A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 137

Rowan spoke noncommittally. “What about you? Heading out already?”

“Something came up,” Frank replied.

They ran in the same circles, shared plenty of mutual friends; it was easy enough to keep things from Elissa, but not from Rowan.

So Frank decided to be honest. “My nephew’s come down with a high fever. I need to check on him.”

He handed Rowan a cigarette. “If you run into Elissa later, don’t tell her, alright? No need to get her worrying.”

Rowan took the cigarette, arching an eyebrow in easy agreement. “Sure, no problem.”

Elissa set the calligraphy scroll carelessly on the entryway cabinet. Only after she heard the elevator doors and the hallway fell silent again did she step out, taking a different elevator down.

The lobby was empty. The black Bentley was already gone from where it had been parked. She wasn’t surprised.

Patience was never Rowan’s strong suit. After she’d bailed at the last minute, it made perfect sense he wouldn’t wait around. These days, the line of people wanting to have dinner with Rowan could stretch the length of Juniper Road and then some. He had no reason to humble

himself and wait for her.

She lowered her gaze, turning to head back upstairs, when a familiar Bentley rolled up to the curb. Evan got out and opened the door for her. “Miss, there wasn’t a spot earlier, so I had to park a little farther away.”

Elissa blinked, just in time to see Rowan watching her, looking uncharacteristically upbeat. “Come on, princess. Get in. I’m starving.”

She slid into the back seat, feeling vaguely unsettled. The man who’d looked so put out when she’d gotten out of the car earlier now wore the faintest hint of a smile.

1/3

10:43

Rowan broke the silence. “Ran into Frank, by the way.”

Elissa just said, “Mm,” her tone flat, emotionless. No disappointment, no

anger.

Rowan remembered Frank’s earlier request and his expression flickered. “He went to see his sister–in–law.”

lan, from the driver’s seat, nearly did a double–take. Wasn’t Rowan supposed to keep this from Miss Atwater? Not only did he spill, he’d skipped the fake excuse and gone straight for the truth. Then again, it made sense; no one took a sick kid to the hospital alone.

Elissa didn’t even twitch. “I know.”

She’d never bought Frank’s story anyway. What surprised her was that he was finally making the effort to lie to her–progress, in a way.

Rowan kept his tone casual, but his words cut deep. “He looked pretty desperate to leave. Nearly broke the speed limit getting out of here.”

Elissa frowned at him. “Mr. Murphy, what are you trying to say?”

Was he mocking her for her failed marriage? Or was he judging her because her husband could be summoned away by some mistress at a moment’s notice, making her look like a fool?

Rowan regarded her with an odd look. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. You’re taking this remarkably well.”

He meant her tolerance for being cheated on.

Elissa caught the implication and gave a lazy, defiant smile. “Frank and I do our own thing now.”

Rowan’s brow shot up, his voice suddenly edged with cold. “What did you say?”

She met his gaze, face unreadable as she lied through her teeth. “I said, we have an open marriage.”

Rowan let out a low, disbelieving laugh, lounging back and watching her

2/3

10.13 Cal

Chapter 137

intently. “Oh, really? And how exactly does that work?”

She faltered, fingers tightening in her lap as she looked away from his sharp gaze. “It means… we each do what we want.”

“Oh?” He leaned in, bracing one arm beside her on the seat, his tone somewhere between teasing and challenge. “So who are you planning to ‘do what you want‘ with?”

“I… I haven’t decided yet,” she stammered, chin raised in defiance.

The Atwater family was the textbook definition of double standards–her husband could have his fun, but the moment she even thought about it, they’d have her buried before she made it through the bedroom door. Not that she had the time or inclination; her mind was on the project. If she could pull it off, Matriarch Paige Murphy wouldn’t dare treat her the way

she had before.

By now, dusk had settled. Streetlights cast a soft, golden glow through the windows, painting the inside of the car in warm shadow. Elissa couldn’t read Rowan’s expression in the dim light, but his voice was low and meaningful. “Well, whenever you decide, let me know.”

Something about the way he said it made her heart skip a beat.

3/3