A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Ever since Elissa found out Lorraine wasn’t Rowan’s girlfriend, she’d unconsciously started ignoring the fact that he still had someone else in

his life.

Fine, so it wasn’t Lorraine. There was still someone else.

So what did that make her actions last night?

The thought made Elissa uneasy. Rowan heard her shift and glanced over his shoulder. He finished his call with a couple of calm, patient words before hanging up and turning to face her.

“Head clear yet?”

His tone was already back to its usual, measured calm.

Elissa hesitated, realizing he was talking about last night. Remembering again that he had a girlfriend, she found herself at a loss for words.

He must’ve already taken care of things with Tanya Foster.

If she backed out now, it would look like she was burning bridges–maybe even make Rowan annoyed enough to complicate things with Tanya Foster further.

But if she didn’t back out….

She stayed quiet, brow furrowed, and Rowan arched an eyebrow at her. “So, how long are you planning to sell yourself to me?”

“I…”

Elissa took a breath, deciding it was best to lay it out. “I remember your said you had a girlfriend.”

Rowan blinked, then quickly recalled what he’d told her in the parking garage that time.

He’d said it offhand, but she remembered it all this time.

He smiled faintly. “We broke up.”

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Chapter 167

Relief washed through Elissa, but before she could say anything, Rowant continued in his slow, deliberate way, “Even if we hadn’t, it’d still be fair.”

“I have a girlfriend, you’re married. Elissa, if I can be the other man, what are you so worried about?”

There was a sly, mocking note in his voice.

Elissa froze, suddenly realizing there was something else she’d been ignoring.

She knew she was divorced–but Rowan didn’t.

Maybe that was for the best. At least Rowan would keep their unspeakable relationship a secret for the sake of his own pride.

She stared at the floor. “So… how long do you want this to last?”

Rowan answered without hesitation, “Depends on my mood.”

Typical him.

Elissa knew she had no grounds to negotiate. “Fine. Just let me know when you get bored.”

“I have conditions.”

His voice was cool and even.

Standing by the table, Elissa instinctively looked up. “What kind of

conditions?”

“From now on-

Rowan braced one hand on the

table and leaned in, his dark gaze

catching hers, his words deliberate and clear. “You’re not to let Frank. touch you. Not even a finger.”

Elissa wasn’t surprised. She agreed without hesitation. “Alright.”

Honestly, he didn’t even need to say it. She and Frank had already been. keeping their distance for a while now.

Rowan didn’t say anything for a moment, that did surprise her. “That’s

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Chapter 167

it?”

“That’s it.”

He looked away, his tone casual. “You washed up yet?”

“No. I was just about to-”

She turned to leave, but his hand suddenly caught her wrist.

Rowan nodded toward the master bathroom. “There are new toiletries in

the drawer.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Elissa didn’t argue. She was already the mistress–no point in being coy about something like this.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she set her toothbrush on the counter. Her eyes drifted to Rowan’s black electric toothbrush.

Hers was white.

One black, one white.

Even their mugs–the one he used was deep blue, hers was a soft pink.

She hesitated, then set her toothbrush and mug neatly beside his.

Shuffling out in her slippers, Elissa paused for a moment when she saw the thick, cheesy omelet on the table.

When she was a kid, she’d hated boiled eggs, so omelets like these had been a breakfast staple–because she liked them.

Rowan never really cared for cheese, but he’d eat it anyway, frowning the whole time, and let the cook make breakfast to her taste.

Rowan acted like he hadn’t noticed her staring. He simply pulled out a chair and sat down. “Eat.”

But Elissa’s mind was still on Tanya Foster. “When can I go to the police.

station…”