She heard it in his voice.
“Are you upset you can’t go?” she asked, nuzzling his cheek with hers.
“Will you promise to wear that to bed later so I can tear it to pieces and pillage my slutty wife?”
She snorted.
“Yes.”
“Then hell no. I’ll have the bed ready. You just make sure you lose your husband for an hour so I can have my way with you. I’ll bring the lube and rope, Jessica Rabbit.”
Elizabeth snorted. “Maybe we can play hero saves the day,” she offered. “You get to be the hero, and I get to be your sexy reward.”
His body tightened painfully.
“And now I have to stop thinking about sex,” he muttered. It was hard to do since her one hand was over the bulge in his jeans.
Elizabeth liked to play with her men to build up the foreplay.
It worked for him.
“I love you, Callen James,” she said, as his hair cascaded across her shoulder. “I could die from the love I feel for you.”
It made his heart skip.
“I love you, too, but I do want something from you,” he admitted.
“What?” she asked, running her fingers down his cheek. “Ask, and it’s yours.”
“Next month there’s a book event in Boston. I need a date. Do you think you can be mine? It’s not nearly as earth shattering as this, but I’d really love if you’d put on your glasses and look like a librarian by my side. Then join me at the fundraiser afterward for Indigenous people.”
“You have a wide range of sexual perversions,” she admitted. “Thank God.”
He laughed. “You were definitely meant to be mine.”
She was aware.
“Yes, I’d be honored to join you.”
Knowing she had to get moving, since Ethan was waiting, she pulled his mouth down to hers.
Callen fell into the lip lock. He wrapped his arms around her body and picked her off the ground until she was only holding onto him.
His mouth devoured what she was offering. There would never be a day where this wouldn’t be exactly what he needed to make him happy.
Her.
It was all about his wife.
Slowly, he let her go, but he didn’t return her to her feet. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world, and I love how everyone is going to see our tattoos across your back.”
“That’s why I picked this dress.”
He lowered her to the ground. “May I escort you down, my lady?”
“Yes, and later you can escort me to bed—over your shoulder.”
Callen liked that.
A lot.
“It’s a date. Be ready.”
She would be.
Holding out his arm, Callen helped her down the stairs in her heels. When they reached the bottom, Ethan was standing there.
He stole her breath too.
“Ethan.”
“I don’t deserve you,” he said. “You look…stunning,” he said, checking out the clinging red dress that accentuated her body. Around her neck was a key and feather, and it said it all.
She was claimed.
When she began walking toward him, he saw the long stretch of leg peek out the side of the lengthy dress.
“That slit deserves a sonnet. Callen, write me one. I’m too busy ogling her.”
His brother laughed. “No way! Then you get the girl. You’re on your own. Build her something. I plan on reciting my sonnet when you get back home.”
She was always amused by her husbands.
“Do you think I’ll pass for a Deputy Director’s wife?” she asked.
He laughed. “I’m thinking I might not pass as your husband. You’re putting my tux to shame. I’ve never seen that dress before.”
“I had it saved up for such an occasion. Then, again, I couldn’t fit in it. I lost some…”
She realized what she was about to say.
“Lyzee, say it. We can’t hide from what I did. I got angry, I yelled, and I kicked you out of my life. I deserve to hear you say it. I was wrong.”
She understood.
“I lost some weight while we were having issues. That’s the only reason I could squeeze into it.”
Callen said nothing.
He simply let his brother handle this. After all, he’d created this mess.
“I’m sorry. If I could undo time, I would.”
She knew it.
“I don’t want to dwell on it. We’re back, and we’re going to be fine, right?” she asked, still holding her breath.
He smiled. “I’m back. We’re better than ever. I’m going to prove it to you. To answer your question, you look amazing, and I’m coming across as the deadbeat.”
She moved into his body and the second his arms went around her waist, she felt peace. “I can’t wait to dance with you, handsome.”
Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice his hair was down, and he was calm.
It was a beautiful thing.
“Ready to piss off a killer?” he asked, as he ran his lips up her throat. “You taste like Callen.”
He laughed. “You have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat me to the prize,” he stated. “I licked her. She’s mine next.”
He snorted. “I see we’ve resorted to that.”
With her looking like that?
Damn straight he did!
“Want to cause some mayhem?” she asked.
Blackhawk set her free and took her hand in his. Above his and Callen’s rings, he placed his lips with a soft kiss. “My lady, there is nowhere I’d rather be.”
Her heart skipped.
Her Native brave was handsome.
“Have her home by curfew,” Callen shouted, as he led her toward the door, “or I’m coming looking for her!”
Ethan flipped his brother off.
“The nerve. Kids today,” he said, laughing at them. He was glad to see his brother was back, and Elizabeth wasn’t hurting.
That had been hell.
Now, Callen could relax.
It had been a long few weeks.
Ethan escorted his wife outside. Once there, she saw the limo. “I see we’re taking the formal car, Deputy Director. You must have something fun planned.”
Oh, she had no idea.
“I was going to drive, but then I can’t molest you. See my conundrum?”
She snorted. “Yeah, I do, but stop.”
He stopped walking. “What?”
“Do I really look okay?” she asked, touching her hair. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
He was horrified that she could even say that out loud, let alone she believed it.
“Elizabeth.”
“We both know what the media says. You wouldn’t let me walk in there and embarrass myself, would you? You love me enough to stop me if I look like a joke, right?”
He hated that what he’d done did this to her. Before, she’d been self-confident, badass, and self-assured. In their weeks apart, and because of his temper, he’d destroyed that.
He’d broken a strong woman.
Blackhawk was ashamed of himself.
“I wouldn’t let you embarrass yourself, baby, but there’s nothing to be worried about. You look just like you should. If anything, you’re slumming it with me.”
She leaned against him.
This whole thing made her nervous. She knew the reporters wouldn’t only be asking her about the case. They’d be trying to rattle her cage. She rode their tails, and it was payback time.
She didn’t doubt it in the least.
“If you want to change your mind, we can bait Bonnie, tomorrow, at a press conference.”
She knew it would work either way, but she loved that he’d give her the out.
Holding onto him, she whispered in his ear. “I need you to hold me up. I’m not strong enough yet. A part of me is still broken inside.”
He got it.
He, who broke her, should fix her.
“I will
not let you fall. I have you. I’m a different man, Elizabeth. I know in time you’ll see it, and I’m going to let you move at your pace. I did this, and I’ll pay the price. You’re mine, and I love you.”
She let him soothe her.
When his security headed his way, he motioned for them to wait in the front of the limo.
“What do you want to do? Stay or go?”
Elizabeth sighed, and she made her decision. “Okay. I have this.”
He believed her.
Heading into the limo, he slid in first and held his hand out for her. When she climbed in, Ethan tripped her so she’d land in his lap.
“Oh, darn.”
It made her laugh.
“You’re transparent, you perv. You’ve sunk to tripping women. Nice.”
He gave her the Blackhawk grin and winked. “Let’s go,” he said, pushing the intercom button.
“Um, can I sit on a seat?” she asked.
Ethan ran his fingers up her leg. “I think I like you sitting right here. You know…in case we stop fast. I can keep you safe.”
She ran her thumb over his lower lip.
“I missed you, Mr. Blackhawk.”
His heart kicked in his chest.
“Not as much as I missed you, Mrs. Blackhawk,” he said, and then sealed it with a kiss.
And that was the damn truth.
He’d missed her so much.
It didn’t take them long to arrive. It was a fast drive to the location, and honestly, Ethan wished he had more time. He’d love to molest his wife some more.
Only, they had a job to do, and in their lives, chasing killers had to come first.
They needed to be focused.
On their game.
Alert.
What Elizabeth was about to do was a tricky walk down a fine line. Too much information, and they’d be screwed. Not enough, and Bonnie wouldn’t take the bait.
Ethan had faith in his wife, but he was scared shitless for her safety.
When the limo came to a stop, he fixed her lipstick. “You’ve got this. If at any time you want to leave, tell me. I’m only here to be your date. No one in there matters to me. The job is just the job. You come first.”
That helped her.
She was going to be okay. With Ethan by her side, how could she fail?
Besides, this was about Bonnie.
Not her.
“Let’s do this. I need a drink.”
Yeah, so did he. Ethan was wild and worried, and it was creating a nasty brew in his gut. He needed to calm his nerves, and fast.
As their door opened, the media was there behind some velvet ropes. Ethan was accustomed to this, since he had to go to a shitload of these monotonous functions.
He wasn’t a schmoozer.
They always bored him.
Now that his wife was here with him, there was the possibility of that coming to an end. He had a sexy date, and he was more than willing to make the most of it.
At the rope, the questions started.
“Are you and Director Blackhawk reconciling your marriage?” one yelled.
Normally, she’d ignore, but she had to play their game.
God!
It sucked.
She really hated these assholes.
Elizabeth smiled sweetly, as Ethan’s arm remained around her waist.
“There’s nothing to reconcile. We weren’t in trouble,” she offered.
“Then why did you leave DC?” someone asked.
“I’d broken my arm, and I couldn’t work. I needed a vacation, but Ethan had to work. That’s all. Don’t read into it too much,” she offered. “We communicated the entire time we were apart, right, handsome?”
He smiled. “Yes, my love.”
“Are you working now?” someone asked.
“Yes, I am. Actually, we both are. Ethan is profiling, and I’m hunting a killer.”
“Can you tell us anything?” the one woman asked. “Inquiring minds need to know!”
And here was her opening.
“Yes, I can give you something. We are searching for Lottie Tipton. You might remember her from the ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ killings. He was murdered by his own treacherous partner, and she escaped.”
Ethan knew she was painting an ugly picture of Bonnie for all the right reasons, but it worried him.
There would be blowback.
There always was.
“You’re after her?” some man asked.
“Yes, I am. She’s my job, and I’m going to follow her for the rest of her life. Where she goes, I’ll be waiting. They called out the big dog for her. I’ll get my woman.”
“And then?” the reported asked.
“I’ll catch her, and lock her up. Well, I’ll do all of that after I’m finished here with my husband’s fancy party. All work and no play makes Elizabeth Blackhawk a dull girl,” she teased, playing it up.
Bonnie liked the parties.
This would eat away at her.
“I guess I’ll have to dance with my husband, eat some delicious things, and celebrate being Ethan Blackhawk’s wife.”
That was going to hit the mark. Bonnie liked the finer things in life.
“So tomorrow?”
“She’s a file on my desk, and I’ll get to her when I’m done enjoying the evening.”
It sounded cold.
Blasé.
Bored.
That was exactly how she was playing it. Since Ethan was giving her free reign, she assumed she wasn’t going too far. After all, he said he’d catch her if she fell.
“Is that the scene you were at today?”
“We think so. We’re not sure though. Until forensics tells us that she’s responsible, we’re on hold. Killers are pretty much all the same to us.”
That would piss Bonnie off.
It sounded like the woman hadn’t done a good enough job leaving her calling card.
A part of Elizabeth prayed for the next victim, as she hoped she could head her off.
Or make Bonnie focus on her.
That was her plan—whether her husbands knew it or not. Pointing a killer at someone always turned her stomach, but what choice did she have?
“Will you catch her?” one asked.
Ethan laughed.
She did too.
“I always do,” she admitted. “I’ve been doing this a long time. They don’t call me out for stolen cars.”
Ethan leaned in and gave her a kiss on the curl of her ear. “Enough,” he whispered, telling her she’d reached the end of the interview. Anymore, and they’d go too far.
Already, they were painting a dangerous picture.
They shouted more questions, but Ethan began leading her away. His wife had laid the trap, using herself as bait.
It sickened him, but now he was going to stick even closer to her. There was no way Bonnie would get her.
No way in hell.
Ethan escorted her inside, and they began socializing. Part one of the plan was done.
The ball was now in Bonnie’s court.
It was up to her.
And only time would tell…
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Somewhere In
DC
Bonnie And Lizzie’s
Home
Bonnie was furious.
As she watched the news, she paced the room in one hell of a rage. She’d planned a calm night in with her new toy, and this was what she’d been forced to watch.
Who did Elizabeth Blackhawk think she was?
Did she think she’d stay calm over this?
Was she that stupid?
There she was, sporting that fancy dress, and pretty things. It pissed Bonnie off!
That party…she should be there!
Elizabeth Blackhawk wasn’t worthy of such things. She was some southern backwoods hick who should be at a hoedown in her beat up boots.
What did she know about fancy?
She was NOTHING compa
red to her.
Well, that was about to change.
“I want to kill her.”
Lizzie was okay with that. “Let’s go get her. We can take her out with a bullet to the brain. That would make this game easier.”
“No, that’s too easy. She’s baiting me. If she thinks I’m stupid, she has another thing coming. We are going to make sure we handle this situation, and I’ll pay her back for this little farce of hers.”
“What do you want to do?” Lizzie asked.
“We move on the next victim. If she thinks I’ll take her insults lying down, she’s crazy. We’re going to bump up the timeline. I was going to take tonight off,” she admitted, “but we’ll play the game. Let’s make her pay.”
Lizzie got up. “Let’s go. I can use a little killing tonight. I always have such sweet dreams when I get to taste their blood.”
“Great.”
Bonnie grabbed her things.
It was time to take a doctor.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
One Hour Later
FBI
Chris stretched his sore muscles as he stayed seated at his exam table. It had been a long day of evidence, reconstructing a nun, and comparing the victim to the first one in Damascus.
It hadn’t been easy.
He was beat.
Now, Chris was looking forward to getting back to the fort and calling it a night. Once there, he’d work with Callen, and maybe even call Bethe to see her on a video call.
He missed his daughter.
He wanted to ensure she was safe.
Pulling out his phone, he did what he’d promised. He was going to call Ivan.
The man answered on the second ring.
“Yo, Doc?”
“I’m leaving. Where are you?”
“I’m in the ride. Do you want me to come in and get you?” he asked.
“No, I’ll meet you there.”
He hesitated.
“Are you sure?”
Chris laughed. “What the hell could happen to me crossing a parking lot?”
Ivan let it go. “Okay. Head here, and I’ll get you home.”
Revenge has Come (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 19) Page 34
