Page 267 of Chaos has a Name
“Really?” Ethan asked. “While we’re on our honeymoon on this delightful Native-filled reservation where something calledThe Hollowis running free? You’re going to play dumb now?”
Yeah, Gene was screwed.
There was no way around it, so instead, he was honest with Ethan. Well, sort of honest, but more in a way that would protect Elizabeth too.
“Babe, I can’t tell you.”
Oh, Gene knew this put him in one hell of a position. It was keep the secret from his husband and lie, or let him in and break his promise to Elizabeth. Either way, he was breaking one of the rules.
Ethan didn’t like that answer.
“She’s not okay, is she?”
Here was where he tried to do the right thing when it came to both of them.
Gene just shook his head, technically not answering him.
“Is she hurt?”
Again, he shook his head.
Ethan relaxed a little.
As long as she wasn’t seriously injured, he could deal with the rest. So, he took another stab at it to see if Gene could help calm his worries.
Because he wasn’t so much fearful of coming back here as he was to the fact Elizabeth could be in danger.
“Is she scared and worried about this case and being here?”
Someone was way too good at this game. Gene didn’t want to play it against Ethan anymore.
Slowly, he nodded.
Seeing that, Ethan calmed down when recognition dawned as to what was going down. It appeared that Elizabeth had a new partner in crime.
And he was good with that.
His one thing was that Elizabeth deserved to be protected at all costs. God knew that she put up with a plenitude of bullshit from the men in her life. As long as Gene wasn’t hurting her, that was a positive for him.
“You’re lying for her.”
Again, nothing.
Instead of getting angry, Ethan kisses him. Oh, he knew his man, and he knew that ultimately, Gene would protect the weakest in a group. Right now, that wounded person was Elizabeth.
Someone couldn’t help himself. Gene loved an underdog.
Just.
Like.
Elizabeth.
It was crystal clear that he was working on his relationship with their wife.
In his own way.
Gene broke the kiss and was to the point.
