Choices will Destroy (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 14) (42 page)

He stood. “Yes. If you don’t take it, I understand. I’m asking you to move five kids, your father, and a house across the country. I get it. I need you to think about what’s coming in the future. What the FBI means to you.”

Elizabeth stared at him. “I want to believe you.”

He smiled. “I’m being honest. I want him here,” he said, pointing at Ethan. “He’s damn good at his job, and he’s meant to ride this chair,” he said, pointing at his desk. “One day, he’s going to do it. I trust him with all the work it took to make this an honorable job.”

Her heart thumped. She knew Ethan was worthy. He was born for this.

“I also won’t lie. I miss my family. From the day you ran away after that Ray mess, I’ve wanted you back here with us. We’re your family. Livy and I want you back so we can be like we used to be.”

She missed them too.

“You may have married into the Blackhawk clan, but you’re my sister from another mister.”

She laughed. “You’re too old to say that.”

He winked at her. “I have young kids. I like to live on the edge.”

She didn't feel a lie.

Gabe had been shooting straight with them since the Oracle mess.

“Callen keeps you two calm. He’s doing it now. When Ethan looked pissed, his hand went to his shoulder. When you are stirred up, he reels you in with just a look. He’s a miracle worker, and I know you three can do this.”

They waited.

“I’ll give you some time. Come find me. I’ll be having coffee in my break area.”

When the door closed, Elizabeth was up and around his desk to park it in his chair.

“You like to live on the edge,” Callen stated.

“Please! His chair has heat and vibration. My back is killing me from your kid. This is necessity.”

Ethan laughed.

“Well?” she said. “What do we do? Before, it was just talk. Now it’s official. He’s made the offers. We have to give him a final answer?”

“I don’t know what to do with all this.” Ethan admitted. “I want to believe that he’s being genuine, but I’m worried.”

“About?”

“That, somehow, we’ll get split up.”

They knew how he felt.

“Honestly, I think we should do it,” Callen stated. “Let’s be frank. I may not be back. If I’m not, Elizabeth will still have Livy as backup. She can pick her own team, and that buys her some safety.”

“You will be back,” she stated.

“Let’s go with worst case scenario.”

“He’s got a point,” Ethan stated.

“Yes, I guess he does.”

It was Ethan’s turn. “Plus, we’ve just added a big chunk of money to the bank account. With me getting a promotion, we can afford to send all the kids to a private school. We were going to have to do public in Damascus, since there were no places we could choose from for their educations.”

“You’ve got a point,” Elizabeth stated. “Our kids would be safe. Once Ethan becomes director, even deputy, our kids will have security just like Gabe’s.”

Right there was reason enough for them.

“Okay, cons?” Callen asked.

“The cases will be tough.”

She laughed. “Uh, hello? Do you recall the last few? We’ve had a killer mummifying people, someone eating victims in chili, and Bonnie and Clyde. I already work some shittastic cases. What could they possibly throw at me? Dracula? Godzilla?”

She had a point.

“He’s giving me the option to pick my team. If that’s on the table, I can do this. We all know that I’m only as good as the people who work with me on a case. I need the best, and we have that.”

The men looked hesitant.

They were worried about her risking her life. It was clearly written on their faces.

“I don’t doubt you, Ethan. How hard is it to give me the same courtesy?”

He heard the hurt. “No, you’re wrong. I know you can do it. I just don’t know if I want you wearing a bull’s-eye. That’s the big difference. At FBI West, I can veto jobs, and we have done just that. Here…I can’t. If one comes in, you’re gone.”

“You’re my profiler. If it’s out of town, you’ll be joining me, as will Callen. I can do this. I need a change. I moved out West when you were offered the job, Ethan. I never hesitated. I’m telling you that it’s time for me to make a change.”

Both men were well aware of why she wanted a change. It had everything to do with Christopher Leonard and having to see his house every day.

He got it.

“It’s not just up to us. Let’s take a minute and call the other part of the team. He’s with our kids, and if he won’t go, we can’t leave him. You and I both know he won’t survive without his grandkids. This is his call.”

“Are you saying we’re on the same page?” she asked.

Ethan nodded. “I am.”

Callen agreed. “I’m up for the move. I’ve never been outside of Damascus, except on cases. I could live here. With Dad, we’ll bring the Native population to eight.”

She laughed. “There are reservations here. Just not as many, since white man pushed you savages out West.”

He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Mmmmm…savages. That makes me think naughty things.”

She snorted.

Ethan pulled out his tablet and they got into position, flanking their woman. When Wyler’s face came on the screen, he was worried.

“Are you three okay?”

“Yes, why?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s the middle of the day, and you’re calling.”

They could see the girls playing, but the boys? They were sitting on Johanna’s lap.

Elizabeth started laughing. “We had a break. Why are my sons giving our agent the Blackhawk grin?” she asked.

“They didn't learn it from me,” Wyler stated.

Everyone looked at Callen.

“Come on! They have good taste. Johanna is pretty. They have to start somewhere. Maybe they like older babes.”

Wyler shook his head when Elizabeth punched his son. “Oh, Callen, when will you learn?”

Ethan knew they needed to reel this in. “Dad, we have to talk to you a second.”

“About?”

“I was offered the Deputy Director position in DC.”

The man stopped moving. “I see.”

His smile was gone.

Tears filled his eyes.

Then he began wiping them. “I understand, son. You're moving and the kids are going too.”

Elizabeth wanted to cry just from the look on his face. “Oh, Dad! We want you to come with us. We want to move, but we won’t unless you feel you can do it. You’ve lived there your whole life, and if you can’t move across the country, then we won’t.”

“You’d stay for me? You’d give up that amazing opportunity and the prestige?”

“It’ll come along again. I’d stay there if you wanted me to. Our kids need you, and we do too. There’s no way you’re being left behind. We all move together, or none of us move.”

“Are you serious?”

Callen loved his father very much. It took years, but they’d mended the fences.

“Can you handle a move across the country?” he asked.

“I can.”

“Do you want to?”

He thought about it. “There has to be one condition for me to do it.”

They waited.

“When my time comes, and I die, I need you to bring me back home. I want to be with my father, wife, and mother. I have to come back home.”

Elizabeth was crying again.

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry.”

“Baby hormones. This sucks. I want off this rollercoaster,” she stated.

The men each gave her a kiss.

Ethan stared into his father’s eyes. “I promise to have you buried right next to my mother, your wife. I swear on Granddad’s grave.”

“Then let’s go. I want to see some sites. Me and the kids can have some fun in the Northeast.”

“That’s it?” Callen asked.

Wyler laughed. “Yes. Where they go, I go,” he said, pointing at the kids. “Plus, I’d miss you three. I’ll pack again. You know, you could have decided this one house ago. It would have made our lives so much easier.”

They started laughing.

“I can’t believe we’re moving and taking new jobs,” Callen stated. “I think we live for the chaos.”

Wyler cleared his throat. “You realize both your agents overheard your conversation, and they’re staring like deer in headlights.”

Ethan forgot to have his father leave the room.

Well, crap.

“Get them.”

He waited as his father handed them the tablet, and the kids were moved off Johanna’s lap. When they sat there, they tried to keep a straight face.

“So, you heard our news.”

“Yes, sir,” they said together.

“Can I trust you to keep it quiet? If this gets out, the place will go to hell in a hand basket.”

Johanna nodded. “Yes, sir. We’ll miss you both.”

Elizabeth grinned. “Have you ever been to DC agents?” she asked.

“Training and that’s it,” Brody said. “I’ve always worked out of Damascus.”

“Me too.”

“Would you like to move here? I’m allowed to pick my team, and I happen to know that left to your own devices, you tend to break the rules. You know, like getting hitched.”

They stared.

Ethan laughed. “Here we go. So much for keeping this under lock and key.”

“Ma’am?” Brody asked. “Can you repeat that?”

She grinned at them. They’d been through a lot, and they’d proved their worth. She couldn’t imagine not having Broderick and Johanna on their team.

“I’m asking you if you’d like to join our team. I’m allowed to pick my agents and staff.”

“Are you serious?” Brody asked.

“Yes. I’ll warn you. The cases may be uglier than what we’ve worked already. It’s not going to be easy. You’ll have to work for it.”

Brody glanced over at Johanna. He knew that she wanted away from Damascus. Her mother and Brody’s father had gotten married, too, and they were making her crazy.

“I’m in,” Johanna said.

“Me too,” Brody offered.

Elizabeth grinned. “Okay, but keep it quiet. No one knows yet, and if it gets out…you stay behind.”

They saluted.

“Goofs,” she said, shutting down the tablet.

“So, we’re doing this,” Callen said.

“It looks like it.”

“Let’s tell Gabe.”

When they went to the door, he was sitting on the couch with four coffees beside him. When he looked up, they were smiling.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes. We have.”

“And?”

“We accept.”

Gabe stood and crossed to his family. First, he shook hands with both men. “Welcome aboard.”

Then he hugged Elizabeth.

Bringing his mouth close to his ear, he whispered so only she’d hear.

“Welcome home, honey. I’ve missed you.”

And again, thanks to the hormones, she cried.

 
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

Gabe’s Office

After grabbing some lunch, they got down to business. There were papers to sign, as they were officially accepting their new positions.

Livy joined them, and when she heard the good news, she wept, which then set Elizabeth off.

It was brief, and immediately afterwards, the first thing out of her mouth was,
‘Can we be partners?’

Gabe simply sat there laughing.

He saw that one coming a mile away.

As much as the idea freaked him out, he knew that his wife would be completely safe with Callen or Elizabeth. From what he’d seen, Callen was so in love with Elizabeth, that he’d never try anything with Livy.

At the same time, Elizabeth was so in love with Livy that they’d watch each other’s back.

Then, with Ethan’s help, they’d put out all the fires that popped up when the three of them wrecked the place.

It was the best plan ever.

When Elizabeth stood, she knew what she needed to do.

“I’m heading down to autopsy to check on the team. I want to make sure Doctor Legend has everything under control.”

Livy spoke up, “He’s running it like a pro. Carol Spade tried to pull some shadiness over on him, and he chewed her up and spit her out. Then, Merry, rode her ass like no one’s business. You can tell who trained them.”

“Shit! I missed it? I love when my staff gets all riled up.”