Bound to Him: Episode 1

By Em Brown

For better, for worse...in bondage and submission.

Life is tough for Alena Vetrov, and with an ailing grandmother and unemployed mother to support, she turns to easy money in the fast booming matchmaking service. Only she gets more than she bargained for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Em Brown
• Release date: Jan 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781942822783

Em Brown

After accidentally flashing an audience with her knickers, Em Brown decided that writing was a safer activity. She enjoys writing romance, particularly erotic historicals. For more about her works, visit www.EroticHistoricals.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Chen He Lee held back a grimace as he walked into the hospital room and beheld Peter, his head wrapped in bandages, his face purple and swollen. Peter had put on a significant amount of weight since Chen had last seen him several years ago, and Chen would not have been surprised if the small hospital bed beneath Peter collapsed at any second. Beside the bed, the heart-rate monitor beeped slowly but steadily.

I should have done better to stay in touch, Chen thought with regret.

Peter Wong had been Chen’s best friend through seven years of boarding school in London, but after high school, Chen had gone off to Oxford and then the London Business School, while Peter had returned home to Shanghai, presumably to take over the family’s failing import-export business. 

After getting his MBA, Chen had gone straight into his own family’s multibillion-dollar business. The long hours and international travel had made it hard to stay in touch with old friends. He might not have even known that Peter had been shot if not for a former classmate who had come across a news post about it on WeChat.

A vision from my past, Peter greeted in a weak voice.

Chen approached and looked Peter over. He had a dozen questions but did not want to task his friend’s fragile state. Keeping his tone light, he said, You look like shit.

Peter grunted. Says the pretty boy.

Chen smiled, but on the inside, he seethed. He was going to find the bastard or bastards who did this.

Peter started coughing, and Chen reached for the water pitcher beside the bed. Peter lifted his hand, the one that didn’t have IV’s taped to it.

I need...a favor, he said.

Chen leaned in.

Take care of my... He stopped to gasp for breath. 

Chen pulled back. You should rest. You can tell me about it later.

No. My swan—take care... His eyes widened as he drew in another difficult breath. Promise me.

I promise, Chen replied, not wanting his friend to agitate himself.

There’s a...in kitchen...

Peter grimaced. At that moment, a nurse entered and addressed Chen. If you please, Mr. Lee, the patient needs to rest. The police were in here asking questions earlier. You can come back tomorrow.

I’d like to come back later today, Chen replied.

I’m afraid there are no more visiting hours for today.

Not