A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 262

Seeing her emotions ripple—however faintly—because of him, Frank’s lips curled in a quiet, almost invisible smile. He watched as anger flushed her cheeks, turning them from pale to a rosy brightness, her eyes burning with a vivid spark he hadn’t seen in a long time.

He knew perfectly well how much she resented him right now, yet Frank couldn’t seem to stop himself from wanting to get closer. Even if, compared with all the pain he’d caused her in the past, his attempts to make amends now were barely a drop in the ocean.

Pressing his lips into a thin line, Frank cut her off. “Rowan’s back.”

He glanced at her. “Weren’t you trying to get his help to look into your parents’ deaths? He’s joining Bradley and the others for lunch at that bistro we reserved. You’ll have a chance to talk to him face to face.”

Rowan’s back?

Elissa shot him a skeptical look. “Are you messing with me again?”

Rowan had told her he wouldn’t be back for another four days. By her count, there were still three left.

Frank caught the doubt in her eyes and let out a sigh. “You’ll see for yourself. The Lynn family reserved the private room, and word is, it’s to discuss Lorraine Lynn and Rowan’s engagement.”

Elissa’s nails traced silently over her fingertips. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “I get it.”

So, he’d come back early. But apparently, he was too busy discussing marriage to spare her even a single call.

Or maybe, she thought bitterly, he’d lied about the date on purpose. Maybe he’d just wanted to keep his lover at arm’s length, make sure she stayed out of the way while he handled the real milestones in his life.

As noon drew near, Frank had several deliveries brought over—dozens of this season’s luxury designer dresses.

Elissa picked one at random, slipped it on, and headed out the door with him toward the restaurant.

The place exuded opulence; even the steps at the entrance were inlaid with marble. Without a reservation, you couldn’t even get through the front doors.

She slipped out of Frank’s arms and crossed the room to sit in an empty chair.

A friend beside her immediately moved over to give Frank the seat next to her. “Frank, here, take this one.”

Frank sat down with deliberate calm. Across the table, Bradley gave Elissa a searching look. “Frank hasn’t apologized to you yet?”

Of all the people here, Elissa only ever responded gently to Bradley. “Apologize for what?”

Bradley glanced at Frank, saw he wasn’t going to interrupt, and went on. “The whole mistake—when he thought you were someone else. Now that it’s cleared up, you two can finally move on, right?”

He had always felt bad for Elissa. Frank’s behavior in the past had been unforgivable, but Elissa had chased after him for years. Letting go couldn’t be easy. If this could clear the air, it would be for the best.

Elissa pressed her lips together. Under Frank’s gentle gaze, she dropped her words like stones: “We’ve been divorced for a long time.”