Choices will Destroy (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 14) (5 page)

“Sure.”

When she slid over and buckled in, Callen dropped his arm over her shoulders. He loved when they had little moments like this. It made his heart sing.

“I love you.”

It was out of the blue.

“I love you too, Callen James.”

“How’s my son doing?” he asked, glancing down at her bump.

“He’s napping. Apparently, when you’re at the gym, you’re boring the heck out of him.”

He laughed. “Nice.”

“Have you thought about a name?” she asked, resting her head on his shoulder so he could rub his fingers over her bump.

“I already know what we’re naming him,” he stated. Then he realized how bossy that sounded. “I mean, I have my suggestion.”

She laughed. “I knew what you meant. Want to share it with the woman delivering the goods?”

“Timothy Wyler Whitefox.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “That’s a perfect name.”

“I think both dad and granddad would like it. I want to honor the last two men in this family.”

She understood. “Are you upset that we aren’t having a girl?”

He grinned as he navigated the busy roads. “No, I’m actually not. I think that the universe provides, and I wasn’t meant to have another girl.”

She knew how hard that was for him.

“If we did, Cat might feel left out. I think it’s best this way. I have Charlie, and she’s already a handful.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Yeah, she really is. I can’t believe she’s already mobile. Dad is going to deserve a medal. I think he may have surpassed Timothy in the grandfather department. Wyler is a machine.”

He agreed.

They rode in silence for a mile or two.

“You got quiet. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, angel?”

Elizabeth glanced over.

“Uh oh. I know that look.”

“Can I ask you something, and do you promise not to get upset? It can wait and not ruin the rest of our day,” she admitted.

Callen glanced over. “I don’t know if I like the way that sounded. That makes me nervous. That you think our day will be shot to shit is terrifying. I can’t imagine what’s bothering you.”

She stared at him.

“Lyzee?”

“I need to say something, and I don’t know if I should or not.”

“Lyzee, angel, you can say anything to me. We have a strong relationship built on trust and honesty. Nothing you say will leave this truck or make me upset. I promise.”

“Is this Callen my husband or Callen my best friend? I just want to make sure.”

“Which do you need?” he asked.

“I really need my best friend.”

“Okay, then there’s your answer. Shoot.”

“I’m worried about my husband,” she began. “He’s been sneaking out of bed at night and staying in the office with the door closed. I don’t know if he’s happy, or if he’s ready to bail on me. I’m trying not to go with the online cheating thing, and I don’t want to search his private computer, but I’m scared. I’m really, really afraid that I’ve done something and he’s over me.”

He knew she wasn’t talking about Ethan.

Glancing over, Callen knew how he had to play this one out. Elizabeth didn't trust many, and once that trust was broken, it was over. She didn't forgive that infraction.

He couldn’t blame her. Without trust, there was nothing.

“Well, let’s see. Has he mentioned to you that he was unhappy?” Callen asked.

“No, but he’s keeping secrets. I can tell. He knows that doesn’t fly in our family.”

Yeah, she was right. It didn’t.

“Has he come home smelling like other women?” Callen knew he’d rather cut off his good arm than ever go there.

“Absolutely not, but I know something is going on. Maybe it’s the investigator in me. I smell mystery, and I’m compelled to dig. What should I do?” she asked. “Should I come right out and ask, or should I let it make me sick like it is?”

He felt terrible.

Callen had been sneaking out of bed to stay up late in the office, but he had a very good reason.

“You could just ask him.”

“Okay. Callen, are you cheating on me? Is there someone else?”

He pulled into the closest parking lot and threw his truck in park. “Angel.”

“Just tell me. It started the minute you found out about us having a boy. I’m scared, Callen. I want to believe you’re not doing anything, but I’m a Fed. We pick up the subtle changes.”

He faced her. “I’m not cheating on you. I’m very happy, but you’re right. I do have a secret.”

She stared at him as her heart skipped in her chest.

“Why are you keeping a secret?”

“I’m doing something I never thought I’d do.”

“Is it porn? I like watching dirty movies, as much as I like making them,” she teased, but the humor didn't make it to her eyes.

“I don’t watch porn. I’m married to a nympho,” he offered, bringing his hand to her cheek. “Angel, I’d never betray you, but I can see why you’re worried.”

She was right. He was sneaking around behind both of their backs, so it was time to come clean.

“I’m worried about recertification, so I took matters into my own hands. I’m covering my bases.”

She didn't speak.

“I’ve been working on a backup plan in case I lose my badge. That’s all.”

Elizabeth watched his eyes. They were the window to the soul, and if he lied, she’d know. So far, he was being honest.

“If you need more proof, you don’t have to snoop through my laptop, which, may I add, is property of the FBI. I’m crazy, but even I wouldn’t watch porn on that.”

She didn't move.

“Here,” he said, digging his phone out of his pocket. “Go into my email, and read the one addressed to Jackson James.”

She didn't recognize the name.

“Who’s that?”

“Me.”

She didn't understand. It certainly sounded like something a man who was having an online dalliance would do. One of the men she loved had an alias.

This couldn’t be good.

“Callen.”

“Just read it. Then I’ll answer your questions.”

Elizabeth took her time and did just that.

‘Mr. Jackson James,

We’ve received your submission, and we are pleased to notify you that we are interested in reading your entire manuscript. We found it to be creepy, twisted, and the perfect type of book for our readers. We look forward to finishing it, and then we’ll discuss our options. Thank you for trusting your baby with us. You won’t be disappointed. We’ll be notifying you within a week.’

She glanced up. “Wait! You wrote a book?”

He nodded. “I’ve been working on it the last year, and since I don’t know if I can be a Fed anymore, I have to have something to fall back on.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

She was embarrassed that she ever doubted him. Callen was faithful and a good man.

She was a fool.

“Oh, angel, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it a secret, but I was scared shitless to submit it. If I failed, I figured no one would be the wiser. I was going to tell you both as soon as I heard back from the publisher in a week.”

She sniffled and wiped her eyes on the hem of her shirt. “Oh, Callen, I am so damn proud of you.”

“Really?” he asked. “You don’t think it’s frivolous and cheesy? I mean, who am I to think I can write a book?”

She touched his cheek.

“I’m not shocked you could do it. I know you’ve always wanted to be a writer. It takes so much courage to put yourself out there, Callen James. I also love that you’re paying homage to you and your brother, and your kids, by picking that pen name. The significance wasn’t lost on me.”

He wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I need to support my kids. If I can’t be a Fed, then I have to do something.”

Callen knew that they didn't need his income. Between Ethan and Elizabeth, they had a comfortable life. Their home was paid for, their bills were non-existent, and their kids had everything they needed, but still…he was a man.

He had to support his children.

And her.

It mattered to him on some masculine level.

She leaned over and kissed him. The worry was gone, and she felt silly for doubting him. Callen wouldn’t hurt her. It had to be the rampant baby hormones that did her in.

“I love you. Congratulations, Callen. You’re going to be an author.”

“Hold up, beautiful. That’s only if I can’t go back to work. I love my job with you and Ethan. That’s my true love, but this is more like a hobby.”

She took his cheeks in her palms. “It’s an amazing thing, and I’m so proud of you. What’s the manuscript about?”

He paused, trying to find the words to explain it. He was a little embarrassed about this part too.

“It’s our story.”

She didn't understand.

“It’s the case where we all came together. The one where Desdemona’s brother was stalking her. I changed the names, I switched it up a little, and I recycled the plot. I think that may be cheating, but it felt like it had to be done.”

She grinned. “When can I read it?”

He looked surprised. “I didn't think you’d want to.”

“Why?” she asked.

One word came out. “Desdemona.”

She stared into his eyes. “I have news for you, Callen James. I’m proud of you and that supersedes her memory any day. My husband wrote a book, and that matters. Besides, I want to see how you portrayed me.”

“Exactly how I saw you. You’re the strong, tough, badass lead investigator. Ethan is the wise profiler.”

“And you?”

“I’m the sane one who keeps you both from burning the town down. I’m incredibly sexy, and you can’t keep your hands off me for most of the book. By the way, the sex is hot.”

She snorted. “Ahhhh, fiction imitates truth. Now I really have to read this.”

“Do you really want to?” he asked.

“Yes, I do. I’ll read anything you write, even if it’s a journal to get your feelings down on paper. You’re part of me, Callen. I’m carrying a little person we made. There’s nothing small or insignificant about anything you do. To me, and our children, it matters. I’m beyond proud, and one day, when they’re forty and allowed to read smut, they will be too.”

He laughed at that. “Smut, huh?”

“I know what kind of sex we have. You’re a dirty man. You’re a porn peddler.”

He grinned as he put the truck into drive. “Since I know you’re just as big a pervert as I am, you can read it. It’s on my laptop at home. You can flip through it and make any alterations that you think it needs, but I need a favor.”

“What?” she asked.

“Don’t tell Ethan about it.”

She was surprised. “Why? When he finds out, he’s going to be all kinds of proud of you too.”

He didn't doubt that.

“It was going to be his birthday present. I want to give it to him to catch him off guard. You know how hard it is to shock him. I wanted to make it a surprise. When we were kids, he was the only one I shared my writing with, so it feels right that he gets the first book.”

She understood. “You’re a sweet man, Mr. Whitefox. I’m a lucky girl, and so is your brother.”

Before she could suggest they head home to celebrate, her cell began ringing. Staring down at her smartphone, she saw Gabe’s number.

It was odd.

She was on leave.

“Hey, Gabe, how’s tricks?” she asked, leaning back against Callen’s shoulder.

“Elizabeth, the jet is gassed up and ready to go. I need you, Ethan, and Callen to get to the airport and on it ASAP.”

She was a little shocked at his tone.

“Gabe, what? I’m on a leave. Why do you need me to get on a jet?”

“You have to get here.”

She immediately went there. “Is Livy hurt? Are you okay?” she asked as Callen took her hand in his and offered support.

“A package came to the house. When Livy opened it, there was a note and a medallion.”

She got that queasiness in the pit of her stomach. At the word medallion, that weird feeling overwhelm her. The alarms were going off in her head. “What did the note say?”

He told her.

She wanted to throw up. “And the medallion?”

“It’s a four leaf clover.”

“Oh, shit!”

They both knew what that meant.

“It gets worse. I came home, and in our back yard, someone left me a message.”

She braced for it. The memories came flooding back as she placed both hands over her growing baby. This part of her past was supposed to be dead and buried.

It was supposed to be gone.

It wasn’t.