Because the distance was so close and Judy moved fast, Sean had no time to react. He was still holding Charlotte in his arms. To defend them both, he would have to push her away and then move–but there simply wasn’t enough tline.

As the de came down, Sean’s eyes widened.

All he could do was twist his body, shielding Charlotte with his own.

The knife sank into his side

Sean grunted, the sound low and tight with pain.

“No!” Judy’s shriek pierced the air.

She stumbled back, staring in horror and disbelief at what she had done

b“/bWhy?” she screamed hoarsely “Sean Jasper, why her? Why would you throw your life away for her?”

The sharp, metallic scent of blood filled the air.

Charlotte, still in shock, stepped back from his arms and looked down.

And there it was–Judy’s kate buried deep in Sean’s waist.

The color bdrained /bfrom her f

“Sean!” she cried out, her voice breading as tears spilled uncontrobly down her cheek.

Just then, the rooftop door burst open

A team of security guards surged in, expertly trained and moving in syne. They reached them in seconds, wrestling bJudy /bto the ground and restraining her.

Charlotte fell to her knees beside Sean, sobbing uncontrobly as she held onto him.

I’m sorry…..

I’m so sorry…” she choked out between gasps. “It’s my fault! I shouldn’t havee up here alone.”

She had intended to takepliance. She nned to trade ces with jodie, get her out of harm’s way, and then blook /bfor a chance to overpower the attacker

She hadn’t acted on impulse. She had a n.

But what she hadn’t expected was for Sean to arrive so quickly. She hadn’t counted on him refusing to let bher /bput herself in dange

And she definitely hadn’t expected him to throw himself in front of a knite for her.

How did ite

this/b?

It was her bfault/b. All of it. She had bbeen /bbtoo /bstubborn, too sure of herself.

Sean had told bher /bhe was already deploying every security guard in the estate. All she needed to do was crust him–to wait, and let him handle rescuing Jodie.

she never should have rushed to the rooftop on her own.

The security team had been just minutes behind. If she had waited, none of bthis /bwould have happened.

Now Sean was the one lying on an operating btable/b, bleeding because of her.

And in that muisent, Charlotte wished she had taken the de instead.

At the hospital, Sean was rushed into emergency Kiprty.

Outside the operating room, the hallway was packed with people, beach /bof them pacing, tous, wringing their hands.

Charlotte had cried herself dry. Now she stood against the wall, pale and hollow–beyed/b, mamb with guilt,

bMrs. /bbJasper /bSt. and Eilliamsal nearby, both red–eyed and trembling

Jodie had bbeen /brescued unhumed. Xena had taken her house for now.

The engagement party, of course, had been canceled.

The corridor was bfilled /bwith tense silence.

“How the bell did this happen?” Desmond’s volor bwas /blow band /bfurious. “Who bis /bthat woman? Why did she bkidnap /bJodle? Why demand a trade with Charlotteb? /bis she some old army of byour /bfamily?”

James shook his bhead/b, stunned. “No. I’ve over her before.

“I know who she is.” The voice care from Jordan, one of bSean’s /bclosest friends.

Everyone humed to look

b-35 /bBonus

she’s one of Sean’s old admirers, ondan said grimly. “When the cops brought her down, I saw her face. Her name’s Jody Caleb. We went in high school with her. She’s been obsessed with Sean since then 11’shren neatly ten years.”

Charlotte’s dazed myrs finally blinked back into focus. Her lips parted slightly.

“Sean’s admirer?” she whispered, stunned. “Why… why would she do something like this?” ||