He loved that his brother cared so much for Kate. In addition to being AJ’s partner, she’d be his sister-in-law as soon as Jesse could make that happen. He had to save her from her sister first.
Please let Ken get there in time
. He couldn’t let this happen, again. He couldn’t lose the woman he loved, not again because he made the wrong choice. With Jen, he took a phone call. With Kate, he interrogated Richard instead of standing with her. He could have left the interrogation to AJ and Trent. He should have. But they may not have found out he’d been hired to kill her until it was too late.
He hit the crowd on Thames Street. It felt like hitting a brick wall. He shoved through. He ignored the, “Hey, buddy, watch it,” comments. Once he exited the sea of people, he saw her door open. He pulled his weapon and peeked in the room.
His heart stopped. Kate knelt on the floor, and her sister pointed a weapon at her while Ken pointed his weapon at Ariana. She was focused on Kate and didn’t notice Ken slowly inching toward her.
Jesse should leave it to Ken instead of adding another variant. Ken knew how to handle this. He trusted Ken with her life.
He couldn’t stand by. He muttered, “Fuck it.” He entered and trained his weapon on Ariana. “Drop it, Ariana.”
AJ entered behind him. “FBI. Drop it.”
Shit.
He thought he’d lost him in the crowded street. He definitely didn’t need the FBI scaring her, too.
Ariana’s hands shook violently. “No. She’s going to die. All of you get out of here.”
Jesse caught Ken’s eye and they instantly understood each other. He waved off AJ and inched toward Kate while Ken continued inching toward Ariana. He tried to keep Ariana’s focus on him so Ken could move faster.
“We’re not leaving, Ariana. Why don’t you tell me why you’re doing this to your own sister?”
“She knows why, and that’s all that matters.” She noticed him near Kate. “Get away from her.” She waved the handgun toward him.
Surprising her, he stepped in front of Kate as Ken grabbed her and quickly disarmed her. She fought him like a wildcat. It took both Ken and AJ to restrain her.
Turning to Kate, he offered her a hand, expecting her to rant at him for protecting her instead of letting her fight her own battle, but instead, she jumped up and threw herself into his arms. He put his arms around her shaking body, but couldn’t hold her tight enough.
A sense of relief engulfed him. She was finally safe.
“It was about the money.” She cried on his shoulder. “She wanted me dead because I got half.”
He thought that might be the reason. Once Richard told them it was Ariana who had hired him, puzzle pieces started falling into place. The biggest piece was how he’d known they were at the spa. It never occurred to him that her loving sister would do this.
“I know, sweetheart. It’s over now. It’s finally over.” He kissed the top of her head and her temple with a soft, loving kiss.
“I’m an FBI agent, but I’ve never been so scared in my life. She’s my sister. Maybe not by blood, but she’s still my sister.”
He couldn’t imagine how he would react if one of his brothers turned a weapon on him, threatening to kill him. He knew there would be ass-kicking involved before he figured out how he felt about it.
“It’s all over now. She
and
Richard are in custody. And, you don’t worry about Dan any longer. You’re finally safe.”
“You guys coming?” AJ held Ariana’s arm. Ken stood in the corner, waiting.
“Do we have to go downtown right now?” she asked in a weak voice.
“Not right now, sweetheart. We can go later. Right now I want to hold you.”
He nodded to Ken who quietly left.
“I’ll see you down there.” AJ led Ariana from the apartment.
When she looked up, his mouth came down on hers, possessively. He lifted his mouth long enough to whisper, “I’m not leaving you,” before his lips captured hers again.
He leaned back and stared into her watery eyes and blotchy, tear stained face. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight. “Marry me, Kate.”
Her look of surprise almost made him chuckle.
“W-What?” She leaned further back from him, loosening her grip.
“You heard me. I love you, Kate, and I think you love me. Let’s get married, have a life together, you, me and Reagan. And Dottie, too.” His put on his most charming smile. God how he loved this woman.
“You, you love me?”
“Is that so hard to believe? You’re a lovable woman. A stubborn and hard-headed women, yet you’re compassionate. I love you and all that you are.”
“But, but, I can’t have children. You haven’t spoken to me since I told you. You want children, and I can’t give them to you.”
“No, Kate. I wasn’t avoiding you because of that. I was an ass. I was focused on catching Richard. I didn’t mean for you to think it had to do with what you’d told me. I won’t lie. I’d like more children, but I’d rather have you in my life. If that means no siblings for Reagan then she’ll be an only child. At some point those bone-headed brothers of mine will give her more cousins.”
She studied him. His heart pounded. She had to say yes. He’d gambled that she loved him. She had to. He couldn’t accept any other answer from her. Wouldn’t accept any other answer from her. Then the most glorious thing happened. Her lips curved into the most beautiful smile, brightening her tear-stained face.
“I love you, Jesse Hamilton. And, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He picked her up and spun her around. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
She laughed. “Why do all men say that when women accept their proposals?”
He stopped spinning and helped her remain standing on wobbly legs. “Because it’s true.” He kissed her lightly. “Now, we’ve got a five year old to tell she’s going to have a new mother.”
Kate froze. “Do you think she’ll mind?”
“Are you kidding me? She’s already told me she wants to be the flower girl in our wedding. And that I couldn’t take her new mommy away for too long on a honeymoon.” Jesse chuckled.
Kate melted into him.
Life had never been this perfect.
EPILOGUE
Three months later
“I’m glad you stayed home for this.” Kate clasped Jesse’s hand tight.
H.I.S. had traveled overseas for an assignment. Since he’d founded H.I.S., Jesse had never remained home before. Kate, the newest member of H.I.S., had also remained home on the first mission they’d accepted since she’d joined.
She hadn’t yet regained full strength in her hand and couldn’t forget the FBI’s part in her almost being killed, so she’d resigned. It had been a difficult decision, but she knew she’d made the right choice. Jesse had been thrilled when she’d decided to join H.I.S. He’d assured her they could use her exemplary investigative skills, and when her hand firmly held a weapon, or she became proficient left-handed, they’d use her security skills.
The men teased her, calling her
another FBI flunky
. She took it in stride, enjoying the camaraderie of the team. They’d quickly pulled her into the fold, never opposing a woman joining them. Especially a millionaire who owned a radio conglomerate and didn’t need to work.
At Ross Communication, instead of taking the reins herself, she’d ensured Lee had been promoted to President. She’d been honest with herself. She didn’t know enough to run the company. She also didn’t want to run the company. Jay would’ve wanted her to make the best decision so she’d turned it over to Lee’s control. She trusted him implicitly.
He’d initially accepted a portion of her money to restore the employee pension fund. He’d called last week and told her his investment had paid off, and her money would be returned.
The transition from Ariana to Lee went smoothly. The employees were ecstatic he planned to go back to Jay Ross’ steady growth plan instead of Ariana’s snatch and grab. Their hearts and souls were in the business, and they still held a loyalty to Jay and what he’d believed in.
They’d been aghast when they’d heard of Ariana’s behavior, and her attempt to kill Kate. No one wanted to believe she’d gone insane, even for a moment. She’d always been strong and in control.
Convicted of Joy’s murder and her attempted murder of Kate, Ariana resided in prison. Jesse opposed her visiting her sister. He couldn’t understand why she’d want to do it. The woman had tried to kill her. But, she loved her sister. Her sister needed her right now.
Ariana had been remorseful, constantly apologizing for her actions, seeking forgiveness. Kate had told her she couldn’t forgive her, but she’d never stop loving her. She wouldn’t lose the only family she had left.
Correction. She and Jesse had married in a small ceremony with Reagan as the flower girl. She now had the Hamiltons as her family. A large, loving family. A family that stood by her side throughout Ariana’s plea deal, and Kate’s subsequent career decisions. A family she loved.
Mary had stood up for her at her wedding. She’d wished Rylee could have been there, but she’d still been undercover. At the reception, Mary and Josh announced their engagement. She’d never seen her happier. She was Dan-free and in love with Josh.
Dan had mysteriously moved away after he’d stalked Kate at the festival. She knew Jesse had something to do with it. Someone had finally been able to help Mary, and she was proud it had been Jesse. She didn’t care what H.I.S. had done, as long as Dan stayed far away.
Jesse looked at his watch. “What’s taking so long?”
She smiled at him. She thought she’d be the impatient one. Both he and Devon kept glancing at their watches and at the door they waited to open.
Devon being with them while they waited delighted her. He, of course, didn’t go with the team overseas. He managed things from behind his computer. One day she’d find out why he wouldn’t go in the field with his brothers.
“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here? Maybe I should wait at home.” Devon glanced nervously at the door again.
Jesse slapped him on the shoulder. “Yes, you should be here. You’re family.”
“Where’s AJ? If I’m here, shouldn’t he be here?”
Jesse heaved a heavy sigh and his face flooded with concern. “I found out he went undercover, deep undercover. It’s serious. He may be in trouble. I’ll fill you in later. Right now, I want to kill him for taking this assignment without our being available as backup.”
None of the other FBI agents knew about AJ’s current assignment, not even his direct superiors. He’d been selected with a few other agents to infiltrate Baltimore’s largest drug organization on a mission only the FBI Director and Deputy Director were privy to. In previous attempts, there’d always been a leak to the drug organization called Magic Shop and agents had been lost. If they wanted to be successful, this mission had to remain secret.
Knowing he’d have to hire H.I.S. if there was trouble since he had to keep the rest of the FBI in the dark, FBI Deputy Director Jason Hall had called Jesse when AJ had failed to check in with him as scheduled. After he calmed down and stopped yelling at Jason for sending AJ undercover in his own backyard, Jesse and Kate used their contacts to locate him. They’d found him safe and sound, unable to check in and unwilling to accept their offer of assistance.
“Are you going to recall the team?” Kate understood the danger AJ had involved himself in. One screw-up and he’d be dead. Or as what happened with Magic Shop, he’d disappear, never to be found again.
“Not unless we have to. We made a commitment and are going to keep it. H.I.S. stands behind its word. AJ can handle himself.”
He wanted to protect his baby brother even though he knew AJ could take care of himself. The overprotective streak for his family had been deeply ingrained in him. She loved that about him. She loved everything about him.
The door opened and Jesse put his arm around Kate, pulling her close to his side as they waited to hear the news. They’d prepared themselves for the worst but were hoping for the best.
The doctor walked out of the room. “He’s in remission.”
Jesse knew how much she loved Jason. He’d fallen in love with him, too. They’d brought Reagan, and she and Jason had become fast friends.
As a wedding present, he’d surprised her with adoption papers for Jason. She’d cried like a newborn baby. It had been the most wonderful gift she’d ever received.
The adoption had been final today. The same day they found out Jason’s prognosis.
Kate reached out and hugged the surprised doctor. “Thank you. Thank you.”
The doctor looked at Jesse nervously. Jesse shook his head and smiled.
When Kate finally released the doctor, Jesse and Devon shook his hand. The doctor spoke with them for a few more minutes about Jason’s progress.
They hadn’t told Jason about the adoption in case things didn’t go as planned. He’d told Kate he wished he could live with her, have her be his mother and Matt his uncle. They didn’t want him to get his hopes up and have them later crushed. That happened enough with his Leukemia.
When they entered the room, Jason rushed into Kate’s arms. “Did you hear, Kate? Did you hear?”
She hugged him tight, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. “I did hear. I’m so happy.” When he tried to pull back, she held on. Held on to her son.
It took Jesse clearing his throat, touching her shoulder and saying, “Kate, it’s time,” before she reluctantly released him.
“Jason,” Jesse said, “have a seat. We have to talk with you about something important.”
Fear crossed Jason’s face. “Did the doctor lie to me? Am I really dying?”
Her heart broke when she heard the terrified tone of his voice. “No, this is better.” She smiled at him. “Please sit down.”
He sat in the only chair in his hospital room, his back straight, and his muscles tense. He prepared himself for bad news. “Who’s this?” He pointed at Devon.
“That, son, is your Uncle Devon.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sheila has been an avid reader since she was young, believing in fantasy worlds, women sleuths and happily-ever-after. Instead of writing as a career, she followed in her grandfather’s and father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force. After 12 years, she left the military as a disabled veteran then spent 12 years in higher education executive leadership. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, Sheila finally knew what she wanted to write. She has since retired to fulfill that dream. When not writing, she reads or spends time with her family. She lives in Batesville, Mississippi with three rescue cats - Bob, Ralph and Smokey.