Kiss of Souls

by Morgan Kelley

  Beau moaned in pleasure.

  His body vibrated in need.

  He was going to cum, and he was helpless to stop it. The beautiful woman above him was undoing all the anger, pain, and frustration.

  “Nyxie, push us over,” he begged.

  When she slammed down one last time, she felt his body slip from the edge in one hell of an orgasm.

  It took her too.

  As wave after wave of heat poured into her, she struggled to catch her breath.

  As the orgasm passed, they found themselves wrapped around each other.

  They could hear her.

  They could hear Evangeline wailing for Nyx’s soul.

  “She won’t stop,” Nyx said sadly.

  “Then neither will we. She can’t hurt us, baby. You have to believe.”

  He held her in his arms, defiantly challenging the dead woman to even try it.

  The room was awash in a cold breeze, the curtains flapped, and the furniture shimmied under Evangeline’s power.

  Still, Beau held on.

  “She’s mine! I’m not letting go! If we have to stay in bed for the rest of our lives, we will!”

  The explosion of power erupted, but it didn’t touch Nyx.

  For now, she was safe.

  And that would have to be enough.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Washington DC

  He laid in bed in the big house, all by himself, and all he could think about was one woman.

  Ethan missed his wife.

  He knew he was supposed to be up and getting ready for a full day at work, but he needed to talk to her. While he wanted to call, he knew a text would be better.

  She needed time to stop being hurt, and he needed time to fix his mess.

  So, he grabbed his phone.

  ‘I.’

  It was all he sent.

  In their early days, before Callen, before kids, before it all, he’d sent one just like it.

  Now he waited to see if she remembered.

  When his phone chimed, he looked down.

  ‘Love.’

  She had replied, and she had remembered.

  ‘You.’

  He’d offered back, hoping it would be enough. It was a start, and he promised to make it better.

  ‘I made a mistake, Elizabeth. I fell into the hype, believing that the job was more important. If you want me to quit right now, I will. Say the words, and I’ll be there. I’ll show up, and I’ll turn in my badge for you. I’m sorry for putting you last. I was a fool. Please give me another shot.’

  He waited.

  And waited.

  His heart was pounding in his chest as he held his breath and needed to see her reply.

  Then, it came.

  ‘I need the next three weeks. When Gabe is back, if you show up, I’ll be there. You aren’t ready yet, Ethan. You’re not there. I can tell. Fix you, and then we’ll fix us. I want my husband back, but I don’t want him broken. I want him whole and the man I married. I deserve him. You deserve him, and our kids do too. Find your way back, raven. Then we’ll be ready to move forward.’

  Her words both hurt and healed.

  She wasn’t telling him goodbye. Instead, she was giving him the control. If he fixed it, he could be with them. If he opted not to, he could choose to walk away.

  She’d changed.

  Elizabeth wasn’t the woman she’d been before they had that fight, and he saw that now.

  She was ready to walk away.

  And that meant one thing.

  He needed to clean up his shit, and fast.

  There wouldn’t be a second chance.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Littlemoon Investigations

  When Elizabeth, Callen, and Chris arrived at the office, there was a media frenzy going on outside and across the street where they were attempting to park.

  She wasn’t shocked.

  This had created a perfect storm, and it was about to get worse.

  The second they saw Chris Leonard, her ME, they were going to begin making up shit that would sell headlines around the country. Ethan was big news, especially since he wasn’t with them, and he was still back in DC. They’d begun whispering divorce, and that was the hardest for her to hear.

  She had to plaster on her game face.

  “Wow!” Chris offered, looking around.

  “Yeah, it’s a mess,” Callen admitted.

  Still, Elizabeth said nothing.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Callen asked, glancing over at her beside him in the passenger seat. She was suspiciously quiet, and that worried him.

  She hoped so.

  “Yeah, I got this.”

  Neither man believed her. When she was lying her ass off, the drawl was more predominate.

  “Tell us what you need,” Callen stated. He could see her face, and she was afraid.

  “I don’t want to hear about him cheating. That’s a really sore point right now.” In that moment, she got why Ethan had hurt so badly over her and Chris. Even the possibility stung like a bitch.

  “Do you think he did?” Chris asked.

  “I want to say no, but…he’s Ethan freaking Blackhawk, and he’s sexy as sin. I’m…just a mother.”

  There.

  It was said.

  Callen knew how hard this was for her. Honestly, he couldn’t blame her. They sat around wondering why she was with them all the time.

  Why couldn’t it be reciprocal?

  Instead of trying to rationalize it, he went with a straight answer. “Because you have a big heart. You’re the kindest, sweetest, and most loving woman we both know.”

  She glanced over at him.

  “I’m getting old.”

  “Newsflash, darlin’,” he said, in his mock Southern accent, “so are we. I woke up last week with a four pack instead of a six. I’m living it too.”

  She snorted.

  “Getting old together is half the fun. Don’t diminish it. We’re looking forward to older Elizabeth. Maybe we can keep up.”

  She touched his cheek. “Thank you for that.”

  Even Chris chimed in.

  “You need to have faith in him,” Chris stated. “I’ve never known Ethan Blackhawk to not make his intentions known. I remember him from when we were all starting out. He was a workaholic because he wanted to be director one day.”

  “Yeah, and then he met you, and in four days he decided he had to be your husband,” Callen offered. “He doesn’t mince words.”

  She knew they were right. Still, this was going to be up to Ethan. He had to fix them.

  She did all she could do.

  While she’d given him the freedom to choose to come back or not, she couldn’t bear the what if’s. It was eating away at her heart.

  She was scared shitless of the void.

  “If he wanted to have sex with someone else, or he’d fallen out of love, you would have been handed those papers weeks ago. He would have told me,” Callen offered.

  She looked over. “He didn’t tell you, right?”

  “He told me he wants you back, and he’s working on getting just that. He’s not into strange pussy.”

  Chris snorted.

  They both turned around.

  “Come on. It’s been weeks. You gotta throw me this one bone!”

  She laughed. “It’s yours.”

  “Thank you,” he offered. “As your best friend, do you want my opinion?” he asked.

  Callen knew how powerful this man was in their relationship. If there was one person who could sway their wife away from them, it was him.

  “Yes. I need it.”

  He got serious. “He wouldn’t. You’re his wife. Ethan may be many things, but he isn’t a cheater. I’ve seen the way he watches you. He’s stupid in love with the girl—and in case you’ve forgotten, you’re the girl.”

  Deep down, she knew that, but the separation, the media, and her fear told her otherwise.

  “Face
this,” Callen stated. “We’re right here with you. Don’t hide from them. They can’t win if you face them down.”

  He had a point.

  And…

  She had no choice.

  They got out of the rental and began their way toward the building. It was like trudging through foul muck. They were all over her.

  This sucked.

  “Are you still on the injured list?” one asked, just when she thought they might leave her the hell alone.

  Elizabeth kept Callen’s advice in mind. She refused to hide from them, or the truth.

  “Clearly, I’m not if I’m here working,” she muttered.

  “Are you here to help a friend?” one more shouted.

  “We go where we’re told,” Callen stated, covering for them. The media rarely challenged him. They feared him, which was ironic. Elizabeth was the dangerous one.

  “Are you and Ethan Blackhawk divorcing because he’s sleeping around?”

  She flinched.

  It hurt, but still, she carried on and did what Callen suggested.

  “Ethan is in DC working, and my husband and I are not divorcing,” she stated, focusing on the door. She could feel Chris’s hand in hers.

  He squeezed, giving her some strength to make it inside and away from the crazies that stalked her every move.

  “He was seen with that sexy woman…”

  She stopped.

  Callen and Chris both held their breaths.

  Here it came.

  Elizabeth slowly turned to find the jackwagon who threw that one out there.

  “What did you say?” she asked.

  The reporter obviously had a death wish. He held up his microphone and uttered the same sentence all over again, but this time with a smirk on his face.

  They’d baited her, and they got her attention.

  “I’ll reiterate this only one more time. Ethan and I are not divorcing. He’s stuck in that shithole we call DC handling the FBI. I’m recovering from a case-related injury,” she said, holding up her pink casted arm. “I’m here and I’m on light duty. That should tell you everything you need to know.”

  “Why aren’t you in DC?” one asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe it has to do with this jackassery? I have a pack of idiots following me around asking me if I’m working.”

  They looked around.

  “If you need clarification,” she stated, “you guys would be the idiots.”

  Callen covered a laugh with a cough. There was his girl. She was fighting back. He was proud of her.

  “Rumor has it…”

  She stared right into the camera in defiance and cut the one reporter off.

  “I love my husband, and I know he loves me. WE are not divorcing. WE will be back together as soon as the shit stops hitting the fan in DC and here. Now, back the hell off, or I’m going to make my husband very angry with all the paperwork I’m going to give him for kicking all of your asses.”

  Chris heard the tears.

  She may sound defiant, but he knew her. She was about to break.

  He ‘accidentally’ elbowed a reporter and spilled coffee down his shirt. The man sputtered.

  “Shit, my bad,” he said.

  Elizabeth focused on her best friend. It reminded her that she was stronger than the vultures.

  “Let’s go,” Callen said gruffly. As soon as they hit the Littlemoon parking lot, Kane was standing there, arms over his chest and keeping the hounds at bay.

  “You’re safe here,” he stated as they reached his side.

  Before they could head into the building, Elizabeth’s phone chimed. She pulled it from her pocket and pulled up the message.

  ‘I love you, too, and we will never get a divorce. Don’t let them rattle you, Lyzee, my love. You are stronger than them. I’m there with you in spirit. See you in three weeks—Raven.’

  God!

  She needed that.

  “You okay?” Callen asked, when he realized she wasn’t moving. “Angel?”

  She handed him her phone as the tears filled her eyes. “He saw that.”

  “He’s always watching over you. That’s a man in love—not one looking at other women,” he stated. “Don’t be shocked.”

  That one text message helped her refocus. Ethan, while busy in the ivory tower of the FBI, was still there.

  He had her back.

  “Thank you, Christopher, for the coffee move.”

  He grinned. “It was my pleasure. It seemed apropos since it started with us.”

  And it was.

  Today was looking up.

  Inside ‘Littlemoon Investigations’, Julian was waiting for them. “Welcome to the madness. I’m glad to see you made it through that mess. Clarissa almost killed one of them when they started asking about her past tiff with Shelby.”

  “What the hell?” she asked. “All the reporters in the surrounding states are here. How did this get so big?”

  He had his suspicions.

  “We think the commissioner is trying to slow us down or pay us back for the media circus he had to host,” Julian stated as Kane secured the doors.

  “Well, he’s doing a good job. That was a shit mess,” Elizabeth stated.

  “We saw the interview,” he offered, pointing at the TV on the wall.

  Great.

  Just what she needed.

  “You should have shot them all,” Julian offered. “I suggest that next time. Ethan is used to paperwork.”

  That wasn’t what she expected.

  Honestly, she didn’t want to talk about her and Ethan. She was still raw inside, waiting to see if he came back or not. Talking only hurt.

  “Next time, I just might,” she admitted.

  Julian went to move away.

  Elizabeth grabbed his hand. “Jules, thank you,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I needed that.”

  “I love you and Ethan. This will work out. I can feel it here,” he admitted, touching his gut. “Tex, you will fix this.”

  She hoped so.

  “Where’s your wife?” she asked, wiping her eyes before she headed in.

  Julian pointed.

  Elizabeth headed her way and was delighted to find her feeding their child.

  Elizabeth immediately saw Native baby, and that brightened her day. Veronica was adorable. All that red hair and tan Native skin made her want to cover her in kisses.

  When they were little, they were so darn cute.

  “Oh, Tori,” she stated.

  Tori smiled at her. “I know, right? She’s such a little bundle of sweetness. I’ve never seen a better baby. She’s so calm.”

  “She gets that from me,” Julian stated.

  It was met with a chorus of laughter.

  Tori noticed they had company “Hey, Chris! Fancy meeting you here,” she said.

  “You look good, Mrs. Littlemoon. Motherhood is great on you.”

  The made her beam. “I love it.”

  Elizabeth looked antsy.

  “Really?” she asked. “Chitchat?”

  Tori found that amusing. “Lyzee, do you want to hold Veronica?”

  Callen laughed.

  “I’m surprised she didn’t just rip her from your hands,” he offered.

  “She was breastfeeding her. Even I have enough manners not to do that,” she teased, “but now she’s fair game!”

  Elizabeth scooped up the baby, and she began cuddling her against her body. Little Veronica stared up at her.

  “I’m going to eat you up.” Then there was copious amounts of baby talk that no one understood.

  Julian lifted a brow. “I think she’s possessed. This doesn’t look like badass Elizabeth Blackhawk,” he admitted. “Should we throw holy water on her?”

  “Then I’ll throw my fist into your face,” she offered without missing a beat.

  That was more like it.

  Callen was amused. “She loves babies. I’d check her pockets before we leave.”

  J
ulian glanced over. “Now I will.”

  Elizabeth snorted as she gave the baby kisses. “Don’t be silly. There’s no way I can hide a redheaded baby in our tribe or I would steal her.”

  Tori laughed as she hugged Chris. “Are you here to help out with this mess?”

  “I am. As soon as the boss lady can put the cute kiddo down.”

  That was all he had to say.

  Elizabeth flipped the switch. She may be cuddling a baby, but she was all about helping save Beau.

  “I want to stop by the DFPD and rattle their cage for the media mayhem. Let’s give them the gift that keeps on giving,” Elizabeth stated.

  “What’s that?” Tori asked.

  “An ME.”

  Chris began laughing. “You’re going to drop my ass there and make me sink or swim, huh? I’m not feeling the love today at all.”

  She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re badass, Doctor Leonard, and you just let me do the song and dance. I’ll clear the way for you. After twenty minutes, you’ll be running the joint. I promise.”

  Chris knew she’d keep it too.

  “Sold. I’ll get it done.”

  Elizabeth pointed at Tori. “We have to get through that list of remaining people,” she stated. “One of them may be the killer. I’m going to assume your team did the legwork I asked them to handle?”

  Roman grinned. “I slept with this tablet. I may not want to give it back. Can I have a mistress, honey?” he asked his wife. “She’s damn sexy.”

  She laughed.

  “Can I have some sexy side action for when you’re busy with her?” she asked. “Maybe someone Native.”

  He sputtered.

  “You’re no fun.”

  Mattie had made her point.

  “It looks like your wife has spoken, Roman. Sorry.”

  “Is that Elizabeth Blackhawk?” someone called.