Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11)

by Morgan Kelley

  Elizabeth was already processing everything. “When are you doing the autopsy?”

  “I’ll be conducting it first thing in the morning. Should I expect company?” he asked.

  “Yeah, we’ll be there for a little while. Then I have to break down some frat boys. I’ll take both men for that. They love when I make the opposite sex cry.”

  “We’re weak. What can I say?” Ethan added.

  Chris laughed. “I’ll wait until you arrive before I start. I know how much you love a good Y-incision first thing in the morning.”

  “Ah, Chris, you do know your boss so well.”

  He motioned to the remaining techs to load up the victim. He wanted to get them back to the morgue so they could start working on the trace.

  When he was gone, Ethan glanced down at his watch. “What’s next? It’s nearly midnight.”

  She glanced over at their escalade and Callen standing guard to keep the nosey college reporter at bay. “We have to deal with Madden and Seaton. If we look like we’re not seriously interviewing them, we’ll have issues.”

  He agreed. “How about we do interrogation over coffee at that little diner? Chances are it’s going to be relatively quiet, and the few people there might not know what’s going on.”

  She was good with that.

  It looked like they weren’t going to be getting any sleep that night. It was probably a good thing that she was still used to having a newborn. Frankly, shut eye was overrated. Give her caffeine and sugar any day.

  As they headed to the Escalade, she motioned to Callen. He hopped in the front, so she could sit in the back with their agents. “Are you two okay?” she asked.

  As they pulled away, the transformation occurred. Johanna didn't look like a scared little girl anymore, but Brody still held her in his arms.

  It spoke volumes.

  “Yeah, we’re fine,” he stated. “Where are we going?”

  “Interrogation,” she said, knowing that they’d understand. “We have to make it look good. That damn college reporter is all over you, Madden.”

  Johanna was well aware, and she explained what had happened the other day outside her dorm.

  Brody looked pissed. “You should have told me,” he stated. “I don’t like some creep putting his hands all over you.”

  Johanna blew it off. “He wants a story. He’s a leech, and nothing more.”

  It still pissed him off. Brody knew he was going to have to up his game a little more. He couldn’t risk leaving Joey alone with some creep. It went against everything he knew to be right. She was his girl, and he was supposed to keep her safe.

  Pulling into the diner, they all piled out. Inside, they ordered coffee and pie.

  As soon as the waitress left their dessert and coffee, Johanna broke everything down for them. When she was finished, everyone took a minute to let it all sink in.

  This had the makings of a huge mess.

  “You have to watch your back until we know who we fished from the pond. There wasn’t a party, so for all we know this may not be related.” If that was true, this is where it got complicated. She had to hope this wasn’t some sick copycat. If it was, they were privy to way too many details. They might have a leak.

  “I didn't see her face. Do you have a picture?” she asked.

  Elizabeth texted Meredith and within seconds, one of the pictures arrived to her tablet. She turned it around and showed her agent.

  “Shit! She’s one of the sorority girls. Her name is Page Pinel, and she wasn’t nearly as trashy as the others,” she stated. “I didn't mean that to sound as bad as it did, Directors. It’s just being embedded with a floor full of sorority girls is hell.”

  Ethan made notes, and then sent them to Chris for identification.

  “I hear you. I’d rather eat my own spleen than play sorority girl.”

  Callen pushed his pie away. “Great. Thanks for that visual.”

  She winked at her agents. “Mmm…pie.”

  Stealing some of his dessert, she focused on her agents. “You need to be careful.” Then she told them about the shed behind the frat house.

  “I doubt that Arman even knows how to use a lawnmower,” stated Brody. He was fascinated with how his three bosses shared their pie, without even saying a word. They were a well-oiled machine. This was definitely the kind of easy relationship he wanted with Johanna.

  It appealed to him.

  Elizabeth understood, but she had a bigger issue to worry about. “You saw him in class. He loved pointing out that he’s smarter than I am. This could be one hell of a setup.”

  Ethan picked up where she left off because he’d already been thinking about this. “This is too coincidental. We think it’s the frat boys, and voila! A crime scene shows up right behind their place.”

  The agents thought about it.

  Finally, Brody got it. “You think that if it’s him, he’s intentionally pointing this at himself?”

  She nodded. “The most obvious person is seldom the guilty one. Who would make themselves look guilty? I’m going to bet that by tomorrow, that basement is spotless, the door is unlocked, and all five of his circle have airtight alibis. Want to bet they use each other?”

  They knew how hard it would be to break them too. The brothers would stick together no matter what.

  Brody thought about it. “He’d love yanking your chain. He’d want to screw you physically and mentally. Women are nothing to him.”

  Both Ethan and Callen tensed.

  “Yeah, you’re going nowhere by yourself,” Callen stated. “That’s happening over my dead body.”

  Blackhawk agreed but with one caveat. “She has to be the one who confronts him. He’ll be offended that some woman had the audacity to come at him. He’s smarter, better, richer, and untouchable.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about our agents. They’re unarmed and undercover.”

  “Ma’am?” Brody said, knowing he needed to say something, even if it wasn’t going to go over well with them or Johanna.

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t trust Jason Blaise. He’s gung-ho, and I’m sure a great agent, but he doesn’t give a rat’s ass that Joey is wearing the target. I’d like permission to stick close.”

  Ethan lifted a brow. “How close are we talking?” he asked. “You’re supposed to be trolling for babes. How are you going to manage that?”

  Brody shrugged. “She’s the only one I’m chasing down.”

  She gasped, giving him the look. “Brody!”

  He laid it out on the table. “I need to ask something, and it’s got to be off the record,” he stated. When no one objected, he continued, “What are my chances of getting Johanna reassigned as my partner? Heidi is a good agent, but she’s not a good fit for me. We’re not meshing, and I would really like Joey back.”

  She stared at him as if he was crazy. Why the hell was he bringing this up with the bosses?

  They had other issues to worry about right now.

  This wasn’t a priority.

  Elizabeth stared at the two agents. One was freaked out, and the other was standing his ground. It said a lot about the two of them—maybe more than they thought.

  Ethan leaned back in the booth. “You know there are rules, right?”

  “Yes, I do, and we’ve broken them. I’ll be the first to admit that we’ve slept together. Yes, we’re going to keep doing it, but I think we can prove that we’re able to work well together at the same time.”

  Johanna was appalled. “This is my worst nightmare,” she mumbled.

  “Look at you three,” Brody began. “You’re a happy couple, and you still manage to make it work. I want to prove we can pull this off too.”

  She stared at him. “Brody! Are you trying to get us killed?” she hissed. While everyone knew the bosses were a threesome, you didn't point it out. It was just the unspoken rule.

  “Good point,” Ethan stated.

  Callen kept his mouth shut. This was always his
big concern. He didn't want his family to suffer because they came out of the closet for his heart.

  “When did you start sleeping together?” Elizabeth asked. “Was it when you screwed up and missed evidence that nearly got Doctor Magnus killed?”

  Brody knew he had to go all in on this one. He was fighting for their relationship. There was no time to back down or lie.

  “No, ma’am. It was the last case where we all went out together. I know your concern, but I think we can pull it off. I’m asking for a chance to prove it.”

  Callen and Ethan said nothing. They both knew this was a slippery slope. After all, they were a couple, and that wasn’t exactly something the FBI accepted. The only reason they could stay together as partners was they closed cases, and they kept it out of public eye.

  “Are you going to get married?”

  Johanna actually dropped her fork. “Jesus. I have to be dreaming. My sex life is being discussed over coffee, the man I’ve slept with has lost his mind, and now we’re discussing a wedding like I’m not here.”

  Callen hid a grin behind his coffee cup.

  “One day.”

  Johanna stared over at him. “Do I get any say in this?”

  Brody kissed her on the cheek. “When I ask, yeah, you get to make the final decision.”

  Joey stared openmouthed.

  “Do you want to be his partner?” Elizabeth asked. “It has to be both of you, or I’m not putting my neck on the line. It also has to be kept out of the workplace.” They’d had a similar situation with some of Greyson Croft’s staff, and that was working out just fine.

  He stared at her. “Well, Joey? I told you this was all going to come down to you. You get the final say.”

  This was the defining moment.

  While she still didn't get why he wanted her as much as he did, especially when he could have any woman in the world, she wanted to believe they had a chance.

  Johanna needed to believe it.

  “I miss him. I made a horrible mistake of walking away, and I would like rectify it, ma’am.”

  “We’re off duty. You can call me Elizabeth. If I’m going to ask questions about your sex life, you should call me by my name.”

  Brody grinned. He was so damn happy at what was happening. “Do we get to ask about yours?”

  Johanna kicked him under the table, and he winced.

  “There’s your answer. Here’s the deal. We’ll vote, if you don’t screw up this assignment, and you can promise to keep it low key, I’ll handle it.”

  Elizabeth looked over at Callen. He was the easy one. The man was pretty mushy when it came to romance. Plus, he didn't stress the future. He lived in the now.

  “I trust them.”

  She glanced over at Ethan. He was the rules guy, and if someone was going to veto, it would be him. She wouldn’t be upset if he did because the weight of FBI West was on his shoulders. “Cupid is rarely wrong,” he offered, kissing his wife on the forehead.

  “Then I now pronounce you partner and partner. The second marriage comes into play, you need to let us know. That’s a slippery slope, and I have to work through that with Gabriel Rothschild.”

  Although, after this clusterfuck, he owed her—despite what she said earlier about debts.

  “Thank you, Elizabeth,” Broderick said, knowing this wasn’t the first time she went to bat for him. He appreciated it.

  “You’re our agents. We want you happy, but safe. If this gets in the way of either of those things, you’re split up, and it won’t ever be back together again, Humpty Dumpty.”

  They got it.

  Ethan lifted a brow. “Can we not tell your partners yet? I have to figure out some issues.”

  They agreed.

  Jason Blaise would be easy. Gabe was already approving his transfer, but Heidi was a good agent, and she didn't deserve to be booted out of FBI West. Blackhawk needed to find her a new partner for the field.

  “Let’s get back to the job. As of tonight, my cover is officially blown here,” stated Elizabeth. “So, I’m going hardcore on it. I’m going to have to find this killer, and fast. I find it entertaining that I school Arman this morning, and tonight the pattern switches up. It’s like he’s screwing with me.”

  “He might be,” Ethan offered.

  “Well, at least now I can blow off the guest speaking gig.”

  Brody finished his coffee. “You were good at it. You had everyone enthralled, especially all the guys and the professor. He was checking out your ass.”

  Callen choked on his pie.

  Elizabeth had to pat him on the back.

  “What?”

  She laughed. “Hey! You’re hot for teacher. It’s obviously a popular fantasy.”

  Blackhawk laughed when his brother stared at her.

  “Wait until I get you alone.”

  She snorted. “Okay, well, I’m going to be in the field all day tomorrow. At some point, I may drop in at your dorm, Johanna. I want to get a feel for the victims.”

  She laughed. “Sorority girls are like sharks. One dies, they dump her stuff and a new one moves in. I feel like I’m in some horror movie. I’m actually afraid to go to sleep at night. One of the pod people might be standing at the foot of my bed.”

  Elizabeth got that. She’d be freaked too.

  “If you need me, call. Just make sure you have your asses covered. You’re in just as much danger too, Broderick. Arman is very smart, and right now, I have him freaked out. I want you to go back there tomorrow and look around.”

  He nodded. “I can do that.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  He laughed, “Yeah, no you won’t. The second they think you’ve been bagged, they’re going to want to get you into their lair and do unspeakable things to you.”

  “Can we get a lair?” Callen asked, getting a fist bump from his brother as he tried to lighten the mood.

  The second they lifted their arms, she elbowed them both in the ribs.

  They hissed.

  “As I was saying, snoop around. If I’m right, they’re going to open up that basement. It’ll be temporary. Once I interview tomorrow, they’ll lock it back up. If this is some sick game, then they’ll be desperate to play again. He won’t let little ol’ me slow him down.”

  Blackhawk motioned to the waitress, getting the bill. He paid, and they all stood.

  “Watch your backs,” she ordered.

  As they headed out, Brody remained protectively at his partner’s side. Even when they dropped them off in front of her dorm, he didn't relent.

  “He’s madly in love,” Callen stated. “You can see it in his eyes.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “This could get messy.”

  She didn't doubt it would, but that was life. “Let’s head back to the apartment. I want to get this on the board and work it for a while.”

  “Your wish is our command.”

  With that, they pulled away.

  Brody waited for them leave. “I’ll walk you upstairs,” he said, refusing to leave her alone.

  She didn't fight him. Johanna was still in shock. Not only did she get her partner back, but they’d admitted their sex life in front of all three directors.

  It was appalling.

  And it heated her blood.

  All the way up in the elevator, neither spoke, and when they reached her door at the end of the hall, Brody waited until she unlocked it before he dropped the bomb. “I’m staying until morning.”

  She stared at him. “Uh, how do you plan on explaining that?”

  “I’ll inform the frat boys, if they ask, that I was out trying to get laid. Unfortunately, you’re frigid like the ice queen,” he teased, hoping to get her to laugh. “I’ve really had to work hard to get into your pants. I deserve one hell of a medal.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re funny for a guy not getting any game.”

  Yeah, speaking of which…

  Moving closer, he slid his hand to the back of her neck
. What he really wanted was to taste her again. “Joey,” he whispered, his mouth moving close to hers. “Please let me stay with you tonight,” he begged, knowing if he had to leave, he’d never make it through the night. His body was tense, tight, and needed her touch.

  Now that he knew why she walked away, and it didn't bother him, Johanna wasn’t afraid. Brody would stick. All the fears that she’d forever be alone drifted away. After all, he’d done everything right.

  He deserved tonight.

  She didn't answer. Instead, she moved against him, sealing her mouth against his. Brody’s low guttural moan nearly lit her on fire. As she took all he had to offer, he lovingly held her against him.

  Then she broke away—much to his surprise.

  Normally, he was the aggressive one, chasing her down, but now, Johanna wanted him.

  Stepping back, she pulled the sweater from her body, revealing that she wore nothing beneath.

  His heart pounded. “God, I love your body,” he muttered, as she dropped her skirt to stand there in just a pair of pink girly panties.

  “You’re over dressed, Brody,” she whispered.

  He got the hint. Pulling off his shirt, his hands went to the buckle of his belt, only she stopped him. “I’ll help you,” she purred, her mouth moving against his jaw as her fingers brushed his flesh.

  Brody shook. It now looked like Johanna was giving him a gift. Honestly, he never truly believed that this day would happen.

  He’d given up hope, but he was wrong.

  Here it was.

  Her fingers teased him as she slowly lowered the zipper on his jeans. The audible hiss filled the room, only matched by the quickening of his breath.

  He didn't want to blink, so he wouldn’t miss a second of what was coming.

  When she got him free of his jeans, Johanna gently stroked him with chilly fingers. If it bothered him, Brody didn't let on. “I’ve missed you,” she admitted. “I’ve missed this between us.”

  He knew how she felt.

  This was the most amazing thing in the world, and it was finally happening after months of misery. “Please, Joey. Please don’t stop.”