“Nineteen. She’s getting ready to head off to college next fall. This was her side money. I wish she was a little more reliable, but she was a decent worker.”
“What happened on the day she didn't show up?” Callen asked.
The man thought back to it. “Her shift was to start at four, she never arrived, so I called her house and no one answered.”
“Did that alert her family?”
The man shook his head. “Jacey’s parents died a few years back. She was taken care of by her nana, but now she’s in a nursing home. Jacey was a loner.”
That piqued Ethan’s interest. Here, Ruthie was a loner of sorts too. She worked to go to school, but had never socialized much. He made a mental note to add that to the profile.
“Did you report her missing to the police?”
He shook his head. “No. I just assumed she quit. Are you telling me she didn't? I mean, this had to be last year. I haven’t really thought much about her until you brought her up.”
Yeah, no one did.
That was the problem.
“Did she complain that anyone was bothering her?” Callen asked. “You know, harassing her while she was dishing up the soft serve?”
He shook his head. “She never told me otherwise. Is she missing?” he asked, alarm filling his voice.
“We’re just following up,” he stated.
The man looked sick to his stomach.
“I'm going to leave my card. If you hear something, give me a call,” Callen stated, as they prepared to head back to the vehicle.
“So, how’d I do?” he asked, dropping on his sunglasses.
Blackhawk laughed. “Obvious, huh?”
“Like our woman would say, this isn’t my first day at the rodeo, Cowboy.”
“I like it better from her,” he added. “Usually, she follows it up with a kiss.”
Callen snorted. “Well, if I did that, people would really talk.”
Yeah, wouldn’t they?
“What’s next?” Callen inquired, focusing back on work.
“I want to head back to the morgue, give them assignments, and go from there. I think we’ll work back at the hotel. Until we find something, we’re a little thin on leads.”
Callen was with him on that.
“Works for me.”
“Good. Let’s head back.”
As soon as they pulled away, Freddy Bonaparte headed back into his business.
There was a call to make.
He had an obligation.
Before long, he’d warn the citizens of Belleville, but for now he’d start at the top of the list. This whole conversation rubbed him the wrong way. He knew the FBI was here working on the mass grave found on the university grounds, but why were they asking about citizens.
It was odd.
Dialing, he waited.
“Hey, something weird just went down, and I thought you should know.”
Then he spilled it all.
The man sung like a canary.
* * *
She was the most beautiful creature while she slept. He couldn’t help but lie beside her and fantasize about what their lives were going to be like.
Since bringing her home, he’d used her body so many times that he was actually sore.
He couldn’t imagine how she felt.
At first, she whimpered and cried, but eventually, she calmed down and just let him finish the deed.
Sex was all about creation, and she had accepted that. It made him happy to know that the party girl could be tamed.
He’d done it!
While the others were impossible, she’d been the one all along. Maybe the only reason she’d been out there partying was to find a husband.
Well, it worked.
She’d found him.
There was this overwhelming satisfaction knowing that he’d done what his father never could. He’d found the woman of his dreams, made her his, and would have the complete family he needed.
History wouldn’t repeat itself.
The mother of his children wouldn’t die and leave her little ones behind.
It was coming full circle, once more proving that he was worthy of everything he’d always wanted in life.
“Magdalene, my sweet, it’s time to wake up. I need to have you again, or we won’t have babies. I need lots and lots of children with you.”
She moaned in pain, wanting nothing more than to push it out of her mind. She was groggy, sick, and wanted to throw up. Hearing his voice, she couldn’t figure out what was going on.
Where she was.
What she was doing.
It was all a blur.
“Who are you?” she asked for what seemed like the umpteenth time. Again, there was laughter as her body felt heavy like a stone.
“Why, silly wife, I’m your husband.”
With that, he brutally buried himself in her body to get his wish.
A family to call his own…
~ Chapter Five ~
Wednesday
Two Hours Later
Late Afternoon
She could feel the excitement vibrating from her body. This was the homecoming she was waiting for. While Elizabeth would love to be heading home to see her kids too, this was just as important.
She’d missed Ethan and Callen so much. It was like her heart was ripped from her chest, cut in two, and lost to her. Thirty one days without them had been sheer hell. Why she thought she could pull it off, volunteering for the job, proved she was insane. Never again would she ever offer to spend time away from the men in her life.
It wasn’t happening.
If there was one thing about her, she didn't have to get bucked off the bronco multiple times to know she had a lesson to learn. Being away from them was painful.
Heart wrenchingly so.
Elizabeth was eternally grateful that in her absence, they were able to be together. She knew that the men had to be struggling just like her. What maybe killed Elizabeth most was that she had missed their therapy sessions. While she didn't need them for her well-being, both men did. Elizabeth was well aware that she was as mad as a hatter. Yet, being there for Callen, as he faced the recovery from his sexual abuse, and Ethan, while he traveled the road back to being strong, was important to her.
They mattered.
That’s why this homecoming was going to be epic. All she could hope was that when they found her in their room, they were shocked and ready to explode in excitement.
Oh, and there would be sex.
Copious amounts of really hot, naked Native sex.
If she didn't get their hands all over her body, she was going to die. The rough stroke of Callen’s large palms, the whisper light glide of Ethan’s elegant fingers—it called to her.
Elizabeth missed them both in the worst way.
She nearly wanted to squeal in pleasure at what she knew was coming. Soon, there would be some wild, crazy, and out of control sex.
God help their neighbors in the room next door. She almost felt sorry for them, until she began thinking about the mind numbing orgasms on her agenda.
It made her giddy.
At the reception desk, she stared at the man, waiting for him to get off the phone. When he did, she knew it was time to get down to business. There was no way some pimply faced boy was going to stop her from climbing Mount Whitefox-Blackhawk.
It just wasn’t happening.
If he tired, she’d kick his ass around the room—twice.
Once would be for pissing her off, and once for shits and giggles.
“Excuse me, Johnny Antonio. I see that you’re the concierge at this fine establishment.”
“Yes, I am, ma’am. What can I do for you?”
She kept it cool and easy. First, she would try with honey, and then if that didn't work, Elizabeth would go with brute force. “I’m supposed to be meeting my partners here. They’re working a case for the FBI, and I was just called in.”
Again, he didn't move.
&nb
sp; “I need a key to their room.”
He opened his mouth.
Immediately, she cut him off. Placing her hand on her stomach, she played the sympathy card. There wasn’t a man on the face of the Earth who could say no to an expecting woman.
It just wasn’t done.
“I need to see my husband, and I know you don’t want to cause a scene by telling me no. I can promise you that it will involve me wailing like a Middle Eastern woman at a funeral.”
He swallowed.
“I will drop to the ground, sob like a lunatic, and point at you non-stop. Some of your guests will look at you like you’re a horrible monster for upsetting a pregnant woman.”
She loved how scared shitless he looked.
“Do you know a lot of expecting women, Johnny?”
He shook his head.
“My antics will make this establishment look bad. Real bad. Is that what you want to happen?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Great. Then tell me what room they’re in, and I’ll head up there.” In case there was any question of her rank, she pulled her badge out of her pocket and flipped it open. There was her smiling face and the shiny gold proof that she wasn’t yanking his damn chain.
“Four seventeen.”
She held out her hand. “Key, please.”
He did what she asked.
“Now, when are you off for the night?”
The look on his face was priceless. “Uh, I just actually came on for the shift. I was about to make some cookies.”
“Pregnant women love cookies, Johnny, so that’s a good idea. It might keep you safe.”
He swallowed.
“Oh, and by the way…you never saw me. Do you hear what I’m saying? If you blow my cover, I’m heading down here, stuffing you in that dryer back there and turning it on high. You’ll be fluffed good, and I don’t mean in a sexual kind of way.”
He closed his mouth and looked horrified.
“Have a good night, darlin’,” she said, as she headed toward the elevator, pulling her luggage behind her.
He swallowed. “You too, ma’am.”
“Way too easy,” she muttered, as some man held the elevator for her.
Now, all she needed to do was sit tight and wait for Ethan and Callen to arrive.
She was so hungry for them, that being patient was going to be one hell of a feat.
Callen was glad to be back at the hotel. What he really wanted to do was strip out of his Kevlar, get a shower, and force feed himself copious amounts of food. Half way up to their floor, he began plotting their dinner plans.
“Hey, pizza tonight?” he asked.
Ethan laughed. “You couldn’t have asked that three minutes ago when we weren’t in the elevator?”
“I wasn’t thinking pizza then. Now, I am.”
There was only one solution. “Rock, paper, scissors?” Ethan asked, knowing he should just head back down. He was likely going to lose.
In fact, he knew he would.
“Deal.”
They did it, and just like predicted, Callen handed him his ass.
“I’ll meet you up in the room. We’ll pick out the meatiest, greasiest, pig fest and think about our girl,” Ethan offered.
“That works for me.”
When the elevator opened, Callen got out and headed to the door. As he slipped the key in, he was happy to be in their temporary home.
Then, he realized something.
They didn't leave the air conditioner on. Ethan had shut it off as they were walking out of the room.
Something was wrong.
Immediately, he pulled his gun, ready to search for an intruder.
“Come out! I know you’re in here.”
He really wished he’d lost and had to get the pizza. Then maybe he wouldn’t be alone and without backup. Better yet, he should have gone with his brother.
At his command, the visitor did just that.
“Did you miss me, Callen James?” Elizabeth asked, standing there, fresh from her shower. Her hair was still wet, and she was in her customary tiny shorts and tank top.
Life slammed back into him the second her voice registered.
Here was the other half of his heart. Her hand was lovingly over the baby bump as she watched him.
His eyes filled with tears. “Oh God! Please don’t be a figment of my imagination!” With that, he rushed her, pulling the smaller woman up into his arms.
When she was against him, her mouth sought out his in a searing kiss. The tangle of tongues, wandering of hands, and heavy breathing was all they worried about. As he finally surfaced, with the delicious taste of his woman refreshed in his mind, he was still in awe.
“How?”
“I had to come,” she offered, not willing to start their reunion on a sour note. “I love you, Callen!” She hugged him again, and as he picked her up off her feet, Elizabeth held on tight.
“Oh, angel, I love you so damn much. Don’t ever leave me again. I can’t manage without you,” he whispered, as he rained kisses across her shoulders, cheeks, and freckled nose.
Before she could comment, they heard the noise from the doorway.
“Shhhh, don’t tell him. I want to surprise him too,” she stated, freeing herself from Callen’s tight embrace to hide from Ethan’s line of sight.
This was going to be priceless.
Callen almost wanted to pull out his phone to snap a picture. It was hard not to grin like a maniac as Ethan entered the room. Unfortunately for him, his brother was busy with stripping out of his Kevlar and reading the takeout menu instead of looking up.
“What kind of pizza do you want?” Ethan asked.
“Spam, spinach, and anchovy,” Callen said, knowing that was Elizabeth’s favorite pregnancy food.
Blackhawk snorted. “Not even if she was standing right here with us now. How about we compromise and get pepperoni?”
She took that moment to make her move.
Her voice drew his attention. “Really, Cowboy? That just seems so very wrong, since I’m the mother of your children. You’d think you’d want to feed me.”
His head nearly whipped off his neck as he turned so fast toward her voice. It was like a wolf scenting its mate in the wild.
“Lyzee?”
Her name was barely free of his lips before she was on him. Elizabeth charged, jumping up to wrap her legs around his hips. The shocked look continued as she kissed him like a madwoman.
They were always trying to surprise her, but today, she was victorious.
It didn't take long for the scent and taste to register. Ethan would know them anywhere. Across time, centuries from now, and even if he was born into another life, that one memory would always bring him home.
“Oh God! I've missed you!” he said as soon as his mouth was free of hers. His hand caressed the growing baby bump. “My girls are home.”
She wanted to weep with the pure happiness in his eyes. It was as if a day’s worth of stress melted away, lightening the load.
Callen couldn’t wait any longer. “We’re going to have to have dinner afterward. I want desert first.”
His body was hard and needy, and he longed for the woman wrapped around his brother’s torso.
Ethan went to say something, but Elizabeth cut him off. “He’s right. Sex now! Talk later! I need to feel you both touching me. It’s been too long. No one should go thirty one days, five hours, and seven minutes without sex,” she admitted, looking down at her watch.
Blackhawk wouldn’t disagree there.
If his wife wanted sex, she was about to get it.
Callen yanked her from his brother’s body, spinning her to make love to her mouth. As he sunk in, her hands went to his shirt, ripping it open in some heated frenzy.
The sound of ripping material filled the air, as did the clunk of Ethan’s gun holster dropping to the floor. She could hear him hurriedly undressing behind her as she tore into Callen’s clothes to get to tan Native flesh.
She had no mercy on the offensive material blocking her way.
Callen moaned when her hand went into the front of his jeans. He was still fully dressed, but couldn’t remember anything that ever felt that good before. Her hand stroking him roughly was enough inspiration to write a sonnet.
Elizabeth felt that damn good.
While his mouth feasted on hers, his brother got free. Ethan moved in behind her. When he grabbed the straps on her tank top, he didn't want to interrupt their kiss, so he tore the material from her body.
The sound nearly incited a riot.
Callen went crazy, thrusting his tongue deep within her mouth as his brother stripped their woman. It was as if he was trying to crawl into her body by way of her lips.
She moaned at the oral assault. Her clothes were being ripped from her in rough, brutal tugs, and she couldn’t wait until they got her naked.
Already, she could feel Ethan’s body rubbing wantonly against the back of her.
He was hard.
Ready.
And needed satisfaction.
Elizabeth pulled away. “Get naked, Callen. I have to take care of Ethan.”
With that, she dropped to her knees and stared up into his wild blue-black eyes. She’d noticed he was slowly growing his hair back. Elizabeth couldn’t wait to use it to her advantage when she ran her fingers through it.
When her mouth covered his erection, he knew he was screwed. “Baby, I have no control. I’m wild,” he hissed, dropping his head back. She was milking him erratically with her mouth and massaging his ever tightening balls.
He knew how this was ending.
And when.
Callen got the chills watching their woman on her knees. If she was going there already, she wanted them in control for what was to come.
He wanted to shout in joy, since he was next.
Ethan buried his hands in her hair, using her head to control the depth. While he tried to be gentle, his woman was using every trick in the book to make him explode.
So, he wasn’t going to fight it.
When she slid her teeth down the length of him, the tremor started at the knot in his gut and exploded outward, nearly taking him to his knees. Fortunately for him, Callen was right there to catch him.
Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Page 15
