Page 110 of Erik's Salvation
She swallowed, then slowly crossed to Erik.
“Hannah—”
“Are you here to hurt either of us?” she asked, cutting off whatever Erik had been about to say.
“No. I give you my word. I will even come in alone if you wish.”
She touched Erik’s back. “We need to let him in. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder every time I go out, searching for him.”
For a moment, Erik was silent, then he growled. “Fine. But your men stay outside, and so do any weapons.”
“I am unarmed.”
Erik didn’t look like he believed him, but he lowered his gun and wrapped an arm around Hannah, pulling her back to give Angelo space. “You have two minutes to say whatever you want to say.”
Angelo dipped his chin, then turned to his men. “Wait at the car for me.”
In the living room, Angelo took a seat on the recliner, looking so at home, anyone would think this place was his. Hannah perched on the edge of the couch while Erik remained standing beside her, gun still in hand at his side.
“I have come here to apologize, Miss Jacobs. I am sorry for not believing you when you told me you didn’t take my painting.”
Hannah swallowed. There was a ring of sincerity in his voice. But even if he was sorry, that didn’t take away from what he’d done. “You sent Marco to hurt me.”
“No.” His response was immediate. “I sent Marco to acquire the painting.”
“But if she didn’t have the painting?” Erik bit out.
“Then he was to bring her to me, but not hurt her.”
Erik’s fingers visibly tightened on the weapon. “And what would you have done to her?”
Hannah swallowed, almost dreading the answer.
“I would have learned the truth the hard way.”
The hard way for Hannah…
A shudder rolled down her spine.
Angelo’s gaze shifted back to Hannah. “I cannot simply do nothing when something is stolen from me. But Iamsorry. It was a mistake on my part. I should have listened to you. To show my remorse, I have spread word to everyone I know that you are the best agent to sell their properties. I know some very successful businessmen. You should receive a great amount of work from this.”
Her brow furrowed. “I really don’t want to sell properties for people who are—”
“They are clean.” Angelo rose, and she did too. “I believe that my time is up. I hope you both have a lovely afternoon.”
He was halfway to the door when she spoke. “Angelo, what are you going to do about James?”
He stopped and turned, and for a moment, he almost looked like a different man. The anger…the hard edge…it was meant to incite fear, and it did. “He is not your concern. He ismine.”
The fine hairs on her arms stood on end. Even though James deserved whatever happened to him, she couldn’t help but feel just a bit of sympathy for the guy.
The door closed and Erik waited until the car left his driveway before moving to his office with his gun. When he returned, his hands were empty, and he slid his arms around her waist. “If I ever see that asshole again, I’m shooting.”
She dipped her head, James still firmly on her mind. “I know James made his bed, but I’m scared for him. And also for Brigid.”
Erik’s jaw visibly clenched. “The asshole framed you. He didn’t care about what happened to you or Brigid. He doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”
“I know.” She skimmed her hands down his chest, forcing the other man out of her head. “So, what are we doing today?”
