Page 35 of Sticks and Stones
Oh, maybe because that little secret he was hiding from Ethan about his own assault. All he could hope was that it didn’t come out anytime soon.
The guilt was already enough to debilitate him, and Gene was carrying it daily on his soul. It was that dark smudge that he knew would never stop haunting him. If Ethan were to find out, he’d lose him.
The reality of it coming to light would be devastating to both of them—but more so his partner.
“All we can do is be there for Corbin, and make sure we help him. It’s going to be a long road back, and if we have to run interception for him, we will.”
That it definitely was.
Without.
A.
Doubt.
“Even if it means blocking Alice?” Ethan asked.
Honestly, caring about other people and having a family was foreign to Ethan. He was going to have to trust Gene on this one.
And follow his lead.
He nodded.
“Even if it means blocking Alice. It won’t be easy, but if Corbin doesn’t want to face her, we have to give him that, at least.”
Well, then, Ethan knew what he needed to do.
Corbin’s well-being was his utmost concern now.
“After that, we’re likely going to have to deal withBull’s,” Gene admitted. “If that was where he was assaulted…”
Oh, he was well aware.
Only, Gene had oneMAJORconcern.
“We have to make sure Corbin didn’t blow our cover. If he brought up Mace and Tala, we’re burned.”
Jesus.
Ethan hadn’t thought about that, but Gene was absolutely right.
The other man continued.
“Clearly, his cover story wasn’t believable. If he said he knew us, or even spoke of us, we’re not going back in there. There’s no way we’ll get out alive. We barely did last time. I don’t want to have to watch the man I love being assaulted on a pool table. I don’t want to think about what happened to Corbin, and I certainly don’t want you to have to relive it.”
Yeah, well, Ethan didn’t want that either since he was the person who would most likely be hurt.
“I agree. My ass doesn’t want intruders. I like to be able to invite my guests,” he admitted.
Gene glanced over.
“Guests?” he asked, lifting a brow. “Care to elaborate on the plural there?”
Ethan laughed.
“You know what I meant. You. You were the guest in question.”
Oh, he’d better believe it. That was a hard line drawn in the sand for Gene. He wasn’t sharing his lover.
