Bound to Danger Read Online Free Page A

when she pulled up to Guy’s posh little house in a trendy section of the city. Family money could buy things she only dreamed about.
    When she walked in, Guy hugged her. “Ives. So good to see you here. It’s been too long.” He gave her a broad smile, and she marveled at his polo and spotless khakis so early on a Saturday.
    “It has.” She flopped down on his couch.
    “So, how are things?” He put a tray of biscuits and bacon in front of her.
    “As good as can be expected.”
    “I know. Scary times, huh?” He wore a somber look, but he popped up out of his seat and paced the room.
    “For sure.” You don’t know the half of it.
    “Let’s go shopping!”
    Ivy laughed, but his idea took her mind off her troubles. “Let’s.”
    They took a whirlwind afternoon and early evening of all the nicest shops in the city. Guy even bought her a lime green scarf. On the way back to his place, they stopped for Chinese take out.
    “I needed this. Thank you. You’re such a good friend to me.”
    “I aim to please.” He smiled at her as they unloaded the bags of food and goodies from shopping.
    “I know, and I appreciate it.”
    “No need to.” He waved her comments away as they sat down at the table and dug into their food.
    Ivy yawned in contentment. “Can I ask you a favor, Guy?”
    “Name it.” He gave her a frank stare, and she wondered what he expected her to ask.
    “Can I stay here tonight... sleep on the couch I mean.”
    “Yes, but not on the couch. I have a guest bedroom with designer sheets on the bed. You must try them out.” He wiggled his eyebrows and stabbed a piece of chicken.
    “I will. Thanks. I just... I don’t want to be alone in the apartment tonight.” Ivy looked down at her food, feeling foolish for voicing her fears.
    “No problem. I don’t want you to be if you’re scared. Now, how about a movie?”
    Ivy thought of Finn when he said it, of how kind he had been to her the night before. “Sounds great.”
    They settled for an action flick, and Ivy yawned through most of it even as Guy cheered for Russell Crowe to kill off the other characters.
    “I’m sleepy.” Ivy stood and yawned as he flipped off the TV.
    “Me too. Your room is the last one down the hall.”
    “Thanks.” Ivy kissed his cheek and grabbed her purse. She had thought to at least pack her toothbrush.
    She went into the bathroom connected to her bedroom, impressed at the marble everywhere. The sounds of Guy getting ready for bed were comforting. I made the right decision not to go home tonight.
    After she got into a comfortable pair of pajamas, she pulled back the bedspread.
    “What the hell?”
    A leather dog collar was bunched up in the sheets.

Chapter 6
     
    She grinned. So, Guy or someone close to him was into kinky stuff after all. How did I never know it?
    Ivy moved the collar off the bed, flipping it onto the floor with two fingers.
    So strange...
    The thought stuck with her as she drifted off to sleep.
    Loud music woke her up. Darkness engulfed the room. It was still night.
    “What?” She struggled to sit up.
    “Time to party, Ivy. I’ll be there soon, love.”
    Guy’s voice sounded strange.
    Ivy’s heart careened as she gripped the sheets. Something’s wrong.
    She spotted her purse on the floor.
    Finn.
    Grabbing it, she jerked her phone out and found his number, cursing under her breath as she heard Guy whistling.
    Maybe it’s nothing, just a prank...
    She knew it wasn’t. Something was wrong here.
    “Hello?”
    She wanted to cry at the sound of Finn’s sweet, sleepy voice. “Finn, listen. I can’t talk but for a minute. I know it’s hard to hear. I’m at 335 Marsh Ave. Call the police. I don’t know if I’m in danger, but I’m scared. Come, please, and be careful.”
    “Ivy? Ivy?”
    Ivy prayed he had heard her. She saw a shadow move toward her down the hall as she clicked end and dropped the phone and purse onto the floor.
    ****
     
    “Ivy, it’s time for a party,