Page 84 of Erik's Salvation
“I’ll show you, Angel.” But before he left the room, he leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
CHAPTER24
Hannah pulled out a bowl and a box of Corn Pops. Yep, cereal for dinner…again. But the word “corn” in the title made her feel like she was being semi-healthy.
She wasn’t being lazy,per se. Erik was away for the evening for work, and cooking for one no longer felt as practical as it once had.
She poured half a bowl of cereal and topped it with some milk before her gaze shifted to the window. All day, she’d been trying to convince herself that Erik would be okay tonight. But a pesky voice in her head questioned if that was true. What did this job entail? And why had it been so important to Marco that Erik, specifically, do the job with him?
She sighed and lifted the spoon to her mouth, but before it reached her lips, a text came through on her phone.
Henry: Put the cereal down and come to the door.
She stopped. What the hell? Was the man watching her or was she just too predictable?
The latter. Of course, it was the latter.
She lowered the cereal to the counter and moved to the door. When she opened it, it wasn’t just Henry standing there.
“Brigid…” Her friend’s name fell from her lips in a surprised whisper.
Brigid held up a box of Honey Nut Cheerios. “Forgive me for being an awful friend?”
Hannah released the door and tugged the woman into her arms. “I missed you, Brig.”
“I missed you more.”
She stepped back and let her friends inside. She noticed Henry had a to-go bag. The smell alone made her salivate.
It wasn’t until they were in her living room, Chinese food on the table and plates in hand, that she was able to ask Brigid what she needed to ask. “How are you?”
Tears immediately gathered in her friend’s eyes. “James left. I asked him about what Erik saw the night of the office party, and he gotsoangry. He ended up packing a bag and storming out. I haven’t seen him since. I don’t even know where he’s staying. I’ve texted him a couple of times, and he just tells me lies about being with family, but I know he’s not there. I texted his sister.”
“I’m sorry, Brigid.”
She blew out a breath. “Some men came to the house, looking for him.”
Hannah gasped and clenched Brigid’s knee. It had to be the same men who’d come to the office. “Are you okay?”
“I told them he wasn’t there. I even let them check the place, but that was mostly because I was scared of what they’d do if I didn’t. Once they were satisfied, they left. But I immediately packed some stuff, and I’m staying with Henry now.”
“Oh God. I’m so sorry!” Her friend didn’t deserve that.
She lifted a shoulder. “Our relationship hasn’t been great for a while. I felt him pulling away from me, and I never understood why. Now I do. I just never suspected it would be this bad.”
“Of course you didn’t.”
Brigid swallowed. “I called him after the men showed up, and he didn’t answer. I sent him a text…still nothing. It’s like he doesn’t even care that he put me in danger.”
Anger boiled Hannah’s blood. The scumbag.
She lowered to where Brigid sat on the floor and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You’ve got me and Henry for whatever you need.”
She sniffed. “Thank you. And I really am sorry for saying what I did about Erik and icing you out for so long. Being angry with you felt safer than the pain of believing the truth.”
“It’s okay. You weren’t wrong. Ihaven’tknown Erik for long.”
The first small smile stretched her friend’s lips. “Henry said you guys are doing well though.”
