you, Jesse. This is all too much. You and your men can go home. I’m going for a walk now.” She tugged on Dottie’s leash. “Come on, girl.”

He blocked her path and grabbed Dottie’s collar. “You need to take this seriously, Kate. Our standing out here having this argument gives the shooter another chance at you.”

Why wasn’t he getting this? She took a deep breath to calm herself. “Jesse, I am
not
the target. Someone you love is. You should be with Reagan. Thank you for all you’ve done, but it’s not necessary.”

The way Jesse studied her made her nervous.

“Okay, let’s take Dottie to the park.” He nodded to the men who took up protective positions. He took the leash from her hands. “Let’s go.”

Dumbfounded, she remained glued to the spot. Who the hell did he think he was?

“We’re here so you’d best get used to it. I recommend trying to enjoy it. I can be a fun guy.” A sexy smile bloomed on his face.

He was so confident it was her. Could she be wrong about the shooter’s target? Could it be her? It’s possible someone misinterpreted Jesse’s feelings for her. They did spend a lot of time together on the case then there was the kiss and the date.

The FBI agent in her knew she shouldn’t chance it even though her bosses didn’t agree, but having him this close could be more than she could handle. She needed to follow AJ’s advice and accept H.I.S. protection until the Facilitator was captured. Just in case.

“Okay, I’ll give you a few days, but that’s it.” She had to separate herself from him before something she’d regret happened, so she’d talk with AJ about fighting for FBI protection instead of protection from Jesse.

His smile grew. “Let’s go then.”

* * * * *

After returning with Dottie, Kate cooked breakfast while Jesse showered. Why had she let him stay? His men would be enough protection. She didn’t need him inside her apartment. No matter what she did, he’d stay anyway. When he was the nice Jesse, she liked being around him, but she couldn’t let herself get too cozy with the situation.

Why hadn’t she called AJ already? She’d picked up her phone several times, but hadn’t made the call.

Her phone rang.

“Good morning, Mary.”

She heard a heated conversation between Mary and Dan.

Dammit.

She rushed to the door then remembered Jesse. She raced up the stairs and banged on the bathroom door. “Jesse, I need your help. Right now!” She wouldn’t let Dan hurt Mary and get away with it this time.

She put her cell phone back to her ear. “Mary, can you hear me?” She didn’t receive a response and guessed Mary must have unknowingly voice-dialed her.

The shower shut off and Jesse opened the door with a towel wrapped around his waist and a weapon in his hand. “What’s wrong?”

Did he really take his weapon into the bathroom with him?

The image of his wet body burned in her mind. She felt a ripple of excitement, wanting to reach out and run her fingers through the damp curls on his chest. Damn. His hard body was a visual temptation that could break her resolve of not getting involved with him.

She mentally shook her head and deliberately shut out any awareness of him. She couldn’t deal with this right now.

“My friend Mary is being beaten and needs our help right now.”