Page 82 of Erik's Salvation
Erik slid an arm around her waist and tugged her closer. “Also the delusional brother.”
She grinned. “It’s nice to meet you, Nate.”
Finally, an older woman moved around the kitchen island toward them. She was shorter than her kids, with a few grays and kind, dark brown eyes. She recognized the woman as another regular visitor of Stanley’s.
“My boy.” She tugged Erik into a big hug. Her eyes closed as she leaned into him. The love was so vivid, Hannah almost wanted to step back and give them space.
When she turned to Hannah, her smile was wide.
“Mom, Hannah. Hannah, my mom, Jennifer Hunter.”
Jennifer wrapped her into a tight, warm hug, and Hannah could only sink into it. The embrace felt so maternal that she didn’t want to let go.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hannah.” She eased away but kept hold of Hannah’s shoulders. “Thank you for joining us. And thank you for keeping a watch over my son.”
Hannah swallowed. It sounded like there was another meaning behind her words. What, exactly, she wasn’t sure. But deep emotion shone in the woman’s eyes, almost making Hannah feel equally emotional.
“Thank you forraisingsuch a wonderful son,” she said quietly.
For a second, there was a thin sheen of tears in the woman’s eyes. But then she blinked them away.
Michael headed to the corner bar. “What can I get you to drink, Hannah?”
“Just water would be great.”
Andi clapped her hands. “And I’ll give you the house tour. If you want one, of course.”
Did she want a tour of this mansion of a house? “Yes, please.” The place was like a museum.
“Great.” Andi linked their arms and patted a stony-faced Erik on the shoulder. “You’ll get her back…after I’ve told her all my stories.”
Hannah only had time to send a quick smile Erik’s way before she was tugged down the expansive hall.
* * *
Conversation tookplace around Erik at the table. His dad and Hannah were laughing at a story Nate was telling. Andi was telling his mother something about her best friend, Finley. While Erik couldn’t stop watching Hannah.
She fit so fucking well. But then, he’d known she would. Somehow, a part of him had just expected her to fall into his family unit, like she was an unknown missing piece.
It should make him scared. Hell, the Erik of a few months ago would be running hard and fast by now.
He wasn’t running.
His fingers tightened around her thigh under the table. Because as well as watching her, he couldn’t stop touching her, either.
When his phone rang, he tensed before tugging it out. Chandler. Hannah looked up at him with questioning eyes.
“I’ll be right back.” He kissed her temple before leaving.
He didn’t answer until he was in the office. “Chandler.”
“Hey, brother. Sorry to call on a Saturday night.”
He ran his gaze over his father’s myriad of books, not really seeing a single one of them. “You know you can call anytime.”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m with you on this job.”
He’d told Chandler about the situation he was in with Marco, but Erik was shaking his head before his friend had finished speaking. “No. It’s off the books.Ishouldn’t even be doing it. No way am I dragging you into it.”
