Page 452 of Sticks and Stones
But Ethan knew.
Gene most definitely took out the trash, and he was willing to bet he wasn’t alone. Greyson likely helped him. There was no doubt in his mind he had backup.
When Gene was sipping his coffee, Ethan tapped his own knuckles, and that got his attention.
Immediately, he switched hands, and his right one went back into his pocket.
“Can I speak to you, Mr. Cantrell?” Ethan asked him. “In private?”
Uh-oh.
The jig was up.
Instead of protesting, Gene followed, leaving Corbin and Will to enjoy the day, and some donuts.
In their room, Gene closed the door, and when he turned, Ethan moved into his body.
“You’re a good man, Mr. Cantrell. Thanks for going to church to light that candle.”
He shrugged.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to confession. It felt right. Hey, did you know Greyson is Catholic?” he asked, clueing in the man he loved.
“Is he now?”
“Yep.”
Once more, Ethan had been right. Instead of asking why he didn’t take him, he already knew.
Ethan wasn’t the backup he needed.
So, he let it go, for Corbin, and Ethan kissed him. It was a hot tangle of tongues. When he broke the kiss, his man was grinning.
“How about we give me something else to go back to the confessional for?” Gene asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
How was Ethan going to say no to that?
And after the sex, and the little rest as they were enjoying the afterglow, Gene knew one thing.
Justice had prevailed.
Landry Mahoney begged for his life like Corbin had to do. He didn’t go easily from this world, but he went.
Oh, and he’d been crying like Corbin had.
Only, he wasn’t strong enough to save himself.
In the end, he paid the price, becauseSticks and Stonesdidn’t hurt as much asAll The Broken Bones.
Angry Feds did.
Feds out for justice.
* * * Blackhawk & Cantrell * * *
A Week Later
Friday
