<b>Chapter </b><b>119 </b>


    It was only then that Marcia realized just how much Rowan cared about whether Elissa lived or died.


    He’d just swept through the building, leading the search himself–quick,manding, unstoppable. The force of his presence swallowed the entire floor; in his eyes, there was room for no one but his little sister.


    A man like that… If only he could care about her the way Frank did. What would that


    even feel like?


    But Rowan paid no mind to themotion outside. He gently brushed the tears from Elissa’s cheeks. “It’s okay, little one. You’re safe now. If you need to cry, go ahead–let


    it all out.”


    As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the dark bruises marring Elissa’s arm. His tone hardened. “Was it te? Did he hurt you?”


    Elissa, still dazed, lifted her head and followed his eyes to her arm. She shook her head, tears streaming down, her voice barely more than a hoarse whisper. “I did it myself.”


    Normally, a needle embedded under the skin should be carefully removed with tweezers<i>. </i>But she hadn’t had tweezers–or the luxury of time. It was no wonder her arm was so badly bruised.


    Still, it was that needle, pressed into the right nerve, that had saved her life tonight.


    Rowan stayed by her side, waiting until her sobs quieted and her breathing steadied. Only then did he scoop her up, one arm under her knees, the other around her waist. “Let’s get you <i>to </i>another room. I’ll have the doctor take a look.”


    “Okay.”


    She didn’t resist. With the sedative finally out of her system, her body felt limp and


    boneless.


    By the time Rowan carried her out of the room, his face had returned to its earlier, icy calm. He strode down the hallway, his long coat wrapped protectively around Elissa.


    Even though Rowan’s jacket concealed most of her disheveled dress, Frank saw at a nce how shaken she was. He rushed to catch up. “What happened? Who did this?”


    A chill crept up his spine. Thank God Rowan had been vignt–if not, he didn’t dare


    11:13


    Chapter <b>119 </b>


    imagine the consequences.


    Marcia, when she saw them, froze in ce.


    What the hell?


    Elissa’s evening gown was crumpled and askew, but it was clear that te hadn’t actually seeded. That idiot! The girl had been handed <i>to </i>him on a silver tter, and he couldn’t even get his pants off.


    Marcia stared daggers at Elissa, her jealousy burning so hot she could barely contain <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    That wretched girl! How could she be so lucky? Of all nights, Rowan had to be here.


    Otherwise…


    Marcia clenched her teeth, barely holding back her fury.


    “Who did it?” Frank demanded.


    Rowan shot him a mocking look. “And what, are you going to do something about it?”


    Frank’s jaw tightened. “What kind of man do you take me for? She’s my wife. You think I’d just stand by and let this happen to her?”


    Rowan gave a cold, humorlessugh. “Honestly, standing by is the best you’ve ever managed.”


    “Rowan-” Frank pressed, clearly catching the implication. “What are you trying to say?”


    “Just what I said.”


    Inside the penthouse suite,n had already prepared everything. Rowan set Elissa down gently on the bed and turned to Rex. “She’s yours.”


    He didn’t trust anyone else with her care–not after a night like this.


    For once, Rex dropped his usual yfulness. He nced at Elissa, who had slipped into unconsciousness, and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m a lousy gambler, but I’m a damn good doctor,<b>” </b>


    Rowan didn’t respond, just turned and left the room.


    Rex slipped a dissolvable pill between Elissa’s lips, then examined her quickly. He instructed his female assistant to dab ointment on the bruises. “Stay with her. If she wants to shower, wait outside the door in case she needs help.”


    11.12


    Whoever drugged her had meant real harm. If Elissa hadn’t been a doctor herself and acted quickly, there was no telling what might have happened.


    “Understood,” the assistant said.


    “If anythinges up, get me right away,” Rex added, before heading out to join the


    others.


    Just beyond the bedroom door, the atmosphere in the living room was stifling.


    Rowan lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his sharp features. His dark eyes flickered to Marcia, lingering on her just long enough to make her skin crawl.


    Marcia tensed, feeling as though she were being stalked by a deadly predator, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.