Slay Bells Ring (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 12) (9 page)

What could they do?

The game was afoot. Despite all of their gut feelings, it didn't change anything.

They had to face it.

“It looks like we’re going to take a road trip to a building in the business district,” she offered.

Callen groaned.

Ethan closed his eyes and rubbed them with his fingers to ease the tension.

It was crystal clear.

That was the last thing the men wanted to hear.

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

One Hour Later

Johanna Madden and Broderick Seaton followed the bosses in their Denali. It was good to be back out in the field, and they were grateful to be together once more.

Hell!

They didn't even mind working with Christmas looming up ahead. As soon as they heard the bosses were heading out on a case, they volunteered to take one for the FBI team. After all, they owed them.

They were together, and that’s all that mattered.

As Brody drove, Johanna held his hand in her lap. It was something he’d always longed for, and now it was coming true.

He had his other half.

Yes, they were supposed to keep it low key, but who would know if they shared a few private moments on the way to a scene? They were out in the middle of nowhere, following the bosses to some abandoned building, and it was likely going to be a mess.

“This is amazing,” he stated, glancing over. “I can’t believe we’re back in the saddle together.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I’m glad we’re partners again. It feels right.”

Yeah, it really did.

“This is my Christmas present,” he offered. “All I wanted was you for my gift, and I’ve gotten that. There’s nothing left to ask for.”

She smiled at him.

Sadly, Brody was lying. There was one more thing he wanted, and it involved her saying ‘I do’. Instead of going there, he let it go.

“You’re my present too,” she offered. “Well, you in handcuffs,” Johanna teased. “Now that the cast is off, may the fun begin.”

He snorted. “You’re such a perv. I’m a lucky man.”

As they drove, Brody’s phone began ringing. The tone gave away the caller. “It’s my dad. Let it go to voice mail. I’m in too good of a mood to deal with him right now.”

Johanna didn't make a comment.

As of late, Brody was trying to be more understanding. After Johanna’s mother appeared out of nowhere, he’d begun trying to mend his and Levi’s fences.

So far, it wasn’t too bad.

They’d had him over a few times, and no one erupted, so that was a good thing. As for Johanna and her mother, the woman had been persistently stalking her daughter.

She’d continued to show up uninvited, and Brody continued to tell her to beat it. He had to give the woman an
A
for effort, but
F
for parenting.

It was obvious that Joey didn't want anything to do with her, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was to the point that it was borderline stalking. Soon, she was going to have to get a visit from the restraining order fairy.

“You’re thinking about something.”

“Am I?” he asked. Honestly, he was doing just that. In his suitcase, he had her early Christmas present. There was a big shiny ring, and Brody intended to propose, but now that they were on a case, he’d had to revamp his plans.

At some point, he was going to ask Joey to be his wife.

Now he could only hope she’d say yes.

Truthfully, he was dying to do it. If it was up to him, he’d do it right then, and shortly after, detour them right to a justice of the peace. Brody knew what he wanted, and she was right beside him.

“He left a message.”

“Play it, sweetheart.”

Joey did what he asked.

‘Broderick, it’s your father. I have something big to tell you, and I’m excited. I’ve met the woman of my dreams. I’m hoping we can get together over the holiday. I’ve tied the knot, son, and I couldn’t be happier. Call me back.’

He didn't say anything, but the tension was clearly plastered on his face. Obviously, Brody wasn’t happy.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s typical dad nonsense. He once told me that he was madly in love with the woman who walked his dog. The girl’s father had money. She was half his age, and that didn't last long. My dad is a con man. He’s always looking for a way to make money. If he’s married this woman, it was for the greenbacks. They’ll be divorced in a couple weeks, and he’ll likely own half her fortune.”

She laughed. “Well, at least this will keep him busy for a while. I wish my mother would find a cause to get wrapped up in. She actually left a note on the window of my car, asking me to meet her for drinks.”

He glanced over. “Maybe you should do it, let her get it off her chest, and then walk away. She’s persistent.”

“Yeah, I know. I keep hoping there will be some oil spill, and she can go cleanup some penguins in the Artic.”

He laughed. “Sorry. I had a visual.”

Leaning over, Joey brushed her lips against his cheek. It was soft, warm, and full of love.

“What was that for?”

“That, Special Agent Broderick Seaton, was for being patient while my mother stalks me.”

He snorted. “You’re an adventure. Honestly, I’m just glad I don’t have to stalk you anymore.”

“Brody!”

He laughed.

“What? It’s the truth.”

Yeah, didn't she know it?

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

He saw them approach, and he was happy. This was Bonnie’s plan, and it all worked just the way she said it would.

Wasn’t he lucky?

He had a smart woman by his side.

Now they could take on the world, forcing everyone to see how important they were. No longer would they be the less desirables in the world.

No, they were moving up the social chain.

They were making a name for themselves.

It would continue here.

The woman getting out of her vehicle was the start of a beautiful life, and he couldn’t be happier. When the news got hold of her death, they would be notorious.

Infamous.

Legend.

There was no doubt that they would be better than the real Bonnie and Clyde.

In the end, it wouldn’t be the ones who died who made the headlines, it would be the ones who did the crimes.

As it should be.

Now it was a matter of making sure they didn't get out of there alive.

It was time to take them out with a bang.

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

Business District

Coordinate Location

As they arrived at the location, it looked ominous. The building was a decent size, and it was surrounded by a few other ones just like it.

This was dangerous, and no one doubted that it was going to be bad. When a killer called you out, and this was where he wanted to play the game, someone was going to get hurt.

As the team stood behind the protection of the vehicle, they suited up for what was to come. There was no way they were crossing this parking lot without Kevlar and riot gear.

They weren’t stupid.

“Maybe you should stay here,” Callen stated, hoping nothing was going to happen to her. It was hard not to think the worst when his woman was stripping out of her heavy coat and into the vest and light FBI jacket.

Elizabeth didn't speak. She simply stared at him in warning.

Callen didn't shut up.

He couldn’t.

His gut was in a knot, and his wife was going to get hurt. Then what? What was he supposed to do then? Was he going to wish he’d stopped her?

“Don’t get mad, but this is exactly what they want. We’ve brought you here. I feel like we’re offering you up on some sick altar.”

“Wow, twice in one day I was called the virgin. Who saw this day coming?”

Brody snickered as he geared up too, slipping a com into his ear.

“I’m being serious.”

She didn't look up from velcroing into her Kevlar. Maybe he needed a little bit of reality to see the truth. “You’re in that note too, Callen,” she stated. “In fact, Ethan is your brother, so he could be mistaken for you. Maybe we should send the agents in alone.”

They all looked at her.

“That was sarcasm. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough,” she stated. “Only when hell freezes over, will I back down from my duty to protect and serve. I’m armed. I’ll be fine.”

No one said anything more.

There was a fine line between winning and getting your dick handed to you in a pissing match with your wife.

Elizabeth glanced over at Ethan, and for someone who knew the secret she was carrying, he was relatively calm. At least he was handling this better than expected. Elizabeth didn't need two men on the edge.

It was funny because Callen was freaked out, and he didn't even know that she was pregnant. It was probably a good thing he didn't.

He would be losing his mind.

“We’ll go in,” Ethan stated. “There are two doors. If we break up into two groups, we can clear it faster.”

She agreed.

Pulling on her yellow tinted glasses, she pulled a spare Glock from the lockbox in the back to stick to the front of her vest as a backup piece.

“We’ll stay in constant communication. The quicker we get in and then out, the better,” Elizabeth offered.

Elizabeth didn't want her team in there for too long. She didn't doubt that Bonnie and Clyde wanted her there, and she couldn’t let anyone get hurt.

If she did, they’d never let her out of their sights. That would be really irritating.

“Callen, Elizabeth, and I will take the entrance. Agents Seaton and Madden have the back door. Just make sure no one runs for it. Don’t get yourselves shot!” Ethan ordered.

They saluted and headed off.

It was cold, windy, and starting to flurry. They were all stripped down to their clothes, riot vests, and guns. They needed to get inside and get started before they froze to death.

As they approached, they could hear Brody over their com, telling them they were in position to enter the building.

It was now or never.

At the front door of the large warehouse, they noticed it was locked. There was a giant padlock on the door, and Callen and Ethan did rock, paper, scissors to see who had to strip out of the leather gloves to handle it.

Callen lost.

As he knelt there, picking the lock, Elizabeth placed her hand on his shoulder. Here was the father of her child, and she couldn’t be mad at him for being worried.

She was scared too.

They had so much to lose at this point, that it rattled her cage.

So much had happened in the last few years, and they were lucky to have each other. How they survived this long without getting hurt was a miracle.

They had someone watching over them, that was for damn sure.

“Almost there,” he muttered, as he worked the mechanisms in the freezing cold.

As his brother concentrated, Ethan scanned the surroundings, searching for anyone who might want to hurt them. When he didn't see any shooters on the adjoining roof, he relaxed marginally.

“I think I just lost a nipple out here, Cal, can you pick up the pace?” Elizabeth stated.

“Right or left?” Ethan asked, trying to keep the mood light.

She snorted. “Does it freaking matter?”