bChapter /b255

    The Murphy Group’s project in Meridia was an open secret in the industry. Now that the deal was sealed, there was no hiding Rowan’s uing trip abroad–especially not from Frank.

    Atwater Group and Murphy Group were partners, but just as often, rivals.

    Keeping tabs on both friends and enemies was just standard practice.

    When Frank called her out on it directly, Elissa didn’t bother pretending. She met his gaze and admitted it easily. “Yes.”

    Why make things moreplicated than they had to be?

    Frank was surprised by her honesty, but not angry. “He’s probably too busy to care about that right now.”

    The Meridia project meant everything to Murphy Group’s future in the chip industry–a make–or–break move for the entire year.

    If they pulled it off, thepany’s value would double overnight. None of their domesticpetitors could hope to catch up.

    Rowan wouldn’t have the time or energy to dig into things that happened

    nearly twenty years ago.

    Elissa lowered her eyes. “Just give me three days, that’s all I’m asking. Okay?”

    Something in her gut told her Rowan would help her.

    Frank studied her for a long moment. He knew she and Rowan were on good terms again, which made it harder for him to say yes. But atst, he nodded.

    “All right.”

    His tone softened after he gave in. “But you haven’t slept all night. You’re still injured. I’d worry if you left like this. Get some rest first–really rest.

    12:10

    The room upstairs is empty. No one’s used it. You’ll be safe there.”

    Even Frank himself only went in when he missed her, just to sit for a while.

    When Elissa still looked reluctant, his voice cooled, the words a gentle warning. “If that’s not enough, then I can’t give you any more time to think.”

    He’dpromised; now she had to meet him halfway.

    With the question of her parents‘ deaths hanging over her, Elissa’s mind and body were exhausted. She finally nodded.

    Her nerves had been stretched taut all night, and the scrapes on her wrists and ankles left her weak and dizzy. She knew Frank wouldn’t let her walk out that door anyway, not the way he said it.

    The clothes she’d left behind were still there–Edna hadn’t touched them, just kept them neatly hung in the closet.

    The room was spotless.

    The nurse had warned her not to get her wounds wet for twenty–four hours, so a shower was out of the question. Not that she had the

    strength. She was already running on empty.

    She locked the door behind her, changed into fresh clothes, and the moment shey down on the bed, sleep imed her in an instant.

    Meridia, Private Airfield.

    Everything had happened so quickly that the crew was still prepping for takeoff.

    Rowan strode up the stairs, long legs eating up the distance, his dark pinstriped suit perfectly pressed. There was no expression on his sharply defined face, but the force of his presence filled the cabin.

    He took the window seat, unbuttoned his jacket with one hand, and

    b2/3 /b

    12:10

    nced up just in time to catchn and Evan Murphy in the middle of a disagreement.

    Rowan’s voice was low and crisp. “What’s going on?”

    “Nothing-”n started, but Evan cut him off. “Boss, Nash’s team just sent over some photos.”

    Nash’s only job at home was looking after Elissa’s safety.

    So the photos, of course, had to do with her.

    Rowan held out a hand. “Let me see.”

    Evan handed his phone over immediately.

    He knew Evan meant well–just thought Rowan deserved to know everything.

    Loyal to a fault. But not the sharpest tool in the shed.

    Most of the photos were harmless, but a few crossed the line: Elissa getting into Frank’s car, Frank gently wiping her mouth.

    Who knew what Nash was thinking, letting his people send these?

    Anyone could guess that with Rowan’s temper, these were thest photos he’d want to see.

    Rowan scrolled through them with elegant, steady fingers. His eyes narrowed slightly. “She’s gone back to Greenwood Manor?”

    His expression didn’t change, but his voice wasced with ice.