396 Beating Judy at her Own Game

(Jayden)

“Judy’s jet is headed here, to London.”

I pause, Viktor’s words sinking in. She always seems to know when things are vulnerable, and now, with Nexus London under siege from within, here she comes. I mean how could she know this place is on its back foot. Unless…

No, surely I’m being paranoid.

I force a shrug. “Might be a coincidence.”

Viktor doesn’t blink. “We both know it’s not.”

“Fine,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “But I’m not meeting her. There’s nothing she could say to make a difference to how I feel now. Whatever she thinks she’s here to do, she’ll be wasting her time.”

“She can try, but she won’t reach you. I’ll intercept her.” Viktor’s tone is steady, his presence a constant reassurance.

“At least she isn’t heading for Winona and the kids.”

Part of me feels grateful for that, but the rest of me—the part that feels like it’s holding together a house of cards—can’t shake the prickling unease that creeps in whenever my mother is around.

What more do I have to do