Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) (61 page)

“Yeah, I have some things that will fit you, if you don’t mind wearing my shirts.”

She shook her head, rubbing her sore wrists. “I’m okay with that.”

He took a chance. Leaving the door unlocked, he went into the next room to hurriedly find something for her to wear. When he rushed back in, she was sitting on the side of the bed, waiting patiently.

His heart soared.

She was definitely the one.

“Want me to make us dinner when you’re done?” he asked. Since she was being good, he’d reward her.

“I’d like that. I’m kind of hungry.”

“It may take me some time. Can I trust you to not try anything stupid?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’ll be good. When I’m done, can I have a book or magazine to read?”

He was shocked. This was something he didn't think would happen so fast. He really believed that he’d be working hard to make her see that she was meant to be his. Here, she already believed it.

This was a miracle.

A blessing.

An answered prayer.

“If you like. If you promise not to run, I’ll let you sit out on the couch while I cook. There’s a TV there. Would you like to watch it?”

She nodded, trying to keep the outside veneer calm. “If you’ll let me.”

He grinned that boyish grin. “It would be my pleasure, my wife. I’d love to have you join me.”

Standing, she moved toward him. The knife immediately came up as he waited for her to do something stupid. Instead, Bonnie opted to keep him off balance. She took the things from his hand and kissed him on the cheek.

It made her sick.

It made her furious.

But she wanted to live more than she wanted to die. If it came down to playing this sick game, she’d do it.

His heart skipped. “We’re going to have a beautiful life together, Bonnie. I promise to be a very good husband for you.”

After dinner, he’d work on making her a mother.

Bonnie closed the bathroom door and listened to the locks being secured outside.

“Don’t bet on it, asshole. You’re going to rot in hell.”

                            *    *    *

Callen was edgy, worked up, and on the verge of a mental breakdown. When his brother and wife had left hours ago, they had reassured him that they were only going across the street. Well, from his window he could see that the pizza place was empty and their Denali was gone. Yes, he got the text stating they were going to the missing woman’s place, but that was a long time ago.

Something had happened.

Their absence gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Who knew what kind of trouble they could be in? Plus, he felt left out. Where he wanted to be, was with the people he loved. Not trapped inside by himself.

Damn his shoulder!

Damn his luck!

He should be with them at that moment, doing his job.

At the sound of the door opening, he headed toward them. He could hear them talking, and it offered him peace. They were not only back, but it sounded like Elizabeth was in a very good mood.

Awesome!

When he appeared in the door, she saw him. Without thinking, she raced toward him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his hips.

Then she remembered his shoulder.

“Shit! I didn't hurt you, did I?”

He grinned. “Nope.”

“Good.” With that, she dove into one hell of kiss. It curled her toes, made her heart pound, and drove up the heat in the room around them.

Callen held on. The storm, which was his woman, was fast, wild, and could take you to your knees. He allowed her to roughly devour his mouth as he simply tried to stay afloat.

This was heaven.

Ethan Blackhawk stood there laughing. He was well aware why she had opted to maul the man. When she told him what had just happened, it was going to put Callen over the edge.

Slowly, she pulled her mouth from his. When she rested her forehead against his, Callen regained his ability to think and speak. “Why is he laughing, angel?”

“He’s jealous that you’re my sexy Native hero.”

Yeah, she was laying it on a little thick.

“What happened?” he asked.

Blackhawk snickered.

“Oh my God! Did you get hurt?” Callen asked, putting her back onto her feet. “What did you do?”

She found that funny. “I didn't do anything.”

“Tell him about the deputies,” Ethan ordered. This was her punishment for getting into dangerous situations. She was going to have to break it to her other husband. He wasn’t taking one for the team this time. Elizabeth was on her own.

It wasn’t going to be pretty.

“What do you mean the deputies? Why does that sentence make me want to throw up?”

She gave Ethan a look.

It was murderous.

“So much for having two braves in my corner. I think we know who is getting scalped later in his sleep, don’t we?”

Ethan wasn’t worried.

Callen forced her to look up into his eyes. “Spill it, angel. What happened?”

She told him everything, because they had that kind of marriage. They held nothing back, never lied, and always shared their days—
good or bad.

When she was done, she thought that she’d made it through unscathed. Then, as soon as she thought it, reality hit.

Callen raged around the room. “You could have been hurt! Are you insane?”

Ethan continued laughing. It was nice to have someone else in the battle against his reckless wife.

“Why is he laughing now?”

He elaborated. “You missed watching our woman kick some ass. It was sexy as sin, and I don’t think we’ll have to worry about the deputies anymore. She leveled the one without having to break a sweat.”

That didn't make him feel better, but Callen knew this was just who she was. While Elizabeth had accepted them with all their issues and faults, they had to do the same. It was only fair.

“He was a man-child. It was easy.”

“Elizabeth!” Callen stated, pointing at her baby bump.

“I’m fine, I swear. When he tried to grab me, I didn’t really have much of a choice.”

This was making Callen sick. “You better stop.”

Elizabeth grinned, but before she could say anything, her phone began ringing. The number was blocked. “I have to take this,” she said, answering. “Elizabeth Blackhawk.”

“Hey, boss. We’re safe.”

She put Jagger on speaker. “What the hell took you so long?”

“I had a tail leaving the last house. I started heading toward the coast and doubled back.”

Ethan didn't like how dangerous this all sounded.

“Did you get anything on them?”

“Nothing but vehicle make and model. They were big black SUV’s. Escalades, I believe.”

“How many?”

“There were three at one point. I managed to lose them when Avalon and I went into a farmer’s market.”

“How did you lose them?”

“We allocated a car. Twenty minutes later, I dumped it and grabbed another.”

Callen couldn’t believe it. They weren’t the least bit concerned that something illegal was going down. That spoke of how important Avalon was to the government.

“Okay, and you made it now?”

“Yeah, I did. I had to borrow another vehicle just outside of town. I’m afraid if I try and move again, we’ll get tagged.”

She knew he would.

“You’re going to have to pick us up at some point.”

Yeah, she was well aware.

“Lay low. I'm almost done here, and then I’ll head out and get you.”

Neither man enjoyed hearing that. For a while, they forgot that they’d be going home without her. When this was all over, Elizabeth would be going out again on her own.

From the sound of it, this was far more dangerous than they originally thought.

“I can’t promise I can stay here. It’s risky.”

She was well aware. “If I need to reach you, I’ll call the house line, and then hang up. Call me back, okay?”

“Gotcha!”

“Is she fine?”

They all knew who Elizabeth was referring to.

“Yeah, she’s calm now. It was touch and go for a little while. It’s handy having that built in alarm of hers.”

“If you say so,” Elizabeth stated. It was more creepy than handy, if you asked her.

“I have to admit that she freaks me out.”

“Yeah, you’re not the only one. Just hang in there. I’ll be there before you know it to give you some spook free time.”

“See you then.”

The call cut off.

Before either man could protest, she cut them off. “I let you in on that so you’d have an easier time with it. I don’t want you both to be worried. I’ll be fine. This is part of our jobs. It’s a risk I have to take.”

Callen wasn’t convinced, and from the look on his brother’s face, neither was he. Yet, they said nothing.

Elizabeth knew their time was very limited. So, she moved into Callen’s body and held out her hand to Ethan.

“I love you both so much. I’ll find a way to keep in touch. I don’t want you to suffer like you did.”

They wrapped themselves around her, nuzzling her neck and cheek. It was like they were trying to memorize the scent and feel of her, since the end was coming.

“We have about an hour left. Do you want to skip eating and maybe roll around?”

Callen grinned. “I’m in.”

Ethan was definitely up for that. Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried their women to the bedroom.

Yes, she was leaving, but they would make the memories while they still could. It would give them something to hold onto when they were alone and scared.

It would warm them until she came back.

They sat on the bed eating takeout. Tony Magnus loved watching his fiancée when she didn't realize that he was doing it. She always had a smile on her face and was so easy to get along with.

Jaxon was his perfect choice for a partner. While his life was dark and dismal, she would light it up.

He could already tell.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, feeding him some of her chicken.

“If you really meant what you said in the morgue.”

“Refresh my memory. What exactly did I say?”

He swallowed the food in his mouth before speaking. “I’m referring to the part about coming home with me to stay there. Are you really willing to give up your career for me?”

She touched his cheek. “I’m not saying that once or twice a year I won’t take a dig assignment if one comes up, but I will commit to living with you, getting married, and possibly teaching at a local university.”

A weight was lifted from his shoulders.

“My whole life, all I wanted was someone who got me. I mean, Jagger and my mom understood, but I wanted a man who would look at me and see the real me.”

He picked up her fingers and brought her knuckles to his lips.

“See? That’s what I wanted. I found him, so I’m going to do what it takes to be with you, Tony. So yes, it was the truth.”

“I love you, Jaxon. You’re amazing, and I’m fortunate to have found you.”

She leaned in to kiss him. “Mmm hmmm,” she said, allowing his lips to move over hers.

When he pulled her into his lap, she didn't put up a fight. Why would she? In his arms was where she belonged. As she fell into the mating of mouths, his hands wandered beneath her shirt. They teased her unmercifully.

“Tony!” she whispered when his fingers found her nipples and tormented them.

Without warning, he released her.

She looked surprised.

“Strip for me.”

Her blood pressure shot up. Here, her sexy older fiancé was getting bossy in bed. She nearly melted into the hotel carpeting from the look in his eyes.

She scampered from the bed to do what he wanted. With shaking fingers, she tried to unbutton her shirt.

Tony watched her like she was prey. The slower she went, the wilder he became. There was nothing sexier than watching his woman disrobe for him.

She was innocence and sweetness all rolled into one.

And she was his.

Each time she did this for him, there was a fear that he’d lose that look of love and wanting from his eyes. Yet, with each encounter, that never happened.

If anything, he appeared to want her that much more.

“More, my little minx, give me more,” he demanded.