Page 207 of Sticks and Stones
Immediately, Gene stopped him. He made Corbin stare into his eyes.
“Corbin, your life and well-being, are more important to us than a vacation. We would have helped you had you come to us. This isn’t an easy case as we’re finding out.”
He was seeing that too.
It was funny since Corbin really believed he’d be able to handle it.
Now, his confidence as a cop was rattled, and he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to do his job again.
He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to be intimate with another person.
Oh, and he didn’t know if he was even going to make it. His dreams were nightmares, and his body would be forever marked as a reminder of how one slipup could cost you everything.
Gene continued.
“They shouldn’t have sent you out on this job,” he admitted. “Going undercover is not a single person job. The first rule of undercover work is always have a partner to help you get out of a mess.”
Corbin listened.
Because he tried to do this his way, and it didn’t work. Now, he was going to listen.
“The second rule of undercover work is put your ego aside because you have to be able to ask for help when you need it.”
Gene made him stare into his face.
“You’re important to both of us. The day you covered for Ethan after his assault, you became my brother. I’ll always be your backup no matter what. We’ve bonded here inPhilly, and we’ve become a unit.”
As a big tear slipped down his battered cheek, Gene wiped it away.
“Before I leave this city, I’m going to make sure you know how to be safe. I don’t want to see you hurt, Corbin. We care about and love you. You’re our family. Forever.”
His words hit Corbin in the soul.
He was an only child, so he didn’t know what it was like to have brothers or people to call when the shit was going down. Now, he did, and he needed them.
He.
Was.
Struggling.
Corbin took the chance and opened up.
“They broke me, Gene. They broke me in ways where I’ll never be okay again. Every time I close my eyes, they are there hurting me. I can’t fight it. It’s too much for me.”
With love, he patted his cheek.
“You don’t have to be alone and afraid. You don’t have to fight this by yourself. We’re here, and we’ll get you through this, just like you helped Ethan when he was hurting. If you need to stay here, we have a spare room and it’s yours. You can move in for as long as you need to be here. We’ll protect you, go to therapy with you, and stand guard. You’re not alone, Corbin. You have family to lean into, so do it. Be brave enough to trust us to hold you up when it gets difficult.”
Gene wanted him to understand that he had a home if it was needed.
And since they knew where he lived, that was probably a good idea.
At his words, he tried to stop being so weepy, but it was damn difficult.
“Thank you.”
He stopped him again.
