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

out in stark focus was the claws on Lukas's bear-like hands.
    He'd been telling her the truth.
    The room door opened, and Alana poked her head inside, her eyebrows raised to find Kat awake. "Good. You're up," she said as she entered and shut the door behind her.
    "What time is it?" asked Kat.
    "Just on seven." Alana stopped at the foot of the bed and studied Kat's face. "I knew I'd seen you somewhere before. Probably why I never liked you in the first place."
    "What are you taking about?" Kat asked as she pushed herself into a sitting position and shoved her hair out of her face.
    "Katriona Brandon, granddaughter of Constantine Brandon."
    Kat scowled. "So what about it?"
    Alana folded her arms. "What are you up to? Is it some type of scam?"
    "What the hell are you on about, Alana? It's too early in the morning for this shit."
    "Your anonymous donor? You trying to scam your grandfather's estate by giving his money to us? I doubt your donor is legit."
    Kat threw the blankets off her legs and pushed herself to her feet. Someone had removed her torn dress, and she blinked at her body, encased in the singlet and shorts she usually wore to sleep.
    She focused on Alana. "It's really none of you business, but for the record, it's not my grandfather's money I'm donating, it's mine."
    Alana laughed. "I saw the first transfer. Where would you get money like that?" she scoffed.
    "I'm a Brandon, in case you didn't realize it. And virtually the old man's sole heir. I have more money than I'd ever know what to do with."
    Alana's lips formed a thin, angry line as Kat's financial status sank in. She stared at Kat for a moment, then turned on her heel, heading to the door. On the threshold, she looked over her shoulder. "Lukas doesn't appreciate lies. He won't be happy to know you lied about your identity." With that, she closed the door and left Kat to fume all by herself.
    Kat was furious, but she forced herself to brush her teeth, shower, and encase herself in the hotel's oversized robes. She was about to lift the phone to call the front desk and request help with obtaining clothing when the door opened and Carson tiptoed inside.
    "I thought you were awake. The Ice Bitch just marched out of the suite like she had a hot poker up her ass." Carson grinned. "What did you say to her?"
    Kat sighed and sank onto the mattress. "Just that I have enough money to buy and sell the Sarkozys ten times over."
    Carson snorted and sat beside her. "More than ten times, woman." They laughed for a few moments, then her friend looked at her. "How you feeling?"
    Giving a limp shrug, Kat said, "Sore, but I'll live. And I need clothing."
    Carson jumped to her feet. "I brought some of your stuff for you. They're in the closet."
    "Thanks. And please tell me that you stripped me of my clothes and got me into my pajamas?"
    Carson giggled. "Yup. Unfortunately, it was me. Lukas paced and drank brandy and then had to be threatened with his grandfather's name before he went to bed. But I don't think he slept much. He's been mooching around for an hour now."
    "So you know about the shifter thing?" Kat asked abruptly. She got to her feet and rummaged in the closet for something to wear.
    "Yup."
    "That why you left Marek?" Kat turned back to look at Carson as she pulled on tights and a long cable-knit sweater.
    "Yup."
    "And yet you still went back to him?"
    "Yup."
    "Got anything else for me beside yup?"
    Carson laughed. "It took me a while, but I dealt with it. I love Marek for who he is and how he makes me feel. His species is only part of who he is."
    When she caressed her slightly rounded stomach, Kat's eyes widened. "He knocked you up?"
    "Yup."
    Kat waved a hand at Carson's stomach and sighed. "You're going to have bear babies?"
    "I'm going to have Marek's babies. That's all that matters."
    Kat stiffened. "Wait a minute. Just hold the phone." She stared from Carson's pregnant belly to her face. "I thought the Sarkozy men can't have babies. Something about curses."
    Carson