Page 459 of Sticks and Stones

He laughed.

That’s when Ethan got it.

“Gene!”

The big man quickly confessed his sins on this one.

“I told Gabe we’d stay longer if he gave me the location of that asshole who hurt Corbin. That’s the only reason I was able to balance the scale,” he blurted out right before kissing him.

It was a hot tangle of tongues, and the whole time, he kept Ethan’s mouth locked to his. Maybe, if he was lucky, the kiss would make him forget.

When he slowly broke away, Ethan stared into his eyes.

“Forgive me?” Gene asked.

Ethan knew why he did it, and he understood that when you dealt with Gabe, you had to sacrifice something big.

When he didn’t answer, Gene reached into the back seat and picked up a single red rose that he’d bought and snuck into the car for his man.

Ethan sighed.

“You’re too slick for my own good.”

He watched as Ethan sniffed the flower, and he wasn’t tense.

“But am I forgiven?”

Blackhawk caved.

“Yes, but you’ll pay. I don’t forget, Gene.”

Honestly, hearing that made him curious.

“What is the cost?”

When his lover whispered in his ear, Gene’s eyes went huge.

“DEAL. I’m in. Let’s do that right now. Screw Corbin and food.”

He laughed.

“Oh, and the punishment will fit the crime,” Ethan promised.

Oh, well, Gene liked that.

“What’s the punishment?” he asked.

He shared.

“I’m sure Mr. Blackhawk will fill you in later, after lunch. Expect to be tormented plenty as we get ready to leave for our vacation.”

Well, hot damn.

Not only did they leave for Puerto Rico in two days, but Mr. Blackhawk was driving the punishment bus all the way there.

Gene was a happy man.

This was the life.

Maybe Philly wasn’t so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Gene had never been more wrong in his whole life.