A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 643

Rowan sighed in amusement. "When have you ever messed up when it comes to hospitality?"

"Well, I didn't know they were Elissa's actual family, did I?" Janice argued.

Treating in-laws was an entirely different ballgame than entertaining standard guests.

"You didn't know, so they won't hold it against you," Rowan assured her. "The Wilkinsons are reasonable people."

"That's true."

After spending the evening with them, Janice had to admit he was right.

They might both be elite, old-money families, but the Wilkinsons' values and the way they carried themselves were leagues above the toxic mess that was the Murphy clan.

A thought suddenly struck her. "So when are the Wilkinsons planning to officially reveal the truth to Elissa?"

"They're waiting until her condition stabilizes a bit more."

As they stepped into the foyer, Elissa, who was curled up on the couch, looked up at the sound of their voices. Rowan immediately shifted the conversation. "Are you tired?"

Elissa's eyes were already half-closed, but she was too exhausted to haul herself upstairs. "Yeah, I'm exhausted."

A tender affection softened Rowan's gaze. He quickly crossed the room, leaning down to scoop her up in his arms, one hand supporting her back and the other tucked beneath her knees. "Let's get you to bed, then."

Elissa didn't protest, simply wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

As the elevator doors closed, she nuzzled her face against his chest and murmured, "Rowan, I suddenly feel so incredibly lucky."

The warmth in Rowan's eyes was absolute. "Why is that?"

"I just feel..."

Elissa paused, thinking it over. "Like I'm surrounded by so much love."

For years, moments like this had been non-existent.

To be completely honest, she had never felt anything like this in her entire life.

Especially during the years when she and Rowan had been estranged. Aside from Tanya, Mr. Blaine, and his wife, she hadn't had a single person she could truly lean on.

His voice had dropped an octave, dripping with mock menace as his intoxicating scent of agarwood completely enveloped her.

Elissa wasn't the least bit intimidated, flipping the script without missing a beat. "I never said that. Don't be so sensitive."

As she spoke, her bright eyes blinked up at him innocently, the slight tilt at the corners dangerously seductive. A fierce, demanding heat surged through Rowan's veins.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he closed the agonizing distance between them. "Then why don't you tell me who loves you the most? Is it Tanya? Mr. Blaine? Or maybe Suzanne..."

With every name he listed, his voice grew rougher, darker.

"It's you!"

Realizing she had pushed her luck a little too far, Elissa threw her hands up in surrender, dropping the act immediately. She looked deep into his eyes and spoke with crystal clarity. "Rowan, it's you. I know exactly how much you love me."

Last night, when the sniper had appeared out of nowhere, he hadn't hesitated for a fraction of a second to shield her with his own body. There had been no time to weigh the pros and cons.

He had been genuinely prepared to sacrifice his own life to keep her safe.