“God,” Elizabeth muttered as her whole body vibrated.
Ethan dropped to the bed, beside her and watched as his brother dragged their woman up his body.
“Take it off,” he practically hissed, even more wild now that he had watched his brother have his way with Elizabeth.
She pulled the dress from her body and obeyed as both men ran their hands across her skin as she knelt in the center of the bed.
“I want to watch you ride me,” Callen stated, laying back and enjoying the view. When she obeyed, he was filled with even more need. “I want to watch you get off,” he stated, needing to enjoy her breathy moans as she succumbed to the pleasure as she broke apart.
As she began bouncing in his lap, both men stared at her, enthralled. Elizabeth’s breasts enticed, hair waved, and pleasure was found.
“Callen,” she begged, as his hands went to her hips and pulled her down over and over again, driving into that one spot.
Reaching over, Ethan flicked his fingers over her and she ruptured apart. Watching the pleasure was intoxicating. So much, his body had come back to life.
“On your knees, Elizabeth,” Callen ordered, directing her to face Ethan. Both men were going teach her a lesson she wouldn’t ever forget.
Sliding back into her, he watched as Elizabeth took Ethan in her mouth, and began matching his strokes into her body. In that moment, they were one. Each body joined, each soul intermingling as love and family collided and formed one being.
Ethan watched her as his body was more than ready for another release. Her hair was blocking his view of her mouth swallowing him.
“Hair,” he called to Callen, as his brother grabbed it and used it to offer pain and pleasure.
If anything, it turned all three of them on more. Elizabeth’s moans reverberated across Ethan, and Callen fought for as much control as possible.
When his brother dropped his head back and moaned himself, he knew it was done.
Ethan cursed.
Callen exploded.
And then they all tumbled. Each one landing on the bed, parts of their bodies intertwined.
At first, no one spoke, and finally it was Ethan who broke the silence. “Let this be a lesson to you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I’m burning all my damn panties when I get home.”
Callen slapped her on the ass. “Yippee.”
Silence ensued. “I love you both,” Ethan said, as he slid down and curled protectively around her. She moved to his shoulder, and Callen followed. Ethan’s arm was under both of them as Callen’s was over them.
Together, they were one.
Sleep crept up, and one by one each fell into the darkness.
A few hours later, Ethan stood at the hotel window, staring out at the dark. He’d been pulled from sleep by an uneasy feeling and couldn’t escape the worry.
Before long, there was a touch to his arm, and he turned to find his brother beside him.
“Are you okay?” he asked, as he suspected his brother was having the same feelings of being very off balance.
“No. You?”
Callen shook his head. “Something’s coming.”
There was no doubt in his mind. “I know.”
“Are we going to survive it?” Callen inquired, wondering how bad it was going to be.
Ethan reassured him by dropping his arm over his shoulder. “We always do, Cal. We always do.”
This time, as they stared out into the darkness, they doubted that was going to hold true.
It was coming.
And both men doubted that life would be the same again.
~ Chapter Thirteen ~
Friday Morning
Three Days until Halloween
Elizabeth considered herself pretty intuitive. She could tell when the men were off balance, and they were definitely stirred up today. As she woke, Elizabeth found them both already awake and staring at her. Where she expected more sex, she was surprised when it simply turned out to be a moment of cuddling and expressing their love for each other.
Ethan shared his adoration for her and his brother.
Callen was vocal about his undying devotion to them both.
Even Elizabeth professed her love for the men who owned her heart.
They stayed in bed until the last few moments, playing with hair, rings and simply holding hands. It should have worried Elizabeth, but in her heart, she had to believe that they would keep her safe. If the killer tried for her, the men in her life would risk it all to be her shield.
In return, she’d die for them too.
The moment that they shared was due to the culmination of stress and pressure on each of their shoulders. Their roles were clearly defined. Ethan needed to ‘see’ the killer to help show her. Elizabeth needed to put it all together and stop him, and Callen was acting as body guard, to keep her safe while his brother was distracted.
Before they left the room, they embraced. Each placing a forehead against the others, as they wrapped their arms around each other.
“We’re the musketeers,” Elizabeth offered, knowing they’d stand as one.
“We’re unbreakable,” Ethan stated, knowing it was true.
Callen had no doubt. “The Blackhawks survive it all.”
Then, they walked out the door to face whatever waited for them. They would do it as a team, because that’s ultimately what they were.
Once at the morgue office, they waited for the morning meeting to commence. Since the team was running late, Ethan decided to give Elizabeth everything that he had for the profile.
He knew her life would depend on them remaining one step ahead.
“What do we have, Cowboy?” she asked, sitting on the table with her booted feet swinging beneath her.
Blackhawk began, “Your killer is going to be between thirty and forty. I tossed around younger, but he’s too methodical. He’s tracking, planning and evolving. Young men make mistakes. Older ones can make them but correct them.”
Callen was entering information as his brother talked, to assure that they got it all. He wasn’t sure what kind of notes his brother made, or if he kept most of the information in his head.
“He’s going to be Caucasian. I don’t think that has anything to do with the town anymore. If we had a minority poaching for victims then they too would be white, since that’s the pool of women. I just really believe that the killer relates to these women on some level. I think we need to start there.”
Elizabeth crossed to the white board and began scribbling down the things that were coming to her mind. She was taking Ethan’s insight and her gut and mixing them together. It was part of her process.
“He’s going to be blue to white collar, but I would say that he definitely holds a job, or he’d be taking victims during the day too. All his kills happened under cover of darkness. So, he’s probably a ‘nine to fiver’.”
That reassured Elizabeth that they wouldn’t have a kill until possibly later. It bought them time. “Why does he want me here? We have no connection to Circle Rock.”
Ethan tucked a pen behind his ear. “A killer like this craves attention. He figures that you’re big in the news now, so if he grabs your attention, he will then have the spotlight too.”
“Fame by proxy?” asked Callen.
“Yes.”
Wasn’t that just great? Right then and there, Elizabeth swore that she was never doing another media interview again.
Ethan continued, “Plus you’re beautiful. Let’s face it, Elizabeth; you’re sexy, you’re full of life, and you’re smart. He has probably studied you and found the package very attractive. In fact, if he’s been watching you then he’s been watching us too.”
That completely creeped her out. If he was stalking her, that meant he was observing her children too. If there was one thing that could cause her to freak out, it was her babies at risk.
“We’ve had to be his subject for a while. He’s killing a raven at the crime scenes. In order for him to kno
w that’s you, he’s had to observe us in action. I’m betting he’s been at our home too. We have that totem right outside the house. I’m guessing that the blood is symbolic. He’s taking the head off the raven and making it bleed, and that’s his plan with you.”
“Great.”
Callen glanced up. No freaking wonder his brother couldn’t sleep last night. All this terror was bouncing around in his head. Callen was suddenly grateful that he wasn’t a profiler. How Ethan lived in that darkness all the time was astounding.
“I wouldn’t doubt that he came to find you, and stalked our private lives to find out the intimate details.”
“Oh my God, our kids,” she whispered in panic.
Ethan reassured her, “When I figured this out, I had the situation taken care of immediately. Dad is safe and so are the children. I have agents outside the house, and one inside after four at night. If he’s going to try, he’s in for a surprise. Plus, dad is toting around a shot gun. Wyler’s been told to shoot anyone that doesn’t call and ask for access first, plus he’s camping out in the nursery with all three of our children.”
“Thank you.”
He was glad that he could give Elizabeth that little measure of peace. Ethan knew that if she was scattered while trying to focus, it could cost her everything and in the process, them too. Offering her this was the least that he could do.
Callen didn't like the idea that their kids were at risk. “What else do you have, Ethan?”
“The killer wants approval. It starts with his need to have power. When you have an ‘invisible’ man, the one thing that he’s going to crave is power. It will help him stand out in life. A weak man wants to be strong and have the ultimate woman. Now that he has your attention, he’s happy. Once he gets you and offers you up to Satan on his altar, he’ll have his approval. He can’t have one without the other in his mind.”
“Why is he killing witches?” Callen asked.
“It’s most likely he relates to them in some way, plus they’re an easy victim pool. If those women were walking through the woods alone at night, they could be taken without anyone noticing.”
Callen agreed. “All he would have to do is knock one out and carry her through the trees. Ethan carried you all the way out without breaking a sweat.”
She pondered it. “I’m with you so far.”
Ethan continued, “He may also fit in with the coven too. He could be part of their group or wants to be part of it. That may be why the mix of altars.”
Elizabeth thought about the satanic powder mixed with the Wiccan elements. “Okay.”
“Most likely,” Ethan started, “he’s meek and easygoing in life. He’s going to be one of those unobtrusive men who just blend in, and they never suspect that he’s dangerous. They won’t even notice that he’s preying on them.”
“So he’s walking among them.”
Ethan nodded. “Or at one time he did. He may not fit in there now, so he’s gone searching for something more. Maybe he visited the Church of Satan and connected with the bullshit they were spewing.”
“I wish we had a membership list,” Elizabeth said. “It would make this easier.”
Callen went with optimism. “We have the recordings of the services. We can have someone begin to comb through them. They can try to find anyone on our list of suspects.”
She snickered and then hoped he didn't think it was directed at him. “It’s a short list, Cal. I’m laughing at that, not your suggestion. Send a text to Christina. I want someone with good eyes on those videos.”
“Give me everyone on your list. I’ll send over their official driver’s licenses for the lucky person who draws this assignment.”
Ethan started to work his way through them. “At the top of the list is Arlen James. Even though he’s a con man, he may have gone a little too far to prove that he’s tied to the Devil. They use the same Demon powder and that might be our link.”
She agreed with him on that. “I have a problem with Officer Marsh. Our buddy Greg has had two notes turn up on his windshield.”
Callen didn't get it. “Officer Murphy had one too.”
Ethan understood where she was heading with it. “Yeah, but the killer went to the coffee shop, and then all of the sudden he found Marsh at the gym? It’s suspicious. How easy would it be to give the first note to his co-worker, since he knew his schedule? Then for the next two tag himself. No one sees anything, and before you know it, he’s invisible again.”
Now, he got it. “Okay, we have Arlen James and Officer Marsh on our short lists. Who else?”
“That’s it. We have the Satan lover on ice in jail. If there are any more killings, then we know he’s not doing it.” Elizabeth hoped the murders were done, and she could go home.
Ethan added some more, “Our suspect is going to be fairly strong. He may work out. He’s able to handle these women and not get a scratch on him. Granted, they aren’t tough and tall like Elizabeth, but a woman about to die is going to fight.”
“Officer Marsh stated that he goes to the gym,” Elizabeth added. “So, as of right now, he’s the main suspect.”
“Ethan, tell us about him mentally and personally. I don’t see it like you do, and I need someone to hold my hand through this,” Callen asked.
He didn't mind. Sometimes he wished he didn't see it the way he did too. “He’s an outsider, socially inept, and can’t assimilate. If he is married, then his wife is likely the boss. If he’s not married, he’ll have social issues with strong women. He’ll be drawn to them, but he’ll hate them at the same time.”
“That’s why he’s focused on Elizabeth isn’t it?” Callen needed to know. “He wants her because she turns him on, but she also repulses him at the same time?”
“Hey!”
Ethan snickered. “Yes, that’s exactly it. He hasn’t been sexually assaulting the women, because he likely can’t get it up. Now, with Elizabeth, she probably stimulates him. He sees her as the prize, since she brings life back into his body.”
“Yippee. Go me,” she laughed, trying to reassure them. “Boys, he’s not taking me. No worries. No one’s dipping their quill in my well but love bug and stud muffin.”
Callen started laughing. “I want a redo on that nickname. I can’t believe that’s the one that you picked for me.”
“The names just happen, Cal. I don’t preplan them, so suck it up,” she replied, winking at him.
“It fits you, bro,” Ethan stated and then refocused. “Our suspect is borderline impotent, until the right woman comes along.”
“Awww, the poor guy can’t get it up,” she paused. “Didn't we find a shitload of Viagra at the church of Satan?” she asked.
“Yes, we did.”
Now, her wheels were turning. “He was probably drugged up at the church and that’s why he believes this is the path he needs to be on. He’s relating sex to the devil.”
“I agree with you. In his mind, he thinks that his issues are solved because of Satan.”
“It’s creepy and dark,” Callen added. “The women that are participating are likely the only females he can get.”
She wiggled her eyebrows at the men lecherously. “Hey baby, wanna come over to my altar and let me sacrifice you to Satan?”
Callen started laughing at the way she said it. “Damn, I should have used that pick up line on you, Elizabeth.”
She whipped a pen at him.
Ethan absolutely loved them both. Here they were neck deep in death and still trying to lighten it with levity. “Here’s the point that bothers me most. He actually believes in Satan, so that means he likely believes he hears his voice. That might mean he has schizophrenia and can be psychotic.”
Callen stared at him. This whole conversation was making him sick to his stomach. The idea that someone, total crazy, was focused on Elizabeth had him scared shitless. “And?”
She picked it up. “There won’t be a court to convict him on anything but insanity. When we bring him in, he won’t
do hard time.”
Sadly, in the justice system this happened.
Callen didn't need to worry about a court of law. “If he touches you, Elizabeth, he won’t be going to jail.”
“I agree. I’ll cross that line and execute him in cold blood. I know it’s wrong, but if so much as one hair of your head is messed up after this, he’s finished.”
His comment surprised her. Ethan was by the book and bled for the FBI. What he had just said was something reminiscent of what she would say and do. Wow, the lines were getting blurry.
“Boys, I’ll be fine.”
Callen prayed that she was right. “I’m just making it perfectly clear. That’s all.”
“Off the record and between the three of us, I’ll say this once,” Ethan began. “I would feel better if he was dead.”
That meant a lot that Ethan would even say such a thing out loud. He was a firm believer in justice and the law, but he was close to the edge. “If he goes to an institution, there’s always the chance that he will escape. If he breaks out, chances are that he is well aware of where we live.”
They both knew what had him so concerned. Ten years down the road, the nut would end up on their porch waiting for her.
Silence descended on the room, as they all fought to adjust to the idea that justice might not be enough.
When was it acceptable to bend the law?
Finally, Elizabeth spoke. “Okay, so we have an insignificant man trying to appear important.” There was no point dwelling on what they were going to do when they caught him, if they couldn’t find him first. She would cross that bridge when she came to it.
“He believes Satan is the route to that happiness and since Wicca offered some power, Satanism would give him even more.”
“Yeah, kiss the competency hearing goodbye. He’s crackers,” stated Elizabeth.
“He won’t be the first or the last.”
She glanced down at her watch at the knock on the door. In peeked Christina and she was looking nervous.
“I’m sorry that I’m late,” she said as she entered when Ethan waved her inside.
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