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.

was stuck here, panicked about

York was wide open-a vulnerability he

own.

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

the moment

take whatever he

you think it over? Do you want the money, or do you want Elodie and your... child?" Watts was in no rush. No matter how you looked at it, he had the

was completely

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

irony wasn't lost on

Now he

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

worried that, after handing over everything from Verdania, Watts Still target Elodie and the

in anything but my prize. I don't

he had other roles to

of his phone, voice cold and unreadable. "So what,

Watts raised an eyebrow.

once, and yet Jarrod was already onto

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

it loud and