Billionaire Bear Shifters A Paranormal Romance Complete Series Boxset - Brittany White Page 0,197

much up front?” Nathan asked, glancing over Eric’s shoulder as he went through their accounts. Connor nodded, remembering the way Brooke had described the apartments they all shared. He repeated the story back to them and Nathan grimaced. “Oh, Christ,” he had said. “That place is a shithole, man. Get them out of there.”

At some point they had been joined by Jessie, Lydia and Alanna, who all wanted to know more about Brooke.

“We don’t know each other that well,” he lied. He and Brooke had agreed not to tell anyone about the two of them, and he’d be damned if he would break that promise.

“Bullshit,” Cody snorted from the other side of the room. “The way you reacted when you thought she had been attacked suggested you know each other very well.”

Connor flipped his brother off as he wagged his eyebrows, turning back to the giggling girls.

“Let’s hope she can cook,” Alanna teased. “‘Coz you’re terrible at it.”

“I don’t need to be good at cooking. I have a brother to bully into doing it for me.” Connor smiled serenely while the girls dissolved into laughter, and it was Cody’s turn to flip him the bird.

“Well, it’ll be nice to have another woman around, anyway. She can help try to keep you four under control.”

“Oh, no,” he said proudly; his smile widening into a dopey grin. “She might be the only person I’ve ever met that's more stubborn than I am.”

All of them groaned and Connor laughed with delight.

By the time they'd settled on their half of the truce, it was sometime after two in the morning and Connor dragged himself to bed, wishing Brooke was there to curl up beside him.

It was lunchtime by the time Connor managed to slip out to visit Cole Couture. The perks of being the owner of a successful ski resort, he thought sarcastically. It seemed like every single guest needed him for something, be it a leaking pipe or not enough hot towels in their rooms. Usually, he was happy to help, if a little irritated when they treated tiny problems like the end of the world, but today he was eager to see Brooke.

The bell above the door tinkled loudly and Connor opened his mouth, a witty comment on the tip of his tongue, but Brooke wasn’t at the counter. Instead, Elsie blinked owlishly up at him. There were a few customers browsing the racks and Elsie had her phone in her hands, obviously scrolling absently while she waited for someone to make a decision. When she caught Connor’s eyes she hurriedly pocketed the phone with a sheepish smile. If he wasn’t so confused, Connor would have laughed.

He liked Elsie. She was an older shifter with a bright smile and brighter clothes, but something kept nagging at the back of his head. Where was Brooke?

“Afternoon, Elsie. Didn’t think you’d still be here, don’t you usually go home after lunch?”

“Hello to you too, dear,” she chirped. “Usually, yes, but Brooke didn’t come in today and I figured someone needed to be here.” Her smile was teasing. Connor frowned.

“Is she okay? Did she say anything?”

Elsie’s smile soured a little, worry causing small furrows between her brows.

“She didn’t come in this morning… but the poor dear hasn’t had a day off in a long time and, well, I don’t have anything else to be doing - just rattling around in my cabin - so I didn’t want to bother her.” She looked up at him, worry starting to creep into her expression. “Why? Has something happened?”

Connor gave her his best reassuring smile, hiding his true emotions with the skill only a seasoned business owner could achieve. “I’m sure she’s fine, I just needed to talk to her. I don’t suppose you have her number?” He was probably overreacting but something was telling him he needed to make sure she was alright. Elsie scribbled the number down on the back of some receipt paper and handed it over. I can’t believe I never got her number, he thought, taking the paper. It’s ridiculous, I feel like I’m doing this whole thing ass backwards. Still, despite his efforts to shake it off, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind, you never needed her number. You’ve always known where to find her... until now.

A customer was approaching the counter, so Connor left Elsie to it with a smile and stood outside, saving the number to his phone and dialling.

No one picked up. The feeling of dread