Elizabeth knew he was worried. Releasing his fingers, she wrapped her arm around his waist as they visited the remaining tables.
Elizabeth did the greeting. Many of her staff she knew well enough. They worked together at Quantico for years, and she even recalled many of their wives and husbands.
It wasn’t lost on her that as soon as she left a table, there were whispers regarding her closeness to her husband’s brother. To her it didn’t matter, but Callen was tense.
“I can let you go,” she whispered, “if you’re uncomfortable with people gossiping,” she said. It hurt her, but she’d do it to protect his heart. Callen and Ethan’s feelings would always come first over hers. In love, that’s how you survived for the long haul.
“Lyzee, I don’t give a shit. I’m worried about yours and Ethan’s careers,” he whispered back. “I don’t plan on rising up the corporate ladder. I’ve peaked, but you and Ethan could go further.”
Elizabeth was upset that he was dwelling on something so unimportant. “Callen, we don’t play corporate politics, and if the deciding factor is who I’m sleeping with, then I don’t want the raise or promotion.”
He sighed, wishing she’d understand.
Elizabeth stood close to him and took his hands in hers. “I love you, not my job. If I had to give it up for you or Ethan tomorrow, I would. You matter. He matters. This is just my job and not what matters at the end of the day.”
Callen felt so much love for her. Slowly he gave in to it and just kissed her delicately.
Pulling away, Elizabeth knew they had gawkers. In fact, she was standing next to the table with all her techs and doctors. “Hello Chris,” she said, not even having to look over. “Do you have a smart comment? Because I can still kick your ass in heels.”
He laughed, because she just knew he was going there. Chris wondered if she could run in those shoes if he had to escape.
Elizabeth turned and faced the table. Tony Magnus was there alone, as was Christina, but Chris Leonard wasn’t. “Cyra, it’s a pleasure to see you at our party. Thank you for coming,” she said, hugging her and then moving on to her staff. “Merry Christmas, Chris,” she said, patting his cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Lyzee,” he greeted her back.
Elizabeth went to Tony and hugged him too. “Merry Christmas, Tony. How are you?” she asked.
“I’m great, Lyzee,” he answered, clinking his beer bottle off her wine glass. “Great party!”
She smiled. “Tomorrow we have work. Don’t be too shitfaced. Or I’m bringing in a marching band to serenade you nonstop.”
Tony laughed, knowing she probably already had their names and numbers in her phone, ready to go. Their boss was sadistic like that.
Elizabeth shifted her focus to Christina, and offered her a fist bump, because she saw the first tattoo covering a burn on her arm. “Very nice tattoo!”
“Very hot, Christina,” stated Callen, grinning.
“Thanks, but man do they hurt!” she stated, patting the tattoo on her arm. But they made her feel better than the hideous burns the explosion left.
“After the fifth or sixth, you stop thinking about the pain,” answered Callen.
“How many do you have, Director?” she asked, sipping her wine and trying not to flush in heat, as she lusted after the man. Elizabeth probably wouldn’t kick her ass, but why risk it.
“It’s Callen tonight and I have around ten, but we all know which one is my favorite,” he snickered, because it was the one with Lyzee’s initials. In Cypress Grove, Elizabeth tricked him into taking off his shirt and becoming Christina’s lust monkey.
“He’s a wuss; Ethan has double that plus some,” she replied, teasing him back.
“You should talk. You have three.”
Elizabeth punched him. “Yeah, but one of those is my whole damn back. You have a scattering of them. When you get a back tattoo, then talk to me.”
Everyone at the table laughed.
“Have a good time at the party.” Elizabeth led Callen away and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Cyra watched her walk away. “So she’s in a relationship with two men?”
Chris wouldn’t have answered, since he believed in protecting his friend, but she was just kissing him in public. That kind of let the cat out of the bag. “Yeah, she’s married to Ethan, and I guess engaged to Callen. They wear matching rings.”
“That’s very bizarre and crazy.”
Tony spoke up coming to Elizabeth’s defense. If anything, both men were loyal, and Tony didn’t care if his friend was trying to attract the woman. “Hardly at all, Detective. In many Native American societies, the braves married the same woman. Usually they were brothers. I really wish they’d let me study them. I could be published in the American Anthropological Journal.”
“I don’t see the purpose,” she stated uncomfortably. Cyra grew up in a household with a mom and dad, and nothing out of the ordinary. The normal family and she was glad.
“Love is the purpose,” said Christina. “Wait until you see her with Ethan. It’s definitely love, and I’m jealous as hell,” she added, laughing. “The boss didn’t find it once, but twice.”
Tony snorted. “You think Elizabeth doesn’t know that, Christina? I see the twinkle she gets tormenting you.”
The head lab tech grinned. “Yeah, just like I get warm and fuzzy thinking about Ethan and Callen.”
Chis changed the subject fast, suddenly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. “Another drink, Cyra?” he asked, glancing over at his date. “There’s the company toast, and then we get to start partying.
“Okay,” she said, still watching Elizabeth with the other director. Yeah, she still didn’t get it, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to either.
Elizabeth and Callen stood in the center of the dance floor and she whistled. Most of the staff went absolutely silent, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I promise, you won’t hear that again tonight, but tomorrow all bets are off for anyone at work.”
There was laughter.
“Callen and I would like to welcome you to our annual Christmas party. Ethan wishes he could be here, but duty called at Quantico, and he couldn’t get back in time. I know he’s disappointed to not be here with you. He sends his holiday greetings and well wishes for all of you and your loved ones.”
She took Whitefox’s hand in hers, answering any of the speculation that may still be circulating.
“Since the induction of FBI West, we’ve had an end of the year bash to celebrate a few things. First there is the success of a job well done. Without all of you working your asses off, we wouldn’t have the assignment closure rate we have. So for that alone, we thank you all! You make us look really good, and that is appreciated. How you pull it off, we don’t know and honestly, if it involves spells, magic, ritual sacrifice, keep it up and don’t tell us. What we don’t know will keep us out of jail.”
There was clapping and more laughter.
“The second thing we always like to take the time to remember is the team members that can’t be with us here tonight. We lost a couple agents in the field this year. So at this time, please let’s take a moment of silence to never forget the ultimate sacrifice they made for us and the risk we all take when we walk out the door and head to work.”
The entire room went silent for a moment.
Elizabeth continued. “Tonight is about being alive and happy. Everyone eat, drink and be merry! For those of you working tomorrow, drink responsibly. You know what a sadistic bitch I will be if you tie one on tonight and come to work hung-over.”
The laughter was even louder.
“Merry Christmas to the baddest ass FBI team in the whole damn world!” she proclaimed, holding up her glass of sparkling water. “To everyone we call our family and friends and to seeing you here next year for another celebration. Salute!”
Everyone began clinking glasses and drinking.
“Now, let the official FBI p
arty begin!”
The music went on, and the fun started.
“That was an awesome toast, angel,” he said, seeing his brother moving through the crowd.
“I wish Ethan was here too,” she stated .
Callen kissed her cheek. “I have a present for you,” he said, looking into her beautiful blue eyes.
“Yeah?”
Callen pointed across the dance floor.
“Ethan?” she said, eyes filling with tears, as she started towards him.
Callen was right. It was the best damn present ever!
~ Chapter Nine ~
Ethan Blackhawk was glad to be home. He didn’t even dress in his office. He hopped into the back of the Lincoln and had his driver get him there as soon as possible. In the back he slipped into his dress clothes and prepared to reunite with his wife and brother.
There was nothing like being home.
Nothing at all!
Although he was only gone a few days, it was still like being apart from his family for months. Now it was finally over and he could be near them again. The best part of coming home was the easy comfort of the ones he loved. But tonight, the best part was going to see his wife’s face.
After the car had come to a stop, his driver opened the door for him. “Jimmy, is my tie straight?” he asked the man.
“It is Director Blackhawk and Mrs. Blackhawk will be impressed as usual.”
“Park the car and head in and have dinner.”
“Thanks Director Blackhawk.”
Ethan entered the building and took in the lights and the ambiance, and he grinned. His wife had her hands all over this little event, and it was completely evident. The little white lights reminded him of the tables at their wedding.
Once in the ballroom, he shook a few hands and watched his wife give her speech. Generally it was his job, and he only missed it by minutes, but it was fun to watch her in action. Her hand was holding Callen’s, which meant the three of them were officially coming out of the closet completely to the staff.
It didn’t bother him either way. He loved his family and they came first. His brother looked really good in his tailor-made suit. Maybe he could convince him to dress more like him and less like Elizabeth, just to make her insane.
As she stood under the twinkle lights, the room flooded in sparkling candles, his heart skipped in his chest. Elizabeth had her hair pulled back in a sexy knot at the nape of her neck. Ethan took in her attire and his blood surged through his body. Elizabeth once again outdid herself. Her attire spoke of the woman she was beneath the tough outer façade.
Blackhawk only hoped that they did her justice. Both brothers were in the same exact suit, the only difference were the ties. Ethan’s had stripes and Callen’s was solid. Standing together they’d look like a well matched set. The three definitely appeared to be a couple and looked like they belonged together. The matching suits only added to what the three knew. Together Callen, Ethan and Elizabeth were a strong unified front.
As she finished the toast, he moved closer to the dance floor. Ethan knew when his brother spotted him, and he grinned. It was time to give Elizabeth an early gift. Tonight he’d get to hold his wife and maybe sneak in a dance or twelve.
Everyone began milling around, as he stepped into the clearing floor. Ethan watched as his brother pointed towards him. Her eyes met his and everything stopped. There was no music, people or commotion. In that moment, there was only Elizabeth. It was much like the first day he ever saw her. Life began then and renewed now.
Elizabeth began walking towards him, and he crossed to her. Immediately, he opened his arms. The last few feet were a run and she threw herself against his body. Ethan wrapped her in his arms and just took in the miracle that was the woman in his life.
“Ethan!” she whispered, holding onto him. The tears finally came. She had been waiting for days for him to return, and now he was home.
The kiss said it all, and Elizabeth tried to remember there were people around them, but it just didn’t matter.
Ethan was home and her heart was complete.
There were whistles and wolf calls from their agents as she kissed her husband, and slowly he pulled away and stared into her face. “God, I missed you more than anything in the entire world, Lyzee,” he whispered, his forehead resting against hers.
People were walking past him, patting him on the arm and welcoming him home, but his focus was on one person alone.
“I love you, Cowboy. Don’t ever leave me again,” she said, softly. “Not even for a minute.”
“I won’t if I can get out of it, baby,” he promised, taking her left hand in his, and let her lead him back over to his brother.
Elizabeth hugged Callen and kissed him. “You knew the entire time,” she reprimanded, laughing.
“Yep.”
“I’m so going to kick your ass later,” Elizabeth threatened.
Ethan hugged his brother. “Wow, you clean up really good. Really great suit, bro,” Blackhawk said, fixing his brother’s tie. “Tell me that you didn’t have dad do this, because that’s one hell of a hot mess,” he snickered. “Obviously, you both need a lesson in tying.”
“I missed you, Ethan,” said Whitefox, feeling complete again now that his big brother was back. “I had to have dad help. I don’t know how to tie one of these things,” he said, running his hand down the red silk.
The three walked over to the table, and Julian and Tori slid over a seat. Obviously they too knew he was coming. Elizabeth crossed her arms. “You both knew too? Was I the only one that had no freaking clue?”
Everyone laughed.
“Oh, I will have payback,” she stated, taking her seat as the waiters began bringing their dinner out.
“I’ll get you a drink, Ethan. You want more, angel?” asked Whitefox. “
“I think I’ll just have sparkling water, I had two glasses already,” she replied, her eyes meeting Tori’s, as they shared a look of amusement. Yeah, Elizabeth was going to have the last laugh tomorrow night. Then she’d see how the men liked not being part of the secret.
“Okay,” said Callen, going to go get them more drinks.
“Welcome back, Director,” stated Tori, having another beer.
Blackhawk grinned. “It’s just Ethan tonight. I’m just another person enjoying a night with my family,” he said, as Elizabeth leaned against his body. “But thank you, it’s nice to be home.” He dropped a kiss on his wife’s neck.
Julian grinned. “I’m surprised you let your wife run around while you were gone,” he stated, unabashedly.
Elizabeth laughed, taking the glass of sparkling water from Callen, and taking his hand in hers when he sat, connecting all three of them together. “You’re pretty ballsy when you think I don’t have my gun,” she answered.” How do you know it’s not tucked into the back of his pants?”
Julian snickered.
Blackhawk stared at the two people he cared and loved for deeply. “I left her in excellent company. I’m sure Callen was all over her and making sure that no men came anywhere near her.”
“Remind me to tell you about the bouncer and the issues at the strip club,” replied Callen, nonchalantly.
Ethan nearly choked on his beer, and that caused Elizabeth to laugh outrageously.
“You will be later!”
Everyone laughed more.
“No business at the party,” added Elizabeth, grinning at Tori.
“Agreed,” said Whitefox, knowing his brother was going to lose his damn mind when he did find out. Sue him, but he liked catching the man off guard and rattling Mr. Cool’s cage.
“Can I say something that’s probably completely inappropriate and probably something I should just keep to myself?” asked Tori.
Julian looked over at her. “Uh maybe you should slow down on the beer, if you’re thinking about stating anything THAT personal to your bosses that it needs a forewarned statement,” he said, laughing.
“Shoot,” said Elizabeth, as
she thanked the waiter for her dinner.
Callen and Ethan sat relatively close to her, each one of their legs touching hers, as they began eating. It was a way of connecting them all.
“When I first suspected there was some triangle going on, I thought it was completely bizarre.”
“Uh, Tori,” warned Julian, no longer laughing.
All three stared at her, waiting for what she was working up to say.
“But now I completely get it and see how it works. You three make a really amazing couple,” she finished and looked over at Julian. “I think I can retain control with two beers.” She stuck out her tongue. “I’m not a wussy girl.”
Ethan, Elizabeth and Callen laughed. It wasn’t what they were expecting, but they were pleasantly surprised and grateful.
“I happen to agree,” said Elizabeth, cutting into her chicken and hoping her stomach would allow her to consume it. Although, she had an idea and it would probably work. If she just ate the salad she could blame the skirt.
“Callen, want my chicken?” she asked, smiling at him sweetly.
“Are you okay, baby?” asked Blackhawk concerned.
She laughed. “Uh, did you see this skirt? I can’t really eat a lot of food while wearing it. There is no room for any give.” Then Elizabeth paused. “Unless you don’t care if it tears off in front of all the men in this room and they see what’s underneath.”
This time Julian choked on his beer.
Tori winked at her, because Elizabeth successfully evaded again. Yeah, there was a reason she was the boss.
“Okay give me it,” said Callen, not wanting to see that happen, until they got home.
“Why does he get your chicken?” asked Ethan, lifting a brow. “What happened to fair in the field of battle?”
She laughed. “Okay boys, have at it,” she leaned back and they did rock, paper, scissors to crown a winner.
Callen won regardless. “There’s your answer. I always win, and she was trying to spare you humiliation in public.”
The lights dimmed and Ethan made his move. “Elizabeth, will you dance with me?” he inquired. “Since Callen is busy eating,” he sneered and winked at his brother.
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 22