A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 180

"Whoa, so the sister-in-law really is here?"

Bradley and his two buddies stood up in unison, glancing toward the bathroom. As soon as they spotted Elissa, disappointment flickered across their faces.

Feeling tense, Elissa greeted each of them politely. "Hi, Bradley..."

"Hey there, little Elissa."

Bradley didn't seem at all surprised to see her at Rowan's place. "So, you've finally patched things up with your brother?"

Elissa was still scrambling for a believable excuse for being here. Hearing his question, she nodded quickly. "Yeah, uh, we're good now."

"Elissa's already here?" called out Frank's voice.

Elissa turned and saw Frank looking over from across the room. He was dressed down for the informal get-together, yet still managed to look sharp and handsome. Marcia stood by his side.

This was the first time Frank had openly brought Marcia along to a friends' gathering—almost like a declaration.

Not that Elissa cared; soon enough, she'd have the divorce papers in hand.

She smiled. "Yeah, I live right across the hall. Just came over to, you know, warm up my... brother's place. That's okay, right?"

Hearing her actually call him "brother," Rowan's lips twitched in amusement, almost imperceptibly.

Rex, quick to catch on to the odd tension between the two, jumped in to smooth things over for Elissa. "Of course it's fine."

"Absolutely," Bradley agreed, unable to hide his nosiness. He'd been rooting for her and Rowan to make up for ages. He leaned in, curiosity piqued. "So, little Elissa, where's your sister-in-law? Is she in the other room? Go get her to come join us!"

Elissa shot a desperate look at Rowan, mortified. What was she supposed to say? There was no "sister-in-law." The lipstick on Rowan's mouth was her doing.

Rowan caught her silent plea but remained unmoved, watching with interest to see how she'd explain their relationship to everyone else.

Left to fend for herself, Elissa mustered a small smile and blurted out, "No more sister-in-law. He just got dumped."

"What?"

All three guys stared at her, dumbfounded. "Didn't they just start dating?"

Bradley jerked his chin toward Rowan. "Look at his belt. That's not a brand he'd ever buy for himself. Must have been a gift."

"And you know what kind of relationship involves giving a man a belt?" he continued, all knowing.

Elissa followed his gaze and realized—Rowan was wearing the belt she'd given him the last time she'd ruined his suit.

Her smile grew strained. "What kind of relationship?"

"Obviously, a romantic one," Bradley declared, clicking his tongue. "Who else would buy a guy a belt, right?"

Elissa instinctively glanced at Rowan, only to find him watching her with mocking amusement, making no effort to bail her out.

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Oh, I... I see."

Before she could finish, Marcia gave her a strange look, eyes lingering on Elissa's lips. Suddenly, Marcia dropped a bombshell.

"Hey, Elissa, isn't that lipstick you're wearing today the exact same shade that was on Mr. Murphy's mouth just now? It looks identical. You're not... you're not his girlfriend, are you—"