Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) (50 page)

Callen took a deep breath as the anger overwhelmed him. “I forgive you, not because I love you or care, but because I refuse to feed the anger. You’ve destroyed enough of my life, and now it’s time for me to let it go and find peace. I’m in love with a great woman, and I have a career I love. I made something out of the boy you broke. I don’t miss you, but I do feel pity. You threw everything away for living hard, and I won’t be my mother’s child. I hope you have peace wherever you are, Charlene.”

Wiping the tears, not of sadness but anger, Callen stepped back. “I’m going to be okay,” he said to no one in particular. Then he felt the breeze and the beads began dancing as the wind chimes sang. There was his sign.

“I love you, G
randdad,” he said finally, turning and heading back to his family. Once inside the SUV beside his brother, he let out the breath he’d been holding.

“You okay, Cal?” Elizabeth asked, touching his shoulder.

“Yeah, I am. Let’s go home. We have a football game to play.

Suddenly, getting everything off his chest made him feel more relaxed and calm.

He most definitely would be okay.

                                *    *     *

What the hell was she going to wear to
Elizabeth’s house for Christmas dinner? The football part was easy; she’d donned a long sleeve shirt and was wearing one of her Army shirts over it. Camouflage pants and sneakers rounded out her choice, but dinner was a different thing.

Was it formal?

Informal?

Was s
he just over thinking all this?

Tori let out a sigh. “Julian! I’m in my closet, and
I need your help. I feel all panicky,” she said honestly.

Julian appeared in the door
way and immediately was at her side. “What’s wrong, honey?” he asked, concerned for her. Rarely did she ask for help. It both warmed him and terrified him at the same time.

“What are you wearing for dinner?” she
inquired.

Julian started laughing. “When you called me in here I thought something was wrong. This is about your clothes?” he
questioned, trying to not laugh more, but it was hard. “I at least assumed there was a big spider or something creepy crawly.”

Tori gave him a look. “I’ve squished scorpions with my boot in the sand. Spiders aren’t scary.
Now, the Blackhawk’s house for Christmas dinner is terrifying!”

Julian grinned and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“Just tell me what you’re wearing, and I can get my bearings and be okay.” Tori stared at him, hoping he’d get her through this.

“I brought a polo and jeans.”

Tori took a deep breath. “Okay then I can do this.”

Julian was touched that she was relying on him. Even though she didn’t say she loved him, the mere idea that she was leaning against him in her moments of panic meant a great deal to him. It was a start
and something they could build on as a couple.

She stared into the closet
, almost completely lost in thought.

“How about a pair of jeans and this blue sweater,” he offered, pulling it from her closet. It was a soft angora and matched her eyes.

“Okay,” she said, taking it from his hands. “Thank you, Julian,” she whispered, then gave him a kiss to show her appreciation.

Julian ran his hand down her back. “Not a problem
, honey. I told you, I’m here for you.”

She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder.

Holding her for a few minutes, he would have really liked to pull her into the bed and make love to her, but they’d be late and that would make her a nervous wreck.

“We need to get going,” he said, kissing her on the lips, when she glanced over at her.

“Do you think we’re really going to play football in the mud?” she asked, slipping into her sneakers. Growing up her brother had played with her, and she liked the game.

“Apparently, this is a big Blackhawk tradition. They even bet on it.”

Tori started laughing. “They aren’t the normal FBI bosses. Every time I get adjusted, they do something so completely normal it catches me off guard.”

“
I stopped trying to out think Elizabeth a while ago.”

Tori took his waiting hand. “
Yeah, that’s probably a really good idea.”

                                *    *     *

She dressed for battle, knowing the men were up to something. Just before coming upstairs she heard them snickering in the kitchen about the ‘bet’. Elizabeth trusted the two of them with her life. She’d give them her back on any given day, but when it came to football in their back yard, Elizabeth knew better. They were two of a kind, and when it came to winning they wouldn’t mind stacking the deck- especially if the prize was sex. The two of them were more than willing to step outside the lines and cheat, if it got them both naked and a win in their column.

Elizabeth wished she’d heard exactly what they were up to, but she suspected one or both of them had attempted to buy off Julian. That meant she couldn’t trust him on her team. If she was going to lose, then it meant on her terms. When it came down to it, she was faster than Callen, and possibly Ethan on a good day.

They were going to stack the deck, and so was she.

Heading down to the
kitchen, she was ready to kick both of their asses. First it was the condescending look they were sharing and next they expected her to fall for it. It was lesson time.

“So here’s the rules, boys,” she started, hopping up onto her counter. “I’m pregnant and I’m asking for a little concession to our normal rules.”

Oh yeah, that caught them both off guard. Sometimes it was just too easy.

“Sure
angel, what?” asked Callen, concerned. “Are you okay?”

Elizabeth smiled her sweetest smile. “Yes love muffin,” she answered.

“Uh oh,” mumbled Blackhawk.

“Since I can’t take a hard hit, can we tweak our rules a little? Maybe make it tag on the girls and full contact for the men?” Elizabeth looked at them both.

“Certainly,” Ethan said surprised. He was shocked she was actually thinking about the pregnancy and baby. “I have no problem with that.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you
both.” She laid it on just thick enough to make sure the playing field was leveled. “I just don’t want to risk it. I’m still early into this pregnancy, and that makes me nervous.”

Both men thought they got away with it, and that made her smile. “Oh and Wyler too. Don’t go kicking the shit out of him.”

Callen grinned. “Okay, so no beating on dad and the girls, and contact on us. I don’t mind you roughing me up, beautiful.”

Hopping off the counter she slid up to his body and ran her fingers down his chest. Going up on her toes she brought her lips very close to his. “Remember you said that, Callen,” then she kissed him roughly, holding him to her lips with control
of his hair. Callen liked rougher foreplay.

Breaking away she winked and turned towards Ethan, going into his arms. The kiss showed so much emotion of how she felt about the man holding her.
He was her rock and stability. When their doorbell rang, she broke away.

Wyler hustled down the stairs. “I got it,” he said
, “since you two are mauling the woman again.”

“It’s more like she’s man handling us,” answered Callen, getting suspicious
after her comment.

Wyler laughed and opened the door. “Welcome Agent Christensen and Mr. Littlemoon. Merry Christmas.”

“Mr. Blackhawk, same to you,” stated Julian, shaking his hand. “I see you’re ready for football.”

Wyler looked down at his sweats. “I am. You haven’t lived until you’ve played a game with the Blackhawks. Come on in. Everyone’s in the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Tori took them all in. Elizabeth was wearing her gray FBI sweats, and a t-shirt with a long shirt underneath. Ethan and Callen were dressed similarly.

Elizabeth welcomed them both. “We had a few changes of rules this year,” she started. “I’m pregnant and its touch when it comes to me, Tori and Wyler. You boys get full on contact.”

Julian grinned. “I’m really okay with that,” he said, winking at Tori.

Elizabeth smiled. “Oh, and also one more thing boys, we’re switching up the teams. It’s now Ethan, Callen and Julian against Wyler, Tori and myself.”

Immediately, Callen and Ethan protested, trying to convince her that it was more fair with Julian on her team.

It was then she
had confirmation that there indeed was a ringer planted on her team. “Well then maybe you shouldn’t have tried to get Julian to cheat for you.”

They both gave him a look. “Thanks,” muttered Callen.

Julian laughed. “She just set you both up, and you fell for it. I didn’t say a word to her.”

Ethan punched his brother. “She’s going to pound our asses into the ground,” he stated. When Julian kept laughing, he looked over at him. “Laugh it up, but you're on our team.
That means you get to be on the mean side of her revenge streak. We’re both about to get bitch slapped around in the mud.”

It was hard to not laugh at the looks on their faces, but Elizabeth was supremely proud of herself. Once more she managed to outthink them both.

Tori punched him in the arm. “You were going to cheat?”

Julian had the decency to look sheepish. “The bet was worth it.”

“What was the wager?” Tori demanded.

“Sex.” All three men said at the same time.

Tori was appalled.

“We may still lose, Tori, but you know what
? I’m going to enjoy every damn second of inflicting some pain on the men.” Elizabeth offered her new friend a fist bump and a wicked grin. “Want to hurt some cheatin’ men?”

“
Count me in.”

Wyler just laughed at his boys. “You two won’t ever learn will you?” He grabbed the baby monitor, and they headed out the back door, through their gate and to the piece of land beside their house. CJ just went down for a nap, and that meant they had a good two hours to get dirty.

“Ready boys?” she said, pulling out a coin. They did the toss and Elizabeth’s team won. “We’ll start off with the ball,” she said, handing the football to Wyler and giving him a fist bump.

Elizabeth and Tori huddled. “Tori, you take the ball, I’ll take down the first man that comes near you. Callen isn't as fast as Ethan is and that’s our leverage. Just run
and stay ahead of him.”

They broke the huddle and got into position. Wyler went back to throw and Tori caught the ball efficiently, and headed towards the goal. Julian lunged at her and Elizabeth slammed into him, riding him into the mud. When they stopped sliding, she stared down into his surprised face. “That’s for going along with those two,” she said, hopping off him.

Tori laughed from the spot where Ethan tagged her.

Callen went over to the man lying in the mud. “You okay?” he said laughing.

“Shit, she hits hard,” Julian said, getting up. “I didn’t think she meant hard core football.”

“Elizabeth does everything hard core.
Blackhawks don’t play like girls, and you better learn that fast. The first hit is generally the easiest one,” Callen grinned.

Tori fist bumped her boss and tossed the ball to Wyler. “This may be my new favorite past time.”
She winked at a mud covered Julian. “Sex as a bet still seem like a good idea?”

The men started laughing.

Blackhawk stared into his wife’s eyes. “Who’s next,” he taunted. “The newbie is easy to take down, but we know all your tricks, baby.”

Elizabeth
grinned. “Give me the ball, Wyler,” she said over her shoulder. When he nodded, starting the play, Elizabeth started running, and saw Ethan at her side. She had seconds and she dropped, sliding feet first towards the goal, effectively having her husband jumping out of her way. When she clipped him, he landed in the muddy grass with a thud.

Whitefox started laughing at his brother. Watching the smaller woman take out his brother was
entertaining.

Elizabeth jumped up
, glad she’d scored. “Sorry, love bug,” she said, using the term of endearment she once used on him back in Salem. “I guess you don’t know all my tricks.”

Blackhawk jumped up. “Are you insane? You’re pregnant. What if I landed on you?” he demanded.

She kissed his cheek. “Baby is indestructible yet. He’s so small no one can hurt him.” Walking past him, she patted him on the muddy ass.

Ethan had enough ass kicking. “Huddle,” he yelled. When they all got close he dropped his voice. “Okay, there’s three of us. I say we change up the rules a little bit. Elizabeth can’t take us all out. I’ll keep the ball.
Callen, I need you to stop Elizabeth. Julian, Tori is all yours. If the women are going to play like men and say the baby is indestructible, I say we play fair.”

The men grinned.

“I can out run dad.” Blackhawk added.

They broke the huddle and got ready. Ethan kept the ball and started forward. Callen and Julian got ready. When Elizabeth went for Ethan, Callen took her down, making sure she landed on top of his body. When they stopped sliding he rolled and kissed her.

Tori had about the same luck. Julian had no problem taking her to the mud, and laughing the entire time.

Needless to say, Ethan got the touchdown. “I scored!” he shouted.

Elizabeth stood. “That’s the last time you're scoring today,” she said, “and I don’t mean in the game, Cowboy.”

That wiped the
smug look off his face pretty damn quick.

Now his brother was laughing
outrageously too.

“You too
, Callen.”

Tori and Julian were roari
ng with laughter, as was Wyler over the entire thing. It was funny to see two mud covered agents with their mouths open, unsure if she was kidding or dead serious.

Elizabeth grinned at her teammates.

Callen glanced over at his brother. “She isn’t serious, is she? I mean it’s just a game and Elizabeth wouldn’t do that, right?”

Blackhawk didn’t believe she would, but with her it was always the wild card. He watched her carefully
, and when she winked reassuringly, he relaxed. “No, she wouldn’t.”

Callen breathed out. “Thank God
!”

Back into formation they went, and
this time Tori had the ball, and made a break for it. Ethan grabbed his wife and they slid through the mud laughing when Elizabeth tripped Callen on her way down, and they all ended up in a pile.

Tori stayed just out of Julian’s reach, until she slid on
a clump of grass. They both went down lying in the muddy mess, staring up at the sky and laughing like maniacs. “This is pretty damn fun,” she said finally.

“Yeah it is,” he replied, reaching for her hand. “Maybe we can see if I can
get my brothers and sisters to come to my house and try this with us this summer.”

Tori nodded,
her eyes filling with tears but she said nothing. Deep down there was the sad truth looming, she wouldn’t ever see it, and they both knew it. Obviously her face told the story too.

Elizabeth noticed the change in demeanor in her agent’s face and motivation. She nodded towards her husband, jerking her head.

Blackhawk picked up the unspoken words and watched the woman carefully. His eyes flickered to Julian, and there was a look of worry on his face. The tracker was relatively laid back, and this had to be the first time Ethan ever saw him look off balance. “I’m calling a truce and throwing in the white flag.”

Elizabeth was glad
he understood the situation. “Are you surrendering, Geronimo?”

The three Natives snickered at her reference.

“I certainly am.”

Eliza
beth knew he took one for the team and to let Tori out of the game without making it a spectacle. “All bets are off since we’re all too tired to go on. It looks like we’ll reconvene until another day.”

Callen finally noticed what was happening. “Thank God!”

“How about we all go in and clean up and then we can have some hot chocolate while we wait for dinner,” Elizabeth offered, beginning to question Tori’s stability.

“Okay,” stated Julian, knowing that El
izabeth sensed the mood change. They’d invited them to their home, and they were spoiling the fun. Julian wished he never said anything to Tori to force her back into the misery.

Once inside they started stripping
off as much as they could and remain decent. In the laundry room, they dropped their clothing into the washer, and pulled off their socks and shoes.

“Tori, Julian, t
here’s a room three doors down. You can use the shower in there,” Elizabeth offered.

“
Thanks,” she said walking away, avoiding everyone’s speculative stares.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth.” Julian offered his apology. “She had a pretty bad dream last night
, and she’s slipping in and out of this melancholy.”

Elizabeth patted his arm. “Julian, friends don’t have to say sorry. I understand. Is it getting worse?”

He didn’t want to rat her out. “Just promise me when this is over, and I go home that you’ll get her into a really good facility, and maybe let me know how she’s doing?” he asked, knowing the end was coming. Tori was pulling away again.

“I promise, Julian,”
Elizabeth offered, reassuringly. “We’ll make sure she’s taken care of until she’s well.”

“
I’ll keep you updated,” stated Blackhawk. He could see the emotion in the man’s face. Apparently the romance between them wasn’t doing so well, and he didn’t think it had anything to do with the man talking to them.

“I’d appreciate it. If she ever needs anything,” he paused, swallowing he pain. “Just let me know
, okay?” Julian barely choked out the words, before walking.

“That’s really sad,” stated Callen. “
You can see how much he loves her. I wonder if she even notices.”

Elizabeth patted his cheek. “I think she’s in love with him, but the war is holding her captive.
Until Tori works on that, she can’t work on love, Cal.”

Blackhawk put his arm around her shoulders. “Then we need to help them. I’ll call Gabe and get a list of the
best facilities for veterans. Maybe, we should get her into one immediately.”

Elizabeth had seen her file. “I don’t think he’ll mind. In her
personnel file, Gabe hired her personally.”

“Ohhh,” Blackhawk understood.

Callen looked confused. “Why is he ohhh’ing? I don’t get it.” He looked back and forth between them.

In their world Gabe was many things, but he didn’t hire employees. He left that to the HR department. “He knows her personally. Gabe only hires people to ‘
fill’ special jobs. He hired us.”