“I’m going to try and get Callen to come back with me tomorrow morning. I might make it back before you head to the morgue. If he doesn’t want to, I’ll send him home, and then catch a flight as soon as I can.”
“Just make sure my brother is okay. I can run it here without you for a couple days.”
“I have a feeling he’s going to want to go back. Callen’s not the same broken soul that he was back then. He’s been reinforced by Blackhawk blood. We’ve got his back, and I think he’ll figure that out after some sleep.”
If that were the case, Ethan had something he had to do. “We’ll take care of him,” he promised.
“I love you, Ethan. He’s really going to need us,” she whispered.
He didn't doubt it. “I love you too, baby. I’ll call you in the morning. Try and get some sleep,” he suggested.
“You too,” she replied.
“Oh, I will.”
He hung up the phone. “I’ll sleep after I take a little trip out to see Dean Quinlan. I have something I need to discuss with him.”
* * *
In the stillness of the night, Tony laid in the bed with Jaxon lying across his body. She was curled against him in exhaustion. A few minutes earlier, he woke Jaxon up to show her how amazing it felt to have a boyfriend.
It was funny.
Before her, he honestly believed that he was living. Now, Tony knew the truth.
That was merely existing.
Everything about Jaxon made him happy. The scent of her hair, the way she curled into him, and the way her body fit against his. Never in his life had he believed that he’d find a woman who was ten years younger than him and understood his life.
In fact, he never thought he’d find a woman…period.
Here, fate changed his mind.
Tony couldn’t be happier and the mile wide grin on his face had to prove it.
“Why are you awake?” she mumbled into his neck. “It’s the middle of the night. Please tell me you’re not in the mood for sex again.”
He grinned even more. “Not bad for an older man, huh?” he asked. When his hands wandered lower, past the bedding to stroke delicate flesh, she giggled.
“You’re a perverted old man,” Jax muttered. “You can’t possibly,” she began, only to have him roll, pinning her beneath him. When he slipped into her, ready to have her again, she stared up at him.
Tony grinned wickedly.
“Are you popping sex aids when I’m not looking?” she asked, as he began moving. Gone was the exhaustion and in its place was the delicious feel of his body.
“No, do you want me to?”
Her laughter was drowned out by his mouth and one hell of a kiss.
* * *
Thursday Two A.M.
He watched and waited.
As the man came out of the building, he was ready to take care of business. Pulling on the black leather shooting gloves, he got ready to follow him home.
When they arrived there, bad things were going to happen.
In fact, this payback was a long time coming.
It was time.
As the man’s car came to a stop, he hopped out and headed toward his house. While he whistled a cheery tune, he was oblivious to what was coming.
There was pain on the horizon.
Before he could reach his porch, the one who watched him was there. He was faster, meaner, and hell bent on drawing blood.
When his fist struck out, it caught him off guard, as did the next one, and the three which followed.
The man on the ground had never felt such pain before in his life, and it was well past due.
As he got up, trying to fight, another shot took him to the ground. This time, it was a brutal one to his groin. Yeah, he’d never be the same again, or that was the hope. When the man curled into a fetal position, whimpering into the night, he waited.
Patiently.
“What do you want?” he whispered in pain. “Please don’t hurt me anymore.”
There was only one answer for that.
He wanted him dead.
Luckily for this bastard, that wouldn’t happen. Blackhawk had a family to take care of. Yet, it didn't mean that he wouldn’t make him hurt. When the man begged, it only made him angry. In his mind, he pictured his poor brother begging but being ignored.
Callen would get his revenge, through his rage.
“You touched my brother when he was a child. You abused his body, and now it’s payback time,” he said, as the man struggled to his feet.
“I’ll call the police.”
There was laughter because he was the law. Yet, he didn't care. Ethan was going to make him suffer. “You can do that. Then, we’ll tell them about you raping a child, you filthy piece of garbage. There’s no statute of limitations on that. You’re going to the chair. Twenty four counts will get you the death penalty,” he hissed. “Not to mention piss off every inmate on your cell block. Do you know what they do to child molesters in prison, Dean? They eat them alive. Before this is done, I’ll make sure every man in that prison uses you the way you hurt my brother.”
The man’s face changed, obviously aware he was screwed. Fight versus flight kicked in as Ethan saw the telltale signs.
He saw the intent, and it was the wrong choice.
When the man charged him with a knife, he protected himself. Swinging out, he busted Dean’s nose before leaving his teenage trademark.
The night filled with the screams of the man as his radius snapped like kindling when his elbow came down on it.
Dean dropped to the ground in so much pain.
Leaning down so he could hear him, Ethan hissed in his ear. “Come near what’s mine ever again, and I’ll peel your skin off with that knife,” he promised. When he stood, his boot crushed down on the man’s right hand, adding more pain to his already damaged arm. “Forget Callen’s name, or I’ll return. Next time, I’ll cut off you dick and end your life, you coward.”
With that, Ethan walked away.
Was it wrong?
As a cop, hell yeah.
As a brother and a Blackhawk?
It was nothing but right.
When on the Rez, do what the Natives do.
Fuck the law and protect your own…
* * *
As he was waking up, everything felt wrong. His head was on something, and it smelled like his Elizabeth. Slowly, he sat up, only to find that he was using his woman’s lap as a pillow. When his brown eyes met hers, Elizabeth was gently smiling at him.
“Morning,” she said, leaning over to give him a kiss.
“Did you sleep at all?” he asked, glancing down at his watch.
“No, I didn't. I promised that I’d stay awake in case you needed me, and here I am. Need me?” she asked, grinning.
His heart flipped in his chest. Here she was pregnant and staying awake when she needed the rest more than him. “Sweetheart,” he began, not sure what to say.
Instead of letting him continue, she placed her fingertips over his lips. “I wasn’t there for you when you were twelve, but I am now. I’ll be okay, Callen. You’re my concern. I’m a mother and accustomed to not sleeping. Caring for you matters more.”
For the last two years, whenever he thought about his past and Elizabeth finding out, there was always fear. He was such a fool. Callen should have known better. Their protective raven would always watch over him. The humiliation and embarrassment wasn’t there. Instead, he found a boundless supply of love.
Hers.
“I need to ask you something, and I really need the truth. I know you won’t lie to me, despite how uncomfortable it might make us,” he said.
“We’ve been best friends since we met, Callen. You know you can tell me anything, no matter what. Go ahead, darlin’, ask.”
“Do you think that what happened to me is the reason why I like rough sex? Did it break me somehow, up here?” he asked, touching his head.
She took his hand in hers and held it to her
heart. “I think that you enjoy more exuberant sex because you just like it. Maybe a therapist would tell you it’s because of what happened, but couldn’t it just be that you enjoy it?”
He thought about it.
“I like pain,” he said, softly. “I don’t know why, but it excites me,” he thought back to Valentine’s Day and the candle wax.
“I think that you had no control as a child. So much was inflicted on you, beyond your ability to stop it. Now, during sex, when that same pain happens, you do have control. You own it and drive it. I think that control is what you’re excited by, not the way it hurts.”
Callen dropped a kiss to the rings on her finger. They were his anchor, much like Elizabeth.
“I really enjoy rough sex too, Callen. I was never abused and had a good life. Maybe it’s just exhilarating, a rush, or exciting. It doesn’t make you bad, it makes you… you.”
His heart stopped aching. That last little pain ebbed away with her gentle words.
“If you want to see, Doctor Gaines, I’m sure she could give you more help with it than I can,” she offered. “I can make an appointment, and I’ll go with you if you like.”
He needed to think about it.
“You know, Lyzee, our kids have a pretty fantastic mother. She’s tough, bad ass, but so very loving. I’m a blessed man. Thank you for loving me, despite all the things you’ve found out.”
She kissed him on the lips. “I love you because of everything, Callen. Your life experiences are what makes you shine and sparkle. You’ve overcome, and that’s sexy in a partner. Who wants a man who coasts through life, unwilling to live? I want someone who captivates me. I lucked out and got brothers.”
Smiling, he hugged his woman.
“Now, If you don’t mind, I need to go get changed. I have to head back to Devil’s Lake. Can you drive me to the airport?” she asked, standing. It was her hope he’d want to return with her, but it had to be his choice.
“I’m going with you,” he stated. “I’m done running. I want to stand with my family, not behind them.”
She patted his cheek. “Well, then I’ll get dressed so we can go. The jet’s on standby.”
As she turned, he stopped her by grabbing her arm. “Elizabeth, I know you’re probably tired, but I need you.”
She didn't even hesitate. Elizabeth went into his arms and wrapped herself around him. Yes, she was tired, but in Elizabeth’s life, her children and men came first.
Family was in the forefront.
When his mouth sought out hers, Elizabeth was there for him. It was her promise for the rest of their lives. If Callen needed her, he only had to look to his side.
She’d be right there.
Picking her up in his arms, he carried his woman to the room he and Ethan shared as a boy. Closing the door, he rested her in the center of the bed.
“I love you more than I’ll ever be able to show you, but let me try, Lyzee,” he whispered. “I need to try.”
She pulled him down to her mouth and wound her legs through his, trapping him to her. As their lips and tongues moved in the familiar dance, her clothing was peeled away.
Callen’s hands moved expertly over the buttons, freeing her torso from the restrictive material. When his fingers traced sensitive flesh, leaving loving caresses, she arched into him.
“I love you, angel,” he whispered, his mouth following the trail to lower treasures. “I want to taste you.”
She let him set the pace, taking what he needed to heal. Part of loving him was offering all she had to patch up his heart.
“I’m yours, Callen, and I love you too,” she murmured as her pants were unbuttoned and slipped down her hips. When she thought he would go right for the prize, he didn't.
Lowering his lips over her belly, Callen spoke to the little girl growing there. “I hope you’re just like your momma,” he said. “Your daddy is right. Having you running wild will bring our home so much joy. If I get the blessing of more children, I want a bad ass daughter too.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I love you, Charlie,” he said. “I’ll keep you safe. No one will ever hurt you. I swear on my life.”
It was the second most important vow he’d ever taken. The first being to love Elizabeth until his dying day, and neither would be broken.
Slipping lower down her body, he left kisses across her hips. With gentle fingers, he slowly tugged down the little pair of panties. His woman chased after him when he ran, she gave him her heart, and now he’d share his soul.
Here was the woman who was burned into his heart. In that moment, he knew what to give her for her birthday. She’d earned it.
“Callen,” she moaned, as his mouth continued to dip lower and lower until he found her.
“You’re so delicious,” he said, lapping at his woman like a big lazy cat. Callen took his time, wanting to offer her so much pleasure.
Her body tingled from the slow torturous tickling of his tongue. “God! Callen!” she shouted, her body bowing in pure delight.
Giving her a second, Callen waited for her to resurface from the pleasure. “I wanted you all loose and ready for me,” he admitted, sliding up her body until he was above her.
“I want you,” she purred, completely relaxed.
Callen took that as his sign. Sliding into her, he braced himself over her and began moving. With each slide into her, Elizabeth arched into his body, accepting his strokes. When the tip of his erection kissed so deeply inside her, she gasped in pleasure.
Repeatedly, he kept offering her everything he had. For this woman, and the way she whispered his name, he’d give his all. The way Elizabeth had promised to love him forever gave him the strength to carry on. His woman was going to fall over and over until he wasn’t able to hold off from the inevitable.
“Oh, Callen!” she shouted, shattering again.
This time, he pulled out, not wanting to be tempted to the edge. When she opened her icy blue eyes, they were filled with adoration.
“I want to share with you, Callen,” she whispered, patting the bed beside her. When he was in position, she straddled his body. Elizabeth watched his eyes go blind with pleasure as she slid down, fully sheathing him.
As she began moving, she whispered to him,
Where doth my heart travel when you go? Without you my love, I shall wait your return until my dying day. While you travel out of my sight, you shall never be but a breath away, safely housed in my heart. For you are my soul, my lover, my best friend. When I found you, I was born anew, and we became one.
His heart skipped in his chest. That was a poem he’d written for her. For Elizabeth’s last birthday, Callen had given her a book of his words. They were all written for the love of his life.
His body shook as she continued to control their love making. When he was so close, he stared up into her eyes.
“Before you there was nothingness,” he whispered, teetering on the edge.
“And now with you there is love,” she replied, pushing them both off the edge into the bliss.
They tumbled together as one.
When they resurfaced, Elizabeth gently left kisses across his lips and strong features.
“You memorized my poem.”
Elizabeth laid a kiss over his heart. “Callen, I’ve memorized them all. They mean everything to me.”
His heart ached, but not because of his past. This time, it was because it overflowed with love.
Callen was saved once more, and this time there was no going back.
* * *
Ethan sat on the couch drinking coffee as he thought about his actions. Reminding him of what he’d done, sat an ice pack on his right hand. While he didn't regret the previous evening’s events, he was forced to face the cold hard facts.
He was getting old.
In his youth, a fist fight wouldn’t have hurt this damn bad. He and Callen would get in a fight, drink some beer, and then head to bed without batting an eye. In the morning, they
’d be laughing about the hell they raised. Not once did he remember it hurting this much.
At that point, he’d kill for more coffee and a bottle of aspirin.
Then, he was forced to think about what Callen had endured. As he sat there, another wave of anger overtook him. Despite trying to fight it, Blackhawk was helpless. It cleared the fog of guilt over what he’d done. Deep down, he really didn't care. His pain was worth avenging his brother’s abuse. In fact, he’d do it all over again, even with busted up knuckles.
His biggest concern now was if his wife was going to lose her damn mind. Granted, he knew he shouldn’t be using violence to solve what happened, but sue him. He was old school.
It was an eye for an eye.
Then, Ethan began thinking about the profile. Wasn’t that exactly what the killer was doing?
Or was he trying to tell them something with subtle clues?
Ethan picked up his tablet and started scanning the information. When there was a knock on the front door, his heart skipped in his chest. Yeah, this part he remembered from his youth. It was when the law showed up to take his ass to jail.
Taking a deep breath, he faced the consequences.
There was always the possibility that Dean Quinlan had reported him for the assault. If that happened, he was likely going to lose his job and spend some time in jail. He’d never ask Callen to share his secret to save his ass. As kids, he’d taken the penalty and done the time. This would be no different.
It came down to protecting his family.
Opening the door, Ethan saw his guest and relaxed. It was only their anthropologist.
“Quick! Is Lyzee here?” he blurted.
“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, looking around. Tony was rarely this stirred up.
“I need to ask her something,” he said, looking inside.
“She’s off with Callen. Can I help you?”
He paused, measuring if his boss could help. Finally, he was desperate enough to take any advice he could get. “How did you know you were in love? Was it instant? Did it take time? Is it weird that I think I’m in love with Jaxon, even though I’ve only known her a couple of days?” he asked, not even breathing between questions.
Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) Page 30
