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."

just want to tick you off their list to make them feel

and I can hear her take a deep breath. "No, Judy.

away, and if you don't

what's at stake here."

she says, but the uncertainty in

know her too

she's not telling me, something she's hiding. I decide to play it cool. That always works better with Ashlyn. Her

+25 BONUS

174 Desperate Measures

my voice to remain calm. "Because we can't afford any

have to go. Kitchen duties. The line

else.

racing. Ashlyn's losing her edge, and that's dangerous for both of us. If she

my son from

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

it that way. Abby will

to be here with you and

me go and stands beside me. "It is a wonderful

going fine there. Abby is well.

he

and I will always have a connection." I'm not letting Gus get under my

here to see if you

you

inside this castle for the rest of your life. You wanted to come

feels like a fairytale dream I can't wait for Abby to

without her. I don't blame her, and even that will

know. Time heals all

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