Watts was gone.

Elodie's expression slowly regained its composure. Lowering her gaze, she pressed her fingernails into the back of her hand, forcing her thoughts into sharper focus.

Everything she'd just heard was nothing but Watts's word no proof, no evidence.

There was no way she'd let herself be dragged back to his country just like that. And abandoning Jarrod without any explanation? Out of the question.

She heard the click of the lock turning outside the door.

Only after she was sure Watts had walked away did she reach deep into her pocket and pull out her hidden phone.

It was powered on now. Apart from a flickering screen, it seemed to be working.

She moved to the window, searching for a signal.

Just one bar-weak and unreliable.

The signal kept flickering, fading in and out.

A knot of frustration tightened in her chest. She knew she couldn't afford to wait here much longer.

All she could do was put her hope in the phone.

Upstairs, Watts's mood was tangled and dark.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey, but hadn't taken a sip when his phone rang.

glanced at the number and picked

voice reported, "Mr. Aldridge, it looks like

on the glass tightened

cold, violent edge

He was genuinely surprised.

like that-caught in

How did Jarrod escape?

could ask, the voice on

travels a lot, which isn't odd for someone in his position. But our latest analysis shows that, for several months, his most frequent destination has been New

does that mean?" Watts

of facility in New York—a clinic

froze in shock, the glass halfway to his lips, his expression

by the time Fleming Mercer and his team returned

the sound of engines, she rushed outside,

her when she saw the

down

Fleming into such a dangerous situation, but waiting for orders and backup would have. wasted precious time. In the end, she'd had no choice but to gamble

watched anxiously as the

the plane, Esmeralda

No sign of Elodie.

"You haven't found

Fleming met Esmeralda's worried

loyal to her friends—Elodie

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255