Her body started shaking at the mere idea that Julian would get hurt. Nausea rolled through her body and she could feel someone shaking her.
“Victoria, come back to me!” called Julian.
“Tori stay with me,” called skeleton Quinn. “You can’t ever go home after you kill. You know that. You sold your soul in the desert and it’s time to pay for our sins. You’re the only one living and this is all yours to carry.”
Julian was seriously scared for her. He heard her whimpering and then calling his name, but she wouldn’t wake up. “Tori, come on, you’re scaring the hell out of me,” he pleaded, shaking her.
Suddenly she sat upright and gasped for air. The sobs were choked, and she pulled away from him, rushing to the bathroom and hitting her knees as she was violently ill.
Julian was beside her, holding her hair and stroking her back. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. “I promise it’s going to be okay.”
Tori finished purging her whole body, and she knelt there sobbing and shaking.
He was worried for her, her flesh was ice cold. Throwing on the shower, he pulled her to her feet, holding onto her and keeping her upright while the entire storm passed.
“You need to get far away from me, Julian. I don’t want you to get hurt,” she whispered.
Julian knew he wouldn’t leave her side. “It’s my choice, and this is my war Tori. I get to choose my fate.”
“If you stay I’ll end up killing you too,” she whispered in horror. “Please don’t come back with me. Stay here and forget I ever existed.”
He turned the water temperature up and ran his hands up and down her back.
“I’m sticking, Victoria.”
She sobbed more at his words. When this was all over, she knew what she needed to do. Push him away hard and pray he never came back.
“It’s okay honey. We’ll find our way through this together. I won’t leave you alone.”
Tori wanted to believe, but all she heard was skeleton Quinn’s laughter, mocking her in the back of her mind.
~ Chapter Thirteen ~
Sunday
Christmas Morning
Elizabeth loved Christmas morning more than any other holiday that they celebrated as a family, and apparently so did her son. He sat in the middle of the floor eating the wrapping paper and ignoring the small mountain of toys that were now his. The child didn’t care about a single one, and it was funny because they all wasted time wrapping them.
“He doesn’t seem impressed,” said Ethan, grinning.
Callen was lying on the floor, letting CJ toss the wrapping paper all over him. Then he’d grab him and blow on his belly. “Maybe he’ll be like this forever and we never have to worry about Christmas presents again,” he said, taking out his phone and snapping a picture.
Wyler sat on the couch. “I think CJ’s mommy has a present from him to open,” he said, pointing at the box in the corner.
Elizabeth went to it, and opened the lid. She loved Wyler’s presents, because they were carved little treasures. “Oh, Dad! It’s beautiful,” Elizabeth exclaimed, lifting the nest with the carved raven sitting in it. Beside her sat three little eggs. It was a copy of the dream Timothy once had when he knew she was pregnant on the day they met. She was the protective raven sitting in her nest of baby birds.
“Why three eggs, Dad?” asked Ethan.
Wyler shrugged. “I had a dream about my father, and in the dream he told me Elizabeth was pregnant again and there would be three eggs in the nest.”
Callen was jealous, how he wished he could have a dream about his grandfather. Elizabeth and Wyler seemed to be blessed with the one thing that he so desperately craved.
“Oh Christ almighty, I better not be having two kids!” she declared in horror. I’ll be a walking bus.”
“We should probably get your blood work done baby, they can tell if you're carrying multiples.”
“I did have my blood work done. Chris did it the day I started puking in autopsy. He didn’t say it was elevated. I don’t think I’m having twins.”
Wyler shrugged. “We’ll figure it out as time goes on,” he offered reassuringly. Then he looked hesitant. “Are you going to let me watch this baby too?”
Callen looked over at his father, because he was pretty sure it was directed at him. “I'm okay with you watching the baby if it’s mine. I trust you, Dad.” And he did, despite their past.
Wyler smiled, relaxing. “Thank you, Callen.”
Ethan dropped down beside his father. “You can watch the baby if you think you can handle two.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Which reminds me,” she pulled a box out from under the tree. “This is from the baby to you, Dad.”
Wyler opened it and pulled back the tissue paper and started laughing. “I love it,” he said, pulling the t-shirt out that said ‘Granddad’s Daycare’. I can’t wait to meet the new baby.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Me either.” When they’d all told Wyler the good news earlier, he wasn’t the least bit surprised. He did shed a few tears, as he hugged her enthusiastically.
Wyler pulled on his t-shirt and stood. “What do we all want for breakfast??” he inquired, plucking his grandson off the mountain of wrapping paper that was rapidly swallowing him.
All the men looked at Elizabeth.
“I so have you all trained,” she snickered. “I want authentic Native cuisine. Minus the meat and maybe heavy on the strawberry and fry bread.”
Both men started laughing.
“So basically you want fry bread, sweetheart,” Wyler concluded, grinning.
“It’s no longer what I want. I’m no longer driving this bus, the baby is in control. I’m just along for the ride and to supply free food and housing.”
“Anything for my only daughter,” he said, carrying CJ into the kitchen to give him O’s and a cooking lesson. He didn’t want him ending up like Callen in the kitchen.
“I’m his favorite too,” she said, winking at both men.
“Don’t bet on it,” stated Blackhawk.
From the kitchen there was his reply. “You can bet on it.”
Elizabeth stuck out her tongue. “Told you so.” When both men lunged for her they pulled her into the wrapping paper pile and started tickling her.
“Help Dad! The boys are beating up on me,” she yelled, laughing.
Wyler came into the room holding a wooden spoon. “You,” he pointed at Callen. “Clean this up and you,” he pointed at Ethan. “Get her some coffee and let Elizabeth relax on the couch.”
Both men stared at him. “She’s only three months pregnant and already she gets to relax?” Ethan was enjoying the look on his father’s face.
“She’s still pregnant, and after we eat there’s the trip to the burial ground. She needs to be rested up.”
Callen protested. “How come I get the mess and he gets to make coffee?”
“I’m sorry son, but you’re a nightmare in the kitchen. I don’t have time to clean up again.”
“Hey!”
“Uh, excuse me sexy coffee Indian. I’m waiting on your services,” she snickered, taking a pillow to the head. “Geez, touchy. I said sexy didn’t I?”
Blackhawk was amused. “I’ll get it for you, baby. Supervise and make sure Callen gets this done.”
Wyler and Ethan left the room and Elizabeth hopped off the couch. “Shhhh. I’ll help,” she whispered, helping him shovel paper into garbage bags. When it was done, they both raced to the couch.
Callen pulled her into his lap and sighed in complete contentment. It was the perfect Christmas. Gently, he rubbed his hand over the baby. “Need anything, Lyzee?” he asked, willing to do anything she wanted.
“I could use a kiss,” she said, puckering up. Elizabeth wanted to distract him, because Callen was going to suffer the most at the burial grounds later.
“I’ll never say no to that,” he answered, pulling her lips towards his. The kiss was smooth warm and welcoming. Slowly they broke a
way, and Elizabeth gazed up at him lovingly.
“How the hell did you get this all done before I got back?” demanded Blackhawk, pointing at Elizabeth. “You helped!”
“Prove it.”
He started laughing and sat beside them on the couch, handing Elizabeth a mug, and one to his brother. “This was a pretty great Christmas,” he said, holding her hand.
“Yeah it was,” she answered him. “Next year we’ll have two kids.”
Blackhawk thought about that. “At this rate we can have one a Christmas.”
“Whoa Cowboy! Back the painted pony up there. I’m not a gumball machine. You don’t make the initial deposit and I pop out the prize. You realize my eggs will be old and drying up eventually.”
“I better get a girlfriend then.”
Elizabeth sucker punched him in the ribs, extra hard.
Ethan leaned into his wife and kissed her while his brother held her in his arms. “No one will ever compare to my Lyzee.”
Whitefox began kissing her on the shoulder and running his hands over her body.
“Mmmmmm,” she mumbled into the kiss, slowly pulling away. “Apparently my sex drive is still here,” Elizabeth stated, staring into Ethan’s blue black eyes.
“Yipee!” whispered Callen, going hard as she squirmed in his lap. The scent of her hair made him want to jump her right there. It always did.
“Breakfast in twenty minutes,” yelled Wyler from the kitchen.
Elizabeth leaned against Callen. “Think we can roll around, get naked, and be back down here in time to feed me and the baby?” she asked, as her breath caught in her throat at the look on her husband’s face.
“Hell yeah!” they both exclaimed at the same time.
Blackhawk pulled her to her feet and picked Elizabeth up in his arm. “Dad, we’ll be back!” he yelled. “We’re going to go maul the wife.”
Their father laughed from the kitchen. “You’re down to nineteen minutes, and there’s two of you, do the math.”
Ethan moved faster, as Callen shoved them up the stairs laughing.
Elizabeth knew both of them too well. They were going to be late.
* * *
One of the best parts about sleeping beside a gorgeous woman was the waking up buried deep inside her body. The slow sensual glide of bodies was always soothing and an easy way to come awake. Julian rolled to his side and reached for the woman, only to find her gone.
Panic took over, as he flashed back to the rough night Tori had sleeping. After her nightmare, he dropped his charm back around her neck, making her promise to never take it off. But it was obvious that whatever she dreamt had already done its damage. It was in her eyes. Tori had every intent to run.
Julian believed he’d have until at least the end of the assignment, but it seemed he’d been wrong. She was already gone.
Glancing around the room, her dog tags were gone, as was her overnight bag. Anger overwhelmed him and helped bury the pain of knowing she ditched him. Dressing quickly, he moved through his house, still seeing no trace of her. How had she gotten away? The keys to his car were still on the counter.
Staring out the kitchen window, his heart stopped pounding and calm overcame him. Tori didn’t run. Right now she was in his yard with Weeko and Wakanda, brushing them. For a few minutes he just watched her. She was lovingly stroking them, as she stood trustingly between the mares. Weeko was trying to get into her pocket, so Tori must have some kind of treat. Wakanda was nuzzling her neck, most likely finding her owner’s scent on the woman.
Tori never ceased to amaze him. Even after the vicious nightmare, she was taking care of herself and finding her own peace. Part of that realization bothered him. What Julian wanted was her to run to him, lean on him, and to only need him. He just didn’t know how to make Tori see that he’d hold her up, or that he was madly in love with her.
Grabbing his coat and a cup of coffee, he started for the paddock and the woman he wanted in his life. Trying to sneak up on the scene in his yard, he assumed he was fairly quiet, but she spoke first.
“Morning Julian.”
He hopped the fence and went to her side, turning her and looking down into her face. “I thought you left me.”
Tori saw the emotion on his face and patted his stubbly cheek. “I won’t lie. I thought about it, but coming out here with your ladies had more merit. They’re really cathartic.”
Julian kissed her gently, as he held Tori to the front of his body. Relief and happiness flooded him that she was safe and by his side.
Tori broke the kiss, staring up into his eyes. “Can we go for a ride?” she asked, brightly.
He would have done anything to chase the demons in her eyes. If right then she asked to keep them both, he’d give them to her. That’s how much he loved and trusted her. “You can use my sister’s riding gear, since you’re both the same size. I’ll teach you how to saddle them up. Who do you want?” he asked.
Tori ran her hands over both mares and made her choice. “I’ll take Weeko, because Wakanda is too much in love with you. She’s ready to eat me to get to your scent.”
Julian grinned that she was that astute with his ladies.
“I don’t need help saddling. I’ve done it before,” she added, glancing over at him. “When I was a kid, we lived on a military base that was relatively close to a riding farm. My dad thought I needed to know what discipline was, and he got me a job there after school. I’ve ridden quite a bit.”
The surprise had to be written all over his face, because she responded to it.
“I do have other interests than just killing things and being in the FBI. Soldiers have lives too,” she stated, knowing she no longer did but would love to have a life outside of work.
“Okay, then let’s saddle up.”
Julian wordlessly began saddling his mare, noticing that Tori was doing fine without him. Where he thought he’d need to instruct and help her, she was more than adept on her own. Part of him warmed knowing that if he could get her to stay, that they could make this a daily routine. Every morning they could ride and be a couple. His heart skipped a beat, as he watched her mount the mare without a problem.
Tori leaned over and whispered in Weeko’s ear, as she rubbed her neck gently. Immediately, the mare relaxed and calmed. She knew the horse needed to get used to a different person in the saddle. Glancing over, Tori noticed that Julian was staring right at her.
“What?” she looked around.
“I’m in love with you,” he said it and watched the emotion fill her eyes and face. “You don’t have to say it back, and I know you’re battling something in here,” he pointed to his heart. “But I wanted you to know the truth.”
Tori stared at him. God, she wanted to love him back. Wanted to dismount the mare and run to him right then and there, but she knew the truth; it wouldn’t work. Tori was too damaged.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Let’s just enjoy the ride,” he said, knowing that he needed to give her time and space.
“Julian,” she started, but what did you say to a man that just told you he loved you? Now he was changing course again and had her off balance.
“Tori, it’s okay. I’ll wait for you to catch up.” He began trotting away, believing she’d follow. Immediately, he could see her out of his peripheral vision and to his side. “Want to go to the lake?” he asked, softly.
Everything in her was all tied up in knots. The dream, the man, and the fact she needed serious help to start to heal. Now he was dropping the ‘love’ bomb and then running for cover. It was just like him. Part of her wished he’d made her say the words back. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t feeling them. Tori did love him, but it was just lost to her how to convey it. The part of her brain that controlled her mouth was on disconnect. It was more proof of how damaged she was inside.
“Yes please,” she finally answered, getting it out.
Julian slowed his mare down, and pointed towards a trail. “It’s fairly easy and the horses know it we
ll. Weeko will pretty much take it on her own. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
She nodded, still too shaken up.
Julian began the trail, running his hands over Wakanda’s neck. Glancing back he checked on Tori, and he could see she was doing battle internally. It made him smile. If she didn’t have feelings for him, then she wouldn’t be this stirred up. Now he could relax and just enjoy the morning.
Up ahead he could see the clearing and could tell Wakanda wanted to run, he snapped the reigns and let her go for it, pretty sure Weeko would follow. She always did.
Tori watched Julian take off at a run and she became excited. “Come on Weeko, let’s beat them,” she said, giving a slight kick, and feeling exhilaration at the sense of freedom. For that brief moment her heart soared, and she could feel again. Julian was the only other living person that made her feel alive, and now she felt it again. The man was magic, and so were his ladies.
Julian paused at the lake, waiting for Tori to reach his side. Watching her ride, her hair streaming behind her and the laughter on her face grasped his heart and squeezed. His girl was gorgeous, amazing and tough. Dismounting, he gave Wakanda the chance to get a drink.
When Tori came to a stop, Julian walked to her side, reaching up for her to help her down. As she slid down his body, he refused to release her. The kiss that followed was explosive and passionate. Her head began spinning at the way it made her feel.
Pulling away, he stared into her smoky eyes. “I hope we get to do this many more times. You can always come here, Tori, even if it’s to just see the horses.” Inside he was willing to let her use him to just have this moment of peace. It hurt, but he loved her enough to just accept it.
Resting her head on his shoulder, Tori was too overwhelmed with his words, and what he was offering her. There was no question in her mind and heart that he was a good man. Here he was offering peace and a place to hide without the strings of a relationship.
Wrapping his arms tightly around her, Julian held on to her and memorized the feel and scent of her. Just in case.
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 35