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.

“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?”

“Isn’t it?‘ I shot back. You want to lock me away in that mansion. Control every aspect of my life. Well, I won’t live like that.”

Silence fell again, heavier this time.

Then his voice, quieter now but somehow more dangerous: “And you should spend less time with Sophia.”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

“What?”

“Sophia Cruz.” His voice was cold now, detached, like he was discussing a business problem. “She’s reckless. A bad influence. You need to keep your distance.”

I demanded. ‘It sounds like you’re trying to isolate me. Cut me off from the one person who actually gives a damn about me. I’m not listening to you.”