It wasn’t just him.
Frank and Bradley seemed caught off guard, too.
Ever since Frank and Elissa got married, Rowan had barely spoken to them, especially after he and Elissa fell out. Still, he’d never left the WhatsApp group. Every time someone organized a get–together, the invite always went out there, but Rowan almost never showed up.
No one expected him to turn up tonight–without a word of warning.
Bradley stood, trying to smooth things over with a grin. “Rowan, what brings you out tonight?”
“Just passing through,” Rowan replied, giving him a slight nod as he straightened and walked in.
The man who’d just made a careless joke hurried after him, apologizing. “Hey, man, I was out of line. Don’t take it to heart.”
Most of the guys here relied on their family’s wealth and connections. Only Rowan and Frank had real power in their own right–especially Rowan, who had a reputation as a ruthless dealmaker, feared by both sides of thew. In Vistapeak City, no one dared cross him.
Rowan sprawled into a seat, one arm draped over the back of the leather couch. “It was just a joke. Why are you so nervous?”
“Alright, go back <i>to </i>your game,” Frank said, helping the guy out of an awkward spot. Then Frank raised his ss toward Rowan from across the room. “You <i>know </i>they’re all a little scared of you.”
“Is that so?” Rowan replied absently, swirling his drink.
Frank poured him another, ying the role of the attentive brother–inw. “You and Elissa–have you been in touchtely?”
Rowan’s voice was casual, almostzy. “Didn’t you all say we’re done for good?”
“That’s just talk,” Frank chuckled. “Everyone knows you used to dote on
her.”
If anyone knew about Rowan and Elissa’s history, it was Frank. Ever since their parents died, Rowan didn’t let anyone close–except Elissa, whom he’d always treated like precious family.
“What’s wrong?” Rowan looked at him, lips quirked in a half–smile. “Afraid I’ll give you trouble if you divorce her for Marcia?”
That wasn’t it, of course. But Frank just smiled back, not bothering to argue. “Would you?”
Elissa was drifting into sleep when her phone rang.
She rarely put her phone on silent–too many longtime patients had her number, and emergencies could happen anytime.
“Elissa, are you free toe pick up Frank?” Bradley’s voice was instantly familiar.
She rubbed her eyes, checking the time–2 a.m. “Bradley, why not just call
him a cab?”
She had clinic hours in the morning.
Bradley sighed, “It’s hard to get a ride out here at Cloud Peak. All the club drivers are booked.”
As he spoke, his location pin popped up on her screen.
Elissa rolled out of bed, still half–asleep. She didn’t even bother changing–just pulled on her long down coat over her pajamas and stepped into the hall.
Tanya Foster, her night–owl roommate, poked her head out from her room. “Where are you going in the middle of the night?”
“Night shift,” Elissa replied.
The Atwater family had given her a paid–off apartment and a hefty sry.
<b>2/3 </b>
12:12
Showing up when needed was part of the deal.
She grabbed Tanya’s car keys from the tray by the door. “I’m taking your car, okay?”
“Huh? Oh, sure,” Tanya muttered, confused. Night shift? Before she could ask, Elissa was already gone, and Tanya retreated to her room and her stack of legal files.
The winter night was bone–chilling.
Elissa cranked the heat as high as it would go. When she arrived, Bradley had already called ahead to the front desk. She gave her name, and a staff member escorted her down the plush hallway.
Even at this hour, the club was bustling. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol.
“Miss, Mr. Atwater’s party is in this room,” the staffer said, opening the door for her.
Elissa stepped in automatically, offering a polite, “Thank you—”
The words caught in her throat.
The room was lit with garish, multicolored lights.
Rowan sat in the far corner, directly facing the door. Most of his
sharply–cut features were hidden in shadow, but his dark eyes found her instantly, cool and unreadable.
<b>3/3 </b>