She opted for no makeup, going with the au natural look for a witch’s circle. It simply felt right. At the last minute, she opted for some gloss, just to give her lips a little tint of color and flavor, in case she happened to be caught alone with two Natives in need of mouth to mouth resuscitation.
Elizabeth grinned wickedly as she examined herself in the mirror once more. If she didn't know better, she’d most definitely pass as a witch. The black hair, the pale skin and the wardrobe, all made her feel like she was ready for the evening.
Opening the door, it was time to face the men.
Ethan and Callen both opted for all black. If they were going to be tracking witches and their wife through the woods, they needed to have cover. Blending in was going to be essential. Both men had opted for black, long-sleeved Under Armor shirts that would be covered by their Kevlar vests. Their black cargo pants would hold anything and everything they needed.
As she watched them from the bathroom door, it took her breath away as they stood there helping each other braid their hair. At one time, it had been Timothy Blackhawk’s job, but as time healed their wounds, she’d taught them how to do it. Ethan had just about mastered it.
“You both look sexy all dressed up as Native snipers,” she stated, finally getting their attention. When they turned, the looks on their faces said it all.
Yeah, they liked the dress.
“You look ethereal,” stated Blackhawk, as his gaze scanned her full body from her hair to toes peeking out. Then his eyes stopped on her cleavage and his heart pounded. Okay, she looked delectable.
“Angel,” Callen stated as he stared at her with his mouth hanging open. “You look amazing. Do we get to keep that dress?”
She laughed, “Why?”
“I don’t know about Callen, but I’m thinking of building my own altar to worship you on,” Ethan replied as he moved towards her. Holding out his hand, his tough and ballsy wife, floated towards him effortlessly. It drove him wild. “I don’t see lipstick, so I plan on stealing a kiss.”
She stared up into his blue black eyes. In the flat sandals, she was even smaller than usual. “I won’t stop you, Ethan.”
Lowering his lips to hers, the second they touched he was driven wild by the taste of her lip-gloss. It was sweet and fruity, and made him want to sink deeper into the depths of her mouth. God, what he wouldn’t give to stay in for the rest of the night.
Elizabeth loved the feel of his hands in the back of her hair as he controlled the kiss. Escaping would be impossible, since he was keeping her mouth locked to his, as tongues did battle to be victorious.
Finally, he released her. Ethan knew that if he continued, they would be very late. “I love you,” he whispered, staring down into her eyes. “You’re my heart.”
She ran her thumb across his lower lip. “I love you so much, Ethan. I don’t have words.”
Releasing her, he watched as she moved towards Callen and his open arms.
“You look beautiful but then again, you always do,” he whispered, bringing his lips to hers to enjoying the feel of tongue against tongue as they slid in perfect syncopation. It was the rhythm of lovers, and it was a dance as old as time. There could be absolutely no doubt, she was made for both of them.
Elizabeth melted into him, as his hands lifted her by the waist to hold her against him.
As her arms wrapped around his neck, he deepened the kiss and was filled with so much need and want. Those deep desires were limitless when it came to her.
Finally, as Callen lowered her to the ground, he released her mouth. “Next time I get to kiss you first, he hogged all the lip gloss,” Callen said, laughing.
Ethan was strapping on his gun across his thigh, since the Kevlar was blocking his hip. “You snooze, you lose, bro.”
Elizabeth picked up the brush on the bed and moved towards her husband. “Want me to do your braids, handsome?” she asked, as he took a seat in front of her. As she made the long smooth strokes through his hair, he closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her fingers and brush.
After his grandfather had passed away, they’d discovered the bliss of having Elizabeth do this. It was why Ethan was growing his out. This nighttime ritual called to him. It was something reminiscent of the warrior, heading off to battle and his woman preparing him.
It was erotic.
Intimate.
And their little ritual.
As she placed the brush down, her fingers nimbly made one long braid down the back. Tying off the end, she kissed him on the cheek. “You’re all done, sexy.”
He turned to offer her a kiss. “Thank you, baby.”
“Oh look mine fell out,” Callen stated, undoing all of Ethan’s work. “I think it was a hair tie malfunction.”
The men in her life entertained her. “Come here.” Taking her time, she also brushed his with even longer strokes. “Cal, your hair is longer than mine.”
He knew it. When he first had figured out that Elizabeth loved to lie beside him on the couch and play with it while they watched a game, even before they were a couple, he vowed to not cut it. That simple contact had once been his only solace and peace. Now, he had so much more with her, but still cherished the memory of it. “I know you like it.”
“I admit it.”
It was time to talk about work. Elizabeth began focusing them on the night to distract them, and herself, from the need filling the room around them. “Are you both ready?”
Ethan went into work mode. “I am, but we need to discuss a few rules. You keep the com on no matter what. We’re not going to be too far behind you, but we can’t be too close either. Callen’s the best shot at night, so he’s going to be on the tactical gun, just in case.”
She finished one long braid down Callen’s shoulder and moved to the other side. “I think I can manage to follow your instructions. Just keep Callen from shooting me. We both know that he’s easily distracted.”
He laughed as she gave a tug to his hair as if to prove a point. It drew a garbled moan like sound deep from his chest.
“See?”
“I’m just easy,” he corrected her. “There’s a difference.”
Blackhawk wasn’t going to go there.
“I’ll be all over you, angel. No one’s going to get close enough to hurt you. I promise,” he vowed. The brothers had already discussed this earlier.
Elizabeth was priority one.
No matter what.
“If something happens, and you have to escape, just run. One of us will be watching you at all times. If the killer comes after you, break for the trees. We’ll be able to track you and take the bastard out.” Or so Ethan prayed. This was the part of the night that scared him shitless.
“I trust you both,” she replied as she finished Callen’s last braid. “The braiding is all done, my sexy Native braves.”
Tonight, they would be warriors as they tracked, hunted and strived to keep their woman safe.
She climbed off the bed. “Ethan, can you help me hide the com microphone?” she asked, slipping the ear piece into her ear.
“That would be my privilege.” He held it in his hand. “Where do you want it?” he asked, staring at her creamy, full…
“Ethan! Focus,” she stated, and then pointed to her cleavage. “I’m asking you to paw around in there, because Callen can’t handle it.”
He objected, “Oh, I can handle them just fine.”
She laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows lecherously. “You both can, but now I need the one that’s not going to break into a song about melons or coconuts.”
That made Ethan laugh, because he knew his brother was at least thinking it, because so was he.
“Can I at least watch?” Callen asked as he moved closer.
Ethan was going to enjoy this a great deal. As a federal agent, they would often help the team mic up for an undercover assignment, but when it was your wife, it was a whole different ballgame. As Ethan slid his hand into the front of her dress, he moved her breast to the sid
e to attach the com to the inside of the bra. Once it was in place, she allowed his fingers to wander, just for a second longer as he touched and stroked his wife.
It was a little luxury.
He was ashamed that he was blatantly copping a feel while they should be focused on work.
Okay, not really.
Callen was getting all hot and bothered just watching, as tan skin stroked silky flesh. “Christ, I need a really cold shower.”
Ethan did too.
“We better head out, boys. I can’t be naked and rolling around in bed with two men when I have witches to scare into submission.”
Callen popped his earpiece in and walked into the bathroom to see if she was live. When he whispered the filthiest things he could come up with into the com there was a gasp.
“Cal! You repeatedly tell me my mind is dirty? You're worse than me!” Elizabeth stated. She was shocked at what he suggested.
He came out of the bathroom, grinning. She wasn’t telling him anything that he didn't already know.
Ethan popped his in his ear and took her by the hand. “Now we just need to get out of the hotel and to the Denali without everyone thinking we’re crazy, because of how we’re dressed.”
She had an idea. “Let me handle it.”
Both grabbed their side arms, and Callen slung the tactical gun over his shoulder to cross over his chest. Normally, they would have left their weapons in the Denali, but since having two of their vehicles blown up in Cypress Grove, they always kept the guncases where they were safe.
“This better be one hell of a plan,” Callen stated, doubtfully.
At the door, she grinned. “Play along. Okay?”
Did they have any choice?
Walking to the elevator, they got in with another couple. It was funny to watch the man and woman press themselves against the wall as they looked panicked.
Elizabeth smiled reassuringly. “We have a Halloween party.”
Immediately, both people laughed and understood why they were carrying all the guns. When they reached the lobby, the concierge was standing there and stared at them with his mouth wide open. He looked ready to panic and call the cops.
The irony behind that was entertaining.
Elizabeth knew what she needed to do. “We’re going to a Halloween party, can you take our picture?”
The man laughed in relief. “I certainly can, miss. I must say that the gentlemen’s costumes look authentic. I hope they win a prize.”
Ethan elbowed his brother before he could say what he knew was going on in his head. They’d both be winning later.
“Yeah, you’d be amazed at the things you can find online,” she stated.
Callen handed him his phone, and the brothers each took a side of her body, as they wrapped their arms around Elizabeth lovingly.
When they smiled, the man snapped the photo.
It was going in a frame on their mantle. It was one more Blackhawk/Whitefox memory to make them laugh when they were old and in the nursing home.
“Thank you,” she stated. Moving towards the hotel doors, they were almost home free.
Once outside, Ethan began laughing. “You are an evil freaking genius. I never even thought to go with a costume party.”
Callen patted her on the ass. “Yeah, she is,” he stated, grinning.
“You both need to stop thinking that I’m merely your sexy play thing and actually believe that I have some squishy, gray brain matter between my ears. Today isn’t my first day at the rodeo.”
Both men were well aware Elizabeth was very bright, but sexy would always catch their attention first.
Escorting her to the Denali, they had a few stares, and she just kept saying ‘Halloween’ and people would laugh. Yeah, they looked like they were going to a party. Two Feds all in black and a woman dressed like a vampire’s date or some virginal sacrifice was bound to draw attention.
Even they found it funny, as they loaded up for the ride to the store.
Once in the vehicle, Elizabeth could tell the mood had shifted. Both men were definitely lost in thought and worried. She didn't have to ask them why. If the roles were reversed, Elizabeth would be on edge too.
Finally, Callen broke the silence. “Are you sure that we won’t lose her?” he asked nervously. This would be the perfect situation for the killer to strike.
“Over my dead body,” Ethan stated, adamantly. His wife wasn’t going to be taken by this nutjob.
Ever!
Callen took a deep breath and trusted his big brother. Ethan wouldn’t lie, and he sounded pretty certain they could pull it off.
Pulling up to the curb a block from the shop, Ethan glanced over at her. “Be careful tonight and the extraction word is going to be ‘Wyler’. If we hear it, we’re coming in to get you.”
Elizabeth leaned into the back to kiss Callen and then Ethan. “I got it, boys,” she said winking as she hopped out to begin her walk to the shop.
Over the earpiece, they were both trying to outdo themselves with the dirtiest things imaginable. Elizabeth’s blood heated and she grinned. Oh, she would take them both out.
“Boys, can you check the front seat, I seem to have lost something,” she whispered.
There was silence and then Callen’s voice. “What did you lose? I don’t see anything here.”
She grinned. “I believe I’m missing my panties.”
Neither of the men spoke, and she knew she’d won that round. “Don’t mess with me, boys. I know what gets you all worked up.”
Ethan’s voice came over the ear piece with a string of profanities. “You better be kidding,” he said, finally.
“You’ll have to strip search me later to find out.”
As they talked back and forth, she approached the shop door. “Going under, boys, you have my back.”
When she knocked, it was opened by Ares.
“Blessed be, Elizabeth. Welcome and please come in. I need to prep you for tonight’s festivities.”
She entered and took his offered hand. “What do I have to have done to get ready?” she asked, glancing around. “I already dressed as you specified.”
“You need to be smudged. I’m going to do it for you personally.”
Callen’s voice came over the com. “If he smudges anything on you, or leaves a fingerprint, I’ll be beating his witchy ass into the sidewalk.”
It was hard not to laugh when Ethan second that plan. “Sorry, but I’m new at this, so what does that entail?”
He lit the little bundle of sage and blew it out, until it began to smoke. “I just let the smoke coat your body, and wash away the negativity.”
She’d seen Timothy do that a few times and immediately relaxed. “Where’s your wife?”
He smiled as he continued, “She went to pick up two others from our coven. She’ll be back, and then we’ll leave. Please lift the hem of your dress. I need to get your legs and as much of your body as possible.”
Now it was Ethan over the com. “I hope you’re wearing panties, or I’m going to lose my damn mind.”
God, how she wanted to reply and torment him further.
When Ares was finished he stood. “I hope you like your necklace. I do believe it was meant for you.”
She touched her chest. “I do. Callen and Ethan both have excellent taste when it comes to jewelry.”
“I’ll agree with you there. If you ever wish to get a pentagram and convert, we have some lovely ones.”
Yeah, there was a snowball’s chance that was ever happening. She wasn’t really an organized religion kind of gal, even if it was freewheeling like Wicca. Elizabeth worshipped at the temple of ‘shoot first and question it later’, and it had saved her life many times.
Just then the door opened and in walked Artemis and two other wiccans. One was a woman and the other a man. The little blonde looked worried and appeared to be scoping her out, while the man didn't look the least bit impressed.
“I rarely bite,” Elizabeth reassured th
e woman. “I may play a Fed during the day, but I’m just like everyone else the rest of the time.” Yeah, if every normal person had two sexy men wearing tracking gear and guns following them.
The woman finally came forward. “I’m Pandora Bilmore. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Artemis motioned at the man. “This is Finn Williams. He’s been with our coven the longest.”
She shook Pandora’s hand first, and then addressed the man, “Thank you for letting me join you tonight. I have to say that this is going to be an experience. I’ve never been to a circle or a coven meeting.” She’d done a lot of crazy things in her life, like trudge through a swamp, blizzard, and even played stripper. Witch wannabe, well, that was a new one.
“Before we go, we need to make sure you aren’t sneaking any weapons in with you. May I check?” Artemis stated.
Elizabeth was glad she didn't even try to carry a gun. The whole night would have been over before it started. “You may.”
The woman ran her hands over Elizabeth’s sides and legs. When she stared at her chest, she didn't bother. “I doubt you can hide anything in there,” she teased.
Elizabeth got her meaning. “These are courtesy of my third child. They came and never went away.”
“Thank God,” Ethan said over the com. “Remind me to buy EJ whatever the hell he wants.”
“Are you ready?” Ares asked as he grabbed the keys and a box of supplies.
“Are we driving or walking?” she asked, trying to give the men warning.
“We are walking,” he replied, pulling out a blindfold. “I need to cover your eyes, if you don’t mind.”
She didn't stop him as she listened to the men having fun with the idea of doing the same thing to her later. Callen swore he was going to get him some blue scarves for at home too. Since he knew what color Ares was using, it meant that they had visual on her. It reassured her that they were lying in wait and would be ready to make their move.
“You can hold onto me,” stated Artemis as she held out her one arm.
“Me too,” Pandora offered, taking her other arm. “We won’t let you fall,” she promised.
There was a disgruntled sound from Finn Williams as he obviously wasn’t pleased that she was joining them.
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