As she waited, she took a deep breath and inhaled the heavenly scent of coffee beans. She loved the atmosphere of the café. She wished she could take the time to settle down in a cozy corner with a book and coffee for the day, but she had a hit-man to catch.
At least she wouldn’t have to deal with Jesse Hamilton any longer. Their case was closed, and now she knew to never accept an invitation from AJ to any of his family affairs.
She accepted her coffee from the barista. “Thank you.”
She turned, her exit blocked by a striking woman with long, silky, platinum blonde hair. The look she received from the woman sent chills down her spine. The beauty looked vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn’t place her.
Before they could speak, Kate’s cell phone rang.
“Excuse me.” She scooted around the woman.
Once on the sidewalk she removed her cell phone from her purse and saw her sister’s phone number.
Her sister put the word beautiful to shame. Ariana had long, silky black hair and ocean blue eyes. She didn’t notice that she turned males’ heads when she walked into a room. Kate could imagine her now. Her tall, lean frame in a power suit, probably red, hair pulled back in a French knot, perfect, no loose strands, exuding strength and power.
“How was your night out?” Ariana asked before Kate could speak.
Kate took a cautious sip of her coffee. Her thoughts drifted to Jesse. She really had to get a grip. She didn’t even like the man. Maybe Josh was right. She needed to get laid.
“As usual, we had a good time.” Kate took another sip of coffee waiting for the caffeine to kick in. “I got your message. Is something wrong?”
“No. I just have some paperwork for you to sign.”
At the age of four, Kate survived a bullet wound meant to kill her along with her parents. The Rosses fostered her while she recovered. When she turned six, they officially adopted her and raised her as their own daughter. She couldn’t have asked for better parents.
Kate had decided she would be an FBI agent early in life. Jay and Kelly Ross, her adoptive parents, never pushed her to work at Ross Communication as they understood her need to join the bureau. They respected her decision and supported her in it.
Jay and Kelly died in a car crash the past year. Much to Kate’s dismay, they split their fortune evenly between Ariana and Kate. Both of them were now millionaires. Their inheritance included co-ownership of Ross Communication, a multi-million dollar radio conglomerate that Ariana managed for them.
“You really should be more involved in this, Kate. This is your legacy now, too. Leave the FBI. You’ve caught your parents’ murderer.”
“Ariana,” she turned to walk toward her car, “you know the company’s important to me, and I have been thinking about it. When I decide anything, I’ll let you know.”
The long pause worried her.
“How did your interview with that Richard guy go?”
Kate drew her brows in. “Ariana, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about it. I shouldn’t have said anything to begin with.” She’d made a mistake telling Ariana where she’d had to go when she’d cancelled their lunch.
Richard Freeman was one of many men she and AJ had questioned as a suspect on the Facilitator case. A little over two years ago, he’d been charged with the murder of three men, but the charges were later dropped. She’d reviewed his case and found that Jesse had been the lead FBI agent. It had been his last case.
She had to admit that at the interview last week he’d given her the creeps the way he’d stared at her with his beady eyes but he’d alibied out for the murders. He couldn’t be the Facilitator.
“I understand. Are we still set for the spa?”
Jesse strolled around the corner, and she felt her treacherous heart skip a beat.
“Ariana, I’ve gotta go.”
He looked at her. Panic set in. What should she do? Why was she acting this way? It was just a little kiss. It didn’t mean anything.
“No, Kate. You aren’t going to back out of our spa day again.”
A brief shiver rippled through her. Her pulse skittered alarmingly as Jesse’s lips curved into that sexy smile she remembered from the night before.
Even though she told herself she didn’t want to impress him, she became self-conscious about her appearance. Wanting to get an early start, she’d rushed to get ready. Now she wished she’d taken more time with her appearance. At least put on makeup.
Jesse looked her up and down, looking as if he were photographing her with his eyes. A rush of desire that felt like lightning shooting through her veins struck Kate. This was not happening. Not with him.
She made a quick, involuntary appraisal of his features. She didn’t want to tear her attention away from this impressive man. He carried himself with a commanding air of self-confidence. His massive chest perfectly filled the charcoal suit, white shirt and crimson striped tie.
Locked in his gaze, she forgot about her phone call with her sister.
Jesse finished up his phone call with, “I love you, too,” and Kate saw red. How dare he? The thrilling current moving through her irritated her. He’d kissed her last night. He was in a relationship. She silently called him a few inappropriate names and raised her chin with a cool stare in his direction.
* * * * *
Jesse couldn’t stop staring into her blue-green eyes. The need to taste her still had him on edge. Imagining what she hid under her plain black suit made him want to step forward, clasp her body tightly to his and find the closest place to strip her down.
He felt the invisible web of attraction building between them. Her flushed skin and parted lips, damp from her tongue darting out to moisten them, were positive signs she was as affected by him as he was with her.
Jesse disconnected his call and stopped in front of her, his fingers itching to reach up and push back the hair that escaped her ponytail then use it to pull her head back while he devoured her mouth, but he thought she might slap him if he tried.
He watched her expression of desire change to heated anger. He would not be deterred from having her, even though the mission was trouble with a capital T.
“Good morning, Kate.”
“Good morning, Mr. Hamilton.” She forced a bleak, tight-lipped smile.
“So, we’re back to Mr. Hamilton.” He hadn’t missed her obvious examination and approval. She couldn’t completely hide it, even with her anger. There was definitely something between them. Something that had to be resolved. In the bedroom.
He knew she was a relationship kind of girl, so he would be upfront with her. There would be only sex, could be no relationship. His heart and soul had been ripped apart when he’d lost his wife. He refused to let himself get close to anyone because he wouldn’t go through that again. Even Kate couldn’t change that.
“On your way to the office?” He kept his voice calm, and his gaze steady. He had to break through the invisible barrier she’d erected between them.
Kate nodded. “Yes.” She surprised him by asking, “You?”
“Me? I’m meeting with someone at the coffee shop.”
She nodded and sipped her coffee.
A glint over her shoulder caught his eye. His smile faltered.
Fuck.
Tires screeched in the distance, and Jesse’s heart clenched. He grabbed Kate’s arms and pulled her to the ground just as the car neared and gunfire erupted.
* * * * *
“Are you all right?” Jesse knelt beside Kate, weapon in hand.
She untangled herself from him and automatically reached for her weapon. A searing pain shot through her hand. “Damn it, Jesse! Get off of me.”
“It’s too late, sweetheart. They’re long gone.” He replaced his weapon in its holster under his suit jacket. “I would’ve thought you’d be grateful for my pulling you out of harm’s way. A drive-by shooting isn’t a great way to start the day.” He looked at her hand. “You’re bleeding.”
Drive-by shootings didn’t happen in Fells Point. Not in this safe neighborhood. No gangs. No problems except beggars from time to time.
Since the car came from behind her, she wouldn’t have seen it until it was too late. Although she’d never tell him, this time she was grateful Jesse took charge. Great. Now she owed the two-timing asshole her life.
Nolan jogged up to them. “I’ve got 911 on the phone. Do you need an ambulance?”
“No, Nolan. I’m fine.” She looked at her bloody hand.
The beauty from the coffee house strolled up to them. “Oh, Jesse. I saw it all. Oh my God, you’re bleeding. Here, let me see.”
Kate shook her head at the melodrama. She remembered where she’d seen the woman. She’d been the one at the bar with Jesse. Was that who he’d been talking to? Going to meet?
“It’s nothing, Elizabeth.” He shook off the beauty’s hands. “Kate, let me take a look at your hand.”
Before she could deny him, he reached for her wrist and held it firmly. She flinched as he touched her wound.
He looked at her, pity in his eyes.
Oh God
. This was her right hand, her firing hand. How badly was it injured? She tried to wiggle her fingers and cried out in pain.
Nolan knelt beside them, handing Jesse his t-shirt. “It’s a little sweaty, but it’s better than nothing.”
“Kate, I’m going to tie this around the wound until I get you to the emergency room.”
“Jesse, I can drive you to the ER, and she can ride in the ambulance.” Elizabeth glared at her.
Jesse kept his focus on Kate. “You look like you are about to pass out on me.”
She hated that he was right. Her light-headedness and fuzzy vision were a precursor to unconsciousness. The red-hot pain in her hand didn’t help. Her blood soaked Nolan’s t-shirt.
“Nolan, I think I’ve ruined your shirt.” She heard the slurring of her words.
Nolan looked at her with concern. He and Jesse put their heads together, but she couldn’t make out what they said.
“I won’t pass out, and I don’t need to go to the emergency room with you, Jesse. I can drive myself.”
Jesse reached down to help her stand. She hesitantly grabbed his hand as he pulled her to her feet. She gasped and collapsed into his arms as her left ankle gave way. He winced when he grabbed her to keep her from falling. Blood soaked the left sleeve of his jacket.
“I think you’ve just proven you’re not okay to drive. It won’t be so bad riding with me. I don’t bite. At least not while I’m driving.” He chuckled.
How could he be joking? They’d both been shot. She couldn’t fight it any longer. The last thing she remembered was falling into a black hole and hearing Jesse cursing.
CHAPTER THREE
AJ entered the hospital recovery waiting room and spotted Jesse pacing at one end of it. Scanning the room, he quickly honed in on the only other occupant, a bombshell in a red business suit with incredibly long legs. She looked up at him then, with a disappointed look in her ocean blue eyes, returned her attention to her laptop.
Damn, she’s hot.
“It’s about fucking time you got here,” Jesse growled.
AJ turned to his brother. The bombshell would have to wait.
“Hey, Jess. How’s the arm?” He held his breath for a moment when his gaze landed on his brother’s bandaged arm.
Thank God the bullet had only grazed him.
Jesse grunted. “What are you doing to catch this bastard?”
He smiled at his brother’s surliness. Jesse always had to be in control which meant he’d most likely refused pain medication so he could stay alert.
“Thought you might need this.” AJ handed his brother a clean white shirt he’d found in the back of his SUV.
Disregarding the other room occupant, Jesse changed out of his bloodied shirt. AJ frowned when he turned away in an attempt to hide the trembling hands buttoning it.
“The nurse said Kate should be awake soon,” AJ informed him.
She’d been his partner for less than a year, but he liked her. He didn’t know why, but he felt a different bond with her than most women. It wasn’t sexual. It was more familial. He trusted her to have his back.
“What the hell happened out there?” AJ had been at home when he’d received the call that both his brother and his partner had been shot. He’d rushed to the crime scene and argued with his boss to lead the investigation. Afterward, he couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough. Hell, he’d even parked in a tow-away zone. He didn’t care if they towed his car. He had the urgent need to see his brother.
Jesse cleared his throat. “I was talking with Kate when a car raced toward us. I pushed her to the ground, but it was too late.”
The businesswoman slipped unnoticed from the room.
Jesse began to pace. AJ marveled at the level of agitation he displayed.
“The driver was Ed Wright.”
AJ nodded, took his phone from his pocket and put an APB out on Ed.
He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. “It’s her right hand, AJ.”
The distress in Jesse’s voice had his curiosity peeked. He’d heard it before when one of his brothers had been hurt. But Kate? They didn’t even get along.
“Dr. Richardson is the best.”
“This wasn’t a gang shooting. Ed’s a petty criminal, but he’s not a gang member.”
“Jesse, the question is were you or Kate the target. Anyone you can think of off-hand who wants you dead?”
He shrugged. “There’s a long list of people who want me dead. What about Kate? Any threats against her?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but she’s the type to keep it to herself.”
Tension crept up AJ’s shoulders and neck. He could’ve lost two people he cared about today. He had to find the shooter because he had his sights on one of them, and as stubborn as they both were, it’d be a battle to get either to agree to any type of protection.
Kate wouldn’t have a choice. She’d get a detail whether she wanted it or not. Jesse, on the other hand, would elude any detail he assigned. The only solution was to call his brothers. Jesse would be angry with him, but at least he’d be alive.
He slapped Jesse on the shoulder. “Let’s get some coffee while we wait.”
* * * * *
Kate opened her gritty eyes to an unfamiliar room. She reached up to rub them only to find an IV in one hand and a large bandage on the other. The memory rushed back to her. She’d been shot this morning.