Page 51 of Affair
‘I feel off. Are you okay? My heart is racing, and I’m off balance. Gene, please come home to me. I can’t do this without you. Please don’t leave me again. I won’t survive it again. I barely survived the last time. I love you and need you.’
God.
His heart hurt.
The message was raw with pain, and all of that was because of him. His sweet, gentle lover was scared, and Gene hated that he’d put him in this position.
The last thing he wanted was Ethan scared by this whole thing. What he wanted was to be there to reassure him, and kiss him so he knew.
His heart belonged to him.
FOREVER.
Since he couldn’t do that, he’d do the next best thing. He’d reassure him.
So, he replied.
‘I’m good, my one and only. I’m coming home when this is over. I promise I’ll never leave you again. I just have to make sure you’re safe. I have to take care of this, EJ. He’s not going to threaten my man, my life, or my family. I’ll be safe, and I’ll take care of Elizabeth. I won’t let either of us get hurt. Just hold on for me. We’re getting married, and we’re going to get old together. We fought too hard for our relationship, and our lives to not win this. I’m only yours. Mind, body, and soul. I promise you. I love you.’
He hit send, and showed the woman beside him what was going on. He knew she’d be aware. After all, her phone had been blowing up the whole trip there. There was no doubt in his mind that Ethan was messaging her too.
After reading it, she kissed him on the cheek.
It was clear that Ethan was struggling. He’d texted her five times, and each one sounded more and more desperate. Honestly, she understood his fears.
He genuinely loved Gene and needed him to be whole. Gene was the man who fixed him first.
Not her.
Only, he was the one who broke him too.
“Call him,” she said. “He needs you. We have a few minutes until we get toArea Fifty-Two. You’re good in here. Security will mind their business,” she said. “Won’t they?” she asked.
As if on cue, they each pulled out earbuds and popped them into their ears. They had privacy in the back of that luxury helicopter.
At her suggestion, Gene did just that. There would never be a time he wouldn’t gladly call Ethan to hear his voice.
So, he made a video call.
The second that Ethan answered, he looked strung out, worked up, and a mess. It was crystal clear that his nerves were shot, and it was all because of him.
“Hey,” Gene said.
Ethan had tears in his eyes already, and his man was tough. That said it all.
He was scared.
“My love.”
Gene went into protection mode for his man. Since getting back fromPhiladelphia, and handling the David Neives mess, Ethan had been struggling.
Then, this…
It was causing havoc.
The last thing any of them needed was chaos added to their family.
“We’re good. I’m with Elizabeth, and we’re safe.”
