Read Online Holiday in Danger by Marie Carnay - Free Book Online Page B

throwaway fling that never went anywhere.
    Trent shook his head and started the SUV. Even if Holly was into more than one kinky night—even if the three of them could make fucking magic—none of it mattered. There was a potential killer on the loose. They needed to focus on the threat, not romance.
    He revved the engine and pulled out onto the street. Ian just set them back hours. Trent needed to find the source of the threats and get them locked up, and Ian needed to get his head out of the bedroom and into his business. If he didn’t, they’d be lucky if someone didn’t wind up hurt. Or worse.

C HAPTER S EVEN

    HOLLY

    T HE DOOR TO Hillary’s shop opened and Holly glanced up. The grin that spread across her face came with a blush. “Hi, Ian.”
    Tailored dress shirt, sleeves rolled up. Pressed wool pants. He walked up to the counter and rested his hip on the stainless steel edge and Holly clamped her lips together. A single flex of his bare forearms had her imagining the what-ifs. The possibilities.
    Ian caught her eye. “You’re looking as gorgeous as ever. Flour suits you.”
    Holly wiped at her cheek and a smear of white stained her fingers. Note to self—wipe your face before you ogle. She shrugged. “I’ve been baking all day. We just got a rush tea party. Lots of petit fours.”
    The back door opened and Hillary came through carrying an armful of pink cake boxes. “Ian! Good to see you. How’s Mandy?”
    He smiled. “She’s good. Spending most of her time in Seattle, I think.”
    Hillary set the towering stack down and her smile faded. Oh, no. Holly shot her a don’t-you-dare glance, but Hillary pretended not to notice. “Holly told me about the e-mails.”
    Ian straightened up. “And?”
    “Are you sure you’re taking it seriously?”
    “Of course I am.”
    Hillary knitted her brows. “Holly was almost killed. Probably because of you.”
    Ian pushed off the counter and ran a hand through his hair. The long strands caught on his fingers and he glanced at Holly.
    Was that nerves? Couldn’t be. Holly needed to end this line of questioning. She took a box from the stack and opened the lid. “Lay off, Hill. If was probably a fluke accident.”
    Her best friend frowned. “I don’t think you should go making assumptions.”
    “Hillary’s right.”
    What? Holly blinked and turned toward Ian. “You think there’s something to it?”
    Ian shrugged. “I don’t know. But that’s why Trent’s here. He’ll get to the bottom of it.” All at once his face cleared and he smiled at Hillary. “With Holly staying at the main house, she’ll be safe. I’ve got top-line security and Trent’s like a pit bull. Once he’s started a job, he doesn’t finish until it’s done.”
    “Promise?”
    He made an X on his checked button-down. “Cross my heart.”
    Hillary stared for a minute before nodding in approval. “Good. Because if anything happens to her—”
    “I know. I’ll be banned from ever using Cove Catering again.”
    Hillary smirked. “I was going to say you’d be dead.”
    Ian grinned. “Missing out on your potato salad is a million times worse.”
    Holly shook her head. She was never going to get Hillary to back off, but at least they’d avoided an argument. She picked up a tray of petit fours and nestled them into a box. “All right you two. That’s enough fighting over me.” She closed the lid and turned to Hillary. “I’m a big girl, remember? I don’t need protecting.”
    Hillary frowned. “You can’t ever be too careful.”
    Holly rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine.” She untied her apron and set it on the counter. “You sure it’s okay if I take off? I can stay and finish if you need me to.”
    Her best friend shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’ve just got to box these up and cart them out to the van. No biggie. Besides, you’re forbidden from carrying anything cake-related out the front door.”
    Holly blushed as Hillary turned to Ian. “You’ll bring her