Page 18 of Bria and the Tiger

Chapter Four

Bria opened the door and hurried into the foyer of Kat’s office. Kat, along with a wolf shifter named Malcolm Burke and a grizzly shifter named Bishop King, owned a security firm that provided personal protection for paranormals. Over the last year, they had branched out into providing corporate security for paranormals as well as personal security for humans.

Their receptionist and Malcolm’s mate, was a human named Willow. She was on the phone and she waved at Bria as the door opened again. Bria turned and smiled at the curvy redhead who walked into the office. “Hi, Ava. How are you?”

Ava set the car seat she was carrying on the floor. “I’m good. Just brought Lila in to see her dad during lunch.”

Bria crouched next to the car seat before pulling back the blanket. Lila stared at her and Bria brushed her hand over the baby’s bright red hair. “Look at her chubby cheeks. I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”

Ava laughed. “She loves to eat. She might be human, but you can totally tell she’s Bishop’s kid.”

“How old is she now?”

“Almost seven weeks.”

Bria touched Lila’s cheek with the tip of her finger. “Hi, Lila. Hi, sweet baby.”

“Do you want to hold her?” Ava asked.

“Can I?”

“Of course.” Ava bent and unbuckled the belt before lifting Lila out of the seat. She handed her over and Bria kissed the baby’s cheek.

“You look just like your mama.”

“She totally does,” Willow said. She had finished her phone call and she hurried around the desk and kissed the top of Lila’s head. “Hi, Bria.”

“Hi, Willow. How are you?”

“Good. You here to see Kat?”

“Yeah, if she’s here.”

“She is,” Willow said as she picked up Lila’s hand and kissed it. “How’s my sweet Lila girl?”

The door to Bishop’s office opened and the giant grizzly shifter came hurrying out. He was sniffing the air and a huge grin broke out on his face when he saw Ava. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her before smiling down at her. “Hi, gorgeous.”

“Hi, honey. Sorry to drop by without texting, but I wondered if you wanted to have lunch with Lila and me?”

“Yes.” Bishop kissed Ava’s forehead before holding out his hands for Lila.

Bria handed him the baby. She looked incredibly tiny in his massive hands and Bria couldn’t help but feel a tinge of worry. Grizzly shifters weren’t exactly known for their delicate touch.

She shouldn’t have worried.

Displaying a gentleness she hadn’t known existed in him, Bishop tucked Lila against his broad chest. The baby stared up at him and when he made a low rumbling sound of happiness, her face broke out in a toothless grin. She kicked her feet, her grin widening as Bishop gave her his finger to hold. She gripped it tightly, her gaze never leaving his face as he cooed to her.

“How’s my baby girl? Has she been a good girl for her mama today? Daddy is so happy to see you. Your daddy loves you, yes he does.”

Willow started to giggle. “Bishop, you are ridiculously adorable. Did you know that?”

Bishop turned red but continued to coo to his daughter. Lila tried to put his finger in her mouth and made an angry cry when he wouldn’t let her.

“Uh oh. I think she’s hungry again. Do you mind if I feed her before we go for lunch?” Ava said.

“Why don’t you feed her in my office while I run to the café and grab us something to eat. We can eat in my office or in the boardroom,” Bishop said before handing Lila back to Ava.

He left the office and Ava jiggled Lila and smiled at Bria. “How are you, Bria? I haven’t seen you since Lila’s baby shower. Did you find a job?”

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