She couldn’t afford to provoke him any further. All she could do now was think of another way out.

    Arguing with him here would only make him do something even more reckless.

    Rowan…

    He must have left someone behind in Vistapeak City.

    As long as she didn’t set Frank off, she’d find a way to leave safely.

    Frank hade prepared with a whole arsenal of arguments to convince her, but to his surprise, she agreed so quickly that he couldn’t help the smile that lit up his eyes. “Alright. Whatever you say, I’ll agree to it.”

    As soon as he finished, Elissa extended her hand toward him. He paused, momentarily startled. “What is it?”

    “My key.”

    Elissa looked at him, her voice leaving no room for negotiation. “The key to my room. Hand it over.”

    She’d picked up this habit years ago, back when te Murphy had forced it on her. Even when she locked her door, she’d tie a strand of hair around the doorknob in a loose knot.

    It wouldn’t fall off from just a breeze, but if anyone so much as touched the handle, it would drop to the ground.

    She’d done the same thing before going to bedst night. But when she woke up this morning, the hair was gone.

    Frank hadn’t tried anything, and she didn’t want to burn bridges with him on his own turf, so she let it

    slide.

    But if she was going to be staying here for a while, there was no way she’d leave her room key in

    Frank’s hands.

    Instead of being annoyed, Frank seemed even more gentle, his gaze softening. He liked her when she stood up for herself, and he liked it when she made demands.

    He reached into his pocket and set the key gently in her palm. “Here you go, both sets are on there.”

    “I’ll head upstairs, then.”

    Veridian and Meridia had a time difference. By her estimate, it was still early here, but Rowan should be waking up soon.

    She knew how important Rowan’s business trip was to the Murphy Group. His schedule was probably packed, so she had to call him now–once he got busy, he wouldn’t have time to answer.

    Frank’s smile was warm. “Go ahead. If you need anything, just call me.”

    “Mm.”

    Elissa nodded absently, quickly heading upstairs.

    14:27

    Once inside her room, she locked the door behind her. This time, she didn’t bother with a strand of

    hair. Instead, she hooked a ceramic mug over the doorknob, so if Frank tried toe in, she’d hear it immediately.

    She pulled back the curtains and nced out the window–right into the eyes of the bodyguard stationed below.

    Frank might have seemed trusting, but he was still keeping a close watch.

    Elissa closed the curtains and pulled out her phone, dialing a number she knew by heart.

    “We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service…”

    The cold, mechanical voice on the other end made her hang up quickly and scroll ton’s number.

    Same result.

    They should havended in Meridiast night. Why would both phones be out of service?

    Had something happened overseas?

    The possibility sent a chill through her. Rowan had made too many bold moves expanding his influence these past few years, making more than a few enemies. And this project had sparked plenty of jealousy.

    It wasn’t impossible that something had gone wrong.

    She took a deep breath, about to try calling again, when her phone suddenly rang.

    Her eyes

    Garrett.”

    lit up for a moment, but the caller ID made her sigh. Still, she answered right away. “Mrs.

    “Elissa, is this a good time to talk?”

    Janice Garrett was a kind woman, always cheerful and warm. Hearing her voice right now, Elissa felt

    a rare sense offort. “Of course, Mrs. Garrett. What’s up?”

    bChapter /b261