Dying to Love (An FBI Romance Thriller Book 18) Read online

  He was the boss.

  Now that Gabe was going to hand over the reins for a few weeks…

  Yeah, he needed to up his street cred.

  “I assume that since you’re all staring, no one has any open cases,” he practically growled.

  It caused a mass exodus of employees who’d been playing the role of looky-loo.

  Elizabeth was amused.

  “Have fun, Callen,” Ethan said, wishing he could go with them. There was a meeting on the schedule, and it sucked that he was going to have to pass up his biggest fantasy being lived out.

  “I’ll take pictures,” Callen offered.

  Well, at least Ethan had that.

  Callen took her hand, and they headed out.

  “Sir, are you going?” his one security guy asked as Ethan stood there in the foyer of the building.

  “I can’t, Liam. I have a meeting.”

  “That’s too bad, sir. Your wife is a character.”

  Yeah, he was well aware.

  “I’ll be in my office,” he stated, walking away. Ethan was thinking about a profile, his wife playing Miss Kitty, and what Detective Sheehan had said to him earlier in their meeting.

  He was stirred up.

  And not in a good way.

  Ethan had to think. He wasn’t good with anger, or the jealousy that was welling up.

  Sue him.

  He was a man.

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

  Delmont & Market

  Streets

  When they got near their location, Callen let Elizabeth out about a block from the location the pimp had given them. Gavin Weeks said she could talk to his girls, and he wasn’t holding back from them.

  That was always a good thing. It was odd to come across a pimp with manners.

  Damn odd.

  When Callen parked not far down the street from where his wife was taking the stroll, he watched Miss Kitty sashay herself into the cluster of hookers.

  It was funny, but she fit right in.

  Yeah, she might be forty plus years old, but she held her own. In fact, she was in better shape than almost all of them. Elizabeth was proud of her physique, and so was he.

  Damn proud.

  Callen sat there, in the dark interior of the vehicle, thinking about what his father had said.

  Was he that predictable?

  He’d never sit in a car with tissues and lotion. Well, he had news for Wyler. That comment was going to come back and bite him in the ass.

  He didn’t have a pregnant wife.

  Wyler did.

  Oh, they’d have fun with this one.

  As he sat there, Callen kept staring at the clock on the dash. He was hoping the evening went by fast. He’d arranged for a little fun with his wife, and he couldn’t wait for the festivities to kick off.

  Alas, the night was young.

  His wife was just getting started.

  Callen pulled out some mint gum, and he was just about to pop a piece into his mouth when there was a knock on the passenger door.

  He jumped.

  When the door opened, his hand went to his sidearm in preparation to defend himself. He knew it wasn’t Elizabeth. He could see her in the flock of floozies.

  “Room for one more?” Ethan asked as he slid into the passenger seat.

  “What are you doing here?” Callen asked.

  “I went back to my office, and I wasn’t happy to not be here. So, something occurred to me.”

  “What?”

  “I’m in charge. I can rearrange my schedule. I bumped the meeting back an hour. I can take a dinner break early so I can watch my wife play hooker.”

  Callen laughed. “Only in our world would that make perfect sense. Anyone else would be staring at us like we’re a few bricks shy of a wall.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Ethan watched her moving around the other women. When a car pulled up, she even leaned in a window with another hooker.

  She was checking out the possible men looking for women.

  His wife was smart.

  She was making sure that each and every John was accounted for that night.

  Ethan watched her. She glanced right over at his car, as if she knew he was there.

  He saw the head jerk.

  He got it.

  After working together all those years, he knew what his wife wanted.

  “Get the plate. She thinks he’s fishy. She needs to run him later.”

  Callen did what his brother asked. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve worked with her enough to know that’s how she thinks. She’s very methodical. While he’s checking out her assets, she’s going to want us to check him.”

  “You mean me, right?”

  “She knows I’m here,” Ethan offered.

  “How?”

  “She’s my soulmate, and I’m hers. We always know.”

  Callen bought that. It was the same thing with him. Elizabeth always would get his attention.

  “I wish I stopped for coffee,” Callen offered.

  Ethan laughed, reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a beer. Then he did the same thing with the other side.

  “Uh, illegal.”

  “Uh, acting Director of the FBI. Who’s going to roll up on us and put me in cuffs?”

  He had a very valid point.

  Callen took the beer and clinked his bottle off of his. “I really needed this tonight.”

  Didn’t he know it?

  So did he.

  “Enjoy it, and don’t worry, at the end of the street is a vehicle full of security. They’ll watch our backs. Now, let’s watch hers.”

  “I was aiming lower.”

  Funny, he was going higher.

  The Blackhawk boys were predictable—if nothing.

  Elizabeth knew he was there.

  She could feel his eyes on her. With Ethan, she always knew when he was around. The hair on the back of her neck would stand up, and she’d just sense him close to her.

  She loved that feeling.

  Don’t get her wrong, she loved Callen equally, but when Ethan was around, her world moved. He was the first true love of her life. Callen was the one who sealed the deal for her heart.

  Together, the Blackhawk boys rocked her world. Now that the team was in place, and she was absolutely safe, she began her job.

  “Destiny, tell me about Peaches,” she said, corralling the woman off by herself.

  “I don’t feel right about this. Are you sure our man is okay with this?”

  “You think he’s going to let a cop walk the stroll without being okay with it?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I guess so, Miss Kitty.”

  “Then tell me about her. Was anyone bothering Peaches while she was doing her job?”

  “No. She liked the work. Johnny Rockit keeps us safe. We don’t have to worry about being sent out to sleazy jobs. He’s a good pimp.”

  She understood.

  Some men were horrible to the women they corralled. She’d seen the evidence in their morgue time and time again.

  “What happened the night she got picked up?”

  “It was a black sedan. I didn’t pay no attention to it. I figured she was going off to give head, and then be back. That’s not what happened. She left and never returned.”

  The woman wiped her eyes.

  “And what happened to her baby. That’s just sick. What kind of person goes after a little one?”

  Elizabeth happened to agree.

  It was despicable.

  It was deplorable.

  It was going to be the nail in his coffin.

  “Are you going to find the asshole who did this?” Destiny asked.

  She planned on it.

  As God as her witness, someone would pay for the lives they took, and threatening her kids.

  “Yes. He called me out. If I even thought you’d listen to me, I’d tell you to lay low, and maybe stop turning tricks for a little while. It’s da
ngerous out here.”

  “I can’t. I have mouths to feed.”

  She got that too. That’s why she was dressed as Miss Kitty. “Thank you, Destiny.”

  Elizabeth picked the next woman to question. It was some girl named Kinky. She liked to handle the clients with exotic tastes.

  Yeah, her too.

  She was Callen’s whore of choice for that reason. Elizabeth didn’t mind in the least. A happy husband was one who didn’t even think about straying.

  “Kinky,” she said, getting the woman’s attention.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can we talk?”

  The woman followed her over to a stoop.

  “Girl, you gotta definitely be a cop. I can tell with you,” she stated, sitting down.

  “How do you know?” she asked.

  “Your boots aren’t even worn out.”

  She laughed. “You got me there. These are my bedroom boots. They only come out with the husbands.”

  “Ohhh, plural. You’re my kind of girl. Now, who are you really?” she asked. “I know you ain’t no Miss Kitty.”

  “Director Elizabeth Blackhawk of the FBI.”

  “Girl, I saw you on the news. You be banging two sexy men. You’re my kind of bitch. I give you props for that, even if you’re a pig cop.”

  She didn’t take any offense to it.

  Hookers and cops did not get along.

  She went with what they did have in common. It might make the interview easier.

  “Good. Birds of a feather have to flock together. Tell me about Peaches that night.”

  “This man pulled up, and it was this really nice ride. It was black, the windows were tinted, and he was her regular.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, really. She took him out three or four times a week.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Right as he was pulling up, she said, ‘oh, my favorite dick is back for round three’.”

  That explained it.

  He was scoping out his victims, getting friendly, and doing what it took to find the perfect hooker.

  “Has he been here since then?” she asked.

  “Nope. I haven’t seen him, but on the weekends, I get a lot of kinkery under my belt.”

  She could only imagine.

  DC was a cesspool when it came to perverts. The politicians were the worst.

  Hell!

  Their president was a sicko too.

  “If you see him again, will you call me?” she asked, pulling out a card.

  “You know it, girl. Look, we have a John.”

  “I need to meet him,” she said.

  “Girl, you best not steal my trick, or I’ll be putting holes in that pretty model face of yours—one for each freckle.”

  She laughed. “I want to see his face. That’s it.”

  Yeah, and get his license plate.

  They both leaned in.

  Elizabeth listened. Kinky did her thing, and she stepped back when the woman took the ‘job’.

  She watched her pull off to give the man a plethora of illegal acts in DC, all starting with him calling her mommy, and then being spanked.

  To each their own.

  Elizabeth spotted the next hooker. She was off by herself, and she didn’t look amused that Elizabeth was heading her way.

  Great.

  A hooker with attitude. This was the last thing she needed tonight.

  Well, she could cop one too.

  “Can we talk?” she asked.

  “No. I don’t narc.”

  “Your daddy told you to help me out. We go way back, and you’re going to help me.”

  “Or?” she asked.

  “Or I break both your arms and legs, and you won’t be working for a very long time. I bet you don’t have insurance either.”

  “Fine.”

  Well, that worked.

  Elizabeth wouldn’t actually hurt her, but still…a little threat of violence went a long way.

  “What’s your name?” she asked.

  “I’m FeeFee McFuckme.”

  Elizabeth laughed.

  “What’s so funny, bitch?”

  Elizabeth moved closer. “You are, if you think I’m afraid of your attitude. I chase serial killers for a living, and trust me when I say they are scarier than you on your worst day. So lose the faux attitude. I know you’re like everyone else here.”

  “Worthless?” she asked.

  “No. I value you. That’s why I’m working my tail off, literally, trying to find who hurt Peaches. Everyone has value to me.”

  “Yeah, except I’m a hooker.”

  “You’re also a person, and that comes first over your chosen career path.”

  The woman didn’t say anything.

  “What did you see? Help me find the dick who killed her baby.”

  “I didn’t see anything. I was out on a trick. All I know is the girls be sayin’ that this dick was a regular. He hasn’t been back.”

  “Of course not.”

  That would be way too easy, and she knew it.

  “I can’t believe he hurt that child.”

  “Do you have kids, FeeFee?”

  “Nah. I’m fixed. You don’t become a hooker if you’re a fertile time bomb. I like just taking care of myself.”

  Elizabeth held out her card. “If he comes back, will you call me? I don’t care what time it is.”

  “Yeah, I’ll call if I see his ride. I don’t know what he looks like though.”

  “Thanks.”

  Elizabeth signaled Callen, and then headed toward Gavin Weeks. He was leaning against his ride, watching his girls. When she approached, he smiled at her.

  “Hey, Miss Kitty. Long time no see. Welcome back to the family. I missed you.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Thank you for letting me talk to your girls. I appreciate it.”

  “Are you done?”

  “Yeah, my ride’s coming right now.”

  When she turned, Callen was pulling up in the sleek Mustang. All the girls headed his way.

  It was like the flock of floozies could smell money a mile away.

  When the window rolled down, she watched the mayhem.

  “Uh, Miss Kitty?” Gavin stated.

  “What?”

  “If you need a side job…”

  “Thanks, but I only like playing whore for the right man, and he’s being propositioned by some hookers. If you’ll excuse me?”

  She winked at Gavin, and then sashayed her way to the ride.

  “Excuse me, girls. Let me show you how it’s done.”

  They all moved out of her way.

  “Whatcha need, sexy?”

  “You. How much?” Callen asked.

  “Your heart, your present, and the next fifty years of your love.”

  “Deal.”

  Elizabeth waited for the door to open, and then Callen’s hand to appear. She took it, and hopped in. When she pulled the door closed, she checked out the hookers one last time.

  “Be safe, girls. If you can, take a break, do it.”

  They laughed as she rolled up the window.

  Elizabeth focused on the man beside her. “Where’s Ethan?” she asked.

  He played the part. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let’s renegotiate. We’re headed to a little place I like to take the girl of the night to have some fun.”

  He was dead serious about playing this game.

  Well, that worked for her.

  Until the killer made a move, the ball was in his court. Elizabeth hoped it was soon because she felt like she was falling behind on this one.

  “Three hundred bucks and you can do whatever you want to me,” she offered.

  “Anything?”

  “Yes. I’ll be yours for the night.”

  She held out her hand.

  Callen pulled out the cash, and she tucked it into her boot. “Drive, sexy. We have some fornicating to do.”

  His brown eyes sparkled in
the dark confines of the Mustang.

  “You have no idea.”

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

  When he saw her among the women, he was shocked. It astounded him.

  She’s playing the game. He’d been right about Elizabeth Blackhawk.

  There was no way she’d able to turn her back on this one.

  It was too much in her nature to be a goodie-goodie. Well, that was going to work in his favor.

  Here, he’d been planning to kill another hooker tonight.

  He’d picked her out.

  Yet, he wondered…

  Was she so smart she’d catch on?

  Nah, she wouldn’t.

  “Oh, Elizabeth, you are a wily one, my sweet. Had I not already purchased the flower, done the research, and planned this all, I’d let her go. Now I can’t. You’re too clever. It’s on.”

  He rubbed his hands together. It was a damn good thing that he was a planner. He’d waited a while, and it worked to his advantage.

  Now he had seen her.

  Perfect.

  Pulling up, he smiled at the girl who approached. He’d watched her and Peaches.

  Now, she’d be the next clue.

  By the time Elizabeth figured it out, he’d be on to the next one.

  This was fun.

  She was fun.

  Tonight, he’d take this whore, use her body, and make her a clue that Elizabeth Blackhawk figured out, or didn’t.

  Tonight, he’d set it up.

  In the morning, she’d be found, and Elizabeth would be scratching her head.

  He didn’t think she’d dig deep enough.

  He didn’t think she could.

  After all, she was only a woman, and everyone knew what they were good for, and only that.

  In the end, he’d have her as his own.

  She’d be in his bed, tied to it and used until he couldn’t cum anymore.

  “I love you, Elizabeth. You’re mine.”

  He rolled the window down.

  “What’s your pleasure?” she asked.

  “You. Care to get me off?”

  The hooker smiled.

  “That’s my job, and I’m damn good at it.”

  Oh, he really hoped she was.

  “You have beautiful lips,” he offered as she got in.

  “The better to blow you with,” she said, immediately dropping her head into his lap.