Crossing Paths: A Brooklyn Shifters Romance Book 1

by Daphne Snow

  “She's really pretty, Miss Bianchi that is." He started his breath coming in whistling gasp like he was having a hard time breathing. Bensons curiosity outweighed his anger at the remark. If this person thought to even lay a hand on his mate he'd be dead before he took another labored breath. He was no physical threat.

  Alexander kept his face cold and unwavering. Not allowing such a creature to see any emotion from him. He placed the tab in front of Benson and he opened it. It was a receipt that had a quick rundown of expenses he didn't recognize like plane tickets and housing cost as well as a gun shipment and warehouse locations he was semi familiar with.

  The strange man spoke up again. "Mr.Kaiser certainly thought so this morning. He thinks she is too sweet for the likes of you. He’s promised me she’d be docile. I like the ones with meat on their bones. Keep her close, or a real man may take her.” His voice was nasally and abrupt. The whistling in his breath was an intrusion to Alexander's ears.

  “What?” His tone was like ice and even though this man was here to intimidate him Benson didn't miss his flinch. How could she possibly know Kaiser?

  Alexander Benson stood to his full height towering over the small man and took him by the collar and lifted him off the ground. His bear roared at him from within.

  Destroy him; he does not deserve to breath the same air as our female. Axl surged trying to force a change and Benson held him back; he needed answers first.

  "How does he know her?" The little man struggled in his grasp and scratched at his hand. His labored breaths getting louder and louder.

  “That's not for me to say. But he urges you to reconsider his offer. There is more at stake here then your pride. Or do you want feral beasts to run rampant through Brooklyn?” He struggled out his hand to point to the bill tab on the table. He was becoming loud enough for the other patrons to hear.

  Soon he could see some heads popping out and the footsteps of others. Benson didn't care. His mate's safety was far more important than his public appeal. He got close to the sickly man's face, his nostrils flaring in anger as his voice deepened with hate with rage.

  “Kaiser can go to hell and if touches one hair on her head he won't have to face the council he will have to face me. And I won't let him live to see the next day. I will not change my mind to match his sick ideas and dreams.” Benson tossed the man onto the bench knocking his shoulder into the dense table.The smaller man howled in pain but Benson ignored him.

  Alexander gathered Frannie's coat and purse to leave. As he lifted the curtains to exit it looked like a small crowd had gathered he didn't care though.

  He saw Francesca, his soul mate, as she emerged from the bathroom, and his eyes were focused on her, finding tranquility. Her gentle hands were smoothing out the fabric of her dress and she looked up to see him approaching her, worry evident on her soft features. He walked up to her draping her coat over her shoulders and then grabbed her hand in his.

  “Were leaving.” He announced and she tried to pull him to a stop but he kept going. He would not linger here any longer if her life was in the slightest bit of danger.

  “What happened? ” She asked, clearly confused. He couldn't tell her. She wouldn't want to be his if she knew. Then again how could he lie to her? His work was putting his only hope at happiness in danger. This was his fault but he would not let that bastard or anyone else touch her or bring darkness to her life.

  “There are rats in the kitchen.”

  Chapter 11

  What in the world was going on? One second Frannie is giving herself a short pep talk in the bathroom instead of bolting like she had wanted to. Desperately wanted to. In the next second she's being dragged from the restaurant.

  She had to remember this was supposed to be a meeting not a one-way ticket to his bedroom for the night. She just had to be nice and distant for desert and then she could go home and forget about him....good luck on that Fey scoffed at her.

  Conversation with Alexander had become difficult. Not only because they were treading on the topic of her father which wasn't an easy thing for her to talk about but she couldn't stop staring at him. At his sleek short hair and kissable lips. The way he sat like a king on his throne made of stone.

  Frannie wanted to climb back into his lap and fuck him in the booth like an animal. She hadn't cared who had heard or who had seen, she was enraptured in him. The way he touched her. Oh, gods the way he touched her threw her mind into a tizzy of lust and need. How he told her she was a good girl was somehow so necessary a thing she didn’t think she would need but glad he provided it without question.

  The warmth of his strong hands and the feel of the huge bulge in his pants as he slapped her ass was amazing. It left her wanting so much more she wanted to burn in the flames of their combined heat.

  Fey had egged her on the whole time telling her this man was hers over and over again. He is ours, he belongs to us, he will make us happy. At one point Frannie truly believed that. So when he pulled away it felt like she had been stabbed in the back.

  She hated showing how insecure she was in front of him but those words spilled out and she couldn't stop them. He had told her she was wrong that she was more than a potential joke but she didn't know if she could trust that. He was so elusive in his emotions she hadn't known what to believe but her gut feeling was to trust him.

  To believe every word he spoke. Of course, that didn't make sense, she hardly knew him.

  The next thing she knew however she was coming out of the bathroom and there was a crowd of well dressed nosy people at her table. Gods, she couldn't stand how people couldn't just mind their own damned business.

  Alexander looked the most pissed she had ever seen him. Not that she had ever even seen him angry or display any vast emotion really. But she was certainly taken aback as he came towards her like a linebacker. His eyes that cold green but bordering slightly on glowing emeralds. He was struggling with his bear. She was sure he was angry with her but she wasn't sure what for. Instead of flinging off her heels and running like her mind was screaming at her to do, she froze. Then again even if she did try to leave she'd left her coat and purse at the table.

  But he just slung her jacket over her shoulders and grabbed her hand, his warmth comforting her tugging her towards the stairs. Benson nearly ran her out of the restaurant refusing to answer her questions. His hold on her hand gentle yet desperate.

  ‘Rats in the kitchen’ did not constitute an answer to her. She had contemplated that idea for barely a moment before she knew it had to have been more. She had seen the weird looking busboy crawl out from under the booths drapes as Benson whisked her away. The man's face in a grimace as he winked at her and that made her shudder.

  Something had happened and she wanted to know what. She had to know because the thought of him being angry or hurt or in danger made her blood boil. Frannie didn't understand these feelings. She had spent less time with him than she had with her gynecologist but she felt protective of him.

  They had walked fast past Carl who had a confused look on his face as he watched them. The poor man was mid bite of what looked like a delicious cut of salmon on his dish. But after a moment of confusion and pleading look from Frannie, he tossed aside his cloth napkin and hurried to catch up to them. He was taking his steps hurriedly as was she. Alexander was taller, much taller than both of them and they struggled to keep his pace.

  "Sir?" Carl looked up at him, careful not to knock himself into dining patrons and waiters moving about the main dining room. They all watched with just as much intent as they stormed past leaving if not more than when they walked in.

  Benson didn't answer Carl, he just kept moving. His face contorted in anger in hate and Fey cowered a bit. Our mate is angry. Axl is angry, someone seeks to hurt him. Fey said, her voice trembling a bit. It made Frannie sigh a bit in relief that he hadn't been upset with her.

  Whoever wanted to hurt him clearly was causing his bear to react. Some bears like Fey were testy which was normal
but for Fey to be afraid was not normal. She needed to talk to him. Figure out what was going on so she could help.

  But then if she did help would she just be doing the same thing she had with her mother and Ray. Taking care of all their problems to the point they had to be responsible for nothing else besides wiping their own asses.

  Why did she care though? Sure they were mates but she was leaving soon and none of this would be her problem. And just because they were mates didn't mean she had to care for him or....love him. Did it?

  Then the memory of him saying he wanted everything from her struck her. When he had said that her mind drifted to what everything could mean. The way she snorted when she laughed. How Frannie liked more than anything to lounge in pajama pants. Would he want her weird relationship with her watching golden girls for the millionth time and still laughing? Or was he just saying that?

  He didn't know her and she needed to stop acting like there could be a happy ever after for her at the end of this. It was too fast and she didn't know him. A part of her doubted she ever would. It was all too confusing her feelings mixed with practicality.

  As they raced past the Maître d he gave them a vexing look and folded his arms across his slender chest shaking his head.

  "Sir!" Carl called again louder now and it wasn't until they reached the front oak doors that Benson stopped to look at him. Frannie was gasping a bit for air but he seemed unaffected. His normally cold emerald eyes were glowing with anger. Carl hadn't looked at him in awe and that made Frannie wonder just how much the little old man knew about shifters.

  "I will speak with you about it later for now call Blackwell-" He stopped as he stepped outside. The cold air rushing them blowing Frans hair back past her shoulders.

  The snow had gotten heavier over the last hour and it coated the streets heavily. Already past tall buildings Frannie could see the snow plows coming through doing their best to clear the street. If they were already out that meant it was going to snow all night. A car passed them slipping slightly on the sticking packed snow. Valets were throwing down snow dissolvers and shoveling what they could.

  Wealthy men and dainty looking women stepped carefully around larger piles of snow. Frannie couldn’t help the snicker of laughter as one particularly cruel looking woman cautiously waddled across a patch of ice nearby.

  Carl stood next to them looking a little distressed at the scene. Frannie and Fey hated the cold and it was an annoying thought to have to drive through it. Not that she would be doing the driving. But she was concerned with the safety aspect of it. She didn't want to worry tonight might be her last.

  Anyone back in California would have laughed at that thought. The majority of them had never even seen snow let alone driven in it. It was much more dangerous than driving in rain due to how quickly it could pack on and the potential of black ice. The lack of traction on the roads would cause cars to slip or be unable to stop.

  As the valets were driving up car after car even they were slipping slightly and the more fancy cars without proper snow treads were getting stuck at moments. She never should have come back in the middle of winter. Fuck the north and its snow. Go back inside where it is warm. Fey pleaded. Frannie wanted to rant and rave about it but it wasn't of any use. She was gonna get back to Minas some way even if she had to walk in the snow.

  Frannie looked towards her mate, his face hadn't changed, he was still and cold. His eyes had dimmed however and returned to their usual chilly green.

  "Carl, go home to your wife." He said abruptly as a valet driver came up and grabbed their car tickets.

  "But Miss Bianchi-"

  Benson cut him off his voice firm. "I am not asking."

  The older man nodded slowly and then looked at Frannie and tilted his hat, his never failing smile warmed her heart. She and Benson remained under the red awning. She watched as a valet pulled around his car and Carl stepped into the driver's seat, his nerves clearly on edge with driving through the snow.

  She believed he would be fine, the man was more capable than he let on. She smiled and waved and he attempted to return it before taking off. Then it dawned on her.

  "Wait then how am I getting home?" She asked a twinge of annoyance in her voice. He just sent home her free ride. He still clasped her hand and though she should be freezing she was comfortably warm.

  "You're staying with me tonight." No question, no hesitation in his voice it was not an offer. It was an order. Fey exuded an excited feeling through Frannie. A feeling of anticipation and delight. Unfortunately for him and Fey, Frannie had recently learned she was tired of people walking all over her.

  "No way in hell. I'd rather walk." Frannie tried to sound tough but somehow always failed around him. She tried to pull her hand from his but he latched on tighter. Not painfully but in a way, she knew he would not let her go.

  He gazed down at her, his face so soft, so beautiful a stark contrast to his angry mood mere moments ago. He raised his other hand to cup her cheek in a caress. She couldn't pull away not when a simple touch like this felt so damned good, so calming, so like home.

  "Francesca now is not the time to be stubborn. My home is closer than Miss Husiks. I will bring you back tomorrow morning. I promise."

  She couldn't stop herself. "Just like you promised not to touch me?" She quipped smirking just a touch. His gaze intensified and she saw the dim lights flicker to life in a dazzling look.

  Just the thought of him all over her again was putting her on edge. He cleared his throat as his car pulled up and the valet started to leave the driver's seat.

  "I thought we already cleared that up, my little mate." His smirk was wicked and teasing. His sultry lips looked so inviting.

  Then Frannie thought maybe this wouldn't be the worst idea. It was the safest by far. The drive back to Minas would take thirty minutes without snow and she didn't want to be cooped up in a car with him for long. She remembered what had happened last time.

  But also maybe she could get to know him a little better. Clearly, he wasn't gonna tell her much himself. But they always say houses talk and she could learn a lot by doing a little snooping of her own. A little payback for his nosy nature.

  "I'm not sleeping with you." She stated trying to pour as much conviction into her words as she could. She was leaving in a few days. It wouldn't matter at the end of the night but she had to draw the line in the sand somewhere.

  "We will discuss it." Was Alexander's only reply. They would ‘discuss it’? Your kidding. There was going to be nothing to talk about.

  We want him and Axl. Why do you hate it so much? Why do you refuse our mate? We could be so happy. Fey questioned her typical frustration replaced with sadness and Frannie didn't want to answer that question. She didn't want to think about it. She just knew they couldn't be together, couldn't have each other.

  Before she could breathe another word of it Alexander was pulling her forward out into the snowy wind and opening the passenger door before the valet had a chance. The meek-looking man looked confused but didn't interject.

  Frannie scowled at Benson and huffed as she sat down. For just a moment she saw a look of amusement on his face as he watched her but it was gone quickly. Frannie went to reach for the seat belt but he stopped her grabbing it before she could. He reached over her to buckle her in, the heat of him enveloping her. He slowly dragged the seat belt over her erect nipples before clicking it in pace. Her pussy clenched as the pine scent hit her nose surrounding her in a ball of fragrant bliss.

  His lips came tantalizingly close to her ear. Her breathing started to shake and become heavy. She waited for him to speak to kiss her anything because he was driving her mad with need. But he didn't say a word he just moved past her ear to the crook of her neck near her collar bone and she felt him scrap his canine there. Back and forth languidly.

  She shook and moaned as the feeling lit a fire in her. “Good girl.” Those words she craved undeniably edging her towards the peak of need. Near shattering her reslov
e on the matter of ‘no sex’. He drew back after a moment a devilish grin on his face. He closed the passenger door leaving her breathless.

  Maybe some other women may find the term ‘good girl’ demeaning. Yet for Frannie it made her all kinds of weak in the knees. She would feel no shame for that.

  She breathed in and out a moment regaining her composure. Why? Fey asked again because Frannie had never answered her originally. She could run from her family and she could run from Alexander Benson but she couldn't run from her bear. She was literally inside her.

  So she gave her the only answer she could think of. “Because we are too different.” Frannie told her quietly almost apologetically. Frannie hoped that Fey would return to normal once they left they could leave all this mate business behind and go back to normal. Back to before this man walked into their lives.

  It will kill us to not be with him. You know that. There is no breaking this. No running. Fey huffed her words but otherwise said nothing else. Frannie did know that in the pit of her stomach she knew. There had to be something she could do to quell the pain at least until she could really think about what she wanted.