Page 262 of Chaos has a Name
Gene went there.
“Say that you’ll stay in tonight, Elizabeth, or he’ll get mean and then you’ll get spicy when you have to requalify. It’s just easier this way, and you can be angry with me later for ratting you out.”
Without saying a word, she just nodded.
Yep.
That alone told Chris all he needed to know.
She needed this.
His strong, independent woman was reaching out, and hoping the men in her life would give her a break on this one. Chris knew for sure that there was no way Gene ratted her out.
He was covering for Elizabeth. Chris would bet big money on it. So, he backed off.
If this was about saving face, she deserved it. It was far and few between that she took the easier way out on something.
A little rest was well deserved. It had been a shit week for all of them.
Leaning over her, he gave her a kiss on the forehead.
“I’m going to tell Ethan and Callen you’re off duty until morning. Gene can go with them. I’ll stay so I can monitor your symptoms. If I have to take you to the hospital, I will,” he added, knowing that wasn’t going to happen.
Call it a hunch.
At his words, Gene knew one thing.
It was done.
“Okay, Christopher,” she said, hoping if he found out, he wouldn’t be angry with her for this little white lie. They had a rule in their relationship not to lie, but she really couldn’t face those caves again.
Getting up, he headed to the door.
When he looked back, it wasn’t at Elizabeth, but instead, it was at Gene.
Uh-oh.
Gene knew that Chris knew.
They hadn’t successfully fooled him with the concussion act. Now, it was a matter of seeing what the fallout would be.
Honestly, Gene had only started feeling like he could fully integrate into the unit. He’d always held back for a reason, and now, he’d see if there was fallout for Elizabeth going to him, and not one of the husbands.
He was trying to read the situation.
At the door, the man was staring at him, his eyes burrowing into his soul.
Then, it was the slight nod that Chris gave him before leaving that clued him in. It appeared that Gene wasn’t the only one trying to buy Elizabeth some time.
“Thank you,” she whispered when Chris had left the room.
He lifted her chin.
“You don’t need to thank me. I love you, and you’re my family. I’ll always cover for my field partner. I’ll always cover for my girl.”
She could see that.
Oh, and she appreciated it.
