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,

wide open-a vulnerability he couldn't cover on

own.

already sent people over. By tomorrow, he'd

the moment

whatever he

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

was completely at his

schemed to keep that child, Watts understood perfectly

wasn't

Jarrod had been ruthless with Patricia. Now he played the devoted lover. It

from his restless pacing. Shadows flickered across his eyes. "How do I know

handing over everything from Verdania, Watts Still target

interested in anything but my prize.

all, he had

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

Watts raised an eyebrow.

mentioned his whereabouts once, and yet

give me two days-' take care of everything. Then you

heard it loud