Page 133 of Assassin

Now, The Hunters, like the Crofts, were her responsibility.

Because she needed an answer, he gave her one to answer her question as to if Gene would be okay.

“Now, no. I need time, Elizabeth, to acclimate him. You have to give him some time to forget about his past. If you kill switch TB, there will be fallout,” he said, not even using his name.

She needed to know.

“For the Hunters or for you?”

That caught him off guard, and she was staring into his eyes, and already, she saw the struggle he was facing. They’d opened Pandora’s Box of his past, and the secrets were about to escape.

Her gut said he had a few that he hadn’t told his family about, and she wasn’t sure he ever would. Then again, his past before her was his.

NOT hers.

“We’re just friends.”

She knew that was not how he felt. She could see him with Gene, and he’d been a different person.

Elizabeth was a gambling kind of a woman, and she’d bet dollars to donuts that her husband was still in love with his ex.

Like love-LOVE.

Like what he felt for her and Chris.

At some point, that was going to come to a head, and they’d have to deal with it.

“EJ, if I have to take him out, where does your allegiance lie?” she asked, not having a choice. This couldn’t rip their family apart.

They had kids.

The bottom line was that she and Ethan were the foundation for it all.

At her words, he lifted her chin to reassure her.

“I will forever stand with my wife. I will never do anything to hurt or betray you.”

Yeah, she didn’t buy that. Love was a powerful thing, and she knew how Ethan felt about Gene.

He was in love.

When she heard him coming, she jerked her head toward the doorway to warn him. When Gene walked in, he came to a stop.

“Oh, did I interrupt something private?” he asked, seeing only them in there. “I was just coming in for some coffee.”

Ethan crossed to him and took his hand in his.

“No, you didn’t, Gene. I was here for the same thing. Let me hook you up with one. Elizabeth, would you like to join us for an afternoon coffee break?”

She smiled, covering that dread she was feeling. What choice did she have?

This was her family, and her responsibility.

“Like you have to ask. Bring on the coffee. I think I have some stashed baked goods that the boys didn’t find yet. Anyone want some sugar?”

Gene kissed her on the forehead.

“Now, that’s a lady after my own heart. The day I say no to baked goods, have my head checked. I’ve clearly lost my damn mind.”

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