Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 30

“You’re done?” he repeated softly

were going to just walk away? Leave without a word?”

Before I could answer, he stepped back abruptly, his hand dropping from the wall. For a second, I thought he was going to let me go, just turn around and

leave.

Instead, in one smooth motion, he bent down, wrapped his arm around my waist, and threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

“Julian!” I gasped, my hands immediately pushing at his back. “What the fuck–put me down!”

He ignored me, striding toward where his Bentley was parked at the curb, engine still running. Lucas must have dropped him off and waited.

“Put me down!” I hissed, acutely aware of the pedestrians stopping to stare, phones probably already out to record this insanity. ‘People are watching! This is ridiculous-

“Should’ve thought of that before you tried to run off,” he said calmly, like he was discussing the weather and not literally carrying me through the streets of Manhattan like some caveman.

“I can walk, you asshole!”

He reached the car, opened the back door with one hand while still holding me, and deposited me inside with surprising gentleness despite the

manhandling.

Then he climbed in beside me, slamming the door shut.

“Drive,” he said to Lucas in the front seat, his voice clipped.

The car pulled smoothly into traffic. I scooted to the far side of the seat, as far from Julian as possible in the confined space, my heart still racing from the

adrenaline and humiliation.

He watched me with those unreadable gray eyes, his jaw tight, one hand resting on his thigh in a white–knuckled fist.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

Finally, he spoke. “Lucas told me what happened. About the guys at the bar.”

I didn’t respond, just stared out the window at the passing city lights.

“He said they were drunk. Aggressive. His hand clenched tighter. “That they propositioned you and Sophia. Suggested taking you to a hotel.

“We handled it,” I said flatly, still not looking at him.

“Because Lucas stepped in. His voice was cold now. “What if he hadn’t been there?”

My head snapped around. “Then I would have broken that asshole’s nose. I know Krav Maga, Julian. I’m not helpless.”

Something flashed across his fare surprise, maybe–but it was gone too quickly to read.

“Don’t go to places like that anymore, he said quietly.

11:36 am

Chapter 30

I stated at him: “Excuse me?

“Dive bars. Karaoke lounges. Places where drunk assholes think they can-

“Are you seriously trying to control where I go?

“I’m trying to keep you safe-

“Bullshit.” I leaned forward, my voice rising despite myself. “You’re trying to control me. Again. Like you always do.”

“Elena-”

I’m an adult, Julian. I can go wherever the fuck I want. I don’t need your permission. I don’t need your protection. I can make my own decisions about where I go and what I do!”

His jaw clenched. ‘Is that what you think this is about?”

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