Crossing Paths: A Brooklyn Shifters Romance Book 1

by Daphne Snow

  "We have to change that." Frannie looked up at him in confusion when she heard his words echo in the near silence.

  "We will teach Fey how to keep you safe." At her understanding look that he was more so talking to Axl, he headed toward the back door. She was so soft in his arms though she may feel unattractive, there was not a single thing about her Alex could find he didn’t like. He wanted to whisk her away to their bedroom and make love to her. To show her he would worship her for the rest of their lives.

  He wasn't sure exactly what time it was but he suspected Sonya and his several posted guards would be looking for him at this point. Grabbing the warm jacket from where she dropped it he draped it over her before entering the house.

  Alexander had no care in terms of his own body but he didn't want the prying eyes of others watching his woman. Just as he suspected the sounds of rushing boots and heels headed towards them as soon as he shut the back door. Frannie curled up tighter in his arms making herself seem smaller.

  "It's okay baby." He crooned kissing the top of her head gently. She smelled of medical supplies almost like a hospital yet underneath it all was that scent of a dewy morning. The one that drove him wild with need and affection for his other half.

  Alex sat her in a bar stool tucked into the marble island in the middle of the kitchen. She was on the other side so as the stampede of Dr.Gorky and four armed and suited guards came in, they couldn't see her naked body under the heavy coat.

  "What the hell do you think you are doing with my patient!" Sonya with bulging yellow eyes shouted at him. Her unique eyes were filled with a fire he hadn't seen in a long time. The other men that had followed her quickly turned or decided anywhere was a better place to land their gaze than at him, fully naked, arms crossed and not giving a damn.

  "Calm down." His voice was deep commanding but she didn't flinch in the slightest. Instead, the irate woman hastened her steps over to Francesca and swiftly removed her coat to check her back. Not even the furious snarl from Alex swayed her. Knowing no matter what he said she wouldn't stop he turned his attention to the men who stood there awkwardly waiting.

  "Get Miss Bianchi and I some clothes. Check the perimeter. Mr.Husik and Mr. Blackwell will be here today. Let me know as soon as they arrive, and pick up the report Shanessy was supposed to complete on the west segment yesterday. Call the Maydans and I want all collections on my desk in an hour." In unison, the men gave a resounding 'yes sir' before running off.

  Once the heavy booted steps faded he looked over to his mate a wince on her pretty face as Sonya poked at her back. "Miss Bianchi, why in the world would you shift right now? You are not anywhere near ready." The doctor scolded her over and over. For being so foolish, for not listening to her orders. Alex couldn't take anymore as he watched her shrink like a wilted violet right before his eyes. Before he could rip her a new one his fearsome woman spoke for herself.

  "I'm alright really. It stings a little but that's all." She said honestly whilst batting away the fretting doctor's hands. Sonya looked at her angry and exasperated. Her rueful gaze landed on him and he wouldn't deny there was a part of him that wished he was anywhere else in the world right now.

  "Are you such a terrible man to allow your woman to destroy her body for the sake of your own needs?" The venom in her voice took him off guard. He was used to Sonya hating him, being unforgiving and downright nasty when she wanted to be. But the belief in her eyes he would do anything to hurt his mate was shocking. Frannie and Fey made that choice themselves; he had no part in it.

  He was glad she had changed form though. Her bear was beautiful and sleek. Such a small thing compared to his own beast. Having Fey out and with Axl though had calmed him to such a degree Alexander was stunned. Right now Axl was mildly content to allow Alex to handle the doctor.

  It was as if this whole time all Axl needed was his mate and Alexander could understand that feeling; because he had never felt more content in his life until his Francesca huffed into it chasing after him.

  Before he could say anything. One of the guards had come flying into the room a bundle of neatly folded clothes in his hands. Not once did he look at Francesca as he placed the clothes on the counter and left. Alexander and Blackwell had made it very clear Francesca was off limits and anyone to even think to look at her would pay with their lives. Blackwell had been more reasonable though and suggested paying with a finger or a toe.

  The tension in the room as they waited for his exit was a tangible thing. Alexander gave nothing away, his face still and cold.

  Sonya grabbed up what looked to be some leggings and a soft cotton tank and brought them to Frannie. She said nothing as she dressed but a very distressed look came upon her face.

  Alex threw on the clothes he was brought as well, thankful they hadn't chosen a three-piece suit and instead grabbed him a shirt and jeans. He was far from ashamed of his body but having on clothes helped him to feel a little bit more protected. Sonya wasn't going to take a knife to his cock anytime soon.

  Even in something so simple his Francesca looked amazing. She straightened, stretching her back a little in the light pink tank top. His balls tightened as her breast bounced, she wore no bra due to her back injury and he would be hard-pressed to say he didn't like it. Her hair with auburn waves cascaded over her bare shoulders beautifully. Her face albeit tired was fresh and glowing. He did his best to stifle the growl in his throat. There would be time for that later when they came to an understanding about their future.

  He had noticed over the last few weeks with him visiting her in the dead of night that she had a glow to her that had only seemed to get stronger as time passed. She looked fuller to, even though Sonya had told him she rarely ate. He had hardly touched food as well.

  After he lashed out he refused himself the privilege of seeing her. That had only lasted so long though. He couldn't sleep unless she was nearby. He had taken to taking out a stiff chair and sleeping in the bedroom. First by the door then he would get closer and closer until he was next to his side of the bed. Imagining himself wrapping his arms around her in sleep helped to lull him to an escape filled with nothing but his mate. Typically though he would wake before she did, he didn't want to see the look of horror and disappointment on her face again.

  He was doing everything in his power to find Mina and the women. In hopes, if he did that maybe she would forgive him. That she would give him the second chance he needed in order to breathe. He didn't dare ask her for anything till he made it up to her. Though with the death of Ya-Ya he worried he never could. Zelik had told him how the woman was basically like a mother to Frannie for ten years. He could save Mina and give Frannie anything in the world she wanted but he couldn't bring back Ya-Ya. That would haunt him.

  He had hoped that their romp out in the snow was helping to bring her back to him. Even if it took the rest of his life he would do anything for her to look up at him with love in her eyes. He hadn't even realized the fierce stares he was sending his mate until Sonya clicked her tongue drawing his attention.

  "Miss Bianchi I am going to admit you to my private clinic. I think allowing you to stay here would only be a detriment to your health." The sudden no said in unison by both Alex and Frannie did not faze Sonya in the slightest.

  "You can not take my mate from me, Sonya. You are crossing the line here. " She scoffed at him with a poisonous glint in her eyes.

  "I will not let you do what your father did to Irina. Maybe if someone took her away she'd still be alive!" Her words were meant to hurt, to puncture she knew his mother was a sensitive topic. Axl flared to life inside him snarling low at first before snapping and attempting to force a change. Alex held him back his control waning at the mere thought of Francesca leaving.

  "Come Miss Bianchi. I will have your things sent for. " She grabbed Frannie's arm in a rush and just as he was about to lose the last thread of control he had she spoke.

  "No." It was so low he strained to hear it. He wondered if it was just his
mind clinging desperately to the hope she wouldn't want to go. As his confused fog cleared however he watched as Sonya tugged at her arm just for Frannie to tug back out of her grasp.

  "I'm not leaving. I am so tired of people deciding for me. I don't care what is going on between you two." She announced the tears pricking at her eyes once again. She actually stomped her feet on her way to grab hold of Alexander by the arm. The heat of her body next to his had him grinning. "I am his mate and I am going to stay with him."

  Then with a narrowed gaze that had Sonya taking a step back, she growled out. "I am not sharing. He is mine."

  He just couldn't help it. She was so adorable and so amazingly fierce. He started to laugh. Not some light fleeting chuckle a full burst of his gut that had tears of his own threatening to spill over. Even Sonya looked baffled at the vehement possessive declaration. "W-whats so funny?" She asked her lip quivering just a bit as Alex bent over with his stomach hurting.

  He pulled her into a desperate hug when he recovered making sure not to squeeze her back.

  "Francesca are you under the impression that Sonya and I are..." She had the grace to blush at that. Sonya looked at them blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

  "You never told me you weren't." He couldn't argue with her there. He hadn't wanted to explain why he had a picture of them and had promptly removed it when he returned home that night. He didn't want Frannie to get the wrong idea, what good that had done him.

  "There is no way on this earth me and satan here would ever be anything like that." Sonya sounded disgusted at that but he had to agree with her.

  "Baby, Sonya is like a cousin to me. A very distant angry cousin." He ignored the scoff from Sonya at that. The breath that Frannie had apparently been holding escaped her. She blinked fastly before speaking.

  "So, nobody else?" He shook his head.

  "You're the only one I need Francesca, the only one I want." He leaned down to capture her lips in his. A physical necessity he had denied himself for six weeks. He didn't even attempt to hide the groan of need that burned through him at her touch. Her tentative caress of his cheek to the glorious way her arms snaked around his neck wanting to pull him closer to her. He claimed her mouth lips and tongues melding so passionately there would never be any more doubt in her mind about who he wanted, needed, loved.

  Nails on the marble countertop soon became too annoying to ignore. He broke away from their passion happy to see her lips pink and swollen with his affections. The dazed lusty look in her eyes almost did him in entirely.

  After a moment of regaining their sanity, they looked as Sonya who stood staring at them unrepentant in her glare. "My opinion still stands Miss Bianchi. I do not think this is a safe environment for you under the current circumstances." She said proudly, crossing her arms.

  The woman had dodged questions as to what was wrong with his mate for weeks and by the look in Frannie's eyes she had no clear idea as to what Sonya referred to.

  "Why don't you actually tell us what circumstances they are." She rolled her eyes at him. "Sonya!" He growled.

  "Miss Bianchi-" She ignored him.

  "No Dr.Gorky I want to believe you're looking out for my best interest but if you won't tell me what's wrong how am I supposed to believe you." The crack in her voice made it very clear she was on the verge of losing to her emotions again. He couldn't blame her, she had been through so much in the last month alone anyone would be a mess. She was handling a hell of a lot better than he thought she would. He held her close, careful of her back but wanting her to know she had his support.

  Sonya regarded the two of them, her eyes glowing yellow before returning to dulled pale brown.

  "I will tell Miss Bianchi. If she chooses to tell you then it is out of my hands." Sonya still clearly believed Frannie would somehow see her reason. Frannie nodded and stepped out of Alexander's arms to approach the woman. Sonya glared at Alex as she whispered something into Frannie's Ear. She tensed when she pulled back.

  "You're sure?"

  "Yes, it's why your healing has been so slow. And before you ask it's different for shifters than humans. We can tell a lot sooner you should be able to feel it now anyways. I considered telling you earlier but your mate is a supreme pain in my ass. So I didn't feel like saying anything till he got his act together." He had known exactly what she meant. He had avoided her for weeks not wanting to know the state his Francesca was in. Unable to bear the pain that it'd been his fault she sustained injuries. Her back ripped to shreds, her best friend missing. Every time Sonya had stormed into his office he had promptly walked out.

  "Either way what you do with that information is up to you Miss Bianchi. I would suggest making sure you know where you stand with each other first. History has a funny way of repeating itself." She flicked her upturned nose towards him and then back to Frannie. "My number is in your phone, call if you sustain any further injuries. If you want to leave we will make arrangements."

  Axl who had known Sonya and her own beast for the better part of a decade hated her. There were very few times the bear hadn't suggested bringing her to an early grave. Right now he was too angry for words. Thankfully he was still somewhat tired from the hours he'd spent with Fey. It didn't take all of Alex's effort to suppress the animal. It did however take a lot of him to not strangle her himself.

  Sonya said nothing to him and simply walked past him. Alex hoped she was on her way back to the swamp she climbed out of.

  “Dr.Gorky...” Frannie called out to her before the woman turned the corner. Alex stiled a pang of fear in his chest. Sonya stopped a small smirk on her lips and waited.

  “You left your stethoscope upstairs yesterday. I don't want you to forget it.” Frannies voice was so sweet yet he knew his mate was telling Sonya to not let the door hit her on the way out.

  Alex held in the snarky laugh but didn’t hide his smile as Sonya huffed irritated and walked away. They were left there just the two of them and Alex was happy. His mate chose him.

  Frannie turned back to him though with a look of disbelief and worry. He grabbed her back into his arms. She didn't cry and he was glad for that but whatever Sonya had told her had clearly shaken her to her core.

  "What did she say?"

  Chapter 19

  She guessed she shouldn't have been all that surprised when Dr. Gorky told her the truth. It had been the furthest thing from her mind the last month or so.

  Alex held her so gently for a few more minutes before he asked again. "Baby what did she say?"

  "I'll tell you if you tell me why you guys have such a problem with each other." He sighed and didn't say anything for a long time. At one point she thought he'd say nothing at all.

  "Okay but let's get some food into you." She nodded suddenly, very hungry. It was true she hardly ate at all. Even when she had spent time away from him at Mina's house she felt blank. Not hungry, not tired, just a blank mind the only thing it was capable of putting together was that she needed to be with him.

  Being this close to him again ignited things in her. Her hunger and her lust were back in full force.

  "French toast?" She asked the idea making her lick her lips. She looked up at him, her eyes twinkling in hope. A grin graced his perfect face.

  "Anything you want." He declared as he walked her over to a stool to wait. She sat in it, grateful it didn't have any kind of backing. Shifting had been so freeing and she and Fey were feeling extremely content, but it pushed her still healing back to its limits. She laid her head onto her hands on the cool material of the kitchen island. She watched him move about the kitchen opening various parts. Dark cabinets with bronze fastenings held the pan and spatula. The refrigerator was gleaming almost like a mirror as he took out milk and eggs.

  Frannie smiled a full wide smile that touched her eyes. Seeing him like this was so domestic and adorable really. Not once had she seen a personal chef. A cleaning lady sure, but even that had been rare. But no exuberant chef with a white hat flaunting his egg
cooking skills. He was grabbing things as if he did this every day. She had to assume he had been the one to cook for her every day she had been here.

  What little she did eat was delicious but she never went beyond the first few bites. Now knowing she was growing a human inside of her that would have to change, whether or not she decided to stay.

  "Where should I start?" He asked but apparently to himself as Frannie saw the surprised grin on his face when she answered.

  "Usually with bread, milk and cinnamon." She joked, the look of pure hunger descended in his eyes and it had her squirming in her seat.

  "I meant with Sonya."

  "The beginning." She promoted her curiosity growing the longer he withheld the truth. She was beyond happy to know they were like cousins and not like lovers. All the stress from the last six weeks was for nothing. But her happiness was soon replaced with concern as she realized the hate the doctor harbored for her mate.