Ethan was giving him nothing to use as ammo for when he called Gene in. He would be next, and Blackhawk would protect his partner.
His lover.
Only, in the back of his head, he wasn’t sure they could do long distance.
No.
They couldn’t.
The demons he’d thought he’d buried were back, and they were messing with his head. In his mind, he heard one thing.
He’s better off without you.
Like the director had meant.
“Well?”
Ethan went there.
“Frankly, Director, I don’t know what sick little thrill you get with digging into personal lives, but I’m not answering that. Your home life must be incredibly boring that you think sitting in your powerful office, bored as you play chess with our lives like they are a game. It’s not. Grow the fuck up, and to be frank, you’re just as bad as that POS above you.”
Oh, and there it was.
He loved a battle, and Ethan was always good for one. It was clear that he was a damn good agent. It was his job to make sure they could hold up if he let them be partners.
Their lives mattered, and as of late, they’d had some faux pas.
DANGEROUS ONES.
“As two people who play chess daily, Agent Blackhawk, it’s not something you can stop playing, and you know that. So, I need you to be away from Cantrell so you can do your job effectively and be a good agent. This clouded your judgment, and now, I have to question you. Pack your bags and head down. We’ve arranged your rental on the island,” he said, expecting him to fight more.
Only, Blackhawk didn’t move.
Ethan looked paralyzed.
“I can’t believe this,” Ethan finally said.
This couldn’t be happening. In his chest, his heart was racing.
When he got no response, and no movement, Gabe went there.
“It’s that or termination,” he said, seeing how far the man would go to protect his partner, and their team. If he quit, he knew that there was more than just sex between them. There was something more.
Like when he’d tested Christopher Leonard, there had to be more than just attraction.
At his words, Ethan went pale.
That was all he had to hear.
Ethan swallowed.
He wouldn’t be bullied, especially by this man. He played more dirty games than anyone in the FBI.
Look at Sasha.
Look at what happened with the bikers who were transporting Snow and victims.
Gabe stared at him, waiting, and that’s when he saw the man make up his mind.
