The Investigator (Norcross #1) - Anna Hackett Page 0,3
it. Alyssa had been the one who had introduced them.
Haven had learned a painful lesson to not mix business and pleasure.
She’d been done with Leo’s growing moodiness, outbursts, and cheating on her and hitting her had been the last straw. Asshole.
She wiped the tear away. San Francisco was as far from Miami as she could get and still be in the continental US. This was supposed to be her fresh new start.
She heard footsteps—solid, quick, and purposeful. Easton strode in.
He was a tall man, with dark hair that curled at the collar of his perfectly fitted suit. Haven had sworn off men, but she was still woman enough to appreciate her boss’ good looks. His mother was Italian-American, and she’d passed down her very good genes to her children.
Like his brothers, Easton had been in the military, too, although he’d joined the Army Rangers. It showed in his muscled body. Once, she’d seen his shirt sleeves rolled up when they’d had a late meeting. He had some interesting ink that was totally at odds with his sophisticated-businessman persona.
His gaze swept the room, his jaw tight. It settled on her and he strode over.
“Haven—”
“Oh God, Easton. I’m so sorry.”
He sat beside her and took her free hand. He squeezed her cold fingers, then he looked at her face and cursed.
She hadn’t been brave enough to look in the mirror, but she guessed it was bad.
“They took the Water Lilies,” she said.
“Okay, don’t worry about it just now.”
She gave a hiccupping laugh. “Don’t worry? It’s worth a hundred and ten million dollars.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “You’re okay, and that’s the main thing. And the guards are in serious but stable condition at the hospital.”
She nodded numbly. “It’s all my fault.”
Easton’s gaze went to the police, and then moved back to her. “That’s not true.”
“I let them in.” Her voice broke. God, she wanted the marble floor to crack and swallow her.
“Don’t worry.” Easton’s face turned very serious. “Vander and Rhys will find the painting.”
Her boss’ tone made her shiver. Something made her suspect that Easton wanted his brothers to find the men who’d stolen the painting more than recovering the priceless piece of art.
She licked her lips, and felt the skin on her cheek tug. She’d have some spectacular bruises later. Great. Thanks, universe.
Then Easton’s head jerked up, and Haven followed his gaze.
A man stood in the doorway. She hadn’t heard him coming. Nope, Vander Norcross moved silently, like a ghost.
He was a few inches over six feet, had a powerful body, and radiated authority. His suit didn’t do much to tone down the sense that a predator had stalked into the room. While Easton was handsome, Vander wasn’t. His face was too rugged, and while both he and Easton had blue eyes, Vander’s were dark indigo, and as cold as the deepest ocean depths.
He didn’t look happy. She fought back a shiver.
Then another man stepped up beside Vander.
Haven’s chest locked. Oh, no. No, no, no.
She should have known. He was Vander’s top investigator. Rhys Matteo Norcross, the youngest of the Norcross brothers.
At first glance, he looked like his brothers—similar build, muscular body, dark hair and bronze skin. But Rhys was the youngest, and he had a charming edge his brothers didn’t share. He smiled more frequently, and his shaggy, thick hair always made her imagine him as a rock star, holding a guitar and making girls scream.
Haven was also totally, one hundred percent in lust with him. Any time he got near, he made her body flare to life, her heart beat faster, and made her brain freeze up. She could barely talk around the man.
She did not want Rhys Norcross to notice her. Or talk to her. Or turn his soulful, brown eyes her way.
Nuh-uh. No way. She’d sworn off men. This one should have a giant warning sign hanging on him. Watch out, heartbreak waiting to happen.
Rhys had been in the military with Vander. Some hush-hush special unit that no one talked about. Now he worked at Norcross Security—apparently finding anything and anyone.
He also raced cars and boats in his free time. The man liked to go fast. Oh, and he bedded women. His reputation was legendary. Rhys liked a variety of adventures and experiences.
It was lucky Haven had sworn off men.
Especially when they happened to be her boss’ brother.
And especially, especially when they were also her best friend’s brother.
Off limits.
She saw the pair turn to look her and Easton’s way.
Crap. Pulse racing, she looked at her