Elizabeth pointed at their son. “Watch,” she went back to kissing Callen, and CJ started making the smacking noises.
Blackhawk started laughing. “You are so your father and uncle’s child.” He swung him up into his arms. “Do you want to kiss Mommy?” he asked, nuzzling CJ’s chubby cheek.
Elizabeth took Callen’s hand and let him pull her from the floor. Immediately she held her arms out for her son, and he went to her. “You feel left out? Is Mommy kissing everyone but the littlest man in the room?” she cooed into his ear. “You let me fix that right away,” she began kissing his neck and then even went after his belly. “Is that better?” she asked, cuddling him.
Both men watched their woman with one of their children. Each saw something completely different.
Ethan saw the woman he loved cuddling his child. His heart soared with the prospect that his children would have amazing lives, and that made him a success as a father. They’d have what he never did.
Callen stared at her in wonder and awe. Growing up without a sweet mother, he felt peace knowing that the woman carrying his son would fight fearlessly for her babies. There didn’t need to be anymore fear.
When she turned, they were both staring at her. “What? You’ve never seen me kiss the skin off CJ before? Well, it’s not for the weak of heart, boys. Stand back and you might not be next.”
Both men grinned and pounced. Pulling her to the floor and kissing her the same way that she was kissing CJ. Elizabeth giggled, fighting hard to escape, and then she just gave in and let them have at her.
CJ laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen in his life.
Finally they let up the torture.
Wyler came down the stairs and stared at the three of them on the floor, CJ perched on top. “Who won?” he asked.
They all pointed at the baby.
Wyler grabbed his grandson and carried him to the kitchen. “We’re going to get you some dinner my little warrior. You have to be tired after wrestling with those three.”
They followed him into the kitchen.
“Dad, we need to have a talk,” said Ethan, stirring the sauce. It was time to have the conversation about the help around the house. “We’ve decided we’re going to hire a house keeper to help you out.”
The emotions were very evident in Wyler’s eyes. “You don’t want me taking care of CJ anymore?”
Automatically Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. The man loved her boy so much; she couldn’t let him think he wasn’t wanted. “No, Dad! We didn’t mean that. We want you to be able to spend as much time with Callen James as you want, but we know with a second baby you’ll be busy.”
“I can manage. I didn’t get to take care of my own boys, I really don’t mind.”
Callen went to his father and hugged him. “Think of it this way, now you can only worry about the boys. We’re hiring someone to clean up, fold laundry and maybe make dinner. You’re only responsibility will be the little men.”
Wyler relaxed. “You mean it?” he didn’t want to lose a moment with his grandsons. He’d already lost a lifetime with his own children.
“We do.”
He nodded, dropping a kiss on CJ’s head. “I love him so much,” he said softly. “I’d be lost without him.” Wyler looked up into his daughter-in-law’s eyes. “Do you know what you’ll be naming the next little one?”
Elizabeth took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Callen already picked the name. Let me introduce you to Ethan Jackson Whitefox, or as we’ll be calling him, EJ.”
The older man’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t wait to meet him.” It truly was his chance to redo his past, and vanquish his costly mistakes.
Pulling him against her side, she hugged him. “Do you by any chance know any women on the Rez looking for a full time job?” she asked, as inspiration hit. “I’d prefer my sons be around their culture and someone that maybe speaks the language.”
Wyler nodded. “I happen to know of someone that is thinking about a job. Her children are grown and she’s looking for a way to support herself and stay busy.”
“Do you trust her, Dad?” asked Blackhawk. He had every intention of doing a full FBI background check on her, but he’d let his father give his opinion.
“I think she’s a very nice woman.”
Elizabeth winked at Callen. She suspected that Wyler had a little crush on the woman. He’d been alone for quite a few years and it made her happy to know that maybe there was love out there and redemption there too. “Then I’m good with her,” she added. “What’s her name?”
“Bly Cocheta,” he answered, hesitantly.
Callen grinned wickedly. “I remember her! Wasn’t she the one that used to bring you and granddad lots of pies?”
Wyler turned bright red.
Ethan grinned wickedly. “I’ll call her tomorrow and discuss salary with her and her pies.”
Elizabeth slapped him. “Ignore them, Dad. They’re smart asses. I just hope she makes fry bread just like you do.”
Taking her hand in his, Wyler pulled her cheek down for a kiss, as he fed CJ. “She’s a very good woman. I think she’ll be able to kick some of the people in this house back into line rather quickly.”
“It will be nice to have more estrogen around here to keep me from being overwhelmed by all the manliness.”
Callen placed his hand over her stomach. “Ignore her EJ, she’s delirious. She wants ten more little boys.”
Elizabeth stared at them both. “I don’t think my eggs have a shot at going ten more years, boys.”
“Is anyone hungry?” asked Ethan, plating up the vegetarian dinner he made. “We can eat in here and skip having to clean up the dining room,” he suggested.
“What are we having?” asked Callen, staring at the vegetables. “Are we seriously never eating meat again,” he asked, and took an elbow to his rib cage. “I mean that looks delicious,” he restated, laughing.
Ethan placed dishes in front of his father and wife. When he got to his brother, he leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Burger run as soon as she goes to take a shower.”
“I heard that,” she said laughing. “If you smell like bacon and beef you sleep on the couch.”
“I’ll pass on the burgers,” stated Whitefox, praying to survive the next seven months. “I’m trying to avoid being in trouble.”
“Kiss ass,” muttered Blackhawk eating a carrot. “Mmmmm, tasty.”
There was laughter from Elizabeth. “If you both think it’s hard on you, what about me? I’m a meat eater being trapped by a fetus the size of ping pong ball.”
“Is that how big he is?” asked Callen, staring at her belly, his eyes filling with tears.
Elizabeth took his hand in hers. “Yes Cal. He’s little yet, but in three months he’ll be a monster.”
Callen wiped his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a father,” he said as his voice cracked with emotion.
Blackhawk crossed to his brother and threw his arms around him, knowing how the man was feeling. He’d been there himself. “You’re going to be an amazing father,” he whispered in his ear.
He just shook his head.
“Let’s finish dinner, tuck in CJ and then call it a night. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.”
Everyone finished up their dinner and helped to clean up the mess. There was laughter, teasing and so much love there. The Blackhawk’s were a strong family that protected its own. Tomorrow would be no different in the men’s minds. They’d watch over and guard the head of their family no matter what the cost.
God help the killer if he even thought of touching their woman.
* * *
Tori and Julian grabbed take out and headed home for the evening. It was a beautiful sky looking down at him, as he stood on her back porch staring up at the stars. There were street lights and the sounds of cars passing by her house.
Frankly it was irritating him.
Julian was accustomed to
living in the middle of a reservation with trees, crickets and his horses.
The mere fact that her neighbor had been taking his recycling out and waved at him unnerved Julian. This was way too close to civilization and people. Part of him wondered if Tori would ever leave here and move into his home.
“Are you okay?” she asked from the doorway.
Julian turned and his heart lurched in his chest. Not only because he was madly in love with her, but because he was thinking about the odds that she’d pack it all up and move away with him.
Maybe if he tried to tempt her with a horse of her own.
“Yeah, I’m just thinking about the ladies,” and you, he thought to himself.
“I bet you miss them,” she said, joining him at the rail. “Hell, I miss them and they’re not even mine,” she said grinning.
“I do miss them. I like riding around at dawn and dusk. It just calms the soul and offers so much peace.”
“Who’s taking care of them now?” she took his hand in hers. “If you need to go home, I completely understand.”
“My sister tends to them while I’m away. If you honestly believe that I’d leave you to go home to them, then you must think I’m insane.”
She laughed. “Well, far be it for me to call anyone insane,” she stated, grinning. “I’m in serious need of psychiatric care.”
“Getting worse?” he asked, tucking her hair behind her ears. He’d yet to tell Elizabeth about her blackout, and it was starting to weigh heavily on his conscience.
“Yes and no, I guess. I feel more panicky, and once that happens I seem to just lose focus.”
At least she was being completely honest with him. It gave him renewed hope that he had a chance after all this was over.
“What hospital will you be going into?” he asked, hoping it was going to be the one closest to him, so he could stay with her.
She shrugged. “Elizabeth is handling it. For all I know she’s having me shipped to Walter Reed.”
Julian felt incredibly sick. “All the way back to Washington DC?”
Tori knew where this was heading. This was exactly why she didn’t want to start a relationship with him in the first place. There was going to come a time when she had to walk away, and it was fast approaching. Tori made the decision to give them one last night together to remember, and then she’d begin pulling away for both their sakes.
It would be for the best. She was a mess and Julian deserved so much better than she could ever give him.
“Want to come to bed?” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Julian knew what was happening; he’d have to be an idiot to not see the writing on the wall. This was the calm before the big storm. Tori was preparing herself to say goodbye to him, and to what he’d been trying to build.
He wasn’t going to go easily. “I love you, Victoria. When it’s all said and done, I want you to remember what I feel for you. When you’re sitting in the facility, and you’re lonely, remember that I adore you and want you.”
“Julian.” She wanted to tell him the words, and Tori wanted to cling to him and hope they’d have a chance. Reality sucked, and she knew a damaged woman wasn’t going to be enough for him.
“On the first day you met me, you told me you were a romantic. Remember that day?” he asked, staring into her eyes.
“I was being sarcastic,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“I’m aware, but I’ll be the romantic. I’ll carry you for the rest of my life if you’d just let me,” he offered. “I’ll be all you need, if you just reach out for me and try.”
Tori blocked it all out. “I’m going to bed,” she said, tears filling her eyes. She’d never forget him, how could she? He’d stolen her heart and given her peace for the first time in five years.
Julian wanted to scream in frustration at her ability to back away and how easy it was to forget him. “I’ll join you,” he finally replied, following her. If this was his last night with her, then he wouldn’t fill it with anger. Life was too short to not allow yourself to feel.
“Okay,” she said, holding out her hand, reaching for him and praying he understood. Tori was giving him what he asked for, she simply didn’t know how to say the words.
Julian took it in his and squeezed. As he followed her into the house, he sent out a silent prayer, begging the powers that be to help him get through to her, before it was too late.
* * *
Elizabeth contorted herself to get ready for the undercover assignment the following day. When Trixie said shave, she took it very serious. If she was going to be walking around in what amounted to a bikini in front of her staff and strangers, everything needed to be ready to go.
Now it was a matter of seeing the male reaction. She had two test subjects lying in bed at that very moment. Slipping into a very tiny pair of panties and a tank top, she headed on out to the bed.
When she entered the room, both men glanced over at her.
“We were going to come rescue you any minute,” stated Blackhawk winking.
“I was shaving,” she said honestly.
“It took you twenty minutes to shave your legs?” asked Callen laughing. “They felt fine today,” he teased.
“No Callen, I had to shave,” she stared at him, waiting for him to get it.
“Oh! That kind of shaving,” he replied grinning. “Let’s see!” Callen demanded, leering lecherously and attempting to get her to laugh.
“I’m not just showing you,” she said snickering. “You want in my drawers boys then you know that you have to get me in the mood.”
Blackhawk started laughing. “I’m astounded that my pregnant wife is about to play the role of stripper, and just won’t drop the panties in the privacy of our own bedroom without us having to work for it.”
Elizabeth hopped up onto the bed and crawled between them. “I do like a little foreplay, gentlemen. Tomorrow I’m the cheap stripper, tonight I’m your very expensive wife.” She pulled Ethan’s mouth down to her for a kiss. It was silky and filled with heat. Pulling away, she turned towards Callen. “I think someone here owes me some foreplay, especially after today’s little office performance. Plus I need your opinion,” she whispered, right before kissing him too.
It honestly didn’t matter what she shaved. She was still Elizabeth, and all that really mattered was that she was their woman. If she needed an opinion, they sure as hell were going to give it.
Repeatedly!
* * *
Wednesday Morning
Elizabeth sat in her office signing off on the mountain of paperwork that appeared since the previous day.
At the top of the pile was the paperwork authorizing the hiring of Cyra Austin. Elizabeth smiled to herself. She’d just sent the text message to Jameson yesterday, and already it was prioritized and ready to go.
Earlier at home, Elizabeth sensed the tension in both the men as they had breakfast together. It was obvious that they were dreading what was coming later that day. You’d think they’d be thrilled to take a walk on the wild side and head to the strip club, but they were far from pleased. Elizabeth grinned wickedly to herself, she was going to have to torment them a little while they were on duty. How often did a wife get to play sexy stripper for the men she loved? In all honesty, they were the only reason she was going to get through all of this. Tonight her focus would be completely on them, and not the fact that she was pregnant and in the club walking around in what amounted to panties and a bra.
If there was such a thing as ‘Good cop Karma’, she’d better be eligible for it. Seriously, this was going above and beyond. Then Elizabeth thought about the dead women and how their lives ended, and again she found it was all worth the humiliation to make sure another human being didn’t die at this crazy’s hand.
At the knock on her door she glanced up to see her husband and Callen standing there.
“Hey guys, come on it. I’m just doing my paperwork,” she answered, signing her na
me on a paper. At this point she was scanning and signing just to get it done.
“Tox is in on Lulu and Christina thinks she found the weapon that he used to do most of the damage,” stated Blackhawk.
“Can she come here? If I don’t finish this paperwork before eleven you have to do it,” she said laughing. The look on his face said it all.
Ethan had his phone out in two seconds and was sending the text. “I have my own mountain on my desk,” he stated.
“What do you two have on your agenda for today?” she asked, leaning back in her chair. “Once I’m off getting all strippered up.”
Callen snickered at the terminology, despite himself.
“We’re going to go interview William Thomas, and find out why he was at the club.” Blackhawk took a seat on her couch and crossed his ankle across his knee.
Elizabeth took in his attire and grinned wickedly. “Look at you wearing the tie I bought for you,” she said, standing and crossing to him. “You look all bossy and director-y.” The blue in the tie and pocket square added color to the very expensive tailored suit. Dropping a kiss on his lips, she grinned when he looked surprised.
“What?” she asked.
“Kiss-y face in the office. You are up to something.”
Elizabeth ignored his comment and focused on Callen. He was wearing the boots and belt buckle she’d bought him too. Inside she felt all warm and proprietary that her men were happy with the items she bought them. Mimicking the same action with Callen, she grinned when he lifted one brow.
“You both are too suspicious. I just wanted to give you both a kiss. Nothing more.”
Ethan still wasn’t buying it. “After we interview Bly Cocheta I plan on hunting down Willie.”
Pointing at Callen, she grinned. “Don’t let him terrorize the woman. Dad likes her, and he’s not one to ever talk about women. Make sure you both cut him a break,” she ordered. “Or I will make both of your lives miserable.”
The men laughed. “We promise to not pick on our daddy’s girlfriend,” stated Whitefox, entertained by the silliness of that one sentence.
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 49