Page 170 of The Defiant Curse

Now, though, they had to navigate a lot more than just sex. Having that was easy.

Having a solid foundation took work.

It was time to get back to basics, like fostering their relationship.

Because divorce was NOT an option.

Forget that bullshit.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he admitted. “Sometimes, we take for granted that strong people also are entitled to moments of weakness.”

She stared into his eyes.

“I barely made it through it.”

Oh, and for that he was so sorry. He, Callen, and Chris failed her on this one. Gene was the ONLY one who had insisted on going with her, and standing by her side.

That was something he couldn’t handle. Chris not going was understandable. Only, he and Callen could have pushed harder, and had her back.

“I’m sorry you had to do it without us. I should have been with you, and I should have carried this weight for you. I would have done it willingly, especially since he was targeting my daughter. Charlie is my child, and the mere idea that he was going to hurt her…that makes me want to do unspeakable things.”

Well, yeah, that was how she got through doing the ‘unspeakable things’. Elizabeth did it to protect her baby bird.

She was curious.

“Did Gene tell all of you what happened?”

He nodded.

“Yes, but he kept it pretty simple. I need to know one thing. Did you break him like he deserved for what he did to our family, and how he wanted to hurt Charlie?”

She nodded.

“Oh, I broke him good. In the process, I lost a piece of me. I’m disappointed in myself, even though I knew it was us or him. I couldn’t let our kids get hurt.”

He let her talk.

While Elizabeth carried this burden, he wished he could make her see that some animals needed to be put down.

Devon Slater was one.

“I hated it,” she said. “The whole time, I wanted to tag Gene in, but I couldn’t do that to him.”

He stopped her.

And that was the problem.

Elizabeth had backup, but in this case, she chose not to do it. Gene had a sordid history of being a Hunter in NOLA. This was nothing to him.

How did he know?

He said it.

The man didn’t mince words. For his children, THEIR children, he’d gladly cross all kinds of lines.

“Yes, you could have. You can always lean on us, Elizabeth. We’re here for you. Sometimes, we drop the ball, but the bottom line is that you have us. Everyone played a part in getting you here, and getting me here. Just remember that. I know we didn’t reinforce it, but we always have your back.”

She played with a piece of his hair.