Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Read online

  In that moment, Tony really could have kissed her.

  “What do we do next?” inquired Doctor Bridget Seston, ignoring the outburst to move closer to the man in charge.

  Jaxon wanted to roll her eyes when the woman batted hers at Tony. For the last four weeks, the doctor had been trying to get his attention and into his pants. To say that it was getting irritating would be an understatement.

  “We finish uncovering them and wait,” he answered.

  When the woman touched his arm, he could see Jaxon’s eyes narrow, and the lines form in the center of her forehead.

  “Can you help me?” she asked. “I seem to have lost my dig partner. He stormed off in a huff. I promise I won’t leave your side.”

  Jaxon wanted to puke.

  On her.

  Tony was well aware what was going on. When he’d been given this assignment, he did his research. The woman, who was eyeing him up like a snack, was Jaxon’s biggest competition. They started out at the same time, worked a few jobs together, and were rivals. There was no doubt that the woman wanted to make his fiancée a nervous wreck.

  Yeah, not on his dig site.

  He wasn’t going to allow himself to become a weapon to hurt the woman he loved.

  Tony was way too smart for that BS.

  “Sorry, Doctor, but I have to go get ready for the FBI. You’ve done this a while. You should know how to manage without a partner. Although, if you need help, then Doctor Armstrong can show you how do it the right way.”

  His comment hit its mark.

  Tony owed his girl this. After all, she schooled a pompous doctor. Why not return the favor?

  Immediately, the woman clammed up.

  He’d worked with Elizabeth Blackhawk enough to know how to place a well-timed barb.

  Tony Magnus had learned from the best.

  As he headed off, he could feel Jaxon not far from his side. Once in the tent, she practically jumped him, crushing his mouth beneath hers. Jaxon’s lips caressed his, drawing him into the kiss. As her tongue slid across his, promising so much more heat, Tony nearly wanted to weep with the pleasure of it all.

  When they both finally surfaced from the mating of mouths, he stared at her in shock.

  “That’s for being my hero and putting her in her place,” she stated.

  Tony was glad he had done it. “I’d do it all over again,” he stated. Then, he got serious. “Are you okay with the fleshiness?” Tony inquired.

  She went silent for a second. “No, but I’ll get over it. I have to get this done, so we can wrap it up. I want to go home when this is over. I miss the luxuries of a house.”

  He paused, waiting for the bad news. “Home? Where’s that going to be, Jaxon?”

  She looked worried. Maybe he’d changed his mind about getting married. After all, he’d proposed and that was it. Since that day, he hadn’t really said anything else.

  “I don’t think we’ve discussed that yet.” She backpedaled the conversation like a big giant chicken. She couldn’t help it. The thought of losing him scared her.

  He stared into her eyes. “Jaxon,” he began, only to have her cut him off.

  “I have to get back to work, boss,” she stated, heading out. It was lame that she was still worried, but Jaxon couldn’t help it. Tony Magnus turned her already chaotic world upside down.

  Tony followed, watching her pull gloves from her back pocket. “Oh boy,” he muttered, a little shocked that by now she couldn’t just give him an honest answer.

  Somehow, this was becoming a mess.

  Normally, he was incredibly astute. What he didn't notice was that he wasn’t the only one watching Jaxon.

  There was another set of eyes.

  And they saw everything.

  * * *

  Somewhere in Bayou Country

  Location Classified

  She’d had lots of tough assignments in her career with the FBI, but none had made her life this hard. Not only was she away from the men in her life and pregnant, but she was babysitting a creep fest.

  That sounded terrible to even her, but Elizabeth couldn’t help it.

  Facts were facts.

  The woman codenamed Oracle was scary.

  Not bloody gory scary, but all-seeing frightening. It was making Elizabeth edgy and nervous as hell. The woman had a uncanny extra sense that made her feel dangerous. You wanted to like her, but were scared shitless to do just that. Whenever you let your guard down, that’s when she hit you with some terrifying tidbit or fact.

  It was unnerving.

  When she took this assignment, she had no idea that she’d be on edge twenty-four-seven.

  But she was.

  Frankly, it was getting stressful. While she thought the biggest issue would be someone trying to get to the woman, Elizabeth had been dead wrong.

  It was the woman herself.

  The ‘assignment’, as they were calling her, with her long blonde hair and angelic eyes, was nothing like she appeared. It was hard to get any rest when you had Oracle wandering around late at night.

  It was like a ghost wandering the halls of the house.

  She lurked.

  Crept.

  Prowled.

  So, when she was up, so were they.

  Elizabeth glanced over at the Marine sitting on the couch. He was cleaning his gun as he tried not to stare at her. Every now and then, she’d catch him. It was the same speculative glance she got when people miscalculated her skills.

  Little did he know, she knew everything about him, including who he was related to at the FBI.

  Jagger Armstrong was a tough Marine, trained for the most dangerous of assignments. Then, he was given this one. From the tattoos covering his body, to the boyish grin always plastered on his face, he gave the false sense of ease.

  She knew the truth.

  He was a killer.

  How she knew was simple. So was she.

  When you took lives, you could spot that same darkness in other people. It was as clear as day to her, and Elizabeth had to wonder why he didn't see it in her.

  It was there in his eyes, so it was likely in hers. Since she’d studied him, that part of the mission gave her slightly more ease. Well, unless you took into account that the man’s father was a supposedly dead mob boss.

  Little did he know the government, which he’d sworn to work for, had lied to him. Yeah, he wasn’t going to like that one bit. Not when the truth eventually came out.

  Part of her prayed that he didn't find out from her.

  Until that moment happened, she was relying on him. Jagger was helping Elizabeth keep the woman in their charge safe.

  “You need to chill,” he said suddenly.

  “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I have this feeling that something’s coming. I’m edgy.”

  “It’s probably the pregnancy,” he offered. “All those girl hormones,” he stated condescendingly.

  It was clear from his voice how he really felt about her being there. She had news for him. If push came to shove, she wouldn’t be a liability.

  Her only two goals were to keep Oracle safe and get the hell home to her family. After that, it was every man for himself. Elizabeth put duty over life this time, but in the end, she knew what truly mattered.

  Strolling over, she placed her coffee cup on the table next to his disassembled Ruger.

  “I could kick your ass with my eyes closed, little boy.”

  He laughed. “No offense, ma’am, but I somehow doubt that. When I’m done, want me to clean your gun too?”

  Elizabeth would love to school his macho ass. It would give her nothing but absolute pleasure. She saw his shooting records, which were housed in the military database, and Elizabeth had nothing to worry about. While he was good, she was better. He wouldn’t be the first man who tried to prove that because he had a dick, he was superior.

  “You don’t know me too well. You should have done your research before running your mouth like that, Marine. I do believe
that is a huge tactical error on your behalf. Don’t let the pregnancy fool you.”

  He glanced up, blue eyes sparkling. “You’re some desk jockey Fed. What more do I need to know? Everything you learned about me is all in a file. Trust me when I say that the government doesn’t write everything down.”

  Yeah, she was well aware of that. He should learn to take his own damn advice.

  “You’re accustomed to cushy office work, ma’am. I’m used to getting dirty.”

  Elizabeth saw the countless times she’d killed. He was dead wrong there. Her soul was as dirty as a twenty dollar whore on a Saturday night.

  “But thanks for the laugh, lady.”

  She’d had about enough. Elizabeth missed her men, kids, and life outside of the Oracle mess. “I know that your sister is on a dig in Kentucky with her new fiancé. I know that your father was Michael O’Banion, the sadistic mob boss, and he made your life hell.”

  Bingo.

  The man’s face gave him away.

  “I know that Jaxon is all you have left in the world, and that you’re not as badass as you think. I also know that you check in with her whenever you can, and that you’ve already broken the rules while we’re here to do just that. You see, son, we all have a weakness, and family is yours. Funny, I didn't break protocol to check up on my loved ones. I guess that says a lot about my tenacity, and yours.”

  He stood, and her gun was out so fast that he didn't see her even move for it.

  Jagger blinked, staring down the barrel of her Glock. “I wouldn’t push your luck, Marine. You’ve miscalculated. I know that you have a wicked temper and a shitty attitude. Is that hereditary? Did you get that from your daddy?”

  He was seething, especially since she had a gun pointed at his head. “Who are you really?”

  She holstered her weapon, her eyes never leaving his.

  “I’m Jaxon’s boss, so to speak. I’m also the director of FBI West. I’m not some fledgling assigned to this, so mind your manners, Marine. I learned something from my bloodline too. It’s that I’m crazy as a fox, and prone to take a life. While on this crazy train, I get to be the conductor.”

  He sat.

  “Is she okay?” he asked, missing her. “I only sent a text. I haven’t called her.”

  Elizabeth was well aware.

  “Yeah, she’s with my anthropologist and doing just fine. He’s crazy about her and watching her back.”

  He relaxed. “I’m sorry regarding the dig about the hormones. How did you know about my old man? Did he try to kill you too?”

  “Your sister turned up on my team. I ask lots of questions, and I like to make sure nothing pops up to bite me on the ass. Contrary to what you believe, I wasn’t handed my job as director. I happened to earn it.”

  It was mired in blood and death, but that was none of his damn business.

  “Do you know the guy she’s in love with? Is he a good man?”

  “Yes, I do. In fact, he’s one of my closest friends and has been for a dozen years or so.”

  “Will he take care of my sister? That’s what matters most to me. I’ve yet to meet him.”

  She crossed her legs for what might be one of the last times. Charlie was getting bigger and bigger. “He took a bullet to the chest for her. He’d die for Jaxon, so you don’t have to worry about him taking care of her. Doctor Tony Magnus is an honorable man.”

  That seemed to offer him peace.

  “Good. She deserves a man who will protect her. She didn't have it easy growing up.”

  It made her curious that he didn't include himself in that sentence. Just as she was about to push, they had company.

  “Good morning,” the woman said, gliding effortlessly into the room like an apparition.

  Elizabeth glanced over at Jagger. “I’ll take this shift. You can get some sleep, Marine.”

  He gathered his gun, saluted, and headed to bed.

  While she hated being alone with the woman, she’d rather do it in the daylight. God help Nathaniel Carter when he was handed this job.

  It was a one way ticket to Creepsville.

  That was saying a great deal, especially since Elizabeth didn't flinch at scary shit. She’d sat in body soup, hunted killers, and fought to save the men in her life from maniacs.

  Yet, this assignment unsettled her.

  “Morning, Avalon,” she replied, as Avalon filled the Marine’s vacated spot.

  “I hope I didn't keep you up last night. I was restless,” she offered. “I don’t sleep well sometimes.”

  It was the dreams.

  They haunted her.

  If Elizabeth closed her eyes, she believed she could be lulled into a trance by the gentle sing-song voice of the woman before her. Instead, she watched the woman playing with her long pale blond strands of hair.

  “I don’t sleep well either, so don’t worry.” Yeah, ever since being away from the men she loved, nights were hell. Her body ached for their touch.

  Their scent.

  The feel of their bodies beside her.

  Elizabeth really hated this assignment. She was crazy to sign up for this.

  Focusing on the blonde, she felt bad for ogling Oracle, but it was hard not to stare at the woman. She had this ethereal appearance to her. From the long blonde tresses to the pale blue eyes, she looked like some fairy stripped of her wings. It didn't help that she was wandering around barefoot in a flowing white dress.

  If ghosts were real, here was their queen.

  Yet, while the woman was beautiful, she felt so empty. This had to be a very lonely life, wandering around and always in danger.

  “You miss your men.”

  She didn't react.

  Elizabeth was the queen of staying calm. She’d learned years ago not to show anything, but inside, she was freaked out. Since meeting this woman, Avalon just knew things about her that she shouldn’t. When asked, Gabe swore she didn't get briefed.

  But then how?

  “Yes, I do.”

  “This is your fourth baby, but one isn't really yours.”

  “I beg to differ. They’re all mine. Mothers aren’t always the ones who give birth to you, Avalon. Sometimes, fate steps in and gives you a gift. One of my babies was a miracle.”

  “You’re a good mother to genuinely believe that. Your little girl is very lucky. The woman who gave her life did one honorable thing before she died.”

  Okay, commence freak out.

  No one knew Cat wasn’t hers. Only their family was privy to that secret. None of them would spill that detail, including Gabe. As for Desdemona Adare, she was in her grave and that’s how Elizabeth preferred it. The woman nearly destroyed their family with her lying and manipulation.

  “Her father was lucky to find her. You hide the truth from the world well.”

  Hell yeah, they did. All three of them planned on taking it to their grave, not even telling Cat, until she came out and asked why she didn't look like her siblings.

  After all, she was theirs.

  More importantly, she was Elizabeth’s.

  “Your gift is being a mother, oh, and a killer.”

  Elizabeth didn't even flinch. The truth was the truth. She was a damn good parent, and as for a killer... her life spoke for itself.

  She’d illegally taken a murdering rapist’s life, and there was not one iota of remorse. She’d do it again in a heartbeat. Oracle should be glad, since she was guarding her.

  “You have blood on your hands and soul. I can see it.”

  This was the worst month of her life. Elizabeth just wanted to get the hell out of there.

  NOW!

  “Yes, I do. I’ve killed a lot of people who deserved it.”

  Avalon nodded. “Yes, you have, and they did.” She changed the topic. “The girl that you carry is special. She’s going to chase justice too, along with her siblings. You’ve created a miracle.”

  Again, she didn't answer.

  “I scare you, don’t I?”

  “Hell
yeah, you do. You’re creepy. Avalon, you may look like you fell from heaven, but I’m doubting that’s where you came from.”

  Hey! Why not go with the truth? If Oracle was going to be nosing around in her life, it was only fair.

  She laughed at that. “I’m sorry. I’m used to the people around me wanting answers. It never occurred to me that you didn't.”

  “I don’t like to know the future. I prefer to run toward the unknown. Then there’s far less stress,” Elizabeth offered. “When I encounter the trouble, I can think on my feet.”

  “I can understand that.”

  When Elizabeth ran her hand over her belly, the woman watched. It was funny to see her track the motion, since Gabe told her she was practically blind.

  How was that possible?

  It was just more creepiness.

  “You’re seven months and three days.”

  Now, Elizabeth wanted to puke. The woman was spot on, and no one knew that but her.

  NO ONE.

  The men in her life didn't even know the exact timeframe, since she had just calculated the exact day she got pregnant the other night while she was bored.

  “Yes, I am.”

  She leaned forward to touch Elizabeth’s hand. When she made contact, there was a light sizzle of energy before Elizabeth was forced to yank her hand away.

  “They saved you, and you’ll do the same.”

  She wanted to weep. God! She missed Callen and Ethan in the worst way.

  Plus, there was something about this woman that made her hormones go all out of whack and the tears threaten to fall.

  “Are they in danger?” she finally asked. How Elizabeth found the courage, she’d never know. Her biggest weaknesses in life were the men she loved, and the children that they had together.

  “Something is coming for them.”

  “What?” She couldn’t believe she was letting herself get sucked into this malarkey.

  It had to be total BS, right?

  “One brother will live and one will die.”

  Okay, that had her freaking out, and she could no longer keep it in. There was no way she could know that Ethan and Callen were related, or that she was in a relationship with two men.