Perhaps it was, but it was her damn job.
“She was going to be smooshed by a bus. Do you hear yourself? You just asked me to let a civilian get hit. That’s a whole different kind of crazy.”
He glared at her.
“I took an oath. I’m pretty sure saving that wingnut falls under the protect and serve part of our jobs.”
He was going in circles on this one, and he knew it. “I give up. You try, Ethan. Maybe you can get some sense into her head. I’m getting a migraine.”
Yeah, he doubted that.
Elizabeth had a head of stone.
He lifted her chin. “Lyzee, can you promise not to jump in front of busses anymore while pregnant?”
She stared at him. “Can you both promise not to be over the edge and treat me like a child?”
“Yes.”
She snorted. “Yeah, okay. That’ll happen. I’ll believe that when I see it.”
The men knew it was an uphill battle. “How about we get something to eat, talk this over, and regroup?” Ethan asked before his and Callen’s heads exploded. “You need to feed yourself and the little Whitefox you’re growing.”
“Works for me. It looks like we found something that we can agree on.”
Finally.
When she stood and began pulling on a new shirt, she first went to Ethan and hugged him. “I’m sorry you were worried.”
He hugged her tight. “It comes with the job of loving a badass woman.”
She softly kissed him on the lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
When he set her free, she went to Callen.
“I’m sorry you think I’m risking myself. You were right, and I’ll try and behave. I apologize for terrifying you. I can only imagine how you felt.”
He stared at her.
What was this?
Normally, she’d just brush it off. Was this pregnancy making her calm?
“Uh, okay.”
She laughed. “You just yelled at me for being reckless, and now you’re staring at me like I’m crazy. Which is it?”
He wasn’t going to waste a single second with her. Instead, he pulled Elizabeth into the frame of his body and kissed her. His mouth closed over hers, and he didn't stop there. Callen let the fear ebb from him, so she could heal his frazzled nerves.
“Mmmmm,” she muttered pulling away. “I take it you forgive me.”
He grinned. “I do.”
“Well, that’s good. Who knows how long that’ll last?”
“I love you, Elizabeth,” he offered, brushing a stray hair from her cheek.
Her heart flipped. “I love you too, Callen.”
She held out her hand to Ethan, and when he took it, she pulled him toward them. Together, they cocooned her between their larger bodies.
For that precious moment, they reconnected. The mingling scents offered peace.
Then, from somewhere in the huddle, they heard a voice.
“Daddies, feed me.”
Callen laughed. “Let’s go. I don’t need her digging for snacks in the Denali seats.”
“There are snacks there?” she asked, teasing him.
“Elizabeth…”
She snorted.
It looked like someone had calmed the savage daddy beast.
Again.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Dance Studio
They had nothing.
Ann’s locker was empty, and all the dancers backed up Rena’s story. No one was sad she was dead, and that was kind of pathetic.
The woman had been miserable, and no one would mourn her death. It was a sad testament to her existence when no one gave a rat’s ass if she lived or died.
Who wanted to live like that?
As they regrouped in their vehicle, they knew they were screwed. Their interview netted nothing—which meant they didn't have anything to bring back to Elizabeth, and that was going to piss her off.
“I saw a pizza place. Want to get lunch and talk this over? Maybe we can work while we eat.”
“Worried about the boss?” Brody asked, grinning mischievously. He didn't have that same fear of Elizabeth Blackhawk anymore. Brody knew the real her. Oh, she was dangerous, but she was also very kind beneath it all.
“Yes.”
“Don’t be. She’s easygoing.”
Johanna stared over at him. “Are you out of your mind? You know better than that. She may look calm, sound nice, and be smiling at you, but that’s Elizabeth freaking Blackhawk. She can turn on a dime. Parades of elephants run when she growls.”
Brody grinned. He was well aware, but he didn't think she would turn on them. In fact, he’d bet on it. He’d grown up around gambling, and he knew when to throw money down, and when to run for it.
No, Elizabeth Blackhawk liked them, and that made their lives that much easier. She’d shown her stripes.
Cupid had a soft heart.
“Let’s get some lunch. I want to ogle my fiancée for a little while—you know…since we’re off the clock.”
Johanna rolled her eyes but laughed.
“Sure thing, Brody. Maybe if we’re lucky, a suspect will fall out of the sky and into our laps. Then we won’t have jack shit to report.”
“You never know.”
“Brody.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Cupcake, chill out. It’ll be fine.”
“Cupcake?” she asked, staring at him. “Have you lost your mind?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I have. I’m crazy over you.”
She wished she could be as amused. Only, she couldn’t be. Johanna feared the boss, and what could happen.
She didn't want to lose Brody.
He was her all.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Bluebell Diner
As they pulled into the diner, they noticed a few things about the place. First, it was decorated up something fierce, and most importantly, it was empty. At first, Elizabeth was wary.
She didn't want to eat there. If no one was stopping in, that had to be a sign. The last thing she wanted was food poisoning. There was nothing like tossing your cookies with a violent bout of salmonella all while pregnant.
“Are you sure…?” she began.
Ethan patted her hand. “The team was raving about their food. They’ve been eating here since we arrived. Don’t worry. I won’t let you eat anywhere that’s going to get any of us sick.”
She didn't look impressed. “They play in the dead all day. I don’t know how reliable they are when it comes to picking gourmet cuisine. I’ve watched Merry eat pizza over a dead body. That’s a sign of insanity.”
Callen laughed. “It’ll be okay. We’ll protect you from the big, bad, food poisoning monster.”
She didn't have a choice. Elizabeth was hungry, and that meant being dizzy, getting a headache, or eating at the tin can diner.
It was a no brainer.
She followed them in.
Once inside, they were assaulted with Christmas music and the smell of fresh baked cookies. It was like someone went shit nuts on the decorations.
Now she got why the team was eating there.
It felt like the holiday had thrown up all over the place. The music, the smells, and the lights brightened the tiny little diner. From the fake snow sprayed on the window, to the chef behind the stainless wall wearing a Santa hat. It was like the inside of a snow globe in some other dimension.
Okay, she was getting in the mood.
As they stood there, waiting to be seated, a sprite bounced up wearing an elf’s costume.
“Happy holidays, folks. Can I get you a seat?”
“Yes, please,” stated Ethan, holding Elizabeth’s hand.
“Where are all the people?” Elizabeth asked, right before Callen slapped his hand over her mouth.
Apparently, he thought something snarky was coming out next.
Man.
They knew her pretty damn wel
l.
“Oh, it’s after the lunch crowd. Had you come here about two hours ago, you’d be standing outside waiting for a seat.”
She mumbled something against Callen’s hand.
“Pardon?” the sprite asked.
“I said,” she began, after Callen set her free, “that’s good to know.”
“Here you go,” she offered, pointing at a booth not too far from the door.”
Ethan had other ideas. “Can we sit way in the back? We need to talk about work.”
She smiled and bounced toward the preferred table with nothing but a smile on her face and jingling bells as she walked.
“Would you like a drink? We have eggnog.”
“Is it homemade eggnog?” Elizabeth asked, as she slid into the booth beside Callen. She was thinking salmonella.
“It is! Simon just put a fresh batch in the blender. I was about to have some. I can get you three to enjoy.”
As she was considering it, Callen stepped in. “It has raw eggs, right?”
“Yes.”
“She’s pregnant, so no.”
“Oh, congrats!”
“We’ll just have coffee, and she’ll have milk,” Callen stated.
Elizabeth pinched him under the table.
“Well, I’ll get that for you right away. I’m Tehila Fields, and I’ll be your host on this gastronomic journey. I’ll give you a few minutes to decide on food.”
Elizabeth couldn’t help but relax.
It was the smell of cookies that was lulling her into a sense of calm. “By any chance, are you baking cookies?”
She laughed. “No, we actually have cookies. Our chef, Simon, loves this time of the year.” She lowered her voice and leaned forward. “He looks tough, but he’s a big softie. He loves that Santa hat.”
They all glanced over.
Apparently he did. It looked silly on the big bald head, but who were they to judge.
“Can I score a few cookies to go with my MILK?” she asked, giving Callen a look and almost daring him to try and stop her. “They smell really good.”
Both men looked over at her, but wisely, they said nothing.
“Can do!”
When she walked away, Elizabeth rolled her neck. Her mind was spinning a mile a minute.
“Are you sore?” Callen asked, letting his hand snake up her back to the tense muscles. Immediately, he began massaging her neck.
“Little baby Jesus, that feels good,” she muttered. Callen had magic fingers, and anytime they were on her body, she was in heaven.
As Tehila returned with the cookies, she didn't even move. She felt too good.
“How about I continue this later?” Callen asked. He didn't think her breathy little moans were going to be a good thing. He was already getting riled up, and Ethan seemed to be focused on her chest.
“Promise?” she asked, picking up a cookie. When she took a bite, she had to fight not to laugh.
They were easy.
“I know what we can do,” Ethan said, as her one hand ran up and down his leg. He needed to reroute this little lunch before they were all hot and bothered.
“What?” she inquired, lifting a brow.
He tried not to react as her fingers slid into his lap. “I was thinking since it’s so quiet in here, we could call Wyler and the kids.”
She immediately focused on that.
He could breathe again.
Elizabeth shoved a cookie in her mouth and chugged her milk. She obviously was happy.
They all were.
As Ethan pulled out his tablet, Callen and Ethan squished her between them. As he made the call, she bounced with excitement.
It didn't take long before Wyler’s face appeared on the screen. He was holding Charlie, and it was a beautiful sight. The little girl was tugging on his graying braids as she cooed and tried to eat his hair.
“Hello!” he said, smiling. “We’ve missed you.”
“Are you all safe, Dad?” Ethan asked. If they weren’t he’d have them shipped off somewhere else. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to his father or their kids.
“We’re great. Gabriel is a wonderful host, and he’s been hanging out here with us. I know he’s doing guard duty, but the kids love him.”
They could see him moving around in the back. His son was holding onto one leg, and EJ the other, as he dragged them across the room. Gabriel Jr. was on his back, shouting like a maniac.
Callen was jealous.
He wanted to be home with their kids in the worst way, but duty called. At least they were safe.
“So everything is good?” Elizabeth asked.
“Cat is off playing dress up with Livy’s girls, and the boys are playing cowboys and Indians. Gabe is the cowboy, and they’re the savages—for good reason,” he offered, laughing. “Thank God their house is indestructible, and they have six kids. This place is a madhouse.”
Yeah, speaking of six kids…
“Dad?” Elizabeth began.
“Yes, sweetheart?” he said, play eating Charlie’s cheeks to hear her laugh.
“I’m pregnant. You’re getting more tribe.”
He looked up, shocked as hell.
Yeah, she’d said no more, but this was the look she loved when she told him. Immediately, Wyler’s eyes filled with tears and he was overcome with emotion.
“Are you serious?” he asked. “More babies?”
Ethan laughed. “Are you crying because you need medication or because you’re happy? It’s tough to tell anymore, and no one would blame you if it was the first option.”
“Happy,” he said, wiping his eyes. “I’m blessed. This is the best Christmas present ever. I wish you were here, Elizabeth. I’d make you anything that tickled your fancy.”
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about,” she teased. “These two are bossy, and that’s why I love you best.”
“You take care of her,” he warned. Wyler pointed at his sons and got serious, and fast. “Please be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Both men looked over as if to tell her ‘I told you so’. Well, the Blackhawk apple didn't roll far from the tree. They were their father’s children.
“I’m safe, Dad. I have Frick and Frack riding my ass. It may sound like fun, but it’s not.” When she picked up a second cookie, Callen took it from her.
“See?”
Wyler laughed. “Good. I want you to come home in one piece. I have lots of fry bread to make.”
“I can’t wait.” Elizabeth focused on Charlie. “Hey, baby girl. Momma misses you. When I get home, you and I are going to go shopping.”
Charlie looked around until she saw her on the tablet. Immediately, she tried to eat it.
“I love you,” she whispered, the tears filling her eyes.
It was hard to not get emotional. Elizabeth wanted to be home and in the worst way. Add to that the threat to her children, and she was scared.
Ethan dropped his arm over her shoulder as Callen used the pad of his thumb to wipe away a tear.
“It’s okay, baby,” Blackhawk whispered.
“We have you, angel,” Callen reassured.
She took a deep breath. Maybe calling wasn’t a good idea after all. When she was focused on work, her heart didn't ache. It was Christmas and they were stuck in a diner and hundreds of miles from their family.
It sucked.
No.
It pissed her off.
“Dad, we’ll call you later in the week if we can. Hold down the fort,” Ethan said.
“Is she okay?” Wyler asked, his eyes filling with so much concern. Elizabeth was the glue in their cookie. All three men wanted nothing more than keeping her happy.
She was their all.
“Yeah, we just want to be home for the holidays. We’ll be okay.”
“Be safe, kids,” stated Wyler. “When you get home, we’ll celebrate Christmas. Don’t worry about us. Focus on work.”
Yeah, easier said than done.
&n
bsp; When the call was disconnected, she felt worse than before. The waitress came and put their food down in front of them, and they began eating.
At first, no one spoke.
“This sucks,” Callen stated, after chewing a piece of his lunch.
“The food?” Elizabeth asked.
“No. The part about us not being at home at Christmas. There’s something wrong with that. I’m trying to pretend it doesn’t bother me, but we should be with our kids.”
Oh, they agreed.
“We might make it home in time,” Ethan offered, trying to be the optimist. Someone had to do it.
“I wouldn’t have taken this case if I hadn’t been called out,” Elizabeth reassured. “I planned on playing ‘Susie Native Homemaker’ all week. I was going to wrap presents, make cookies, and deck the freaking halls.”
Ethan brushed a stray hair from her cheek. “We know. I hate it too, but we have to do this. We can’t be looking over our shoulder the next year, waiting for some nut to be sitting outside our home. It’s part of the job.”
Well, to repeat Callen’s sentiment, it sucked.
They continued eating, saying nothing.
When all three of their phones went off, Ethan pulled his out to read it. Then he dialed.
He was only on the phone for a few seconds.
“Send me the location. We’ll be right there.”
Callen took that as his cue, and he signaled the waitress for the check.
It looked like they were heading out.
“Another one?” Elizabeth asked, as she shoveled the rest of her food into her mouth. Who knew if she was going to eat later?
It had the makings of a long ass day, and they were stuck on this ride until they found the crazies.
“Not quite. That was Dakota. While he was at the sheriff’s office, a mailman came in to report something suspicious.”
She waited for it.
“What?” Callen asked.
“As he was delivering the mail on his route, he saw something out of the ordinary.”
“Like?” Elizabeth asked. “It wouldn’t happen to be two killers walking around with a large machete as they sipped dick cocktails, would it?”
Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) Page 24