It looked like this trip down to the lab was going to be solo, and hopefully she’d get some really good news. Strolling into the autopsy suite, there was nothing but insane chaos. Machines were humming and the techs were bouncing around doing sweeps of the evidence they brought in for analysis. She found Chris Leonard in his office reading print outs.
“Hey Doc, what’s up?” she asked, standing in the doorway.
Glancing up, he invited her in and asked her to close the door.
She knew what that meant. The dead woman’s DNA wasn’t the only results that were in.
“We not only have medical and dental confirmation, but we also have DNA on Lisa Delius. I also asked Christina to do a cross comparison of the women, in case we could find a factor linking them all together.”
“Okay, and?”
“Two had brown hair, the rest all varying shades of blonde, red, and even one with pink. Eye color was random, one green, two brown, and then the normal blue and hazel.”
“Crap, I was hoping for something to tell me who the next possible victim could be. We have nothing?” Elizabeth wanted anything at this point, no matter how tiny.
“Sorry Lyzee. Heights varied, body types and even ages. It looks like he’s randomly picking women.”
Elizabeth didn’t believe that. All killers had a methodology. It was just a matter of figuring out what it was, and the she would have him. “Thanks Doc. Tell Christina that I said good work.”
Chris interjected before she could escape. “Your DNA is done too.”
Her stomach lurched. This was a tricky situation all around. One man she loved was going to be ecstatic and the other hurt. You’d think sleeping with two sexy men would be a positive all around, but there were still little bombs in the mind field of the relationship. Who had impregnated her was the biggest one they would have to face yet.
“Okay, from the tone of your voice, I’m going to speculate that Ethan isn't the father.”
Chris shook his head. “The DNA matched, but there was a portion that was exclusive of both you and him. It can only mean Callen is the father.”
“How sure are you? You said there’s a thirty percent chance of error. I can hold off for amniocentesis if need be.”
Again, he shook his head. “No Lyzee. It’s pretty safe to say this one’s on target. I’d bet my season tickets on it. I ran it a few times, just to make sure.”
Elizabeth let out the breath she was holding. “Okay, thanks.”
“I’ll destroy the test and keep my mouth shut,” he said, knowing how hard this was going to be for her friend. “Tell Callen I said congrats on fatherhood, and I’m really sorry for Ethan.”
She nodded because so was she. Even though Ethan wanted the child to be Callen’s baby, she was sure this was going to sting. “I’m heading home to work there. If your team finds anything from the scene that’s pertinent, text me.”
Chris watched his friend leave. “Good luck,” he said after her, hoping for his friend’s sake it all worked out.
Elizabeth stood in her husband’s doorway watching him work. His hair was pulled back, his suit jacket was off, and her heart skipped a beat in her chest. The man still made her all warm and mushy, just by looking at him.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, not even glancing up.
Bullshitting him with flowery compliments wasn’t going to work, so she went with what she knew.
Honesty.
“We need to talk, Ethan,” she said, closing his office door and locking it.
At the click of the lock, Elizabeth had his full attention. With his very dark midnight eyes, he watched her cross the room and stand beside his desk. There was concern, love, and a little fear in her eyes.
He dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. “I’m ready for it, Elizabeth. You can just say it.”
That was easy for him to say, he didn’t have to deliver this news. Knowing how he tended to lean toward the blunt, she tried to answer how she believed he’d want to hear it. “I’m sorry Ethan. The blood testing came back, and you’ve been excluded.”
His cheek twitched at the words, and he absorbed them all like a painful blow to his heart. “I see.” It was all he could say in the moment. Had he been more in control, Ethan would have reassured her and given her something to make her feel better. But what did you say to the woman you love when she confirmed you weren’t the father of the child she carried?
“I’m sorry.” Tears filled her eyes as she watched the man she loved hurt silently. “Please say something to me. Anything, Ethan?”
Ethan refused to let her hurt. When the three of them came together, he was smart enough to foretell this somewhere down the line. Blackhawk was a planner, and prepared for worst case scenario at all times. Here it was and now he needed to deal with it.
“Elizabeth, it’ll all be fine.”
Somehow those words made her feel worse. She knew in his heart it was far from fine. The look on his face said it all.
“You should take Callen home and celebrate.”
She moved towards him, and he simply held up his hand, stopping her. “It’s okay, head home. I have a meeting at five. I’ll be home after for dinner. See you then.” Essentially he dismissed her from the room.
It stung when he rebuked her attempt to offer him comfort. But the man had every right to hurt and need space. “Okay, Ethan. See you later,” she said, turning on her heal and leaving the room. When she closed the door to his office it was a little harder than she should have, but inside her heart there was ache too. It hurt that he didn’t see that she needed the comfort too.
Blackhawk watched her leave and closed his eyes against the impending emotion. It swamped him and squeezed his gut. He was man enough to admit the reality hurt far more than the scenarios he’d run in his mind. The love of his life was carrying another man’s child. Yeah, he’d said he wanted this for Callen, but it was still crushing.
Ethan did something he rarely ever did. He picked up the phone and dialed his boss and shirked his duties by bailing on the meeting. The lie came easily, and perhaps that was a good thing. Hanging up the phone, Ethan sat in his chair and watched the sun setting over the Rez. There were so many thoughts and emotions flooding through him.
Right now he just wanted one thing.
To be alone.
Elizabeth knocked on Callen’s door, and plastered a smile on her face. This wasn’t the place to tell him the news. She was going to do it at home.
“Hey, angel,” he said, waving her into his office. “I was just finishing up the paperwork and getting ready to send it to you and Ethan.”
“I’m going home to work, want to come with me?”
Something in her voice didn’t sound right. “Yeah, are you feeling okay?” he asked. His eyes immediately went to her stomach. “Are you sick?” Concern filled him.
“No, Cal. Ethan has a later meeting, and I’m going to start processing the files. Fred Hillstone brought the tapes in from the club, but I’ll work on them tomorrow here. I just thought maybe you and I could escape this place and work in our living room instead.”
Callen wasn’t as astute as an agent as his brother and Elizabeth, but he could see that she wasn’t being completely forthright. “Sure thing, Lyzee. Let’s go.” Immediately, he shut down his tablet and grabbed his coat. “I’m ready, sweetheart.”
Elizabeth held out her hand and without a second thought he took it, linking their fingers together.
Okay, something was definitely wrong. Elizabeth didn’t do public displays of affection in the office place. Out in the lobby they said goodnight to Ginny and headed to the car. In the elevator he pulled her close to his body and just let her lean against him.
“You can tell me anything, Elizabeth,” he said, giving her the opportunity to lessen her burden.
“When we get to the house, Cal. We need to talk when we get home. Not here, please.”
“Okay Elizabeth.”
The drive home was silent,
and the entire time he was beginning to worry. The last time they took a car ride with this much tension, she was preparing to tell him about his grandfather dying. Now he was a nervous wreck as they pulled into the driveway of their home. Callen grabbed the files for her and followed her inside.
“Can we go upstairs?” she asked, dropping her things on the counter.
Callen just followed. His stomach was sick and churning violently. All the bad scenarios ran through his mind, the worst being that she was dumping him. When their door was closed, she finally turned to him.
“Today I did something behind your back.”
Oh Christ, the sickness intensified.
“I went down to Chris and had him test my blood and Ethan’s for paternity. I probably should have told you, but I wanted to be the one that told both you and Ethan the results if Chris was able to get them.”
“So, you know who the father is?” he asked. One wave of sickness was abated, but the other was rising. He wasn’t dumped, but he wasn’t going to be the father of her child.
“Yes, I know and so does Ethan. He’s decided to stay at the office until after his meeting.”
Callen’s cheek twitched. He was the last to know because once again he was odd man out in the games of life and love. “It’s okay, you can tell me.” He braced for the blow that he knew would crush his heart. Callen already planned for the worst case scenario. He’d smile and tell her congratulations, and die inside.
Alone.
Elizabeth tried to make it unique and special. She went to him, touching his face and speaking in French just for him.
“Oh great. Mercy French to distract me.” Now he was sure it couldn’t be good.
Elizabeth grinned and translated it for him. “Congratulations, Callen. You’re going to be a father.”
He stared at her like he misheard her. Callen actually had to repeat the words to himself. “I’m the father?” he repeated.
Elizabeth smiled at the man, because even though her heart hurt for Ethan, it was over joyed for Callen. “You’re going to be a dad.”
“Really?”
Now she was laughing. “Yes, really. I rarely kid while discussing paternity with the father of my child.”
Everything he’d ever hoped and dreamed of had just been handed to him. He got the girl and now he was going to be a father with the most beautiful woman in the world. He pulled her to his body, hugging her close. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair. “I love you more than I can ever put into words, Lyzee.”
Elizabeth hugged him back, and let herself fall into the emotion of the moment with him. Tonight they’d celebrate, and then they’d heal Ethan’s heart.
“Oh God,” he whispered, tears filling his eyes. “I can’t believe it,” he stated, then dropped to his knees before her. Callen lifted her shirt to talk to the tiny little life growing inside her. “I promise to be the best father in the world. I’ll never let you down,” he vowed, leaving a trail of kisses across her flesh. “You have the best mommy in the world too. We’re both so lucky, little one.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “He’s lucky that he has you too, Cal. You’re going to make an amazing father.”
He stood and gazed down into her eyes and then kissed her. Right then and there he wanted to spend the next hour worshipping her body and thanking her for sharing the most amazing thing with him. Since Elizabeth, he’d been reborn and given a second lease in life. This woman was his redemption and this baby was his greatest joy.
She melted into the kiss as his hands began wandering and undressing her. Elizabeth enjoyed the feel of his fingers touching and stroking flesh. As layer after layer of clothing was shed, she began undressing him too. Tonight they’d celebrate the new beginning that tied them together forever. True they could never legally marry, but they definitely had more to bind them together. Forever they’d be one, in the new life they’d created. This was the marriage of him and her, knotting them indelibly together for all time.
“I want to taste you,” he said, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her to their bed. Placing her gently in the center, he lay above her body and began leaving kisses across her throat and shoulders.
Elizabeth loved the weight of him pressing her into the mattress, pinning her beneath him protectively. Immediately, her hands found the ponytail at the nape of Callen’s neck, and she released his hair. As it cascaded around them, she pulled him to her lips for a kiss. It held sweetness, gentleness and nothing but love.
Breaking away, Callen stared into her icy blue eyes and enjoyed the idea that they were going to be parents together. “I'm so in love with you right now,” he said, beginning his exploration down her body. It made him want to hear more from her, and he continued his trail to her belly button and where his son was hiding. “I hope granddad was right about you having all boys, Elizabeth. I want a son so badly.”
As he swirled his tongue around her bellybutton, Elizabeth was having a difficult time thinking. “Me too,” she finally got out, as he went even lower. Before she knew it, her panties were off and Callen was teasing her further with his eager, creative mouth.
When he found just the right spot and pressure, she ruptured into a million pieces. “Callen!” she shouted, as he worked his way back up her body, until he was waiting between her legs.
Sliding into her body gently, he stared down at her. “I’ll love you both forever,” he whispered, as he began the slow glide in and out. Before Elizabeth, sex was meaningless and had no feeling. Now it meant everything. Every stroke was precious, and every second filled him with such love and emotion that he never wanted to look back at his past.
“I love you too,” she whispered, arching into each stroke and running her hands up his body to his neck. Pulling him down, she made love to his mouth. The kiss was gentle, sweet and achingly tender. One of her favorite things was kissing the men in her life. The intimacy swamped her and the need began building.
Callen could feel the heat building, as her body welcomed him, offering him so much more. Elizabeth met him stroke for stroke, her hips keeping the rhythm he set. The feeling of joy was so overpowering that Callen knew he wasn’t going to last much longer. As Elizabeth quivered beneath him, he let himself get lost in the heat and warmth. As she shook, falling off the abyss, Callen went with her. They fell into the bliss and together.
Automatically, he fell to her side, pulling her body with him. Laying her on his chest, his hand protectively went to his baby growing in her body.
Elizabeth cuddled into him and tried to enjoy the peace, even as turmoil brewed in her heart for Ethan.
Callen grinned smugly. Not only did he have great sex, but he had gotten Elizabeth pregnant. Then the grin was gone, as realization dawned. His poor brother had to be dying inside.
“How’s Ethan taking this?” The man meant the world to him, and this had to wound him incredibly.
She sighed. “Not well.” Elizabeth had no intention of lying to Callen. They were a family and they’d handle everything head on and not buried under half-truths and deception.
Since he’d lived through Elizabeth’s first pregnancy he understood how his brother must feel. “If we have a boy, I want to honor my brother with giving my son his name.”
Elizabeth was touched. “I think he’d love that.”
Callen ran his hands up and down her back. “I would really like to sit down as a family and come up with a solution to guarantee that Ethan has the next child with you.”
She smiled. “I think Ethan would appreciate that.” Elizabeth pushed up and stared down into his eyes. “You’re a very kind and sweet man, Callen. Our child is going to be very blessed.” She kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m a very lucky girl,” Elizabeth said after breaking the kiss.
Callen grinned. “I’m going to go talk to Ethan,” he said, running his fingers across her cheek.
Elizabeth placed her head back on his shoulder, her lips close to his ear. “You’re half my heart,” sh
e whispered.
His whole body tightened at the words and the light tickle of breath across his flesh. This time Callen moved fast taking her mouth with his hungrily. When he broke away he stared down into her eyes. “As tempting as it is to stay here with you, I really need to go find my brother and fix this.”
Elizabeth caught her breath. “I think that’s for the best,” she answered, as one of the men she loved, did everything right. Callen was willing to pass up sex to heal their unit. She placed her faith in him and knew he’d make it all right.
* * *
Nothing was more cathartic than sitting down to dinner with a woman you love. Julian was glad they were sharing pizza and beer on her couch. Since Tori really didn’t cook, and they didn’t have time to grab supplies, pizza was the easiest route.
Ever since leaving the office, Tori was incredibly quiet. Julian imagined it had to do with the response she had at the crime scene. It looked like she blacked out.
If that was the case, then he knew he was going to have to talk to Elizabeth and soon. An agent in the field that was losing the ability to focus was a big liability to herself and her partner. The last thing Julian wanted was to see her get hurt or worse die.
“What happened today?” he asked, staring into her eyes. “You went somewhere, and I was really worried.”
Tori knew it was eventually going to come up again. It wasn’t like she could blame him. It was probably frightening to watch helplessly, as she was lost in her past and the demons that chased her.
“There was this smell, and it pulled me back into the war. I was back in the sandbox, in an alley and hearing and smelling the same things all over again.”
Julian was seriously worried for the woman.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, staring into his very calm eyes. “I’m going to get help when all this is over.” Tori closed her eyes. “Can we keep this between us?” she asked, knowing she had no right to ask him to trust her and risk his life with a damaged partner in the field.
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 42