Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) (24 page)

“Well?” he asked.

She handed him the ring back.

His heart fell.

“I can’t wear it at work. It’s a dead giveaway. I have a chain in my bag. I’ll wear it around my neck.”

He wasn’t sure if that meant what he thought it meant. “Are you saying yes?”

“Are you prepared for the ramifications? We could very well be moved off this team and have to get new partners.”

He grinned. “If I have you as my wife, I can survive the day without you as my partner. As long as we go home and have that happy ever after, Joey. I just want you to be mine forever and ever.”

“Then yes, Brody.”

He was up and had her in his arms. His mouth met hers, and he couldn’t help himself. When he was finished kissing her, Brody stared into her eyes.

“Can you wear it for a little while?” he asked.

“Uh, I guess. Why?”

“I want to make love to my fiancée, and since that’s you, then you should probably be wearing my ring at the time.”

Johanna began laughing, but she still held out her hand for him to slip it on her finger. When it was in place, it looked amazing on her.

“I can’t believe we’re engaged,” he stated. “Three months ago, I never would have believed that I would get you back.”

She couldn’t either.

Johanna found love.

Now she only hoped it didn't lead them down the path to destruction.

Mainly, pissing the Blackhawks off.

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

That’s the Spot

Thursday Morning

When he made it outside, the sun was blinding him. It was reflecting off the snow, making it very hard to see.

Then again, it could be the hangover screwing with his head and eyes.

Either way, Ethan’s brain felt like someone was putting it through the ringer. He’d not felt this bad since he was a teenager drinking his grandfather’s whiskey.

Yeah, now he knew why he avoided the shit.

When he found his brother, Callen was sitting in some rundown gazebo not far away from where they’d parked. He had two cups of coffee and was watching him approach.

The second he sat down, it began.

“Here, put these on,” Callen said, taking off his sunglasses. “You have to have one hell of a headache. You’ll go blind out here with all the snow.”

“Thanks, I’m hungover. Now I know why I don’t have more than a couple beers.”

“I see you went a few rounds with Jack. I think we know who won that one.”

Ethan was well aware it wasn’t him.

He was getting old. The booze kicked his ass.

The silence between them was uncomfortable. Finally, Ethan took one for the team. He’d screwed up, so he needed to own it.

“Did Elizabeth tell you how I attacked and raped her?” he asked, nearly choking on the words.

Callen handed him the coffee and a small packet of aspirin. “Take these.”

He did what his brother said, but the silence was getting to him. He really wished he’d just punch him a few times in the face.

He deserved it.

“Well?” he asked. “Did she?”

“She told me that when she got here you were shitfaced drunk and tried to out sex me. Unfortunately, for you, I’m still the
‘fucking’
champ.”

Ethan stared over at him. “What?” He didn't understand what his brother was saying. This wasn’t what he was expecting. Honestly, he thought he and Callen would be going a few rounds on the ground, and he wasn’t going to put up a fight.

“She said you were enthusiastic, but I still came in as the winner in the ‘rough sex’ category. It’s a good thing our woman is kinky in bed and likes it, or we’d both be screwed.”

“No, I forced her.”

Callen thought about how he was going to handle this all night. With Ethan, there was only one way.

So, he went with it.

“That’s funny, but no, you didn’t. You can’t have the crown unless you earn it, and you lose points for doing it in a dive place. That’s been done before by me. If you want to up the game, take her to the morgue. I’ve never jumped her there. Then again, now that I’ve said it out loud, I might just take her there myself. I am the king of kink, and we both know she won’t say no.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Let me explain then. Generally, you’re pretty astute, so we’ll assume it’s the booze making your brain a sponge.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You’re about to have a pity party for yourself, and you can’t. You didn't do anything I don’t do on a normal basis.”

“I bit her.”

“I bite her all the time, and she happens to like it, and so do I.”

“I held her down.”

Callen sipped his coffee. “I like trapping her beneath me. It’s a power thing. When I can keep her captive, I feel like I’m in charge.”

“I took her on the floor of a trashy motel.”

“Yeah, and she had a good time. You didn’t hurt her. You can hate yourself all you want, but it’s pointless.”

“Callen.”

“Ethan.”

“You’re a pain in my ass.”

He laughed. “Yeah, well, that’s what brothers are for. Since I’m irritating the shit out of you, I’ll even go as far to say that if you call that sex rape, then you’re telling me I’m a monster and rapist.”

Ethan stared at him.

“It’s true. If you think you raped her, then you’re staring me right in the face and telling me that each time I have sex alone with her, I’m no better than some man exerting my strength over a weaker woman.”

He didn't know what to say.

“Is that what you’re telling me, Ethan? Are you calling your flesh and blood a rapist?”

“Callen! You know I’m not doing that.”

“Well, that’s good because what you did last night while drunk, I live every time I touch her sober. That’s how I normally roll, and until this very moment, I never expected my brother to think I’m a monster.”

“Hey! I don’t! I love you, Callen. You’re not a rapist.”

He’d begun winning this battle. Ethan was disarmed and the guilt was falling away.

“I love you too, Ethan, and so does our woman. She just happens to enjoy rough sex.”

“I crossed a line.”

“So, you are trying to tell me that I’m too enthusiastic with Elizabeth in bed.”

“No I’m not. It’s just that I hurt…”

“Stop. No, you didn't. If you want to own this title, you’re going to have to dethrone me. In fact, I’ve actually had sex with Elizabeth while I was shit face drunk. It was right after we came back from finding Desdemona’s sister’s killer. I already did that one too. Sky diving is available. You should get your certification and try that. I own this gig.”

Ethan didn't know what to say.

His brother was right.

If the sex they’d had was less brutal than when Callen and Elizabeth came together, then he didn't hurt her.

His hopes soared.

Could his brother be right?

“Is she really okay, or are you trying to keep me from losing my mind?”

“She’s worried. I won’t lie, but not about the sex. She thinks this is going to break you. I don’t buy that because I know the truth. You’re a Blackhawk. You get knocked down and you get back up again. It’s our thing. Some families have it easier than others, but not us. We fight tooth and nail to get what we want. Are you really willing to give that up because of a pity party and a bottle of Jack?”

Blackhawk thought about it.

“So you rocked Elizabeth’s world with a few great orgasms, but that’s nothing to cry over. Trust me. There are men out there who would kill to have what we have. You didn't cross a line.”

“I didn't give her an option.”

Two could play this way. “Did she tell you no at any point?”

He thought back to the episode.

“No.”

“Well, there you have it, Mr. Profiler. Put that in your computer up there and figure out what it all adds up to,” he said, tapping his brother on the noggin. “You can’t rape the willing, and Elizabeth is pretty much always willing. Toss in pregnancy hormones, and she’s more apt to wear us out.”

Ethan stared at him. “I underestimated you. You may be a more worthy opponent than her.”

Callen laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment. It’s about damn time. I told you guys that I’m not as broken as you think I am.”

Yeah, Ethan could see that.

“I meant you’re sneaky. I thought you were going to let me cry a river, and instead you boxed me in, tied it up in a bow, and somehow made yourself sound like you’re king of the sex fest.”

Callen yawned.

When Ethan did too, he stopped. “Really? Testing to see if I’m a psychopath, Cal?” he asked laughing. “I’m not a killer. I’m just hungover.”

“Just checking. Apparently, you don’t lack empathy. Someone once taught me that trick.”

Ethan sighed. “You’re crazy.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

“I just feel badly about how I used her. I took away her choice.”

He got that. “Again, if you’re going to cry rape, then you’re taking me with you. If you go there, then I have to feel horrible too, and I’m actually in a damn good mood.”

He sipped his coffee. “I’m not going there. I think I’m going to be okay.”

Callen grinned. “Then my work here is done.”

“Thank you, Cal. I’m glad I have you in my life. I’d be lost without you.”

Callen held out his hand and pulled his brother to his feet. When he was up, he hugged him. “It’s all good, bro. I swear. She’s not pissed, but if you wallow, she will be. Elizabeth is pregnant and mean as a viper right now. Do you really want her aimed at you?”

He laughed. “Hell no! Let’s get to work and point her at a serial killer. That’s safest for all parties involved.”

Callen agreed wholeheartedly.

“Well, then move along. It’s time for you to go kiss your woman good morning. I’ll be in the Denali with the motor running. Shit! It’s cold outside. Next time, we have our heart to heart in a warm room. We Natives don’t like the snow.”

As he headed back to the motel room, he turned. “I owe you one. I’ll make sure I deliver.”

Callen watched him enter.

He didn't want a favor.

He just wanted his happy family to remain intact.

Inside, Ethan found her getting dressed. It appeared that Callen had come to the rescue again. She was slipping into fresh gear that wasn’t ruined. He vaguely recalled what he did to her shirt and panties.

They were toast.

“Hey,” he said, pulling off Callen’s sunglasses, so he could talk to her. While he was getting over it, he still needed to tell her he was sorry.

Instead of saying a word, Elizabeth moved toward him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and she hugged him. She could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

“Oh, Ethan Jackson Blackhawk, I love you so much. I don’t want you to hurt anymore. You have to let this go.”

He rubbed his chin on the top of her head. Truer words had not been said in his life. He did need to start letting things go before it buried their unit.

“Just tell me how to help heal you. I’ll do anything you ask. All you have to do is tell me how.”

He held her tight. “I’m okay. I was mad yesterday, but when I…”

She stopped him from going on. “We had sex, Ethan. It was pretty hot too, but next time up the foreplay. You owe me. I like watching you get all hot and bothered. It’s a turn on.”

He laughed. “I didn't hurt you, did I? Did I hurt the baby?”

She patted her flat abs. “Nope. We’re as right as rain on a spring day. What we shared wasn’t rape, Ethan. I know you, and you’re beating yourself up over this for nothing.”

“Actually, I’m not anymore.”

She stared at him. “Really?”

This was a shocker.

He told her what Callen had done. Immediately, her heart swooned. When she saw him, she was going to kiss him silly.

“I’m lucky,” Blackhawk stated. “I have a woman I love and a brother who has my back. When we first came together, I was worried that the sex would erode away at our family, but I was very wrong. It made it stronger. Knowing what I know now, I’ll never go back.”

She laughed. “Well, since I’m growing Callen a new child, you really can’t. I’m not keeping this one inside as a spare.”