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 about

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

own.

sent people over. By tomorrow, he'd have results-faster than Jarrod could possibly arrange

the moment to

whatever

or do you want Elodie and your... child?"

was completely

Watts understood perfectly well-Elodie and

irony wasn't lost

Now he played

from his restless pacing. Shadows flickered across his eyes. "How do I know you won't double-cross me once I give you

was worried that, after handing over everything

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

had other

slowly ran a finger along the edge of his phone, voice

Watts raised an eyebrow.

and

of everything. Then you let

it