Frank was clearly a bit wary of Rowan. He forced a smile. “You’re overthinking it. I just want to take her home, that’s all.”


    Rowan shot him a cold nce. “And does she want to go?”


    On the business front, the Atwater Group and the Murphy Group had always been close partners. Privately, the two men had grown up together, and now, with Rowan and Elissa reconciled, Rowan was practically Frank’s brother–inw.


    Frank didn’t want to sour things between them again, so he softened his tone. “Couples fight sometimes–nothing out of the ordinary. Arguments at night, making up by morning. It’s not as serious as you think.”


    At the mention of “fighting at night and making up by morning,” Elissa instinctively looked up at Rowan. She didn’t miss the cold glint that shed in his eyes.


    Suddenly, Rowan reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling. “Honestly, I don’t care if you two argue at night and make up by morning, or if you fight today and divorce


    tomorrow.”


    “But as long as she doesn’t want to leave, no one is taking her anywhere.”


    His words were casual as always, but there was an unmistakable edge–one that left


    no room for argument.


    Themotion drew the others into the room.


    Rex immediately sensed the tension crackling between the two men. He walked over and pped Frank on the shoulder. “If Elissa doesn’t want to move back, just let her stay here for a while. When she’s ready, she’ll decide on her own.”


    “Exactly,” Bradley chimed in. He was Frank’s buddy, but he’d seen how Frank had treated little Elissa in the past, and now he joined the chorus.


    “Frank, you know, you can’t fix years of distance overnight. If you really want Elissa toe home, she has to want it too. Rowan’s keeping an eye on things here–no one’s going to take advantage of her.”


    Frank looked at Elissa from across the room, silent for a long moment.


    Bradley’sst point made sense to him–if Cliff wanted to get close to Elissa, he’d have to go through Rowan first.


    Finally, Frank let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. When you’re ready, you’re always wee


    <b>11:37 </b>


    home.”


    He turned to Rowan, concern tightening his voice. “I’ll count on you to look after her for now.”


    Rowan nced at the girl beside him and replied in his usualzy drawl, “Wouldn’t call it a favor.”


    “Alright,” Rex interjected, ncing at his watch and waving the others over. “It’s gettingte. We should all get going–I still have to drive back to Cresthaven tonight.”


    The Wilkinson family had strict traditions. Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and everyone was expected back at the old estate first thing in the morning.


    After everyone piled into the elevator, Rex hesitated, then turned to Elissa. “By the way, I didn’t see Tanya Foster today–where is she?”


    “She…” Elissa looked at Rowan, who gave her a slight nod. Only then did she answer honestly, “She went home for the holidays.”


    Rex frowned a little, then gave her a small nod. “Alright. Thanks.”


    The elevator doors closed, and the hallway fell quiet.


    Elissa let out a long breath, finally able to rx. She couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something going on between Rex and Tanya?”


    She’d started to suspect something a few days ago, when she’d picked Tanya Foster up from her ce. But Tanya had been sick at the time, and Elissa got the sense she didn’t want to talk about it, so she’d let it go.


    Rowan arched an eyebrow. “Want to know?”


    “I do.”


    “Then go take a shower first.”


    Rowan pulled her back inside, steering her toward the master bathroom.


    Elissa tensed up. Her period was over, and, ever the responsible doctor, she blurted out, “Did you remember to bring protection?”


    Rowan, caught off guard, coughed into his fist but didn’t break stride. He shot her a look, his eyes dark. “Protection?”


    “Yeah–condoms.”