Bonnie didn’t care if she deserved it or not. This was about her spreading her wings and being the killer she knew she was inside.
It was about enjoying what was to come.
That was going to happen and so much more.
It was killing time.
Bonnie dragged her limp body out of bed by her hair. So many times, Clyde had been able to play, but now, she would. This was going to be about her.
Not anyone else.
She was going to be the star.
Bonnie was going to be a killer like none before her.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Four Hours Later
Margaret Peace’s
Home
The old woman had held on a lot longer than either of them assumed she would. Margaret had been a bitch to kill. She was a tough old bird, but in the end, she died just like they had planned.
It was probably when they drained her of all her blood.
It had been fun.
It had been perfect.
She begged, prayed, and tried to save their souls. She kept saying she forgave them, but that didn’t make them stop. No, it made them worse.
That was the last thing they wanted to hear from the old hag. They didn’t need forgiveness.
They wanted pain.
Pain for her.
Pain for Elizabeth Blackhawk.
Pain for anyone who tried to stop them.
As the woman left the world, she left with her eyes removed, her head taken, and her body artfully left behind for the police who would find her.
Oh, this was all about making Elizabeth pay, and she would. The world wasn’t big enough for both of them.
And it was about to play out.
The showdown was coming.
And only one would walk away.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Damascus
Before Dawn
When Callen woke, something was off. It didn’t take him long to realize that his brother wasn’t in bed. He could smell a different cologne, one that shouldn’t be in their bed, and he already knew who was with them.
What the hell?
Chris, for some reason, was beside Elizabeth.
Something had to have gone on for this scenario to happen. When Callen had fallen into bed with his wife, Ethan had been showering. He’d passed out fast, and this was the first time he was surfacing.
While Elizabeth was nestled against him, her body being spooned by his bigger one, she was facing the other man in sleep. Chris wasn’t touching her, except for her hand.
Their pinkies were joined, and he took a minute to take it all in. There was an intimate connection there.
Sometimes, that bothered him.
Sometimes, it didn’t.
Honestly, Callen wished she only shared her life with him and Ethan, but their pasts were never going away. He wished his would all the time, but alas, he had to live with his choices.
He never thought he could deal with Elizabeth being close to another person other than Ethan.
Callen was a jealous man by nature, especially if something of his was threatened. There were no doubts about it. He would kill to keep his wife. While he wouldn’t say those words out loud, they still bounced around in his head.
Then entered Chris Leonard.
Here was someone who mattered to Elizabeth, and everything changed. Oh, the jealousy was still there, but he was able to see through it.
Chris began mattering to him too.
Along the journey, he began to love him as a part of his tribe. Chris had saved his son and his wife’s life when she’d gone into premature labor.
He’d been their hero.
Maybe that was why he was so willing to let the whole situation go. He owed him more than he could ever repay.
So this…
Callen only hoped Ethan would stay calm. One more outburst, like the hissy fit he’d taken, and Elizabeth was done. He couldn’t blame her.
Love mattered.
But being kind mattered too.
Christopher Leonard had always been kind to their woman, and as long as Chris had no intention of poaching…
He would let him use Elizabeth as his crutch.
While the masculine part of him wanted to have issues with this scene, the man who loved Elizabeth couldn’t do it. She needed this, and so did Chris, so he opted to take one for the team and act as a buffer between Ethan and the ME.
Oh, and he was going to make one hell of a stink when he saw his brother.
No, that wasn’t true.
He was going to kick his brother’s ass when he saw him. He let another man into their bed while he was naked.
His junk was out!
Really?
Slipping into a pair of jeans, he headed toward the light in the sitting area of their suite. When he got there, he found Ethan working on something.
“Hey, workaholic,” called Callen. “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
Ethan glanced over.
“Wait, when did you get glasses?” he asked when Ethan pulled his off his face.
“Apparently, I’m getting old. I couldn’t pass recertification without getting them. I can still shoot perfectly, but when I read…not so much.”
Callen laughed because they all were in the same boat. They all had to wear them at certain times. “Well, back to my main question. Why are you working? Oh, and why is Chris in our bed? Let’s add that one to the list. Feel free to answer them in any order.”
Ethan grinned wickedly. “Awww did he see you nekkid?” he teased.
“Jackass,” Callen stated.
It made Ethan laugh.
He slid over on the couch to make room for his brother to join him.
“Well?” Callen asked. “Why is there another man in our bed and not you? I know you’re trying to be calm, but that’s possibly going a little too far in the other direction.”
Oh, he was aware.
“Don’t worry. It won’t be happening on a regular basis. Chris had a nightmare and needed her tonight. I figured he’d had a rough day with being in autopsy, so I’d let it go.”
Okay, that made sense.
“That’s part two. How about you tell me why you’re up working when you should be sleeping? This screams workaholic.”
Yeah, he was aware.
Ethan had planned on sleeping.
“Well, I showered, let Chris in, and then climbed into the other bed, but then I saw an email from Gabe. I figured I’d sleep later.”
“What did it say? It had to be pretty bad if you’re not going to sleep.”
“Here.”
Callen read it.
He whistled. “Is this the video?” he asked.
“Yeah, check it out.”
He did.
When it was done, Callen shook his head. “She’s got balls to try this. You don’t poke the Elizabeth beast. You’ll get your face and hands eaten off.”
Ethan was aware.
Bonnie was either crazy or had a death wish.
It might be death by cop.
“When are you going to wake her up?” Callen asked, assuming it was going to happen sooner rather than later.
“I was going to around five. I figured she needed the sleep. Then we can pack up and head back.”
“This makes me nervous,” Callen offered, being honest. He hoped he wasn’t alone.
His gut was screaming.
“Yeah, me, too, Cal, but we’ll be okay. Ivan is ready to go, the jet is on standby, and our team will be back home waiting for us. We’ll handle it.”
He hoped so.
“Do you need my help?” Callen asked.
“No, but I could use your company,” he offered, pouring him some coffee. “I hear you’re working on a new book. Tell me about it,” he said.
Callen was surprised, but then again, why wouldn’t the new Ethan want to put work aside and reconnect? He was really trying to integrate back
into the fold.
He was proud.
“It’s about this woman who buys a house and in it, she finds a burial ground.”
“Sounds creepy. Tell me more.”
“She finds a body, and it’s hers.”
“So, she has to solve her own murder?” Ethan asked. When Callen nodded, Ethan was impressed. “You’re sick. I love it.”
Callen laughed. “I have to be honest. Elizabeth gave me the idea. She’s my muse. I hope my readers like it.”
“I saw you on the news at your last book signing. You didn’t look happy,” Ethan offered.
“I wasn’t. Elizabeth wouldn’t come, and I hate going to those things alone.”
“You should have called me. I would have gone with you as your date.”
Callen stared at him.
He’d never even thought about it.
“Really?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, that’s usually reserved for…”
He shut up.
Callen got it. He’d inadvertently excluded Ethan from being his spouse.
Well, shit!
Ethan hadn’t been the only one who’d hurt someone he loved. Callen just realized that he’d done some damage too. Ethan was his brother, his spouse, and his friend.
And he’d never invited him.
“It’s okay,” Ethan stated, knowing what his brother was thinking. If anything, Callen was an open book. His face said it all. “I didn’t tell you that to upset you.”
“Ethan, I’m so sorry.”
He patted his brother on the leg. “Don’t be. If you find you’re short a date for a signing, I’ll be more than happy to go with you.”
He leaned over and gave him a hug and kiss.
“I love you, Ethan. I love you as much as I love her.”
Blackhawk let his brother hold him.
“Oh, Callen, I love you too. Our relationship is complicated at times, but I’m always here for you. You’re my blood.”
Callen set him free and took his hand in his.
They sat there on the couch, holding hands as they drank their coffee.
Callen was thinking about his family.
And Ethan was trying not to think about what was coming.
If he did, it would just make him mad.
His family, his whole world, was in danger.
When Elizabeth moved, there wasn’t a giant hulk of a body behind her, and she found that odd. As of late, Callen was waiting in bed until she woke up so they could cuddle.
She knew he was watching over her like a big mother hen, and she’d gotten accustomed to it.
Now he was gone.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Chris watching her. It caught her off guard.
“Yeah, did I just wake up fifteen years in the past?” she asked, teasing Chris.
He smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his baby blue eyes. “No, but if you’re looking for Callen, he just woke up about ten minutes ago. I can hear them out there talking about something. I hope it’s not me.”
“Chris.”
He closed his eyes.
“What happened, sweetheart?” she asked, moving closer to her friend. He moved into her body, burying his face in her hair. The scent helped stabilize him.
Elizabeth let him cling to her.
She ran her hands up and down his back, trying to offer him some peace.
“I had a nightmare. I’m not ashamed to say that it scared the shit out of me, Elizabeth. I woke up crying.”
Doctor Gaines had told him that if he talked about it, and was honest, he would heal faster. Chris knew what was coming, and he couldn’t risk not being ready.
He’d seen the list.
For all he knew, he was going to die by Bonnie’s hand, and that would suck.
“I needed you, so my first instinct was to come to your room. I hope you don’t mind.”
That was all he had to say.
She wrapped herself around him even more. “I never mind when you need me, Chris. How many times did I come home from a case, and you were there for me? Remember that time my partner and I were ambushed?”
“The one where you both nearly got shot?” he asked. He had to, since there were so many times things like that happened.
“Yeah.”
“You tried to be strong,” he said.
“And what did you tell me?” Elizabeth asked.
“That putting up a front wouldn’t make you feel better, and that you had to have that one person who would listen and talk you down.”
She kissed him on the forehead. “You talked me down.”
“I was that person.”
“You still are, Christopher, and I’m still your person, so how about you tell me what’s going on?” she asked.
“I fell asleep and Cyra was there.”
She listened.
“She was brutal.”
“Oh, honey, it’s going to be okay,” she promised.
“Ethan already told me this isn’t my fault, but I need to hear that from you. I know you won’t lie to me. You’ll be honest.”
It was true.
She would.
“This is definitely not your fault, Newton. This is not your sin to carry.”
It was hers.
“It’s going to be okay,” she offered. “We’re going to get Bonnie, and then we’ll be back to the normal crazies.”
He laughed.
“Great. I’m getting old.”
She poked him in his hard abs. “Nah, you still got it, Doc,” she teased.
He hoped she was right.
“Did you get any sleep?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m ready for today. I’ll head to FBI West and help Doctor Legend do his thing.”
There was a voice from the doorway.
It was Ethan.
“Actually, I have news, so those plans are going to have to be put on hold.”
“What happened?” Elizabeth asked when Ethan came in carrying two mugs of coffee. She knew there had to be something up.
“A lot when you were sleeping,” he said, handing her a mug of coffee, and one to Chris.
“Bless you,” she said, as she sat up in bed.
He gave her a kiss.
Callen gave her one too. “Morning, angel.”
She accepted it with a smile. “Morning.”
They focused on the man in bed with Elizabeth. He looked worse for the wear.
“Thanks, Ethan,” Chris offered, grateful for the caffeine and the family. He took the muffin Callen handed him.
“No problem, Chris,” he said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed by his wife.
“Spill it. I’m ready,” Elizabeth said, bracing for the worst.
“Gabe has been working on some things for me, and he came across something you might want to see.”
He handed her his tablet.
It was a video.
Elizabeth hit play. On it, she saw Bonnie and someone else getting comfortable at the airport. The second woman’s face was covered, but clearly, Bonnie wanted to be seen.
She was beaming like a prom queen the night of the dance.
Oh, she was cocky.
“Where is this?” she asked.
“That’s here in Damascus. Now watch video footage two,” Ethan suggested.
She did.
On it, she found Bonnie in what looked like an airport gift shop.
He didn’t say anything.
Finally, she got it.
“Wait! Is that Dulles? Did they hop a flight back to DC?”
“Yeah, wait for it,” Callen stated.
The woman bought some candy and water, and then at the end, Bonnie looked up into the camera and flipped Elizabeth off with a big smile on her face.
Oh, that was ballsy.
“That bitch. I swear to God, I’m going to kick her ass all over DC and make her cry like a baby when I get my hands on her.”
Neither man doubted that.
“I was up
all night confirming. She’s definitely gone back East. It looks like we need to pack up and move.”
“The next victim will be coming soon,” Callen added, from his position at the foot of the bed.
She hopped up. “I can be ready in ten. Will you call Dakota and get him moving?” she asked.
“Are we letting them hop a flight back with us?” Ethan asked.
“Sure, why?”
“Well, you haven’t said anything about that little talk you had with his girlfriend.”
Callen and Ethan clued Chris in.
“Did you have a chick fight in the ladies’ room?” he teased, as he drank his coffee. “God! I’d pay money to see that. Is she dead?”
Elizabeth snorted. “I didn’t touch her.”
“Did you make her weep like a little girl,” Chris asked. “That’s my second favorite option.”
She snorted, but knew she wouldn’t spill what the woman had told her.
Elizabeth didn’t gossip.
Ever.
She was a victim of it, and it sucked. Instead, she let them think what they wanted to about what happened.
“Yeah, you found me out, and you all missed it,” she joked. Then she changed the subject. “Tell Dakota to get ready. The jet leaves as soon as we get to the airport. If he misses it, he’s shit out of luck. He’ll be flying coach.”
“Ouch,” teased Ethan.
“Yeah, I’m mean like that. He’ll have to squeeze that big ol’ cowboy body of his in a seat beside a crying baby.”
Ethan smiled. “Yes, boss,” he said. “I love when you tell me what to do.”
She stuck her tongue out.
“I love that too.”
When he headed out, Callen jerked his head toward the doorway.
She got it.
Elizabeth was going to go check on Ethan. While he was in a good mood, she still wanted to take a few moments alone to talk to him.
If Chris had slept beside her, that meant he’d given up his side of the bed.
She followed him out.
“Hey,” she said, when he reached the couch.
“Yeah,” he asked, turning around.
Elizabeth was up and on him. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. “I know what you did for him, and I can’t pay you back,” she admitted. “I know you didn’t have to be that kind. I know that his and my past bothers you, and for that, I’m sorry.”
Revenge has Come (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 19) Page 24
