Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) (77 page)

“Oh
Callen!” she said, going into his arms. She hugged and kissed him, her heart overflowing with love. “It’s gorgeous.”

Ethan grinned. He was proud of his brother. From broken to healed, to a part of their unit, he had come into his own.

“I love you, Lyzee. I always will.”

She kissed him. Pulling away, she spoke, “I
’ll always love you too.”

“I hope this reminds you of what we have for the rest of our lives. You’re my everything.”

She was touched beyond words. “I won’t ever forget.”

Ethan cleared his throat, getting their attention. “You’re up, baby.”

Callen looked confused.

“I
, too, have a little present for you, Callen James. When you came into our lives, everything changed. Both of our lives were turned upside down, and I want to mark that moment for all eternity. I can’t do it with a tattoo, but I may have something better.”

“
I don’t understand,” he said.

Ethan held out the envelope
that he had tucked into his back pocket.

“
What you don’t know is that I did want something specific for my birthday. When I was able to get Ethan alone, I told him my wish. This week, he was able to pull it off, and it’s not only for me, but you too, Callen.”

He
still didn't understand.

“I’m tough and sometimes difficult,” she began.

Kane slapped his hand over Christina’s mouth before she could say anything.

Elizabeth winked at him.

“When I fell in love with Ethan, I never believed there would be anyone else I could love like that. I was very wrong. The day I saw you in FBI West, I fell in love. I knew in that minute that you were meant to be part of me forever.”

He stared at them both, so much emotion filling his eyes.

“I know that there’s something missing from your life, and you’re hurt by it. As your wife, partner, and lover, I want to fix that. I want to give you a gift you never saw coming.”

When Elizabeth handed him the envelope, he began opening it.

“I love you, Callen,” she said.

Pulling the paper out, he read it over. “What is this?”

“I want the world to know that you and our kids matter to me. I know you’re biggest dream in life is to give me your last name. So, in honor of your heart and our love, I’m giving you just that. I’m now officially Elizabeth Renee Whitefox-Blackhawk.”

He stared at
his partners in life. “Seriously? You changed your name for me?”

Ethan and
Elizabeth nodded.

“You’re letting my name come first?” he whispered, reading the paper
.

“You’re my brother and our
other third, Callen. So, yes, your name is important and shouldn’t be forgotten,” Ethan stated.

Immediately, he teared up. Moving toward her, Callen wrapped her in his arms, but it didn't stop there. He opened his free arm to pull Ethan into the embrace. Together, they cocooned her between them.

“God! I love you both so much.”

“We feel the same.”

“This is a miracle
that I never thought would happen. You’re really mine,” Callen whispered.

She kissed him
, and then Ethan. “We’re really yours.”

Everyone started cheering and clapping.

“We better feed them. All these pregnant women may revolt and some male might get hurt,” she said, releasing the men in her life.

When she turned, she saw Tony’s face, and it was raw with emotion.
Until he had peace, he wouldn’t be able to move on. “I need to handle this now.”

Blackhawk was ready for that too. “The papers are on our desk in the office.”

“Tony, can we talk to you?” she asked. When he set CJ free to chase the dogs, he followed.

“What’s up?” he asked, being led into the office.

“Are you okay?”

“No.
I’m really not.”

He didn't have to say anything else.
The poor man had been forced to watch their love bloom, while his was withering away.

Yeah, it was time.

Elizabeth took the paper off the desk and handed it to the man. “You’re going back to work soon, and you’ve been loaned out to a government project.”

He read the paper. “Okay.” His voice was cold and dead. Every minute of the last two weeks was torture, and he was ready to crawl into a hole and die.

Tony was giving up.

“
Since you’re on light duty, they need someone who’s smart, good at being organized, and can handle a team.”

“
Sure thing.”

“Tony
, honey, read the names on the list. They’re you’re grave rats.”

He scanned the paper, and at the very bottom was one familiar name. She had been the last one placed on the team.
Immediately, his heart began thumping in his chest.

“You have an assignment, and it’s going to be the biggest one of your life. A
re you ready for it?” Ethan asked.

He couldn’t think straight.
“YOU FOUND HER?”

She
had never lost track of her the entire time. Now, it was time to give Tony a second chance. “Yes. She’s working for the FBI still. Gabriel Rothschild wanted to keep an eye on her because of her father. I happened to mention that if he didn't get you on as the dig supervisor, I may spill the beans.”

His eyes filled with tears
as he hugged her. Elizabeth gave him a gift that he’d never forget.

Oh and most importantly, she kept her promise.

Elizabeth ran her hands over his back reassuringly. “You made a wish, and Team Cupid has granted it. This is your chance to get her back. She isn't there yet. If you leave today, you’ll beat her to the base camp, and you can get your girl.”

His heart was thundering. “I can’t believe
that you did this for me.”

She smiled. “What wouldn’t I do for the people I love?
I do believe I told you that I had your back. Next time, don’t doubt it.”

He took the paper and raced for the door. When she called hi
s name, Tony’s hand paused and he turned around.

“You’re booked on the jet. You’re going to get one shot at this, so make it count.
Don’t hesitate to call us if you need us. Family never says no!”

He couldn’t think straight. Heading back over to her, Tony kissed her on the lips. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. I know you didn't have to do this. You’re a really kind person, Elizabeth Blackhawk. I owe you and will never forget this.”

Then, he was gone.

She wiped her eyes. “Damn! I love being Cupid.”

The men each wrapped an arm around her hips. “It’s fun to watch love bloom.”

“Yeah,
and you’re both just lucky that I’m in a good mood.”

They knew where this was heading. “How much trouble are we in?” Ethan asked.

“Oh, you’re in so much trouble. Right now, I’m going to go spend time with my family. Later, I’ll punish you both,” she said, walking away. At the door, she turned, “Later in our bedroom, I’m going to teach you both one hell of a lesson. Bring the handcuffs Callen, and not the fuzzy ones. There are two Natives who are going to suffer.”

With that, she was gone.

Callen glanced over at his brother. “There is a God.”

What could Ethan say?
Only one thing came to mind, and it seemed appropriate.

“Hallelujah.”

             
                  *     *     *

The Next Day

Burial Site

Backwoods Kentucky

As she hopped out of her rental Jeep, she stared around the site. It was going to be huge. At least she could count on it keeping her busy the next couple of months. That was exactly what she would need to get over Doctor Tony Magnus.

Every night
for the last two weeks, she had vivid dreams about him. In them, he was holding, kissing, and making love to her. She’d wake up with a huge hole in her heart.

God!

She missed him.

Hopefully now, she
could just focus on what she did best. Heading over to a man with a clip board, she checked in. “Doctor Jaxon Armstrong.”

He read the note next to her name. “You’ve been marked to see the dig boss. He needs to speak to you
about your housing assignment. Head over to the tent and check in there.”

She figured he was going to ask about the FBI and give her the rules. The university was in charge
, and she wasn’t to take control. Gabe had already warned her that the dig boss was the one who was leading this little party.

To obey him at all costs.

At the big army green tent, she walked in, preparing to soothe his nerves over it all. Really, she didn't want to be in charge. Jaxon wanted to blend in, forget, and heal.

“Sir, you needed to see me?”

He turned around.

Jaxon stared in disbelief. There stood the man who had been haunting her dreams. “Tony?”

“Why are you surprised?” he asked, taking in how pale and thin she looked. At least he wasn’t the only one suffering the last few weeks.

She couldn’t even string a sentence together.

“I told you that I’d follow you, Jaxon. I would have located you sooner, but it seems I was shot and abandoned.”

She swallowed.
There was anger in his voice, and surely it was about to bubble over.

“Why did you leave me?”
he asked.

Her heart pounded in her chest. “Why are you here?”

“No, Jaxon. You’re going to answer me. Why did you leave me when I needed you?”

Her eyes filled with tears. Yes, she had abandoned him. “I got you hurt. I couldn’t bear the idea that you almost died because of me.”

“No, Jaxon. I want to know the real reason.”

He saw right through her, and that shook her to her core.

“I was scared.”

“Why else.”

She couldn’t lie any more. The last two weeks had been hell without him. “Because I’ve never loved anyone before, Tony.”

At least she wasn’t running from him again.
“Come here, Jaxon.”

She dropped her bag and slowly moved toward him. When she stopped in front of him, her eyes met his.

“I love you, and I’m going to follow you to the ends of the Earth when you run. You’re not going to escape, so there’s no point. You were made to be mine, Jaxon. I think we both know that.”

Had he just told her he loved her?

She still couldn’t speak. Tony had just told her that he was in love with her. Plus, he’d left his job to follow her.

Oh God! Could this all be happening? If she woke up and it was a dream,
she was going to be pissed.

“It’s time we put it all on the table. Then, if you honestly can say that you feel nothing for me, that you don’t feel what I feel, then I’ll let you go. But, you’re going to have to tell me. I need to know. Do you love me, Jaxon? At all?”

Tony was taking a big gamble. Granted, she’d told him in her note, but that could have just been to soften the blow. Now, he needed the truth, face to face.

As he stood there, he said a prayer.

Jaxon found her strength. Here, the man chased her, left his job, and was waiting for her. “Of course I love you. I’ve been crazy about you since the day I kissed you. You’re my boyfriend,” she offered. “That means everything to me.” No one ever loved her enough to do that before.

He loved her!

Oh God! He really did
.

“Was,” he corrected.

She stared at him, obviously missing something.

“I was your boyfriend.
I’m not anymore.”

Her heart sank. Of course he’d want her to hurt after what she did. Why was she surprised? After all, she ran.

“I see.”

“No, you don’t. I’m no longer your boyfriend, Jaxon, because I’m your fiancé.”

She stared at him.

Did he just say…

“I love you. Marry me, Jaxon Charlotte Armstrong. Be my wife. We’ll worry about the rest later. I just need you in my life. The last two weeks have been hell.”

She couldn’t stop the tears.

“Well?”

“Do I have a choice?” she asked, laughing.

“No, you really don’t. I’ll be driving this adventure from here on out. You like to take the long bumpy road, and my heart can’t handle it.”

Jaxon laughed even more. “You’re very bossy. I guess you’re lucky that turns me on,” she admitted.