94 Once And For All


    194 Once And For All


    (Winona)


    "What the hell are you doing here?" The words slip out before I can stop them. I''m too on edge to care about politeness right now.


    "Is that any way to greet your daughter''s grandmother?" Judy''s voice is all syrupy sweetness, but her eyes -those cold, calcting eyes-are scanning me, taking in every detail. Gus gives me an apologetic smile. "I told her you didn''t like surprises."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Abby''s at school," I say, crossing my arms. "And we have ns after, so..."


    "So?" Judy cuts in, her tone sharp. "So we''ll wait. I''d love to catch up with you, Winona. Maybe we can chat while we wait for Abby toe home?"


    I do not want her near my mother.


    Is this coincidence that Steve is in town and Judy shows up?


    I''m not mentioning a word about anything. Not Jayden, not Steve and definitely not Ashlyn.


    I stand my ground.


    "Maybe I can help," Judy offers, her voice too eager. "I could pick Abby up from school, like I used to. Spend some time with her while you handle your ns." "No," I say, too quickly. "Abby has a friend''s birthday party."


    Judy''s eyes narrow slightly. "I see."


    "But thanks for the offer."


    Judy''s smile tightens, but she doesn''t argue. "Of course."


    Gus clears his throat, ncing at Judy. "We''ll see Abby another time."


    Judy doesn''t move, her eyes still locked on mine. "Yes, another time. Soon." Then she turns and walks away, Gus sticking close behind her.


    "Yeah," I say casually. "Soon. For sure. Wee back."


    I close the door, leaning against it for a moment as I try to catch my breath. What a shit show.


    How much does Judy know?


    I grab my phone to call Jayden. But I know he won''t answer, not if he''s in the middle of something important. However, I know I also have to tell him his mother is back in the country. I sent off the text.


    Tension builds in my shoulders. I refuse to let any of this trigger me. I need to talk to someone, get some advice. But who? Jayden''s gone, and I don''t want to drag Lisa into this mess.


    I nce at my phone again, my thumb hovering over Gordon Brown''s number. He''s been a solid ally, someone who knows how to handle dangerous situations.


    194 Once And For All


    Maybe he can give me some insight, help me figure out my next move.


    But then I hesitate. What if involving Gordon only makes things worse? What if Steve finds out and sees it as a challenge? I know how his mind works-he thrives on conflict, on pushing people to their limits. If he thinks I''m trying to outmaneuver him, he''ll double down, make things even more dangerous for all of


    1. us.


    I can''t risk that. I need to handle this on my own, at least for now.


    I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I can''t let fear control me. I''ve faced worse than this before, and I''ve survived. I''m stronger now, more capable. I won''t let Steve take that away from me. Not again. But even as I tell myself that, a dark voice in the back of my mind whispers that I''m in over my head. That Steve is more dangerous now than he''s ever been, and that I''m not prepared for what''sing.


    My phone buzzes in my hand, startling me. I nce down and see a message from Jayden.


    I''m on it. Don''t worry. I got you. Talk soon. Love you.


    I text back a quick reply, telling him to be safe and that I love him too.


    I drop my phone on the kitchen counter, figuring I''ll grab a quick shower to clear my head.


    It works a treat, and I savor eachst drop cascading over me. But I need to hit the road, so I dry and dress and go to the kitchen to grab my phone and purse.


    Mom is back in my kitchen. "Oh, having trouble resting?"


    ''She nods. "I came to let you know I''m skipping going out today." Her voice sounds worn out. "I want to take something to help me sleep. I''m just so tired but the thought of him is haunting me."


    I frown, concern tugging at me. "Are you sure? I know you wanted to see Cass at work."


    Mom nods, her expression weary. "Maybe another day. I just need to rest. I''ll be sound asleep for a while, so don''t worry about me. Cass will understand."


    I hesitate, not liking the idea of leaving her alone, but Jayden''s security is tight, and she''ll be safe here. Still, the thought of her being alone in the house with Steve lurking somewhere out there makes my stomach turn. "Okay," I say, trying to sound reassuring. "But I''ll set the security system before I go. Don''t answer the door for anyone, okay?"


    Mom gives me a faint smile. "I likely won''t hear anything anyway. I''ll be knocked out with these." She holds up the meds bottle and takes two out and swallows them with water.


    I nod, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Rest well, Mom. I''ll check on you when I get back."


    As she heads back to the guest quarters, I grab my phone off the counter. There''s a notification strip! drag down a little so I can read it.


    Cold dread settles in my gut as I open the message. There''s no name, but I know who it is. Even though I''ve changed mine since thest time he contacted me.


    194 Once And For All


    The message is simple, chilling in its directness:


    Meet me at warehouser wellington and hobbs at 5


    by one.


    And there''s a picture attached. It''s Cass at work.


    I go into my locked cab and take out my loaded p


    I''m finishing this once and for all.