Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9)

by Morgan Kelley

  They started speaking in rapid Native. It was a different language than what Elizabeth and Callen spoke, but some of the words were similar.

  Yeah, they weren’t happy in the least. They didn't want outsiders traipsing around the woods, digging holes all over the place.

  “How do you plan on doing that?” asked Chief Molala. “It doesn’t please us that you want to rip up our forests. They are a source of pride for us.”

  Callen took over, knowing they weren’t going to like his suggestion. “We need to have our tech team search the woods. We have a ground penetrating radar machine they can use.”

  Where the idea of outsiders wandering around didn't please them, the radar did. It was less intrusive.

  “We wouldn’t think of digging up your land,” she offered. “We understand how connected you are to it and won’t desecrate it.”

  “It’s already had that done to it, so you can see our reason for hesitation. Someone not of this tribe has buried bodies on it.”

  Callen hated to be the bearer of bad news, but they didn't know that for sure. It absolutely could have been someone in the tribe. After all, who would know the area better than a Native?

  This gave Callen the perfect opportunity to bring up Elizabeth’s request.

  “We happen to have two individuals we need to talk to about some things we’ve discovered.”

  “Who?” asked the chief.

  “Your Officer Brewster and Bruno Whitefeather.”

  They looked confused by the mention of these particular men’s names. “Why them?”

  Elizabeth let Callen continue. So far, he was doing a damn good job. The Natives may be restless, but they were staying calm.

  “They were arrested in a bar, off the reservation, for solicitation. The hooker they tried to pick up is now one of our victims. As you can see, we need to ask them what happened. They may have seen someone harassing Kaylee Bain.”

  The men once more conferred in their language.

  Callen glanced over, knowing this had to be driving Elizabeth insane. Despite that, she was serenely looking around at the art. She was going to get a big wet kiss when they were out of there.

  “We can allow that to happen, but you’ll do it here, not in your outsider police station. Can we agree to that, mediator?”

  Maybe he should have conferred with Elizabeth, but he knew that was as good as they were going to get in this deal. Technically, they could block them.

  “Deal,” he said, offering his hand as a sign of promise from one Native man to the other.

  “Only, we have one other condition,” stated Red Darkeagle.

  Callen’s hand remained out, as he waited to hear this. “Yes?”

  “She does the interviews.”

  Elizabeth almost wanted to do cartwheels. Oh, if they though she was going to be the easy one, they had another thing coming. Callen looked appalled, but he couldn’t back out of it. It wasn’t like she planned on stirring them up, but she could get even for all the ass pats and chauvinistic comments he’d thrown out since she got pregnant.

  Oh yes, karma was about to hand him his ass.

  “I’m okay with that, Callen,” she said demurely.

  The shit was going to hit the fan, and he knew it. Once she got her claws in those two men, she was going to have them as a snack.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Chief,” he tried to sway the man. If he was smart, he’d listen.

  “We just think that a softer touch might be warranted. Your Elizabeth looks to be perfect to do the interviews. You may watch, but she will be the one who talks to them.”

  She grinned at him like the very full cat who just snacked on a cage full of helpless, hapless canaries.

  Well, shit!

  “You’ll take it easy on our people, won’t you, Elizabeth?” Chief Molala asked, smiling at her.

  It was obvious what the man thought about women. Oh, she was going to show them how sweet she could be.

  Callen wanted to warn the man that he was baiting a very pregnant Tyrannosaurus Lyz. Someone was bound to get killed in the carnage.

  “Oh, Chief, I only know one way to question people. I’ve been using it the same way for years. I’m sure I’ll get the answers we need.”

  He simply laughed. “Oh, I’m sure.”

  Whitefox wanted to knock the man’s teeth in. He was a little sorry his brother wasn’t there to witness the condescending men. If anything, Ethan would have given him permission to make them bleed.

  The man shook Callen’s hand.

  “We’ll call you and make an appointment for the interview. We look forward to watching it.”

  Callen was feeling two things. First, there was an iota of fear. He didn't want to have to clean up the mess this was going to make, but that wasn’t his big issue. At that moment, he was experiencing anger. It was like the two men before him were mocking her, expecting Elizabeth to fail.

  That pissed him off.

  “When can our people search?” Callen asked.

  “The rains are coming tomorrow, so you may wish to wait until the following day,” Red Darkeagle said smugly.

  “Works for me, Callen,” she offered.

  Whitefox stood, offering his hand to her as they walked out. Once outside, he stared into her eyes. “Elizabeth, when you do that interview,” he began.

  “I know. I’ll be nice. I promise. I don’t want to screw it up for you.”

  He lifted her chin with his fingertips and kissed her on the lips. His mind was already made up. “Fuck that. I want you to make all four of them cry. You can do whatever you want in there, just to prove a point.”

  It caught her off guard. “Why?”

  “They were being condescending dickwads, and I don’t like the way they were mocking you. They thought that because you’re a woman, you’ll struggle with it. I want you to make them bleed and make your own Native artwork. I’ll clean up the mess later. You just make sure you get what you need from them.”

  This was the last thing she expected. A few times Callen had gotten angry with her when she disrespected how hard he had to work to keep the Natives calm. “No holds barred?”

  He helped her up into the Navigator. “I don’t care for their demeaning shitty display, so have at it.”

  Pulling his mouth to hers, she kissed him again. This time it was filled with love and affection. Slowly releasing him, Elizabeth stared into his eyes. “I couldn’t love you any more than I do right now.”

  He grinned.

  “Oh, and that won’t be the only free-for-all either,” she promised. “Tonight, it’s no holds barred too.”

  Callen climbed in. “Hallelujah.”

  * * *

  Sitting in the morgue with Jaxon, they were finishing their pizza. He’d been watching her intently through the entire meal, waiting for the right moment to ask her out.

  Suddenly, he felt like a boy in high school all over again. Here was a woman, and he needed to get her to notice him.

  “You’re staring at me, Tony. It’s creeping me out, and that’s saying a lot, since we’re sitting in the middle of a morgue.

  “Uh, how was your pizza?”

  “Good. Why?”

  “Will you go out with me?” he blurted.

  At first, she didn't think she heard him right. Had the man just asked her out on a date? “I’m sorry, but what?”

  “Tomorrow night, will you go out to dinner with me at a restaurant? I thought we could get to know each other a little better,” he stated. Already, he was beginning to get worried. Maybe she didn't want to have dinner with him.

  “That would be nice,” she answered. “Where are we going?”

  More panic overtook him. “That depends. What foods don’t you like?”

  She patted his hand, reassuringly. “I like just about everything. I’m only asking because I need to know what to wear. I only brought things to dig in the dirt. I may need to pick something up in town.”

  “Oh,” he said, r
elaxing. “There’s Italian, Chinese, or Bob’s House of Burgers,” he said.

  “Are we talking Chinese with chopsticks and little cups of tea or paper cartons back at the cabin?”

  “No, this is a nice place. I Googled it.”

  He was being so sweet, and she didn't understand why he was nervous. After all, they woke up on the couch together. Whatever the reason, it was endearing.

  “It’s a date,” she offered. “I can’t wait.”

  “I can’t believe you said yes,” he stated, a little off balance by the whole thing. Who knew it was going to be easy?

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Inside, her whole entire being was vibrating. This morning, hope was dashed but now, she was excited. The sexy man in front of her was interested in a date. This was so new for her.

  He didn't answer her question, because if he did, certainly he would sound like an idiot. “I’ll pick you up at our place tomorrow night,” he offered.

  It made her laugh. “Okay, Doctor Magnus. I’ll be ready.”

  Now, the big question was, would he be?

  * * *

  Arriving at the cabin, Ethan hid his vehicle behind it. When Elizabeth arrived there, he wanted to surprise her. Schlepping everything to the front door, he found it locked.

  Well, this was going to be a trip down memory lane. It looked like he was going to have to implement a little B&E to get inside. Walking the cabin, he found a window which wasn’t locked. Popping the screen, he climbed inside.

  It made Ethan laugh the entire time. When he was a boy on the Rez, he didn't think twice about doing something like this. Now, he realized that he was too damn old to be sneaking in through bathroom windows.

  Unlocking the front door, he carried his things in and decided to first get changed. With the things he picked up, he knew Elizabeth would be happy. When she saw him, he hoped it made her night.

  Ever since finding out she was pregnant, there’d been this new life which blossomed inside him. Now, all he wanted was to keep her safe and see his next child born. Ethan couldn’t wait to hold little Charlie in his arms. With his entire being, he hoped she was going to be the spitting image of her mother.

  With her temper.

  Her spirit.

  And most importantly, her heart.

  This was his dream come true, and he was going to enjoy every second of it. With the roses in hand, he destroyed a few by throwing their petals all over the bed. That would set the ambiance for the evening. Her other present, the whiteboard, was safely tucked away in his vehicle. It had been three days since touching his wife, and he was a smart man.

  Giving her that present would risk her wanting to work. Tonight, he wanted to make love to her and sleep with Elizabeth pressed between them.

  Where she was safe.

  Changing, Ethan went with something he knew would make her crazy. Elizabeth loved when he’d simply lounge around in a pair of beat up jeans. It always turned her on. Pulling on a simple shirt, he padded out to the kitchen. While stopping to grab a whiteboard and roses, he also grabbed the fixings for dinner. He was pretty sure his wife wasn’t eating right.

  How could she?

  This case had to have her fully involved.

  Ethan could tell by how little she called and texted him- unless she didn't need him anymore. That little fear reared its ugly head, and he struggled to push it down. It, along with a horrible temper, was a parting gift from the maniac who tried to steal his life.

  His wife wanted and loved him. If that wasn’t true, then she wouldn’t be giving him a child. In the grand scheme of it all, that was the only proof he needed.

  Standing barefoot in the kitchen, he began making her dinner. With each pregnancy, Elizabeth had been a wildcard. With CJ she was ravenous and ate a ton, but with EJ she could barely consume a thing. Now, Charlie was falling somewhere in the middle. Yes, she’d eat when prompted, but nothing really made her excited.

  Well, maybe one thing.

  Pulling out the pan, he began sautéing the garlic and onions. He was going to make his woman the first meal he ever made for her. Then, along with his brother, he was going to retire to their room for a night of love making.

  He’d earned it.

  Each second away from her was like a year.

  Now, he’d get reacquainted.

  Arriving back at the cabin, Callen already knew Ethan was there. He’d gotten the text and couldn’t wait for Elizabeth to see her surprise.

  Yes, he’d promised her something big, and this was the mother of all surprises.

  He’d noticed that whenever they were apart, coming back together was special. It didn't make him jealous, because he understood it. Ethan and Elizabeth had something unique. When they looked at each other, it was visible there between them.

  Where another person might feel left out, he didn't. Callen knew that Elizabeth and he shared something special too. Their bond was just as wonderful in its own way.

  “I’m beat,” she muttered, hauling her gear out of the vehicle.

  “I’ll make us something simple, and we can go to bed,” he offered.

  Yeah, there was a big emphasis on the bed part.

  It was hard not to smile like a fool. Callen had no doubt that his big brother was, at that very moment, taking care of the first part.

  “Works for me,” she stated. “Tomorrow, we’re going to be going non-stop, so we better get a good night’s sleep.”

  Yeah, fat chance there.

  Callen unlocked the door and waited for Elizabeth to walk in. Immediately, her entire demeanor changed. Her hand went to her hip, where her gun rested as she scanned the area.

  Then, he stepped around the corner.

  The emotion filled her. There stood her husband. He was barefoot, in a beat up pair of jeans and wearing his shirt open. Clearly visible were the tattoos she had fallen in love with.

  In his hands were a bunch of roses.

  “Ethan!” She raced at him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his hips. Immediately, her mouth sought his as they tumbled into the kiss.

  Blackhawk held her to his body as she practically devoured him whole. Her hands were buried in his hair, and she was almost trying to climb into his body by way of his mouth.

  Pulling away, her eyes were filled with tears. “Oh God! I missed you,” she said, burying her face in his throat.

  For a while, he’d actually believed that Elizabeth had stopped loving him. Then, they went to Salem, and he’d healed.

  He had been an idiot to doubt her.

  To doubt them.

  “Hello, baby. I’ve missed you and Charlie too,” he murmured, running his hands up and down her body. “I’m glad I surprised you.”

  She made some garbled sound into his throat.

  Lifting her head, she began leaving kisses all over his face. “I.missed.you.so.damn.much.don’t.ever.go.away.again.” With each kiss, she punctuated the words.

  Callen crossed to his brother and hugged him, trapping Elizabeth between them. “Hey, good to see you made it.”

  Blackhawk embraced his family. “I managed to escape the ‘Dragon Slayer’ in one piece.”

  Elizabeth still clung to him as if letting him go would mean watching him disappear. She’d missed him so much, and she finally felt whole again. NOW, she could do her job. Her profiler was back at her side.

  “Uh, you realize it’s been three days, right?” Callen asked.

  She continued to kiss him. “I don’t care. Even an hour away from you both is horrible.”

  “If you let me go, I’ll make you dinner,” he offered, staring into her icy eyes. Ethan was pretty sure they held the same emotion his blue black ones held.

  “Okay,” she offered. “Do I smell sauce?”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “I know the way to your heart and how to get you into the sack.”

  She hopped down to hug Callen next. “You knew, didn't you?”

  “Yep. I told you there was a surprise waiting for you when
we got here. Well, here he is. Surprise!”

  She pressed her body to his, kissing him next. It was just as slow and sensual as Ethan’s lip lock, and it tasted like the three of them. Not to mention, there was the mingling of her perfume and their cologne.

  When they came together, it smelled like family.

  “Come into the kitchen and tell me what’s going on,” he suggested, leading them in. Once there, he handed his brother a beer and Elizabeth juice.

  “I miss beer,” she said, patting her belly.

  Ethan took that moment to speak to his child. Getting down on his knees, he tugged her shirt from her jeans. His fingers lingered on the belt buckle as he whispered to her stomach. “Charlie, I love you, sweetheart. I promise to spoil you rotten. In fact, the day you’re born, I’m buying you a zoo.”

  “Ethan!” they both said together.

  There was one constant. He was the one who spoiled their children.

  “Okay, sorry. I’m buying you and Cat a zoo.”

  They just laughed. There was no stopping him. The man was over the moon about his kids. It really wasn’t a bad thing.

  Going back to the sauce, he waited for the update. “We’ll talk death now, but once we eat, it’s all about us.”

  No one there would argue with that.

  Callen broke it all down, from the incident on the Rez, right to the last part where the two Native men were mocking Elizabeth.

  “I’ll do the interview, or better yet, I’ll just kick the shit out of them. No one’s going to provoke our woman.”

  Elizabeth told him what Callen had said, and he offered his brother a fist bump. “Good for you, Cal. I’ll personally help you clean up the mess when it’s over. Don’t worry about that.”

  Callen didn't doubt it for a second.

  “Tony’s in love with Gabe’s new anthropologist,” Elizabeth stated, getting them to focus on anything but their male testosterone laden behavior.

  Ethan glanced up as he checked the pasta. “That’s not going to end well,” he admitted. “When this is over, she’s going back east. There’s no way with our budget that we can adopt a stray anthro.”