Page 57 of Sticks and Stones
When Gene got back in, he started back toward the condo, and the vehicle was absolutely silent.
It bordered on awkward.
For that reason, Ethan assumed Corbin was faking sleep in the back seat to hide.
As for the other man, Gene, who looked ready to blow, was myopically focused on traffic, so he didn’t say shit he’d have to apologize for later.
Yikes.
They were quite the threesome. If they got through this, it would be a miracle.
When they reached the condo, Gene rolled the window down and punched in the parking garage code so that he could get to their parking spot.
He pulled it next to his truck, where they had a motorcycle hidden under a cover.
“Home sweet home,” Gene said, putting the Mustang in park, and getting out.
When Corbin tried to climb out, it was crystal clear he couldn’t do it. He was weak and his body had been battered to Hell and back.
So, he scooped him up again.
Silently, they walked to the elevator, and they punched in another code. They rode it up, and when it stopped on their floor, they headed to their condo.
No one said shit there either.
Once inside, Gene carried Corbin to the spare room, and placed him in the bed.
That’s when Gene shared what he’d be doing for the rest of the morning.
Basically, his plan was to put space between him and Corbin.
“I’m heading in,” Gene said, focused on Ethan. “I have to get this case pulled and into our jurisdiction. Can you hold the fort down with Corbin?” he asked.
Ethan knew that someone had to watch their baby detective, and honestly, he didn’t want to go to the police precinct to watch Captain Oliver Guy flirt with his man. It was going to make him irate and insane.
This seemed like the lesser of the evils to him.
Surprisingly.
“Yeah, I’ve got this here. Send information back to me, and I’ll start working it.”
He was grateful.
“Call me if you need me,” he said, giving his man a kiss on the lips. “I love you,” he added.
Ethan touched his cheek.
“Love you, too, big guy.”
When Gene headed out, Ethan was infinitely grateful that Javier Hughes was in jail, and they had a little leeway with their safety.
Had he not been, Ethan would be stressed about Gene out in the streets.
Tucking Corbin in, he reassured him.
“Get some rest. We’ll get some food in you,” he admitted. “You need to rebuild your strength.”
Corbin said nothing.
