“It’s great. Australia is fun. You’ll have to see it sometime,” Chris offered. “How’s work?”
Tony laughed, and then told him all about it.
Chris’s eyes got huge. “MAN! I’m missing mummies? There’s a million jokes that I could throw out at Elizabeth with this one,” he stated, laughing like a fool.
“Yeah, she’s all stirred up.”
Chris could hear the tension in his voice. “What’s going on with you?”
Just then, there was a soft knock on his door. Tony signaled his buddy to be quiet and darkened the screen. “Come in,” he offered, his heart skipping in his chest.
There stood Jax in her pajamas. His heart barely could take it. She was in tiny little shorts and a tank top. It showed off her well maintained body.
“I just came to tell you thank you for dinner and say goodnight,” she offered.
He smiled gently. “If you need anything, come get me.”
With a nod, she closed the door.
Immediately, he plugged in his ear buds, so only he’d hear Chris’s comment.
“Who the hell was that?” the man asked incredulously.
Tony lowered his voice so it was barely audible. “That was Doctor Jaxon Armstrong,” he said, and then told the man everything, including how screwed he was.
“Oh shit, Tony,” was his only reply.
“What do I do?” he asked, needing some advice. When it came to his job, he excelled. With women, he was well out of his element.
“Buddy, I wish I could help you, but it was a miracle I caught my wife. You’re going to need reinforcements on this one.”
He closed his eyes. “You mean...?”
Chris laughed. “You better call in the cavalry. She’ll be able to help you.”
God. He hoped so.
* * *
Sleep wasn’t her friend.
Jaxon Armstrong was running from too many demons to get a good night’s rest. Instead, she laid there staring at the ceiling lost in thought. She was thinking about the man in the next room, along with the past she wanted desperately to escape.
While it haunted her sleep, he tormented her waking hours. There was something about Tony Magnus. Maybe it was his cool aqua eyes or calm demeanor.
Either way, she was tormented by being close to him. It was hard not to be attracted to the man. He was handsome, wise, and gave her a sense of peace. It wasn’t like he was old enough to be her father, but just those few years of age difference was alluring to her.
She found it sexy.
In her life, she’d always been attracted to older men. Maybe it was because she lost her father young, and her older brother had filled his role. Now, she found herself drawn to the anthropologist next door.
When she couldn’t handle the silence anymore, she climbed out of bed. For now, she’d go sit out by the fire. Maybe it would lull her to sleep.
She could only hope.
Creeping from her room, the door creaked, sounding like an explosion in the darkness. Then, as she crossed the room, her light footsteps echoed like gunshots. Well, so much for sneaking. She swore she could wake the dead.
Jaxon almost laughed at the irony behind that. Taking a seat on the couch, she sat there watching the flames lick at the charred wood.
It reminded her of some of the bodies, and she forced her eyes closed against the visual.
Great.
Now a simple fire was destroying her.
It was just more proof that she was unsalvageable.
Tony heard the noise.
He wished he was asleep, but his talk with Chris only riled him up even more. It was all because of the woman in the next room.
When he heard footsteps through the living room, he reached for his weapon. It was rare that he’d wear it, but he always had it with him.
Elizabeth Blackhawk liked her staff armed and ready for anything. It was times like these that he was grateful. If they had someone sulking around in their cabin, he needed to keep them safe.
Leaving the safety on, he headed out of his room. As he approached the living room, he could see her. Jaxon was seated on the couch, watching the flames of the fire. Only, she wasn’t at peace. From where he stood, he could see the lights flickering across her features. She looked…
Haunted.
Lowering his gun, he stopped behind her. “Are you okay, Jaxon?” he asked, softly.
It caught her off guard. “Yes, Tony. I just couldn’t sleep.”
“Yeah, me either,” he admitted, coming around the couch to sit beside her. When he placed the gun on the table, she stared at it.
“I hate those things,” she stated.
“Yeah, I’m not big on them myself, but the boss lady demands we carry them.”
She understood. When in the FBI, do as they do.
“You’re not okay, are you?” he asked, taking a stab at it. From the look on her face, to the lines etched in her brow, he was pretty sure she was all stirred up.
“It’s nothing I’m not used to, Tony. I’m sorry if I woke you,” she apologized.
“Like I said, I was up.”
Glancing over, she noticed he was shirtless and in only a pair of pajama bottoms. His chest was her focus. There was a light splattering of hair, and she wanted to run her fingers through it. It went straight down his torso to what was hidden below the drawstring pants.
Good grief.
She was screwed.
“I’ve found that when I can’t sleep, I sometimes feel better if I get it off my chest,” he offered.
It was funny. She’d feel better getting ON his chest.
“You can trust me,” he said, pushing more.
Jaxon didn't doubt that. She just didn't know where to begin. Finally, she went with it.
“Sometimes, when I talk about the things I’ve seen, I have a hard time sleeping. It scares the hell out of me. I’m good with bones, but when the bodies are still somewhat fleshy, it creeps me out. When I see stripped remains, I can forget they were human. When I see scraps of hair, faces and other things, I can’t make them less than what they are.”
Tony understood. At the beginning, he was like that too. Now, he didn't let it get to him.
“I know how hard those jobs are. I’ve done a few myself, Jaxon. I’d like to say it gets easier, but it doesn’t. Each one is horrifying and scars us. You’ll get stronger and move past it.”
Using her fingers, she rubbed viciously at her eyes. It wasn’t working. The visual wouldn’t go away. It never did.
“Is that why you decided to go into the FBI?”
She glanced over at him, baring her soul. “Yes.” He already knew about the pits of bodies. Why not go for broke?
“How’s that working for you?” he teased, hoping to lighten up the moment.
Jax laughed. “Well, since it’s two in the morning, and I’m not sleeping, I’m guessing not good.”
In that moment, he wanted to take a risk. Reaching over, he took her hand in his. It was chilly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers linked with his.
Tony’s heart skipped at the contact.
“I’m good at what I do. Maybe that’s the problem, Tony. I find them and give them peace. Once, when working in the jungle, the chief of a local tribe told me that I was giving the dead my peace. I guess that’s just how it has to be.”
He understood. After all, he was in the same boat. “I sometimes have to pretend they’re not people. In fact, when the bosses want updates, I’ve created show and tell to help lighten the mood. Elizabeth argues, and it gives me a moment’s reprieve from the truth. They were people and they didn't die quietly.”
She stared at him. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
There.
It was said.
Tony brushed a stray hair from her cheek with gentle fingertips. “You think I don’t say that on occasion? Whenever we get a gruesome case, I think the same damn thing. In fact, I’ve thought it for the last twelve years. We all do. If y
ou don’t you’re not human.”
That reassured her.
“What if I screw this up? I’m good with bones, but we have mummies. They’re going to be fleshy.”
Now, he understood. She was scared of tomorrow too.
“I’ll help you through it. There’s no shame in stumbling, Jax. You’ll get back up and get through it. We humans are a resilient bunch. You’ll pick yourself up and keep going. If worse comes to worse, it’s only a job.”
She started shaking.
Tony went with instinct. “Come here,” he said, tugging on her hand. Instead of fighting, she went to his side and rested against him.
Heat swamped him as her body touched his. The scent of her shampoo wafted up, filling his senses and driving him crazy. Yeah, she did something to him.
Jax rested her head on his shoulder as his arms wrapped around her. Slowly, the fear dissipated. If she struggled, he’d get her through it. For the first time in a long time, there was peace.
“Thank you, Tony,” she offered.
He couldn’t speak. His heart was pounding, and since her head was right over it, he didn't doubt she knew it.
Slowly, her breathing evened out. Her hand slid down his chest to rest on his abs, right above parts of his body that he wanted her to touch.
Christ! This was hell.
Now what was he supposed to do? There was a sleeping woman against him. Well, he didn't want to wake her, so he had no choice. Shifting his body, he came to rest in the corner of the couch. When Jax cuddled into him, he nearly moaned.
Well, sleep wasn’t happening for him, so instead, Tony was forced to think about other things. Like what he was supposed to do next.
Honestly, he had no clue.
Pondering it until all hours of the night, Tony finally slipped into sleep with a sexy younger woman wrapped around his torso. His last thoughts were if he was blessed, or cursed.
Tony wasn’t sure.
It looked like only morning would tell.
* * *
Tuesday Morning
Black Mountain Reservation
Dawn
The scent of his cologne and skin overwhelmed her, pulling her from sleep. Cuddled beneath the blankets on the bed, Elizabeth found herself wrapped protectively in Callen’s arms. One held her to him, while the other rested protectively across her abdomen.
It was a common thing for the men in her life.
The simple action gave her such a rush of love. Sometime in the night, he’d pulled off the heels and remnants of the stripper gear. Now, she was naked and pressed to his body.
In the morning light, just breaking over the crest of trees, she could see the tattoos across his body. The ink always called to her when it was on the men she loved.
Running her fingers over the fox on his abs, she giggled when he rolled, pressing her beneath him. Immediately, his eyes popped open.
“You needed me?” he whispered, leaving kisses across the freckles on her nose.
Her arms wrapped around his body, holding him to her. “I always need you, Callen, but I had a better plan for this morning. You’ll love it.”
Already his body was warm, loose, and ready to find someplace to call home. “Spill it, beautiful,” he offered, nudging her with his erection.
“Well, I was thinking we could call Ethan, wake him up, and then after have soapy shower sex.”
He was all for that. If there was one thing in his life he loved, it was tormenting his brother. “It’s not like you to want to disturb him.”
“I need to tell you both something, and if I wait, I’ll forget,” she offered. “You know, pregnancy hormones. They make me loopy.”
He stared down into her eyes. There was worry there and that made him edgy. “What’s wrong?” he said, rolling off her body to give her space.
“I’ll tell you both at the same time,” she stated.
Now, his heart was pounding. “Are you and the baby okay?” he asked, his first fear was for their child. If Ethan lost this baby, he’d be destroyed. They both knew he viewed Charlie as his redemption and second chance in life. When he had been abducted, he never thought he’d get another child with his wife.
Now, Ethan was fighting desperately to have her born.
“No, we’re good, but it is about our kids,” she stated, grabbing the tablet.
Callen tried to stay calm, knowing if this was bad that he would have to be the level head. Ethan’s temper was still a concern for them. At the worst moments, it would rear its ugly head.
As she pinged his tablet, it didn't take long for his face to come on the screen. It was after seven there, but he appeared to still be asleep.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. “I just got to sleep three hours ago.”
“Ethan, I have to talk to you. It’s important,” she stated, hating that she had to wake him.
“What?” he said, sitting up. Now, he was fully awake and ready for whatever she had to say. If his wife was calling him this early, there was a reason.
“It’s about Wyler.”
His heart pounded. “Is he okay?” For many years, he and Wyler had a strained relationship. Now, they were close. “Are the kids okay?” he demanded, his pulse erratically thudding in his neck.
She began, “For a couple days now, I’ve noticed he’s not himself. So, as I was packing, I got him to talk. What I’m going to tell you is going to make you mad. I need you to keep your temper in check. The situation is under control, but I can’t have you losing it,” she stated.
Callen tensed beside her. If Elizabeth was starting with that, they both were going to get mad.
“Just tell me.”
“Dad wants us to fire Bly and find someone new.”
He calmed before starting to laugh. When he heard that it was about Bly, there was no reason to get worked up. If that was all Elizabeth needed handled, he could take care of that. “This is why you shouldn’t have sex with your co-workers,” he stated.
Instead of softening it, she dropped the bomb. Ethan would want it that way. He didn't like sugar coated bullshit.
“Bly hit CJ.”
Silence crashed around them. Ethan’s face filled with so much rage that it scared her. Callen went stiff beside her. Their family was very big on not striking their children. Callen’s abuse was the forefront, but then the fact it wasn’t a parent or Wyler disciplining their kids was concerning.
“She’s gone.”
Elizabeth tried to get him under control. It wasn’t going to be easy, since she’d felt the same way. “We can fire her once we’re back. Right now, Wyler would be there alone. I’ve already handled it. If she touches one of the kids again, he’s to terminate her.”
“I’m going to do more than just terminate her,” he stated as he threw on the lights in the room. Immediately, he began pacing.
Callen ran his hand lovingly over her back, offering reassurance. While one of their children being struck made him sick, he knew Elizabeth needed him to keep a cool head.
Angrily, Ethan began muttering to himself.
“Dad came to me and was torn up about this. You have to stay calm and not get upset with him. He’s afraid you’ll take the kids away from him. Wyler believes he failed and that reminds him of his years as a father. I need you to breath and keep calm.”
Hearing his father’s pain took the fire out of his temper. “I would never blame him for this, and I won’t hurt him by using our kids as punishment.”
Elizabeth relaxed. Her logical Ethan was back. “He thinks that he failed us. It’s killing him.”
“Tell me everything.”
She told him all she knew. When she was finished, he was back on the bed and holding the tablet. The storm had passed, and the old Ethan was back in control.
“I want her gone. As soon as we return, she’s terminated,” he stated. “We agreed a long time ago that we wouldn’t use violence to control our kids.”
Callen was grateful. The idea
of hitting EJ or Cat made him want to be sick. All the pain and horrors of his past crept back as Callen fought valiantly to bury them again. If he went there, he’d fall apart.
Abuse was abuse to him.
“I gave him the power to terminate her. He knows what we expect him to do.”
Ethan continued, “If he can’t I’ll do it, Elizabeth. I have no problem with stopping at home before I head there to fire her.”
She saw him getting heated again. “Love bug, she’s a different generation. That’s probably how she learned to discipline her kids. Don’t hate her.” Elizabeth couldn’t believe she was defending the woman. In all truthfulness, she didn't really like Bly. She was bossy, broke Wyler’s heart, and slapped one of her babies. Yet, she knew Ethan couldn’t be left to run with this.
“I understand.”
“Did Timothy spank you?” she asked, waiting for his answer.
Immediately, his demeanor changed as rational Ethan returned. “Hell yeah! All the time. As a matter of fact, so did my mother when she was alive.” He stared into the tablet right at Callen. When they broke the rules, he took all the punishment for a reason.
Callen tensed when something finally registered in his brain. In all his time with Timothy, the man never once laid a hand on him. Now, he understood why. Ethan had protected him then too.
Pain filled him. Callen had never realized the depth of sacrifice his brother had made, until that moment.
“Well, that’s what she learned. You can’t hate her. She’s going to lose her job because she’s a bad fit for us. Let’s leave it at that and save Wyler’s heart on this one.”
Ethan knew what she was saying. His wife wasn’t only talking about Wyler, but the man who was lying beside her. He could tell from the look on Callen’s face.
He was hurting.
“Deal. I’ll let Wyler and you handle this. I’ll start searching for a new housekeeper.” Ethan was well aware his wife could handle this on her own. There was no love lost, but she’d do it with more tact than he could muster.
“Is CJ okay?” he finally asked.
She smiled. “I gave our little man kisses before I left. He was right as rain, as were Cat and EJ.”
Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) Page 12