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 bare feet and red toenails, which made her realize she hadn’t recovered her shoes yet. They were her favorites.
She felt the men looking at her, and like she was drawn by a magnet, she looked up. Vander was scowling. Rhys’ dark gaze was locked on her.
Haven’s traitorous heart did a little tango in her chest.
Before she knew what was happening, Rhys went down on one knee in front of her.
She saw rage twist his handsome features. Then he shocked her by cupping her jaw, and pushing the ice pack away.
They’d never talked much. At Gia’s parties, Haven purposely avoided him. He’d never touched her before, and she felt the warmth of him singe through her.
His eyes flashed. “It’s going to be okay, baby.”
Baby?
He stroked her cheekbone, those long fingers gentle.
Fighting for some control, Haven closed her hand over his wrist. She swallowed. “I—”
“Don’t worry, Haven. I’m going to find the man who did this to you and make him regret it.”
Her belly tightened. Oh, God. When was the last time anyone had looked out for her like this? She was certain no one had ever promised to hunt anyone down for her. Her gaze dropped to his lips.
He had amazingly shaped lips, a little fuller than such a tough man should have, framed by dark stubble.
There was a shift in his eyes and his face warmed. His fingers kept stroking her skin and she felt that caress all over.
Then she heard the click of heels moving at speed. Gia burst into the room.
“What the hell is going on?”
Haven jerked back from Rhys and his hypnotic touch. Damn, she’d been proven right—she was so weak where this man was concerned.
Gia hurried toward them. She was five-foot-four, with a curvy, little body, and a mass of dark, curly hair. As usual, she wore one of her power suits—short skirt, fitted jacket, and sky-high heels.
“Out of my way.” Gia shouldered Rhys aside. When her friend got a look at Haven, her mouth twisted. “I’m going to kill them.”
“Gia,” Vander said. “The place is filled with cops. Maybe keep your plans for murder and vengeance quiet.”
“Fix this.” She pointed at Vander’s chest, then at Rhys. Then she turned and hugged Haven. “You’re coming home with me.”
“Gia—”
“No. No arguments.” Gia held up her palm like a traffic cop. Haven had seen “the hand” before. It was pointless arguing.
Besides, she realized she didn’t want to be alone. And the quicker she got away from Rhys’ dark, far-too-perceptive gaze, the better.
Chapter Two
Rhys Norcross paused at the top of the museum steps, watching as Gia’s driver pulled up in front of the Hutton. Gia helped Haven inside the car and, with a flash of taillights, the Mercedes slid into traffic.
Fuck. He shoved his hands in his pockets. In his head, he kept seeing the swelling on Haven’s pretty face. He was pissed. He wanted to find the assholes who’d hurt her and pound them into the pavement.
Vander stepped up beside him. “At least you finally got her to talk to you.”
“Ha, ha,” Rhys growled.
His brothers and friends at Norcross found it hilarious that Rhys had failed to get Haven to interact with him. She’d caught his eye at a party at Gia’s a few months back. She was pretty, with a gorgeous laugh, and secrets in her blue eyes. Something about Haven McKinney got to him.
The woman could’ve been a member of their old Ghost Ops team with her ability to avoid him.
Seeing her beaten, scared… Fuck, someone was going down.
“I’m not letting her avoid me anymore.”
Vander raised a dark brow. “She isn’t the kind of woman you play with, Rhys.”
“I’m going to play with her, and a whole lot more.” He dragged in a deep breath. “But first, I need to find these thieves and teach them a lesson.”