Free In Hawke's Eyes by Tressie Lockwood

together and gossip about the crazy folk in this town. Human or not, you know there’s always stupid people, right?”
    Despite herself, Stephanie grinned. “Yeah.”
    “Cool.” Sienna stood up. “You’ve got twenty minutes. I’m hungry.”
    “I’ll be there.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Hawke put the phone down and tapped fingers on the desktop. He surged from his chair and grabbed his jacket. A visit to Michael had given him the information he needed. He knew where to find the loan shark that had provided his loan. Hawke had expected a man, but it turned out the lender was a woman. He was not a fool as to think she had no protection. Her goons would surround her, but Hawke intended to find a perch and wait for the right opportunity.
    He had flown to New York just hours ago, and yet already he missed Stephanie. Everything inside him wanted to give her a call, but he refused. Not until he had news to share. He knew her fear, could sense it when she came to him, and after the clumsy way he had dealt with revealing the existence of shifters, he didn’t know how long she would stick around after he made sure the coast was clear. However, he would do all he could to win and keep her for his own.
    The offices Jessica Wringer lay south of central park in Manhattan. Hawke first scoped out the area walking, hands in his pockets, eyes open to observe the comings and goings. When he was satisfied with the view at street level, he planned to find a rooftop. Concrete and tinted glass stretched as far as the eye could see. Cars raced down the streets, honking horns, slamming breaks, and squealing tires. Even those on foot seemed to be in a hurry—and pissed about it. He wondered how Michael found Jessica. Maybe she’d found him. That might be how she did business, preying on the desperate corporation owner.
    Hawke’s research into Stephanie’s dead husband turned up that he’d owned several other businesses aside from his family’s joint venture. Upon the man’s death, the profit went to Meechi. What Stephanie had told him about the coming divorce from her husband had apparently been true. He refused to provide for her directly, but he seemed to have no problem with Stephanie caring for the girl and using her allowance. Maybe he knew Stephanie loved Meechi enough for the both of them.
    A woman exited one of the buildings nearest to him and sashayed along the pavement. The red heels were a bit much for the dark-suited drones and the business casual wearers. Two bulky men shadowed her, keeping their distance. Hawke recognized the woman as Jessica Wringer from his sources. When she drew alongside him, her gaze roved him from top to bottom, and she made a noise of appreciation. He resisted a cringe in revulsion and walked on.
    The noise and the many people began to crowd in on him like they never had before. He put it down to leaving Sutland too soon and wanting nothing more than to lie in bed next to Stephanie. Her creamy brown skin felt incredible beneath his hands. Hell, her body with its perfect curves and her full breasts gave him visions that hardened his cock every hour. He would get more of that if it killed him. All he needed to do was wrap this business up and get back to her. Then he could listen to her call out his name in that husky way she had when he brought her to the point of an orgasm. Oh yeah, he would do that again and again.
    Hawke returned to his office and first opened the window. He peered out onto the street and made a quick judgment on wind conditions, which had come naturally from as far back as he could remember. He shed his clothing. Then he shifted into his bird form. He had no idea how it happened, whether it dealt with magic the way his bones shrank or some weird defiance of the laws of physics. He only knew he did it, and feathers sprouted to protect his skin and give him flight.
    He hopped closer to the window and opened his wings. A small flap brought him to the ledge, and he stepped out onto it.