Free Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) by Morgan Kelley Page A

offering the man her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Magnus. I’ve read some of your work in the journals. They’re amazing studies.”
    He had to think about what she was saying. Beautiful women never said that to him. This might be a first. “Really?”
    She smiled up at him. “Yes. I loved the piece you did on the taphonomic analysis of the Anasazi skeletal remains. It was one of my favorites.”
    Now, he stared at her , repeating himself. “Really?” Yeah, this definitely was a first. A part of him wanted to believe he had fallen asleep on the Jet and was still there.
    Jaxon laughed at the look on his face. It was hard not to notice how handsome he was. “Yes, I swear.”
    His heart skipped in his chest. “Have you ever been published, Doctor?” he asked, handing her a suit.
    “No , I haven’t. That’s not really my thing. I tried to do a couple of papers but being stuck in an office nearly killed me. I’m more a burial rat. I’ve spent the last ten years unearthing bodies.”
    Yeah, what she left out was that she was working for the government to find the victims of atrocities all over the world. How did one put that on their resume or admit it out loud?
    She couldn’t help but be enthusiastic to work on something that didn't involve tons of dead women and children.
    Tony helped her zip up. When he lifted her hair with his fingers, he was having a hard time focusing. In all his life, he’d never seen a color that rich before. In fact, the silky slide through his fingers was enthralling too.
    He almost wanted to sniff her. Even surrounded by death, the scent of flowers wafted around him.
    “Let me give you a little hint about Elizabeth Blackhawk. She’s the best boss in the world, but she doesn’t take bullshit. It’s going to take you a few hours to prove you’re good at your job.”
    Yeah, she got that.
    Apparently, the woman didn't like her already.
    “She’s really cranky. Director Rothschild said she was the best, but I didn't expect her to come out swinging. When she walked onto the scene, I actually thought that she looked sweet.”
    He laughed at that. It wasn’t the first time a newbie had made that exact mistake. Elizabeth liked to catch people off guard, and first impressions did just that. “She is, once you get to know her, but like any good soldier in the war against criminals, you have to do your time in boot camp. Consider this your first day of hazing. I can promise that it gets better.”
    She didn't mind as long as there was a light at the end of the tunnel. In life, that’s how she got through many things.
    Tony pulled on his own suit. When she moved to stand behind him to help him zip up, his body tensed. Her one palm was on his back, and warmth radiated through him. He’d never felt anything like that before in his life.
    It was amazing.
    “Thank you for your help. I have a feeling I’m going to need it,” she admitted.
    Already, Tony liked her. “You’ll be fine, Doctor. Our boss comes on strong, but it’s just her nature. You don’t want to work a scene with anyone but the best, and she’s it.”
    “I take it you’ve worked with her a while, Doctor Magnus,” she stated.
    He nodded. “You can call me Tony. I’m not big on formality, especially while I work,” he offered. “The title doesn’t mean anything here. They do,” he admitted, pointing at the bodies.
    His words offered her peace, so she smiled up at him. “I would really like it if you called me Jax,” she admitted. “I’m definitely not big on formality.”
    His heart fluttered.
    Holy shit!
    He couldn’t stop staring into her pretty eyes.
    “But for the record, I will admit that I like the other director better,” she stated, grinning.
    Tony didn't want to see her eaten alive, but he didn't want to break a friend’s trust. At some point, the woman would figure it out. Once Ethan arrived, it would only be a matter of time.
    “ You’ll adjust to her,” he reassured.
    Jax laughed