Chapter 214:Danger on All Sides

(Emma's POV) "What do you want in return for helping me?" I asked again, holding my breath as Erik Blackwood's intense gaze locked with mine. To my surprise, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Your healing center profits," he repeated, but this time his tone was lighter, almost teasing. I blinked, caught off guard by this unexpected playfulness from the intimidating European Alpha. This was the same man I'd seen kill without hesitation at the airport, yet here he was, almost bantering with me. "You're joking," I said cautiously, not entirely sure if he was. Erik's eyes glinted with amusement. "Perhaps." Before I could respond, his phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through our strange moment of near-camaraderie. Instantly, his entire demeanor changed. The slight softness in his expression vanished, replaced by the cold, dangerous Alpha I remembered from the Northern airfield. "Yes," he answered curtly, his voice taking on a harder edge. I couldn't hear the person on t