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

Speak of the devil. It’s her detail. There’s no telling what she’s done now.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    The worry of ever regaining the full use of her hand and being a field agent again ate away at Kate’s spirit. Although she’d gone into the FBI for personal reasons, she’d found it had been the right fit for her. Now, she may lose the ability to do something she loved.
    Had her job as an FBI agent set a madman after her? She had to know.
    AJ and Trent were doing their best, but the driver and shooter eluded them. Heck, they still didn’t know who the shooter was. She wanted to be out there, searching for him.
    Whether she or Jesse was the target, or if it was a random shooting, had thoughts racing through her mind, searching for an invisible finish line.
    Thinking he could be the target ignited a strange feeling inside her. She couldn’t identify it, but it overtook her concern for herself. While they’d enjoyed the evening, she’d forgotten about the possible threat over one of them. Last night, after he’d left, fear for him almost ruined what had been a great time. Worst-case scenarios flew through her mind.
    She’d itched to call him and ensure he’d arrived home safely but managed to hold back. He didn’t need to think she was some crazy bitch like Elizabeth.
    What was next for them? Nothing, that’s what. She’d turned him down, and he’d left without mention of seeing her again. But they’d had such a good time.
    She didn’t try to fool herself, it was better it happened now, before she got attached since he’d never accept her. The crushing pain in her heart confused her. She had to put him from her mind. They’d never work. Best to avoid him at all costs in the future.
    Enough. Sitting around bemoaning and hiding out wasn’t Kate. She faced her problems head-on. Why did she agree to cower in her apartment? She may not even be the target. It was because she’d received a serious dressing-down from AJ after leaving to have lunch with her friends. He may have been right, but she didn’t care what he’d said. She needed to go out again. She had something important to do and nothing would stop her. Not even a madman.
    She picked up her handbag and walked out the door. Agent Keller immediately put his cell phone to his ear, probably notifying AJ that she wasn’t following his orders.
    “I’m going to Ross Communication.”
    Agent Brent cleared his throat. “Kate, you know that you really should stay inside.”
    She nodded. “Yeah, I probably should. But, would you hide out?”
    His lips tightened and he slowly shook his head.
    The agents quickly moved into action to protect their departing assignment.
    * * * * *
    Kate strolled into the Ross Communication building and paused. She loved the lobby with its brightly shining hardwood floors, large two-tier crystal chandelier on the two story high ceiling, and the beautiful oak railing staircase she remembered racing up and down as a kid. The added cosmetic details her mother had incorporated made it the most spectacular office building lobby she’d ever seen.
    The agents refused to wait in the lobby but agreed to remain as invisible as possible.
    Smiling, she approached the receptionist. “Hello, Grace. How are you?”
    “Hi, Kate. It’s good to see you.” Grace flashed her bright, welcome-to-Ross smile. “Things are good. How’re things with you? Ariana told us about the shooting. Are you all right?”
    She waved her injured hand. “I’m fine. I’ll be back in business in no time.”
    “Well, I hope they catch the criminal soon. We don’t need more killers clogging up the streets.” She shuddered.
    “How are the kids?” The staff at Ross liked she took an interest in their personal lives even though she didn’t work in the offices. Ariana knew every employee’s name but nothing about them.
    “Dawn’s growing like a weed. She outgrows her jeans before she even has a chance to wear them a second time. Thankfully, her sister is right