Choices will Destroy (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 14)

by Morgan Kelley

  As the engine disappeared into the distance, her phone chimed. A part of her didn't want to read it, but she loved him too much not to keep her word.

  She’d promised.

  Pulling it out of her pocket, she glanced down at the nine words there.

  ‘Thank you. I love you more than you’ll ever know.’

  It was all it took. The wall crumbled, and Elizabeth Blackhawk gave in to it all. She wept bitter tears as the men she loved offered her their strength.

  Again…

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  Gabriel enjoyed the show as his wife stripped out of her clothes. His eyes never once left her lithe form. In the last fifteen years, a lot had happened in their lives.

  They’d mourned.

  They’d celebrated.

  They loved.

  In all honesty, he didn't regret a single second of their lives. His heart started the day she proposed, and it had always beaten for her. There would never be a woman he could love more. His Olivia was the strongest woman in the world.

  He was in awe.

  “I missed you today,” he said, watching her place the Glock in the top drawer of their dresser. He imagined it now sat beside his, and that gave him an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. It wasn’t a bad one either.

  Something about it turned him on. Despite knowing better, he liked the rush it gave him.

  “I missed you too.”

  He studied her as she pulled her hair free of the ponytail and how it dropped to kiss her shoulders.

  Here was his life.

  “Did you have fun playing agent?” he asked.

  She glanced over. “I wasn’t playing. I was an agent once. You don’t ever stop being one. It’s something born in you. Could you stop playing director?”

  He shook his head. There was no way he could.

  “How did it feel?”

  “I missed it. When I was with Elizabeth and asking questions, my mind was alive. I forgot how that feels.”

  Gabe stared at her.

  Something just occurred to him.

  Over the last fifteen years, she hadn’t asked for anything. Not a single solitary thing. She gave up her career, she gave life to their family, and she was a good mom.

  “You should requalify and come back.”

  She stared at him.

  “What?”

  “I never should have made you quit. I see it now. There’s this spark in your eyes. When I forced you to quit, you died a little that day. I was very wrong, Livy.”

  She didn't move.

  Standing there in her bra and panties, she couldn’t believe she was hearing what he had said. Did she hit her head today?

  Did he?

  “I’m sorry, but did you just tell me to go back to my job? Where’s the real Gabriel. You have to be a clone. There’s no way in hell he’d say that to me.”

  He laughed sardonically. “I know. I can’t believe I’m saying it either. I have to be honest. A part of me is scared shitless at the prospect, but a part of me also knows how I’d feel if you told me that I couldn’t do my job anymore. I’d be lost. I never realized that’s exactly what I did to you. I was putting my needs over yours back then. I wasn’t thinking about us. I was ordering you around, giving you an ultimatum, and controlling you. I’m sorry, honey. I’m so damn sorry.”

  Livy didn't move.

  Her heart was thundering in her chest. She didn't know if this was a trick or a trap. Certainly, he couldn’t be reconsidering fifteen years later.

  “Do you want to go back, Olivia?”

  “Are you asking what I’m thinking or what I know I should say to keep you happy?”

  Here was the proof.

  That answer alone spoke volumes.

  “I want to know what you want. You gave me fifteen years and six kids. What does your heart desire?”

  “Will it damage us?”

  “Never. Look at what we’ve survived. None of that beat us down, and we’re stronger than ever. I really think that if you want this, Olivia, you should have it. Our kids are older, and everyone is in school. I have the luxury of giving you jobs that are in DC, and handpicking your partner.”

  She had hope for the first time in a long time. She didn't understand why he’d suddenly come to this conclusion, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

  “Are you serious, Gabriel?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can make this work. I can do the job, be a wife, and mother. Elizabeth pulls it off, and she’s got two sexy men in her bed.”

  “If that was a subtle hint that you can take on more men, you can consider that option killed.”

  She laughed.

  “You’d still be my boss,” she reminded him.

  “You’d answer to someone else. I need to find a Deputy Director, and soon. The position has been vacant for too long. I’ll make sure you answer directly to him and not me. It wouldn’t be fair for me to have any say in your day.”

  They both knew that was total BS. Gabe would be all over her, and that was okay.

  “I’d like to do this. I’d like to try.”

  “Then try. Qualifications are coming up this summer. Get ready for them. I support your choice.”

  She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  “Livy, if you leave me, I’ll die without you,” he said, putting it out there.

  Her heart flipped. She moved toward the bed and her husband. Gabriel was like some sinful fallen angel. Even now, approaching fifty, he was still hot. His body was delicious and all hers. There was something about those chiseled good looks, the salt and pepper hair, and the delicious full lips. She loved him more today than she ever thought she could.

  Leaping onto the bed, she landed on him.

  He stared into her eyes. “I love you, Olivia.”

  She didn't speak.

  Instead, she kissed him. The mating of mouths reminded her of that first time they kissed. She poured everything she had into it, hoping he would feel what lived in her for him.

  When he responded, he held nothing back. Her hands slid through his hair, and he didn't have any thoughts in his mind other than her.

  His wife undid him.

  This burst of life had been long gone. They’d slid into the comfort of conformity, and now it was back.

  The heat.

  The fire.

  The desire.

  When he’d taken the Fed from her, she’d died, and now life was reborn. She had a purpose other than to be a mom and wife. She was getting a second chance.

  A new role was born.

  Pulling away from his mouth, Livy stared down into his eyes. Green met green.

  “I want you.”

  That was the only warning he got. Livy tore into his clothes like a woman on a mission. Gabe simply held on as his wife ravaged him.

  Yeah, this was hot.

  Livy yanked open his shirt, sending buttons flying.

  He laughed.

  “I’m glad you’re amused,” she said, diving back into the kiss.

  As her halo of red silk fell across his skin, Gabe was assaulted with the scent of her perfume.

  This was heaven.

  “More,” he begged, only breaking the kiss to catch his breath. “I want all of you. Come back to me, Livy. I miss the woman you were.”

  She didn't hesitate.

  Truth be told, she missed the woman she used to be too. The impulsiveness, the wild streak, and the fun had been buried beneath obligation as a mom.

  Now she was free.

  It was time to show him what he’d been missing.

  Yanking his pants open, she tugged him free from his pricy dress pants. He was a sight to behold.

  His hair stood in spikes, his chest was bare, and his erection was hard and throbbing.

  He didn't look like the head of the FBI.

  He looked like her soulmate.

  Pulling her toward him, Gabe shoved her head toward his body. He was dying t
o have her mouth on him. He wanted her licking, sucking, and tasting him more than anything.

  “Now, Livy. Take me in your mouth.”

  She obeyed.

  She always did.

  Only this time, she did it her way. With tongue and teeth, she drove him wild. Gabe moaned and hissed in pleasure.

  She tormented him to the point he was panting with need, begging for release.

  Only, she made him suffer. The man who wielded all the power was helpless in their bed. As she drove her mouth up and down his saliva slick dick, he shook beneath her.

  With each change of tempo, his begging became more frantic. Livy loved him out of control.

  How could she not?

  This was the real Gabriel Rothschild—it was a part of him that no one saw but her. Only then, it was mere glimpses at his weakness.

  It turned her on.

  Pulling her mouth from his erection, he whimpered when she stopped stroking him.

  “Jesus, Olivia, make me cum.”

  She wasn’t done.

  No, he’d given her a gift, and she was going to give one back. Sliding up his body, she straddled his hips.

  “Fuck me, Gabriel, and make it count.”

  His voice was stolen. Livy hadn’t talked like that in bed in a long time.

  He got it.

  She was coming back, and he was going to be coming.

  He wanted to shout a chorus of hallelujahs. Maybe the old dog could be taught a few new tricks.

  Starting with letting his wife be herself.

  When she positioned herself over him, Gabe did what she asked. He tore the panties apart, stealing a gasp from her mouth. Still, he wasn’t done. He tugged her down, burying himself in her body.

  It never ceased to amaze him how wonderful it felt.

  This was perfection.

  As she began bouncing in his lap, driving him into her body in wanton need, he didn’t know how to form a sentence.

  Then she set her glorious breasts free, and he was struck dumb.

  Livy loved the look on his face. It was that of pure need. Gabe was wild and heated up, and she loved every second of it. This was how it used to be.

  “More,” he begged, as she rode him hard, grinding down to get off. With each stroke, she moved closer to release, and he became more frustrated.

  She was using him, and he wanted to feel the same delicious pleasure.

  Livy moaned, throwing her head back as the orgasm came hard. She shattered apart, impaled by his body.

  “Gabriel,” she gasped as he throbbed inside her.

  When she finally floated back to reality, he was watching her. His green eyes didn't leave her face.

  “My turn,” he said, thinking about her being an agent. Something reared up in him, making him even wilder. He pictured her at a desk, wearing a gun, and time disappeared around them.

  It was like it once was.

  Pushing her off his body, he tugged off his shirt and tie. As she watched him, he couldn’t wait to bury himself in her body.

  Repeatedly.

  She wanted fucking, well, she was going to get it. As she grinned slyly, like a big satiate cat, he was horny as hell.

  For her.

  His wife.

  His mate.

  His partner.

  When he was free of his clothes, he stroked his erection to get ready. He was hard and needed relief. Only one woman would ever give him that.

  He grabbed her by the ankle and tugged her toward him. Livy slid across the sheets and stopped just in front of him.

  Rolling her over, he rubbed himself against her ass. Oh, he was wild, and he didn't care.

  Gabe needed this, and he knew she understood. Letting her go back, it cost him.

  This was his payment.

  “Yes, Gabriel. Please,” she begged.

  That’s all it took.

  He placed himself against her ass and prepared to own her. When she glanced back at him, lust now in her eyes, he impaled her.

  She moaned at the invasion. He filled her. As he began moving in and out of her ass, she was pinned beneath him.

  “You’re mine,” he whispered in her ear. “Say it.”

  She didn't hesitate. “I’m yours.”

  He moved harder, watching her small, tight body swallowing his. Gabe never wanted this to end. It felt too good. She tightened around him, trying to milk him dry.

  He fought it.

  She begged.

  Whimpered.

  Moaned.

  With each sound she made, he drove himself into her. It was the hottest sex they’d had in a while, and he was going to draw it out.

  She took all of him, and she didn't fight.

  It made him shake.

  “Harder, Gabriel. Harder.”

  He gave her what she wanted. As he pounded himself into her, she vibrated around him. Gabe knew he wasn’t going to last much longer, so he flicked his fingers over her clit.

  She exploded, and so did he.

  Gabe poured into her in wave after wave of pent up heat. He’d taken his wife in a sweaty romp, and he didn't regret it.

  As she took all he had to offer, he nearly collapsed on top of her.

  “Jesus, Livy, you’re such a hussy.”

  She laughed as the room spun in pleasure. “Yes, sir, can I have some more?”

  He snorted, sliding out of her body. Together, they crawled back onto the bed.

  Exhausted.

  “That was so hot, Gabriel,” she said, cuddling into his body. I love when you’re bossy in bed.”

  “I was thinking about us first starting out.”

  “Turned you on, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “You still meant what you said?”

  He thought about it. “Yes. I want you to have your dreams.”

  She looked up at him. “You and the kids were my dream. I’ll never regret them, but it’s time.”

  He knew it.

  Had he married a teacher, nurse, or doctor, this wouldn’t even be an issue. They would have gone back to their careers and he wouldn’t have batted an eyelash.

  Now he had to let it go.

  His wife was a Fed to her core. She’d once been one of the best. She’d once had a partner who had her back. Gabe needed to let her go back to that.

  “I know. I believe in you.”

  And he did.

  She closed her eyes and slipped into sleep. This was her best day ever, despite what she’d encountered. A dormant part of her was coming to life, and she was thrilled.

  She was back.

  Agent Olivia Spencer Rothschild had a new lease at the old her.

  It was time.

  As Gabe watched her sleep, he sent out a silent prayer.

  ‘Please don’t let this be a mistake. I can’t lose my wife,’ he whispered silently.

  And it was true.

  Without her, he’d be lost.

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  Damascus

  It wasn’t a horrible flight home. Chris Leonard got there in no time. When he exited the jet, he saw his co-worker waiting for transport.

  He told him goodbye, knowing it was the last time he’d see him. His wife and daughter were his new life, and he couldn’t look back.

  When he’d left Gabe’s home, he knew he was going to have to cut his ties. If he saw his family every day, there would be no way not to regret everything. Each time he saw Elizabeth, he’d want to return to the FBI. The only way to do it was to move on. That’s why he’d made her promise.

  Elizabeth would forgive him.

  That was the only reason he could do it.

  This was going to hurt, and he already hated the choice that he made. With each second that he drove closer to home, he thought about the repercussions.

  It broke his heart.

  He only hoped he didn't grow to hate himself.

  As he pulled up the long drive, the haunted mausoleum waited for him. Inside, his wife and daughter woul
d be there.

  Parking in the garage, he saw the kitchen light on under the door. Once he walked through it, he was officially unemployed.

  He took a breath.

  Walking to the counter, which held countless tools he’d never used, he dropped his medical bag. It was staying out here, so he wouldn’t be reminded of what he’d given up. Later, he’d stash it away in his safety deposit box with the Newton boxers he cherished.

  That bag was years of blood, sweat, tears, and pain, and it broke his heart. He’d nearly died a few times finding justice, and now it was just his past.

  His heart ached.

  He placed the cane beside it, knowing that had to go too. Elizabeth’s message, scribed into the silver, made him want to cry. It was his past too.

  There had to be a clean break, and he knew it.

  Taking a deep breath, Chris headed into his home and new life. It was one without purpose and nothing but leisure.

  As he opened the door, he saw his two girls waiting for him.

  “Daddy is home for good.”

  His girls rushed toward him.

  And Chris let it go.

  He didn't have a choice.

  It was this or lose them both.

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  Wednesday

  Three A.M

  She couldn’t sleep.

  When she crept out of the bed, from between the men she loved, Elizabeth needed a place to hide.

  She needed a place to think.

  Had she been home, she would have gone to the treehouse that the men had moved from their old home. She would have talked to Timothy, like she sometimes did.

  Communing with him in the treehouse calmed her. It helped clear her mind as she worked through her problems. Now, she was a mess, and there was no way to find that peace.

  She was on her own.

  Nothing was solved, everything was crushing her, and she was torn. As she headed down to Livy and Gabe’s kitchen, the second she entered, she knew she wasn’t alone.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” Gabe asked, sitting in the dark.

  “No. You?”

  He laughed. “I've done something stupid,” he admitted. “I had no choice.”