How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

She said the words out loud, but deep down, she was terrified.

That place was dangerous enough on its own, and now, with Quinn hunting him, what were Jarrod's real chances of making it out alive?

Panic crashed over her, her heart hammering so hard it hurt.

She refused to accept it.

Watts straightened, looming over her from above. "What's done is done. Why force something that's already broken? Elodie, it's time to wake up. Men's flaws run deep-you can't change them, can't redeem them. If he's failed you once, he'll do it again."

He knew Elodie wasn't ready to face the possibility of Jarrod dying out there.

But it didn't matter.

Barring a miracle, the outcome was all but certain.

Elodie didn't want to hear another word. She spun on her heel and headed for the

car.

She'd find Jarrod herself.

for herself that he was

fingers inside his pocket, then strode after her without another word. Without asking permission, he swept an arm around her waist,

struggled,

her back toward the

with both hands. "Let go!

her to

her usual

she wanted was to get away-right

care what schemes

her room. He didn't linger or touch her more than necessary; he set her down by the bed, gazing down at her. "Don't look at me like that. I've

his head, watching her closely. "Maybe you'll be

Silverstein family's

sound casual, his words cut like

believe him. Still, it

from me?!" she shot back, refusing

shoulders lifting in a careless shrug. “I realized something I really do like you, Elodie. No lies. No

what he wanted, without pretending or waiting around

That wasn't his style.

him distrustful

the first time, he understood a little of what