Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) (19 page)

Callen read the man’s name tag. Apparently, Lenny Ellis was completely clueless that they had trashed the room in a sexy romp. “Thank you, Lenny. Have a nice night.”

The guy glanced down at the big tip and smiled. “Any time! Enjoy your pizza!”

Carrying it over to the small table, he watched as Elizabeth practically threw Ethan off her to get to it. Yeah, someone was starving.

When she opened the lid, the waterworks began. “You got me my favorite, even though you hate it,” she said.

Of course he did.

She was growing him a baby. While neither Callen nor Ethan liked spam or anchovies, they’d suck it up for Elizabeth. What wouldn’t they do for her?

“Let’s eat. I’m starving. After you can fill me in with the rest of the details, and we can begin working on your case.”

He wasn’t having it. “Not tonight, Elizabeth. After we eat, we’re all going to bed. I’m willing to bet that you haven’t slept well either.”

She didn't reply since she’d shoved half a slice of pizza in her mouth.

Callen took a bite of the salty spam-y pizza. “I concur. We can start up tomorrow. There really isn't much to go on yet.”

Who was she to argue?

Instead, she dove into the pizza, so glad to be back with her men. “I once heard that sex helps you sleep,” she offered with her mouth full of cheesy goodness.

Blackhawk grinned. “Whatever our wife wants,” he began.

“She gets,” Callen finished.

Hallelujah.

It was good to be back with her men.

                               *    *    *

The drive back from the morgue was a silent one. Tony Magnus was sitting right beside his best friend and couldn’t muster a word to him.

Not hi.

Not bye.

Not I’m sorry.

Nothing.

It was uncomfortable, but the words his friend threw out were still eating a hole in his gut. It wasn’t easy to piss either man off, but somehow they’d managed it. Maybe their time apart changed things. Possibly when love filled their lives, it pushed friendship out of their hearts.

Either way, they were both holding a grudge.

At the hotel, Chris handed him some files with the data they had compiled. “Have a good night.”

Tony took it and bit his tongue. The anger was still there, and he wanted to dump it all over his old buddy, especially since Jaxon wouldn’t ride with him back to the hotel. He was expecting a battle to be brewing once he reached their room.

Great.

More shit to deal with.

Heading up, Tony ignored the chitchat going on between the other techs. They were making plans for pizza and hiding out like Ethan had ordered.

Tony couldn’t celebrate the day.

He was too bogged down with worries. He was burdened with stress about the dig site, his woman, and now his friendship. It weighed heavily on his shoulders. At his door, he slid the key in and found it wasn’t locked with the bolt.

Well, that was a good sign.

Inside, the atmosphere said otherwise.

She was waiting for him, arms crossed.

Yeah, she was about to explode. Tony could see it coming. “Are you still mad?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Oh, you better believe it, Doctor Magnus. What the hell was that today?”

He dropped his gear and slid out of his Kevlar and gun. He hated both, but when the bosses said jump, you asked how high.

“I was mortified that you two were fighting about me while I was sitting there. I don’t understand what got into you. I’m humiliated, and if it wasn’t for Merry, I’d be crying in some corner.”

Tony didn't bat an eyelash.

“I’m embarrassed.”

He let her continue.

“Horrified.”

Tony bode his time.

“Pissed off.”

Now, he glanced down at his watch. This was one of their rules. No going to bed angry. She could get it off her chest, and then he would tell her how he was feeling.

“And so damn angry!”

Yeah, that wasn’t half of it.

Jaxon was embarrassed that she loved every second of it. Whenever Tony exerted dominance over her, she wanted to turn into a messy puddle at his feet. Just watching him act like some barbarian was so very hot, but she refused to say it out loud. After all, Jaxon needed some backbone when it came to this man.

But God, he looked all dark and handsome standing there. His skin was tan from working in the sun at the dig, his black hair was sticking up in spikes from angry hands, and those eyes. God! Those aqua eyes stared right through her.

“Are you done?” he finally asked.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, it’s my turn.”

She stared at him.

“Come here.” He pointed at the area right in front of him. When she moved without thinking, his body tightened. They were fixable. He could tell. Beneath it all, she was still the same woman.

He was certain she needed him.

When Jaxon stopped in front of him, she stared up into his eyes.

“I’m going to protect you no matter what. While Christopher Leonard has been my best friend for over a decade, you’re my woman. I’m not going to let anyone disrespect you or our union. So, you can be as mad as you want, thinking we were two dogs going at it over a bone, but the truth remains. You’re mine.”

She stared at his chest, a flush creeping up her body. This was exactly what she meant. He was able to pull so many emotions from her, and so easily. All her life, Jaxon wanted to belong, and now she did.

Tony was her safety, and she knew it.

Lifting her chin, he forced her to stare into his eyes. Blue met aqua, and he continued, “He crossed a line. It’s one thing to voice his opinion in the lab, but that was more. It was a personal attack on you, and I won’t stand for it.”

“Tony.”

He shook his head. It was his turn. “No, Jaxon, you’re mine. I protect what belongs to me. It’s my job.”

Her blood surged at his words, and she was having one hell of a time hearing above the buzz in her ears. In fact, she was staring at his lips as she wondered what he’d do if she kissed him.

“Now, let’s order dinner,” he stated, trying to hold off on the sex. It was going to happen, but not during a fight. It didn't solve anything, and in his opinion only made the mess worse. Later, when he was sure that they were good, he’d move on to the next rule.

Sex before bed.

“Okay, Tony,” she offered.

“That’s my girl,” he stated, pulling out his phone.

The anger was gone, and Jaxon felt safe and calm. Those words alone offered her more peace than he’d ever know.

She was his girl.

How it happened, or why, she didn't know. Jaxon only knew she was damn glad he found her.

Chased her.

Loved her.

Now, she was patiently waiting for him to take the next step. What Jaxon craved was Tony making her his on paper for the rest of their lives.

                               *    *    *

Thursday Morning

After sleeping like a rock, she was raring to go. There was nothing like being tucked between two men, right after being satiated with plenty of sex. While their first bout was violent and wild, the second was gentle, soft, and filled with so much love.

They had shared their hearts, reminding each of them that there was so much love.

Now, she was plied with coffee and ready to kick some ass. It was always a highlight to torment her team. As she pulled on her beat up jeans and cowboy boots, the men stopped her before she could pull on her shirt.

“What?” she asked, when Ethan took it from her hand. “I can’t go topless to work, Cowboy. The staff would stare.”

He laughed. “Kevlar.”

She hated that shit, especially while pregnant. “Will you wear yours too?” she asked the men. If they said yes, she wouldn’t put up a fight.

“I have a town full of Native haters who want my head on a spike. Of course I will,” stated Blackhawk, right before he realized what he did. The cat was officially out of the bag.

Callen groaned, knowing that his brother had to be out of his mind. This was like throwing chum into the sea.

You were bound to draw blood.

The jig was officially up.

“What?” she asked, staring at him. Once more, her eyes narrowed, and she began replaying that one sentence over and over again. “You need to explain that to me, Ethan. When a woman, or wife for that matter, hears that type of sentence, she’s going to need the back story.”

Then, she swiveled toward Callen. “Or you. Maybe you should be the one who enlightens me. He’s better at being slick. You’re still afraid of me.”

Callen stared in horror.

The one look from him got her attention.

Blackhawk knew he jacked this one up. He purposely didn't tell his wife about the shit at the sheriff’s office for one main reason. She’d kick the law man’s ass or beat him into a pulp.

“It’s nothing.”

She glared at Callen. “Spill it. The first man who does, gets a happy sex life. The one who doesn’t, gets his hand for the next three months—if I leave it attached at the wrist.”

Ethan stared at his brother.

Surely, he wouldn’t cave…

Callen began sweating. They were both staring at him, knowing if someone was going to break, that it would be the weakest link. Now, he had to pick between the woman who owned his heart, or the man who saved and protected him most of his life.

Well shit!

Somehow, Callen managed to keep his tongue in his mouth and under control.

“Okay. I see how it is.”

Immediately, she began removing the body armor. There were ways to make them talk. “I’m not wearing this hot, pain in my ass Kevlar. I’m sure I’ll be absolutely safe, since neither of you have anything to say about Ethan’s comment. I mean, what could happen? I’m not likely to get shot. Belleville seems like such a peaceful place, right my little Native baby?” she asked, touching her stomach.

Shit!

Ethan knew he was screwed.

Elizabeth was using his child against him. He was helpless to stand up to that. While he would incur his wife’s wrath, he wouldn’t gamble with Charlie’s life.

Callen glared at him, knowing that she would do everything she was promising. It was their asses or the sheriff’s at that point.

This was a no brainer—at least to him.

‘TELL HER,’
he mouthed over her head.

Blackhawk had no choice. It was now two against one. Callen had bailed on him and was on his way to the dark side. Wait, Charlie was apparently siding with her host too. “The law in this town doesn’t like ‘Indians’.”

There
.

He said it.

“Really?” she asked, turning toward Callen. “How much do they dislike them?”

“Enough to shoot them.”

Elizabeth lifted a brow. “Why am I just hearing about his now? Did I not tell you about what Oracle said? Was I not clear enough?” she asked.

Here it came.

There was about to be an eruption of epic proportions. When their woman perceived either man in danger, she lost it. If it was bigotry, it only pushed her over the edge that much faster. After all, she had four children all of Native descent. Assholes weren’t just messing with her men, they were taking shots at her babies.

“Okay, suit up. I’ll handle the sheriff.”

They stared at each other.

That was it?

No ass chewing? No hide removal?

Could he be that lucky? Ethan didn't know what to think. She looked like his wife, tasted like her, and smelled like her too. Yet, she didn't just go bat shit insane.

This was new.

Frighteningly new.

“Let’s get to the morgue. I want to make sure our team is safe, and I need to get some information from our crack staff of genius doctors.”

As she headed for the door, clipping her gun to her hip, Callen stared at his brother in surprise.
‘What’s going on?
’ he mouthed.

Ethan Blackhawk had no clue, but he was sure it was only masking what was to come. That calm wasn’t a norm in their world, and it wouldn’t last.

His wife was going to lose it yet.

Odds were in their favor.

The temperature in the morgue was normal, but the air held an icy chill. No one could miss that there was tension between the three doctors. They were ignoring each other, using Meredith Peyton as their intermediary.