She wasn’t easy.
She wasn’t a hussy.
The woman they stared at and whispered about wasn’t a whore, sleeping with two men.
She was their wife.
That anger festered and brewed, and Callen was using it to make sure he was back in the field. There was no way he was going to allow the two people he loved to face that alone. They were in this together—until the end.
Callen wanted his badge and gun back in the worst way, and he was going to get it. If he had to bleed on the FBI training mats at Quantico, so be it.
Hell, he’d open a vein himself.
One way or another, he was getting his shiny gold shield back, and he’d be the one watching their flank.
Like before.
Like it was meant to be.
Callen had faith in himself and the people he loved.
Speaking of which, the woman who owned his heart was teaching him to shoot leftie, and it was going well. While he could be a pussy and take the test with that hand, he wouldn’t.
No, he was going to use his right hand to shoot if it was the last thing he did. Then, all those whispering and making comments would see that you couldn’t keep a Blackhawk down.
Despite understanding everyone’s fascination with their union, he still wanted to take the faces of every single person who talked trash about them and beat them in…with his good hand.
This was about payback.
Not only for Bonnie and Clyde, but for all the people who kept talking about his woman like it didn't wound her heart and spirit. Callen wanted them to bleed for that alone.
He’d seen her eyes.
With each shitty comment, it did hurt her. While Elizabeth was badass on the outside, she still had feelings, and everyone seemed to forget that.
Well, Callen was coming back, and he was going to show them all what they were messing with by making offhanded remarks.
They were screwing with the wrong family.
He owed the people he loved.
Callen knew they were taking one for the team.
While Elizabeth had taken the last month off, spending every waking hour with him, Ethan was running the office on his own.
He’d done it.
It wasn’t easy by any means. Ethan was pulling long, hard hours for his family, and he owed them both.
Callen appreciated how much they loved him, and it was equally reciprocated.
They were his heart and soul, and no one could ever replace them. His family mattered more than anything.
After dodging the next swing, and returning one to his trainer’s body, Callen was able to see the woman he loved over the man’s shoulder.
She stole his breath.
Today, Elizabeth was wearing a t-shirt that she’d had made that said, ‘I’m with the big sexy Native’.
His woman had a wicked sense of humor. She liked to point out the obvious. There was no way anyone could think that they weren’t together. They were connected at the hip more than not, and she was wearing his ring.
They were a matched set.
Still…every time he glanced over at her, the shirt made him laugh. His girl, the mother of his children, was seven months pregnant, giving him another child to add to their tribe. Number five was on the way.
He couldn’t wait to hold his baby.
Yes, Callen already had a son and daughter, but he was even more excited about this little Native. It was going to be their last.
When they opted to have another child, Callen had convinced his woman that it was to get a girl. He wanted a daughter just like her. That was his one secret wish.
Only…fate didn't plan to grant him that boon. Instead, Charlie and Cat were destined to be the only girls in their tribe.
They’d had the ultrasound after finding out they were expecting, and they were surprised.
It wasn’t a girl.
Callen and Elizabeth were having a boy.
At first, he was disappointed. Yes, he wanted a girl who looked like her, acted like his Lyzee, and raised hell, but he came to the realization that it wasn’t meant to be.
Instead, they were opening their hearts to the little boy who was growing in her belly.
His son would be just as loved. In fact, Callen couldn’t wait. After nearly dying, he wasn’t going to question the universe. He had to believe that the son coming into the world was meant to be there for a damn good reason.
So, he was good with it.
His little man was going to be the last piece to their puzzle. From here on out, they had completed their picture.
When he stared at her baby bump, it still stole his breath. His last child was little.
Elizabeth, unless she turned to the side, still didn't look pregnant. Maybe it was because she was working out just as hard as he was, but this baby was fighting nature. He was tucked into his momma as if he never wanted to leave.
Maybe he liked the adventure and the ride. After all, Elizabeth had one hell of an exciting life.
Sometimes, that scared Callen, but other times he was grateful. Elizabeth was a good mom and even better wife. They were blessed to have her.
Hell!
They were blessed to all be alive. No one took the day for granted. In fact, since Bonnie had escaped, they were all looking over their shoulders waiting for the surprise attack.
That woman was one sick bitch, and no one doubted for a single second that she wouldn’t come back for Elizabeth like she had promised.
After all, their luck sucked. There was no way they’d get lucky on this one.
So, while Callen was working out to get back into fighting shape, his pregnant woman was too. She knew keeping her body in top shape was vital. If Bonnie came at her, she needed to survive.
The family that fought together stayed together.
It was their motto.
Today, Elizabeth let him work his arm in boxing, and later he was pretty sure there would be a reward for all his efforts. Callen knew that he wouldn’t be the only one breaking a sweat.
That was motivation enough.
A sexy wife was always worth the hard work out. Besides, he was making progress. That’s what really mattered.
Callen didn't have full range of motion back, and he was just beginning to get feeling in his fingers, but it was better than nothing. At least now, he could raise his arm and get his fingers to do the important things.
Like unhooking a bra.
Feeding their kids.
Buttoning his own pants.
It was the little things that he had missed, and he was just grateful that he could feel his thumb. For a while, he was cheating and using his left hand.
Well, until he had been caught.
There had been hell to pay.
When he had been busted, Elizabeth immediately pulled out her handcuffs, and his mind went there.
Yeah, it had been a big letdown.
It had nothing to do with sex. Instead, she cuffed his left wrist and then proceeded to lock the other bracelet around his belt loop. If he wanted to eat, he needed to use his right hand.
If he had to pee…
Yeah, it was the same deal.
It figured that she’d find a way to make him work for it.
It was hard, but worth it. Like right now, Callen knew she was going to take him home and make his blood boil. He could see it on her face. There was that sexy smirk that meant hot sex was on the horizon.
After the brute finished kicking his ass, there would be a huge reward.
She was it.
As the last round commenced, his girl sat on the bench and cheered. It lightened his heart. This was an amazing thing for him.
Family was his treasure.
As his opponent raised his hand, going right for his nose, Callen had two choices. Take the hit, or block it. Since he really liked his nose, and the rest of his face for that matter, he forced his right arm up to defend himself.
It hurt like a bitch.
It took energy
and effort, but he pulled it up to block.
Callen knew it wasn’t over. It was going to be one hell of a final few minutes.
The warning bell rang, and as if timed, the man across from him began pummeling his body with no mercy.
There were shots to his torso.
His arm.
His ribs.
The sadistic bastard even went for his face.
Callen didn't give up, even when his lungs were screaming for air. Instead, he fought back with everything he had in him. In his mind, he kept saying the same thing over and over.
This is for my wife and kids.
This is for my wife and kids.
This is for...
With the next hit, the pain sung up his arm to his shoulder and chest, but he pushed through. Callen didn't give up. Instead, he gave as good as he got, getting in a few brutal shots too. Just as he got the last strong one in, the final bell rang.
He was done.
Thank God.
As he bumped gloves with his trainer and tried to catch his breath, he saw her racing toward him. Callen was ready to receive the spoils of battle.
And here they came.
Elizabeth jumped into the ring, vaulted the ropes, and headed straight toward the man she loved.
“Angel,” he muttered, opening his arms.
“Oh, Callen James,” she said, right before being enclosed in his embrace.
The last forty-five minutes had been brutal. As she watched him get beat up, Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to get in there, kick the trainer’s ass to save her guy. Only, she knew she couldn’t.
Ethan would kill her.
They’d decided that the best way to get Callen’s badge back was to let him earn it himself. They weren’t going to baby him, and he wasn’t going to get an easy ride. If he wanted his job, he had to work for it.
Ethan had laid down the law, ordering everyone to push him hard in order to get him back into shape. He wouldn’t let Elizabeth baby the man.
Callen had a long road ahead, and they didn't want to lose him to the system. Being a Fed had become his identity, but more importantly, if he couldn’t rise to the challenge, he couldn’t go out in the field with them. This was about Callen staking his claim. In the blood, sweat, and tears, he’d find his way.
Or that was their hope.
Standing back and doing nothing sucked, but Ethan had been right. This was about Callen finding his identity.
While Elizabeth loved having him with them, it came down to his willingness to fight for it. Callen brought something unique to the table that she and Ethan didn't have, and if he gave up, they’d miss him.
They’d covered all their bases. If he simply couldn’t pull it off, they were both going to give up fieldwork too. Only, they didn't tell him. That would sway the man’s heart, and this was about giving Callen a choice. Like when Granddad had given him the family rings, and he had to choose what his heart wanted most.
Again, it was up to him.
He was one third of their team, and if he quit, there would be a hole where he used to be, but they’d deal with it. For love, they’d do anything.
So, they were giving Callen the wheel. He was in charge and working toward his goals. All of their fates were in his very large and capable hands.
He was going to make it.
They had no doubts about it.
After giving him one hell of a hug, she released him so he could pull off his boxing gloves. As soon as his hands were free, she was back against his body. In fact, he swept her up and into his arms.
“Hey, beautiful, you’re going to get all sweaty,” he admitted.
She laughed. “I can only hope,” she replied, right before running her fingers across his chiseled Native cheekbone.
God!
She loved this man.
Over the last few weeks, she wouldn’t let him pick her up. She’d been afraid, but after seeing how hard he was working, she trusted Callen. He wouldn’t drop the precious cargo, and by that, she didn't mean her.
She meant his son.
Callen held her tightly to his body. It took everything he had to lift his arm and wrap it around her, but he did it. It had been a long time since he’d been able to do this.
And he was rewarded.
Elizabeth sought his mouth with hers and dove into the warmth. It was heaven. The kiss was full of heat and lust, and it showed the man she adored just how much she needed him.
Callen was loved.
He was cherished.
Together, they had a bond.
Callen fell into the kiss, ignoring all the stares from the other patrons of the gym. This was the first part of his reward, and he was going to claim it.
Then again, this was exactly why they didn't work out at the FBI. The Feds would watch them, and it stirred up the gossip. Here, at this gym, no one said shit, but they sure did stare. Here they had anonymity, and Callen liked that.
Here, she was simply his wife.
His woman.
His all.
Deep down, Callen couldn’t blame the people around them for gawking. Elizabeth was beautiful. She had all that sexily tousled hair, icy blue eyes, and genuinely loving smile. Callen could write sonnets about her, and he still wouldn’t be able to convey all he felt for his wife.
It was fathomless.
As her mouth moved over his, he offered something back to her. Slowly, his right hand grabbed a handful of her ass.
It made her laugh, breaking the kiss.
“There’s my man, getting all handsy in the gym,” she said, releasing his mouth. “That was the best ass grab yet.”
He snorted. “Wait until later. I plan to maul you properly. I can promise that it’s going to be epic.”
Elizabeth stared into his warm brown eyes. They reminded her of the richest chocolate. Yet, it was the gentle crinkles around the corners, which offered her the most peace. Her sexy Native made her heart thump.
“I hate that I have to wait. I want you all over me now.”
Callen grinned. “I’m all sweaty, angel.”
“Yes, you are, but I happen to love you all sweaty.”
The brute he had been sparring with laughed. “You’re a lucky man, Mr. Whitefox. My girlfriend tells me she’s not coming in here because it’s smelly.”
Callen was well aware of his good fortune.
Not many women would sit in a gym to watch their man workout. He’d dated a few women in his time and bedded more than his share. Elizabeth was his treasure.
He was the luckiest man on the planet.
Well, beside his brother.
“How’d he do?” Elizabeth asked, still being held in Callen’s arms. “Did he pass today’s training?”
“Yes, he did. Mr. Whitefox exceeded my expectations. You can tell Director Blackhawk that he got an A.”
Callen relaxed. That was exactly what he needed to hear. He’d given it all he had.
“Thanks, Henry. I love having you kick my ass,” Callen stated, lowering Elizabeth gently to her feet. “I feel like a man now.”
She snorted.
Callen kissed her on the tip of the nose.
“Same time Friday?” Henry asked. “Or would you like to add more time to the workout? We can really push your arm.”
He went to open his mouth, and instead Elizabeth cut him off.
“He’d love more time. Wouldn’t you, Callen?”
He gave her the look. “You’re as sadistic as my brother.”
She didn't argue with that.
Callen instead shrugged. “That works for me, Henry,” he replied, grabbing his bottle of water. Before he drank from it, he offered it to the woman carrying his child. He wanted to make sure she was hydrated. Her needs came first.
She took a sip, just to make him smile. Callen loved playing daddy, and she loved giving him a reason to keep fighting. When she handed it back, he didn't hesitate to take it with his right hand.
“You get extra kisses for that,” she ad
mitted.
“You can have it,” he stated, offering her the water bottle again.
“I meant using your injured arm.”
He was aware, but he loved to see her smile. As they climbed out of the ring, he helped her down, praying he didn't lose strength in his arm. If he dropped her, he’d have a heart attack.
When she was safely on her feet, he took her hand in his as they crossed to where she was sitting. His workout bag was there, and he wanted to change his shirt. He was dripping in sweat.
“Want to shower?” she asked. “I can wait.”
He grinned. “I’ll shower at home. Maybe I can find someone to join me, and I don’t mean Ethan.”
She laughed. “Well, that’s good to know.”
“How about it?” he asked.
“Will you wash my back?” she inquired.
“Absolutely.”
“Then maybe you can make me beg and scream. Why not have some fun in the shower?”
She said it loud enough that the two men lifting weights nearby looked over.
He choked on his water.
Elizabeth winked at her husband.
“If you think that makes me angry, it doesn’t. Those men now think I’m the luckiest SOB in the place. You can talk sex all you want. I look like the hero.”
He got her there. “Foiled again.”
“That’s why I worked out so hard. I’m nobody’s fool. I want warm, wet, wicked Elizabeth all over me. You’re my prize for a job well done.”
She watched him struggle to pull off his shirt. While she wanted to help him, she wouldn’t do it. Callen was getting stronger, and he had to do this alone. She was just there to make sure he didn't stumble along the way and to be his cheerleader.
As he stripped it off, the warm lust curled in her belly. Across his torso, muscles rippled, angles caught her attention, and his body beckoned her to reach out and touch.
So she did.
“Angel,” he whispered, as her fingers ran across his chest and to her face tattooed on his ribs. When she touched him, his heart responded.
Here was his other half.
“I want you so much it hurts, Cal,” she whispered. “I want to be naked and in bed in the worst way.”
He grinned wickedly. “What a coincidence. I want to hurt you in the worst way until you scream my name in bed,” he replied, leaning down to sink his teeth into her bottom lip. “It looks like we want the same thing after all.”
Choices will Destroy (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 14) Page 3
