bChapter /bb275 /b

    Once Frank had calmed down, he realized he couldn’t push her too hard.

    Still, leaving her alone here made him uneasy. It would be far too easy for someone to take advantage of the situation.

    Take Cliff, for example–the guy who’d just dropped her off.

    Hearing that Frank was moving into the apartment below hers made Elissa distinctly ufortable, but there wasn’t much she could do about it.

    It wasn’t like she could just buy the whole building.

    Some things were simply out of her control.

    Doing her best to keep her tone even, she said, “That’s your business. You don’t need to tell me about

    it.”

    The message was clear: Move in if you want–what do I care?

    Frank’s chest tightened at her cold, detached expression. He even considered, just for a second, bringing her back to Greenwood Manor right now. At least there, he could keep an eye on her, make sure she didn’t disappear.

    But with Rowan living next door, he had no choice but to hold himself back.

    Maybe he wouldn’t have to wait much longer. Once he found proof that Elissa’s parents‘ deaths were really connected to the Murphy family, he doubted Elissa would want to stay anywhere near Rowan.

    The elevator doors slid open. Without sparing Frank a nce, Elissa stepped inside and pressed her floor number.

    Frank followed, his long legs easily catching up to her.

    Twenty–second floor for her. Twenty–first for him.

    Each second the elevator climbed felt endless to Elissa.

    Frank watched her press herself against the far wall, keeping as much distance as possible. For a moment, he was swept back to the past–to those holidays and birthdays over thest three years, when she’d waited for him toe home.

    He never did.

    The memory filled him with fresh hatred for Marcia. Even that day at the warehouse district, she’d tried to manipte him and nearly gotten Elissa killed.

    Frank’s face darkened at the thought.

    The elevator dinged at the twenty–first floor.

    Pushing aside his emotions, Frank turned to the girl who so clearly wanted nothing more to do with him. Swallowing the tightness in his chest, he spoke gently, “About your parents–I’ve sent Bernard to Cresthaven personally. Whatever he finds, you’ll be the first to know.”

    b1/2 /b

    b14:30 /b

    “I admit, I have my own reasons for not wanting you to turn to Rowan. But I’m also looking out for you.”

    Elissa gave a short, mirthlessugh. “Looking out for me?”

    Frank’s lips tightened. “Once I know the truth, I won’t keep anything from you.”

    He knew, given how close she and Rowan had been as kids, that she wouldn’t believe a word he said without proof. Worse, she might tip Rowan off before Frank could act.

    He stepped out as the doors opened, then turned back just before they closed. “I’m right downstairs now. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

    As if that made any difference. He’d never been there before–why should she believe he would be

    now?

    Elissa watched the disy tick up another floor, let out a silent breath, and turned her gaze away. She was already picturing crawling straight into bed to catch up on some much–needed sleep–until she saw a man waiting by her door.

    She realized Rowan hadn’t been so obsessed with suitstely. Tonight, he wore a ck turtleneck and casual cks, one hand tucked in his pocket as he lounged by the entrance, looking rxed and a little out of ce.

    He caught her tired expression and raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t go so well?”

    He was obviously asking about theb data fiasco in R&D.

    As she headed toward her door, she shot him a sidelong look. “Don’t you already know?”

    The Murphy Group was his domain now. There was no way he hadn’t heard about it.

    Behind her, Rowan sounded perfectly entitled. “Can’t you at least tell me about it?”

    She remembered how he used to hate small talk. When she was a kid, she’d chatter endlessly to him, only for Rowan to give her that exasperated look every time.

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