Page 218 of The Defiant Curse

He laughed.

“God. I’m an insufferable drama queen,” he admitted. “How do you deal with me?”

Gene didn’t miss a beat.

“We all have our kinks, Ethan. Insufferable drama queen with a hot ass, great dick, and tendency to like to bring Tala out just happens to be mine. I’ve got one hell of a niche kink.”

He laughed.

Oh, well, he certainly did.

“Anyway, kink man, I want to chip in and be their partner. Will you join me? This feels like it should be all of ours, and on top of that, the vibe here is good. I can’t explain it, but this feels like home.”

Gene smiled.

Why?

Callen and Chris were right there, silently listening, and neither thought this day would happen.

“When I get home, I’m going to talk to them and see if they can forgive me for being a dick. They did a good thing, and this place changed her and me. It saved us. I want to be part of it, if they will have me.”

Since he was staring at Chris and Callen, he saw them both nod.

“I’m pretty sure they would love to have us help with this amazing gift. Plus, both men love Michael. I’ll talk to them.”

He wasn’t shocked.

Gene was a calming, centering force of nature, and Ethan was damn lucky to have him and Elizabeth.

They healed him.

“Thank you, Babe.”

Gene didn’t mind.

Not.

At.

All.

When the bathroom door opened, out came Elizabeth wrapped in a towel. When she heard Gene’s voice, she climbed onto the bed.

“Hey,” she said, clueing him in that she was there.

Ethan held the phone for her so she could talk.

“Hey, Kitten. Miss me?” he asked, gently.

That made her smile.

“I miss all of you. I just can’t be what you all need until I find me again. Don’t worry about me missing all of you. I absolutely do, and then some. Tell Callen and Chris I love them when you see them.”

Oh, he didn’t need to.

They were right there.

And they looked pleased that she sounded so much better than she had.