A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 234

Who knows how he even remembered that detail.

Elissa hesitated for a split second before accepting the chocolate. “Thanks.”

She was about to head out when his voice stopped her. “That’s it? You’re just leaving?”

The man’s hand closed casually around her wrist, his voice lazy and drawling. He sounded easygoing, but there was an edge to it that said otherwise.

A sharp knock at the door made Elissa’s heart pound. She reached up, tugged open Rowan’s shirt collar, and quickly pressed a kiss to his collarbone. With nimble fingers, she fastened the buttons again.

She’d learned her lesson after the last two times—no more leaving lipstick marks behind.

While Rowan was still caught off guard, Elissa slipped out the door—and walked right into Frank.

He reached out to steady her by the shoulder. Elissa knew he’d been waiting outside, but she still flinched instinctively, her nerves betraying her before she managed to collect herself.

“You’re here?” she asked, trying to sound calm.

“Yeah,” Frank replied.

His gaze flicked to the crack of the door behind her, but his expression stayed neutral. “Why weren’t you downstairs?”

Elissa lifted the chocolate in her hand. “My brother insisted I come up and get this for him.”

Frank glanced at the wrapper and smiled, warm and familiar. “That’s an old brand. Any good?”

Elissa nodded. “Yeah, I loved it when I was a kid.”

Frank studied her delicate face, his smile easy. “Mind if I try a piece?”

Her brows drew together in a fleeting frown. She hesitated.

Rowan never liked her being around Frank more than necessary. If he found out she’d given away the chocolate he’d just handed her…

Knowing how unreasonable Rowan could be, she shuddered to think what trouble he’d make for her.

She was still searching for a way to refuse when Frank teased, “What, don’t want to share? Aren’t you a little old to be so protective of your food?”

Elissa rubbed her nose, letting him off the hook with a reluctant, almost sheepish smile.

Frank offered his hand. “Come on.”

“Frank.”

Matriarch Paige Murphy appeared, her tone unusually pleasant. “Since you’re already here, why not stay for dinner?”

Elissa knew Mrs. Murphy still hadn’t given up. Maybe she was just holding on to some unspoken grudge, unwilling to let things go.

Together, they all walked toward the dining room. Frank pulled out a chair for Elissa.

The only relief was knowing Matriarch Paige Murphy would stop suspecting anything, and at least for now, she wouldn’t have to marry into the Crest family.

…

After dinner, Elissa naturally left with Frank.

With Mrs. Murphy’s eyes fixed on her, she had no choice but to get into the passenger seat.

Even after the car had driven some distance, she could still feel a prickling at the back of her neck, like a snake was watching her.

“You barely ate anything at dinner,” Frank observed as he drove. He knew the Murphy family wasn’t as kind to her as they seemed. “Want to grab a bite somewhere else?”

“No, thanks.”

Elissa refused, her voice flat.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

Soon, they arrived at Vistapeak Gardens.

Just as she unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out, Frank caught her wrist. He looked at her, his gaze steady. “I did help you out tonight. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

They were both adults—Elissa knew exactly what “invite me in” meant.