Chapter 3

“Maybe you’d be doing your brother a favor by wiping out his mistake.” He chose his words carefully. The right ones could chip away the last of Elaine’s patience and maybe earn him his escape. The wrong ones might let loose a fury that would destroy him. As terrifying as death was, it was better than living as a punching bag. One way or another he would be free.

The strength of Elaine’s grip rattled Josh’s teeth, and her unblinking eyes bored into him with a multi-layered hatred. He almost had her. All he had to do was to offer her a possibility she already wanted.

“No one would know.” He said the words so softly, with a hint of suggestion prickling the tip of his tongue. He lowered his eyes in surrender to her strength and his fate. “Maybe you didn’t find me. Maybe I just disappeared.”