HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) by Sheila Kell Page B

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