Page 216 of The Defiant Curse

“When you say it’s going to take a while, can you ballpark that for me?” Gene asked. “Asking because I’m about to step in and micromanage the fuck out of her team, and I don’t want her to be upset about it. Let’s face it though…Corbin and Alex can’t be left alone for a single freaking second.”

Ethan laughed.

Oh, that brought him back. Corbin was a walking trouble magnet on a good day. On a bad day, he got his ass abducted and nearly killed.

“Well, that’s an accurate statement,” Ethan admitted. “As for the rest, I’m going to say we’ll be working here at some point. If she’s not running cases, she can handle the FBI from here. What I do know is that she needs time, and I need to be with her. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Gene reassured him.

“EJ, she’s been through a lot. Stay. It’s not like the world will stop turning if she gets a vacation. Sometimes, you need to get away. Are you doing okay? I hope when you SNUCK into my phone and found out where she was, and headed there, she didn’t get upset.”

Yeah, about that.

“In my defense, we have a rule that all phones are open game to anyone, and second, the text flashed on the home screen. I didn’t actually have to do anything but look at it.”

He laughed.

“Trouble,” Gene said.

And the truth was that Gene was worried.

Ethan tended to make a mess by overthinking, and he hoped he reeled that in. Elizabeth was in no place to be babysitting a man and his antics.

“Most of the time, I am, but now, I’m not. Promise. Also, I’m good. I’m finding me again, too. It’s really nice here. Callen and Chris did a good job of finding a place for all of us.”

Oh, he bet.

Gene knew that now that Devon was handled, they were all heading there for Ian and Gryphen’s wedding in a few weeks.

“Have you considered the whole shaman thing?” Gene asked, knowing he had to make a choice. “Or at least tell Elizabeth what happened?”

Ethan hadn’t.

“I’m still thinking about it, and when I need input, I’ll ask my family to help me out. Right now, it’s not as important as helping her heal. I am losing a job. She was losing herself. Priorities.”

Gene respected that boundary. He knew when Ethan wanted someone’s opinion, or space. Plus, he was proud of him for putting Elizabeth first.

At some point, they’d have to deal with it, but it was clear this was NOT that point.

Ethan continued.

“I just wanted to thank you for helping Elizabeth get out, and all you did for her. She needed you, and you were there. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that.”

He didn’t mince words.

“This is my family. Of course, I’m going to be here for everyone. Don’t worry about that and don’t thank me. The kids will be home in a couple of days, and I’ve got it. Just be with her, and give her what she needs. Being a mother is difficult. Being a working mother with two other jobs, and the world on your shoulders, is impossible.”

Ethan loved him.

“Thank you for understanding. Tell everyone we’re good. We’re working on the mystery here. It’s a fun one.”

Gene laughed.

“I’m astounded she’s not burned the place down because of the ghosts.”

Yeah, him too.

“There’s still time.”