Act of Blood (An FBI/Romance Thriller ~ Book 16)

by Kelley, Morgan

  And they’d managed to lose Ethan.

  Priceless.

  They had one job to do, and they’d dropped the ball on this one. She didn’t know whether to laugh or kick their asses for being inept.

  “Sir! How did you leave base?” asked his personal guard, Joshua.

  Ethan grinned.

  Yeah, he wasn’t telling them that.

  No freaking way.

  He may need to use it again.

  “You tell me,” Ethan stated.

  The glib comment was all it took. The guard focused on Elizabeth, and it was clear who was going to feel the wrath.

  Her.

  “This was all your doing. You’re the troublemaker. Why am I not shocked that you risked his life for something so childish and dangerous.”

  She went to make a comment, but she didn’t have a chance to get it out. Ethan went from smiling to angry in seconds.

  “Excuse me?” he asked.

  There was no way ANYONE was going to talk to his wife like that. It didn’t fly with him and Callen, and it wasn’t going to work for some dick hired by the US government.

  “Would you care to repeat that?” he asked.

  Elizabeth heard it in his voice. Ethan was about to blow. She was glad she wasn’t on the other side of that gaze. When it came to his temper, he could throw down with the best of them. While he looked calm and mild mannered on the outside, when he was pissed, heads would roll.

  Ethan made Gabe look tame.

  “Sir, I simply meant that she’s the one who is always trying to lose us. You at least let us do our jobs.”

  “SHE is my wife. SHE has a name. In fact, let me take that one step further. SHE is the queen of this fucking castle. If my wife wants to spray paint the place purple and paint obscenities on it, you’re going to let her. If she wants to make your life miserable, then she can. Am I clear?” he asked, moving closer to the man.

  At least Joshua had the common sense to take a step back.

  “As for her breaking the rules tonight, she had NOTHING to do with it. Before they slapped me with this title, I was known to raise a little hell myself. If anything, I’m the one you should be accusing, so have at it.”

  No one spoke.

  No one dared.

  “Come on. You were more than willing to point your shitty comments at Elizabeth. I think you should have the balls to direct them at me.”

  Ethan was challenging the four men to say anything more about his wife.

  No one spoke.

  “I didn’t think so. For the record, I may be Deputy Director, but I answer to her. From here on out, if I ever hear you talk to MY WIFE that way again, I’ll not only get you removed from this security detail, I’ll physically remove you from this life.”

  The men said nothing.

  “If we’re done, I’m going to go have coffee with my wife, and we’ll see you for transport in a little while to the office.”

  The men moved out of his way.

  When they were clear, Elizabeth grabbed his ass. “That was totally hot, that I don’t even know what to do with myself. I love when you get all prickly with the security.”

  His demeanor changed the second he was focused on her. “From this day out, I’m going to try to be the old Ethan too. He was fun, and I’ve missed him.”

  “I really miss that bad boy. Let’s break the law some more, Cowboy.”

  He stopped outside the house and pulled her into his arms. While everyone stared, he kissed her.

  It was one of those full blown, ‘we’re going to have wild sex on the floor’ kisses.

  Ethan didn’t care who gawked.

  Screw them.

  When he set her free, she licked her lips. “I don’t remember my name or how to get home. All I know is I have to get there because my panties are really wet.”

  He laughed as he swept her into his arms to carry her up the stairs and into their home.

  “I can help you with all of the above.”

  She was damn glad for that.

  Inside the kitchen, they found Callen sitting at the table and he looked perplexed.

  “Hey, Callen James. Did you miss us?” she asked.

  Ethan put her down so she could go to her other husband. When he stood, he was smiling.

  “Did I miss you? Like you wouldn’t believe. I couldn’t sleep without you both. Christopher Anthony took tonight to sleep through the whole night, and I was forced to stare at the ceiling for most of it.”

  She went into his body and nuzzled his t-shirt clad chest.

  “We missed you.”

  “Camping?” he asked, pulling some cornhusk from her hair.

  Ethan laughed. “Oh, yeah.”

  When Ethan went to get them coffee, she took a seat in Callen’s lap. It was right where she wanted to be—well, next to naked with the men in her life.

  “What are you working on?” she asked.

  “Last night, I made a decision right after you both headed out.”

  “What?” Ethan asked, putting coffee down for the three of them.

  “I sent Leslie an email. I’m going to be meeting with her and the team this week to discuss my options. I’m pretty sure I’m done. I’ve asked to be let out of the contract since she breached the previous one.”

  “Oh,” stated Elizabeth.

  “That’s it?” he asked.

  Ethan sipped his coffee. “Well, are you leaving because you don’t want to write, or are you leaving because you’re afraid your next book won’t be as good? There’s a difference.”

  “And that was why I was up most of the night—other than missing you both.”

  Ethan totally got it. “Well?”

  Callen sighed.

  That said it all.

  “I just don’t want to see you lose out on this, Callen. You’re an excellent writer, and you’re gifted. If you quit, you might not always get the chance to go back.”

  He was aware.

  “I think I’ll just dump Leslie and go to the publisher. I don’t need an agent anymore. I still have that sick feeling though,” he admitted.

  “What is it?”

  “What if I can’t come up with the next book? What if I’m a two shot wonder?”

  Neither believed that.

  “Callen James, you’re gifted. This is the beginning of a long road for you. I can tell.”

  He wished he believed that.

  “I’ll think about it after the next two books come out with the publisher.”

  That was all they could ask. They couldn’t force him to do it, and they never would. While the money was nice, and it cemented their futures, it wasn’t worth Callen’s happiness.

  Nothing was.

  “I missed you,” he said, changing the subject.

  Oh, she missed him too.

  “I have good news and bad news,” she said, wiggling in his lap.

  Callen was trying to focus, but it wasn’t easy.

  His wife turned him on, and all that was between them were her cargo pants and his pajama bottoms. He was already hard, and he knew what he wanted to do before work.

  “I’ll take the bad news,” he said, as she set his hair free to play in the long silky strands.

  “When we got here, the media was already circling outside the house. Once the sun comes up, it’s going to be worse.”

  “And?”

  “You can’t come out in the field with me today. You’re going to be riding a desk with some agents and Livy.”

  He stared at her. “That’s not bad news, that’s horrible. Who will have your back?”

  “Yeah?” Ethan asked.

  “Seaton or Madden. I’m not going out alone, but we can’t have you drawing attention, and do you really want them creating a mystery of their own? The last thing we need is to play it up for the killer, don’t you agree, Ethan?”

  He thought about it.

  “She’s right. This killer is looking for drama. It’s best you lay low.”

  He hated t
hat.

  “It’s temporary, right? You’re not ditching me, are you?” he asked her. There was that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that once he left the field, he’d never get her back.

  She kissed him, and as their tongues tangled, his dick got really hard.

  Hell no!

  She’d never leave him behind.

  “Just lay low a few days, maybe only one. I promise that you and I will be back together, and soon.”

  He believed her.

  “I love you. What’s the good news?”

  “I need a shower, and I happen to be in the mood to be sandwiched between two soapy Natives. Know any who want to play some kinky water games?”

  They both grinned.

  Elizabeth headed toward the stairs, shaking her ass. Both men were mesmerized by that action. They knew what was coming.

  Ethan held out his hand. “Rock, paper, scissors?” he asked. “To see who jumps her first?”

  He laughed. “Hell yeah!”

  Ethan won, and he rubbed his hands together. I can’t freaking wait,” he said, chugging his coffee.

  “Boys, hurry up. You don’t make a horny wife wait. She might change her mind.”

  No one wanted that.

  So they gave chase.

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  Maeve Kelley’s

  Home

  When he woke up beside her, Maeve was curled against his body. She was watching him with bright green eyes. He was having a hard time focusing.

  “Morning,” he said, dropping a kiss onto her lips. “Did you sleep well?”

  She laughed. “Old my ass. You’re more spry than most the men my age.”

  He grinned. “I’m a Blackhawk. We have a high standard to live up to,” Wyler stated.

  “Want me to make you breakfast?” she asked.

  He stopped her from getting out of bed. “No, Maeve.”

  She didn’t move.

  “I’m going to teach you how to make fry bread, and then I’ll help you make breakfast. It’s really good with jam.”

  She relaxed. “Why?”

  “If we’re going to be spending time together, then I need you to understand my culture.”

  “Time together?” she asked.

  “This wasn’t a two night stand. I’m way too old for them. I hope you’ll see me again, and I don’t mean as we’re chasing my grandchildren.”

  She ran her fingers over the tattoo over his heart. “Who’s EB?” she asked.

  He touched the scar. “When I finally got my sons back, I was nearly killed by my third son.”

  Her eyes went large. “You had three?”

  Wyler nodded. “I never knew he existed. When he came back, it was to kill me and my boys. He didn’t succeed.”

  “Who stopped him?”

  “EB. This tattoo is for the one who saved us all—Elizabeth Blackhawk.”

  Maeve’s face softened. “I really like her. She’s a free spirit, and she reminds me of my sisters.”

  “I hope you do like her because she’s very important to our family. We don’t compromise on that. Family is very important to Natives. Before my father passed, he left the family to her—not one of us men, but to Elizabeth. That says it all. She’s the core of our unit, and whoever comes into my life has to respect her.”

  There was Maeve’s warning.

  Desdemona had been given the same warning by Callen, and now he was doing the same to the woman he was ‘seeing’. If that was what it was called these days.

  “Well, I do like her, so you don’t have to worry about that. How about you teach me how to make fry bread? I think the kids will like it. What else can you put on it?” she asked, pulling on Wyler’s t-shirt.

  He was watching her, and he couldn’t help but grin. Wyler was pretty sure he had made the right choice. Maeve Kelley mattered.

  She was special.

  Maeve swore her heart melted. That one look could melt an artic snowcap.

  “Anything you want. Elizabeth likes strawberry jam. She ate it all the time when she was pregnant with EJ.”

  She held out her hand. “Then let’s go. I want to learn everything I can about your culture, and your family.”

  He could do that.

  In fact, for the first time, in a long time, he wanted to do just that.

  It was time to stop being alone.

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  Gabriel Rothschild’s

  Home

  He was nervous as hell, and he didn’t know what to do with it. Today was the day his wife was going back into the field, and Gabe was scared shitless.

  He might be sitting there in his expensive suit, red silk tie, and shiny shoes, but he wasn’t thinking about meeting with the President of the United States to talk domestic terrorism.

  No.

  He was thinking about a certain redhead. She ruled his world, and today, he was going to do something he never saw coming. Make that he was going to do something else he never saw coming. Suggesting she go back to the FBI had been huge for him, and now, knowing what she’d sacrificed, he was going big or going home.

  He heard her coming.

  “Is that coffee?” she asked, glancing over at him sitting at the table. She could read the stress on his face.

  “Uh, are you okay?” she asked.

  “No, we need to talk about something you’ve done.”

  Yeah, this couldn’t be good.

  Livy was pretty sure she’d been good. She wasn’t out causing hell with Elizabeth all weekend, the kids were set up for lunches and transport to school, and she’d paid all the bills, so…

  She was in the clear.

  “What did I do?”

  Gabe calmly sipped his coffee as he checked out his wife. It took him back to fifteen plus years ago. She was in boots, dress pants, and a blazer. Tucked onto her hip was her shiny badge and her gun.

  The latter was the part that freaked him the hell out.

  “You went behind my back, called Ethan, and asked to be yanked from the field. Why?”

  She didn’t hesitate.

  “Because I love you, and I know that the idea of me being out there without protection freaks you out. I know that you carry so much weight on your shoulders that I can handle this to help you get through the day.”

  “Do you want to be in the field?”

  If she lied, the shit would hit the fan. With Gabe, you didn’t go there. It was about trust with him.

  “Yes.”

  “Then you should be out there.”

  “Gabriel.”

  “For the last fifteen years, Olivia, you gave up your career, what you loved, and dedicated yourself to this family. I hate the idea of you going out, but I want you to be fulfilled.”

  He loved how fiery it made her.

  It reminded him of the woman he fell in love with all those years ago. She was selling herself short—for him.

  “Gabriel.”

  “No, Olivia. Wear Kevlar, stay on your toes, and meet me for lunch when you can, and we’ll call it a day.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “I’ve never been more sure in my life. This is about you, Olivia. It’s your turn to shine.” Besides, he trusted the woman he loved like a sister. Elizabeth would watch her back.

  Or so he hoped.

  She moved toward him and straddled his lap before sitting down. “I love you.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist as he stared into her beautiful eyes. That spark was back.

  It was sexy.

  She was sexy.

  “Mr. Rothschild, maybe when I find you at lunch time, we can lock your door and do this…”

  She whispered in his ear.

  His eyes went wide. “Really? You shouldn’t tease, Olivia. If you put it out there, you need to offer it up. That’s like every man’s wet dream.”

  Oh, she was aware.

  “If I’m back from the field with Elizabeth, I’ll me
et you for something fun and kinky.”

  She pulled him toward her using his tie, and their mouths met. With her one free hand, she ran it through his salt and pepper hair. The FBI had aged him, but she thought it was hot. Gabriel would forever be sexy to her.

  When he got hard beneath her, she wanted to torment him a little more so he’d be thinking about her all day, so she rubbed against him.

  He actually moaned into the kiss.

  “Come on!” Amy said from the doorway of the kitchen. “Really! Aren’t you two too old to be doing this?”

  They laughed at their daughter’s disgust.

  “I can’t help it,” Livy stated. “Daddy is sexy.”

  Amy made gagging noises to show her displeasure over seeing her parents making out.

  “Most people your age are out playing shuffleboard or something.”

  They both were amused.

  “How old do you think we are, Amelia?” Gabriel asked his daughter.

  “Who knows? Do numbers go up that high?”

  He knew his daughter was worried. He could tell. When she was scared or nervous, she joked around like this. The kids were stressed about what their mother was about to do too.

  He couldn’t blame them.

  The second they found out she was going out in the field like their Aunt Lyzee, the terror crept in.

  “We’re both going to be okay,” he reassured.

  “Make sure you both come home,” she said, pouring a glass of juice before replacing the carton in the refrigerator. “If you don’t, I’m going to be pissed.”

  He pointed at his wife. “She gets that from you.”

  Livy snorted. “Yeah, you’re not over the top bossy or anything like that. I’m sure it’s all me.”

  Gabe stared at his daughter, and he loved her even though she biologically wasn’t his. She was the only redhead, and all his other daughters were dark haired like himself.

  Amy was a product of Livy’s rape, and he loved her even more because of it. She was the gift from a horrible event.

  She was the blessing in disguise.

  “We’ll be home for dinner. Mind the nanny and make sure your work is done.”

  She blew them both a kiss and then headed out.

  “Teenagers,” said Livy.