FULL NOVELXO Chapter My CEO 184
184 Where's Steve? (Winona)
It takes a few days to set up the visit with Ashlyn. I haven't told anyone we're going, not even Lisa. Jayden and I agreed to keep this between us until we figure out what's really going on.
But just as I'm trying to focus on preparing for the visit, my phone rings. It's Gus. I hesitate for a moment before answering. I mean the man has never really done anything to me. In fact, he's been nothing but supportive.
But I'd be a fool to trust him and think he's a friend. Especially as he has Judy over there and I know she's up to something. Gus probably knows that too.
But Gus I know will protect Abby at all costs. The heir to Nexus Global.
I'll take that as a security blanket.
"Gus," I say, keeping my voice neutral. "What's going on?"
"Winona," he says, his voice serious. "1 need to ask you something. Have you seen Steve lately?"
My heart thumps in dread. "Not for a few weeks. He met me in the park, and he told me my mother still lived in our old house and that there might be another child." "Did you find them? Was it true?"
"Yes, they are at the townhouse with me now. Temporarily."
"Nothing from him since then?"
"No. Why?"
"Because he's not where he's supposed to be," Gus says, his tone grim. "He's gone off the radar, and I thought you should know. I'll get my security team on it. No arguments."
I feel a chill run down my spine. "I won't argue."
I don't want him anywhere near Mom and Cass. Maybe this was his plan all along. He better not try anything or I will make sure he never tries anything again.
Gus is silent for a moment, then he lets out a long sigh. "I don't like this, Winona, Steve disappearing like this... it doesn't sit right with me. He has a lot of money to not come back near you and he's already been there once." "He's planning something." My mind races with possibilities. "I think it might have something to do with my mother and sister. He would know I wouldn't leave them there."
wouldn't put anything past him. Just be careful, okay? Keep your guard up."
"I will," I say, I want to tell him about Ashlyn and the baby story.
This might have a connection with Steve as well. But I've promised Jayden not to tell anyone. "Thanks for the heads up."
184 Where's Steve?
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After I hang up, I immediately tell Jayden about the conversation with Gus. "Steve's gone off the radar," I say, my voice shaking. "Gus thinks he might be planning something. So do I." "Like what?"
"I don't know but I do know he wouldn't have told me about Mom and Cass for nothing. He'd know that I'd bring them with me."
"Maybe, but if he wanted to hurt them, he could have gone back at any point to the house."
I nod. "This is true. Maybe I'm being paranoid."
"You have good reason to be."
"He came back into my life because your mother paid him too. Now your father is paying him more to stay out of it. Yet he has already been back once. It doesn't make sense really." "Unless someone is paying him more to get back into your life."
"Gus has more money at his disposal than any of us, even your mother. Surely Steve would play this and bargain with him for more. That's how he rolls."
"Then it isn't about money, is it," Jayden states.
"No. It isn't and that scares me even more. If he wants all three of us together for some reason. Maybe he wants to eliminate his past altogether." My blood runs cold at the words I'm saying. "Judy gets what she wants too. You and Abby back to herself." I think she is in this up to her neck.
Jayden's expression hardens. "If he turns up here, I swear it will be the last thing he does. Mother will never have Abby and me. I'll make sure of it. I'll kill Steve with my bare hands if I have to." "Jayden. No. You being in jail for murder isn't what we need. You have to keep your temper if you see him. You can't play into his hands like that. He wants to break me. I won't let him." He rakes his hand through his hair. "I just want him out of your life for good. Why now? Why does he have to torture you. Hasn't he done enough?"
"In his mind, I robbed him of his life. I don't think he'll ever forgive me for that."
"You didn't ask to be born and he made your life a living hell. They both did!"
"Jayden! Mom was as much a victim as me. I won't have you blaming her."
"I'm sorry, Winona. I am. I didn't mean it like that. I just can't fathom how anyone can survive what you survived. I can't understand how he can treat his own child like that. He isn't human." "You got that right." I hug him and we hold each other. feel safe in his arms. I always have, even when didn't understand why.
"Let's get going."
"Gus said he's putting his security on us. Just in case."
"I won't argue. I just hope Gus tracks that asshole down soon and puts a bullet in his head."
"Right now, we have to get this visit with Ashlyn over and done with."
104 Where's Steve?
"Yes, and deal with her delusional pregnancy."
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