Page 19 of Erik's Salvation
She blew out a breath and looked out the window again—until the smell of burnt butter had her gaze shifting to the pan.
“Brigid! The butter!”
“Shit, shit, shit!” Brigid pulled the saucepan off the heat and grimaced. “Is melted butter supposed to be a bubbly brown?”
Hannah shook her head and took the pan from her friend. “No.” She tipped the butter into the trash before cutting off more. But unlike her friend, she measured it carefully. “I’ll do this. Why don’t you start whisking the wet ingredients together?”
That would be safe for her, right?
When the butter was melted, she added it to the wet ingredients and mixed them together before combining them with the dry.
When it was done, the mixture was a bit thin thanks to the extra milk, but Brigid didn’t seem to care as she added a ton of chocolate chips.
Hannah laughed as her friend just kept heaping them in. “Uh, I think that’s enough, Brig.”
“Is there such a thing as enough chocolate?”
Hannah would argue yes. “Did James ask you to bake these muffins?”
“No. It was my idea. He’s been stressed lately, so I’m trying to be the supportive girlfriend.”
She nodded. He didn’t show his stress at work. Other than the occasional remarks about sales being down, he tried to remain positive. “Well, I think he’ll be very grateful.”
Carefully, Hannah helped Brigid spoon the mixture into the baking cups, which were bright pink and blue with little hearts.Thatdefinitely screamed Mrs. Cullen.
Brigid lifted the tray, and Hannah opened the door for her friend to slot them into the preheated oven.
Brigid straightened and grinned. “See! I can bake. I almost want to give myself a pat on the back.”
Hannah’s gaze shifted to the unopened vanilla extract on the counter.
Brigid followed her gaze. “Oh, crap.”
* * *
“You wantme to take a private mercenary job?” Erik asked, brows slashed together as he watched Marco across his kitchen.
“Yes. They approached me, and when I found out who the target was, I knew I needed to do this.”
Erik was shaking his head before he’d finished speaking. “You know I can’t—”
“He’s the reason my brother’sdead, Hunter.” A vein throbbed in Marco’s neck.
Erik’s muscles tensed at his lethal tone.
“He lured my brother into his organization, then murdered him. I may not have the proof, but Iknowit was him. And now, thanks to this job, I have the chance to end him.”
Erik ran a hand over his face. “I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”
“Just tell me you’ll think about it, at least,” Marco argued.
He sucked in a breath. At this point, he just wanted the man out of his house. “Fine.”
It would still be a no. There was no part of him that was okay with taking private contracts. He worked for the government. Everything he did was sanctioned.
Marco shoved his hands into his pockets. “Thank you. That’s all I ask. There’s no rush, we’ve been given time. But remember, I’m not the only one who’ll benefit. It’s not just revenge. The money is good.”
His friend knew he didn’t need the money. Neither of them did. Their work paid well. “They said they want both of us or neither?”
