Page 101 of Erik's Redemption
Erik moved forward as the agent rose to his feet. “We’re government contractors. Not a threat. Where’s the woman they were picking up?”
“I don’t know. A guy was supposed to bring her, but he hasn’t arrived. They were supposed to be here ten minutes ago. He even called to confirm he was coming down.”
Erik’s muscles tightened. “So you’re telling me there’s some asshole with a hostage somewhere?”
The agent squirmed. “Most likely. From what I was told, he’s out on bail for attempted murder. Probably wants the money to disappear.”
Erik’s eyes narrowed. Out on bail for attempted murder? “Who is he?”
“I just got a first name. James.”
The name hit like a physical blow. The same James who’d framed Hannah a few months ago? The same James who’d then tried tomurderher?
“Do you know the name of the girl?” Erik asked through gritted teeth.
“Hannah.”
Ice filled his veins. He turned and ran back around the building, feet pounding against the pavement. He ignored the calls from Rachel and the agent. Nothing would stop him now.
When he got to the side door, he keyed in the code, still remembering it from the day he’d brought Hannah to see Brigid. He was about to race to the stairwell when voices sounded from down the hall. He turned to see several people standing around a door, looking nervous.
Erik ran down the hall. “What’s going on?”
An older guy answered. “This woman was running down the hall, banging on doors and screaming for help. We think she’s in Terry’s apartment. He isn’t home and tends to leave his door unlocked. We just heard some noise in the room.”
Erik shoved through the neighbors to the door. He tried the handle, not surprised to find it locked. Quickly, he aimed a boot right beneath the door knob and broke it open.
The crowd gasped, but he ignored them. His gaze whipped around the small space until he heard the rustle of movement. He crossed the apartment to the doorway of an office.
The scene in front of him made his blood boil.
James, on his feet, holding Hannah against him with a knife to her neck. The guy’s hair was shorter, but other than that, he looked like the same scumbag Erik remembered.
Erik’s gun was at the ready as he scanned Hannah’s face, silently thanking God that she was alive. He shifted his attention to James. “Let her go. You’re done.”
“What the fuck areyoudoing here?” he seethed.
“You know those assholes you were planning on selling her to? They’re dead. The deal’s off.”
Moreno wasn’t, but that was a detail Erik wouldn’t be sharing.
“No…” Real panic widened the guy’s eyes. “No! They can’t be! They’re my fucking ticket out of here!”
“Not anymore.” He took a small step forward. “Put the knife down, James.”
His eyes were wild, filled with pure rage and panic. “No!”
James’s knuckles whitened on the knife, his grip tightening.
And Erik didn’t hesitate.
He fired, sending a bullet through James’s head, ending him as quickly as he’d ended Oden.
The man dropped, and Erik lunged forward to catch Hannah before she could hit the floor.
“Erik!” She grabbed his shirt, burying her face against him. “You’re here! I can’t believe you’re here!”
He held her so tightly he was scared he’d cut off her air. But he couldn’t release her. “Tell me you’re okay, Angel.”
