An Heiress For The Bear (Sarkozy Brothers 2) by Meredith Clarke

truth. I can't lie to you. Not now, not ever."
    Kat stiffened, her pale eyes going dark. She was shaking her head, stepping back across the threshold of his office. "This doesn't make any sense, Lukas." Then she stiffened. "That's why you looked all strange when I called you a big bear."
    She narrowed her eyes.
    "And your shower? It's freaking huge." He nodded. "The noise I heard when I came to your apartment..."
    He frowned. "You heard me?"
    "That's why I came to investigate. It sounded like a wounded animal." Kat's eyes were wide. "Is this the reason Carson left Marek?"
    Lukas shrugged, averting his eyes for a few seconds. "I can't say. Marek hasn't spoken of why she left." He gave her an apologetic smile.
    "It must be. That's why she looked so strange when we were talking about--" Kat's eyes widened.
    "About what?"
    "Ursus Major." Kat laughed coldly. "And I was rattling on, explaining constellations and crap while the poor woman's heart was breaking."
      Lukas shook his head sadly. "Kat, all I know is Marek loves Carson, and he is hurting too. I hope they sort things out soon, because the man's like a great big hulking bear with a thorn in his paw." Then Lukas sighed. "And things have just progressed to a dangerous level with our family. I should be telling you to run, because even being with me can endanger your life."
    Kat was watching him, her expression wary now, and he saw that she probably believed they were destined to end things the same way that Marek and Carson had.
    Lukas walked to stand in front of Kat, taking hold of her shoulders. When she didn't flinch, he let out a relieved breath. "Please, tell me what you're thinking."
    Kat opened her mouth, then closed it again. "I need time to think about this."
    "Of course," said Lukas. He hadn't expected her to even take the opportunity to think about it.
    Then she took a step back, turned, and left the office, her red gown swishing as she hurried to the elevator and punched the button.
    Lukas sighed.
    And the lady in red ran from the bear.

27. KAT  

    K AT HURRIED OUT OF THE building, pushing the glass doors open as she ran for the steps. She had to get to her car, and it was much later than she usually walked the streets. She'd always been nervous in the dark, and now the sound of breathing at her back made her move faster.
    A hand flew around her waist, and Kat screamed, fright drawing the sound from her throat. Her attacker didn't seem to care; he just gripped her tighter and spoke into her ear. "Where is she?"
    Kat kicked her legs, frantic now as he slid his hand around her throat and began to squeeze. His breath stank of cigars, and he reeked of expensive cologne.
    "What do you want?"
    "Where is she? Tell me."
    "I don't know what you mean," Kat spoke, choking on the words.
    "Maria Hernandez." The man growled the words in her ear, and she flinched as his breath clouded over her cheek. "If you don't have her back home to her husband by tomorrow morning, you will be sorry."
    "I have no idea what you're talking about," Kat croaked, scraping at the fingers at her throat.
    The man shouted, "If you want games, I can play. Maybe this will make you remember." He let go of her neck, and she was so relieved, she realized too late what he'd intended.
    He slammed a fist into the base of her spine and sent her flying off the top stair. Kat tumbled over, hit her head, and felt her skull slam into the edge of a step. There were twenty steps on this level. Kat couldn't help recalling the number, and some part of her brain registered that a fall down twenty steps would be painful.
    But Kat was in shock, and pain didn't register.
    She landed in a heap at the foot of the stairs, choking as she struggled to breathe, her throat swollen and constricted. Her skirt had ripped from the seam at her side and she lay on her back, stunned, unable to stop him as he sank beside her.
    But he wasn't interested in her body. His black eyes gleamed as he stared at her.
    "You have until morning,