Page 64 of Erik's Salvation
“You’ve been a fabulous employee for a few years…but sales have been really low, and the cost of employee benefits keeps going up.”
Her breath caught in her throat. He didn’t say the words directly, but she could read between the lines.
“I understand, Reuben. If I don’t up my sales, you’re going to have to let me go.” He said nothing, and she leaned forward. “But Iamgoing to sell the homes I have and get more properties. I’ve got a lot of leads on buyers, and I’ve already got fliers ready to pop in mailboxes.”
She’d had them printed last week…thank God.
Reuben gave a slight nod. “Good.” He rose, and she stood with him. “I trust I’ll see you at our happy hour tomorrow night?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.” Even if she wanted to stay home and bury her head in the dirt.
CHAPTER19
Blood pumped hard and fast through Erik’s veins as he moved quickly down the hotel hallway. On the outside, no one would know the storm that brewed in his gut. The utter fury that threatened to overflow and spill into the world around him. All because of one fucking man.
Marco.
He was still in Redwood. Not only still here, but he’d had coffee with Erik’s goddamn sister!
Erik wanted to hit something. Tear something apart with his bare hands.
He couldn’t have his two worlds colliding. His work and everything in it should be as far as fucking possible from his personal life.
He kept his face blank right up until he stepped in front of the asshole’s door and pounded on the wood.
He didn’t have to wait long. Two seconds. The door opened, and Erik grabbed Marco by the collar of his shirt and shoved him back into the wall, kicking the door closed with his foot. “What the fuck were you doing with my sister?”
Not one ounce of fear showed on the face of a man who, if not a friend, was someone he at least trusted to have his back during a job. “I ran into her at the café. It was just a coffee.”
Like hell it was. “You and I both know that isn’t fucking true. Are youtryingto make yourself my enemy?”
“I do not want to be your enemy. I simply want you to try out this new…business venture with me.”
“I told you no,” Erik growled.
“Choose differently.”
Erik glared at him. “Let me make this crystal fucking clear, Marco. I willnotbe a private contractor. And if you don’t leave town immediately—or if you go anywhere near my family again—I’ll expose what you’re doing.”
“You would have to prove it first, and you and I both know that I don’t leave any evidence behind.”
“Neither do I, Marco. And I will doanythingto protect my own.”
Some might perceive that as an empty threat. Both he and Marco knew it wasn’t. He could kill the man and get rid of the body and no one would know.
“I won’t be leaving until you at least complete this one job with me.”
Erik’s fist connected with Marco’s face in one violent punch. “Get out of my fucking town.”
Blood dripped from the guy’s mouth, but if it bothered him, he didn’t show it. In fact, he almost looked pleased. “Wow. The great Erik Hunter has a weakness. More than one, actually…if your reaction to my being around that pretty neighbor is anything to go by.”
The cords of muscle in Erik’s arms pulled so tight they almost snapped. His hand twitched to punch the guy a second time.
Marco’s eyes narrowed. “Careful, Hunter. I let you get in one hit to appease you. But try another, and I won’t be so understanding.”
Erik lowered his voice. “If I hear you’ve gone anywhere near either of them again, I’ll tear your tongue out and shove it so far down your throat you won’t take another fucking breath.”
That smirk on Marco’s face…it made every part of Erik want to do what he’d promised right there and then. He barely stopped himself.
