Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12)

by Morgan Kelley

  “Uh, do you want me to leave you two alone?” Merry teased.

  “No. He’s trying to get hurt, that’s all.”

  He leaned into her body to whisper in her ear. “I love when you hurt me. It makes me wild.”

  Even her heart skipped.

  It was getting hot in there…

  “I better not get naked,” he admitted. “I have impulse control issues,” he teased. “I’ll help Elizabeth. Then I’ll shower when she’d done.”

  She shrugged. “Works for me.”

  Callen was relieved. His tattoo would remain hidden a little longer.

  As they passed their guns and badges out, Merry kept talking. “There’s soap in there, but you need to rinse off first, and then roll up the mat on the ground. Then you can use the soap to clean up. I tossed in some shampoo because between the two of you, there are miles of hair.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Thank you, Merry. Sadly, this isn't the first time I’ve had to do this in my career. I wish it was, but I’m a pro at splatter removal.”

  “Really?” Callen asked, as he watched her wash her hair. His fingers were itching to get in there and help, but he couldn’t. “Were you alone or did you have company?”

  She shrugged as the water rinsed the chunks from her and onto the mat. “You know me, Callen. I like a buddy in the shower. I had company,” she teased.

  He wasn’t expecting that.

  “What? You better be kidding. I don’t like the idea that you’re taking turns in the shower with anyone but me or Ethan.”

  Merry snickered. “I love my job.”

  She punched him. “Knock it off.”

  Elizabeth started laughing. “Livy and I had some interesting cases before she retired. The most memorable was when a suspect decided to kill himself in front of us. There was blowback.”

  Callen gave her a kiss. “My poor angel.”

  Merry listened to them.

  She loved how they always seemed to center each other. It was a truly beautiful thing.

  “I'm done,” she stated, moving out of the way so Callen could take over. He waited for her to dress.

  “Really? You’re not going to shower? It’s cold out here, Cal.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been away for ten days. If I get naked, you’re screwed.”

  “Literally,” teased Merry from outside the tent.

  Elizabeth laughed. “Okay, I’ll get out of here then. I don’t want you to do anything that would make the town talk.”

  When she finished zipping her coat, she slipped out. Only then did Callen begin stripping from his clothes. When Merry reached in to collect his things, he jumped under the water to rinse clean.

  He let the water wash the goo from his hair. “This was revolting. I hope never to do this again.”

  She totally got that.

  Elizabeth listened to him talk from outside the tent. What she really wanted was to blurt out her secret. In her mind, she could picture the water running down his body, and it was heating her blood. Elizabeth could almost feel his big, rough hands sliding down her wet, naked torso.

  Holy bloody Hades.

  She had to stop the daydream and get off ride, or she was going to jump in the tent to ride a sexy Native.

  When the water shut off, Merry handed him a towel and some FBI gear.

  “You can come back in,” he offered.

  Elizabeth didn't hesitate. “Merry, off you go.”

  She winked at her boss. “Have fun.”

  When she walked away, Elizabeth stepped back inside. Unfortunately, he was already dressed, and that was a big disappointment.

  There was nothing sexier than a wet, warm Native.

  He laughed when she actually looked disappointed. He couldn’t wait to get her back to the cabin and naked. It was what he really wanted most for Christmas.

  “Callen,” she muttered, trying to stop staring. It just wasn’t easy. She hadn’t touched him in ten days, and it was starting to drive her insane.

  She wanted his hands on her in the worst way. In fact, she had to be desperate to be thinking about him buried in her body as they stood in a decontamination shower, surrounded by people.

  Grinning, he pulled her toward him and kissed her. They didn't have a proper one before, and he needed this. When that bomb went off, he was scared shitless, and now he needed to feel her in his arms.

  “Angel,” he whispered, as his mouth sought hers. The second their lips touched, he devoured her.

  Sue him.

  He couldn’t help himself.

  While they were out in the open, only blocked by tarps, he still couldn’t resist.

  “I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  She rested against him, refusing to let go. “I love you too, Callen James. I’m glad we’re back together.”

  As she was about to tell him they were expecting, Ethan peeked in, interrupting the moment.

  “Chris is transporting all the body parts back to the lab. We should probably do some research tonight. If you two are done with the body bits and a polar shower, do you want to head back to the cabin and maybe get some work done?”

  They could do that.

  It was late enough in the afternoon that they knew there was little else they could do until the team gave them something to work with.

  “Chris said he’ll have a report by tomorrow morning. He wants us to head over to the morgue and meet him then. I’ve arranged for them to buddy up on the reservation. The chief was more than happy to rent the cabins out. He said Callen was a great mediator.”

  He nearly laughed.

  Here, he was going to bail on them too. At least he didn't tell the Natives that. Now they didn't have to worry about lodging.

  “Great.”

  As Callen pulled on his winter gear, Elizabeth was pondering the situation.

  “We have a serious psycho here. That adds the stress to this. We won’t have a lot time before the next kills, and if Bonnie and Clyde are focused on me, they might make a mistake.”

  Ethan was well aware.

  Already, the wheels were spinning as he tried to classify the maniacs they were chasing.

  Were they psychopaths?

  Sociopaths?

  Schizophrenics?

  For the first time in a long time, he was stumped. He was pretty sure they’d never met anyone quite this desensitized to killing.

  This was a whole new breed of killer.

  Bonnie and Clyde were taking this one to extremes.

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

  When he saw them exit the building, he was pissed. No, that wasn’t even close to how he felt. If anything, seeing them fine and unharmed was enough to boil his blood.

  Now he really had to hurt them.

  Elizabeth Blackhawk was going to pay. She was a media whore, who liked the limelight, and that had to stop. That spotlight was for him and Bonnie.

  It was theirs.

  Before this was all said and done, they’d have their name up in lights, and no one would forget them. They wouldn’t be invisible anymore.

  They would be the most wanted people in the world.

  That notoriety was intoxicating.

  It was addictive.

  He wanted it.

  His attempt to kill her might have failed, but he wasn’t giving up.

  No.

  He would end her life, and the Native she was having a relationship with too.

  They were going to pay.

  In the end, with them, the beautiful people always did.

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

  One Hour Later

  Reservation

  Their team was settled in. Most of the staff remained at the morgue to process the evidence. They would sleep in shifts, so they could have the work done by morning.

  The investigators…well, they were another story. They were back on the reservation and getting settled in for the night. Their jobs really couldn
’t start until the team gave them something to work with.

  An ID.

  A clue.

  Some DNA.

  They could do the basic research and wait until the meeting in the morning.

  As Callen finished getting cleaned up, washing the rest of the residue from his body with a real shower, Ethan and Elizabeth were in the small living room waiting.

  “You need to tell him,” Ethan whispered. “If you don’t do it now, he’s going to be pissed. We don’t need anyone on this team angry. We’re in enough trouble as it is.”

  She was well aware.

  “I’m going to do it as soon as he’s done. Can you go pick up the pizza and maybe give me some time? I don’t know how he’s going to react if he finds out he’s the last to know. It’s best not to have any catalyst to add to that explosion.”

  Ethan hugged her, and she smelled like her shampoo. That scent was cathartic.

  It calmed him.

  It heated him.

  It reminded Ethan that she was his sanctuary in a turbulent life filled with killers and madmen.

  “I can do that for you. I’ll pick up some beer for us, and I’ll get you a salad. You need to feed that baby something with nutrients. What makes you sick?”

  “Killers, murderers, and lunatics, oh my...”

  “Good thing we don’t eat those. You’d starve,” he teased.

  “As for food, honestly nothing really. The only reason I thought I was pregnant was the dizziness. I seem to have dodged the morning sickness bullet. It’s like with Charlie. I may be having another girl.”

  “When can we find out?”

  “When we get back to Damascus. I’ll make an appointment.”

  “Callen will be thrilled. You’ve given him a huge gift,” Ethan admitted.

  “Are you upset we’re done after this?”

  He thought about it. “You know, no, I’m not. I look at our family, and it feels complete. I don’t think I’ll mind having that vasectomy. Callen needed this. I have my little girl. I’m good.”

  “Really?”

  He kissed her on the tip of her freckled nose. “Yes, really. I’m at peace. My life is perfect. I don’t need more. I think the expression is ‘my cup runneth over’.”

  She was glad.

  “I hear him coming,” Ethan stated. “I’ll lock up and be back in a little while.”

  She watched him leave. Now she had to prepare herself for what was coming. Callen would be thrilled, but he might also flip his lid over her being there. Then add in that Ethan knew, and didn't tell him…

  This could go bad.

  As Callen came out, drying his hair with a towel, he must have noticed the silence.

  “Who threw a wet towel on this party?” he asked.

  “We need to talk.”

  That froze him in his tracks. “I really hate when you say that, and it’s said in that tone. It scares the shit out of me. What’s wrong? Did something happen to our kids?”

  She loved how that was always his first worry. Callen Whitefox, despite the odds, had become a damn good father.

  “No, they’re fine. Gabe sent me a text telling me they’ve landed and are in protective custody at his place. Wyler looks exhausted, but that isn't shocking. He just traveled on a plane with four small children. The man’s a saint.”

  She was stalling.

  He could hear it in her voice.

  “Just get it over with. I’m a grown man, and I don’t want you coddling me.”

  “I have a secret. It’s good and bad.”

  He didn't move, even when she moved closer to him.

  Callen’s cheek twitched, and she didn't miss it. That was something both men inherited. It was a sign that he was already on the edge.

  “You know I love you, and I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you, right?”

  “Yes.” Except, right now, he was pretty sure his feelings were about to take a hit. He was standing there all heated from his shower, they were alone, and she wasn’t pouncing.

  That was a very bad sign.

  This had to be serious.

  “I’ve done something, and it wasn’t intentional. I had every intent to come to you first, but this case got in the way.”

  “Okay. Are you ‘divorcing’ me? Kicking me out of the family? Did you send Ethan away so you could break my heart without any witnesses?”

  She stared at him. “Cal, we’re never divorcing you. Not now, not ever. Take that off the table. You’re just going to be pissed, and I’m asking that you don’t explode over this. I need you to stay calm, breathe, and be the man who always has my back.”

  This was getting worse and worse.

  Any second, his heart was going to rupture in his chest. It was pounding so hard that he could hear it in his ears.

  This sucked.

  Elizabeth went to her purse and dug out the pregnancy test. As she crossed to him, Callen looked freaked out. Gently, she took his hand and placed it in it.

  He stared down at the stick.

  “Wait. Are we...?”

  She nodded, giving him a second for it all to register.

  Before he could let himself celebrate, he needed to know what she was so worried about. “Why would I be mad about this? I’m ecstatic. What’s the big secret?”

  “I found out today, and I wanted you to be the first to know, but this case popped up. I couldn’t keep it from Ethan. He’s got those anger issues, and he’d see this as me trying to avoid discussing it.”

  He thought about it. “Okay, so you told my brother. He’s part of our unit, so that’s not going to piss me off. I’m still not sure what you’re worried about.”

  “I went down to the lab to round up the team to come here, and I started crying. Tony and Chris know too. In fact, Chris did blood work on me. He checked my hormone levels. I’m around ten weeks. When we thought we got pregnant the first time, we actually did.”

  He still waited.

  “I don’t see why I’d be pissed by any of it. They’re doctors. They were helping you out. Really, you think I’m this far gone that I’d lose it?”

  Here it went.

  “Then there’s this case. Someone is trying to kill me, and I have your baby on board.”

  Now he got it.

  She was stressing it, and that was why she looked so damn nervous.

  “I’m not worried.”

  Elizabeth stared at him. “What? Me being in the middle of this mess doesn’t freak you out? What is this? Are you taking medication? Can you give some to Ethan?”

  He laughed. “Angel, you’re going to be safe. Yes, I’m scared, but I’m not going to take it out on you. We’ve had this discussion before. I’m part of this, and I can bear the weight. I don’t need you and Ethan protecting me. I can hold my own. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I’ve completed therapy, and I see that I’m not breakable. If anything, as a team, we’re indestructible. Nothing can take us down.”

  She was impressed. For a long time, Callen let fear motivate him.

  Now…fear was his bitch.

  “So, back to the main part of this discussion, and possibly the most important part. We’re having a baby?” he asked. When he grinned, the stress on her face dissipated.

  “Yes, Callen James, you’re going to be a father—again—and may I add for the last time!”

  Those were the most beautiful words he’d ever heard. Once more, his woman was giving him a gift. It helped heal his heart even more. When he told her he needed this, Elizabeth was more than willing to give it to him, despite her reservations.

  Now, he had to cherish that gift.

  Oh, he was still going to watch over her like a hawk, catering to her every whim, but he wasn’t going to let fear work him up.

  This was their last pregnancy.

  Callen was going to make the most of it.

  “Can we celebrate now or do you have something else to drop on me that’ll take my blood pressure for a ride around ‘Stroke Out’ lane?”
he asked.

  She laughed, and then ran at him.

  It caught him off guard. As she wrapped her legs around his hips, they tumbled onto the couch.

  “Oh, Callen,” she muttered, right before her mouth found his.

  The lust and love blossomed. With Callen, it was always a mix of both. She wasn’t able to distinguish them apart. As his hands roamed her body, her heart swelled. She could feel the need, but he was being gentle. It was like she was the most fragile of glass.

  She couldn’t love him more than she did at that moment. Here was half her heart, and they had created another life. It was one more bond to tie them together for the rest of their lives.

  Callen’s brain went fuzzy, but he had enough thought left to know he needed to do this right.

  Pushing off the couch, Callen wanted to have more than a sweaty romp on rented furniture. Tonight, finally, the sex wasn’t about creating life, but cementing the two of them even closer together.

  He wanted his woman in bed.

  Beneath him.

  Over him.

  All around him.

  So, he carried her in there as her mouth made magical things happen to his body. She called to him and like some lure, buried deep within his soul, he was reacting.

  Need clawed at him, trying to find its way from his body. Callen struggled not to make this some heated, frenetic romp. There would be time for that. Right now, he wanted a gentle reminder that what they had was beautiful.

  As her hands found their way up his torso, across his shoulders, and into his hair, a moan broke free.

  This was heaven.

  Ten days of not touching her was too long to go between romantic interludes. There should be some rule against that in life. Once you found your other half, you should have to reconnect daily. He missed everything about their joining.

  The feel.

  The scent.

  The way she reacted to his touch.

  As they tumbled onto the bed, the mating of mouths became more heated. Pulling away from her, Callen stared into her eyes. “I will love you forever. You’re my heart, my soul, and the mother of my children. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Lyzee. I’m blessed.”

  At that moment, she wanted to weep. She didn't give him enough credit. Here was a calm man who would do the job and keep her safe.