Chapter 195
She let Frank pull her close in front of everyone–didn’t flinch, didn’t push him away.
So Rowan, right there in front of the same crowd, kissed her.
Downstairs, someone set off a huge firework. But for Elissa, it was her own heartbeat that thundered in her ears, louder than any explosion outside.
She could swear her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
But Rowan had her cornered, giving her no room to escape. “I told you–don’t let him touch you p>
His voice was low and stubborn, not unlike a child clutching a piece of candy, refusing to let go.
Elissa sighed, her words barely more than a breath, lips soft from his kiss. “He only put his arm around me, over my jacket. That doesn’t really count as touching p>
Rowan’s reply was simple: “Doesn’t matter p>
Just then, a scream pierced the air from downstairs. Startled, Elissa flinched and instinctively wrapped her arms around Rowan, burying her face in his chest.
“It’s just the fireworks! Look how beautiful they are!” someone called up.
So that was it–just someone admiring the pyrotechnics.
Still shaken, Elissa took a deep, steadying breath. When she looked up, Rowan’s eyes caught hers, bright and intense. “You’re only allowed to hold me like this,
understand p>
She nodded, barely whispering, “I understand p>
He pretended not to hear her, tilting his head and watching her with a lazy, amused smile. “What was that p>
Elissa bit her lip, afraid any noise might draw attention from downstairs. Summoning her courage, she rose on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, and whispered right into his ear, “I said I understand p>
“Little Nine only hugs her brother like this. She’s never hugged anyone else this way p>
For a moment, Rowan looked genuinely taken aback. Seizing the opportunity, Elissa ducked out of his arms and made her escape.
1/3
11:40
Chapter 195
Rowan watched her dart away, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he absentmindedly licked his lips. Even his eyes were smiling.
She’s always known what he wants to hear.
His little Nine–she’s the cleverest girl in the world.
Elissa slipped into the study and immediately spotted a hefty stack of envelopes piled on the desk.
Each one was thick, stuffed with cash–some held five figures, others even more.
She gathered the envelopes and was just about to leave when Slate suddenly blocked the doorway.
She’d been carefully avoiding Slate all day. They hadn’t sat together at dinner, and with Frank sticking close by her side, Slate hadn’t dared try anything.
But, of course, he still managed to corner her.
Slate noticed her almost instinctively take a step back and smirked. “What, are you
scared of me p>
She gave him a cold look. “Not scared. I just prefer to keep my distance from people who can’t decide what they are p>
“Elissa!” Slate’s eyes darkened in annoyance, his gaze lingering on her curves. “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of ways to make you feel good p>
“Maybe you’d like to try them yourself first?” came a low, dangerously cold voice from the balcony.
Only then did Elissa realize Rowan had been out there all along, within earshot.
Ever since Rowan had taken Slate down a notch, Slate’s fear of him had only deepened. He flinched, spinning around at the sound of that voice. “R–Rowan, I didn’t realize you were here p>
Rowan stepped out, eyes icy. “If I wasn’t here, how could I make sure you had your
fun p>
“B–big brother, I’m sorry, I was just joking with Elissa p>
Slate’s last encounter with Rowan had left him with more than a physical bruise; even now his legs trembled at the memory.
Rowan tilted his head thoughtfully. “So… do you still want to have fun p>
2/3
11:40
Chapter 195
“N–no. I’m good p>
Slate didn’t dare push his luck–never mind that this was the Murphy estate, or that the old matriarch might stand up for him. He hated Rowan, but he feared him much
more.
Rowan shot Elissa a sidelong glance. “Well? Are you just going to stand there and watch p>
She jumped, muttered something incoherent, and hurried downstairs.
By the time she and Frank finally left Murphy Manor, it was nearly ten o’clock at night.
Chapter 196