Page 58 of Erik's Redemption
Fear crawled up her throat, choking her. She didn’t even know what Nico had done with the body.
Erik stepped out of the room, concern on his features. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
God, now she was being less of a help and more of a hindrance. “I didn’t bring my PDM, and I need to eat something. I might run home and do all that.”
He frowned and lifted her watch, reading the number from her Dexcom. “I’ll come with you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “You stay with your family.”
“Hannah—”
She cupped his cheek. “I’m so glad your father is okay, but your family still needs you. After I’ve eaten something, I’ll message and check in.”
He studied her so intently she wanted to squirm. He tugged her closer. “You promise?”
“Yes.” Her voice softened. “I promise.”
Pure need filled his eyes. He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The kiss was soft. Healing. And when they separated, his mouth went to her ear, his breath brushing her cheek as he whispered, “Thank you for coming, Angel.”
“I’ll always come for you.”Always.
They remained in an embrace for a few more seconds. She had to force herself to step back. To walk down the hall. She could still feel his breath on her cheek as she stepped outside and walked toward her car at the back of the lot.
She was almost there when she saw that something had been left under her windshield wipers. At first, she thought it was just a piece of paper, maybe an advertisement for something.
But as she grew closer, the glint on the front told her it was a photo. An old one. The edges looked frayed, and the photo was wrinkled. A few more steps, and the man in the photo became clear.
Her heart stopped, her feet halting beside the car.
Clarence Burns.
It took her several seconds to work up the courage to lift the photo. Her fingers trembled as she turned it over and read the messy writing.
You killed him. And I will make sure that’s a crime you pay for.
CHAPTER 20
Erik leaned his head back against the car headrest. The day had felt so fucking long and hard that the minutes had bled into each other.
He shouldn’t have left his father out there with that ladder. Yes, his dad was a fully grown man and could make his own decisions, but Erik hadknownhe was itching to prove he was still able to do things.
The only point in the day when he’d felt just a fraction of okay was when Hannah had come. When she’d slipped her fingers through his and her warmth had seeped into him. When her scent had filled his senses, drowning out the smells of bleach and antiseptic. She’d said she’d message him when she got home. He’d waited for it, and the second her text had come, his entire body had relaxed just a bit.
One more deep breath, and finally he slipped out of the car. His house was cold and quiet as he stepped inside. Usually, he didn’t mind the quiet. Hell, normally he welcomed it. But today he wanted noise.
He walked up the stairs, not bothering to turn on any lights, and went straight to his bedroom. A bedroom that felt too damn empty without Hannah.
In the bathroom, he stripped quickly before stepping into the shower. He pressed his hands to the tiled wall, hung his head, and just breathed. Even that felt hard.
After what had happened to his team and Vicky, he’d numbed himself. Forced himself to stop feeling. But at some point in the last year, he’d let it all in again. And right now, he felt everything.
He stayed under the water long enough for steam to billow around the room. For the heat to redden his skin and the burn to lose its edge. Finally, he turned off the water and grabbed a towel.
He’d just entered the bedroom when he saw her. She stood in the doorway, blonde hair spilling over her shoulders, eyes soft and chained to him.Alwayschained to him.
She looked like a damn angel.Hisangel.
“Hannah…”
