Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) Read online

  The other girls returned to the dorm after she did. By the time they hit the sorority floor, Johanna was already changed and taking off her makeup.

  When they saw her, Garland rushed her. “Okay, you have to tell us who he was. That stud just walked up to you and laid one on your mouth. That was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen!”

  She looked embarrassed. “Ummm…”

  There was a chorus of giggles from her ‘sisters’.

  “Then you left with him. He was so fine! His ass in those jeans was something fierce!” stated Rodi Carlisle. “We were going to tell you to stick close, but we figured you’d be in really good hands.”

  Johanna blushed.

  Did they think that she…?

  “Wait! I didn’t…”

  They all started giggling even more.

  “Well? What’s it like to score with one of the Beta Phi Ti men?” Garland asked. “I hope you took my advice and left the panties at home.”

  She was appalled.

  First, it was mortifying because they were acting like cattle being led to the fraternity slaughter, and secondly, because this was Brody. He was a gentleman.

  “I didn't do any such thing, and I didn't have sex. I don’t jump in bed with any man who comes on to me. I actually like to talk to them first. That’s all we did. I want to get to know him first. Is that so wrong?”

  They all gasped like she’d committed a cardinal sin.

  “Seriously?” she asked.

  What the hell was wrong with these girls? No wonder the killer was having an easy time taking them. It appalled her that they were making it easy for a killer. Who raised them?

  They were insane.

  Their priorities were a hot freaking mess.

  “You better bag him fast. The Beta Phi Ti boys are fickle. If you have their attention, you need to keep it. We’ve seen them move on pretty fast if you put up too much of a fight. On this campus, they’re the guys you want to be with.”

  She stared at them.

  Didn't they realize there was more to existence outside of college life? They’d have plenty of time to find a guy. This was the craziest thing she’d ever had to live.

  “You realize that four of our sisters went missing after screwing around with frat boys, right?”

  They all scoffed and brushed her concerns off.

  Garland winked at her. “If you don’t want the one who picked you, I’ll take him. I’d love to disappear into the night with him. He’s fine.”

  Johanna shook her head. “No, I like him. I’m going to see if he’s a scumbag first.”

  Joey knew she’d be safe, and the last thing she needed was a bunch of sorority girls climbing all over Brody. She’d lose her mind.

  “If you say so,” stated Anstice McNally, as she tossed her red hair over her shoulder. “A dick is a terrible thing to waste,” she called, leaving the bathroom.

  Joey rolled her eyes in the mirror.

  Idiots

  “How the hell do they survive?”

  Chapter Six

  Thursday Morning

  Elizabeth found herself alone in bed. It was odd, since she was generally the first one to wake when they were home. As she listened to the silence of their rented apartment, she could hear Ethan’s voice in the next room.

  It appeared that Callen had called.

  Her heart skipped. She loved when she could talk to the men first thing in the morning. As she dropped her long legs over the side of the bed, she saw the alarm clock on the nightstand.

  Holy shit!

  She was going to be late!

  It looked like a talk with her other bed mate was going to have to wait. She had her guest lecture that morning, and she was a hot mess. Racing to the shower, Elizabeth rushed through her morning rituals. She didn't have time to wash and dry her hair, so she was going to have to pull it back and tame it that way.

  She needed as many shortcuts as possible that morning. Out in the bedroom, she could still hear Ethan talking, only it didn't sound like a jovial conversation. It sounded like he was giving his orders to Ginny, back at FBI West.

  Digging through her garment bag, she found something that screamed professor and FBI. While not her normal attire, she could work it like no one’s business.

  She had to. In a couple hours, she’d be standing in front of a room full of kids being judged.

  Gee, she couldn’t wait.

  The second she was in the skirt and shirt, her attitude changed. Pulling out her makeup bag, she got to work.

  She wanted to make an impression, and also use this class as a way to intimidate some frat boys. She knew that the victims had all gone missing from the class, and that was suspicious.

  She had a role to play, and today it wasn’t Elizabeth the field agent. Today, it was Elizabeth the head of FBI West. While Ethan should be the one running this little operation, she knew why Gabe wanted her to do it.

  She was pretty bait.

  While the killer wouldn’t take her, or so she hoped, he would be drawn toward the fascination of the FBI being in his domain.

  He’d want to show her who was boss.

  The same went for her. Elizabeth wasn’t new at this. She could spot an egomaniac at a thousand paces. She was going in to pick him out of a crowd and make his life a living hell.

  When she was finished with her makeup, she stared at her face. “Not bad, Lyzee. You may still have it, even though you’re worn down, a mother, and an aging Fed.”

  Straightening her skirt, she headed out, only to find Ethan still barking orders into the phone. No wonder he’d lost track of time. Something had to be going on at FBI West.

  When he saw her, he stopped talking. His face said it all, and Elizabeth was pleased. As long as she could still get this kind of reaction from her husband, it was all worth it. Maybe all the running, cardio, and getting her ass kicked by a personal trainer was time well spent.

  Ethan still wanted her.

  After hanging up the phone, he moved toward her. “Baby, you look amazing,” he stated, taking in the long lean lines of her body in the snug attire.

  She looked powerful.

  Sexy.

  Womanly.

  “Thank you,” she said, going into his arms.

  Yeah, she was okay with being over forty, a mom, and aging if this was the response she’d get from her husband. Already, she could feel his lower body tightening at her touch.

  That’s all that mattered.

  She could still turn him on.

  His mouth sought hers, sharing the love he felt each time he saw her. This was his woman, and she called to him on some deep level. When they broke apart, he still didn't let her go. “Sorry I didn't get to catch you half-naked. I would have gladly helped you get undressed.”

  She laughed. “Then we would have really been late.”

  His body reacted when she rubbed against him. “Lyzee, my love, don’t tease if you’re not going to let me have a taste.”

  Tucking the growing strands of raven black hair behind his ears, she bit his lower lip, tugging lustily on it. “Maybe later. Is Callen joining us soon?”

  His whole body wanted to take over, claiming his sexy wife in the bedroom, but he knew better. Work had to come first. Today was her big day.

  She had to be nervous.

  “Yes, I just spoke to him. He’s on the road. He’ll be here by the time you’re done. Are you worried?”

  She laughed. “No, I think he can follow GPS and get here in one piece.”

  Ethan released her. “I wasn’t referring to him. I meant about teaching today’s class.”

  She crossed the room to her sidearm and badge. “No, not really. I’ve given bigger speeches at meetings, and we run a building with nearly a thousand people. These are kids. I think I can keep them from mutiny.”

  He didn't believe her. Something was off. “Talk to me.”

  “Do you think I’m getting old?” Why she said it, she’d never know. Maybe it was her hope that Ethan
would talk her down from her misguided insecurities.

  “Why do you think that?” he asked, crossing to her.

  “I didn't pass all my testing at Quantico,” she stated, reaching into her bag. When she pulled out a pair of glasses, she dropped them on her nose. “My eyesight is off. I’m getting old.”

  He grinned, knowing that once he’d blown off her concerns and made it all about him. Ethan had learned his lesson, and was taking a different route with this one. It was rare that she came out and disclosed things that were eating away at her.

  “No, I’m getting old. You’re getting hotter. Look at my wife. You realize that Callen and I had to up the workouts just to come close to the sexiness of our woman.”

  “Ethan.”

  “Lyzee, those glasses make you look like some sexy school marm. They don’t mean you’re deteriorating. You’re amazing, and if anything, I’m sure you’ll be the fantasy of every horny college boy in that class. I almost want to come with you so I can shoot them.”

  She snorted. “Thanks, I think.”

  “You’re not old. You’re perfect.”

  She went back into his arms and kissed him. “I love you, and thank you for talking me off the ledge.”

  “You’re my everything, baby. I would just like to suggest you wear those glasses when you see Callen. He’s going to lose his mind. I bet he can’t put a single sentence together. Ask him if he wants to check out a book. You’ll get him all hot and bothered.”

  She was well aware of Callen’s sexy librarian fantasy. “I feel better.”

  He was glad.

  “What are you doing today?” she asked, still in his arms.

  “Well, after I drop you off at the school, I’m heading in to see what our agents have found. Blaise and Flowers have been working on digging up anything that will help you. I want their reports.”

  Ethan set her free after one more kiss. It was going to be a long day without her.

  “Then I thought I’d check in with the lab techs and push them to find us something. We really can’t move forward at this point unless they do.”

  “Sounds good,” she offered.

  “Maybe we can meet for lunch after you blow the minds of today’s youth. What’s your lecture about?”

  She handed him her notes.

  He read over it, and then glanced up. “Baby.”

  She patted his cheek. “It’s true. I can’t do my job without the man behind it all. Having a kick ass profiler is the reason I’m good at what I do. I’m a better Fed because of Ethan Blackhawk.”

  He melted at the limitless faith she had in him and his skills. It wasn’t that long ago that he’d worried he wouldn’t be able to pull it off. Now he was back to his old self.

  “You’re going to knock them dead.”

  She grinned. “Well, then at least I’ll know who killed them. It’ll be an open and shut case.”

  He held out his hand.

  “Can you drop me off before I’m really late?”

  “Oh, I’ll give you a ride any day,” he teased, running his hand down her hip and right to her ass.

  “Perv.”

  “Someone has to do it when Callen’s away,” he stated, staring down at his wife’s behind.

  Lord have mercy.

  It was going to be one hell of a long day for him, for Callen, and for every horny college boy with the hot teacher fantasy bouncing around in his head.

  He hoped he survived.

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

  Beta Phi Ti

  Broderick Seaton was excited, and he was pretty sure it had to show. He couldn’t help himself.

  Sue him.

  He was about to see Johanna again, and he couldn’t help but love every second of it. Yes, they were on a case, but he was supposed to pretend he was infatuated with her.

  It wasn’t far from the truth.

  He couldn’t help himself. At that moment, he was wondering what she was doing. Was she as excited as him?

  Was she plotting her retreat?

  All of it was whirling around in his brain, making him one hell of a nervous wreck. It was like he was a kid again, feeling all those anxious emotions as he struggled to catch the girl. Yet, this was still new, since he’d never really chased anyone but Joey.

  “You heading out?” asked Sutton from his doorway. “Classes don’t start for forty minutes yet.”

  Brody glanced down at his watch. “Yeah, I know. I just want to intercept Johanna before class.”

  That intrigued him. “Why? She’s just a piece of ass.”

  He wanted to punch the man repeatedly just for being a dick, but he had to control it.

  “Because, genius, I’m trying to get in her pants. She’s not like the other women. She’s skittish. When a horse is nervous, you don’t jump on and expect an easy ride. I’m trying to work my way into her comfort zone, and then I’ll take her for a long, hard ride around the stable.”

  He laughed. “You’re funny. Hey, whatever it takes. There’s no time limit. I prefer bagging as many babes, and then moving on. If you want to spend all your energy on her, go for it.”

  “Quality over quantity,” Brody stated.

  “Uh, okay, Dad. You’re like a thirty five year old man in a young body.”

  “I picked her, so I have to finish this. Arman thinks I can’t do it, and that makes me want to conquer her.”

  “Yeah, I understand. He’s the power player here at the house.”

  Brody saw his opportunity, so he took it. “Is he the one who came up with this game?” he asked, hoping the weakest link would sing like a canary.

  “Well, this frat has always been about sex, but he fine-tuned it.”

  Brody grabbed his wallet, books, and backpack. “So, he’s definitely in charge.”

  “Oh, he definitely is. Nothing goes on here without him being well aware. He’s the senior. The rest of us are underclassmen. Right now, it’s looking like Nels will be the heir apparent. He’s the next person in line to take over when Arman graduates.”

  “I just hope I can impress him.” Yeah, then he hoped one day he’d get to put him in cuffs and throw away the key. Arman made him sick.

  “You definitely have. If he didn't like your spunk, he would have picked a different frat brother to join us in heaven.”

  “What’s it like?”

  “Orgasmic.”

  Brody laughed. “Yeah, so I keep getting told. If I get in this girl’s pants, do I get to have her first downstairs?”

  He laughed. “No. You get to watch as the brothers use her, and then you get the last piece of her before we send her home.”

  Brody wanted to be sick. He wouldn’t let Johanna down in that basement.

  He couldn’t.

  “I can’t wait to get down there. I have to head out,” he said, knowing if he stayed, there’d be bloodshed. He could tell that Sutton was picturing dipping his stick in Joey, and that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Good luck with romancing that piece of ass,” he called after him. Sutton shook his head before heading back to his own room. “Idiot.”

  Outside, Brody raced through the quad to the steps outside Joey’s dorm. Sitting there, he tried to look calm, even though his heart was pounding in his chest.

  It sucked spending any time away from her. When they were partners, at least he knew each day would be filled with twelve hours of being at her side. Now, each second was precious.

  As she exited the dorm, she wasn’t alone.

  He waited for her to see him, and when their eyes met, she looked surprised.

  “Hey,” she said, as the pack of girls arrived in front of him. Brody had forgotten that girls tended to move in herds. In fact, he forgot that they giggled like idiots too.

  Did Joey do that? He honestly couldn’t picture her being that silly, but then again, he wouldn’t mind hearing her laughter. It had been so long.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, noticing the other girls were grinning
and batting their eyelashes.

  Jesus!

  He didn't get girls at all.

  “Oh, thanks,” Johanna offered.

  Brody loved seeing her in college gear. She was so different not in her FBI clothes, that he couldn’t help but be intrigued.

  “Hey, I came to walk you to class. I think we’re in the same one,” he stated.

  The pack of girls giggled even more.

  Johanna blushed. “Oh, okay.”

  He held out his hand. “Let me carry your backpack,” he offered.

  She handed it over, right before he held out his arm.

  “My lady?”

  The girls swooned.

  Johanna fought not to roll her eyes. Damn him for being suave. It made her belly curl with lust. She’d never seen this part of him before. He was a total enigma, and she had to admit that she was fascinated.

  As they walked away, she whispered, keeping her voice low. “What are you doing, Brody?”

  “Seducing my girl.”

  That was all she had to hear. In fact, he was doing that and so much more, and she was helpless to fight it. Johanna Madden was falling for him, harder than ever. This had been her biggest fear, and it was coming true.

  Damn it!

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

  When he dropped her off, she was a spectacle. Of course Ethan Blackhawk was going to walk around the side of the Denali and open the door for her.

  And of course he was going to kiss her like they’d been apart for weeks. In the middle of the college sidewalk, surrounded by kids, he pulled her mouth to his in one hell of a searing lip lock.

  It was beyond steamy. It was like a summer day in the hottest part of hell.

  It was scorching.

  It drew everyone’s attention, and she didn't doubt that he’d done it to mark his territory. When they broke apart, she went to admonish him, but he didn't care. The smug masculine look on his handsome face said it all.

  He was running this relationship.

  Somehow, she’d lost control a long time ago right about when Callen joined their union. Now she was trapped in the Native American sexiness, unable to get out.