Page 42 of Sticks and Stones
When they heard the door open, Corbin cringed, and tried to hide again. Only, Ethan reassured him that it wouldn’t be Alice, but instead, someone safe.
“It’s going to be Gene. He was calling Greyson to get us this case,” he admitted. “You don’t have to hide,” he added.
Hearing his man explaining, Gene knew he needed to move slowly, and at Corbin’s speed.
When Gene peeked his head around the corner, he waited to see if Corbin wanted him in there. He saw Ethan sitting beside the bed, and worse, Corbin a mess.
Holy fuck.
He’d never seen an assault victim look worse, and that was saying a lot since he’d worked plenty of cases. In that moment, he swore he’d get justice for the man.
No.
Matter.
What.
“Can I come in?” he asked, willing to stay out if Corbin needed him to. In fact, he prayed he would tell him to leave.
Gene’s temper was simmering, and it was going to be a problem at some point.
For the assholes who did this.
Ethan waited to see Corbin nod.
“Lock the door, Babe,” he said, no longer in work mode, but instead looking out for Corbin’s best interests. Ethan knew Corbin didn’t need Feds now.
He needed friends.
FAMILY.
Gene did, and then stepped into the shadowy, dim-lit room. As he did, more of the injuries were evident.
Jesus.
Gene had an overwhelming need to cry.
“Hey, Corby,” he said, going to the other side of the bed. “Are you okay?” he asked.
The man didn’t nod.
Or shrug.
He just sat there, numb.
Instead, he looked at Ethan, knowing he’d understand what he’d need more than anything.
“Please,” he whispered.
Because he needed Gene to know, he went there for Corbin’s sake.
“He wants out of here. Corbin needs to get out of the hospital.”
Well, Gene wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible. The man was a mess.
Medically, he was concerned.
“I don’t blame him,” he offered, not sure what he could say now that he’d seen what had been done to his friend.
