How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod's grip on his phone tightened instinctively.

His gaze was icy, and a cool, mocking smile curved at his lips. "Mr. Aldridge, you really do have your hands in everything, don't you?"

Of course Watts heard the threat in Jarrod's tone he wasn't exactly being subtle. With leverage like this, why not use it?

"Mr. Silverstein, you have to understand-business is about results. The process

is never clean for any of us. Besides, you're my senior in this game."

None of this had been part of the plan.

To be honest, when he first heard about it, anger had flared in him.

He couldn't even say exactly why.

After all, it had nothing to do with him-at least, that's what he told himself.

But then he remembered how they'd tried to get rid of that child, how the child's survival had become a bond between Elodie and Jarrod that refused to break. That silent fury swept over him all over again.

Still, he kept his cool.

And straightaway, he realized: the child Jarrod had fought so hard to save was, in a way, a hostage.

Jarrod was stuck here, panicked

New York was wide open-a vulnerability he couldn't cover

own.

already sent people over. By tomorrow, he'd have results-faster than

was the moment

whatever

the money, or do you want Elodie and your... child?" Watts was in no rush. No matter how

completely at

had schemed to keep that child, Watts understood perfectly well-Elodie and the child meant

wasn't lost

been ruthless with Patricia. Now he played the devoted lover. It was almost poetic

dust from his restless pacing. Shadows flickered across his eyes. "How

his drift-he was worried that, after handing over everything from Verdania,

I'm not interested in anything but my prize. I don't like extra

all, he had other roles

ran a finger along the edge of his phone, voice cold and unreadable.

Watts raised an eyebrow.

once, and yet Jarrod

give me two days-' take care of everything. Then you let them go. And you keep your hands off my child.” There was a trace of fear in Jarrod's voice-he didn't bother to

it loud and