Page 75 of Sticks and Stones
He.
Was.
It was clear that Ethan was mellowing out, and he wasn’t freaking out about the littlest things.
“Thank you for not being angry. I’ll text Gabe and tell him we’ll take the deal.”
Yowza, but the things they’d do for family.
Corbin most definitely owed them one.
That was for damn sure.
He should start by not getting himself into shitty situations that pulled them in.
Ethan reassured him.
“It’s not your fault that we have to be here. It would be different if you were intentionally doing it to trap me here,” he admitted. “I’m not beating on the messenger when you’re in just as much shit as I am. Gabe knows I hate his fucking guts. I sometimes think he avoids me just as much as we avoid him.”
That was possible.
The last three weeks had been radio silence.
Gabe was a sadistic asshole who made their lives hell if he was bored, but he could read a room. They had him over the barrel, in a way.
They cleared cases, and the FBI needed agents who could carry the load. As long as they did that, they made him look good, and that kept him in his job. The president could replace him if need be.
“We’re going to wait on Gabe to get us this case, and then, at some point, I’ll stop back at home so we can talk this out. Oh, and Gabe is forcing Greyson to help us. He’s been pulled into this mess with us. Apparently, we’re problematic and need a babysitter.”
Well, at least it was a decent agent who had been shackled to them.
Greyson gave them a long leash to close cases.
That worked for them.
“Tell him I’m sorry about that. I know what it’s like to be a pawn in Gabe’s game. It sucks the big one.”
That it did.
Gene checked out his watch.
He needed to get moving.
“I’ll see you in a little while. Do you need anything for Corbin?” he asked.
They did.
“He needs some of his things. Can you swing by his house and get him some clothes, his toothbrush, and some shoes? We aren’t the same size, and honestly, he might feel a little more secure if he can wear his clothing and not feel like a refugee in our condo.”
He could do that.
Corbin was always welcome there.
Gene wanted to help out, and he knew Ethan would need it if he was on Corbin duty.
“I’ll grab lunch,” he offered.
It was the least he could do.
