Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) (51 page)

She laughed. “You’re looped on the good drugs. When we fornicate, I like for you remember.”

“Boo.”

She snorted. “Maybe later if you’re off your meds we can revisit this conversation, my love.”

“Yee haw!”

Ethan handed her the container.

Slowly, she scooped eggs and cheese into Callen’s mouth. When he made happy sounds, she wanted to kiss him.

“You’re the best nurse ever. I love you, Nurse Lyzee. Can you come home with me?”

She winked at him. “I can make that perverted little fantasy of yours happen if you go to physical therapy each week.”

“I’m sure she’ll buy an outfit,” Ethan added, glad to see his brother was mending both physically and emotionally.

“Deal. Sign me up.”

She was just feeding him a strip of bacon when they had company.

“What’s going on in here? This man is on a restricted diet! He can’t be eating all that bacon!”

“She’s the mean one. I call her the green Jell-O pusher. Don’t let her take my food or meds away, angel. Please.”

That was all she had to hear.

“He’s hungry, and I’m feeding my husband. If you’d like to argue with me, I’ll be done in a few minutes. Then we can step outside.”

“You can’t…”

“I can, and I am. He’s eating, and he’s doing just fine.”

The woman moved toward the bed to grab the container.

“If you touch this Styrofoam, or me, I’m going to get off this bed and kick your ass. I hate bitchy nurses, and I really hate ones who wear kittens and smiley faces on their clothes. It makes me want to rip off your lips and stick them back on in the middle of your forehead.”

“We’re under strict orders by the FBI.”

She handed Ethan the container before hopping down. “Feed him. I’m going to handle this ‘situation’.”

Callen grinned dopily as Ethan put jam on some wheat toast.

Elizabeth pulled her badge and held it up. “See that name. It’s right next to the big blue letters. That’s me. I work for the FBI. He’s my husband, and I’m going to feed him an omelet. If you have a damn problem, feel free to call my boss or get yours in here. The first one that bugs me, or calls security, will find a shitload of cocaine planted at their house and a drug sniffing dog on their lawn. He won’t be there to do his business, but he will do mine. Are we clear?”

The woman scurried away.

Ethan started laughing. “That’s a new one. I’m glad you’re building up your threat repertoire.”

“Asshole,” she muttered, getting back onto the bed. “There, my love. The mean old nurse won’t touch your bacon. I promise.”

He grinned at her. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Cal. Now, let’s finish eating,” she offered, balancing Callen’s container on her lap as she fed him.

“That was so hot. I swear I could fuck you silly. I may not remember it, but you will.”

Wyler cleared his throat as he happened to enter the room just at that moment. “Really, son? Even shot? Do you have some of that libido to spare? Maybe you can bottle it and make us millions.”

He grinned. “Have you seen my wife? She’s really hot. You can’t blame a guy for hitting it whenever he can.”

Ethan covered his laugh with a cough. Yeah, his brother was super drugged up.

Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed Callen. “You can hit it all you want.”

That got Ethan’s attention.

“Hey! Really? I’m right here. What about me? I’ve been shot too. He’s not the only one who risks his life every day.”

“And I believe your present is at Gabe’s raising hell. You hit it a lot after that, and knocked me up. It’s not Callen’s fault he got shot after I was already expecting.”

He grinned. “I may like this patient thing after all. I’m not above mercy sex.”

There was a knock, and the doctor came in. “Ah yes, the nurse said he was feeling better. She also asked I prescribe you a sedative, Mrs. Whitefox.”

Elizabeth laughed. “He was hungry, Doctor. If you were in his place, what would you do?”

“Bribe someone to hit the vending machine.”

Wyler put the candy bar beside his son and took his container to the couch.

The doctor laughed. “I’m sorry about the nurse. She wasn’t aware that you were a Fed. I forgot to warn her.”

She didn't mind. Ripping the woman a new one made her day better.

“Mr. Whitefox, how are you feeling?”

“Sore.”

“Any abdomen pain?”

“No, since I was shot in the damn chest. Is this a test to see if I’ve lost brain cells?”

He laughed more. “Oh, you two are a match made in heaven. I only ask because some patients have this reaction when we switch them off morphine. He’ll be fine. Now, shake my hand.”

Callen looked at him. “Are you going to steal my candy bar? I’m pretty sure she’ll kick your ass if you do.”

He grinned. “No, Mr. Whitefox, I need to feel how tight your grip is.”

Callen tried. It wasn’t easy. He lifted his arm, but his fingers wouldn’t work. “That’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Not bad, just not where we want you to be. Can you pick up that candy bar with your hand? Let’s start with baby steps.”

He struggled.

“If you do it, I’ll give you a kiss,” Elizabeth offered.

Callen worked that much harder, and was only able to grab it with his thumb. “Sorry.”

She gave him a gentle kiss anyway. “You’re going to be the best patient. I can already tell.”

He grabbed it with his other hand and tore the wrapper open with his mouth. Then he took a bite.

“Can I see you two outside?” the doctor said, leading them away.

Ethan headed out.

“My love, I’ll be right back.”

He stopped her. “I don’t want you to lie to me. We made a vow.”

She was well aware.

Elizabeth kissed him softly. His lips tasted like bacon and chocolate. “I swear, Callen James.”

He believed her.

She headed out.

In the hall, Elizabeth leaned against the wall as she pulled her boots back on. “How bad is it?”

“It’s not good. I’m going to call in a specialist to look at his arm. He might need more surgery at some point. It’s going to be a long road back. His career is likely over.”

She wouldn’t hear it.

“It’s not, and don’t tell him that. I’ll get him back to where he was. I’ll drive his ass to therapy, I’ll make him work at it at home, and I’ll teach him how to redo everything all over again with his left hand. I’m not quitting on Callen.”

“
We’re
not quitting on him,” Ethan corrected

“I’m not saying you should. I’m simply saying that he may have to think about another line of work. He can’t be chasing criminals.”

Ethan stepped in. “He’s a mediator for the Native communities. He sits down with local law and tribes to negotiate. He’s not out in the field unless it’s with us.”

“Oh, then that’s another story. He’s going to be able to do all of that. Callen will simply have to adjust and adapt.”

Well, they had that.

“I’ll check in on him later. I’ll keep the nurse away until it’s time for pain meds. I don’t need you killing her.”

She grinned. “I am glad my reputation precedes me. I may look all sunny and sweet.”

“She’s not.”

Ethan got elbowed.

“See?”

The man walked away, whistling.

Once inside, Callen was out cold. The candy bar was still in his left hand, and there was chocolate on his lips.

“Lyzee to the rescue,” she said, giving him a kiss. “Mmmm, chocolate lips to match his chocolate-y eyes.”

“Seriously?” Ethan teased.

Wyler laughed. “I love you, sweetheart. Thank you for taking care of my boys. I see how much you love them, and I have peace.”

Ethan pointed at his father. “I’m going to say this once, and only once. Don’t go after the man who hurt Callen. I handled it.”

Wyler played dumb.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Dad, it’s over. Callen has moved on. Let it go. He can’t hurt him anymore, but he can hurt you. If you go after him, you’ll go to jail. There is no statute of limitations on murder, even if you feel justified. It’ll chase you forever.”

“He’s my son.”

“I am too, and I’m asking you to promise me you won’t do anything stupid. Callen is almost healed. This might set him back. If you kill that asshole, it’ll go to trial. They’ll call Callen to the stand. In front of a room full of people, he’s going to have to tell them he was molested. Do you want that to happen?”

Wyler didn't have to think about it. “No. Never.”

“I just want you to think before you act.”

“I will.”

Elizabeth hugged the man. “Ethan kicked his ass and nearly killed him. He’s never going to hurt our family again. Let it go.”

“Okay, sweetheart. For you, I will.”

“Great. Now, we have to go. We’re going to do two interviews and stop in to see the team at the morgue. When we’re done, we’ll be back here.”

“I’ll babysit the drugged up sex addict,” he teased. “I have a book to read.”

They headed to the door.

“Remember, Dad. You promised.”

He was well aware. “Yes, son.”

When Ethan was gone, he closed his eyes.

“I hope one day, when you get to be my age, you forgive me. I really hope you can.”

Opening them, he stared at his wounded son.

Then he said a prayer.

“Dad, tell me what to do. Give me a sign. I need you.”

He waited.

The Great Spirit wouldn’t let him down. Not now, and not ever.

It knew best.

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

While she drove, he did the research. They were working on the fly, since they didn't ask the tech teams to research the mayor’s staff.

All that they could get was the woman’s name and address. It appeared that Irish Castro didn't have any skeletons in her past. In fact, she grew up in town, and lived a quiet life.

That was both good and bad for Elizabeth.

She’d lived there her whole life, so they could ask around if need be. That bad was that their killers didn't have a past either, so unless the woman was willing to give her DNA, they were shit out of luck.

“You’re quiet,” Ethan stated.

“I miss Callen.”

“Me too.”

“You have to make sure he can go out in the field. We aren’t a team if one of us is missing. Even if he loses his badge, you have to figure something out. I never ask for anything, Ethan, but I need to ask for this.  For him, and for me.”

There.

She said it.

Elizabeth knew it put pressure on him, but she couldn’t help it. There was no way he’d bounce back if they stripped him of his badge. It had become part of his identity. He wore it on his hip as if it was part of his being. Callen was FBI now, just like them.

“I know, but that’s not going to be as easy as it sounds, Lyzee. If he can’t pass qualifying, it’s not like I can sneak in and take it for him. While we have friends who are instructors, we can’t break the rules.”

She was aware.

“There has to be something…”

“We’ll work with him. If you have to, take a leave of absence and take him to therapy, the gym, and anywhere else he needs to be. I’ll hold down the fort for us.”

“You’re a good man and brother, Ethan. I want you to know that.”

“Listen to me. I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t do. He’s my blood. What wouldn’t I do for him? He’s also part of our unit. I sleep with him and my wife. If I have to, I’ll take a bullet for him. I love you both.”

She pulled into the parking lot. “I happen to think you’re pretty amazing, even if you think this is what you’re ‘supposed’ to do. That selflessness is sexy.”

“Oh, is it? Is it sexy enough to let me roll around naked with you when we get back to the cabin later to shower?”

She brought his mouth to hers for a kiss. As she pulled away, Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip, knowing it heated him up. “Only if you promise to rock my world, Director Blackhawk.”

He moaned, and then pulled her mouth back to his. With everything he had, he buried them in the kiss. It was hot, steamy, and full of lust.

Oh, he’d rock something later.

They’d both be smiling when he was done.

It took him a second to remember where the hell he was, and when he did, he released her from his embrace. “That wasn’t easy to do,” he admitted.