Crossing Ties - Susi Hawke Page 0,1

that. The tougher things get, the more we laugh. It’s how we deal with life.”

It wasn’t how I dealt with life. But I’d always been the black sheep. Both in looks, with my dark hair and dark fur, and my temperament. I’d been Da’s behind-the-scenes organizer for a reason. I could focus and get people moving when no one else could. It was time to put those skills to work.

I closed my eyes for the space of a deep breath. “I know that. But we don’t have time for it right now. Until we have a clue where to look, I need every man working together. Harry, what was it you were saying about the photo?”

Harry looked surprised at being called out, but he stepped forward immediately, holding his copy of the photo aloft. “I was just telling Jack that it looks like—”

The front door opened with a slam, followed by voices too indistinct to recognize. I hurried through the crowd of men and reached the door just as my brother Patrick filled it.

He spread his arms in a wide, welcoming gesture. “I’ve brought reinforcements!”

Two hulking, stern-faced men followed behind him. I didn’t need an introduction to recognize them both as Novaks. The scent of bear was strong, and no one matched those boys for size. I knew Vasily. I’d seen him once or twice when he, the don, Da and I met up for business. But the other one was new to me. His hair was longer, falling in a seductive swoop across his forehead. And even though his face was studiously devoid of emotion, the crinkles at the corner of his eyes gave him a light-hearted look, and his stubbled goatee framed a mouth I was certain was used to smiling. And there was something else about him...

I tore my attention back to my brother. “I thought you were following the delivery man’s scent.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, dismissively. As if he didn’t care about Da. As if this was just a lark. “It disappeared, and I was almost to Novak territory, so I figured why not?”

I clenched my fists, white-knuckled with frustration and anger. Why not? Why not? Because this was a family matter. Because nothing came for free. Because…

Because…

As if drawn by a magnet, my eyes turned toward the intriguing Novak man, and I suddenly realized what it was about him. It was his scent. It was warm whiskey and hills of heather and—

Mate.

His nostrils flared, and our eyes met. The serious facade dropped after a moment, replaced by a soul-melting smile. Yes. That was what had caused the crinkles in the corners of his eyes. They sparkled now, and all I could think about was falling into them forever. Until I let my gaze trace the outline of the rest of his body. Broad shoulders, muscular arms, narrow hips. I wanted to dive beneath his clothes and trace every swell and dip of his body.

I took a step forward. Two. He lifted his arms to receive me, just as Patrick grabbed my arm.

“You okay, brother?”

And with that, the spell was broken. Not the desire though. Not by a long shot. My body still urged me to fall into the arms of the sexy man whose name I didn’t even know. To drop all my worries and satisfy this one need.

But my mind remembered what was at stake. My life. My family. My da.

I turned away with a tortured cry.

“What the fuck is going on here?” someone, maybe Connor, asked.

“That’s my mate,” the sexy bear growled, and it sent shivers all the way down my spine straight to my cock. He started toward me.

No. I could barely think with him in the same room. What would he do to me if he was closer? If he touched me?

Part of my mind thought that idea was perfect, but I forced myself to walk away. “Get him out of here.”

Several of my men jumped forward.

“Keep your hands off my brother,” Vasily said. “We came here to help. On your family’s request, I might add.”

I reached my desk and braced myself on it, panting as if I’d just run a mile.

“Let me go. My name is Misha Novak. Son of Francis Novak. And you are keeping me from my fated mate.”

Something inside me cracked at that declaration. Misha. I knew his name now.

“Get him out,” I croaked again. “Not far. Just. Get him out of the room. I need a minute.”

Patrick stepped in, trying to smooth over the situation with his