My CEO 174

174 Desperate Measures (Judy)

I stand on the balcony of my castle in France, the sun doing little to warm the chill that's settled deep in my bones. The view from the highest hilltop here is breathtaking, but all I can think about is Jayden.

He's slipping away from me. I can feel it in every clipped word, every unanswered call. He's more distant, more unreachable, and it's driving me mad.

I need Ashlyn to step up, to start pushing Winona again, to destabilize her. But Ashlyn has been quiet, too quiet. She's stalling, and I don't have time for this. Whatever clever little plan Ashlyn thinks she has, won't work.

If she thinks she's going all vigilante on me, that she's safe because I'm in another country, she's wrong.

I text her number.

Call me. I need to speak with you. Urgent

It's difficult for her to be able to call, I know that. But she'll find a way.

The tension coils in my chest as I wait for her to text back. To my surprise, my phone rings and it's her.

"That was fast. I like it."

"Judy," she says, her voice lacking the usual fire I've come to expect from her. "I have five minutes."

"What the hell is going on, Ashlyn?" I snap. "You're supposed to be messaging Winona, making her unstable. I gave you her number. Why haven't you started?"

"I will," she says, but there's something off in her tone. "I haven't had much chance to use the phone. They've got me doing activities and jobs. I'm not in isolation anymore."

I narrow my eyes, suspicion gnawing at me. "Are you getting cold feet? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts."

"I'm not."

not be listening to what those therapists have to say. They just want to tick you off their list to make them feel like they are actually good at

her take a deep breath. "No, Judy. I'll start soon. I

hiss. "Jayden is slipping away, and if

what's at stake here."

says, but the uncertainty in her

her too

grip the phone tighter, a wave of frustration washing over me. There's something she's not telling me, something she's hiding. I decide to play it cool. That always works better with Ashlyn. Her crazy,

+25 BONUS

174 Desperate Measures

say, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Because we can't afford any more

have to go. Kitchen duties.

else.

both of us. If she can't follow through, I'll have to find another

from falling completely into

almost died twice now because of Winona. If she just left him alone, I wouldn't have had to push getting rid of her so

it that

here with

tell me the truth." He lets me go

fine there. Abby is well. I do miss

surprised he talked to

connection." I'm not letting Gus get under

I'm here to see if

don't you

castle for the rest of your life.

my castle. It feels like a fairytale dream I can't wait

without her. I don't

know. Time heals all

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