In the car on the way back to Austin, Bradford tells Hannah the crime syndicate will eventually track down and kill Owen, and that Bell is playing Hannah to his own advantage. Bradford says what Owen really wanted Hannah to do was to lay low and let Bradford work out how to protect Hannah and Bailey so the three of them could be reunited.

Hannah disagrees. She tells Bradford, ”Bottom line is that you can’t guarantee that won’t happen. You can’t guarantee me and you couldn’t guarantee Owen [...] Which is why he left her with me. Which is why he disappeared and didn’t come directly to you” (285).

Bradford tells Hannah she is making a huge mistake to trust Bell, because Bell cannot keep them safe. Hannah says she knows this, but neither can Bradford, so she is choosing the option that allows Bailey to retain her identity and continue to live her life. Bradford tells her she cannot trust Bell, saying, “It’s crazy for you to think you can. You cannot make a deal with the devil and expect it to turn out okay.” Hannah replies, “Except I just did” (287).