Page 114 of Erik's Salvation
He lowered his voice so his words only reached James’s ears. “In a second, the police will be here. They will arrest you for attempted murder. And every part of that is onyou. Do you understand?”
When James didn’t immediately respond, Erik pressed the knife harder to his throat, just breaking the surface.
James growled, his breaths short. “I understand.”
Erik shoved him forward, releasing him just as the door flew open. Police rushed in, and the second they had James, Erik turned to find Hannah had left the office and was running back from the kitchen with a towel in hand, eyes on Reuben. When she reached him, she pressed the towel to his side.
Paramedics came next, and as soon as they took over with Reuben, Erik tugged Hannah up and into his arms.
“There’s so much blood!” she gasped, her gaze never leaving her boss.
Erik pressed his palm to her cheek and pulled her face toward him. “There’s nothing more you can do. They’re looking after him.” She opened and closed her mouth a couple times, then suddenly her hands raced over his chest like she was searching for injuries.
“What about you?” she gasped. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” He gripped her hips and tugged her closer. His heart beat so fast that he wondered if it would break fucking free. But that wasn’t because of the altercation. It was because if he hadn’t come here today, it would have been just her and James, and the asshole had been planning to kill her.
His chest compressed to the point he almost couldn’t get air. “You need to lock these damn doors,” he whispered.
She lay her head on his chest. “Thank God you were here.”
Erik wrapped his arms tightly around her, swearing he’d never let go.
CHAPTER34
Warmth cocooned Hannah, making her want to sink deeper into the bed. No, not just the bed. Into the warm arms of Erik.
God, she loved waking with him at her back.
She rolled around to face him, his arm never leaving her side. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell in even succession.
Beautiful. So beautiful, she wanted to trace every inch of his face. Cast it to memory and never forget it.
He’d been doing a lot of hovering over the last couple weeks. And truth be told, she loved it. Having him close not only made her feel safe but at peace. She’d come to terms with that. That Erik was her sanctuary. Her safe place. And everything she’d been missing up to this point.
She hadn’t seen her friends much since the events in her office, and, if she was honest with herself, she was worried about Brigid. Her friend had been more distant than ever since James tried to kill Hannah and Erik. He’d been charged with attempted murder. From what Erik had told her, there was a chance at bail, but it had been set too high for James to afford it.
If she could have a redo, she never would have asked for Brigid’s help with the painting. She would have found another way. But if there was anything she knew with absolute certainty, it was that you couldn’t turn back time.
With a soft sigh, she shuffled to get out of Erik’s arms, but they suddenly tightened, and his eyes popped open.
She frowned. The man didn’t look tired at all. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long enough.” He lowered his head and kissed her, and immediately she moaned, her hands sliding up his chest, feet tangling with his. His day-old stubble brushed against her cheek, causing her skin to tingle.
When they finally came up for air, she stared into his hazel eyes, knowing she could so easily get lost in them.
“Happy twenty-fourth birthday, Angel.”
Her lips tugged into a smile. “Thank you. I’m excited to spend tonight with your family.”
She’d never spent a birthday with anyone resembling a family. Only ever Nico and her friends.
“They’re excited too. And so am I.” He swiped his thumb over her bare hip, causing a shudder to race down her spine. “Mom’s been calling nonstop, demanding to know your favorite foods and present ideas.”
“Ideas? Plural? She doesn’t need to get me anything.”
He laughed, and that sound did things to her insides even she didn’t understand. “She knows that, but she loves to spoil people. She tends to go a bit overboard.”
