421 The Predator’s Game

421 The Predator's Game (Judy)

The bar hums with quiet sophistication, the kind of place where London's elite come to sip overpriced whiskey and pretend they're untouchable. I walk in, a predator among prey, and there he is: Lance. The person I've come to see.

He sits hunched over his glass, looking every bit the broken man I expected. The bruises and swelling from his fight with Jayden haven't faded, and there's a hollow look in his eyes that makes my lips curl with satisfaction.

He'll hate Winona now for coming between him and Jayden. Perfect.

"Hello, Lance," I purr, sliding onto the barstool beside him. He doesn't even flinch, just glances at me with a weary indifference. Pathetic.

"Judy," he acknowledges, his voice flat, devoid of the cocky charm he usually wields like a shield. Good. I've taken that from him, too. Easier to further poison his mind against this couple.

I order a glass of Merlot, savoring the anticipation of this moment. "You know," I say, swirling the wine, "I never thought I'd see you quite so... defeated. But here you are, looking like a man who's lost everything And all because of one stupid choice. Or two, depending on how we're counting."

Lance clenches his jaw but says nothing. I lean in, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You really made it too easy for me. Sex with that slut? Did you think you'd get away with that? Maybe you think you'll finally get her yourself?"

He takes a slow sip of his drink, his hands trembling ever so slightly. It's a tiny crack, but enough to feed my ego. "What do you want, Judy?" he asks finally, his voice rough.

"Oh, nothing," I reply, feigning innocence. "Just thought I'd say thank you, really. For being so monumentally stupid. You handed me the ammunition I needed to destroy Winona's place in Jayden's life. Bravo."

His blue eyes, usually so lively and full of mischief, are dull now. "You haven't destroyed her," he says, though it sounds more like he's trying to convince himself than me.

together. And it's all because you couldn't keep it in your pants." I take a sip of my

just for your own sick sense of self-worth? I mean, you can't believe she could ever love you, no one has. You should hate her for

mockery. "You know, I never imagined Jayden would let someone like you get so

ahead, his eyes unfocused, and I seize the opportunity to twist the knife deeper. Remember how you always looked up to Jayden? How you wanted to be

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421 The Predator's Game

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never stood a chance. Your father hated you, and your mother, well she proved how weak

pain that flashes across his face. "Don't," he

press on.

care about anything, fucking your way through women, clinging to that

"I do matter."

always been a lost little boy, desperate for someone to love you." I lean in closer, my

then, and for a moment, I see something flicker in his eyes-rage, maybe. Or just deep, bone-deep hurt. Good. Let him

you here?" he asks, his voice almost a

caused me over the years. Keeping them together when you know she isn't right for him." I glance at his bruises and tut. "Jayden really did a number on you, didn't he? Can't say I blame him. If

silent, and I revel in it. "Speaking of luck," I continue, "you know how fortunate I've been, don't you? All

could have died but he didn't. I could

shoulders stiffening. "Are

so shocked," I say, smirking. "I've always had to protect Jayden from his own naivety. Sometimes that meant making hard decisions. But look at where it got

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