Page 71 of Erik's Redemption
“How can you tell?”
She laughed, a full throw-your-head-back kind of laugh. “I’m sure you know the answer to that. When Erik’snothappy, the entire fucking world knows about it. He walks around with that I-need-to-kill-someone look on his face.”
Hannah chuckled. “Yeah. He’s good at that look.”
“What look?”
They both glanced at him. Neither had noticed his approach.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it,” Rachel retorted, following the words with a ruffle of Erik’s hair.
Hannah laughed but sobered quickly when they stepped outside and Erik looked both ways, clearly searching for a threat.
Rachel didn’t miss it either. “What was that?”
“What?” Erik asked, looking back at her.
“Don’twhatme. Is something going on? Is there something I should be aware of while I’m here?”
He cleared his throat. “How long are you staying?”
Her eyes narrowed. “As long as I need to, to make sure you and your family are okay. Don’t change the subject. What’s going on?”
A muscle in his jaw clenched.
Rachel stepped closer, her voice low. “Erik Hunter, you tell me right now.”
“It’s me,” Hannah said quickly, knowing he was only trying to protect her privacy. “Someone attacked me a few days ago, so we’re being careful.”
“Attacked you how?”
“I’m a realtor, and at the end of an open house, a guy with a knife entered and shoved me into a wall. Police haven’t caught him.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Of course they haven’t. What can I do?”
“We’ve got it handled,” Erik said, voice gruff.
“Erik—”
“I’ll let you know if you can help,” he added firmly.
For a moment, Hannah thought Rachel would argue further, but in the end she just sighed. “Fine. I’ll let it drop…for now. When am I seeing you next? You said you’ve been doing a family dinner on Sundays?”
Hannah’s spine stiffened. Why, exactly, she wasn’t sure. She shouldn’t mind that this woman was close to his family. She should be happy about it.
He moved closer to Hannah, an arm slipping around her waist. “Sure. Sunday night.”
“Done.” Rachel turned toward the parking lot. She got a few steps in before looking back at Erik and Hannah. “Remember, if you need help with anything, I’m a weapon.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You like tothinkyou’re a weapon.”
“Hey, I could beat your ass with my eyes closed.”
He shook his head with a grin and steered Hannah toward the street. “You wish. See you Sunday night.”
And there it was again…the stab of jealousy that the woman could put a smile on his face with such ease.
Erik’s gazecontinued to shift around the street as they walked. But that wasn’t the only thing stealing his attention. Hannah was too quiet.
